Apartment Living Part 2

Money Matters

Money is something that everybody wants but nobody seems to have

 (even though we all know that whatever our circumstances are, we really are blessed considering that we are doing far better than we deserve). 

In order to grasp financial planning on any scale, 

I highly recommend purchasing Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey. 

I listened to the lessons via C.D. and the points listed below are some of the financial lessons I have learned so far. 

1. Budgets Are Beautiful

One of the most important things I have learned while living on my own has been budgeting. While budgeting is a concept most people hate, I have found it enjoyable. The beauty in budgeting is that you actually learn how to manage your money rather than having your money manage you. It is also an opportunity to thank and praise the Lord for providing you with money. I really like this budget print out because it is cute and simple. For the practical minded, this sheet from Dave Ramsey is also helpful. The key is to start somewhere (anywhere really) and to determine how much you are spending each month on different items.

2. Coupons Are Cool

I know that you're probably thinking, "Coupons?! What next? Mom Jeans?!!!" But fear not! Coupons are actually cool. I personally buy the Los Angeles Times because it comes with 3 coupon inserts. The trick is to look through store ads to see what is on sale and then find a coupon for that item. You can also create a Swagbucks account in which you earn 10 points for every coupon you print out and use. The points can be used for different types of gift cards and deposits into your PayPal account. It also helps to download the app for whichever store you shop at and to download the digital coupons for that store. I shop at Ralphs and am on my way to earning 100 fuel points which means my purchases will earn me 10 cents off a gallon. Finally, check out The Krazy Coupon Lady where a team of women work to find the best deals for you!

3. Saving is Savvy

There is wisdom in saving money even if you think you don't need to. Life never works in the manner we expect it to and it is best to be financially prepared for whatever circumstances we may face. If you are looking for a tool to help you save for something specific, Smarty Pig is a great choice. You are able to earn interest on the money you save. Keep in mind that this should NOT take the place of an emergency savings account. The point of saving is to SAVE something. Whether you have an extra $5.00 a month or $500.00 a month you need to be saving. Whatever you save will add up over time and a little self control goes a long way. Rather than buying that stuff you don't need in the Target clearance section (I'm obviously preaching to myself here) why not save for the unknown?

4. Offering is Opportune

And as a believer you will never understand this concept until you give. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver," (ESV). Your heart may not be cheerful at first and giving may seem like a burden but when you realize that it is God who has enabled you to work and earn money {hopefully} you will have a heart of gratitude and find joy in giving to your church and ultimately to God.

5. Giving is Glorious

"Really? Didn't you just lecture me about this in your last point?" No . . . well maybe, but this is different. It is important to use your money in a way that is not about you. There was a time in my life when I was convicted as I realized most of my money was spent on myself . . . and then I would gripe and complain about how I never had any money! Look for organizations to donate to that also support the mission of the church, which is sharing the Gospel and being the hands and feet of Jesus. I really like Compassion International and American Bible Society. Find an organization that supports a cause your passionate about. I challenge to find a means of giving to an organization and as a result do not experience balanced reciprocity. If you're unsure about an organization's credibility, you can always look it up on Charity Navigator.

Finally, keep in mind that with a little discipline, finances can actually be fun! 

Apartment Living Part 1

The Bare Necessities

A vintage Kodak camera I bought for $5.00 and an original first edition Nancy Drew book from 1930 are just a few of the treasures we've used as decorations.

As a girl I'd often dreamed of how I would decorate my house when I grew up. I used to think the Better Homes and Garden magazines my mom received and the HGTV home improvement shows she watched were absolutely boring and that viewing such content was a violation of my 8th Amendment rights.

I think music sounds better when it's in vinyl format.

 As I grew older I realized that there is something to be said for investing in one's home through design and decoration.  I was so excited when I first moved in to this little apartment and had hopes and dreams of what it might look like once it was decorated. After being here for four months my room mates and I have established a sparse/bare vintage look. The reasoning behind our decorating choices is finances (or lack thereof) and time.

