Debt Help Ideas

It’s just as important to be careful with our church’s money as it is for us to be careful with our own money. We can help contribute more to our church by looking for the best ways to save money at home, and we can put the same good habits to work if we have to shop for a church ministry.

At the same time, it’s important not to be “penny-wise and pound foolish!” If we are involved with a food ministry at church, such as serving coffee before or after services, it’s important for us to have plenty of coffee, sugar, and cream available for everyone. I would also suggest tea bags and hot water. I prefer too much over too little, and I think we have an excellent example of that in the Bible. When Jesus multiplied the little boy’s fish and loaves, they wound up with 12 BASKETS LEFT OVER!

If we are so over cautious with these relatively inexpensive items, we could wind up having to turn people away or making them feel unwanted. That can leave a bad taste in a person’s mouth (pun unintended but definitely appropriate). I realize that not getting a cup of coffee is not a good reason for a person to quit coming to church. On the other hand, losing a chance to share God’s extravagant love with a non-Christian over the cost of a cup of coffee would really be sad.

This is a great time to make sure we have plenty of goodies to share with all, and that we are giving joyously to our Lord and Savior through the church. And isn’t if fun to get to be used by Him as a wondrous part of His extravagant ministry.

I love how the Message Bible puts Ephesians 5:2:

Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of Himself to us. Love like that.

The New American Standard Bible says it wonderfully as well:

Walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma

Father’s Day is coming up and we’re all busy trying to figure out a great gift for that special dad or grandpa that they will love but that won’t add to our unsecured debt load (translation – racking up charges on the credit card )

When we have a guy who loves his Harley Davidson motorcycle, that makes him pretty easy to shop for. We can use one of my practical little ways of saving money by only going to one store – whichever of the Harley Davidson stores is closest to us.

Once there, I like to do my pocketbook a favor and start with the sales table. I can’t tell you how many goodies I’ve found there for a fraction of the cost. I’ve found cute Harley Davidson T-Shirts (ummm, for Father’s Day, guess I’d better say studly!), great looking belt buckles, and even Harley Davidson decals for the motorcycle or “the other vehicle.” So first I check that out and see if there are any great deals that will keep us within our budget and be something our special guy will like.

In case we didn’t succeed there, or not enough, now it’s time to check out the rest of the store. Some of the creative ways to save money that I use for gifts include:

• Harley Davidson T-Shirts – my all-time favorite, and my husband’s as well 
• Harley Davidson hats and caps
• Harley Davidson gloves – we use those year round and are always losing them. It gets cold at night in some areas!
• Cups with the Harley Davidson logos
• For that matter, anything usable and in the budget with the Harley Davidson logos 

Of course, as we continue on our path towards our goal to eliminate debt, our bills will eventually start getting smaller. Credit cards will get paid off, the home loan will go down, and things will get easier. As that happens, we can adjust our gift budgets a bit. We don’t want to go overboard, but a little splurge once in a while is nice. If that’s where the budget is now, a couple of other nice ideas would include a Harley Davidson watch (very practical, as they are generally very high quality) or maybe even a new Harley Davidson helmet. It never hurts to have a spare one for company and it’s always nice to have a change. And while I’m on the subject, remember that motorcycle helmets are excellent and practical ways to save money. In the event of an accident they can save on hospital bills up the wazoo!

Well, it’s been fun shopping with you. Have fun with the final decisions and Happy Harley Davidson Father’s Day to you and your family. 

Blog Carnival FUN! Debt Help Ideas is participating in its very first blog carnival – The Festival of Frugality! What a lot of fun for me, and what a lot of great tips to save money for you. The Festival of Frugality Blog Carnival is being hosted by Always the Planner , a kindred spirit who is also seeking to save money along life’s journey and share the process with her readers. I hope you’ll check it out and would love it if you’d come back and share your favorite tip with us when you’re done

Two articles I especially enjoyed reading:

Ginger Beat has a delicious recipe for a yummy salad along with a great way to prepare it so you can make it in the morning and take it to work with you. And it’ll stay fresh all day! Great idea and great way to save money!

Improve the Quality has an interesting article about saving money and NOT ending eating out. Being one who has to eat out a lot due to outside needs, I appreciated the good tips and think you will too. Be sure to read the comments as well as you’ll find some good tips there too.

Last, but hopefully not least , there’s an article about saving money with green frugal gift wrap from Debt Help Ideas .  

What to do with all the money we’ll save from all these great ideas? Apply it to our lowest balance loan and keep on heading towards our goal to eliminate debt, of course! How fun!