Les Thompson
Finance Chairman St. Stephen
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Developing a Saving Lifestyle
Excerpts from Topics That Affect Everyday Life by Crown Financial Ministries
“go to the ant, o sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which having no chief, officer or ruler,
prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-7, NAS)

In today’s economy, we are all looking for ways to cut back on our spending and save a little more. This is good news for the simple fact that the household savings rate has hovered near or below zero for the past few years. By
developing a “saving” attitude, we can begin to live a “saving” lifestyle.

Save on your energy bill:  Turn it off. Turn off lights, TV, computers, etc. in a room when you exit it. If you aren’t using an appliance, unplug it. Household appliances, such as toasters, coffee makers, hair dryers, and lamps still use energy even when they are not turned on. Plug your computer, TV, cable equipment, etc. into a surge protector with an on/off switch. When you aren’t using it, turn it off. Set your thermostat to a few degrees cooler in the winter or a few degrees warmer in the summer. Wear sweaters and use extra blankets on the bed to be more comfortable. Wear lighter clothing in the summer and use ceiling fans to circulate the air in the room you are in. Keep curtains and blinds closed during the day. Switch to energy-saving fluorescent bulbs. Use a timer for your thermostat to keep the home warmer or cooler when no one is home. Set it to change… an hour before you return home….

Save on gas:  Think before you drive. Group errands together instead of going to the grocery store one day, to the post office another day, etc. Carpool to work or talk to your boss about telecommuting one or two days per week. Keep your car in good shape. Check tire pressure. Under-inflated tires can cause the car to run less efficiently. Have the oil, oil filters, and air filters changed frequently. Do this at home if you can, but if not, shop around for the best deal in town…. Watch your driving habits….Traveling at speeds over 55 mph decreases fuel efficiency….

Save at the grocery store:  Make out a weekly menu and shop for only those ingredients…Look for coupons online at www.coupons.com and www.grocerydeals.com. Stock up on nonperishable foods when they are on sale…. Learn to cook at home from scratch and save money on prepackaged foods and eating out. Save eating out for special
occasions. Try the store brands, especially for canned and frozen foods…. Be careful about buying in bulk unless you know you will use the entire product and that the price per unit is cheaper than buying individually. Beware of “impulse” buys at the checkout counter.

Be a savvy shopper:  For clothing needs, shop thrift or consignment stores or discount department stores. You can often find new or barely used clothing at these stores for 50% off of retail price or better. Buy basics, such as socks, underwear, and t-shirts at discount stores. Beware of trendy items that will be out of style next year. Think twice before buying an item that can only be dry cleaned. Look for home washable fabrics instead. Buy items that can be worn with more than one outfit. Check yard/garage sales for barely worn baby and children’s clothes. Many times children outgrow the clothing before it shows any wear. Do check carefully to make sure the items are not stained. Learn to sew and make clothing, or at least learn how to make basic alterations, such as hemming or replacing
buttons or zippers. Check out consignment stores for used sports or exercise equipment. Look online on eBay or Craigslist for used books, furniture, toys, and other items. Just do your homework to make sure you are getting a good deal and that the item is in good condition.

Conclusion:  Living a “saving” lifestyle means thinking before you buy and being a good steward of your resources. This is in opposition of the consumerist society in which we live…. We are conditioned to think, “If I want it,
I should have it, and I should have only the best.” God can change our attitudes towards material things and help us to learn to be contented with what we have and to enjoy life to the full, without spending every dime we have.

May God Bless Your Life,

Les Thompson