Budget Smudget, part two

So, how have you been doing with your money this week?  Did you make a budget yet?  Did you ask God for financial wisdom?  Did you let your spouse know about that secret credit card you opened at the department store 6 months ago?
So, we have thus far discussed making a budget, but have you considered how you are going to stick with the plan over the course of the fiscal year?  We have already mentioned accountability to yourself and your spouse, creating a safety net for when the inevitable rainy day comes along, and staying out of debt.  But, what about the day to day living, when dollars and cents just seem to trickle through your fingertips?  Here are some more specific pointers (not exhaustive and in no specific order) on how to live within your means: 

1. Patient research: Imagine you recently graduated and were promptly offered your first job.  The only problem is that your job is 30 minutes away and you don't have a car.  Time to go get one, right?  Right and wrong.  Before you head over to your local car dealership, you need to put in time and effort as to what you are going to buy, why you are going to buy it, and what price you are going to purchase it at.  The internet is simply an awesome tool to start researching such a purchase.  Never before have we had such easy access to information.  Also, take a look at consumer reports, ask friends and family there experiences, etc.  But, once you've found what will best suit your needs, make sure that you pray about your possible purchase and sleep on it.  You would be surprised at what one good night of sleep can change your mind about. Proverbs 10:4  Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
2. Forget about name brands: Generic, used, and donated are the way to go.  A box of name brand Cheerios cost about $4 per box, but at Aldi generic Cheerios cost about $1.50 per box.  Garage sales are another way to save yourself a pretty penny.  Be humble and be aware of where you are in life. Although I feel safe in saying that buying generic or used is usually the best bet in 95% of cases, make sure you do a quick think about quality versus quantity.  Yes, you may be able to buy a pair of slacks from Walmart for $5, but if they shrink after the first wash and don't fit any longer, did you really save yourself any money by restraining from the $30 slacks that would have lasted you 5 years? Psalm 37:11 But the humble will inherit the land and will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
3. The Jar system: Transparency is key to staying honest and on track with your budget.  One system that works for many people is the jar system (some use envelopes).  You take glass jars and label them with one part of the daily-expense budget.  For instance, you have a jar for food for the week, a jar for gasoline, a jar for entertainment, etc. (but you would not have a jar for your mortgage, for instance).  You place the weekly allotted money in the jar at the beginning of every week and then as the money goes out the receipts go in.  No money in the jars?  Then your done spending money on that item for the week.  This system is basically there to take your irresponsible reliance on credit cards away.  When you actually see the money leave the jars, I think you will find that you will  be more than able to stick with your budget.  It is so easy to overspend when all you have to do is swipe a card now and pay later.  Remember, even if you don't have anyone to be accountable except yourself, God sees all and knows whether or not you are living in a financially responsible manner.  If you would like to try this system, here is a more in depth-article about the system.  Psalm 90:8 You have placed our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your presence. 
4. Cheap Entertainment: Do you really need to go to the movies every weekend?  And is it really necessary to buy alcohol at a bar?  There are many cheap, fabulous, and even free ways of having fun.  For instance, we love to have people over for dinner and have them bring a side dish while we provide the main course.  Or, we rent a DVD from a redbox and then use promotional codes that render our purchase free.  One of the most prevalent ways Americans waste their money is on restaurants.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to eat out and take a break from cooking, just be careful that you aren't keeping yourself in financial ruin over something as easily deniable as restaurant purchases.  Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.

5. Second Job:  Ok, so you are budgeting and sticking to it, but your expenses just simply cannot be reduced any lower and you are coming up short every month.  Sadly, this is time where you need to consider further employment.  No one wants you to be a workaholic, but it is your responsibility to pay for those things you purchase.  It sounds simple enough, but many act like it is something they are unwilling to do.  If you need more money, work for it. Proverbs 21:25 The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.  
6. Tithe: This one might seem counter-intuitive to some, but this goes back to my original and most important point: at the center of your finances, there God is.  God has given you all of the money you have.  He clothes you, He shelters you, and He gives you employment to pay for all of your needs.  God requires that we return to Him 10% of our gross income.  Yes, 10%.  Now, I know what you are thinking, that you are just barely making it week to week and now you have to give up an entire 10% chunk so that your church can have flowers in the foyer this year?  God always provides all that we need.  We must have faith that if God asks it of us, that there is a very good reason, in fact a perfect reason for requiring this of us.  Have faith and give to God what is God's in the first place.  My own personal experience has been that when we give to God, he always blesses us abundantly.  I have never looked back and said, "oh, if only I hadn't tithed this month!   Then everything would have been ok."  In fact, when I have been stingy with the Lord, that is when I notice things get rough for us financially.  This is only my personal experience, but I do believe scripture backs me up in my observations.  Leviticus 27: 30,32  'Thus all the tithe, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S ; it is holy to the LORD. 'For every tenth part of herd or flock, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD.'    
One final tip: when you truly need something, buy it.  Of course sticking to your budget is important, but if you truly need something, God will always provide the means for it.  If you are sick, see a doctor.  If you are starving, eat.  If your house has become dangerous, fix it.  When making important financial decisions remember that God is with you and you need not worry about money.  If God can save the world from sin, don't you think your financial problems are a piece of cake for Him?        

Matthew 6:25-34 "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink ; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?  And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?  And why are you worried about clothing?  Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will wear for clothing?'  For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things ; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."