Take Root and Write

Where to Invest Your Money - Part I

God provides financial surplus so that we can save for the future, give to the needy around us and invest. The purpose of investing money is to grow your money or to produce an income. But, if we decide to invest our money, where should we allocate it?

Invest in the Kingdom of God

We are told by Jesus to seek first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and that where we place our treasure reveals where our heart is too (Matthew 6:31). Since we should not serve money as a master, or seek to grow rich (I Timothy 6:10), but we can use money to serve the Lord by investing in the Kingdom of God: supporting missionaries, tithing to our local church, giving to the poor in Jesus' Name, supporting Christian ministries, and blessing Crisis Pregnancy Centers. These are all ways we can invest in the Kingdom of God.

When my husband, Mike was a young man planning to go to seminary to answer the call of God on his life, an older man invested in the Kingdom of God by investing in Mike. He gave him a sales job with a generous base pay and commission. This money paid tuition at seminary; the beginning of a lifetime of ministry. Not only was this man investing in the Kingdom of God, he was investing in my husband's dreams!

Invest in Your Dreams

We invested in my husband's dreams too. Before we had children, we both worked. But, Mike and I lived off of his income and saved mine. We put the money in savings, along with the extra money Mike earned, to use during our seminary years. We could have lived extravagantly during those early years of marriage, but instead we were very frugal so that we could invest in Mike's dream.

God puts dreams into our hearts. Invest in making those dreams come true. Do you have a dream to paint? Invest in painting lessons. Is it your ambition to write a book? Invest in software to help with the layout. Is your dream to fly a plane? Even though flying lessons are expensive, you can put a little aside each month until you have the money to invest in your aviation dream. We can invest in our dreams!

Budgeting for the Holidays

It's almost time for Thanksgiving and Christmas, my favorite time of year. Unfortunately, it is also an expensive time of year. How can you prepare ahead financially for the coming holidays?

Put it on Paper

We can spend TONS of money at the holidays, always more than I think we will. Money seems to flow out of our wallets at the speed of light.  You probably find yourself spending money on food, goodies, drinks, travel, clothing, shoes, film, cards, stamps, costumes, stocking stuffers, DVDs, music, and more.

Write down everything you spend money on during the holiday season. Don't think "best case scenario"--be realistic! You know where your self-control ends and what you are truly willing to sacrifice. Next to each item on your list, estimate how much money will be spent. Then total it up. That is probably the minumum of what you will spend.

Time to Pray

God cares about your holiday plans. Lift up your list to him and ask Him to both provide and prune. If you do not have money to spend on the holidays, ask for miraculous provision. Also ask Him to show you what you can do without or show you a realistic substititute.

If you pray for rain, you should get out your umbrella. If you pray for provision, you should be on the look out for coupons, free items from friends, extra money floating in, and all kinds of amazing ways that God provides. He is so good.

Saving for the Future

The tyranny of the urgent often keeps us from even thinking about, much less preparing for, the future. We are commanded in Scripture to plan and prepare for the future, especially our eternal future in Heaven with Jesus.

Ants and People!

"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lay there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest--and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man," (Proverbs 6:6-11 NIV).

Let's look at ants, , ,yes, ants! Ants are busy little creatures, gathering their food for the long winter. They don't have a taskmaster making them work so hard. God has put it into their little hearts to gather provisions.

To save for the future requires us to work hard too. No one will stand over you, crack the whip, and force you to store money away for future needs and possible calamities. This is a choice you must make for yourself and your family.

If you shrug off the idea of saving for your future, you will come across trouble or financial hard times (we all do) and find that you have no way to take care of yourself. Just as a thief comes unexpectedly, poverty, or lack of finances, will suddenly appear without warning if you are not prepared.

Cars breaking down, appliances dying, expensive medical tests, and other financial "surprises" should not really surprise us. Cars, appliances, and equipment eventually will need to be replaced. We must plan ahead to meet these financial needs. This should be part of our budget.

Our children will grow up and go to college and get married. Those things will cost money. If we want to take a vacation, it will cost money too. Again, we must plan for these things.

Feeding Your Family

It's probably safe to say that most of us love food, and that some of our happiest memories are associated with delicious meals. Yet, while we all want to eat right, healthy food can be expensive. So how do we enjoy food, eat healthy, and save money at the same time?

Let's look at some practical ways to both cut our food budget and still eat well.

Cook at Home

Cooking at home, instead of eating out, is the number one way to spend less. Pack your lunch instead of eating at a restaurant or fast food place. When you do want to eat out, try clipping coupons or taking advantage of specials.

Eating at home for dinner not only provides healthier, less expensive meals, but also fosters close family relationships.

Shop the Sales

Get in the habit of reading the weekly sales advertisements in the newspaper or mail; make your shopping list based on these bargains. If fish is on sale, choose that for one of your upcoming meals. Use the price breaks as an oppotunity to stock up on nonperishables, such as rice, flour, pasta, and other pantry items or foods that freeze well like butter, meats, and cheeses.

Making Financial Decisions

 

"We don't need a new car!" Mary slammed the bedroom door on her way out. She didn't care if the kids heard their argument. She was sick of his childish ways of managing their finances. They were about to lose their house and Mark was talking about buying a new car.

Mark watched Mary stomp out the door and shook his head. She was such a rebellious wife. And, she certainly didn't trust God to take care of them.

Financial decisions can be emotional. When we make these decisions with our spouse, we  find ourselves with two completely different perspectives. How can we make wise financial decisions?

Moral Decisions

Moral decisions are based on right and wrong. We chose to obey God or disobey God. We can rationalize choosing the wrong, but it is still wrong and deep inside we know it. The Bible teaches us to work hard, avoid debt, store money away for the future, tithe, give generously to the poor, and take care of the financial needs of their families.

Deciding between working hard or being lazy is a moral decision. The decision to go into debt for new furniture or save up for it is a moral decision. Another moral choice would be tithing or not tithing.

For some of us, moral decisions are easy. For other Christians, there can be a struggle between right and wrong. Let's make a choice to read the Bible and obey it! This will make moral financial decisions easy.

5,000 Year Leap Government Curriculum Review

"There's a new government curriculum that I thought about using instead, but I just decided to stick with the one I've always used. I already have lesson plans to teach it," my friend, Katie shared.

I nodded my head, knowing how hard it is to make lesson plans for your own family and lesson plans for a coop as well. But my sniffer had perked up too.  "Government curriculum?" I asked.

Katie laughed, knowing my love for books and curriculum.

You see, I have a hard time finding a government curriculum that I like. I want something from a Christian perspective that isn't dry and boring. I want something that talks about the Founding Fathers and the dreams they had for our nation. But, I also want something that gives my kids a practical overview of how government works and how they can participate.

Do government textbooks have to be dry? Can they give us the facts and still be interesting. I have found a curriculum that I love. In fact, I enjoyed the book, The 5000 Year Leap so much that I asked my husband to read it. Now I can't get the book back from him. He is planning to teach a class for church using the curriculum. So in the Curtis household, this curriculum has made a hit!

