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DollarsA Dollar Here…a Dollar There
By Steve Diggs

It was the late Senator Everett Dirksen in the 1960’s who said, “A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you’re talking about real money.” 

That was then.  This is now.  Today Dirksen would have to rephrase his comment and insert the word “trillion.”  As we all watch the Wizards of the Potomac spend money they don’t have on projects that we don’t understand, our collectively mouths widen more and more.  Since you and I don’t have the luxury of living in the Beltway Bubble, Christians are often left confused about how to make some extra cash in a hurry.  Let’s talk about some practical things we can do right now to pick up a few extra bucks and cut our cost of living.

  1. Get a short term job.  If your vacation is coming up, consider not taking the credit card on a two week sabbatical this year.  For many of us, paying down some debt will bring a lot more peace of mind than lying under a palm tree giving our credit cards a tan while we get burned!  “But,” you complain, “how am I going to get a two week job?”  Glad you asked.  Why not clean yards?  (Note: Never sell your time by the hour—charge for the job.  If you figure it’ll take 3 hours, tell the owner that you’ll do a bang-up job for $90. That’ll be an easier sell than asking for $30/hour.)  Or, check a website like CraigsList.com that lists short term jobs.  Maybe you’ll find someone willing to pay $250 for you to drive their car from point A to point B.
  2. Reduce your cost of living.  Make it a family game to see who can take the shortest shower.  Opt for the small TV instead of the big flat panel.  (Flat panels suck up a lot more juice.)  Unplug your unused second refrigerator.  At restaurants order the large meal.  It usually is only 20-40% more—and you can take the extra home for tomorrow’s lunch.  Tilt the hose into the car at the gas station when you stop the pump—that can be good for a few extra miles of fuel.
  3. Be a saver.  When you stay at a hotel—grab the extra soap and free amenities.  (This doesn’t include the towels and the TV set.)  I’ve tried it.  Hotel soap works just fine at home.  When you’re through shaving dry the blade.  Leaving razor blades wet is what dulls them the fastest.  A constantly dried blade will last forever!   

Be creative.  Make saving money and earning money a family sport.  You’ll be surprised
at how much you’ll save during these hard times—and how much discipline you’ll have when things improve.

Steve Diggs presents the Re-Tooled & Re-Fueled and No Debt No Sweat! Christian Money Management Seminars at churches and other venues nationwide. Visit Steve on the Web at www.retooledandrefueled.com or www.nodebtnosweat.com or call 615-300-8263.  The author of several books, today Steve serves as a minister for the Antioch Church of Christ in Nashville.  For 25 years he was President of the Franklin Group, Inc.  Steve and Bonnie have four grown children whom they have home schooled.  The family lives in Brentwood, TN 

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