Don't you just love 3-pay months?
These are the months when those of us who are paid bi-weekly receive three paychecks instead of two. It takes some time for this to happen and of course one of the criteria is that the month has to have 5 Fridays in it instead of just 4.
Well, it just so happens that September is a 3-pay month for us. Yippee! This means that we can pay extra on our mortgage--but not just yet.
You see, when there is a 3-pay month, the following month you don't receive a paycheck until two weeks in. Generally people have bills that are due the first of the month or at least the first few days of the month. This is the case for our family. Therefore, we need to use that extra pay towards those "early in the month bills". Eventually, we are able to reconcile that extra pay, but it takes a couple of months. Probably December will be the month for us.
In spite of the waiting that we have to do, I am still excited because some people don't even see the extra pay--ever. It just kind of gets morphed into paying things that suddenly come up. When my husband and I became wiser in money matters, one of the pearls of wisdom we picked up was to not let that money be absorbed, but to keep your budget as though you didn't receive an extra pay. We tithe off of it, but then we don't touch it. That helped us in making headway to pay down our consumer debt. Now we can put that same tactic to use in paying off our mortgage :-)
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
How I'm Wired
Today was a day of running. I have been conent to be mostly "working" at home this week, but today I needed to run.
One of my passions is to minister to the people right here in my own neighborhood. The opportunities are endless and I have been able to build many relationships. With this in mind, I volunteered to coordinate a block party for our neighborhood that's being held this Saturday.
The only problem is I cannot just go out and buy stuff. Even though it's not my money, I feel instinctively obligated to get the best price on everything. This can equate to substantial running around, but it wasn't too bad. My one moment of angst was at the Dollar Store. Now some people think, 'The Dollar Store? What's to compare? Their price is always the cheapest--one dollar.' Unfortunately this is not always the case. Yes, their items are one dollar. But how much or many items are you getting for that price versus going to a grocery store? With this in mind, I grabbed the ketchup and mustard off of the shelf, a tug-of-war going through my brain.
"This is ridiculous! Just get 2 bottles of ketchup, 2 bottles of mustard, and get out of here! You've been shopping all day and you're tired."
"No. Do you see the measly amount of ketchup and mustard that you get for a dollar? You can get twice the amount at Price Rite for just twenty cents more."
"But then you have to stop at one more store before heading home. C'mon, just grab it already."
"I...I can't. I'm putting it back. I'll just go to Price Rite. It's just up the street from here."
"What's wrong with you?"
"I sometimes wonder myself."
Yeah, these are the things that go through my brain. It's just how I'm wired.
One of my passions is to minister to the people right here in my own neighborhood. The opportunities are endless and I have been able to build many relationships. With this in mind, I volunteered to coordinate a block party for our neighborhood that's being held this Saturday.
The only problem is I cannot just go out and buy stuff. Even though it's not my money, I feel instinctively obligated to get the best price on everything. This can equate to substantial running around, but it wasn't too bad. My one moment of angst was at the Dollar Store. Now some people think, 'The Dollar Store? What's to compare? Their price is always the cheapest--one dollar.' Unfortunately this is not always the case. Yes, their items are one dollar. But how much or many items are you getting for that price versus going to a grocery store? With this in mind, I grabbed the ketchup and mustard off of the shelf, a tug-of-war going through my brain.
"This is ridiculous! Just get 2 bottles of ketchup, 2 bottles of mustard, and get out of here! You've been shopping all day and you're tired."
"No. Do you see the measly amount of ketchup and mustard that you get for a dollar? You can get twice the amount at Price Rite for just twenty cents more."
"But then you have to stop at one more store before heading home. C'mon, just grab it already."
"I...I can't. I'm putting it back. I'll just go to Price Rite. It's just up the street from here."
"What's wrong with you?"
"I sometimes wonder myself."
Yeah, these are the things that go through my brain. It's just how I'm wired.
Friday, September 23, 2011
The price
I had the opportunity to make some money today. Not a lot of money, but some.
Before coming home I worked as a registered nurse. The position I held for the past 10 years was in research. I enjoyed it because it because it gave me the opportunity to contribute to and know about upcoming treatments in medicine. Sometimes I would participate in the research studies or have my family participate for the benefits of the testing that was provided in addition to the benefit of getting paid for time and effort. Not too long ago I saw that a local university was beginning to do consumer testing on various food products. To me this was a no-brainer. I get paid to eat. Need I say more?
