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The canopy of a tree only reflects half the size of the root system. Our root system should go deep and reach out to multiple streams of income. As our roots develop much is happening beneath the surface that our friends and neighbors can’t see. Just like the tree, our lifestyle should only reflect a portion of our net worth and we only have net worth if we actually own things. It doesn’t count if the bank owns it.
Small Tweaks Lead To Tall Peaks
The next guideline I’d like to offer for getting out of debt is to work extra diligently in order to pay things off. More is not always better sometimes we just need to work smarter. $1.50 for a coke every day for a year equals $547, so imagine what would happen when we cut out Starbucks?
Possible Ways To Tweak Our Lifestyle:
– Direct all income from a second job to pay off debt balances
– Sell items on Craigslist
– Order water instead of soda when we go out to eat
– Watch TV online instead of paying for cable
– Mow the lawn instead of paying a lawn service
– Pack a lunch
– Buy generic brands and use coupons
– Use a less expensive phone (non-smartphone) and lower the cell phone bill
– Raise the car insurance deductible to lower the insurance bill (if there is enough savings to cover that deductible)
– Examine what we pay monthly to survive (shelter, electric, food) as it compares to what is extra and not “necessary” to survive
God Wants Us To Live With An Open Hand, One To Give And One To Receive
If we cannot handle the $500 credit card, how can He trust us with a larger responsibility? One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. (Luke 16:10)
If we continue to buy what we can’t afford, we will continue to be a slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7).
God wants us to have a right relationship with money. In order to do that, we need to get a right relationship with Him. Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)
We Want The Root More Than The Fruit
If we only have the fruit, it gets consumed and it dwindles away. There is no way to reproduce it. The root is what keeps the fruit coming. In this process, the root of the matter is for us to learn a right relationship with money. It’s identifying WHY we spend the way we do and choosing differently. During this journey, I want to encourage you to remember that true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. (1 Timothy 6:6)
Please share with us today, some creative ways that you trim your budget. We can all learn from each other!
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