Sunday, April 11, 2010

Bumps In The Road

As you know, from reading this blog, coupons have really changed my life
My family lives on one small income and I have always tried to spend our money wisely and I always felt defeated. However, now that I've started using coupons all the time it's radically changed my spending/financial outlook. We were spending around $175 A WEEK on our drugstore needs (diapers, health and beauty etc) and groceries. 
Now that I've started using coupons our drugstore bill has been reduced from $50 a week to $5 or LESS....and sometimes I even MAKE money by shopping for what we need. 
It is unbelievable! I didn't know you *could* live this way! 
My grocery budget has practically disappeared! 
From $125 a week to $45 or LESS. 
More food. Less Money. 
Wouldn't you think this would be a positive thing?  
Well...I went to Sunday School this week and the class started a new video on financial fitness. I really enjoyed the video and am excited to learn how to make better decisions in all areas of my finances but somehow the group went on a huge tangent that ended up with the consensus that instead of spending time clipping coupons and saving money your time is better spent in devotions. 
Now, I don't personally think you can spend *too much* time with God in prayer and in reading the Word but I feel that as a woman, whose *job* it is (speaking about myself here!) to keep the home running that one of the best things I can do to use what HE has given us wisely is to spend less on what we need so that we have more to give! 
Coupons have freed me for the FIRST time in my life to give to others!  
We have more money for tithing and more things I can donate to those who need them! 
I've never been in this position before and it is a wonderful blessing! 
But I just felt so defeated in class when people (who have no idea that I coupon) decided that one's time is wasted in couponing and that using coupons wastes OTHER people's time because they have to stand in line behind you. Really. It was just ridiculous. It's so easy to judge what you don't understand--I am GUILTY of doing the same thing! I used to not understand spending time figuring out ways to save money--I thought it was a waste. But it isn't. It is a gift! So couponing friends, I want to encourage you with some verses from Proverbs that encourage me and that I aspire to. Saving money isn't a waste of time. Spending an hour or two a week to save $400 a month doesn't destroy your relationship with God. I am thankful that He has allowed me to figure this all out (with the help of so many others) so that our lives could be changed in this way. It has been an amazing blessing and a small miracle in our home!
God bless the couponers! =)

 Proverbs 31:10-31
 10 [c] A wife of noble character who can find?
       She is worth far more than rubies.
 11 Her husband has full confidence in her
       and lacks nothing of value.
 12 She brings him good, not harm,
       all the days of her life.
 13 She selects wool and flax
       and works with eager hands.
 14 She is like the merchant ships,
       bringing her food from afar.
 15 She gets up while it is still dark;
       she provides food for her family
       and portions for her servant girls.
 16 She considers a field and buys it;
       out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
 17 She sets about her work vigorously;
       her arms are strong for her tasks.
 18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
       and her lamp does not go out at night.
 19 In her hand she holds the distaff
       and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
 20 She opens her arms to the poor
       and extends her hands to the needy.
 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
       for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
 22 She makes coverings for her bed;
       she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
       where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
 24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
       and supplies the merchants with sashes.
 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
       she can laugh at the days to come.
 26 She speaks with wisdom,
       and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
 27 She watches over the affairs of her household
       and does not eat the bread of idleness.
 28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
       her husband also, and he praises her:
 29 "Many women do noble things,
       but you surpass them all."
 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
       but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
 31 Give her the reward she has earned,
       and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

4 comments:

  1. Um, seriously, who would say that? Pretty sure whoever said that does not spend every waking moment doing their devotions....and for them to feel any "right" to say that at all, they would have to say take that statement and apply it to everything- you shouldn't watch tv, you should only do your devotions. you shouldn't talk to friends, you should only do your devotions. etc. Couponing is a hobby, it's a job, it saves money, it's fun, and I am POSITIVE that God can be honored in it. Amen.

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  2. Well said Ashley! I have very much enjoyed your posts (and Ashley's:). Both of you have helped to free me from the frustration (and sometimes guilt) over the $ spent at the grocery store/drug store/Target. Thank you. Unfortunately, there will always be those who think of themselves as more spiritual when really they are more legalistic. I feel sorry for them. That is not a relationship with Jesus. I'm sorry that you were attacked. You are doing a great job with what God has given you. Keep up the good work.

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  3. That is why I spend so much time rolling my eyes around 'church peeps' ...*sigh*.

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  4. Well said, Shelly! I can't believe someone would actually say that, but I do understand the misinterpretation of coupons. I didn't understand them myself, and now, of course, that I do--it has changed our lives as well. I am spending less money buying the name brand items I couldn't afford before (mostly getting some for pennies on the dollar or free) than I was on generics. It is unbelievable! Huggies diapers rather than Walmart brand? You betcha! :) There is no doubt that it frees your budget up significantly, and no doubt that THAT is a blessing that comes straight from God Himself! I thank Him everyday that you found this, and through you, I found it as well. :)

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