Contentment

My friend Amy got me thinking this morning on spending. I started looking for a biblical perspective on this. I didn't find anything other than staying within your budget and giving to others. There is a lot of discontent when it comes to spending and society has encouraged us to buy it anyway on credit even if you can't afford it. We are never satisfied with what we have because there is always something new and better out there. Ken told me that he used to dream of a 32 inch tv. Well that is what we have, but he isn't satisfied with it. Now he wants one of those flat screen tv's as big as he can get it. I just want to be satisfied with what I have. I'm tired of wanting something new because it's better than what I have. I don't want to need a new computer every year, or a new car, or a new whatever. While I appreciate how everything improves I'm just sick of spending. God has provided well for me and I would like to be content with what he has supplied. Is finding contentment even possible in this world? Well as my friend Amy so succintly said, "I'm pretty sure I won't find it at the mall." Here is what Crown has to say on contentment. Contentment is so far removed from many Christians that it seems that they will never be able to find it or be at peace. However, contentment is not something that must be searched for and found. It is an attitude of the heart. Once the attitude has been modified and all has been transferred to God, contentment will be evident.
For the full article go to www.crown.org and search for contentment.

Back from the trenches

Well it was another crazy shopping day as usual, although not as bad this year. The economy is definitely taking a toll. There were far fewer people this year, and there were lots of stuff left over. For the first time ever one of the walmart employees told me they were still honoring the black friday price if there was any leftovers after it ended. My best deals were Walgreens, They paid me to buy some toothpaste, and deodorant. Plus I got paper plates, napkins, and 2 dozen eggs for $3 total. My best gift deals for christmas shopping were $29.99 for a $99 set of pots and pans for my son from Macys, and $29 for the $79.99 fly fusion pentop computer for my other son from Target. Awesome deals! I only spend a third of what I usually spend this year which was great and the other great part is I'm totally done shopping too. Some of the gifts are very small but I'm just not going to let myself feel bad about it. I can't go through another christmas in total debt. That makes me feel even worse. Besides, some of my best christmas memories are from handmade gifts I used to give as a kid like a tin full of my uncles favorite homemade cookies. I can still see him popping one in his mouth instantly with such a look of pleasure on his face. I remember a particularly awful christmas one year when I could only buy my kids things from dollar tree. My son Josh commented it was the best christmas he ever had. I can't tell you how much I cried that day, but my kids were totally satisfied. For years I have made up for that awful christmas by buying more than I could afford. I have to stop this. My kids are ok, and I know they do not want me to be in debt. Christmas is not about absolving my guilt. This year I will spend my time with my eyes on Jesus where it should be, and my bank account intact.

Romans 13:8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

Feeling blessed

Well the economy tragedy has hit me personally now. I knew it was a matter of time before I started seeing these types of patients. I admitted a man this morning who had diabetes. He lost his job a couple of months ago, his wife left him when he lost his job, and he became homeless. While living in his car or off of his friends generosity one of his feet became infected. It looks like the infection is in the bone so they will be removing his foot today. My heart just breaks for him. I couldn't help feeling so blessed that in spite of the bad economy we still have a home to go to, and health insurance in the event we get sick. Yes, we are struggling right now, but God has blessed us and taken care of us. I know He is with us and helping us with our difficulties. So today I am truly thankful and feeling blessed that my family is with me, and we are all healthy.

Yes, I'm thankful

I have been spending a lot of time thinking about what it was like when I was really poor, and what I'm thankful for. I really wasn't unhappy being poor either, and life was sure a lot simpler than it is now. There are a few things though I'm grateful I don't have to do anymore.
I'm thankful I don't have to go to the dump anymore to get rid of my trash.
I'm thankful I don't have to go to the laundromat
I'm thankful I have more than one channel to watch on tv
I'm thankful for central air and heating and not just a woodstove.
I'm thankful I don't have to ride the bus.
I'm thankful I don't have to buy clothes at goodwill or yardsales unless I want to.
I'm thankful I don't have to buy my toiletries at the swapmeet.
I'm thankful I have mail delivery at my house.
I'm thankful I have a stove and not just a hotplate and a toaster oven.
I haven't been working much lately, but I do have a lot to be thankful for. God has always taken care of my needs, and I know he will continue to do so.

Black Friday

Well the ads are out for all the Black Friday shoppers. I look forward to this every year as the bargains are fantastic. They have a great website I found this year with all the Black Friday ads for all the stores. www.tgiblackfriday.com. It looks like I have to work so I won't do much this year. I haven't been working anyway so it's not like we have lots of money. Good thing I planned to spend within my budget!

Shop smarter

There was an article in the Fresno Bee on last Thursday on shopping smarter for food. It had some interesting contrasts to most of the usual advice. It actually advised going to the store more frequently so you aren't stuck there for a long time. I found that interesting. I like to go to the store, but I know lots of people don't, so I guess for the people who don't this will work better than the weekly or monthly shopping. They do admit that this choice takes more time though.
It did say to stick to a list, and to plan your meals and to plan around the stuff you already have on hand. Ok, that sounds good so far. It mentioned $2 per serving recipes on pamperedchef.com Thanksgiving recipes less than $1 a serving at gotmilk.com, and the federal government recipe collecton at recipefinder.nal.usda.gov. (I had no idea they had that!) Another surprise is they recommend driving around to different stores. Now that surprised me with the price of gas, you must be kidding, although I suppose it's better now. They say it won't cost extra gasoline if you choose retailers that are part of your normal routine. My friend Amy mentioned a store recently that she stops at as part of her normal routine. I don't have a normal routine so that wouldn't work for me. I never know where I am going to be.
He gave some local advice which is nice. Grocery Outlet has organic food, and beginning in January the Ashlan and Blackstone store will begin carrying fresh meat. They recommend Asian markets for produce. Organic produce can be found at Farmers markets and the Vineyard on Shaw and Blackstone is a great source. They also recommend the produce at Food Maxx on Blackstone and Barstow. Another recommendation was trying some of the ethic stores like Bertos meat market, Lindas Seafood market, Louie Kee market for weekly meat specials, King poultry live and fresh chicken. Vallarta market has the freshest chile's. Whole Foods Market offers a value tour and they have a one day one item sale every Wednesday.
I think it's so interesting that everywhere you look there are articles and advice to help you save. Mostly it's about groceries though. I wish there was something that could magically cut my utility bill in half besides not using it!

Free Dr. Pepper today only

Today is the day to get your free Dr. Pepper coupon. Go to the Dr. Pepper website and fill out a form and your coupon will come in the mail. The website is running a little slow but I did it eventually.

Here are the Free's until next Sunday.

Walgreens
Colgate total advance toothpaste $3.49
$3.49 register rewards
$1 coupon
Either Free or $1 profit.

Russel Stover private reserve oval tin $7.99
Buy 2 and get $10 easy saver rebate
B1G1F coupon in last weeks paper
Final price $6 or with coupon Free with $2 profit.

Rite Aid
Garnier Fructis Shampoo or conditioner $2.99
$2.99 rebate valid only on purchase on 11/28
$1 coupon
Final price free or $1 profit

Phillips universal 3 device remote $4.99
$4.99 rebate valid only on purchase on 11/23-11/29
Final Price Free

GE 6 power strip outlet $5
$5 rebate
Final price Free

There will be a lot more of this to come. Remember This Friday is Black Friday and if you are brave enough to go out at 4am there are lots of great deals. This Thursdays newspaper will be the biggest one of the year. Read your ads carefully and do your rebates promptly as they are usually very short lived.