We're coming to the end of December, and I've been praying, thinking about, and preparing some for these 30 days of simplicity in January. Here are a few things I'm preparing to do-
I regularly track our spending monthly, so I will continue to do that and will be able to see how much we're saving in January by cutting back and cutting out some things. One woman who previously did this exercise put notes in a jar detailing the amount they were saving ie: $20 for pizza night out that we didn't do, $10 for book that I didn't buy, etc... She tallied the notes up at the end of the month to see what their family had saved through abstaining from some buying and then gave that money to help build the Kingdom.
Another way of preparation for me is that I've planned out a menu and grocery list for the month of January for our family. That way I know what I'm heading to the store for this next month. Groceries is an area for me that I overspend in often and would like to rein in through some discipline. I've been amazed in December at some of the "hoarding" thoughts that have occurred when I'm at the store ("I could load up on this and sit pretty well through January" etc...).
I plan to pray and journal through the experience, and I plan to be learning from all of you as you share your journey. I'm also reading a small little book called Celebration of Simplicity by Joyce Meyer that has been so good for my heart.
And you? Any words as we prepare our hearts and lives for these 30 days of simplicity in January? (which by the way, I believe we should have probably made 31 days to complete the month! :) Please share under "comments".
May God grow our hearts to beat like His.
Laura
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5 comments:
My only comment is that we thankfully have 2 days left to spent so I gotta head out right now. Ha, ha
I forgot to mention to my husband that we were going to do this 31 day experiment! Oops! He said he's on board though. One of the things we talked about changing was sack lunches instead of him eating out every day...which means I'll have to get my act together to make those lunches!! Like Laura talked about, I think this is going to take some organization and planning... oh I can feel my lazy ways being challenged already.
I just learned about this experiment today and still need to check with my wife before deciding if we're in 100% but I would like to say best wishes to everyone that tries the "30 Days of Simplicity". Even if you "fail" at a perfect 30 (or 31) days there's no doubt you'll be better off than you would have been if you hadn't tried at all.
I have been meaning to check this out for a few weeks - but today is the day and I'm in. Some of the things I plan to do are use coupons! I always cut them out but never bring them to the grocery store. Reading through some of the other posts, I currently do the menu thing - it's great. I started it last February and it has worked wonderfully! I will be going through and reducing the clutter in the house, the toys and the clothes we don't wear and giving more to House of Hope and/or Good Will. The sack lunches is a great idea and I will do that along with saying "no" to things that my 3 year can't live without, like games in the mall. :) HA. That's gonna be hard. I am also going to put a big jar on the counter that we will throw extra change into, along with the money I would have spent (such as coupon savings and games) to have our family put in the offering plate instead. We're going to debate purchases as well -do we really need this -- kind of analyzing. Just being in this frame of mind will make me think differenly, creating plans I can't think of at the moment! HAPPY NEW YEAR! God Bless!
I, too, just finally got to read about this. I will try to use up the food I already have on hand in the cupboard and freezer.
Sometimes it is "easier" to buy something than to use what I already have.
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