Tithing New Testament Style II

"You look great!" Sally gushed. "You look so happy! What is going on in your life?"

"The Lord has been so good to us! Listen to what He did. . ." Anne related a testimony of God's supernatural provision.

Sally listened and smiled.

"We just started tithing six months ago and it's changed everything for us.  Not just financially." Anne continued to share with Sally how Christ was changing her life and her husband's life.

Tithing is an act of discipline and worship for the believer in Jesus. We talked last time about tithing in Tithing New Testament Style I, reminding us that everything belongs to God and we are simply stewards of His things and money. We also talked about investing in our Heavenly bank account. I love tithing because to me, it is like giving a present to the Lord. I just love giving gifts, so tithing is fun for me.

Wouldn't it be great to go shopping for the Lord? "I'll take two camels, please, and a yacht! Could you gift wrap that, please?" Of course, shopping for the Lord would be so difficult. He owns everything already. What do you give someone who has everything? That is our question as we examine the act of tithing. 

Worship is the act ascribing worth and honor to God by acknowledging Him and giving to Him. We lift Him up in our thoughts and behavior.

Tithing is a way of giving a gift to the Lord. Worship is the act of giving to the Lord. We give Him a song when we sing. But the real gift is the heart behind the singing of the song. When we sing as an act of worship, we give Him our heart.

We worship by giving gifts of money to the Lord with tithes and offerings.

"Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His Name. Bring an offering and come into His courts," (Psalm 96:8, NIV).

Gleaning

 

They were back in Israel after a long journey. There was no money left and enough food for one more meal. Ruth tried not to think of her hometown in Moab, but she felt a little scared. She had promised her mother-in-law, Naomi, that she would never leave her, she had chosen to follow the God of Israel, and had trusted Him to take care of the two of them. Had God brought them this far to die?

"I will go get a job," Ruth announced the next morning. She was putting on a brave front, but inside she doubted that anyone would hire a foreigner.

That morning, Naomi patiently explained the gleaning laws to Ruth. Ruth relaxed and set off for the field of Boaz, a member of Naomi's family. She would glean in his field and there would be plenty of food for both women. 

What is Gleaning?

"When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien.  I am the Lord your God," Leviticus 19:9-10 NIV.

The gleaning law fascinates me! It is so creative and makes so much sense. What a great way to take care of the poor and unemployed.  

Walk on Water, Part II

Let's continue our interview with Roxane from last time. Roxane shared with us how she started her business in Walk on Water, Part I.

Meredith: I love that you call your employees, associates. This title conveys respect and appreciation. What can you recommend to other business owners about getting along with your associates?

Roxane: We follow the Golden Rule and treat our associates with great respect. They represent Walk on Water, being the front line of who the customer sees. I love my team! I have them to my home for a huge Christmas party every year where they are honored, given gifts, and acknowledged in front of each other for the wonderful gifts and talents they have. They bring their husbands. We have a wonderful time of dinner and fellowship together. My advise is to treat your employees with respect and love. Remember, your roles could be reversed one day, so treat them the way you would want to be treated.

Meredith: Your store is generous in donating to charities. Why do you do what you do? What fruit have you seen from this?

Roxane: We know that the store is the Lord's store and everything in it is His. We are to be good stewards of what He has given us.

Walk on Water, Part I

Roxane is my spinning instructor at the Longwood/Lake Mary YMCA. Each Tuesday morning, she leads our Christian spin class into the Presence of God with Christian music, prayer, and carefully chosen Scripture passages. But, Roxane is also a godly wife, doting mother, and owner of Walk on Water, an upscale clothing boutique, offering fashionable clothing, handbags, shoes, and jewelry. Roxane carries a selection of Brighton, Vera Bradley, Pandora & Yellow Box Shoes at her lovely store. She generously gives to charity and proclaims Christ throughout her life, including her business.

I wish you could meet Roxane in person. You would love her! I'd like to introduce you to her right now. Let's learn from our dear sister in Christ. Roxane has wisdom for those wishing to start their own business and carefully balance the demands of family, home, and business.

Meredith: Roxane, why did you start Walk on Water?

Roxane: Through a long journey God directed us to this amazing opportunity to open a store that would glorify Him and help those in need. After seventeen years working with a family retail business, we were able to agree to sell that business to a national chain. I realized I was working for a paycheck and not for God's purposes. When Jesus came into my heart, I understood the priority of putting Him first, my husband second.

Through God's blessing, we were able to have our precious son after twelve years of marriage. I was able to take many Bible studies and grow in God's Word through this time. When my son entered the first grade, God started moving my heart to take a business affinity course that would teach me how to run a business using godly principles.

The Intentional Planner Review

 

Sheri Graham is a busy homeschooling mom with a houseful of children. She also runs her own business and writes books. Somewhere in all that hard work, she manages to post a blog each day. I am encouraged and challenged by Sheri and her ministry.

To do all that she does, and to to it all so well, Sheri must be a very organized lady! So, when she sent me her Intentional Planner to review, I was eager to see it. I like to learn from other homeschooling moms who do all things well.

The Intentional Planner is an E-book that you can download the minute you purchase it on Graham Family Ministries online store. You can make as make copies as you need and put together as many planners as you need for your family. Before I tell you any more about it, though, I have to give you some really good news! The Intentional Planner only costs $5.00.  Yes, that's right, only $5.00 for 247 pages of wisdom from Graham Family Ministries. I could not believe that you could spend so little and get so much!

With a desire to combine her planner, calendar, journal, and home management binder into one notebook, Sheri created the Intentional Planner. It is everything you need to manage your home and home school in one neat package. There are fields on the pages available to customize your planner too.

2010 Schoolhouse Planner Review

"The 2010 Schoolhouse Planner is finished!" Heidi wrote in her email. Attached was the The Old Schoolhouse magazine's homeschooling and home management planner. This planner has to be the most thorough planner I have ever seen. As always, I was eager to look through this 614 page planner.

The brand new edition is here! Heidi Stawser and Kris Price have done it again. The 2010 Schoolhouse Planner is an administrative delight to those who love organizing and for those who can't stand organization, but know they desperately need it! This contains everything you need to manage your home and school.

Planning sheets, charts, logs, articles, recipes, and more fill the 614 pages in the newest planner from the Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Available as an E-book, you can purchase the 2010 Schoolhouse Planner from The Old Schoolhouse Store for $39.00.

The planner is divided into monthly sections (211 pages). This is followed by calendars (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), monthly calendars, miscellaneous education information (~50 pages), and forms (~300 pages). Like all of TOS's publications, this planner is attractive, easy on the eyes, and pleasant to read through. There is so much neat stuff to read--I found myself completely distracted for hours!

Up and Down, Around and Around II

Let's finish talking about a healthy economy's cycles of growing and recessing. We talked about the first two phases, Expansion and Prosperity, last time in Up and Down, Around and Around I. Let's move on to the last two phases.

Contraction

This is a period of economic decline. Prices drop. Sales slow down, people are buying less, and families start tightening their belts. This is a time where unsuccessful businesses must make hard decisions. Inefficient business practices must change or the business could fold. Marketing practices are analyzed. New ways to improve the product are discovered.

