Trimming the Budget

In difficult economic times it is best to trim the budget if nothing extra is coming in to make up the difference. Currently, gas prices are on the rise as well as electric bills, grocery cost and...everything else.

At the Holt House we're doing everything we can to save a dollar. I thought I would share with everyone some of the things we're doing...even though some of these things are not popular with everyone under this one roof.

Unplugging

According to experts, unplugging small appliances can cut your energy bill up to 40 percent! So unplug the mixer and the computer...and the television...and the lamps. We are also making sure all lights are off when we leave the room and keeping the A/C off unless temps rise making us all sweat. Most times during the spring and fall a box fan in the window is enough to pull a nice breeze. This is another incentive my teenagers and their friends do not like.


Scratch

Whenever I can I will try to find a scratch recipe for items purchased at the grocery. Not only is this healthier than the boxed alternative but is frugal. I haven't purchased bread at the grocery in years. Needless to say, I spend time on Tuesday mornings baking bread but I know it is not only more frugal but much better for my family than the plastic loaves at the market. I haven't purchased eggs in a long while either because the ladies outside do a nice job providing; during the molt my dear friend who also has chickens keeps me supplied as I will for her. We have also made laundry detergent together and plan to make hand soaps.

Diggin' in the dirt

Having a kitchen garden makes a big change in your life. Not only is it such a money saver, it keeps you fit, more aware of the health of your patch of ground, and gives a Godly perspective. I can't tell you how many times when I've worked in the garden and thought of the parable Jesus teaches about seed sowing.

Thinking differently

Being a teen of the 80's, it never occurred to me to think twice about whether or not I wanted to get into my car I should consider the price of gas. Gas was $.90 per gallon! If my parents allowed me to go somewhere, I went. It wasn't the cost of driving I had to have permission for...it was the other factors: where I was going, who I would be with and what we would be doing.

For years Americans took for granted the availability of the automobile. If we need something, we get into the car and go...If we want to drive across town to see something interesting, so be it.

With oil prices fluctuating so drastically, at my house this is not the case anymore. We have to think differently now. Getting into the car takes more thought. For instance if I am shopping, I try my best to do it in one day making several stops. If it is necessary to drive into the city, all stops in the city will be made that day as to not have to drive the twenty miles again that week. If going out, the route needs to be considered.

Years ago I was taught thinking frugally was thinking in poverty. Hmmm... that can be right on some level but wrong on others. I believe God wants for His children to trust Him as their provider but at the same time be good stewards of all He has given. In the past, I was guilty about shopping without thought of was was listed on a price tag. If we needed something, I bought it without thought of "Is this a good deal?" This is no longer the case and I am proud to say our changes have given us more peace of mind.

I've never been afraid of hard work. I've not always been able to work as hard as some but when it comes to supporting my husband and children with being more organized, willing to work for the common purpose for the good of the family, and doing so with joy in my heart--I know He is guiding me.

When God guides, He provides!