I am: downgrading

Posted by Jeku | Posted in , , | Posted on 12/08/2009 03:40:00 PM

**New Layout! I messed up my counter, so I'm back to zero. =(


Christmas time. The time of the year where people spend spend spend in order to give give give. I've already done my Christmas shopping and I didn't exceed my Christmas giving budget.

So does that mean that I can spend more? Sure, but I'm not going to. I've got other goals I'm reaching for and every bit I can put into those envelopes the soon I can accomplish them.

After listening to syndicated radio talk show host Dave Ramsey I've realized how irresponsible I have been with my money. It's been about a year that I started getting a steady paycheck from my job. Going back on my record keeping I've found out that my money has been going to places in which it would have been the same as throwing it in the trash can. Thanks to Dave Ramsey I've realized the important things to live:
  • Food - gotta eat
  • Shelter - gotta sleep
  • Clothing - can't work nekked
  • Transportation - to go to and from work
With every paycheck I need to fill 3 envelopes:
  • Spending - bills, car payment, rent, mortgage, utilities
  • Saving - emergency fund, investing, roth IRA, money market, new camera stuff =)
  • Giving - tithe to church
One of the things I'm downgrading from is cable. I find myself sitting in front of the computer than being in front of the television. I'll miss those HD channels, especially seeing my NBA games in HD, but I can always go out to a restaurant to go watch the game with friends.

Several hours after I dropped off the cable converter box the cable company calls me up trying to get me to sign up for cable again, this time at a discount. It was tempting, but I knew I could live without it. I've got alternatives: Boxee, Hulu, and if I wanted to pay, Netflix.

Listening to Dave Ramsey showed me that the Bible has wisdom about financial responsibility.

Planning
Proverbs 27:23 Pay careful attention to the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever, nor does a crown last from generation to generation.

Discipline
Proverbs 14:23 In all hard work there is profit, but merely talking about it only brings poverty.

Contentment
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.
I recommend The Total Money Make Over for anyone who's earning any amount of money. It's currently $10 for this Christmas season if you follow the link (I have no vested interest in this book).

I wonder what else I can live without...

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