Part I
Practically, there are two ways to have money -- earning and
not spending. While our yearly income is determined at Rosh
Hashona, how much of it we get to keep depends a lot on us.
Prayer, Charity and Good Deeds help us to merit our
sustenance and to help make it last. But the valorous women
of families with many children have found ingenious ways to
help stretch their budgets and make their incomes go a
little further. Money, like everything else, is a tool to
serve Hashem and we have to take care of it and use it
wisely. There are a lot of spiritual rules about the ebb and
flow of money. Making a living is as hard as splitting the
Red Sea and I have heard of many miracles related to staying
afloat. I have also heard a lot of practical advice.
Here are a few tips from the experts in the field: Jewish
homemakers:
Note: Usually, saving money also involves some kind of
spiritual tool, be it self control, creativity,
bitochon, self reliance or doing a mitzva
involving someone else.
1. How we spend our money depends firstly on our COMMITMENTS
(mortgage, debts) and our priorities (education, saving for
the future etc.). Looking at and renegotiating these is a
first step to getting a handle on one's finances.
2. I read in a newspaper to USE A HALF A LOAD OF WATER when
you do the wash. This significantly cuts down on water
consumption and the clothes do get just as clean. [Ed. Tried
and tested!] I tried it and it did cut down on my water
bill. Using less water in these times of water shortage as
well as less electricity when possible (as long as you don't
relegate your family to the dark ages) is environmentally
conscious as well.
3. GET PHONE DIRECTORIES [for free] for every area code you
may need to call so that you never have to call
Information.
4. You can save a lot of money on cosmetics, medicine and
cleaners by USING NATURAL PRODUCTS. An EGG WHITE spread on
your face makes a great and cheap mask. OLIVE OIL mixed with
lemon and honey makes a face cream. GARLIC boosts the immune
system and can be used as an antispetic. [Dr. Yaakov Berman
suggests making your own salad dressing by putting whole
peeled cloves of garlic chock full into a bottle of olive
oil. Leave for three days, then pour oil into another bottle
for use. Great medicinal properties and great flavor, as
well.] APPLE CIDER VINEGAR is a cure-all for numerous
conditions. Poured on a towel and wrapped around ankles,
wrists or forehead, it reduces fever. Internally, it helps
digestion. COUGH SYRUP can be made by cutting up an onion
into honey and letting it sit for a few hours. There are
books and magazines that list the hundreds of such
alternatives which can be found in second hand
bookstores.
5. SHARE magazine/newspaper subscriptions with friends. A
weekly newspaper can be read throughout the week and sharing
the cost over the year can mean a substantial savings. [We
are sure you want your own YATED ENGLISH, but by all means,
pass it on to someone who doesn't subscribe.]
6. WALK! Not only is walking cheaper than taking buses and
taxis, but it has the added benefit of helping you stay in
shape, healthwise as well as losing weight. You also often
don't lose any time, since waiting for the bus, especially
some routes, can take up to and even over a half hour.
Double this when you need to take two buses! Walking a few
stops is quicker as well as cheaper. Stimulating in many
ways.
7. WAIT FOR SALES -- two for the price of one, three for ten
shekel/dollars and stock up on non-perishable items. [But as
YATED stressed in a recent article on miserliness, do so
with practical common sense -- don't spend more for the
carfare or babysitter than you are saving!] Buy generic
brands. Taking a calculator when you shop can help you
figure out how much you save on specials.
8. If you're contemplating making a MAJOR PURCHASE or
renting an appliance long term, wait for when there's A
SPECIAL DEAL or buy second hand.
9. Unless you coupon clip, or you're looking for something
special, THROW AWAY ANY FLYERS or gift booklets that make it
into your mailbox. They'll just put ideas into your head!
10. WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN. Make a budget and either start
from your maximum and subtract as you go, or start from zero
and add as you go. Stop when you reach the end of your
budget for each item.
11. DON'T BUY ANYTHING that needs to be dry-cleaned or
requires any other special care. [You may splurge on such
items at your local clothing gemach, and GAMBLE on their
being hand- or even machine-washable. They often are -- even
silks!]
12. If you can PAY FOR THINGS AHEAD OF TIME and get a
reduction, do it, if at all possible. This includes city
taxes. [Editor's Note: You should ask your rov for guidance
in this case to be sure there is no problem if ribis.
However, generally, if you are paying less there is no
immediate problem; the problem may be for everyone else who
pays more.]
This article is too good for one shot. We have broken it
up into three parts, in the hope that meanwhile our readers
will send in their own wonderful ideas on how to be thrifty
and economical. We would like this to be a steady feature,
but it all depends on your input!].
