The Plan

Did you know that about half of the world's population lives on about $2 a day and at least 80% lives off of less than $10 a day? I saw this and it totally blew my mind as my challenges have been very great living off much more than that. I know that I'm not poor by any means but compared to most of my friends and family I am far from the level of comfortable living that most of them enjoy. I currently live off of about $70 a day. Even so, I consider myself very blessed.

I am an average girl who's had her share of ups and downs, made some bad choices here and there, but over all I feel I've definitly pulled my weight. After going through a divorce in 2004 I managed to hold things together well enough to raise my daughter through high school and have recently sent her off to college this year to Colorado Christian University. All with the help of loans, scholarships, and grants of course. It definitly hasn't been easy but by living minimally we have at least gotten to this point.

I guess you could say that my current situation of simplicity did not start out by choice but over time it has helped me to see what is truly important and has made me more aware on a daily basis of want vs. need. Over the past few months however, I have been forced into that awareness even more. Currently I work as a contract employee and in this line of work you never know when your contract will be renewed or changed. Two months ago I was renewed and my pay was dramatically decreased. Determined not to let my credit or finances get any worse I did something a little drastic but in my mind necessary. I gave away almost all of my furniture, packed what was precious to me into a 5x7 storage unit and moved in with a friend. I went from a spacious two bedroom apartment to an air mattress on someone's living room floor. Now let me explain, there is a bitter sweetness to my current situation. The sense of freedom vs. the lack of control in my life is tightly woven right now and it is a daily battle within myself against my pride. At this point however, I am fiercely determined to turn my life completely around this year and be in a possition of stability with the freedom to give without worry. This is no longer something I want to accomplish, it is a must. Number one reason being is that it is holding me back from who and what I was made to be and that is unacceptable to me. With that being said...

This is my plan:

1. To tithe ~ give back to the hand that feeds me.

2. To pay off as much of the $15,600 debt. that I owe by December 31st 2011.

3. To live minimally and wisely.

4. To purchase with thought and purpose.

5. To utilize my skills and resources.

6. To gain stability

7. To have a place I can call home.

8. To live for my purpose and passion and not be a slave to money.

9. But most importantly to live by faith.

10. To have the elephant tackled and tied come year's end!

Thing to remember: If God places it in your heart to do something He WILL provide a way.

Tomorrow: To Tithe