When you first plan an adoption, you realize that it is going to cost quite a lot, and so the first thing you do is to start saving money. And if there is anyone who is good at saving money, it is us. We have found ways to save money on just about everything, from food to clothes to recreation to you name it.
But now that this process has gone on SOOO long, and we have maintained our money-saving budget while also both working full-time, we have encountered an interesting dilemma: We need to learn how to spend money again! Not in a wasteful way, I just mean we need to change our mindsets.
But the other problem is that there isn't really anything we need. Well, there is plenty we will need once we have a child, but we have already bought so many things in preparation, and for the rest we are waiting to find out the age and gender before we buy more. We have already decided to treat ourselves to a really nice trip in South Africa, and to not think too much about expenses and just have a great time as a new family in a beautiful country.
But otherwise we continue to ask ourselves if there is anything we could buy for each other, or do for each other with the extra money we are making that we no longer need to save quite as intensely.
But I think that I have decided instead to use a portion of the money for something special that I will reveal later (once I have come to a final decision). It has to do with giving it away, not just tithes and offerings, but beyond that. I want to challenge my own generosity and see how far I can take it.
What would you do if you suddenly had more money than you are used to having, and you need to think of some way to spend it? I am open to ideas!
If I had extra, it would probably go into fixing up my house.
SvaraRaderaBut, instead of me telling you how I would spend extra money, why don't you tell me how to be a better saver? :o)
well...i end up spending every extra dollar i have on kids who need/want stuff and can't afford it. there's got to be some kids around there who don't have what other kids take for granted. i like taking them on trips, doing things with them that they hear other kids talking about, or getting something for them. it's fun watching their faces!
SvaraRaderaHej!
SvaraRaderaOj med tre barn i huset var det länge sedan jag hade sådana problem!
Men här kommer mina tips!
Sparkonto till ert kommande barn:
Körkort, Cykel, resor mm mm
Månadsgivare till tex ngt projekt i Sydafrika
Spara till ev återresa med ert barn
En härlig SPA-helg på tu man hand medan ni väntar! ( jo jag vet att man kan tröttna på det där och att man hunnit göra mycket sådant, men en bra investering för framtiden är det!)
Lycka till med ert "lyx-problem" :)
Å kom upp till Sthlm och älsa på mig;) Saknar ER, det var ju över två månader sen vi träffades nu, kram Diana
SvaraRaderaI can't tell you because I have never been in that "delima." Buy Swedish chocolate. Yummy!
SvaraRaderaI'm going to answer that as if I didn't have student loans coming due next month!
SvaraRaderaI'd probably use the money in a way that is somewhat selfish but is also blessing others. That being I'd fly people to Texas and treat them to all the fun things I've encountered here. I know, it's not like saving the world, but I'd love to be able to just treat some of the people I adore with an all expenses paid trip to the greatest place on Earth. Texas, of course! :)
Given the actual situation I might do something different...um...I'd most likely do something different...but at this exact moment, that's what I'm longing for the most so that is why I said that. :)
I'd love having extra money so I could do stuff for people who need it. I've learned a lot about generosity over the years because there are people who have done little things for Jason and I along the way that have made a big difference for us (for example, there is a woman at my church who pays for my hair cut EVERY time I get one--she goes to the same hair stylist and the hair stylist has orders not to let me pay).
SvaraRaderaOne day, I hope to be able to "pay it forward."