Another season of Lent is upon us; for many of us, that means thinking about something we will give up for the next 40 days. Yet Jesus tells us, in John Chapter 10 verse 10, that he came so that we may have life, and have it abundantly. What could that mean for us, as followers of Christ, between now and Easter?
We invite you to spend time on what really matters, discerning how God would have you use what He has entrusted to you. One way to do this is to “Live on less so you can give more.” Jesus lived a minimalist lifestyle; can we do the same?
Here are some tips to get you started!
- Stop impulse shopping. Make a list and stick to it!
- Think twice. Decided you need something? Don’t buy it. Wait until after Easter and then see if it’s something you still want to spend money on.
- Get a library card and check books out instead of buying them.
- List all the places where you physically shop and see how you can reduce the number of miles you drive to get to them. Look for one shopping area that offers lots of options.
- Eat out less.
- Set up a meal exchange with a friend or two. Each person makes enough of one meal to share with others; you cook once but get multiple nights of food!
- Cook ahead and freeze dinners; research shows this reduces the amount of money you’ll spend eating out or buying food last minute.
- Change your thermostat settings; lowering it a few degrees in the winter or raising it a few degrees in the summer will save money.
- Swap with friends who share your interests. Books, puzzles, board games….trade often!
- Look at your subscriptions. Are there any that are a waste of money? You can always resubscribe if you really miss what you cut.
- Find free. Go to a local park instead of paying for a movie.
- Take care of what you have so it lasts longer!
- Take advantage of family cellular plan savings and put two households on one plan.
- Buy used. Yard sales, thrift stores, Facebook marketplace …. there are plenty of places to find decent use items.
Have any you can add? Let us know! Email me at lwatson@mmfa.info; I’d love to share your “live on less to give more” idea with everyone.
May we enter this Lenten season with minds and hearts focused on having an abundant life by blessing others with all we have and are.
