Thrifty Thursday

This post is going to be in combination with tomorrow’s blog about accomplishing goals. One of my goals is to continue to learn how to live simply. Coupled with this is reading more as well (one of my goals this year).

I recently read the book “Less Is More” by Cecile Andrews and Wanda Urbanska. Definitely a recommended reading! (P.S. I got it from our local library). It not only taught me how to live more simply, but also to be more thrifty. So this is going to be a two-part series.

Simplicity is defined in the book as “a complex concept, but at the core is voluntary limitation of our outer wealth so we can have greater inner wealth.” Enough said.

Here are some thoughts from the book that I couldn’t just keep to myself – I italicized the books ideas.

•  Reduce spending so you can work less and have more time. If we spend less, we can work less. If we have less stuff, we spend less time on stuff. It takes time to buy stuff, manage stuff, fix stuff, etc. That is such a straight forward concept, yet I feel we all think it is so complex. I hear people talk about their budgets and they say “there is just no way we can cut spending.” Years ago I would say the same thing. But really, there is ALWAYS something we can cut – it’s just a matter of if we are willing to, or not. Stuff can get in the way of our life!

•  We live in an “on your own society” that comes across as being very uncaring. But doesn’t that mindset go against what we really want? Many places are devoid of human interactions. We live in a “me”society where yes, we want to prove to people we can live life on our own. I think that mentality can flow over into our spiritual lives as well. I think we tend to have the attitude towards God then, that we can live without Him too, and we try to. Yet, we fail every time (at least I do). We are designed to be in community with each other. God designed us that way – think about why He created Eve! Our world is becoming devoid of human interaction. Think about self-checkouts, movie rentals (red box), self-carwashes, getting gas (in Belize that had someone to pump for you), banking, etc. I am NOT saying that these things are bad in and of themselves – but I think we have to think about what these cause us to do and how they in a way, go against the design to be in community with one another (something deep down, we really want).

• How do I want to live? What makes me happy? How does my lifestyle contribute to the greater good? Do we live like we can have anything we want? How does the consequences of our choices affect others? When we make a purchase, do we REALLY think about other people? Do we REALLY think about how it will impact our life? Our minds are often overtaken with the “instant gratification” desire that we forget about what that purchase may actually mean in our life. Do you buy something because you think it’ll make you happier? What if it doesn’t live up to what you think it will do? It often ends up just cluttering up our life.

• Do you feel uneasy or dissatisfied about your life? We’ve been taught that more IS better. We think too much about the things we don’t have. Are you uneasy about how you are living? Are there things in your lifestyle that you want to change? If so, what is stopping you? Do you fear that you may “miss” it? I would dare say that you probably won’t. In fact, you will probably be thankful that you DID get rid of that one thing. Why do we concentrate on what we don’t have? Again, we may think we are “missing out” on something. Yet I think sometimes we think we are entitled to have something. Where do we get that mentality from? Everything we own is GOD’S and PURELY GOD’S. We are to be stewards of what He has given us – not worry about the things we DON’T have.

God is working on these things in my life. I can safely say I can walk through a store and not wish I owned everything in it :). God is teaching us to be content. to just be okay with what we have. All of our things are in boxes and some things I am sure I forget I even own. Really, that is sad. That means I don’t even miss them. Granted, some things I just don’t need right now (ex. kitchen utensils), but will need them someday. But I know I own things that I have too many of. Just be content, Kristin, just be content. I hope these questions and ideas make you think about the life you are living. If they challenge you, I recommend you to ask God why. He knows what He wants you to change :).