For those of you suffering from a boat load of debt, there's a TV show just for you.  And you can watch some of it on the Net!  Check out "Till Debt Us Do Part"  hosted by Gail Vaz-Oxlade.  Now there's motivation to cut your costs and get out from under debt!  Even those of us not in debt can learn a few things from this show.  I'm making a list in preparation for my frugal 2008!

Update: Check out Gail's website and her blog.

Proverbs 22:26

"Unless you have extra cash on hand, do not countersign a note.  Why risk everything you own?  They'll even take your bed!"  (Living Bible)

A warning not to go into debt. I have seen this play out in Paul's and my life. We have never carried credit card debt we could not pay off at the end of the month. And there are times when we've regretted spending on credit cards. We would have been better off to live someplace a little cheaper to be able to afford the other 'necessities' and wants of life. 

We've watched other couples struggle to make minimum payments on items they charged to their credit cards that they didn't really need in the first place. We watched as they developed champagne tastes on a beer budget, and used their credit cards to finance those tastes. We've also watched them sink into bankruptcy and struggle to learn how to live well on little.

God calls us to wise use of our resources.  The resources he gives us.  This does not include going into debt.

Paul and I currently have financial decisions to make.  We drew up a financial plan for the things we want to do in 2008.  Unfortunately, the total amount of money required exceeded that available.  One option was to cut down the number of things we want to do.  Another was to approach the bank for a loan to renovate the house.  But we chose not to do that.  I have the money from my inheritance.  It will be an interest free loan, and it will cost us only the interest on the money to use it.  And that will be well paid back upon the sale of the house for a higher price.

On that list was a new sofa.  Well, you know how we solved that.  We bought secondhand.  Another item is a new bed.  That could be problematic, especially where I have back problems.  We are shopping around for a good deal.  Still, it will be expensive.  This is one area we've decided it worth spending money.  We will compensate in other areas.

We also looked at our travel plans next year.  They are considerable, and expensive.  We have opted for a shorter foreign trip and to stay with relatives.  We are breaking the journey into two parts.  I will be checking on-line bargains for cheap flights.  I will take homemade thank-you gifts for those who want them...I know one family that will not.  Instead we will find time to experience their neighborhood and world with them.  That is how they like to spend their money.

Actually, the biggest problem I see isn't the finances, but the amount of time Paul has off to do these things, and our health. 

The thing is, "where there's a will, there's a way".  We need to become habitual thinkers outside the box.   We need to become problem solvers and analytical thinkers to solve the issues life throws our way.   How do we do that?  We start by creating a list like Paul and I did.  Then brainstorming any and all options, no matter how outlandish.  Then we go through the list and start discussing 'what if's and how various options might play out.  As we do so, we are assessing each option and either keeping it as an option, or disposing of it as unworkable.  Even the unworkable ones I look at and ask myself "What would it take to make this work?"  Sometimes that results in more options than I think I have.

Once I get down to a core group of options, I realize how much opportunity we really have to do things, and acquire things.  Then it's a case of setting priorities.  Deciding if these are really things we want, and in what order are they important.  Most important and urgent items go to the top of the list with a "1" beside them.  Urgent, but not important items receive a number  "2".  Not so urgent, but important none-the-less, get a number "3".  And not urgent and not important receive a number "4". 

By the time I've completed this exercise, I know what my goals are for the next year.  They are the number "1" items.  Anything else is gravy.

Sometimes a lower priority item has the potential to become a higher priority item if ignored.  Such as my bad back costing us more in medical fees, etc., making the new bed a higher priority.  When that happens, suddenly the bed becomes a number "1" priority.  It's costing us money NOT to solve the root cause of the problem.  PLUS, it is affecting me physically, emotionally and spiritually.  I am not a happy camper when I'm in pain all the time!

Determining the root cause of a problem can be an exercise in and of itself.  Oftentimes we think we've solved the problem, only to find it resurfaces.  If that's happening, then we haven't got to the root of the problem yet.  Sometimes the best way to get to the root of the problem is to discuss it with other family members, or people involved in the situation.  They may have different ideas on the problem, helping you narrow down a solution. 

Whatever solution you chose to follow through on, consider it's cost not only financially, but in terms of your physical, emotional and spiritual health.  Consider your time availability as well.  Invariably these will be affected by your decision.

So rather than run for that credit card when the next financial crunch comes.  Ask yourself how you can manage without it?  What would it take?  Do you really need that gizmo, or just want it?  God gave us brains, let's use them!