Thursday, October 9, 2008

Saving Smart! Series: Day Nine

Today I want to discuss humility and savings. Not an easy topic, I know. Humility is defined as: "the condition of being humble, showing lowliness, meekness, or submissiveness." Now, I don't know about you, but it is hard to be meek and submissive!

Often times, those who are struggling financially are not going to let you know about it. Even your closest friends may not have told you about their struggles. Or perhaps you are the one struggling, but are too proud to let others know of your struggles. Humility is discussed often in the Bible, and the humbled WILL be rewarded. One of my favorite verses on humility comes from Proverbs (where else?): "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2)

If you are struggling financially, please do not be too proud to ask for help. You will likely have a chance to "pass it on" when things are looking better for you financially. So many people are eager to help others; often times, they just don't know who needs help and how to give help. Two of my money-saving tips involving humility are:

Be willing to accept hand-me-downs and donations.
Let others bless you!! Everyone needs help occasionally. We have been blessed with many hand-me-down items (furniture, kids' clothes, etc.) over the years and now enjoy passing on our things as we are able!

Be willing to trade & barter.
Need someone to babysit your kids but short on money? Ask a friend to do it for you in exchange for a home-cooked meal for her family. Teach piano? Offer to teach a friends' children in exchange for her help cleaning your home. Have a handy husband? Have him trade his help with a friend in exchange for help building something (if he's not a builder). You can also trade your work for free items (Know computers? Offer to help an organization with their needs in exchange for something free from them.)

There are lots of things you are good at that you could swap with a friend to save you both money!

I hope today that if you are in need, you will be willing to humble yourself and ask for help. And if you are fortunate enough to not be in need right now, look for ways you can be a financial blessing to others who are struggling!

~~~~~This is Part Nine of my Saving Smart! series. Be sure to stop in each day from October 1st through October 10th for more money saving tips and advice. For specific money saving questions, please email me.
"For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction." 1 Timothy 6: 7-9

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