I participated in one study so far (was paid $10 for 20 minutes which was really 10 minutes) and due to my responses from that study was asked to return for another study. The time that I signed up for was today right after the kids got on the bus. That way I could get it done in the morning and have the rest of my day. But the Holy Spirit convicted me last night. Right after the kids get on the bus is my time alone with God. If I don't spend time with Him then, my history has been that I will not spend time with him at all. So I left a message last night asking them to reschedule me if possible. I haven't heard back and I am fine with that. In my time alone with God this morning He spoke to me about something that my heart has been aching over. I am so thankful. Had I went, the payment I received would not have been worth the price I paid.
Before coming home I worked as a registered nurse. The position I held for the past 10 years was in research. I enjoyed it because it because it gave me the opportunity to contribute to and know about upcoming treatments in medicine. Sometimes I would participate in the research studies or have my family participate for the benefits of the testing that was provided in addition to the benefit of getting paid for time and effort. Not too long ago I saw that a local university was beginning to do consumer testing on various food products. To me this was a no-brainer. I get paid to eat. Need I say more?
I participated in one study so far (was paid $10 for 20 minutes which was really 10 minutes) and due to my responses from that study was asked to return for another study. The time that I signed up for was today right after the kids got on the bus. That way I could get it done in the morning and have the rest of my day. But the Holy Spirit convicted me last night. Right after the kids get on the bus is my time alone with God. If I don't spend time with Him then, my history has been that I will not spend time with him at all. So I left a message last night asking them to reschedule me if possible. I haven't heard back and I am fine with that. In my time alone with God this morning He spoke to me about something that my heart has been aching over. I am so thankful. Had I went, the payment I received would not have been worth the price I paid.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Speck that Rules the World
Do you struggle to hear from God? I do. I want to, but I don't. Yes, I hear from Him through His word and through the Holy Spirit guiding me daily in my life. But I never heard His voice directly. Today that all changed.
Recently I have been feeling a sense of urgency to become closer to God. One morning last week, I felt like He was saying that I needed to stop coming to Him to find out what He wants me to do and start coming to Him to find out more about who He is. I can relate to this. I have had some friends in the past with whom I could say I had a one way relationship. They talked and I listened. The only thing they wanted me for was to be a sounding board for their problems. Even when I told them what they should do about their situation, they wouldn’t take my advice. One woman didn’t even know that I had kids!
Well, that’s how I have been with God. I want to hear from Him, but only about me. “Lord, what should I do about this issue with my son’s teacher?” “Lord, please help my ministry to advance.” “God, work out my schedule so that I can attend this event.” Do you see the selfishness? Me, me, ME. I am that friend that I dread to God.
Today was different. I was determined to hear Him speak no matter what. I had time, I was alone, nothing was pressing at me that I had to do except for this. I silenced clocks, phones, and, most difficult, my mind. The latter was only by the power of the Holy Spirit. In no time at all I heard what it seemed like I had waited forever to hear—God’s voice. He spoke to me clearly and undoubtedly. His words were relevant and personal. Actually they have application to this blog. He said,
“I don’t have to be big and high. I can be a speck and low and still rule over all. I am God.”
He’s telling me (and you) don’t limit Him. He has no limits. Not based on what He’s done in the past in your life or based on what you’ve done in the past in your life. His word says,
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18, 19
Just as my mind pictures God to be big and high, my mind also pictures God paying off my mortgage with resources that me and my husband work for. After all, that’s how He paid off our consumer debt. But why limit Him? The Bible says that He can do exceedingly, abundantly more than I can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
From now on, when I think of God, I’m going to think of a lowly speck that can do ANYTHING.
Recently I have been feeling a sense of urgency to become closer to God. One morning last week, I felt like He was saying that I needed to stop coming to Him to find out what He wants me to do and start coming to Him to find out more about who He is. I can relate to this. I have had some friends in the past with whom I could say I had a one way relationship. They talked and I listened. The only thing they wanted me for was to be a sounding board for their problems. Even when I told them what they should do about their situation, they wouldn’t take my advice. One woman didn’t even know that I had kids!
