99 Days of Summer: As July comes to an end and we head into August,
especially with the extremely hot and long summer this has been, our
thoughts start turning toward fall. For many school will start in just a
couple of weeks. I still feel this is WRONG! Summer vacation should
be Memorial Day to Labor Day, and I will enjoy all 99 days of summer.
Because I am a very organized person, I
better be if I am going to run a business called Dee-Clutter, I like to
have a basic plan of what my week will consist of. I am at home almost
everyday, but contrary to popular myths, just because I no longer have
children at home does not mean I watch TV or read all day. I truly
believe in being a homemaker. To me this means getting back to the
basics. When I made the choice to come back out of the full time work
force it was with a two fold purpose, to make my home and teach others
how to do the same. I did not like someone else cooking our meals
(restaurants), doing my laundry (the dry cleaners), and cleaning my
house ( I was ready to hire a house cleaning service). These are all
things I wanted to be doing myself, but was too tired to do. Not
everyone feels called to do these things and prefers a career, or is in a
place in life where it is not realistic to be at home full time. We
each have to find our place in this world. Over the past few months I
have talked to many women who are desiring to get back to, or learn how
to, take care of their own home. This week I would like to walk you
through my process of shopping and saving maximum money and energy to
keep our home running. About 6 years ago I read an article about a
couple that decided to only shop once a year. They were able to get
completely out of debt, except for their mortgage in that year. We
decided to give their method a try starting with one month,
then three months, and settled on six month increments. I have
developed a system for fall/winter and spring/summer shopping. This
week I will take you through my steps of preparing to do my fall/winter
shopping. The date for our shopping is always determined by
3 paycheck months. Usually twice a year the calendar falls out that
Richard has three paydays, instead of two. We use that third paycheck
to shop. You will need to look closely at your personal budget to
determine the best way to finance this method of shopping. One way is
to shop for one month, set aside the money saved toward the next month,
and continue until you reach the level you want to be at. One month
shopping may work best for your family or six months might be the right
thing. To start my process, today I will inventory all of our
toiletries and personal care products. I have a master list I have put
together, it is in my cookbook. So, now I am ready to dig in.
Word for Today, Wisdom: When we hear this word it is easy to think it
only applies to the major decisions in life, should I take that job, buy
that house, marry this person, etc. But if we understood that wisdom
is needed, and can be had, in every step of our life, we would have a
much easier time. In the book of James, in the Bible, we are told, "if
we lack wisdom, ask, and it will be given liberally."
Some things in life we consider common sense, don't step in front of a
moving car or walk on hot coals just because a self help guru tells you
to. But I believe this is a form of wisdom. As we grow, we learn to
discern right from wrong, good from bad, smart from dumb. If we are
seeking to walk with our Creator in all ways then the discernment we
have is wisdom from Him. The older I get the less I want to make
choices on my own. I want, desire, and need my life to be guided by the
wisdom that comes from above. Whether I am planning my menu for the
week, preparing a Sunday School lesson or Bible study, or working with a
client, I need wisdom beyond my ability in order to walk through life
in peace. The wisdom I have for living life to the fullest did not come
from text books, it comes from the One who gave me life. "Seek those
things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of the
Father." "The wisdom that is from above." "Get wisdom! Get
understanding."
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