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

Coupon class - 50% to 100% off

The Ashton Community Food Pantry is offering a Coupon Class to be taught by Amanda Fricke of www.stretchingyouridahodollars.com. The class will be held on Saturday, March 21st from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Ashton Community Center Meeting Room. (Upstairs and to the left.) The class fee is $20/person which includes “The Coupon Guide” book and Coupon Binder. The first 20 people to register will receive $10 off this class fee. To register or for more information please call Cicely Kuehl at 360-8954.

Amanda Fricke has been a real help to the Community Food Pantry in collecting food from area stores also.. If you've never thought you could eat almost for free using coupons and store sales you absolutely will want to attend.

SHARE Network is the corporate body operating the food pantry.

Hungry for information...Hungry are fed..

Amazing things happen if you are patient.

This evening I was out at a class that has been long talked about as a strategy to help people live through these tough economic times. Thanks to a Caroline Neubauer for her willingness to make the contacts with the University of Idaho's Extension Educator in Jefferson County we had 14 women come out to part 1 of two lessons on meal planning and budgeting.

I realize, you may be thinking big deal... Well, it is a big deal. We're a tiny town, barely 1200 in all. Publicity is always a challenge- word of mouth is a big factor in getting the word out. And doing the leg work before hand seems like a cinch- until you work all the angles correctly.

Anyway, we've talked alot about the ideas of how to help people help themselves over the last three or more years. This was a success of idea to completion.

On top of that Ashton rolled out it's new and improved more centrally located Food Pantry this month. Last Saturday was the "grand opening" first day. The pantry is now situated upstairs (room 2) at the Community Center.

Just about two weeks before Ashton's scout and cub troups filled the pantry selves to the capacity with the Scouting For Food.

The Pantry is open 10-12 on the 2nd and 3rd Saturday of each month for the present. The first day we served seven households.

And then they said to him "when did we see you hungry and feed you?" ...The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:37,40

Election night plus 7

Back in February I slipped out one night to attend the Democratic Caucaus for Fremont County.

In this deeply conservative region I knew that I was attending a minority party event. On that night I figured there would be about ten or twelve, maybe the "Big Wig" Democratic Party leadership for the county. In short, I expected very few people but this was were I felt I had to be. In fact I saw a few familiar faces from around the county and was very surprised to see so many young faces turn out for the event.

I was delighted to hear the charged enthusiasm for the candidates. Even though I've always liked Hillary, and still believe her to be a dynamic force, something about the idea of voting for the up and coming Senator from Illinois, now our President Elect felt absolutely correct.

And at the end of the night, I traveled back home up that snowy road to Ashton, turned into my driveway and pulled the car into the garage at the parsonage. No signs in my yard, no bumper stickers, and no buttons to declare my choice of candidate. Everything very hush hush so as to avoid offending anyone in the congregation. Ah, the life of pastor. How different from the years when I worked as a volunteer in campaign headquarters.

Other than sending one small contribution to the campaign I've said very little out loud. I played it neutral because I felt it the best way to serve the congregation and community. No need to create any reason discontent.

Ten days before the election I stepped into the County Clerk's office at Fremont county and requested an absentee ballot. My mind was already set on who I would vote for. there was no need to hang around until the last minute. It was time to "get 'er done."

It's been a week since I sat at this very screen and watched the results coming in. My eyes streamed with tears as I read the results. I remembered the hatred of some past generations in my own lineage toward anyone of color and began to feel real pride in the change in America.
Can America ever elect a black man? Yes we can!

We can make history once again in America.

In 2002 our present administration kept calling for "regime change."

For the first time in years, I can once again say, I'm truly proud to be an American.

Regime change is in progress at this very moment the way it should come about.

I pray for peace in the Islamic dominant nations of the world, just as I pray for peace in America.

I pray for renewed relations abroad that will reestablish respect for our differences in faiths and traditions. I pray for the leaders of all nations as well as our president elect as he works to form his new administration.

Tonight a few concerned citizens are meeting in the community center of Ashton discussing poverty in our community in a Idaho Horizons Study Circle. That meeting followed another meeting of an even smaller number of people who have been responding to concerns for the welfare of our neighbors in the community, The SHARE Network, bringing out to main street a Community Food Pantry. The connections of needs and possbile solutions are generating lots of ideas. The cross-polination of possiblity thinking is crystalizing into some great enthusiastic activism.

So, while the nation's economy looks dismal, it is encouraging to see people working together for the betterment of our community. The Northwest Area Foundation Horizons III Grant is presenting us with an awesome opportunity for community development.

Deuteronomy 15:1-11 suggests that two things are always going to exist.
First, there will always be people in need. Second, God expects us to be concerned about those neighbors; not taking advantage of them in their dire situation. Lord, grant the participants of these discussions with wisdom, and enthusiasm. Help us as we explore the edges of our differences, to be respectful. May we each grow in our understanding of the diversity of causes of poverty and may we approach these issues with great compassion and tenderness.