Polly's business is struggling. She has to let two of her employees go. She gives them six months notice and allows them one day a week to look for another job. She finds a cheaper place to purchase zippers and buttons, freeing up some money to fix two of her sewing machines. She asks her employees to help her come up with improvements that will make her clothing more marketable. One of her seamstresses has an advertising idea that becomes very popular. Sales increase and she hires back the employees she had to let go. Polly made wise use of her season of contraction.

Sometimes a season of contraction happens in a business or family because they are cutting back to save for the next season of growth. Unnecessary expenses are purged and frivolous pursuits are abandoned.

Homeschooling Lessons from the Sound of Music

Mom and I sat spell-bound in the movie theater until the final credits were over in the 1960's when The Sound of Music came out. My little girl's heart thrilled as Maria twirled through the hills of Austria singing. I loved the laughter of the seven children of Captain Von Trapp, the urging of the Reverend Mother for Maria to Climb Every Mountain, and beautiful wedding where the nuns sang "How Do you Solve a Problem like Maria" in the background. My romantic heart thrilled over the white gazebo, the folk dance scene, and final escape over the alps to freedom.

Mom bought the album for me and I played it over and over again while I twirled through the house pretending to be Maria twirling through the alps. I imagined being a governess, a nun, and the mother of seven children. Here are the lesson I have learned from The Sound of Music.

The Sound of Music brings Joy

Once the captain realized that Maria brought music back into his home, his heart softened. "You brought music back into the house. I'd forgotten," the captain said to Maria. His anger toward her melted away when he heard his children singing.

Music brings joy with it. I want to fill my home with the sound of music--from the classical strains of Handel and Bach to the rockin' beat of Hillsong United and Kutless. I want them to sing along with worship songs in the car when we drive and to make up silly songs when they are happy. 

Reach for the Stars Young Author's Fiction Workbook Review

One thing that we love in our house is reading good literature! Everyone loves curling up with a good book and, if possible, some homemade cookies and milk. Nothing is more wonderful than a good story. You might call it escapism....we call it growing intellectually.

Now, for all those who love reading a good story, there is a hidden desire to make up a good story. Most will not admit this, but it lurks quietly in the souls of almost all committed readers of fiction. Even young children want to make up their own stories. In fact, I think almost all children who have been exposed to good literature will have a desire, no matter how small, to write their own work of fiction.

I have reviewed a great curriculum for high school students, One Year Novel Adventure, that teaches teens to write their own adventurer novel. But, what about a great curriculum for younger children to write a great story?

Reach for the Stars Young Author's Fiction Workbook by Susan K. Marlow is a new fiction writing curriculum for the younger set. Published by Media Angels, this is another valuable resource for homeschooling families!

Designed specifically for younger children, the text is large, easy-to read. The explanations are clear and easy to understand. But what I appreciated even more was the fun layout of the workbook. Neat illustrations combined with a very attractive layout make the book a delight to thumb through. It was so cute that it could have been void of solid learning material and I still would have wanted to keep it. But such was not the case. It was chock full of wisdom!

Up and Down, Around and Around

Understanding economics is just not that difficult. If the word economics sends shivers down your spine, then review my last article Economics 101. Today we are going to talk about what a healthy economy looks like.

A healthy economy is not always growing, rather it goes through cycles of growing and recessing. This normal cycle is the result of many things, including the need for businesses and people to save money for seasons of spending. Let's look a normal economic cycle.

What factors are used to determine each stage?

• GNP (Gross Domestic Product) (How much stuff a nation is producing)
• Interest rates (How much interest banks are charging because so many people are in debt)
• Unemployment rates (How many people are out of work and how many people have jobs)
• Consumer spending (How much money people are spending)

In the Garden of Eden, Adam had a job, but it was an easy work--taking care of the garden and the animals. There was plenty to eat, a rent-free place to live, and wholesome fun to participate in for free. Since the fruit-incident, mankind must get a job and work hard to take care of needs (food, clothing, shelter) and wants (cars, phones, vacations, computers).

Hidden Art of Homemaking Review

"Hidden Art?  What is hidden art?" I wondered as I glanced at the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Book Table. It was the 1980's and I was a college student, majoring in nursing. I didn't want to get married until I was REALLY old...like 30!

But, this book caught my eye. I had already read a few books by Francis Schaeffer, a Christian philosopher and this was his wife. I was curious to find out what she had to say about homemaking because I grew up wanting to be a homemaker when I finally settled down and got married.

The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer is a book I have read many times since I first bought it in my college days. When I was single, it helped me to make my dorm room a home. In later years, this book inspired me to create a home for my family.

Over the years, I have read many books on homemaking, but this is my favorite! Edith Schaeffer is my heroine. She devoted her life to creating a home to nurture her husband, children, and all the people they ministered to in their chalet in Switzerland. From freshly baked bread to lovely music playing, Edith decorated her house carefully, filling it with art, laughter, beauty, and good books.

Why do I love this book so much? The premise of the book is being an artist, bringing art, creativity, and originality to our homemaking. The book opens with a chapter on the First Artist, the Lord. The book shows how the Lord is an Artist, filling our lives and world with His beauty to communicate that He loves us. We are made in His image, artists who can create too. What joy we can experience as homemakers when we seek to imitate the FIrst Artist by bringing hidden art into all areas of homemaking.

Economics 101

"Well Brian keeps the economy humming," I giggled to my husband as we talked late one evening. Our friend, Brian, had dropped in to show us his latest purchases that included a dart gun, a music CD, and a new amp for his guitar.

Where the money came from was a mystery. He worked for Khol's, drove a motorcycle, and lived in his own house. His checking account hovered near zero and he doesn't have a savings account.

We are told by politicians that people spending money is a sign of a "healthy economy." But is it? What is a healthy economy in God's eyes? And what is economics anyway?

Economics is the study of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services according to Webster's dictionary. Goods are products such as televisions, ships, jeans, jewelry, ice cream, or bikes. Services include hair styling, banking, cleaning, interior decorating, or teaching. People make, sell, and buy goods and services day in and day out. In the process of all this producing, selling, and buying, money is exchanged. That's why we study money, inflation, debt, and interest too.

You see, economics is simple. It is just studying what people make and do and how those things are sold. Daily life is full of buying things. We go to work and produce things (goods) or do things (services) to make money.

Bartering

Mary's parents bought her a new washing machine, even though the old one worked fine. What she really needed was shoes and clothing for her children. Betsy desperately needed a washing machine that was reliable and she had an abundance of clothing and shoes in good condition that would fit Mary's children. Mary traded her old washing machine for "gently-used" clothing and shoes for her children.

Sarah needed help with her taxes. Laura needed her hair cut, colored, and styled, but could not afford it. They decided to trade! Mike needed some work done on his car that he didn't have the time or ability to do. Tim needed help updating his resume because he was out of work and looking for a job. Mike's wife, Maggie updated Tim's resume for him and Tim fixed Mike's car.