I LOVE vintage books and have quite the collection of vintage Nancy Drew books.

 Pinterest has played a role in interior design by opening up our minds to decorating possibilities we never knew existed. Reality has taught us that such artistic endeavors come with large price tags. All of the furniture we have in our family room and dining area was graciously given to us by parents and church family. Let's just say that when you are fending for yourself, dumpster diving takes on a whole new meaning. While one man's trash is typically just another man's trash, you may find that you occasionally find a treasure.

A collection of vintage finds that remind me of games and toys I played with as a child.

 I've learned that decorations are enjoyable but not edible (unless you have some type of fruit arrangement - which would just be weird) and that survival definitely takes place over decorating (although when it comes to clothes - it might be a different story . . . ) Apartment living is really just about compromise or, learning to live without.

You might be surprised (as I was) that you actually DO NOT need the following items in order to survive:

• Electronic can openers (we're on our 3rd manual can opener BUT we are saving electricity by not having to plug it in - yes, I am one of those people)
• Art work (Do I want it? You bet I do. Do I need it? Nope!)
• A Mac Book Pro (I'm not convinced . . . but, I'm using a PC and I'm still alive . . . )
• Internet (Yep, we learned to value our local Starbucks the first month we moved in. We also learned that Verizon has a fee for EVERYTHING - I think they've recently started charging for oxygen use when you walk in their stores . . . )
• Candles Yeah, right! It's the simple things in life that matter and sometimes a cheap candle can (literally) brighten up the whole room - plus, they smell good. Candle budget is one of my new favorite  terms!
• T.V. (We FINALLY got one for free from a family at church that was moving and gave it to us for free - the screen is flat however the rest of the t.v. isn't. Two guys at church were nice enough to move it in for me and the price was right . . .)
• Cable/DVR (I had cable living with my parents and I don't miss it at all!)
• Decorations (The few decorations we have are thrift store finds that I began collecting while living with my parents)

As children we all adored the fun song Bare Necessities from the Jungle Book. As adults we actually realize the meaning behind the song and that reality is not always rainbows and butterflies. I have learned to be grateful and enjoy the few decorations I do have and know that more isn't necessarily better. I look forward to adding a few more decorations to my home someday but as for now I have learned that I would rather spend my money in such a way that I will receive a return for my investment. I'd rather invest in eternal things (and clothes - moment of truth here) and since the decorations will just be filling space on a wall I have realized that I don't actually need them to live. 

What are some of the things you had to give up once you began living on your own?

Comment below or join the conversation here.

Apartment Living

Intro. - What I've Learned So Far While Living On My Own

So I've been living in my apartment for 4 months now and there are not enough words to describe how much of a blessing this little {temporary} home has been to me. I never expected that moving out of my parent's house would have been a possibility before I turned 24 but I have come to learn that with God, all things truly are possible. Being a Type A personality, my plan for my life meant saving up for a down payment for a condo or a house. When difficult circumstances arose in my family, I knew I had to move out as soon as I could and though I moved in the midst of heartbreak, I am so grateful that the Lord has been my faithful provider and allows me to live here, in apartment 710 at the beautiful Plex (the term I lovingly use to refer to the complex where I live). I am grateful for the lessons I've been able to learn while living here and although this period of life has it's uncertainties, I wouldn't trade it for anything else. 

The Lord has taught me that He is for me, He is faithful and He is good.

 Not having my immediate family around or a husband to care for me, I have had to fall into the arms of Jesus and learn to trust Him as He leads me and my heart knows that His grace is sufficient for me and His power is made perfect in weakness. There are many times that I stop and think about how crazy it is that I actually have the opportunity to live in this cute little apartment and while my heart wants to be sad knowing that it won't last forever, I have chosen to find joy in the blessings of this season of life.
Join me for the next four weeks as I share some of the most valuable lessons I've learned while living at The Plex. 

What was the most important lesson you learned while living on your own for the first time?

Comment below or join the conversation here.