Tightening the Belt

I'm still in therapy, yes.  It's pretty rough right now.  In fact, I'd like to not talk about it for this post.  Maybe later.
This post is just my two cents on our economy.  The gorvernment should.....zzzzzzzzz.  Did I lose you?  Yeah, me too.  So let's don't sit and wait for them to tell us what to do.  Let's do what we already know will work.  Let's tighten our belts, our wallets, our standards!

I've broken this up into three categories...The Okayers.  The ThatSoundsCoolers.  The RightOnSisters.

The Okayers:

You want to give Operation Taking Back Our Country a shot?  Here's what you do:
1.  Sit down and figure out how much you make per month versus how much you pay per month to live.
2.  Pick one thing to do without for one week (i.e. soda, fast-food, two vehicles, junk food, movies, any new items that are not mandatory for life-existence)
3.  Pray every night for one week that our country will get back under God where we belong.
4.  Do NOT celebrate and pat yourself on the back after your sacrificial week buying extra to make up for what you missed. 
Feel good?  You should!  You just helped the country's economy!  You're active!

The ThatSoundsCoolers:

You think being actively involved in determining the future of our nation sounds like a good plan?  Here's what you do:
1. Sit down and figure out how much you make per month versus how much you pay per month to live.
2.  Choose three things to do without for the entire month (i.e. soda, fast-food, two vehicles, junk food, movies, any new item that you truly do not need, name brands, recreation that costs money)
3.  Put ten percent of what you make per month into a savings account and LEAVE IT ALONE.
4.  Pray every night for one month that our country will get back under God where we belong.
5.  Don't go off the deep end when the month is over.  Instead, review the month and decide which sacrifice wasn't that awful and do it again!

The RightOnSisters:

You get it.  You know it's up to us.  You know that there's not a magic fairy that will wave her wand and fill our pockets, mouths, hopes.  Here's what you do:
1. Sit down and figure out how much you make per month versus how much you pay per month to live.
2.  Go over your "pay-out" section and decide which vehicle you are going to sell, or will you trade them all in for one.  The average family does not need more than one vehicle.  Take a bus, ride a bike, walk, catch a ride with the neighbor (chipping in for gas of course).
3.  Stop going out to eat.  Special occasions ONLY (and no, "I feel like pizza" isn't a special occasion)
4.  Ramp up your prayer life.  Write prayers in a journal.  Pray WITH someone.  Get our nation's dilemma in your heart and lay it at God's feet several times a day.
5.  Do.  Without.  You don't NEED four bags of chips.  You don't NEED Kobe beef.  You can live without more than you realize.  Try it.
6.  Try only doing five loads of laundry per week...and the same with dishes run in the dishwasher.
7.  Ask your parents and grandparents how they did it and take notes!
8.  Find out where the free meals are and take part.  There is shame in this and it's even a great chance for ministry.  Get involved by serving these meals!
9.  Stick.  To.  Your.  Budget.
10.  Now you may celebrate.  You may pat yourself on the back.  Burgers are half-price at Sonic on Tuesdays.  :)  (Notice what restaurants are promoting free kids' meals, etc.  For those special occasions, you STILL don't have to break the bank).

I could go on.  Do you NEED the latest phone?  Can you do without so much?  I truly believe that if EVERYONE in America gave up fast food on just ONE day (not the same day) we would see a dramatic difference.  It is up to us.  Will you do it?