John and Karen needed some repair work done on the their house, but there was no money to pay someone to do it. Cole had a pile of clothing that needed mending and a daughter that needed a ride to work each day. Since his daughter worked near Karen, Karen gave her a ride and also did the mending. Cole was happy to do the repair work that John and Karen needed done.

What is Bartering?

If you are like many Americans, your paycheck is getting smaller or maybe you find yourself without a job right now. Bartering might be one of the solutions to the problem of less money available to spend on your family's needs. Bartering is a way to get what you need without spending money, while at the same time sharing your talents and resources with others.

Gardening is Beautiful: A Review of P. Allen Smith's Website

 

I never had any other desire so strong, and so like to covetousness,
as that one which I have had always,
that I might be master at last of a small house and a large Garden.
~Abraham Cowley, The Garden, 1666

There is a desire in most of us to create beauty. Those of us who garden find beauty in God's creation and try to capture it in our own small space. My friend, Lylah, has created a place of such beauty. I've never gotten to visit it in person, but she takes me on journeys through it's lovely paths every time she posts to her website, La Maison Et Le Jardin.

Lylah's blog is a diary of her love for family and the beauty she makes for them and herself to enjoy. I feel blessed that she shares that with me. My goal with my own garden is to create the same sense of joy here that I feel when I visit her through the virtual world.

Making such a place from the ground up takes a lot of effort, but that effort is worth every minute. When the garden brings us peace, we have an escape from frustrations-a place to meet with God in quiet communion. If we plan well enough, we can also bring that peace into our homes. A mason jar of home-grown daisies on the dining table is, to me, more beautiful than a vase of store-bought roses.

Lobster Network Review

"Where is Four Musketeers?" Shine asked all of us. "I have looked everywhere."

"Did you look on the literature shelf?" I responded, almost chiding.

"It's not there, Mom. I've been looking for it," Rose backed Shine up.

"The Godfrey's have it," Jimmy announced, looking up from the book he was reading.

"Oh, golly," I fumed. "Did they use the check out list on the computer at the top of the stairs?"

"Sometimes they forget," Rose reminded me.

"There must be a better system to keep track of our stuff and get it back when we need it."

Lobster Network to the rescue! This website was created especially for me and all the people in my life who borrow stuff from me. Not really, but it felt like that when I was sent to the website to review Lobster Network. I was so happy to find this because I spend many hours each week trying to figure out where on earth a book has disappeared to, finally discovering that it is at a friend's house. I have tried keep files on the computer, but then I have to get on that particular computer--hard to do in a household of nine people.

Making the Most of Our Time

The clock ticks and bedtime arrives before we know it. Many of us have so much to do that we wish there were more hours in the day. Effective time management will help us better juggle a multitude of responsibilities. In Time Is of the Essence, Melissa Smallwood shared the benefits of managing time wisely. Today, she is back to offer practical ways to be frugal with our time.

Karen:  Welcome back, Melissa. Last week, you shared a little about yourself as well as the benefits of managing time well. Are there some key principals for effective time management?

Melissa:  The first principle is spending our time wisely. Just like any other resource the Lord provides, we need to be good stewards of our time. I encourage people to prayerfully take their calendar to God and ask Him to reveal what should be there and what shouldn't.

The next is what I call the "I am not my calendar" principle. So often we define ourselves by what we do and not by who we are in Christ. Because we will never feel fulfilled when we find our worth anywhere other than through Jesus, we just end up filling our calendar with things to do. Then we end up wondering where all the time has gone.

Finally, there is the priority principle. There are things in life that need to take precedent over other things. Being able to discern what those are and be purposeful about making the right things your priority, makes managing your time so much easier.

Healthy Banking

"Do you think Pastor Mike would give us some money to cover a bounced check from the church's benevolence fund?" the young man finally stammered, after his wife had spend two whole minutes glaring at him. There was tension in the air.

"I can't really answer for him," I responded, adroitly passing the buck to my husband. "What happened? Do you want to talk about it?"

Of course, they wanted to talk about it. Both husband and wife blamed the other for the financial mismanagement with venom in their voices. Had they just two years earlier promised to honor and cherish one another? I had been at their wedding. My mind began to wander and I forced myself to focus back on the louder of the two voices who were both speaking at once.

"I called the bank to see how much was in our account..."

"Why did you call the bank?" I interrupted. "Why not look in your checkbook register?"

This shut them both up instantly and a look of confusion clouded the two young faces.

I was shocked! This young couple wrote out checks and used their debit card, but did not record anything in their check book register. They depended on phone calls or online investigations to check on their account balance. What about outstanding checks? What about lag time between using the card and money leaving the bank account.

My mother raised me proper! At least when it came to keeping my check book. She taught me how to write out a check, record all transactions in the check book register, and keep a running total. She also put the fear of God into my soul. I would not dream of failing to enter a check and subtract it in the register.

Imagine my surprise to find out that many Americans do not use their check book registers. If only they had been raised by my mother! Here are some practical tips to healthy banking.

Pass the Peas (Seed), Please

Everything on earth has its own time and its own season (Ecclesiastes 3:1 CEV).

The snow was flying again at the end of last week. For our area, it was just a passing storm that only left cold night time temperatures to remember those flurries. My grandson coined it "swinter," combining spring with a touch of winter.

The warmer days might give the urge to go ahead and put some seeds in the ground. Before you do that, take a look at your average last frost dates. There are several good sites with this information.

1) Victory Seeds has the frost dates listed by state and city. They are also a good source for open-pollinated and heirloom seeds.

2) The Old Farmers Almanac has frost dates and a plethora of gardening help. Sign up for their free newsletter delivered right into your email.

3) USA Gardener also list frost dates by state and city. They have nice free gardening e-books available on their site.

Time Is of the Essence

Have you ever had days where you wondered...where did the time go? Some days it feels like we haven't accomplished much. Other days we bounce from one activity to the next without much time to even catch our breath! We know time is of the essence. Yet it seems like it flies by like a blur. Many of us juggle our endless activities and never-ending chores until it feels like there is not enough time in the day. Melissa Smallwood, from Organized Life By Design, is here to talk about how to be frugal with our time. She is a professional organizer who is passionate about teaching others how to manage their time more effectively.

Karen:  Welcome Melissa! Would you share with us what led you to become a professional organizer?

Melissa:  God would be the short answer! Actually, I have always been an organized person. I consider myself a recovering Type A personality. Educationally, I have a social work background. When I worked in a health care setting with the elderly, I noted that many of them could use assistance downsizing (when they need to move into a retirement facility or in with family). That is how my business started. And it evolved from there.

People began to see the assistance I offered to the elderly and wondered if I could apply the same skills to their kitchen or home office. I worked hands on with clients for a year and a half before devoting more time to growing my business and online ministry. I love helping people create order from chaos and cut through the clutter of life to be able to get to what is truly important...relationship with God and others.

How God Provides

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus," (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

We all know that God promises to provide for us, to meet all our needs. But just what does that look like in our life? How does He supply?

