May 31, 2008

  • Generously Frugal

    It's FRRRRUUUUGGGAAALLL FRIDDDDAAAYYY!  Go on over.  We all need money saving tips. 

    http://www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com/blog.htm

     

    Look up the word Frugal.  You really don’t have to but if you did, you would see that the antonym of frugal is generous.  Goodness, I ten thousand times disagree! 

     

    We are frugal but with the goal of being more generous.  It is our desire to live well below our means so that we are able to give more of our money to the church and to meet the needs of others as God leads us. 

     

    Okay, that isn’t the only reason we’re frugal.  We really like the peace of mind of being out of debt.  We really like the idea of making money on our money instead of making others money by borrowing their money.  We really like the idea of having money for rainy days and olden days.  So, being able to give is just one of the reasons we are frugal but it is still an important reason. 

     

    Here is an example of generosity in my life.  When my littlest child outgrows clothing, I always give it to someone who has a child in that size.  Right now I have a littlest girl and a littlest boy.  So, I get to pass on the little girl clothes to my niece and the little boy clothes to my friend (who is adopting, hooray!). 

     

    With each new baby in my home, I did not have any baby clothes.  I had passed the previous baby’s clothes to someone who needed them.  And even though I did not save the baby clothes to pass down to my next child, I have never had to buy baby clothes.  That generosity has always been returned to me.  My babies never, never lack for adorable clothes to wear.  Four times never.  Three girls and one boy, never.  I am always given baby clothes by some loving caring friend who is looking to do what I did.  Bless other mommas. 

     

    Here is my rationale for doing this.  We live in a small home and I don’t want to store a lot of clothes.  I do keep my oldest daughters clothes.  I know that I have two more girls who can wear them.  So, any clothing storage is reserved for clothes that I’m certain will be worn.  With baby clothes, I was never absolutely certain we’d be having another child and if we did have another child would it be the same gender?  It seemed the right thing to pass on my baby things to babies who needed clothing at that moment.  Rather than hoard them for future baby girls or baby boys that I might (and sadly, might not) have.  (Of course, there’s a few sentimental things that I hold on to.  I’m a sappy mom.) I decided to trust God to provide baby stuff for future Trent babies. 

     

    He provided the babies and he provided the stuff.  (Thanks, Lord.)  Who knows, there may be more Trent babies in our future? 

     

    This is just one rather little example of generosity at work in my life.  It’s generously frugal to be exact.  Antonym, shmantonym.

     

    Here is another example of generously frugal http://debtfreedowds.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/sharing-the-wealth/.  Share how you are generously frugal.

Comments (5)

  • So what do they say the synonym of frugal is...stingy? Wow, when was that dictionary written? They really need to update it. To me, frugal is being wise with money. The opposite of generous is cheap, not frugal. We all know people who will get things free, or very inexpensively, using coupons and other deals (I'm thinking CVS ECBs), only to pass those extra tubes of toothpaste or bottles of shampoo on to the needy! Frugal people aren't generous? Pfft!!!!

  • Hi Amanda!  Glad you liked the pictures of my tree-climbing foursome!  I thought they turned out really sweet and I hope to recreate a collage of my sister's girls in the same tree a couple of years ago with my crew!  And yes, the last picture caught Chad by surprise too!  I always warn him that if he takes silly pictures, they may end up on the blog!  Ha ha!  Thanks for the Frugral Friday tips!  Money-saving is always welcome in this house and I am totally encouraged by your frugalness/generosity!  Hope you have a terrific weekend - see you next Sunday probably!  ~Toni Jill

  • I think it is a little bit of everything.  We watch what we spend, make good purchases not always buying the cheapest, passing on what we don't need & asking God to provide. 

  • Thanks for posting a link to my blog! I wrote that post from my heart as God is really working on my heart in this area. I love how cute your blog is!
    I frequent this blog and was so excited to see that you enjoyed one of my posts! Thanks so much!

  • Great ideas.. You are so right.. there is so much we can do with just things that God has already blessed us with.   I have been really selfish holding onto all the clothes I have and toys.. hard to part with them.. but your post is making me rethink.. this terrible philosophy that I have called SELFISH!!!  Thanks..  I knew I missed church for a reason today lol  (baby is sick)  

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