Back to the Basics
Our country is sick and we as individuals are the only ones that can change it and heal it and the only way to do that is for us to change and heal as individuals. One of the best things we can do is to “LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS.”
If you read any commentary on current events you will have most likely read something similar to what I am about to write, BUT, it is important that people continue to sound the alarm now and in the years to come. What is so important? It is to get back to the basics! Unfortunately a lot of people don’t even know what the basics are because they have lived in a time where government advocates spending and big business the same to all who will listen. Our country is sick and we as individuals are the only ones that can change it and heal it and the only way to do that is for us to change and heal as individuals. One of the best things we can do is to “LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS.”
Do you know that the average house in the 60’s was only 1100 square feet in size and the families were bigger than they are today? The average house of today is 2400 square feet. I remember in 1970 a friend and his family lived in an 1800 square foot house and I thought that they were really rich. The point that I am trying to make is that we don’t know what the basics are anymore because we have lived in an era of “mega more”. Everybody wants more and they think it is their right to have more. IT’S NOT YOUR RIGHT TO HAVE MORE AND MORE AND MORE. Right’s are given by men, by governments and by God and not one of them says that it is your right to have more and more and more. If the trend were to continue in another 30 years people would think it is their right to live in a 3500 square foot home.
The car is another area of contention. I see people, young couples, driving around in new cars and trucks. How can they afford that and raise a family, too?
Our nation has the worst case of keeping up with the Jones in the history of the world. The only thing that I have to say to that is STOP IT! Live within your means.
These are the guidelines.
1) Don’t by it unless you have the cash to buy it.
2) Don’t spend more than 1/4 of your monthly salary on an house payment. This is a rule of thumb and may vary a little in the area that you live in
3) Save 10% of your pay check for retirement or a rainy day.
4) If you have to use a credit card pay it off at the end of the month or else don’t use it.
5) Keep a budget on all expenses for the upcoming month and try to stick to it.
6) Tithe 10% (it is God’s due). 90% with God’s blessing will go further than 100% without it.
These may seem hard to you but these are the economic principles that helped make this country great. It would be better to learn to live with less and be happy than to live with a lot of stuff and have the creditors calling you and you not being able to pay them.
There are different types of freedom but freedom from debt is one of the sweetest I know. Until you are free from debt you are a slave to your creditors.
