Jewels
My heart is definately in being a homemaker and a mom. I love being able to stay at home with my kids. It does come with it's own set of inconveniences though...all of them being of the financial nature! It isn't easy to say the least, but it is worth it!
My husband is a pastor, and contrary to popular belief, it is not a very good paying job. Especially considering the fact that congregations want their pastors to have a good college education, if not a graduate degree, and lots of previous experience under their belt. (which usually means lot of school bills!) The job requires long hours, with no time for a second job, and no compensation for all of the overtime you put in! Churches usually expect the pastor's wife to be extremely involved in the church as well. So, raising a family, being a involved support to your husbands ministry, and holding any sort of job seem pretty much impossible. I have had to learn to be very creative in making this work, and somehow, the bills are always paid and our stomachs are always full! I have taught some classes in the past for women's conferences on frugal living, and I am often asked questions regarding how to make the dollar stretch. So, the following ideas are some of the tactics I have used in the past, or currently am using. Hope it helps!
1. First of all, a budget is absolutely essential. We do the "envelope system". My husband is paid bi-weekly, so when he is paid, I get my "allowance". Meaning, I get my allotted amounts of money for groceries, gas, and entertainment. I keep them all is designated envelopes, and I always know exactly how much I have that way, and when the money is gone, it's gone! It is a very tangible way of making me really think through my purchases, and how much running around with the car I do!
2. Look at your expenditures and really consider what is not really a need. For instance, when I was expecting my first child, and I quite working, we had to do away with the coffee of the month club, the delivery of the paper, and internet service at the house. They weren't "needs" so they had to go!
3. I use cloth diapers for my kids, and that saves me a ton of money. I know it is "gross" to have to deal with sometimes, but (no pun intended) it saves us so much money! The initial investment to buy the cloth diapers can range anywhere from $40-$150(depending on what kind you buy). However, the average baby uses at least $25 a week on disposable diapers. The cloth diapers lasts through many babies too. I use approximately 50 cents a week in laundry soap to wash them, plus the water expenses. (see my recipe for laundry soap!) I hang them to dry in the basement to save on energy, instead of using the dryer.
4. I hang all of our jeans, and sweatshirts up to dry instead of using the dryer. a. It makes the life of the garment last longer b. it saves about 20% of the energy used for drying clothes!
5. I have never, ever had any sort of alloted money in the budget for shoes, clothes, etc. because the money just isn't there! What is interesting is that people assume we spend tons of money on this stuff, because my kids are always dressed cute, and usually have top of the line stuff on. I have combatted this problem several ways. a. hand me downs, b. garage sales, c. clothing exchanges (usually something you find available in larger cities), d. end of the season clearances (do your shopping for the following year...think ahead!) e. consignment stores, f. learn how to sew! I save the birthday and Christmas gift money recieved, and whatever extra is left over from the envelope system, and use that as the clothing money.
6. Groceries! Okay, so I really like the idea of using organic and whole foods. However, that is just not possible at this stage of the game due to the prices! I make my menu for 2 weeks, and then go through the menu and make sure that I have all of the needed ingredients, and make my grocery list accordingly. I usually make my menu's based on the store ad specials. Never underestimate the power of using store savings cards or coupons. I usually save at least 30% on every grocery trip. I usually buy the store specials that I have a coupon for as well.
I buy my bread at the bread outlet stores, and always buy the main staple stuff at discount grocery stores. (Grocery Outlet, Save-A-Lot, etc.) It requires making a few extra stops to get the grocery shopping done, but it makes cents! :-)
Learn how to garden and can food! Some farms and orchards allow people to come in and glean whatever is left by the fruit/vegetable pickers...and usually for free!
If you live near a St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store, they usually have grocery stores give them their surplus leftovers on bread, bagels, tortillas, some dairy products, etc. at the end of the week. Sunday's it is available for free to the public. Call them and find out details!
Join a co-op for vegetables and fruit if gardening isn't a possibility. If you find a friend to go in on the cost with you, you split the produce, and then you have fresh, locally grown, organic produce, and usually plenty of it!
7. I turn the heat in our house down to 58 degrees at night, and if we leave the house during the day I keep the heat way down while we are gone. No use heating it, if nobody's here! I just make sure the kids have really warm pajamas on at night, and lots of blankets on their beds!
8. Turn lights off in the house! Just use the lights in the room that you are in. Make it a habit to turn the light off if you are leaving a room. Buy energy efficient light bulbs too!
9. Evaluate how much of the driving around you do is really necessary! Gas is so expensive, and it really adds up! So, make a list of all of the errands you need to do, and do it all at once, instead of driving back and forth and all over! It's better for the environment too!
10. Cable, long-distance phone calls, and internet. Check your local providers for a bundle deal. When we lived in Seattle, it cost us $45 dollars a month just to have a phone line to the house. Plus, our long-distance phone bill was around $65 a month because we were so far away from all of our family. This made it impossible for us to afford internet or cable. There were no options for a bundle deal. Here, in small town Michigan, we pay $45 dollars a month for basic cable, internet, and phone...including unlimited long-distance calling! Shop around and negotiate! It works!
11. Gardening and Lawn- Most anywhere nowdays there are gardening exchanges...meaning that you can get plants people are thinning out of their gardens for free. Also, sometimes they are removing shrubs or trees, and those are available too. Google it! You'd be surprised what you can get!
12. Watch Craig's list for free stuff. I've gotten a nice swing set, a kitchen table, and several bags of nice kid's clothing for free. Especially watch in the spring or fall when people are sorting and cleaning! www.craigslist.com

So, there you have it! Just a few of my suggestions for how to make your dollar stretch, and how to make ends meet without having to go find another job! I'm not saying anything about this makes you a better person for doing these things, or a better Christian. It just helps fill the stomach, clothe the bodies, and pay the bills! I sometimes wish I didn't have to put all this energy into just surviving! I always try to make it a game.(how low can I keep the grocery bill this month?) It makes it fun for me. Plus I think it is good for my kids to learn to be creative, and not have everything they want. I always include them in my shopping and help them understand how to compare prices, use coupons, etc. They love it!
If you have any questions, comments, or ideas please share them with me!
5 Responses
  1. BlessedMama Says:

    Thanks for the great post! I'm also a pastor's wife with two small kids and so many of the things that you do we do as well. It is based out of necessity and I have learned to enjoy finding deals and saving for our family. We live in the Seattle area so the cost of living seems higher than other places, but the envelope system has worked great for us as well! Thanks again and have a great Sunday!!!!!!!!!


  2. Jewels Says:

    That is so cool! We just moved to Michigan from Seattle! Small world huh? The cost of living there was absolutely killing us! Things are not as tight here, but we still have to be wise! Thanks for your comment!


  3. Unknown Says:

    I haven't had a chance to read all of your messages, but what I've seen have been so inspiring :) LOTS of great PRACTICAL advice. Thanx for sharing all of this...and don't stop:)Love you..Ju


  4. Heidi Brown Says:

    This is fabulous and I love that you get your children involved.


  5. Adriana Says:

    Who do you get your cable, phone and internet from... I laughed at your temp in the winter Dale cries when I turn the heat to 64...