Resources for Christian Women, Encouragement for Families

Finance

Polo, by Ralph Lauren

I acquired my Polo by Ralph Lauren at the Edison Street Sale last Saturday. Everyone’s heard of Ralph Lauren, but have you heard of the Edison Street Sale? It’s an annual event now in our city, usually held the first Sat. of June, although that’s spilled over to include the few days prior and a couple days after.

People actually come from out of state now to shop the Edison Street Sale. Many people, like me, make a list of things to look for at this event; my list this year included a new winter jacket, some tennis shoes or sandals,milk glass dishes to add to my collection, a pair of summer shorts (I haven’ t worn them in years but my wonderful 13 yr. old daughter practically coerced me into getting a pair this year), a globe for my friend named Jennifer, a shirt or jacket for my husband, something for my new grandchild, and some tomato cages.

I found just about everything on my list within an hour or two. But it’s funny, I never made it onto Edison Street. You see, over the years the adjacent blocks, including mine, have joined in the fun. Yes, it’s still called the Edison Street Sale, but it spans several blocks now. I didn’t even make it off my block; actually, I still had money in my pocket, but I had four bags of goodies to carry after going to about 6 houses and so I went home and put away my loot!

I missed getting my annual hotdog sold by the boy scouts on Edison Street. But, I found a Polo by Ralph Lauren! Enjoy the Summer.

ps. maybe you can start such an event in your town

Great New Resources Available

The Boyntons have some great new resources available. The Prospering Homemaker is now available in e-book, DVD, or printed book formats. Loaded with money-saving tips and personal stories, this information is bound to encourage moms, young and old, in their role as homemaker. And for those of you who would like to get out of debt or re-direct your income in other ways, this material is for you! So, check out their website today: http://radicaldebtelimination.com/

Fact Sheets Available

We have some helpful fact sheets available. Each fact sheet is FREE; we just ask for a small fee to cover shipping and handling.

1. 10 great books to know about when you homeschool. I guess you would call this our Top Ten Books Relating to Home Education. ($2.00)

2. Oral Histories – the Hidden Gems. This is actually an encouragement for everyone reading this to collect an oral history of your parents/grandparents, etc. Plus, the sheet includes poignant questions you’ll want to ask. ($2.00)

3. Getting Into College – This fact sheet is a personal testimony from a young man’s point of view. Having received over 3/4 of a million dollars in college scholarship offers, he gives some simple tips re: how this came to be. ($4.00 – this is a few pages long.)

Later this year, we hope to offer these as e-pamphlets. For now, send cash to: IX Publishing, Inc., Dept. FS, PO Box 2578, Dearborn, MI 48123-2578.

More on Finances

You’ve heard about the Boynton’s book, Radical Debt Elimination in the previous post. I wanted to share a few lines from section 13, the Conclusion. “A whole new life begins when your debt is paid off, and this book was merely the doorway. By continuing to employ the tools we discuss in our book, your income will increase without your taxes increasing. Instead of needing financial help yourself, now you can help others directly……People need to know that others care. Be the one that brings hope to the hopeless. While you were in deep financial bondage, you were not able to do this but now…..”

The book is organized well. There is an introduction, followed by 4 chapters which discuss 4 phases. Phase I is Determine Your Current Location which talks about where you are at right now financially. Then, in the next chapter we read about Phase II: Thinking Radically – Developing the Plan. The nitty gritty of preparing a budget is covered along with an explanation of reducing and redirecting one’s spending. Phase III is covered next: Executing the Plan. There are 4 sections within this phase: Radically Attacking Your Debts, Finding “Hidden” Money, Nickels & Dimes, and in section 10 there is an explanation of “The Malachi Factor”TM. Phase IV is titled Mission Accomplished! There is a discussion about streamlining cash flow and what’s next, after debts are paid.

I agree with much of the contents. God is sovereign and Mighty. His ways are not our ways. As we learn more of Him and His principles, we are better able to make wise decisions. Christ is our Great Redeemer and Life-Giver. He is our all in all.

Why talk about this book on a website called Prov. 31? God calls us to be good stewards of what He has given us. He wants us to be able to reach out and to help others. This may be in the form of explaining to them the claims of Christ, that He died on the cross to pay the debt that His people owed. This outreach may be in the form of reaching out to a family hurting because they do not know what a budget is or how to make one. The Boyntons have decided to write down and share the joys and trials they have gone through with the intent of reaching out to others. Jesus reached out to those around Him by giving bread, by bringing comfort to the sick, by welcoming little children. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes to the Father except by Me.”