God Provides through Paychecks

This is a "no-brain-er." The Lord allows us to have a job that pays us enough money to pay our bills. He also provides opportunities and ideas to bring in extra money through side jobs or starting our own business.

Remember that the Biblical work week is six days, sun-up to sun-down. Many times a second job is necessary to make ends meet, while still working less hours than the Scriptural work week!

God Provides through Family

"Since we're here visiting, let me take you grocery shopping," my mom offered.

I swallowed back the tears that were springing to my eyes. We had little food left in the house and no money until the first of the month. My mom took me to Food Lion and filled the car with food, cleaning supplies, paper goods, toiletries, and special treats that we hadn't enjoyed since their last visit.

She also bought us clothing throughout Mike's seminary years. "I just couldn't resist," she would say with a grin. But we both knew the truth. Since when is a package of men's socks irresistible?

Small Space Gardening: Easier Than Ever

Fresh-picked beans, sun-warmed tomatoes, gourmet cucumbers...these are the beginnings of bringing the scrumptious taste of summer to the dining table. While our budgets are getting tighter, the desire to provide nutritious and delicious meals for our families is still strong. It is possible to satisfy both the budget and the tummy by growing some or all of our own fresh vegetables ourselves, no matter where we live.

My husband and I were married more than 20 years before we were in a location in which we could put permanent garden beds. My desire to grow our own food and provide healthy choices for our children grew long before then. About 18 years ago I came across a book written by Mel Bartholomew called Square Foot Gardening (© 1981, Cool Springs Press).

Since the USAF moved us every 2-1/2 to 3 years, putting in permanent growing beds was not possible. Sometimes our yards were tiny with little space and/or rules about just what we good do with it gardening-wise. At one point, while I was allowed to grow flowers in a small bed, I wasn't allowed to till up a large enough space to plant a traditional garden.

Eating Healthy On a Budget

There was a time when I thought you couldn't eat very healthy on a slim budget. Money had been extremely tight and it seemed cheaper to buy items that were what I deemed "not so healthy." I remember having conversations with a friend about how it was so expensive to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Quite frankly, meat was not too cheap either. Surely there had to be some way to incorporate healthier choices with limited money.

Months later, even though our finances had improved, we were still working with a narrow grocery budget. Still, I decided to try and plan a whole foods style menu for one week. I wanted to see if I could get all that was needed without going over our allotted grocery amount. Imagine my surprise when not only did I not go over the specified amount, but I actually had about $25.00 left over! Oh happy day! I COULD buy healthy items to feed my family for an entire week on a tight budget! Are you wondering how I did it? Let me share with you a few things that made eating healthy on a budget a reality in our home.

What God Promises to Provide

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

We all know that God promises to provide for us, to supply all our needs. But just what does that look like in our life? What needs is this verse talking about?

What God Promises to Provide & The Concept of Profit

According to First Timothy 6:8, we are to be content with having food and clothing. Jesus also promises provision of food and clothing in Matthew 6:25-34 if we seek His Kingdom first. Food and clothing? We certainly need a lot more than that!

"What about housing, cars, cell phones, and vacations?," you ask.

That is extra blessing that is provided by surplus money, or what the Bible calls profit. God provides extras through your personal hard work. When it says that God supplies our needs, He is promising to provide food and clothing for us. Not that God is limited to only this provision. He also provides shelter, transportation, ways to communicate, and times of refreshing, but He is not limited by our definition of "what is best for us" or "what we really need." These things are most often the reward of hard work.

Spring is Peeking

O Love-star of the unbeloved March, When cold and shrill,
Forth flows beneath a low, dim-lighted arch
The wind that beats sharp crag and barren hill,
And keeps unfilmed the lately torpid rill!
~Sir Aubrey de Vere, Ode to the Daffodil~

The daffodils are coming! I saw their bright green leaves poking up through the snow in front of my grandson's preschool -- evidence that this winter will not last much longer.

I wish I had remembered to plant a few early blooming plants last fall. Although my husband and I like to drivie through the hills on picture taking expeditions as a  type of "what-flowers-are-blooming?" scavenger hunt, I would love to see some of those early harbingers of spring out of my own sunroom windows.

"Snowdrop!" rejoiced some children who came into the garden.
"There stands one, so sweet, so beautiful-the first, the only one!"
~Hans Christian Anderson, The Snowdrop~

Thou shalt obey!

 

OBEDIENCE. This is by far one of the most difficult things to teach our children. Every day I have to discipline my children for their disobedience, from the tiniest offenses to the large offenses. Disobedience is a defiant little creature that naturally flows from their little bodies, but it is our job to stop it and direct them to the road of obedience. When we teach them to obey we teach them to worship.

In the book of Jeremiah, God commands the children of Israel saying: "Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you" (Jeremiah 7:23 NKJV). Throughout the Bible God commands us to obey Him in all that we do so that it may go well with us.

The Bible further instructs "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right" (Ephesians 6:1 NKJV). There is no clearer God-given instruction than this--children MUST obey their parents. But, if left to their own wishes and desires they will not obey their parents, instead they will obey their own fleshly desires. So, as parents, it is our responsibility to assist them in learning how to obey. How do we do that? We do that by disciplining them when they disobey and reward them when they obey.

God is the perfect example of how to discipline disobedience. Time and time again we see the children of Israel disobey God, which results in God's righteous wrath being poured out against them. However, when the children of Israel turn from the false gods and choose to obey God whole-heartedly, God's open arms invite them in and bless them with peace and prosperity.

Frugal Homeschooling Is Possible

When I began homeschooling, I quickly became aware of the plethora of materials available. The options were plentiful and ranged from pre-packaged curriculum to computer programs. The same is true today; numerous resources with a variety of price tags. I soon discovered that homeschooling could get quite expensive!

If you buy materials for several children, money can disappear in the blink of an eye; and for those on a tight budget, the cost can sometimes be downright discouraging. Take heart . . . frugal homeschooling is possible.

With the availability of Internet, economical options abound. However, with many free online resources, the expense of printing needs to be compared to the cost of purchasing actual material. If reading things on the computer doesn't bother you or your child, many items can be read online without printing them out. Below is a list of different frugal options for homeschool material.

Does God Care about Money?

Does God care about money? 

I don't know how to answer that question because I cannot fully understand the heart of God. But, looking carefully at the evidence in Scripture, I notice that Jesus taught about money often in His parables and sermons. Paul had a lot to say about money too. Proverbs is full of wisdom for handling money.

God may not care a lot about money. After all, everything belongs to Him! He doesn't need money or anything money can buy. But, He certainly cares about how people He handle their money. The Lord cares about how men, woman and children feel about money.

"No servant can be devoted to two masters. Either he will hate the one and be devoted to the other; or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money" (Luke 16:13 NIV).

God cares who we are serving. Are we devoting our energy, time, and ambition to making lots of money or having an expensive lifestyle? Or, are we seeking after God and His Kingdom with every bit of strength we possess.

Money is a distraction for many Christians, keeping them from fulfilling their God-given destiny. Instead of walking in God's call on her life, the carnal Christian is distracted by cares of the world. Many times worries make us seek after money instead of Jesus.

