Are we ready?

I must say I am excited about this 21 day journey. Everytime I go to the book store I pick up the book and skimmed it. A friend of mine is going to pick the book up for me. She also gave me a good idea there were two events that I wanted to attend this month (two friends b-day dinners) and I was going to delay my dates to start because of this and she said; in January put the money aside for the events and you can start on time. So beginning February
8 - February 28; I am on this journey. I have also been searching the net for some helpful ways to save money (I enjoy the knowledge gained) and I'd like to share some of them with you. They helped me; I hope it can do the same for you.

1. Don't go to the movies - get movies from the RedBox for $1.
2. Drive slow and eliminate driving so much, decrease your number of trips -save on gas.
3. Skip getting your hair done every month and get it done every other - Can you do that? This is a new one for me as well; but I'm going to do it, I could save that $70 a month.
4. Don't pay for anything that you can do yourself (manicure, pedicure, car wash (I know its cold); but keep this in mind!
Those are a few; what are some of yours? It felt good to day to plan my meals for the next 6 months (1 year actually); I used my favorite restaurant recipes and decided I will not only curb my eating out (eliminate it entirely during the fast); but I will become a great cook. Also, I can have a eating out/recreation/allowance kitty that allows me to eat out I budgeted $80 per month from my salary and the monies I get from tutoring after I tithe it. So I have $100 a month for an allowance and I have to stay in that boundary; not bad!

I thank GOD for that revelation. Father, thank you for showing me how to live simply!

Please post some of your money saving ideas that would be helpful.

Preview to the Book - 1.26.2010

The Fast is really about curbing the need to consume more than we need.

Reading 1 chapter a day and Complete your Daily Assignment noted in the book.
Tools You need to get started: Prayer, is this for YOU? Get the book, Get a journal, Review your progress, get a highlighter, get an accountable partner and start your day off with the P.A.Y regimen (Pray, Act on the pledge listed at the start of each chapter and Yield to God’s will).

How to use the book:
This book includes twenty-one chapters-one for each day of the fast and is divided into four parts;

Part 1: God’s Power to Prosper You
· Naturally begins with God. You have to believe God has the power to deliver financial freedom or you won’t be able to experience the prosperity he promises-or you won’t be able to enjoy it.

Part 2: Prepare Yourself to Prosper
· Is all about preparation, which includes addressing entitlement, issues, learning to be content, budgeting, saving, and investing. If you’re married and have children, it also means handling your money in way that strengthens your relationship with your spouse and creates wealth for your heirs.

Part 3: Prudence Begets Prosperity
· Is designed to help you get rid of the things that stand in the way of your prosperity-debt, credit, and greed.

Part 4: Believe the Promise and Witness the Proof
Focuses in the testimonies of people who have taken the 21-day fast and whose lives have been changed because of it. There’s nothing more encouraging than seeing God at work

Update - 1.26.2010

I will start the fast on Feb 14 - March 6. I am looking forward to doing this with you all. I pray we get the most out of it and that we truly get to GOD's purpose for our finances. I realize I think I'm entitled to eat out as I want since I work, pay bills and don't spend my money on much else that is a non-essential. But I realize if I fed my debt the way I feed my stomach it would have decreased even more by now. But there is no condemnation only correction to come. I will be purchasing a small notebook to log my purchases each day. I will keep my ATM card at home. Purchase gas and groceries for the week on Sunday. Pray for me as I pray for you. The book covers a wealth of topics; let us take advantage of everyone.

Preview to The Power to Prosper

Hello Everyone,

Well, I am so excited about what the next 21 days will bring. I realize that my money-waster is eating out. So I would like to walk in the discipline of sacrifice=wealth. I will be frank, honest and let you know how I do on a DAILY basis. I ask the same of you; we are a team when we join in on this voyage and this can be a success if we prepare, plan and stay focused!

Tell your friends about it, the more the better. We will have a book discussion about 2 weeks into the month and you can invite someone to that as well. If you have any financial wisdom to share feel free - this is a open forum. So often ask me - Natalie, did you eat out today? My goal is to keep my ATM card at home for the next 3 weeks, plan my meals and to get gas on Sunday for the whole week. I will make no other purchases (excluding food at the grocery store or gas).

Submitted: 1.16.2010