Get Organized and Simplify Life
One way to enjoy a debt free lifestyle is to have your home in order. For example, if you can’t find your bills, you may be late on your payments. It isn’t always necessary to have elaborate filing strategies or spend tons of money for a professional organizer to get things straightened up. I thought it might help if I shared some some tips on getting organized.
I used to love my big filing system. I had folders for everything. However, I noticed that I wasn’t filing the papers. I would let them stack up in a pile. I realized that I had made the process too cumbersome. I simplified the files to make it less painful. I used to have a separate folder for each credit card but realized I never really went back and looked at the statements. So, I now put all credit card statements in one folder. Same with bank statements. I also put phone, water, gas, electric, cable and trash bills in a Utilities folder.
Another step was to buy a desktop file organizer. I put the frequently used folders in sight so it makes it easier to drop in new papers as they come in.
This was just one example of how I’ve tried to simplify my life. Check out my website Overflow Living for more tips that I’ve written, various links to articles I’ve found on getting organized, a bunch of free printable forms and much more. Be sure to leave me a comment with your feedback.
Have a great day!
Christy
Luxuries vs Necessities
It’s unfortunate that we sometimes only think about our finances during these tough economic times. When we are getting by, we don’t think much about buying a Starbuck’s coffee each morning, eating out at lunch, buying brand new state of the art cell phones, big screen HDTV’s, high speed internet access . . . the list goes on and on. However, now that things are tough, I think (or at least hope) many people are starting to evaluate what’s really a necessity and what is a luxury that they can’t afford.
In our culture, immediate gratification and entitlement to the American dream seem to take center stage. Living too close to the edge, paying massive interest on credit cards and gambling with flexible rate mortgages are dangerous games to play. Unfortunately, these issues have gotten many into their current predicament. First, we need to change our mindset and set some rules for ourselves and family.
1. We only buy what we can pay cash for.
2. All credit card expenses are paid off each month.
3. I am going to re-evaluate what’s truly a necessity (food, water, shelter, clothing) verses a luxury item (cell phones, brand new cars, big screen tvs, recreational vehicles, etc).
4. I am the only one that is responsible for my life and the only one who can change my life.
If you don’t truly believe and follow those ideals, I think it’s safe to say you are always going to be in debt and probably expect someone else to come to your rescue. I’m not saying that getting help from others is bad. Absolutely not. Everyone runs into hard times now and then. However, I’m troubled by those who think the government is supposed to take care of them while they sit at home and do nothing. Or, those who thought they were entitled to a home but couldn’t afford it and now want my hard earned tax dollars to bail them out of their bad decisions.
So back to my original point. Has this tough economic time caused you to re-evaluate what you consider to be a necessity and a luxury? What have you done to cut back?
How to Make Your Way Prosperous
During these tough economic times, everyone is asking how do I make wise decisions and become prosperous. The answer is found in Joshua 1:8.
“This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.”
Can it really be that simple? Absolutely!
When you begin to immerse yourself in God’s ways, you begin to think and act like God. He will tell you where to invest (or not invest). He will give you favor, promotion and increase. When we live by God’s Kingdom principles, we will see God’s results in our life. Isn’t that exciting?
Donation Tracking Spreadsheet
Several years ago I created a <a href=”http://www.overflowliving.com/Simplify_Organize_FreeForms.html”>spreadsheet</a> to track my various donations. I’ve found that it helps to make tax time a little easier. Plus, because I know exactly how much I have sown into God’s Kingdom, I use that info when I declare His promises over my life. I’ve posted the <a href=”http://www.overflowliving.com/Simplify_Organize_FreeForms.html”>spreadsheet</a> on my website http://www.OverflowLiving.com so that you can print or download at your convenience. (For personal use only.)
(When you get to the home page, click the “Free Forms” link on the left panel.)
Simple Ways to Save Money
Going back to the more tangible or perhaps practical side today, I’ve started a list of simple ways to save money. I’m up to 24. You can see the list by going to:
http://www.overflowliving.com/Simplify_Save_Money.html
Saving money doesn’t have to be difficult we can trim the budget back by making some smarter decisions.
Please help me add to the list by leaving your ideas and suggestions. Be sure to check back to see what else has been added!
Living Outside The Economic Turmoil
Hello Again,
I apologize that it’s been awhile since I’ve been online. I wanted to start out the new year with something that God has laid on my heart recently. It’s found in Proverbs 3:25-26.
“Be not afraid of sudden terror and panic, nor of the stormy blast or the storm and ruin of the wicked when it comes [for you will be guiltless], For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger].”
I believe that this economic collapse is the ruin of the wicked but those of us who have put our trust in God and have sown seeds into His economy will be protected.
Isn’t that a great comfort and encouragement?
Spend some time meditating on those verses and see what God reveals to you.
For more Bible verses on staying prosperous during these tough economic times, click the following link.
http://www.overflowliving.com/Abundant_Prosperity_Verses.html
Blessings to you and your family!
Christy
