A Look at the Why Behind the Journey

I think that today may be a good day to remind myself why I am couponing and saving...

1. I want to honor God with my finances by tithing and GIVING on top of my tithe.
2. I want to be able to stay-at-home with my children and provide them as much of me as possible.
3. I want to pay down/off debt. Specifically, 1 credit card, 2 small auto loans, and HUGE student loans.
4. I want to be able to finance my children's education. I want to have options other than our local public schools.
5. I want to finance a family vacation. We have not traveled out of the tri-state area in over 6 years and it is time for an adventure!

Because of these goals; therefore, I will...

1. Add NO debt, period, by living a cash-only lifestyle.
2. Learn patience and the blessing of waiting.
3. Coupon, rebate, shop sales only for our groceries/toiletries.
4. NOT be brand or store loyal.
5. Garage sale, consignment shop, accept hand-me-downs greatfully.
6. Trust that God will provide for my needs and be content with what He provides.

***Why are you on this journey? Let's encourage each other today...

I close with a song that's been on my heart lately. It is by Sara Groves. Listen to it if you get a chance.

He's Always Been Faithful

Morning by morning I wake up to find
the power and comfort of God's hand in mine.
Season by season I watch him amazed,
in awe of the mystery of his perfect ways

CHORUS:
All I have need of his hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me

I can't remember a trial or a pain
he did not recycle to bring me gain.
I can't remember one single regret
in serving God only and trusting his hand

CHORUS

This is my anthem, this is my song,
the theme of the stories I've heard for so long.
God has been faithful, he will be again.
His loving compassion, it knows no end.

CHORUS


Amen!

What is your motivating factor?

After seeing this blog called Couponing to Disney, which I love, I wondered what is your motivation for couponing? Mine could be Couponing to a Debt-Free Life, or Couponing to Give More, or Couponing to a College Eduction for my Kids, or Couponing to a Camper! :)

Why do you coupon? Write it down. Look at it. When you don't feel like clipping, there is your motivation...

Remember, "I can do all things (even coupon) through Christ who strengthens me."

Win Your $1000 Emergency Fund From Dave Ramsey

Please read this post by Alyssa at Keeping the Kingdom First! Dave Ramsey is giving away $999 starting 9/9/09. What a blessing this would be to us! (You may register to win daily during this contest.)

http://kingdomfirstmom.com/2009/09/dave-ramsey-win-a-starter-emergency-fund.html

Thanks to Alyssa for a great blog!

Wanted: Followers

Hi Friends!

Please officially sign up to "follow" this blog if you haven't already. The more followers we get, the easier it is to get things to give away to you!

Invite your friends and other frugal-istas to join.

My personal goal is 30 followers by Thanksgiving. I'd cry if we got 50!

Thanks, friends for your help and keep telling others about A Hope-Filled Home!

Welcome to A Hope-Filled Home!

"A dream is a wish your heart makes..."

My heart has been wishing for this place for some time now. A place to encourage, pray for, walk with each other on a journey of sorts. I am excited to be sharing it with you!

My personal journey is one of contentment, control, and "cash-only."

I need to be content with what I have; to stop accumulating; to acknowldege that the only way I can be truly content is through my personal relationship with Christ. Not more clothes, more debt, more food, more anything - just more of HIM!

I need to have control over my budget so that I can have the freedom to make choices regarding my children's education, our family life, retirement saving, and GIVING more than what is required (tithe). I want to have the monetary freedom to help others, travel, and truly enjoy this life that I've been given.

I want to be a "cash-only" family, so that we can snowball our debt, become debt free, and live like no one else! (Thanks, to Dave Ramsey for putting that fire under my seat!) I want to stop accumulating additional debt. I refuse to vacation, buy gas, school shop, or shop at all with a credit card. I refuse to finance another car!

These are my personal goals. The topics on this blog will relate to these goals directly.

Contentment

• Scripture
• Fun-Times/Game Nights
• Date Nights (on the Cheap)
• Travel (again, on the Cheap)

Control

• Weekly Grocery Budget
• Christmas Shopping
• Meal Planning
• Freezer Cooking

"Cash-Only"

• Savings Strategies
• Garage Sales/Consignment Sales
• CVS Deals
• Using Gift Cards Effectively

I don't know all the answers, nor do I claim to. But I know the One who does and I know that He says He will grant me the desires of my heart. My prayer is that together we can care for our families, help others, make lasting friendships, and give God the glory!