My husband just got a raise. Yahoo! No, we are not going to go out and blow it. It is just one more step for us to not count on overtime. We are getting close to not counting on overtime to meet our budget. We are down to needing very little a month now and I am looking forward to the day when all our overtime can go towards debt reduction, savings and investments. It will happen, IF we don't increase our expenses by accumulating debt.

I hate debt. God was right when he said that debt is a chain around us and we are enslaved to our debtor. That is why we are working hard to get rid of our debt. If you'd like more information about being debt free, check out Dave Ramsey's website. I've read all of his books (free from the library!) and wow he's got his cards right.

With every debt we've paid off, I feel more freedom and less bondage. That is a great feeling. Not only that but my husband gets a boost for knowing he is providing well for his family and that we are all being good stewards of what God has provided for us. This brings me to talk about the grocery budget.

With less pressure financially around here, I can at times feel too at ease with my grocery budget. I find I don't try as hard to stay within the budgeted amount. I know I can do it, even when I don't want to. I know that money is better spent towards debt right now. We are by no means not able to feed ourselves well with lots of fresh fruits and veggies with what we have allotted weekly, but still I find myself tempted to overspend in this area.

It is when I am struggling like this that I pull up an old article from No Greater Joy. If you have never received this free magazine, I would highly recommend it. It is part of the ministry by Michael and Debbie Pearl. Many months ago Debbie wrote an article entitled 'Corny, Ten Different Ways.' It is about how they literally survived on corn during an extremely lean season of their lives.

When I need a fresh perspective, I pull it out and read it. When I need some motivation to be frugal, it is the first article I read. When I need to be thankful for our bounty, and need a creative touch to do with what I have, I pull out this article to inspire and convict me.

Read it. It will make you so thankful for what you have and challenge you to take on a fresh perspective with your bounty.

This is my Frugal Friday tip! I hope you enjoy it.

Janelle

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Posted by Anonymous

I struggle with this too. I want to load up the cart with all sorts of yummy peppers, organic grapes, etc. God bless ya'll in your debt free path.

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Posted by Annette

I love raises too!! There is always something we need or want...

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