Saving Money #6 Driving Or The Lack Of It
Greetings again my frugal sisters!
Here is #6 on how we save money and I can't believe I'm going to say this because we live in a van for a good part of the year but it would be 'driving' or the lack of it. :-)
Most of you already realize that if you don't drive you don't use money on gas or maintenance of a vehicle. Of course we all need to be able to find transportation to get groceries and such but there are ways to make it more frugal.
One thing I have learned is to stock up to eliminate last minute dashes to the store. Take some time to make a master list of non-perishable items you use all the time and do not want to run out, then make a plan to build up a supply of such items. (Pantry staples, personal items, cleaning supplies etc.)
In addition to that list make another list of perishable items that you commonly use so when you go shopping you have a guide that helps keep you from impulse buys. It's also nice to have that list if you have someone who can pick things up for you, you know exactly what you need.
I know in the U.S. there are stores that are very reasonable and offer free shipping on a minimal amount and you can have many items shipped right to you. Some offer promo codes to save percentages on orders. Once I built up my storage of foods and non-perishables my trips to town deminished and I could get away with going once or twice a month for fresh foods. You also learn how to eat accordingly but if you have a husband you have to work around what he likes. But on that note if you have a husband he can pick things up for you from the store instead of you running in all the time.
Oftentimes families can get along with one vehicle but it's usually the woman who wants the freedom to be running all over on her own instead of waiting to use the vehicle when her husband comes home, or on weekends. When Jim was working in sales traveling with the company car, our vehicle was sitting in the driveway but I didn't just jump in and go when I felt like it, instead I would look ahead at the sales and have him stop and pick up what we needed in between my trips.
When you do go shopping you should plan to go to every place you can in the most efficient route possible. Be sure to pack yourself a lunch (and for your children if you have any) so that you are not tempted to purchase things you normally wouldn't and if you are going by a park, turn it into a picnic:-)
Be sure that if you drive out of the way to a certain store, that it's worth the gas to get there. Example, if there is a sale on apples at a store on the other side of town and that's the only item you are going to get, you might just buy them at a store you're already at (or buy something else that's one sale instead.)
We have chosen to keep our minivan in addition to our cargo van that we live in, and the reason we do that is because it's been paid off for years and we only insure it for the few months we are in Missouri. It's been beneficial for us to be able to drive other believers and for them to borrow it.
These are just a few ideas for you to see if anything works for you. We are to everything as unto the Lord so let us, as keepers at home be sure that we spend our money and resources as unto Him also.
Have a joyous evening sisters.
Love to you,
Sister Deb
Here is #6 on how we save money and I can't believe I'm going to say this because we live in a van for a good part of the year but it would be 'driving' or the lack of it. :-)
Most of you already realize that if you don't drive you don't use money on gas or maintenance of a vehicle. Of course we all need to be able to find transportation to get groceries and such but there are ways to make it more frugal.
One thing I have learned is to stock up to eliminate last minute dashes to the store. Take some time to make a master list of non-perishable items you use all the time and do not want to run out, then make a plan to build up a supply of such items. (Pantry staples, personal items, cleaning supplies etc.)
In addition to that list make another list of perishable items that you commonly use so when you go shopping you have a guide that helps keep you from impulse buys. It's also nice to have that list if you have someone who can pick things up for you, you know exactly what you need.
I know in the U.S. there are stores that are very reasonable and offer free shipping on a minimal amount and you can have many items shipped right to you. Some offer promo codes to save percentages on orders. Once I built up my storage of foods and non-perishables my trips to town deminished and I could get away with going once or twice a month for fresh foods. You also learn how to eat accordingly but if you have a husband you have to work around what he likes. But on that note if you have a husband he can pick things up for you from the store instead of you running in all the time.
Oftentimes families can get along with one vehicle but it's usually the woman who wants the freedom to be running all over on her own instead of waiting to use the vehicle when her husband comes home, or on weekends. When Jim was working in sales traveling with the company car, our vehicle was sitting in the driveway but I didn't just jump in and go when I felt like it, instead I would look ahead at the sales and have him stop and pick up what we needed in between my trips.
When you do go shopping you should plan to go to every place you can in the most efficient route possible. Be sure to pack yourself a lunch (and for your children if you have any) so that you are not tempted to purchase things you normally wouldn't and if you are going by a park, turn it into a picnic:-)
Be sure that if you drive out of the way to a certain store, that it's worth the gas to get there. Example, if there is a sale on apples at a store on the other side of town and that's the only item you are going to get, you might just buy them at a store you're already at (or buy something else that's one sale instead.)
We have chosen to keep our minivan in addition to our cargo van that we live in, and the reason we do that is because it's been paid off for years and we only insure it for the few months we are in Missouri. It's been beneficial for us to be able to drive other believers and for them to borrow it.
These are just a few ideas for you to see if anything works for you. We are to everything as unto the Lord so let us, as keepers at home be sure that we spend our money and resources as unto Him also.
O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
Psalm 95:1-6
Have a joyous evening sisters.
Love to you,
Sister Deb
The biblical gospel...