I received an unexpected package in the mail yesterday from my little sister. I didn't expect us to exchange gifts so hadn't done any shopping. Saw some things she might like, but didn't buy anything while I was out. She always finds the most unique books and gifts and each package I receive from her is a treasure. This one was no exception. Inside I found a book, 'Instant Happy' by Karen Salmansohn with little sayings throughout the book. I enjoyed it and many of the things brought a smile. Another gift was a cool pair of white boot slippers. WARM. NICE. and the third gift inside the package was a real surprise - a beautiful cross ring. It looks like amesyst (sp) cross with diamonds on the top/bottom and middle points. Beautiful ring - and it fits perfectly! I felt guilty cause I received this beautiful package from her - and I didn't send but a card. But she said she didn't mean to put me on a guilt trip - she saw them and just wanted to send - which was why she didn't send before Christmas. Anyway - it is a very nice gift and I am enjoying them.
Came back to work yesterday for a full day. I did get a set of minutes completed, but not much else. It was a different type of day. By that I mean we got to work to discover that one of our former vice presidents (who moved on to corporate as a vice president) died last Saturday. It wouldn't be so remarkable except that she had not been sick. She took care of her mother, who lived with her. A very successful career woman, never married. She was only 48. It kind of puts life in perspective and that we don't know if we will wake up the next day. She went to bed Friday night - and when she didn't arise Saturday morning, her mother went to see if she was ok - only to find her dead in the bed. An autopsy is going to per performed to see what happened. 48 years old.
I think how old I am now - and the possibility of that happening to me. Earlier last week our neighbor's mother died in her sleep. But she was 99. That is pretty much expected at that age. But at 48, she was just beginning to live.
Makes me want to get my house decluttered and cleaned - I don't want people to come in to my house with it looking like it does now! Yipes! So much 'stuff' to dispose of!! And I want to get bills paid off. I wonder if I started playing the lottery if I would ever win enough to pay off my bills. Wouldn't that be a God-send! That is my priority this year. A friend of mine here at work shared what she has followed for years. She carries this 'list' in her checkbook, her wallet, and has it where she can see it when she is tempted to buy something.
Get out of debt goals:
1. Make a budget. (and stick to it - don't just make it and work around it - use it)
2. Get out of debt. (make that your priority.)
3. Act your wage. (don't spend more than you make. You make a certain amount - don't overspend)
4. Be a saver. (start with $5 a week and put in a savings account - and don't touch it. When you get a raise, put the amount of your raise in the savings account. Save any extra, don't spend it)
5. Give money. (Interestingly, my friend said she doesn't give to the homeless on the street. She instead will give $20 to a funeral car wash or to someone whom she knows is really in need)
So there you have it. I probably have already shared these - in looking at them, I am sure I have. Oh well. I really like it so I copied it down and have it placed where I can see it. I'm sure I will 'fall off the wagon' somewhere with spending, but for the past couple weeks, I have been really good. I quit going out shopping two weeks before Christmas - I just quit. If I had gone out, a sale would have prompted me to buy something else for someone - and then I'd have to get something else for another - and another.... I probably saved quite a bit by not going out. I did go out on Sunday - I had a $30 gift card to Kohls and $30 Kohls cash to spend. And I used every bit of it. Now I'm staying away!
Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to live 'free' of financial burdens? It seems most of us have always had them. If we find we have a little extra money, we tend to see if we can spend it on something we 'need'. But, if we needed it, wouldn't we have already gotten it? God doesn't want us to live burdened by financial problems. He says we need to trust Him to provide for all our needs. And I have decided to do just that. We are pulling in the reins and seeing where God is going to provide - and if He doesn't - did we really need it?
How many things have we bought - and never used - or used once - and then thrown away, gave away, sold? I am so guilty of that. This year I want to pay attention to what I'm doing and not just shop for the sake of shopping. I want to make an impact on my debt. I want to live debt free. I want to see how God will provide for those things I NEED. I don't need what I think I want. This may prove to be an interesting year!
Blessings!
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