Saving money takes planning

John Wesley admonished the believers "Earn all you can, save all you so that you can give all you can."

In the wake of the Industrial revolution of Britain, with large numbers of Britain's poor working class finding newness of life in the reception of the gospel, Wesley regularly emphasized the theme of stewardship. His three points of stewardship was presented as a simple directive. Simple that is, if you listen to the beginning and sleep through the remaining two points. Sermons generally lasted much longer than present day preachers turn out. So,I could see how one might conveniently miss the next two point. People were very eager to better their financial position so folks liked being told it was good to earn lots. Letting loose of some of that hard earned cash was easier to do for one's own benefit than for someone else. That's timeless human behavior I think. Frugality can lead to stinginess. You can bet you are being filled by the Holy Spirits gifts if generosity is present and growing.

I was thinking about John's instructions today as I sat in the Coupon Class taught by Amanda Fricke. She came well prepared to lead us through the basics of maximizing the use of coupons and explaining the format of her weekly reports. She also came prepared to protect herself legally, by having each participant sign an agreement not to photocopy or redistribute through any means, any of the materials she handed out. She's put a lot of effort into the research and development of her materials. She has every right to expect others to respect her intellectual materials as protected under copyright laws. I'ld love to tell you everything and freely share all that she produces. But I'm not willing to pay her $45.00 fine each time I do.

I can say this, Amanda understands that making and saving money requires careful planning and discipline. She has a monthly budget for food. She shops and stores surplus knowing there are certain things she will always use. She even plans her menus around what is on the shelf, rather than planning a shopping list around her menus. That fits in with my way of operating. I watch the specials and pick up in surplus knowing there is a certain cyclical nature to store adds.

The big key is planning your shopping by doing research on the current week sales and keeping every possible coupon. She also buys several copies of the Sunday newspaper specifically for the coupon supplements.

Amanda saves so much money, and is able to pick up so many great deals that she can easily be charitable with neighbors, and non-profit organizations. As we all listened to her describe her surplus the question was asked where did she put it all. The reply "under the kitchen table, in closets, a spare refrigerator at her parents home." To make sure no food goes unused because bargains aren't bargains if you end up throwing away expired food, she makes sure to rotate the shelves and give away anything within two months of expiration.

In our presentation I was remembering my years as a mother with one, then two children, going to back to the university to finish my degree. Coupons and refunding were my corporate food stamps. We lived on one income, enjoyed living on campus, and took advantage of many entertainment opportunities primarily because I was able to keep our food budget to the bare minimum.

In this present economy it is easy to slip into thinking we are being deprived. Being with Amanda today reminded me that there is a great abundance available to those who will engage themselves with diligence and discipline to wise use of their resources. A few might even want to follow behind Amanda Fricke weekly for a while to learn all the tricks of the trade and become professional shoppers for others. All of us can learn to save more and do just as well spending less for the same quality we have been accustomed to.

If you didn't attend Amanda's class in Ashton today and want to learn more, check out her blog.

By the way, the Ashton neighbors that came to this class saved a bundle today. Amanda normally charges $40.00 per person for her class. SHARE Network arranged a special price and then offered scholarships to reduce the out of pocket expense to all participants. Our hope is that these people will be better equipped to save as much as they can. If they also begin to share from their abundance and help the Pantry with making special purchases that would be a double blessing.

"A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid for her household when it snows
for all her household are clothed in Crimson."

Proverbs 31: 10,11, 16,18,20-21