Dwindling Savings

Many families are struggling because their savings are dwindling. Your goal may be to guard your savings, or it may be to survive until the next paycheck. Whatever your goal is, one category families can change significantly is what they spend on food.

First, decide upon a post-2020 food budget. Prices have changed so decide on a realistic budget. For a food budget this includes food, toiletries, cleaning products and dining out.

Dining Out

Your family may be like ours and must cut back on dining out. It takes time, effort, and forethought when you turn from an eating-out mindset to preparing food at home. For example, my daughter and I have a homeschooling commitment once a week. Going out to lunch afterward has been a special treat for us but lately has become a regular event. The “special” has gone out of it. So, we were ready for a change. My daughter made protein bars and we figured out what else we could eat. She had fun writing love notes on the baggies and packing our lunch. We found out that eating there worked out so nicely. We stayed to play with the homeschoolers longer and weren’t in a rush to get our tummies full. This saves $25 each week.

Gathering Tendencies

As women, we are hardwired to be gatherers. We gather and gather and gather. But sometimes, we forget what we have collected and buy more. Unfortunately, food expires, and we have to throw it away, unlike when we have too many sweaters; they just gather dust or go out of style. The shelf life of food is much shorter. So, it is best to use the food we already have gathered.

I’ll be honest; my shelves are brimming with good intentions. I see a new recipe or gather ingredients, but my excitement fizzles, and the ingredients sit, rot, or expire. If I was managing a company’s food, they would fire me for wasting money on unused resources.

This month, I aim to use what we have in our refrigerator/freezer and pantry. Sometimes I’m most creative when I have only a few ingredients. It’s like getting random things in a basket in the Chopped TV show contest. But, on the other hand, sometimes I feel like having a grocery store with thousands of ingredients hampers my creativity.

Here are ways you can keep from overspending on your food budget: 

• First, meal plan for a month, factor in the food you already have then shop for necessary ingredients. 
• Then, go to the less expensive stores.
• Plan better, so you don’t eat out so much. 
• But the most significant and important way is to Pray for God’s help!

Pray for God’s Help

God will gladly help you manage your food money well again. Remember, He knows where the cattle are on the 1000 hills. He owns them. He knows where to get food during very lean times. I’ve seen God help me in very practical ways, like storing and using food and supplies. 

“Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives;
the one who seeks finds;
and to the one who knocks,
the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8 

Doesn’t it seem as though God is inviting you to ask Him any question concerning your budget or how to feed your family for less? He’s urging us to bring this to Him. Then work with God, and you will succeed. 

Learn Contentment

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

The “All things” in this verse above applies well to our current situation in verse 12. 

 I know how to be brought low,
and I know how to abound.
In any and every circumstance,
I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger,
abundance and need. 

And the whole context for this verse is contentment. Verse 11 says:

Not that I am speaking of being in need,
for I have learned in whatever situation
I am to be content. 

Through Christ, we can face our changing circumstances, whether we are facing abundance or need.

Mission possible: learn contentment.

Just remember, God is your provider. The Bible says to rejoice and be very glad. God is with you. You can learn to be content in lean times, times of excess, and in between times.

In Conclusion: We must learn to use what we have gathered. Stop our savings from dwindling by purchasing only when needed. Learn to be content; when you understand this, you’ll spend less. 

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Have a blessed day, Kim

Other blogs you may enjoy:

Housework Automations
What’s for Dinner tonight?
Fresh Start
Homeschooling: The 2nd Semester