Thankfulness and rest

Yes, these really can save you money.  Give me some room to explain.

I heard a statistic about 10 years ago that we spend 80% of our time using 20% of our things, but 100% of our time maintaining 100% of our things.  It is freeing to purge.

Hoarders, I understand compulsions - I really do, but try it!  Yes, you will freak out at first, but give yourself a goal.  Perhaps, start with books - I had a lot of books we weren't using & decided to see what I could do with Cash For books - link on this page - and got cash toward a financial goal, which made it worthwhile.  You get the idea - one thing at a time toward a financial goal or just a goal of cleaning out.  Give stuff away, too - if you know someone who can use something you're not, it seems wasteful to hang onto it rather than give it.  Use your resources wisely . . . key word being "use."  Then, use the library - it's free (well, your taxes already pay for it), and has a much larger selection than you'll collect, I'll bet.

I love Netflix, as I've probably mentioned.  We keep far fewer DVDs, which is nice.  We sold some, gave some away, donated to the library, etc.  We have less stuff to maintain and have use of a wider assortment.  If you'd like to try Netflix, sign up for a free 30 day trial through swagbucks (linked here) and sign up for Netflix through them.  There's no obligation & you get 1000 swagbucks just for trying it (over $10 in Amazon credits or other prizes). 

If you're a gamer, there's a gaming option through Swagbucks that is similar to Netflix . . . see above paragraph.

I'm into quilting, crocheting, knitting, cross-stitching . . . and have been given a lot of smaller pieces of fabrics, floss, yarn, patterns, etc.  A few years ago, I started making stockings out of 3.5 inch squares - you can combine all sorts and make great stuff!  I also used the yarn, something in various stripes, to make scarves.  The cross-stitch materials, I've used to make Christmas ornaments, mostly.  The best part is that you can give them as gifts!  Then, you save money out of the budget by using what you have and having less to maintain!

Thankfulness . . .  I'm honestly struggling with this particular one today, but have past experience to draw upon.  As I started feeling the freedom of purging and seeing the freedom in our budget as a result, I felt so free, grateful and thankful.  Doing these things reminded me of what God has give us and how cool it can be if I just take the time to use it.  

I read a statistic recently about how many times multiplied the number of hours the average adult spends shopping versus playing with their kids - very sad.  I'm guilty, as well.  Whether or not you have kids, I'll be you aren't immune to the disease our culture has.  I'll catch myself shopping (especially for my daughter) and reminding myself multiple times in one day that she doesn't need it, has too many already, etc.  My recent resolution is to not buy more of something until/unless I'm using what I have.  I've failed and renewed the resolution many times, and will again, I'm sure.  One thing that helped me with this was to allow myself to purge - there's that theme again, hoarders.  I chose the things I really want to do, prioritized, and whatever didn't make the cut-off was given away, either to someone I know, a women's shelter, etc.

Get ready for the holiday music - there was Christmas music at Kohl's yesterday - SO wrong.  Remember that God created man and woman on the 6th day, and the first thing He told them to do was rest (thanks for that reminder, Pastor Mark).  If you rest more, you'll stress less and have less cost of escapism behaviors.  When you think about areas you might apply some of this, pace yourself, enjoy it, and revel in the accomplishment, however small.

Blessing to you this day as I try, yet again, to appreciate rest and practice thankfulness.  I am thankful that anyone takes the time to read this far, assuming some do.  Thank you for the gift of your time.