Thriving on
One Income
by Crystal
Paine
I've enjoyed
all the
comments on
living on
one income
- Great
ideas and
inspiration!
I thought
I'd share a
few things
we have
done. Others
have touched
on some of
these
already, but
these are
some ideas
which have
allowed us
to live on
$800-$1000/month
without
going into
debt. We
have been
through some
very lean
times
financially,
but God has
always taken
care of us
and been so
faithful to
make the
"ends meet"
when we
couldn't
work it out
on paper.
Even though
things are
not at all
as tight now
as they were
the first
two years of
our
marriage, we
know that we
can live on
a lot less
if we need
to.
-Tithe.
Vitally
important!
Recognize
that all the
money you
have is
given to you
from God and
you are to
be a good
steward of
it.
-Read the
biography of
George
Mueller and
get in a
habit of
asking God
for your
provisions.
I can tell
you story
after story
of amazing
ways God has
answered our
prayers for
specific
needs-- from
providing a
washer and
dryer for
free, to
furnishing
our home for
$100, to
anonymous
gifts in the
mail just
when we
needed it
most, to a
good sale at
the grocery
store on
something.
God has
provided
above and
beyond many
things we
have asked
Him for. It
has been
truly
amazing to
see His
provision.
-Pay cash
for
everything.
Don't even
think of
buying
something if
you don't
have the
money for
it.
-Pare down
to the basic
essentials.
It is
amazing what
you can live
without.
-Make a
budget and
stick to it.
Pay for the
essentials
first. If
there is
money left
over, put it
in savings.
-Regardless
of how
little you
have, put a
little money
in savings
every
month-- even
if it's only
$5.
-Don't buy
expensive
gifts. Make
something or
write a
letter, it's
much more
meaningful
when you put
time and
effort into
a gift
anyway.
-Have one
vehicle (and
buy it
used!).
- Stay home
more. It's
amazing how
many things
you don't
know you are
missing out
on, if
you're not
out window
shopping.
Staying home
and just
spending
time
together as
a family is
much more
fulfilling
anyway!
-Don't buy
anything you
don't need
and then,
only if it's
on sale.
-Don't eat
out. I
repeat,
don't eat
out. You'll
save
yourself a
bundle of
money.
-Find ways
to have
"free dates"
with your
husband.
Pack a
picnic and
go to the
park. Or, go
to a
bookstore
and browse
together.
Make some
homemade
mocha and
play a game.
The
possibilities
are almost
endless on
this one.
-Learn to
utilize the
library. I
love our
local
library-- I
can go and
check out as
many books
as I want
and never
pay them a
cent (We are
spoiled to
not have
overdue fees
at our
library, as
well)!
-Pack a
lunch for
your husband
to take to
work
everyday.
-Cut back on
meat
consumption.
(we only eat
meat about
3-4 times
per week and
really have
not missed
it much.)
-Stick to
simple
meals. Cook
and bake
from
scratch.
-Learn to
mend and
home
dry-clean
Crystal
Paine is a
24-year-old
homeschool
graduate
from Topeka,
Kansas. She
is the
blessed wife
of Jesse and
joyful
mother of
Kathrynne.
Visit her
site,
Biblical
Womanhood,
for books,
articles,
encouragement,
and
inspiration.
