Living Fully

So its been on my heart for a while and I just wanted to share :)

There are a couple different ways we can approach the couponing/deal finding thing.  One way is out of a place of scarcity, fear and feeling like someone owes us something.

 

hahaha that picture is ridiculous :)  

The other way would be out of fullness, love for our families and readiness to give to others.  I think we'd all agree the second is a much happier place to live.

I've been on both sides of this.  Living in a mindset of poverty says "there is never enough".  Personally for us, debt was eating us alive.  It was a constant circle of finance charges and minimum payments and it really truly seemed like there was no way out!  I would pay our bills every month and realize that all of our money was gone.  Anyone relate?  Thanks to a Dave Ramsey tip, we began paying down our lowest balance credit card.  We put our surplus to it every month.  Soon it will be paid off and that surplus, PLUS the money we were already paying towards that card every month will go towards another card.  And thus the snowball begins towards being debt free!  

We were spending $450 or more a month on food alone every month.  Through couponing and budgeting I reduced that bill to $160 a month and we are able to consistently give to our church's food pantry.  There IS more than enough.  As a family we have made it our goal to stay thankful, though we definitely aren't perfect.. :) The Bible says a thankful heart prepares the way for God... and we have seen that it is true.  

So have fun deal finding :)  Join me in making it a goal this week to keep thankfulness in the forefront and watch God do some awesome things!