"How to be a Helpmeet on a Budget"

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"How to be a Helpmeet on a Budget"
Proverbs 31

 ¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

How can we be a helpmeet to our Husband on a Budget?

One of the most important aspects of being a helpmeet is in prayer.  Which is where we should start first with any aspect of our life.

Secondly, seeking wisdom and how to stretch the family budget for food, shelter and clothing. 

Food

Food has been something that I have invested a lot of time and effort into.  I find our health is improved by eating a healthy diet.  Being the wife of a farmer our Family has been blessed by growing much or nearly all of our foods.    Fast food is not an option for our family since many of these foods are expensive as well as not healthy foods, we have chosen to forgo these and pack foods if we need to eat while away from home.  Researching food has been fun for me and has given me an opportunity to be creative as well. Please see my previous posting on grinding wheat and sourdough breads found here.

Clothing

I have been a great fan of thrift store shopping.  I have done nearly all 27 years of having children by buying second hand and clothing our children in used clothing.  Buying second hand doesn't have to mean torn and ripped but can be very attractive matching clothing found at a very low price in thrift store, second-hand resale stores, or also garage sales.  This has helped our children that are now grown as well.  They are still saving money by buying used in many cases.

Our children dressed in Salvation Army "deals" 

¹³ She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar. 

The skills of old are quickly passing away!  Seeking wool and flax can be a LOT of fun.
  I was able to learn so much about wool and fiber when we began homeschooling our children.  We included wool-working in our curriculum.  Our Sons and Daughters learned wool working at the same time as I did.  The boys learning diligence when  carding wool for me  and our daughters to spin.   Children in the years before there was machinery to provide fabrics spent many hours of each day preparing fibers for handspinning.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 

 Sewing quilts and/or finding a niche for a sporting event or a reenactment setting that may need handmade items is a great way to earn extra income.   Often times this need is great and the pay is also worthwhile! Many years ago I learned how to weave and spin for such an occasion and was able to offer lessons in weaving and spinning. Aritsan Skills are very valuable.   Learning them is also made much easier for us now that youtube video's are easily accessable.

Contentment would need to be a very important part of being a helpmeet to our husbands.  Often times we will make our husband's believe we need certain items to be happy. 

~ But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Tim.6:6~

I would need to say that being contented is often harder for us when we are watching advertisements and reading magazines.  I have often looked longingly at a beautiful home magazine and felt discouragement that our home would NOT be pictured in this magazine.  These pictures are not truly realistic and are not functional homes.  Or if they are indeed a true home not much living is going on inside of them.

  I have tried to keep my eyes from seeing many advertisements for food as well.   Quick Foods may look great on a screen or in a magazine but when you eat these foods they quickly lose their value when you health is compromised.

Being a dligent wife to our husbands is a priviledge

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Please Link up with my Dear Friends during this time of seeking wisdom in how to budget with God's Gifts

Gail at The Imperfect Housewife- "How to Show Hospitality On A Budget"

Renee at I Am the Clay
"How To NOT Keep To A Budget!"

Kasey at These five of mine plus two- "How To Do Outreach On A Budget."

Blair from The Straightened Path
"How to $pend Money On A Budget" 


  

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