Thrifty Thoughts {inspired by The Vanilla Tulip blog}

Being wise with our money is hard. Really hard. The real, honest reason is because I'm selfish. Because I want to be able to go shopping and spend money how I want to, on things I want. But that's not right. It's not godly. It's not God-glorifying. It's gross. And I don't need anything. I have 109343 swimsuits, 3985235 pairs of shoes, and could probably use what is already in my closet to put together 100+ outfits without ever repeating.

It's really hard being a female in this culture. Can I get an amen? It's not an excuse - it's just the truth. But it doesn't make it okay. We don't have to succumb to culture. Not only do we not have to - we're called not to! Say it with me - I do not need that skirt/belt/top/etc just because I saw it on Pinterest OR just because she has it. I don't need it just because I want it.

"You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.' But remember the Lord your God, for it is HE who gives you the ability to produce wealth." Deuteronomy 8:17-18

It's all God's. Everything I have. And since God owns it all, he holds the rights that come with ownership. We only have what we have been allowed to have. 

God has rights.
We have responsibilities.

God has provided us resources, gifts and abilities. He has trusted us with these things - these things that rightfully belong to Him. It is our responsibility to live by that trust by managing these things well, according to His purpose.

Am I acting responsibly with what God has provided me by spending our money on things I want but definitely don't need? What I am not saying is that I'm never going to buy something new again. But what I am saying is I need to live by a budget. I need to live by a budget that includes spending more of our money on things that matter to God less of our money on things I don't need. I would rather spend our money on a date night. Time spent with my husband matters to God. I would rather spend our money supporting my sister's mission trip. Missions matter to God. 

I was inspired by Ashley at The Vanilla Tulip. She talks about Shopping Your Home and Shopping Your Pantry. I love the shopping your pantry idea. We have so much in our pantry/freezer that is just sitting there and I say "ugh we have nothing to eat". Part of it is Crust or Mi Cocina sounds much more appetizing. Part of it is I don't know enough about cooking to just whip up a meal with what I have. But the honest part of it is I'm lazy. I'm going to try Ashley's approach to meal planning and grocery shopping. And I'm going to shop my closet and not Target or Forever21 or Francesca's or wherever.