Grateful for That Ol’ Budget

Now that the flurry of moving has calmed, I have more time to think. Much, much more! The facts of life are finally sinking in. I’m finally realizing…we made it! We actually did it! The funds that used to go toward our monthly rent are now going to payoff our very own land and home.

 Is it just me, or does anyone else get excited at the thought?!

In this time of quiet, I’ve also been realizing we couldn’t have done it so soon without our budget. If we hadn’t sat down and actually looked at the facts and adjusted our spending accordingly, this wouldn’t have happened.

Know something? I’m grateful for that ol’ budget!

Don’t get me wrong. I’ll be the first to admit that budgeting and I have a love-hate relationship.

I love what it gives. But I hate how it takes.

Because of our budgeting these past several years, our hope and goal has finally become a reality. Mission accomplished!

And because of budgeting, we haven’t spent money on luxury items for…a very long time. I believe our last purchase took place this spring, when we bought a used canoe as our birthday, anniversary and Christmas present.

That’s the way we’ve been doing it ’round here.

In drawing my attention to money, budgeting has taught me some important lessons I hope to hold to my entire life.

It’s made me realize that money comes in only to go out; it isn’t something you can cling to. That even when you plan well, the unexpected can happen, and ultimately, I’ve got to cling to God Himself. He is my ultimate provider.

I’ve learned how important it is to be generous, so that money doesn’t steal the heart. Choosing to give in the midst of hard-core saving somehow keeps my soul in check. I don’t understand it. I only know I’ve experienced it.

While it’s a little thing, budgeting has taught me to weigh time against money. As a gal who learned to do life in a small farm environment, I’m an avid DIYer. But by tracking our finances, I’ve learned that not all tasks are worth doing ourselves. Sometimes, it’s better to take on a weekend work so we can pay someone else to do the job.

I’m also realizing that having a good grasp on our finances will prove itself invaluable when it comes to creating the little farmstead we’ve been waiting for!

Fences need to be built. But can we afford the quality we want? There’s garden soil that needs to be brought in for spring planting! Financially, will we have enough for both fencing and soil? The back end of the property needs to be prepared for small dairy animals. But…its looking like we’ll have to wait another year.

As we “step out on our own,” I’m grateful we have a good feel for our finances. Where our land is concerned, we can plan and create realistically, within our means and without incurring extra debt.

Yep! I readily admit I’m grateful for that ol’ budget. Because it often teaches and gives unexpected freedom when we stay within it’s protecting walls.