DO: The Great Thrift Challenge!

This month at Families That Stick, we are focusing on getting our family finances in check. There will be great free resources...beginning today with a free printable Family Budget Worksheet. All month long, we will be assisting you in cutting your expenses. You are not going to want to miss any of this great series! 

Instead of being "under a budget" I want you to embrace thrift as a lifestyle choice. The following is an excerpt of a WONDERFUL article about Benjamin Franklin and one of the core values that he embraced, thrift.   The article is entitled, "The American Apostle of Thrift" and was written by David Blankenhorn,

Thrift is a complex idea. It includes, but has never been merely, the habit of saving money. Thrift is much more than sound approaches to managing one’s finances, and the main goal of thrift has never been the accumulation of wealth as an end in itself.

The word “thrift” comes from “thrive.” Understood in this way, thrift is the ethic and practice of best use. Being thrifty means making the wisest use of all that we have — time, money, our possessions, our health, and our society’s natural resources — to promote both our own flourishing and the social good. To use Franklin’s favorite terms, thrift’s core ideas are “industry” (that is, diligence) and “frugality” (that is, conservation). The ideas most contrary to thrift are idleness and waste.

Picture: Thrift: A Cyclopedia by David Blankenhorn (Templeton Press, 2008).

So, to that end, we must make the first step in our Great Thrift Challenge, which is to make the wisest use of our finances. There is no better way, than to assess your current financial status.   
STEP 1: What is my current BUDGET?

• Do you know, off the top of your head, how much you make each month? 

• Now, can you also tell me the dollar amount that you spend each month? 

These are easy questions, but the answers are often hard to come by. This week, we are going to help you answer those questions with our printable Family Budget Worksheet. 
One common misunderstanding about a budget is this - you can't ever spend any money on anything enjoyable. Not true! Living within a budget allows for spending as well as giving and saving. (and peace of mind!) Remember, budgeting is not a dirty word, it is simply keeping your expenses lower than your income. 

Picture: Thrift: A Cyclopedia by David Blankenhorn (Templeton Press, 2008).

So, who should live on a budget? 

Everyone. You would be surprised to know how many wealthy people live on a budget. If they didn't, they would end up like the majority of lottery winners, who, after a few years of blowing all that cash, end up worse off than before. Or, if you are at the opposite end and living paycheck to paycheck, yes, you need live on a budget. And yes, even our government should be living on a budget (but we won't go there right now!)

Did you know? 

43% of Americans spend more money than they make! 

A budget (and thrift) aren't "necessary evils" and I hope you don't look at it that way. I think the stress of not knowing how much you have, or knowing you don't have enough, is much worse! Budgeting gives freedoms and bonuses,  as well as peace of mind! 


GETTING STARTED ON YOUR BUDGET: 
Click here, if you would like the Family Budget Worksheet. This is an easy little worksheet that will help you get a clearer understanding of your current budget and where all your money is going. Only when you assess your current budget, can you then make the positive changes to improve it!


Click on this link if you would like to read more of The American Apostle of Thrift.
I hope you will take this GREAT THRIFT CHALLENGE and get your financial life under your control today. p.s. tell your friends and post this article to your facebook profile if this was helpful to you!


God bless, Kristen