I've learned my lesson...Part Two

This is the continuation of my last post on the lessons I've learned in 2009 about managing our household finances. I feel compelled to try to keep this post a little more succinct since the first one went a little long (to put it mildly). These lessons have also been a little less tangible, but probably more valuable to me.

1 - I am surrounded by good financial examples who I can learn a lot from if I pay attention. Some are people I actually know and talk to like my sister-in-law, Lindsey. Others I only know through their blogs (see the list of blogs I follow on the right), but they are invaluable resources. These people who manage their own finances with wisdom have made our financial successes this year possible. Thanks.

2 - If I ever think, "there has got to be a way to do this for less!" It's probably true. There are tons of things that I don't even think that about that could be done for less. It just takes a little research or plain old thinking. A couple of easy examples, my face wash is homemade (Oil Cleansing Method), Ariel's diaper wipes are homemade, sewing in general.

3 - On a related note, if it can be done for less - the less expensive way is probably even healthier (i.e. I know all the things I am putting on my skin with my new face cleanser). Growing your own produce is another example of this. Cooking from scratch falls here too. (Yes, some times doing it yourself isn't always less expensive but its still healthier - we have to weigh the benefits).

4 - Sometimes frugality can be taken too far. Something about my personality makes this especially easy. I have to occassionally remind myself that saving money is not my purpose in life (as silly as that sounds). Further, sometimes spending money is the more pleasing way to handle things (like giving generously). Conveniently, my husband views money management very differently than I do - so he's always there to reign me in when things get out of control.

5 - This may sound repetitive - but its a big one for me because it is important to our family. Giving to God needs to happen first, literally. We budget our tithe and some other giving every month, but too often over this past year I let this giving be the last thing I did and found that we had run out of money and couldn't give as much as we want. In 2010, things will be different. I plan to make our tithe our first "payment" when taking care of monthly finances. I firmly believe that God blesses our giving, plus its all His in the first place. It's also an act of faith showing that we know that we make it every month because God is taking care of us.

6 - Living on budget really does work! This year I know where all our our money went (and came from). I know what areas need work. I know where we need to budget more (and less). I know that we need a sinking fund savings account or budgeted money goes away if it isn't used immediately. I know that 2 liters of soda cost less than cans and bottles because I was trying to meet our food budget and get my husband the drink he wants.

7 - Living on less is worth it. It is fulfilling to know that our money was managed better this year. It took work to do it, but there have been rewards for that work (tangible and intangible). One major example is that my husband is working a job he loves serving God and being paid less (though still well) than many others at their jobs and I am staying at home enjoying irreplaceable time with our little girl rather than working. This is our choice, our priority. We are happy. We aren't doing without at all, but we have learned to ask "do we need this or just want it?" a lot more frequently.

8 - I have a lot more to learn. There are many areas that we haven't improved on this year. I am excited to see how things change for us this year as we start our sinking fund and paying off our debt. I'm sure I'll learn more to share next year. I'm excited.

I could probably go on, but I want to play with Ariel and she is calling me to dance with her right now. I hope you enjoyed my lessons. It was a good time of reflection for me as I get our finances in order for 2010.

Have you learned any financial lessons in 2009?