Well, that’s how I have been with God. I want to hear from Him, but only about me. “Lord, what should I do about this issue with my son’s teacher?” “Lord, please help my ministry to advance.” “God, work out my schedule so that I can attend this event.” Do you see the selfishness? Me, me, ME. I am that friend that I dread to God.
Today was different. I was determined to hear Him speak no matter what. I had time, I was alone, nothing was pressing at me that I had to do except for this. I silenced clocks, phones, and, most difficult, my mind. The latter was only by the power of the Holy Spirit. In no time at all I heard what it seemed like I had waited forever to hear—God’s voice. He spoke to me clearly and undoubtedly. His words were relevant and personal. Actually they have application to this blog. He said,
“I don’t have to be big and high. I can be a speck and low and still rule over all. I am God.”
He’s telling me (and you) don’t limit Him. He has no limits. Not based on what He’s done in the past in your life or based on what you’ve done in the past in your life. His word says,
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18, 19
Just as my mind pictures God to be big and high, my mind also pictures God paying off my mortgage with resources that me and my husband work for. After all, that’s how He paid off our consumer debt. But why limit Him? The Bible says that He can do exceedingly, abundantly more than I can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
From now on, when I think of God, I’m going to think of a lowly speck that can do ANYTHING.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Priceless
Today was a good day. My oldest child was baptized after deciding on her own that it was what she wanted to do to display her faith in Jesus. My middle child did the best job he's ever done in church service, sitting taking notes on the sermon and participating in singing the praise songs. Last but not least my five year old (our youngest) was reported to have good behavior in nursery. He asked me when we got home,
"Mommy, do you have a job?"
To which I answered, "My job is taking care of our family."
He seemed pleased with that answer and walked up the stairs for his nap. There are some things on which you cannot put a price tag. This day is one of them. Today my job was a breeze :-)
"Mommy, do you have a job?"
To which I answered, "My job is taking care of our family."
He seemed pleased with that answer and walked up the stairs for his nap. There are some things on which you cannot put a price tag. This day is one of them. Today my job was a breeze :-)
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Free stuff
I might has well let you in on a little secret--I love the word "free". Getting things for free has been one of the biggest helps to our getting out of debt. Free food is one of my favorites. After attending a party or other gathering where there may be leftovers, I have no shame in taking them when they are offered. It is a two-fold blessing
1) No cooking for mama (me)
2) Less food we need to take from our own sources for meals (which equals money saved)
Of course you can't be prideful if you are going to accept leftovers. I used to have that problem. Didn't want people to think that my family's livelihood depended on the "charity" of others. Today, I don't care what they think. I'll take your leftover food, hand-me-down clothes, surplus toothpaste (don't ask). It all goes towards the cause of lowering my families expenses.
I bring up this topic today because we were at a farm co-op that our family is a member of and we met a woman and her daughter who happen to live in our township. How awesome it was to find out that she and her husband were pastors! We talked about many things and among them she told us that she gets grapes from her neighbor and this year had such a surplus that many went bad before she could process them. I spoke right up and told her that I will take her extra grapes anytime :-) Just to give you another example of this, my husband and I went to a bed and breakfast over the summer and met a couple from Florida who have connections at Disney. They told us whenever we are ready to come visit Florida let them know and they'll get Disney World tickets for us and our three kids. Can you believe it?! It never ceases to amaze me the ways in which God provides--especially when I'm not looking for it.
1) No cooking for mama (me)
2) Less food we need to take from our own sources for meals (which equals money saved)
Of course you can't be prideful if you are going to accept leftovers. I used to have that problem. Didn't want people to think that my family's livelihood depended on the "charity" of others. Today, I don't care what they think. I'll take your leftover food, hand-me-down clothes, surplus toothpaste (don't ask). It all goes towards the cause of lowering my families expenses.