Homemade Pita Chips and Bean Dip

As you have probably noticed, I have taken an extended vacation from writing for "Easy Eats". Because everyone has their limits as to what they can accomplish (including me), I was thrilled when Take Root and Write co-editor and writer, Karen Lowe, offered to share some of her easy recipes! So, I hope you enjoy and will try Karen's following recipes:

I am one who enjoys snack foods. I like some good nachos. And chocolate is certainly on the top of my list of yummy treats. Whenever I can create a healthier version of a snack or dessert, I am one happy woman! Last year, I decided to see if I could come up with a better way to eat tortilla chips and bean dip. I was tickled when not only did I like it, but so did my entire family! Give these whole grain pita chips a try. They're simple to make and delicious to eat!

Whole Grain Pita Chips with Homemade Bean Dip

Ingredients:

• Whole grain pita bread (Be sure to buy one that is truly whole grain and no sugar in it.)
• 1 pound bag dry pinto beans
• 1 onion, chopped
• salt
• garlic powder
• cumin
• pepper

Get a Jump in the Garden; Start Indoors!

The first gatherings of the garden in May of salads, radishes and herbs made me feel like
a mother about her baby - how could anything so beautiful be mine.
And this emotion of wonder filled me for each vegetable as it was gathered every year.
There is nothing that is comparable to it, as satisfactory or as thrilling,
as gathering the vegetables one has grown. ~Alice B. Toklas

Snow is still flying...the air is still cold...but I can wait no longer to smell the earthy richness of moist soil nurturing small miracles into blessings for our dining table. I have started a few pots of herbs. I cannot explain the thrill that goes through me as I brush my fingers gently over the basil, both sweet and lemon varieties, and inhale the fragrance of Spring.

  The spearmint is up, its tangy fresh aroma tempting me to linger over a cup of tea. The chives are peeping tiny round leaves out of the soil, and ready to grow into neon green spears to season my baked potatoes. I have a couple of hanging baskets to start: one of cherry tomatoes and one of strawberries. My family is as excited as I am watching the green life sprouting on the counter while the ground outside is covered in a blanket of white.

"God is Love" Valentine's Day - Family Style

"Mad 4 U," "Be Mine," "U Go Girl" are the sentiments found on little sugar candy hearts this year. Every year the sayings change a little to keep up with current ways we express kindness and affection. Over the years, "You Groove," "True Love," "Kiss Me," "Fax Me" and "Friends Forever" have been other ways to communicate affection for another. The words can change, but the heart intent remains the same. Valentine's Day is a day about expressing love!

A candlelight dinner, a long stem rose, or a box of your favorite chocolates often are the ideas that come to mind when we think about celebrating Valentine's Day. When my children were little, my husband and I didn't live close to any family, and we were leery of trusting our precious children to babysitters. Since a special romantic dinner would not be in our plans for many years to come, I was delighted learn a way to celebrate Valentine's Day with my children.

One of the ministries I did for my local church was to contact visitors and make them feel welcome. Over time and natural to my talkative personality I began going deeper and asked questions to get to know the visitor and to see if they had any prayer requests.

It is funny how we can speak to someone once but remember the details of the conversation for life. This is what happen when I spoke to a lady on the phone about how she celebrated Valentine's Day with her family. She turned the typical couple focused day to a day to celebrate God's love, and at the same time created a family tradition that she continues to this day.

Economic Survival Skills

If we were forced to live off the land, certain skills would help us survive. Starting a fire to keep warm, using plants for food and medicine, catching food to eat, purifying water for drinking, and building a shelter would all help us live longer in primitive conditions.

What about economic survival skills? Are there things that you can do to survive rough economic times?

Start a Fire to Keep Warm

Don't let your heart grow cold. God's Word is still true and so are His promises. Just because we are in a recession doesn't mean that biblical principles stop working. Continue to obey God's timeless principles (tithing, giving, saving, budgeting, contentment, thankfulness) and stand on His promises.

Make declarations each morning to stir up your faith. When Mike and I were entering our fifth year of financial difficulties years ago, I began making financial declarations. I simply inserted our names into the following passages and read them aloud each morning in a personalized way. Soon my faith was soaring, affecting my prayer life, and our financial situation began to turn around in just six months. Yes, for years (not days or weeks), I made these declarations, standing on His promises.

The Great Backyard Bird Count

"She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family, and organizing her day. She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden" (Proverbs 31:15-16 MSG.

A recent snowstorm provided an opportune time to observe the gardening world from inside a warm house. I planned to make a hearty breakfast of french toast using my homemade artisan bread and scrambled eggs using home-grown eggs grown on Morning Glory Farm. The simple pleasures of homesteading, even on a small scale, helped me jump out of my cozy bed while my dear husband and grandson still slept.

Glad of the roaring fire keeping me warm, I hurried toward the kitchen to get the coffee started. I glanced out the front windows and was stopped in my tracks by all the movement in my Weigela (Weigela florida) shrub. It was filled with several varieties of birds, all having their breakfast at a small feeder hanging from a shepherd's crook.

 They seemed to be taking turns getting seed. I spied male and female Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), Tufted Titmice (Baeolophus bicolor), and a Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens). I also saw Chickadees...but I'm still debating whether they are the Black-capped (Poecile atricapillus) or Carolina (Poecile carolinensis) varieties...they are so similar and so small it's hard to tell without good binoculars and clear weather.

A Recipe for the New Year

Several days ago, our little toddler sat on the floor of my office playing with a recipe box. The next thing I knew, she had turned the container upside down and dumped the entire contents on the floor. Whether I wanted it or not, I was given the perfect opportunity to do some sifting and sorting. I figured that right then was as good a time as any to evaluate which ones to keep, toss, and try. So, to the table I went with my jumbled pile of cards and papers to categorize them. When I finished, not only was everything organized but I had also rediscovered long forgotten recipes, as well as ones I still wanted to try.

Just as I spent time going through my recipes, we can look at different areas in our lives (such as finances or time) in order to see where we can be more frugal. Sometimes we just need to tip the box over and start again. We may discover that there are new ideas and old habits we need to keep, toss, and try. In fact, we may find that resources have been overlooked. This year, let's try a new recipe for frugal living that involves three primary ingredients:  evaluation, collaboration, and activation.

Evaluation

Evaluation is the first ingredient in our recipe. It involves observing how we succeeded and what needs improved. It is vital that we consider both. If we fail to recognize the places we have succeeded in, giving up becomes easy. I don't know about you, but I need to see my efforts making a difference. Recognizing that motivates me to keep focused on my goal of frugal living. At the same time, if we can also understand the problematic issues, then we are better able to create a strategy for overcoming those obstacles that may get in our way.

Why Finances Trip Us Up

We can get a handle on everything in our lives, except finances and chocolate. Why is that?

Chocolate, smooth and creamy, stimulates endorphins and satisfies our need for sugar and iron. How can anyone doubt the life is good when biting into a rich dark chocolate bar? Yes, it is fattening and yes, it is full of "bad fats." But, really, who can resist it? It even looks tempting. 

