About ten years ago, I got serious about finances. The most obvious reason I buckled down was because I’ve always had so little of it. Back in the day, there’d be many occasions when I only had ten bucks to my name. Too, I’ve only ever held low wage jobs, so I had to figure out how to make every cent count. It all began with a simple equation. Before buying something, I’d calculate how many hours I’d have to work for it. After I began thinking in these terms, I began making different decisions.

I’ve had a lot of crummy jobs, but there is one that stands out the most. One summer, I worked as a day-camp counselor for a private school in Orlando. There were two adults and sixty kids from 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. It was hot. I always ended up with outside duty because the other worker outranked me. I made about fifty bucks for the entire day. Man, it stunk.

So, when I’d come across a pair of shoes or some other money-guzzling depreciating asset, I’d think, “Is an entire day of summer camp worth it?” The answer was always and forever, a resounding, “No way.” And so, the seeds of frugality were watered and tended.

It wasn’t long after Greg and I married that our first child was on the way. I was teaching first grade in a public school by then (see, I told you I’ve only worked low wage jobs). I taught up until a week before he was born and then quit. The income reduction—such that it was—wasn’t a hardship because we never saw it. We purposed to live on Greg’s income alone. Even though Greg’s salary as a youth pastor was below poverty level, we lived well below our means. If you want to have enough to give away, save for retirement, and stay out of debt, it’s not good enough to live within your means, you have to live well below it.

Everyone thinks it’s swell to live below your means when you’re rich, but we weren’t then and never have been. As I said, we were well below poverty level according to government figures. There’s no way that we should’ve made ends meet, let alone save money. So how did we do it?

There are several key factors that helped us start a family on a very low income without going into debt. The first is God’s provision. During that time, our shoes never wore out. After a few years and a small increase of income, stuff started breaking. It was almost easier, we mused, being poor because nothing ever broke! We’ve never had any unusual medical expenses or circumstances. I’m not saying that people who experience disaster do not have God’s provision, just that His provision will look different than ours. In the beginning, we were blessed with God’s provision in our housing, a major expense. We were able to rent cheaply a house from Greg’s dad. We don’t take any of this for granted, but we still had to do our part.

The second factor to succeeding on a small income is that Greg and I are both savers. In a marriage, so say the experts, one spouse is a spender and the other is a saver. Admittedly, being on the same page makes things a lot easier; we’ve always been in agreement about finances. If we happen to fight, it’s only because he forgot that I’m right about everything…but seriously, we don’t argue about money. You can do a lot to eliminate and avoid debt, but it won’t get you far unless everyone is on the same page.

dresser

This bureau the corner is my favorite score. The formerly bright red, rough-looking thing was found in a trash pile. With some sandpaper, paint,
and new handles, we’re good to go.

Thinking outside of the box is the third key that got us through tight times, and probably the most difficult to explain. People don’t want to do without, and old habits are hard to break. It requires a new way of looking at your life. I never felt entitled to new things, and really, making the most out of what we had was a great source of entertainment. It still is. The Complete Tightwad Gazette was my inspiration, not for its specific examples but because it taught me how to think about these things. I can’t recommend it enough.

When I went on a radical diet and exercise regimen a few years back, I made the choice to value fitness, energy, and well-being over my addiction to food and laziness. When I’d get a craving, I’d ask myself, “Which do you want more? It’s your choice.” In the same way, a person who is a paycheck away from bankruptcy must decide that they value financial freedom over a double-shot latte. You have to want it. You have to catch the vision. That way, the sacrifices required to move toward the goal become part of the game. I can’t explain it, except to say that I’ve never felt deprived. It feels alright to have a latte whenever I want it, but it feels invigoratingly awesome to take steps toward financial independence. Choose the better thing.

Let me give an example. Now that times aren’t as lean, we could reasonably afford to spend $300 on a crib for Kid #5. But the hand-me-down crib that worked for #1 works just as well for #5. Here’s the thing, though: the side rail doesn’t go down. It never has. I frequent garage sales and listen to playground mommy chatter, but until I can score one for a good price, we’ll just stretch a little more to pick up Baby and keep the crib with the broken rail. (It is not a safety hazard.) The crib is a depreciating asset, and unless it produces income or increases in value, we ought to think carefully before purchasing a new one.

Things aren’t perfect. We live in a fallen world. Sometimes we have to live with the consequences of our bad choices. But here’s the thing—each little step in the right direction is another step away from the wrong one. Do what you can to choose wisely for now, always mindful that our real treasures lie in another place.