I bring up this topic today because we were at a farm co-op that our family is a member of and we met a woman and her daughter who happen to live in our township. How awesome it was to find out that she and her husband were pastors! We talked about many things and among them she told us that she gets grapes from her neighbor and this year had such a surplus that many went bad before she could process them. I spoke right up and told her that I will take her extra grapes anytime :-) Just to give you another example of this, my husband and I went to a bed and breakfast over the summer and met a couple from Florida who have connections at Disney. They told us whenever we are ready to come visit Florida let them know and they'll get Disney World tickets for us and our three kids. Can you believe it?! It never ceases to amaze me the ways in which God provides--especially when I'm not looking for it.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Flashback
Yesterday evening I went to the ATM to get some money for groceries. Since I would be out in the general vicinity of one of our favorite grocery stores for a school open house, I wanted to kill two birds with one stone. I keyed in the amount to take out of checking and after some snarling from the ATM machine I got a receipt. "Insufficient funds". I haven't seen those words in years. We've been out of debt since Christmas 2008 and have remained that way by keeping a close eye on our finances. How could we, The Webbs, have insufficient funds???, I thought, raising a fist to the sky (just kidding).
It was then that I heard God say, "Reality check. Just remember Who is keeping you out of debt."
Got it, Lord. Please forgive my pride. An early, sober reminder that He is the one who is going to perform this miracle.
It was then that I heard God say, "Reality check. Just remember Who is keeping you out of debt."
Got it, Lord. Please forgive my pride. An early, sober reminder that He is the one who is going to perform this miracle.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
I made it!
I thought this day would never come.
For quite some time now my husband has been on me to start a blog about personal finances. About three years ago we were blessed to have paid off all of our consumer debt--no more car payments, student loan payments, home equity loan payments--sweet freedom! Ever since then, I have had a passion for sharing with others about money matters. Whenever I talk to someone and they mention their food bill being out of control my heart starts racing because I can't wait to share all kinds of tips on how to buy groceries cheaply (I checked--cheaply is a word).
That being said, this summer God spoke plainly to me regarding what He wanted me to blog about. Believe it or not, my assignment from Him wasn't all of the insights that I learned from our time getting out of debt (although I'm sure this blog will have some of those here and there). He told me to blog about how He is going to make us completely debt-free in five years. That means paying off our mortgage, currently at a balance of $98,000.
I am a homemaker. For a little over a year now, I've had the privilege of not working on purpose. Several years ago God put in me a desire to be at home for my children who are all school age now. Thankfully, a few years after getting out of consumer debt, God made that dream come to pass. So when I heard Him speak to me about paying off our mortgage in five years I wondered about what I could do to help God accomplish this. I thought, "I know. I'll walk the neighbor's dogs for extra cash and put all of it towards our mortgage. Then I can blog about my days with the dogs and how close we are getting to being debt-free." God gave me no peace in that thought. He told me that if my mortgage gets paid off in that way, the glory goes to my neighbor and not to Him. Instead, He told me to trust Him and let Him (can you imagine--leaving it up to God?!) determine how my mortgage will get paid.
So here I am, taking this first step into the Red Sea by starting this blog, waiting for Him to part the waters...
For quite some time now my husband has been on me to start a blog about personal finances. About three years ago we were blessed to have paid off all of our consumer debt--no more car payments, student loan payments, home equity loan payments--sweet freedom! Ever since then, I have had a passion for sharing with others about money matters. Whenever I talk to someone and they mention their food bill being out of control my heart starts racing because I can't wait to share all kinds of tips on how to buy groceries cheaply (I checked--cheaply is a word).
That being said, this summer God spoke plainly to me regarding what He wanted me to blog about. Believe it or not, my assignment from Him wasn't all of the insights that I learned from our time getting out of debt (although I'm sure this blog will have some of those here and there). He told me to blog about how He is going to make us completely debt-free in five years. That means paying off our mortgage, currently at a balance of $98,000.
I am a homemaker. For a little over a year now, I've had the privilege of not working on purpose. Several years ago God put in me a desire to be at home for my children who are all school age now. Thankfully, a few years after getting out of consumer debt, God made that dream come to pass. So when I heard Him speak to me about paying off our mortgage in five years I wondered about what I could do to help God accomplish this. I thought, "I know. I'll walk the neighbor's dogs for extra cash and put all of it towards our mortgage. Then I can blog about my days with the dogs and how close we are getting to being debt-free." God gave me no peace in that thought. He told me that if my mortgage gets paid off in that way, the glory goes to my neighbor and not to Him. Instead, He told me to trust Him and let Him (can you imagine--leaving it up to God?!) determine how my mortgage will get paid.
So here I am, taking this first step into the Red Sea by starting this blog, waiting for Him to part the waters...
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