Changes
With gas prices soaring, Jeff and I are making some changes. I appreciate his desire to keep our budget from soaring right along with the higher prices of everything, gas included. He started carpooling to work with a co-worker. He drives his own truck, but the other man splits the cost of gas with him. So instead of spending $30+ for gas each week for the truck, he spends $15.
Instead of me making a 60-mile round trip into town each week to buy produce, Jeff stops by for those items on his way home from work. We found a little health food store near his office that will order organic produce for us. The store owner charges us wholesale plus 10% for cases. We buy our spinach and fruits in cases, so that is a good deal. The retail organic produce is comparable in price to other stores. I just call the store owner with a specific order, which he totals and packages up. When Jeff gets there it is usually all ready to go. This means I am not going to town very often, but I can't complain about being able to stay home more — and neither will the kids complain; they hate going out when they could be playing somewhere outside.
I've made other changes in the household to reduce spending. Two so far are — using cloth napkins instead of paper napkins, which saves us about $6 to $8 per month; and using dishcloths for wiping down the counters and table, instead of paper towels. I don't know why I didn't figure these out ages ago! Next I will see if I can save money on our cell phone and home phone bills.
These are all super ideas! I will have to follow some of them.
Peace
Oh my…. what good ideas. You know, for weeks now I have been so unsettled feeling because I know we need to make some more changes in our lifestyle. But I don’t know what to do. You’ve helped me to see that I just have to start where I am and make small changes one at a time.
Thanks, Ellen.
I appreciate your comments.
Sylvia, I think you’re right about just starting where you are. I hope you’ll share what you figure out to do to make changes.
Jeff & I have been feeling really unsettled for awhile, too. What bothers me is that just “living” costs so much money! And to live simply or naturally costs even more. I don’t see the logic.
I am praying that God would reveal more areas to cut back and that He would give me the willpower to stick with it. Thanks for your comments!
Wardeh..you are so inspiring! ‘Living’ costs so much over here in the U.K as well. Dave thinks I do my best though, and compared to what other people spend we do well as a family.
Thanks for being such an encouragement to me Wardeh..God bless you!
Yvonne, thank you. I appreciate your comments and I’m blessed by your friendship.
God bless you, too.