Being Intentional- Finances

This is really Part Four of the Being Intentional Series.
Although I've skipped Part Three.
It was to have been "Being Intentional with your children."

I feel like I have talked about that in several other posts.
So I'm moving on to the last one.
Finances :)

As most of you know we are a one income family.

I am so thankful for a husband who works hard to support us.
My job as a stay-at-home wife is to make sure I am using the money that he

is providing for us to the best of my ability.
This past year I have really been praying about what that looks like for our family.
How could I be more intentional with our finances?

In the fall I sat down with his total salary.
I divided it up by month.
Then by day.

Then by hour.

Then by minute.

I know exactly what my husband is making every minute.
This was huge for me.

When I went to the store I wouldn't just throw something unncessary in the cart.

Why?
Because I knew that _________ object would take him __________ minutes/hours to work for.

Totally not worth it.
See? :)

I am trying to be more intentional about products/items our family uses around the house.
For example... normally I would throw an almost tube of toothpaste away

 because I was too lazy to squeeze the rest out.
Now, I squeeze every last drop out.
And some of you may be thinking...oh brother..you're kidding!
Ha! I realize it may be a little extreme.
But I know that Trav works so hard throughout the week...
I want to do my best here at home as well.

Another example would be with our electricity and water.
When we're not in the room I make it a point to turn the lights off.
When the weather is beautiful I open the windows.

When I don't have a full load of laundry I don't run the washer.
When I don't have a full dishwasher load I don't run it.
Little changes like this can eventually add up to big savings!

The biggest way that I am trying to become more intentional

with our finances is through our shopping.

In the next few weeks I will go into detail about my shopping trips.
How I make my lists.
How I shop my pantry first.

I am also trying to become more intentional in the clothing that I purchase for my family.
I was putting clean clothes away last week and noticed how many unworn clothes

are hanging in my kids' closets.
I was telling Travis tonight that I am going to rethink their summer wardrobe before I purchase it.
My mom always said "less is best".

And I couldn't agree with her more!

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I'm working on organizing the blog and getting a few new features put up.
One of which is a new feature called "Thrifty Thoughts".
I really want to encourage you that living resourcefully doesn't have to be dull and a bummer.
It can be fun and creative!
Not spending any money and using what is in your house really can be fun!
And yes I'm being dead serious :)

Hang with me as I iron out a few details and get the blog organized.

Have a great Wednesday!