Financial Stewardship

When we look at this beautiful woman of Proverbs 31, too
often we get caught up in what she is doing...the busy-ness of
her life.  However, rather then focusing on just the many
things she accomplished in her life, there is much more at
work underneath.  First of all, we are reminded that she is a
godly woman....a woman after God's heart, a woman who is
willing to serve in any way that God directs her.  By her
heart of willingness to serve others and her family, she realizes she is ultimately serving her Heavenly Father.  When we have a heart such as this, it will most definitly show up in our actions/what we do.  Therefore, that is where we must begin....that heart attitude.

As our heart is being molded and developed, there is the desire to do well...to have wisdom in what we accomplish through our many tasks.  As we continue looking at this lady, she was one who incorporated financial stewardship in what she did.  She was wise in stretching the money, she did not waste their resources frivously and she refrained from being impulsive.  The result of her actions in this caused her husband to be blessed.

In considering frugality, we are wise to look at ways we can "stretch" our money and make the most of it.  There are many helpful resources and suggestions available to help us accomplish this goal.  To assist us in shrinking our bills and growing our pantry, there is one website we recommend where you can access some good tips as far as amazing homemade cleaning recipes.  It is http://www.groceryshrink.com/

To get you started, here are a few tips to start:

A Good Window Cleaner:    Mix together equal parts of amonia, water, and alcohol.  Place in a spray bottle.

If you use fabric softeners, you know these can sure mount up in the cost.  A very good and less expensive fabric softener is to use 1/4 cup white vinegar.  No, it does not leave a smell on the clothes and yes, it does soften nicely.  However, make sure you use white vinegar...not apple cider vinegar (that will stain).

Cleaning small grout areas:  Use equal parts of oxyclean, baking soda and dish soap, scrub it in without water, then rinse and buff clean.  Alternatively, make a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to clean them with.

Cleaning cloth car seats which have been stained:  Using Resolve carpet cleaner, mix it up half strength in a clean spray botle and use a stiff bursh.  Alternatively would be 2 T. each of oxyclean (Awesome Oxygen from Dollar Tree is cheapest) and your regular laundry detergent dissolved in 4 cups of the hottest tap water.  Pour into a clean spray bottle.

The more we see and understand of this beautiful woman, we see she is made strong by wisdom and grace, and the fear of God.  She is a woman of resolution who having espoused good principles is firm and steady to them.  May that be a goal for each one of us.