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Prudent Choices In Light Of Looming Financial Disaster
Daniel Valles  2/26/8  www.informedchristians.com

As our world slips deeper into the darkening times before Christ returns, we are more and more exposed to living in what the Bible describes as "perilous times".  The events of the end times will affect all of us - some more than others.  As we strive to be what the Bible calls Prudent, we can act for ourselves and our loved ones to mitigate some of the perils.  I once read a great quote which reminded me of two things I should not worry about: 1) Things I cannot control.  2) Things I can control.  There are steps that we can take to act prudently without tempting God.

I highly urge you to read all of these other articles that I have written.  They will give you a more proper context than this solitary article.  If you have read them in the past, I still recommend that you refresh your memory and perspectives.

Several important steps for you and your family to take:

  • Commit your steps to the Lord.  Make sure your life is free of unrepented sins, and ask the Lord to give you wisdom regarding the steps that you are to take.  Do not take this step lightly, as this one step can change all of the others.  Cast your cares upon Him, but do not abandon your responsibilities!  Stay in the Word and fellowship with God daily - you cannot hear what He has to say if you are not close to Him.  Your reliance during these days will not be on prudent steps you may have taken (although they will help), but your strength and help will be from the Almighty.
     

  • Get out of debt!  I know it is easier said than done, but start now!  Start making payments to principal, move to smaller living arrangements, sell houses that are worth less than they are owed on.  Do not worry about what friends or neighbors think.  In the very near future, it will be thought respectable to have made prudent financial steps when it was easier.  Minimize and eliminate non-essential expenses.  Make a budget and know where you money is going.  Do not give your money to your local church if it is only going to go toward a building project, fancy landscaping, or other useless wastes.  Any charity/giving should be directed toward pastors and those that labor in the Word, missionaries, needy borthers and sisters in Christ, local missions with the poor.
     

  • Get a job that does not require/depend on other people having disposable or discretionary income.  Get out of jobs that would be considered service industries or retail.  Car sales, retail, real estate, etc. will be some of the first to go.  Preferably have a job or line of work that is involved with a trade such as plumbing, electrician, or a type of service that could be barterable if need be, and will always be needed.  Start a home-based business selling home-grown/baked items.
     

  • Frugality.  Find your local 'bent-and-dent' stores that sell imperfect items from other stores.  Do check that the items you buy are not over expiration date.  Canned goods typically last much longer than their dates, but check that the seals/airtightness are not compromised on any canned goods that are bent.
     

  • Shop for clothes at local goodwills, thrift markets, consignment stores, and flea markets.  You will be amazed at the brand names and quality clothes that are sold for only a few bucks.  I've bought many a clothes from the consignment and local missions - many of them look brand new.  I've saved hundreds of dollars buying furniture, appliances, clothing, tools, and more at these types of stores.  Don't let pride or fashion steal food money from your table.
     

  • Make fewer trips to the stores by making a list, and shopping once/twice a month.
     

  • Move to a more rural area.  Rent if you have to.  A rural location will increase your options for growing food, safer environment, and also avoiding potential social unrest in more populated areas.
     

  • Invest in items now that will only rise in price:

    • Water:  Buy a very good water filter.  The British Berkefeld water filters require no electricity, and are excellent filters.  If you are a do-it-yourselfer, you can buy just the filter elements, and make one out of two 5-gal. buckets.

    • Commodities:  These could be gold or silver, but they can also be items that may become scarce or too expensive in your area.  These could also include alternative items that others might be willing to pay/trade a good price for when things get harder - oil lamps and oil, water filters, canned goods, etc.

    • Food: Seeds for gardening, canned/non-perishable foods, food animals.

    • Energy: Stockpile at least 1.5 tanks of gasoline.  Check local ordinances and safety precautions for storing gasoline!  Top off your residential propane tank.  Get your body adjusted to non/low-air conditioned living.  Invest in fans.

    • Time:  Gardening, getting into shape, ditch the cable and dish services, chuck/sell/pawn the television/vcr.  Install gutters and rain barrels if you have a garden.
       

  • Think of ways that your family can minister and witness to neighbors and others during this trying time.

These are just a few ideas and steps that you can take.  I pray that the Lord will give you wisdom as you seek His face for guidance, direction, and strength during the days ahead.

Email me with any questions or thoughts that you might have: editor@informedchristians.com 
If you have a suggestion that would be good for this financial prudence list, please let me know so I can post it.  Put something in the subject line about Frugal Tips.  (May be edited for conciseness and brevity).

 
  Reader Suggestions and Thoughts

3/10/8  Tina (Ipswich Qld Australia) wrote:
Hi I have only recently been looking into living a simpler and more efficient lifestyle. I have joined a forum here in Australia that shares tips and knowledge of how things were done in the years gone by. It is amazing how much information we have lost due to the age of technology etc. 
I have a fridge and freezer and I need the freezer to store bulk items so off went the fridge. I store a few items in a cooler supplemented with ice blocks from the freezer that I rotate to keep the cooler colder. Because I use powdered milk and little sauces it seems to work well for me.

I have started to buy in bulk, items that I eat regularly and I have found the techniques of preserving food in varying ways helpful. Particularly those that don't need energy (except renewable energy ie. solar) dehydrating food, preserves and canning.

I have turned off my hot water system which runs on gas and now heat my water with a small solar system. (this probably won't work in an area where heating is an issue, I live in Queensland where it is hot most of the year)

I am a pensioner here, so my income is extremely limited and scarce so I need always to look at the cost issue of whatever I do. So renewable energy is one of cost, rather than being kinder to the environment, but if you want to make greenies happy tell them its kinder to the environment and they will support you. (LOL!)

Use homemade deodorant (eg. bic-carb and cornstarch),
Invest or build a solar oven, solar cooker, hay box for cooking etc.
Grow your own vegetables and then can them or dry them for future use.
I have chooks that give me eggs and fertilize the garden.
Use old clothing cut as rags for cleaning, dusting etc

Hope this helps and gives some more ideas.
 

3/5/8  R.D. wrote:
We have invested in what is called trash silver, circulated pure silver coins. Don't worry about buying gold unless you want to buy out yours or a loved ones mortgage or feel you may have very expensive financial needs. Most people will accept silver dimes as payment in bad financial times.

Consider buying a dehydrator or learn how to do so in the summer time. This is very good for putting up food, like they did many years ago before we had utilities and such.

Consider learning about foraging. Remember Euell Gibbons? There are many edible plants that grow wild in the city and and more so in the country. But you really have to know what your are doing.

Fill you larder with herbs and spices. These have medicinal qualitites and are priceless if not available at the stores.

Learn as much as you can about herbal/natural medicines and dentistry.

Go to your dollar store and buy quantities of toothbrushes, things that people with need and barter for.

Keep large quantities of necessary items like toilet tissue, bleach, salt, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide for barter and personal use.

vacuum seal beans & rice. This extends their self life and you can use beans to plant for a garden later.

There are so many suggestions that I could write a book but you get the picture. As the old Boy Scout motto goes, BE PREPARED. But remember most of all that the Lord takes care of His own, during good and bad times. He makes a way for His people during crisis times, just read your Bible. The best insurance is to get close to the Lord and network with other Christians that feel the same way you do.