Money, on the other hand, is not that pretty, and doesn't taste good. Ah, you say, but look what money buys. Well, there you have it. Money, in our minds, represents, all that can be purchased with it from homes to trips, from clothes to chocolate. There is little, we believe, that money cannot buy.

Money is important because we use it to purchase things we need to stay alive, warm, and dry, such as food, clothing, rent, and gas for our car. The things that make life easier such as cars, cell phones, computers, and CD players cost money, too. And most of our dreams and desires (trips, business ideas, dates with our husband, conferences) require the much desired green stuff.

The Spirit of Poverty

 "All my money is gone," my friend moaned, rubbing his hands over his face as if to erase the pain of the dreadful reality he was facing.

"All of it?" I asked with a little bit of trepidation. He was the father of four children and the husband of a very pregnant wife. I was mentally trying to fit them into our already filled household so that they would not end up on the street. Was this just a matter of God not providing on their behalf or was this a demonic attack?

There was an awkward silence that followed which I finally broke.

"What happened to all that money?" I asked the thirty-two year old man in front of me. My question caused tears to stream down his face and I felt terrible asking.

"I don't know. I just don't know."

Here is what happened. Tim had been in a car accident, had to stop working, and ended up foreclosing on his house. His wife worked for awhile, but her difficult pregnancy required her to stay home. However, God did not forget this young family. The insurance company gave Tim a sizable settlement that was five times the amount of money he made in a year. Six months later, it was all gone and they were back in the same situation they found themselves six months after his accident. If you could have been a mouse in Tim's pocket, you would have watched the money eek out toward bills, vacations, needed clothing, needed medical expenses, and many items that Tim had always dreamed of owning (cars, computers, sound equipment, video camera, and a motorcycle).

Homemade for the Holidays - Part 2

In my last article, I discussed how one way we can bypass some of the commercialism of the season is by making homemade gifts. Not only can it be a more frugal option, but it also can be a blessing to the recipients. I have fond memories of the goodie boxes my mother-in-law prepared for family at Christmas time. They were filled with various treats to feast our eyes and taste buds on. She would try to include items that she knew were well liked. There just seems to be something special about a person taking the time to thoughtfully put together a basket of goodies just for you. This is exactly what the Blessing Baskets are about that I discussed in the previous article.

Today, I'm sharing a couple of my holiday recipes that could be used in the Blessing Baskets. Others have also contributed some of their favorites as well. Feel free to give these a try. Enjoy!

Hot Cocoa Mix in a Jar
Marilyn Waddington

Ingredients:

• 8 cups powdered milk
• 2 1/2 cups non-dairy creamer
• 4 cups Nestle Quik
• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

To make a cup of hot cocoa, add 4 tbsps. OR 1/4 - 1/3 cup of mix to 1 cup water.

'Tis the Season to Be Generous

 

"Are you going to give him some money, Mom?" Jimmy asked as we left Wal-Mart and were passing a man collecting for the Salvation Army.

Suddenly, I felt self-conscious. I fumbled in my purse. Finding my change purse and extracting a handful of coins, I dropped them into the bucket. In my heart, I felt annoyed. You see, I really didn't want to part with my money at that moment. I had just spent much more money than I had planned and I felt "pushed" into giving. But, I wanted to be generous in front of my son.

Have you ever felt that struggle before? You want to give because you know it is the right thing to do, but you also feel like you can barely stretch the money you have to cover all the holiday expenses.

The Christmas season is the season of giving. As wives, mothers, girlfriends, daughter, friends, and co-workers, it can feel like we are always giving to others and that there is just no enough to go around. Why is there so much giving at Christmas?

"God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16 NIV).

God started the Christmas celebration, we know today, two thousand years ago by GIVING! He gave the world the only thing that He has just one of, His only begotten (not created!) son! Jesus, Himself, gave! Our Promised Messiah gave up his glory, laying it aside, to take on human flesh, to be found as a man. He gave so others could live! He gave His life as a ransom for many. Our God is called the Father of Lights who gives good and perfect gifts. How lavished with love we are to receive His mercy!

Happy Thanksgiving

"Give thanks in all circumstances, or this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV).

On behalf of all the Take Root and Write team, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. We pray all is well with you and those most precious to you.

Our Lord desires for us to give thanks in all circumstances, yet it's not easy to be thankful in all situations. Some situations are really painful. I know I've been in some painful situations as I'm sure all of you have been too. I recall times my heart ached so badly, with tears streaming down my face, in a very angry tone, screaming, "Lord, I trust You. And all I can be thankful for right now is my eternal salvation. That's all I have to look forward to at this moment."

Amazingly, something interesting happens. A release came. I do not know how to explain it, but to know that the Holy Spirit is at work. When we put our faith and trust in God by thanking Him for what we can, He works through our circumstances. I wish I could tell you He makes it all go away, but it doesn't disappear like magic. But my attitude toward the issue changed. My perspective changed. And my faith increased.

So no matter where life is at for you, we can have an attitude of gratitude for something. If all is well, be thankful. If life is tough right now, we can be thankful that Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit who guides us through these times. We can give thanks.

Today, our regularly scheduled columns published. Some of the topics released today are not so cheery, but are real issues of life. In Lucy's column, we are reminded to show the gospel to someone in need. Let's keep our eyes open today to see if we can share the love of Christ with someone. In Winter's post, she explains the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Lots of military service people may have more stress on this day than any other. If we are around military, let's show them our appreciation for their service and encourage them. In Lakeyshia's article, we can remember that sometimes it's better to say nothing rather than to murmur and complain. We can find ways to enjoy those God has placed in our lives and set aside hurts and differences.Today's wrap up comes from Meredith on Homeschooling High School. She shares testimonies of homeschooled high school students and home school grads giving thanks. You're sure to be blessed by reading the attitudes of gratitude from young people.

Again, on behalf of the Take Root and Write staff and team, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Homemade for the Holidays - Part 1

"And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: 'How could it be so?
'It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
'It came without packages, boxes or bags!'
And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
'Maybe Christmas,' he thought, 'doesn't come from a store.
'Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!'"
(How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Dr. Suess)

As the years have passed, the Christmas season has increasingly become the retail industry's season of delight. It is their time to cash in on people's desire to give gifts to their family and friends. In fact, this holiday has become so commercialized that, unfortunately, it seems many have turned their focus more on the presents than anything else. As a result, this time of year has become fraught with stress for a myriad of people.

The Grinch thought that Christmas was all about the presents, along with Christmas trees and decorations. However, the residents of Who-ville knew a little something about the spirit of the holiday. In the classic children's story, the Grinch found out that for the residents of Who-ville, Christmas wasn't just about all the gifts. He pondered, "'Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!'" Indeed it does, Mr. Grinch. Indeed it does.

This year, if you'd like to get away from some of the commercialism of the season, why not prepare something homemade? Not only can it save money, but it also can be a way to bless those you care about by investing your time in putting together something personally for them. In addition, doing so presents an opportunity for your family to spend time together as you design and craft each present.

