Frugality is a tough sell

[rduell]

Frugality is a tough sale but so is reality.

I have a meeting tonight for our church's budget. For the past 5 years they have regularly budgeted $20,000 OVER what they take in! This is all necessary stuff, but something's got to give. They had sold the parsonage when the current pastor and his wife built a house. The extra money was put in a "savings" account to be saved for housing for a future pastor. That money is now gone because that's what's been making up the difference each month.

Would you budget $20,000 above what you know you'll be making? I wouldn't, and I don't think the church should either.

I probably won't be a popular person, but I believe it's irresponsible to continue to budget what isn't coming in. I've been told we have to have faith. I believe in faith, but I also believe in being realistic.

It's not going to be an easy evening.

[Bookie]

Lots of luck with your presentation.

I keep the books for a little non-profit that's operating on a faith-based budget. They've been overspending their income by about $150 a month for the past several years and covering the annual deficit with reserves. I keep pointing out the obvious, and everyone agrees that something needs to change. Nothing does. The board members serve for a single year, so they can always pass the problem along. I've stopped trying to be the voice crying out in the wilderness. It doesn't do any good.

"Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and it annoys the pig."

[miclason]

Frugality is a tough sell because today's society sees it as deprivation....I deserve the best, why should I not get it? (er, because you cannot afford it??)... most of the teenagers I know, when asked what they would like to do for a living, they say: have a great job with a big salary at a very nice building, with a nice office and, if possible, a company car! (doing WHAT?)...oh! whatever...

[Broken Arrow]

It's amazing, but I've actually had the opposite question posed to me. I'll say something like, "I'm trying to save money."

"Why?"

"So that I can be financially free."

"To do what?"

"Well, whatever I feel like."

"Like what?"

"What do you mean what?"

"Well, you want to save money. And then what?"

"And then what" indeed!

That question has got me wondering for a little bit. Then I realized why my friends couldn't understand me. I think it is because they don't sense the weight of crushing debt. It has to be, or else, they would gone, "Oh, so you don't have to be stressed out over money anymore. Yeah, I get it."

My overarching goal with money is fairly simple actually. I just don't want to be stressed out over money anymore. Instead, I just want to enjoy the simple life; getting to wake up well-rested, work and mostly enjoy what I do, come home to a nice meal without having to worry about whether I can afford it or not, and be able to sleep soundly.

Sadly, the friend that asked me that question still equate living well to having material things. Nice car, nice pad somewhere, and lots of money to throw around and party. So, I suppose I can see why the idea of saving but not spending it would seem kind of alien to him.

[Gruntina]

[quote=Broken Arrow]

My overarching goal with money is fairly simple actually. I just don't want to be stressed out over money anymore. Instead, I just want to enjoy the simple life; getting to wake up well-rested, work and mostly enjoy what I do, come home to a nice meal without having to worry about whether I can afford it or not, and be able to sleep soundly.




It’s so nice when you can actually share that same goal with someone. It’s the first time I been in a relationship where we are just so happy to sit outside or go for a moonlight stroll in the trees and enjoy the simple life. But again, he is not a social bug and I believe that characteristic makes a huge difference in my case. I can be a social bug and I do love hanging out with people and friends but he keeps me grounded and not spend so much money on gatherings. When I limit my time with others, its never a problem because my bf is a pleasure to be with.

[rduell]

An update:

We were there until 10:00 pm last night, but we got it done!

The first thing we did was change the health plan that the pastor and his wife have. Right now they have no deductibles, only copays. This insurance was costing the church $24,000 a year! We went with the same insurance, just a more basic plan that cut the cost down to $17,000 a year. No worries about pre-existing conditions or anything since it's the same insurance, just a different level.

Next we totally eliminated the benevolent fund. We figured if there is a need we'll either take up a special offering or put out a basket once a month that people can give if they feel led.

Next to be axed was the money spent on bulletins. Nice to have pretty papers to hand out each week, but unnecessary. Money for church socials is gone. Building and grounds money was slashed, etc.

It's a bare bones budget, but what are you going to do? It's either slash any unncessary expenses until more familes are added to the church and there's more income or close the doors.

To clarify: it's not that people are not giving. So many have left the church in the past 5 years that the income has dropped significantly. The issues of why people have left are also being addressed.

[Broken Arrow]

Originally Posted by Gruntina

It’s so nice when you can actually share that same goal with someone. It’s the first time I been in a relationship where we are just so happy to sit outside or go for a moonlight stroll in the trees and enjoy the simple life. But again, he is not a social bug and I believe that characteristic makes a huge difference in my case. I can be a social bug and I do love hanging out with people and friends but he keeps me grounded and not spend so much money on gatherings. When I limit my time with others, its never a problem because my bf is a pleasure to be with.

Hehe, I'm very glad to hear that.


In all fairness, I do know that some people are social bugs and I don't think there's anything wrong with that per se. It's the overspending they can do sometimes, although even quiet people like me can be vulnerable to over-spending as well.