Matthew 6:34 & Frugality

Matthew 6:34 (NIV) -- Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has trouble enough of its own.

That has always been my favorite Bible verse, most likely because I tend to worry too much and not turn my cares over to God the way I should. I see more people falling prey to this every day with the current state of the economy. I live in the beautiful state of Michigan which at the moment has an unemployment rate of 10.6% so money woes are affecting many of the people I know. We are blessed in that DH is still working and I am still teaching computer classes part-time but things are still much tighter than they were.

We are continuing to tithe and trust in God to take care of us but that doesn't mean I am not being proactive in spending as little as possible and not wasting the treasures he has given me. I believe the gift he has given me is teaching and I want to use this blog to share things I have learned in different areas -- one day it may be frugal living, another day how to do something on the computer, another how to cook something, and yet another just my random thoughts. I have a lot of them. :)

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In fact I just recently wrote an article on how to save money that you may find helpful.

DON'T rely on coupons. Coupons can be a savings or they can actually cause you to spend more than necessary. If you buy things only because you have a really good coupon for it, or buy a more expensive brand that costs more than a store brand even with a coupon they are costing you more than they are saving you.

DO shop at a grocery store rather than a "one-stop" store. Pick one of the no frills stores,not only are the prices lower but they don't have as many extras that jump into your cart when you aren't looking. (Like that cute top or that shiny fishing lure).

DON'T buy convenience foods except for as a treat. Regularly relying on canned, boxed, and frozen dinners is a sure way to drive your grocery bill up. It is almost always cheaper to make it yourself.

DO make things from scratch. Here is the part where it takes a little more time but once it becomes a part of your routine it doesn't seem so bad. For instance, spaghetti sauce goes on sale for $1.00 on a fairly regular basis. However, pureed tomatoes go on sale for fifty cents. A large can of pureed tomatoes, some water and some spices can make an excellent sauce for half the price. If your budget allows (or if you have produce you need to use up before it goes bad) you can even make a "fancy" sauce by adding chopped vegetables, i.e. green peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes. The same hold true for almost any type of sauce.

DON'T ever go to the grocery store without a complete list of what you need to buy and don't deviate from it. Unless you see an incredible in store special if it is not on the list you can live without it.

DO watch the ads and buy what is on sale each week. If you have the extra money and there is an extraordinary sale then stock up a bit!

DON'T decide what you are going to make for dinner when you get to the store. Sit down with the ads and plan a week's worth of meals out of the sale items and any items you have already stocked up on. I know many of you are not used to planning out a menu a week in advance but it will save money. Do it two weeks in advance if you can, the less trips you make to the store the less you will buy. It also saves you the hassle of deciding what to make for dinner each night.

DO take advantage of the seasonal items. Buy the produce that is in season and not the pricier out of season varieties. You can also stock up on in season vegetables by blanching them and freezing them for later use. Most vegetables can be frozen with just a little preparation (onions and green peppers are a prime example).

DON'T think that the buy one get one free items (or sales) are always a deal. You should have a list of the store's regular prices, so check it before you buy that great deal to be sure it IS one.

DO reevaluate your cooking habits. Using dried beans instead of canned beans saves a considerable amount of money, you just have to think ahead. If you have your menu planned for the week it shouldn't be a problem. Frozen juice concentrate is cheaper than the bottled variety, potatoes are cheaper than instant potatoes, etc.

DON'T buy personal care products or cleaning products at the grocery store. Those items are usually cheaper at the "one-stop" chain stores or at pharmacies which often offer spectacular sales. Many can even be purchased at a dollar store! (You can even make many of your own cleaning supplies -- vinegar and water work just as well as glass cleaner).

DO look at it as a personal challenge and track your savings. It will help keep you motivated as you change your shopping habits.

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Wow! This post was much longer than I intended it to be. As you make your ways through difficult times remember Matthew 6:34.

"Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden"~~Corrie TenBoom