Saturday, September 11, 2010

Feelin' Thrifty

I've never viewed myself as suffering from "stuffitis" (as Dave Ramsey would put it). It would be a lie if I said, "I never say, 'Ohhh I want that'"; but wanting something and purchasing it are two different things. The BIG things are easy for me to walk away from - it's the little things that get me every time. "It's only $1", or "I haven't gotten anything in a long time, this will be a treat for me" are my biggest enemies! Those are the thoughts I have a hard time battling against and seeing victory!

Stories about how people cut out their fraps. and caps. and save hundreds have always fascinated me. I always wonder what I can cut out, but usually end up empty.

This summer I've been carefully going over my finances - j * o * y (if you can't sense it, let me spell it out: Sarcasm)! I'm reading the Financial Peace book by Dave Ramsey and trying to come up with a plan. I have learned, I am not as wise as I think I am!

After doing some research yesterday I wanted to listen to Dave on the radio. I knew I wouldn't be able to get reception on my literal radio, so I decided to go to his website and download a show or two. On his website he wanted you to purchase a subscription. I didn't even click to see how much it was. Automatically that was out for me b/c that is definitely an 'extra'! Instead, I got 'creative'! I googled radio stations that carry his broadcast, looked for one that had his show on live, and then just double-clicked and enjoyed a free show, just as if I had a radio that would pick it up. ;)

It's funny the little things in life that make me feel like I made an effort to improve my station. Hopefully, all these 'little things' will add up and I can enjoy some breathing room!

1 comment:

Dave said...

One of the first life development classes I went through at our old church was a financial course, and I can say it was life-changing. The concept of not adding to your debt and working your way out of it were the biggest for me. I'm not familiar with Ramsey, but I imagine all the curricula are basically the same. I went through "Sound Sense," which Willow Creek produced, and it had a great and practical plan for paying off debt. Karen and I began saving for everything we want, and paying off our credit cards (which should be basically done at the beginning of the year), and we're finding ourselves so much more free. Can't serve God and money, right?