Pinch and Scrimp

Life is full of paradox. As much as I have resented our tight budget and penny pinching, I feel thankful too. Thankful in two ways – first, I feel thankful because having less money is always contrasting with how much we have, not just material things, but family, friends, faith, and in truth not just those things, but the material as well. We lack for nothing necessary. And even some of the things we have are luxurious. How can I feel in need when some have so much less of everything I have so much of?

Second I feel thankful for the lessons I am learning as we pinch and scrimp. When problems come and you have money, you tend to throw money at them. When problems come and you have no excess funds, you must get creative. Sometimes you learn how to fix something (like a radiator hose in your car). Sometimes you learn how to make something (like a stuffed animal as a gift for a child). Sometimes you learn a new use for something (like using a cereal bag and staples in place of zip-top bags or using the mall as a gym). Sometimes you learn that something smaller will do (like a booster seat instead of a high chair).

I know (or at least I hope) that our days of pinching and scrimping out of necessity will be limited. Eventually we will probably make more money than we absolutely need. I hope that being forced to limit our budget will teach us how to make the most of our money and waste less of it. I look forward to being debt free. I look forward to saving up for major purchases. I look forward to being prepared for life’s “inevitables” (no car lasts forever).

The best things about being poor? The knowledge that being poor does not mean being lazy. It does not mean being dirty. It does not mean being hungry (although it does mean you can’t eat out as often!). It does not mean being sad. It means you must prioritize. You must be creative. And most importantly, you must be thankful.