Here a few really easy ideas you could try. Some even combine the art of homemade gift making with a few store bought items as well.

Tis the Season to Be Thankful

Jim and Jordan both work at the same company. They make the same salary, hold the same position, are both married, and own their own homes in the same neighborhood. They both go to church and try to tithe faithfully. Jim is married to Sally and Jordan is married to Susie. That is where the differences begin.

Sally reminds Jim daily that he does not make enough money to save for college, decorate the home, or take a family vacation. She tells her daughter, "Make sure that you marry someone with money." When there are things that Sally absolutely has to have (about once a week), she uses the credit card to purchase them. She still is not content. In fact, anything she buys seems to lose its delight quickly and there are always new things to purchase. Sally complains to anyone that will listen about their financial woes. And it's not just money. Sally wishes her children would do their chores without being asked, clean their rooms, and make better grades. Her in-laws make her life miserable and her friends are always asking for favors of some kind.

Susie has an additional burden on her shoulders. She takes care of her elderly grandmother because her parents passed away when she was in college. She is the only  family Granny has, and, though she lives in her own assisted living apartment, Susie has to check in on her every day. This costs gas money and time. She would like to get a second job to help ends meet, but with taking care of the kids and Granny, there is no time left for more than her 15 hour a week part-time job. But, no one has every heard a complaint out of Susie's mouth about money, or anything else for that matter. It's not that she holds it in, it's just that she is glad to have Granny around and sees how hard her husband works. When he apologizes for his meager salary, she tells him, "Money isn't everything, Jordan. One day, we'll have plenty of money to do the things we want to do and then we'll remember the good old days when the children were little and Granny was still alive."

Thyme to Divide and Conquer (or Share!)

That pretty little pot of lamb's ears (Stachys byzantina) in two years has spread to surround the yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and the Knockout rose bush. I love their soft leaves and even the obscure tiny yellow blossoms. But I did not intend to have a lamb's ear bed. It is supposed to be a perennial bed with a cottage garden look.

What can I do to reclaim my garden? I want to keep some of the lamb's ears while making room for new perennials and annuals I discover for next spring's planning season.

Infiltrate

The first step is to dig up the lamb's ear clumps (or other perennials you want to divide). Make sure the target plant has been well-watered a few days before you dig them up. Try to dig on a cool, cloudy day.

Examine the clump carefully. Are there any signs of disease? If so, it is probably best to discard this plant and choose another.

Is the middle of the clump growing poorly? If so, then only the outer portions should be kept for replanting or sharing.

Divide

Dividing the plants can be as simple as just pulling apart the clump with your hands into two or more new plants. Use caution with dividing the clumps: pulling it into too many small pieces will make for a small show in the spring.

If the clump is too tight for hand-pulling, a small sharp knife or a sharp-edged spade may be used.

Conquer

Before replanting, the original hole needs to be filled with a mixture of topsoil, organic matter and a handful of fertilizer higher in phosphorus and potassium than nitrogen.

A section of the clump can be placed in the newly prepared hole and watered well. The remaining pieces of the clump can be placed in new spots or shared with friends.

Timing the Attack

All these tasks must be done before the ground freezes--for the majority of the country, by mid-November.

Plants that bloom in the spring or summer should be divided in the fall. However, in areas where the winter temperatures drop to -20^oF or colder, it is best to divide the plants in the spring. For very early spring-blooming perennials, wait until they finish flowering then divide. Fall blooming plants also need to be divided in the spring.

If you are planning a new flower bed, look at the ones you already have and see what needs to be divided. This will help with continuity throughout your yard for a more flowing look, plus it is a very economical way to beautify your landscape.

Enlist More Troops

To turn this important garden task in to play, invite some of your friends to a plant swapping party. It's a fun and inexpensive way to expand and refresh your garden while gathering with friends and neighbors. So, don't be afraid to divide and conquer (or share)!

 

Not Turkey Again?!

Turkey, turkey, and more turkey...will there ever be an end to the turkey? We look forward to the Thanksgiving meal. Yet sometimes we're not as enthusiastic about what's left. However, leftovers present a perfect opportunity to exercise frugality. They can be used in a variety of recipes. Many chicken recipes can be adapted with turkey, from salad to pot pie. This year why not beat the turkey humdrum by gobbling up these delicious recipes.

Turkey Salad
Instead of chicken salad, substitute turkey for the chicken in your favorite recipe. Here are two different recipes you can try.

Recipe #1:

This is my husband's favorite way to have chicken or turkey salad. It's great served up on some toasted bread!

• leftover turkey
• mayonnaise (just enough to make it creamy)
• 1/2 - 1 onion, diced finely
• 3-5 baby dill pickles, diced finely
• salt and pepper to taste

Combine all the above ingredients. This can be served immediately. However, I find that if you let it sit in the refrigerator for several hours before serving, it gives the ingredients time to blend together for enhanced flavor.

Tis the Season to Be Frugal

The holiday season is upon us. Christmas decorations are up in the store. With holiday sales for pre-season shoppers and turkeys are in the supermarket, it is only a matter of time before we see eggnog and those yummy Christmas flavored coffee creamers.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are delightful! I spend the entire Thanksgiving week decorating the entire house for Christmas. I things from the walls and tabletops and replace them with Christmas decorations. Holidays recipes are already sitting on my kitchen counters waiting to be chosen for the season's baking fests.

 But, as I have begun stocking up for holiday baking and purchasing a few Christmas presents, I have to admit that I am a little stressed out about money. I have five children and two additional people living with our family so Christmas is expensive in our house. Stuffing the stockings alone costs me a small fortune. Thanksgiving dinner is another big expense I need to anticipate.

A Back to Basics Thanksgiving Celebration

The year was 1621. The winter proved long and arduous for the Pilgrims. Yet together they overcame great adversity. Thanks to God and the help of Native Americans, they reaped a good harvest. They had much to celebrate and therefore set aside a day for giving thanks. The decorations were simple, the food satisfying, and the gratitude sincere. It was this very gathering that many have come to refer to as the first Thanksgiving.

You can be sure that the first thanksgiving participants knew how to be frugal. After all, they created a colony from practically nothing! All those that took part in this celebration made due with the things they had and what was harvested. Times were tough back then. And times are difficult now; even if it may be in a different way. Many are learning to survive and thrive on less. Yet a wonderful thanksgiving celebration can still be had where the decorations are simple, the food satisfying, and the gratitude sincere. For when there is less, gratitude for what is present grows. This year, why not get back to the basics, keep it simple, and focus on the true reason for Thankgiving:  gratitude.

Back to Basics Decor
Frugality doesn't have to mean boring. A simple yet elegant table can be set. A pretty centerpiece coupled with candles and decorative napkins can be extremely attractive. Add in glass stemware and your best dishes to finish the look.

Here's an idea for a basic centerpiece. Gather the following material:

• decorative bowl or dinner plate
• one bag of fall colored potpourri mix
• strand of flowers
• gourd or miniature pumpkin