A Call to be Prudent … Financially

by patsy norwood ~ (c) 2009 ~ All Rights Reserved

I’m a firm believer that God’s word has a solution to everything we as humans deal with and these uncertain economic times we’re currently experiencing are no exception. Proverbs 19:14 tells us that, “Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.” One definition I found for prudent is the act of being wisely cautious in practical affairs and according to the Scripture we just read a wife who is prudent/wisely cautious in practical affairs is a gift from the Lord. Would our husbands consider us a gift from the Lord if the measuring tool was our prudency?

With these thoughts in mind let’s take a look at what being financially prudent in our current economic situation looks like …

It looks like:

Staying home more

Planning your trips into town so that all your shopping and errands are done in one trip

Making do with what you have instead of making an extra unplanned trip into town

Making the choice to pay the bills instead of enjoying costly entertainment when you don’t have enough money for both

Using and keeping a well stocked pantry

Being realistic about the money you have and what it will do

Making and sticking to a menu

Finding new uses for old ‘castaways’

Taking advantage of sales, loss leaders and coupons

Planning your grocery shopping complete with a list

Growing a garden and preserving as much of it as you can

Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. Proverbs 6: 6-8

Using the library instead of buying books and magazines

Carpooling when possible

Being willing to do without

Doing as much of your non food shopping as you can at yard sales and thrift stores

Forgoing new clothes or shoes when what you have fits and is in good condition.

Seeking and searching ways that work for your family to save money and stretch your dollars

The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. Proverbs 18:15

An attitude adjustment – whining and complaining about your circumstances won’t help but taking ‘prudent’ action will.