At the beginning of the marriage, if the husband or wife plans to remain a parent at home, save 100% of the income that can stop. Even if you have been married for several years and one spouse cannot stay at home, as the Lord leads, sets a goal and develops a plan to live on the same income.
If God does not tell you otherwise, save your unspent income in the Capital Fund or another account that you specifically created for the purchase of basic items (the “Fund”). Use these funds to pay for large items that do not correspond to the current tariff plan. In addition, future home schoolchildren should use this fund for additional expenses that may arise as a result of the transition to a single income, such as books, tables, chairs. If you are in debt, other than a mortgage, before saving the Fund, prepare a schedule for paying off the debt and pay off the mortgage debt.
Travel on one income
If God makes you and your family live on the same income, go for it. You will need His doctorate to begin and remain committed:
- Patience (Isaiah 30:18)
- Skill (1 Peter 5: 6)
- Addiction (Isaiah 26: 4)
You may find these suggestions useful:
- Surrender all spheres of your life to Christ — let Him be the Lord and Savior. Ask Him to find you and show you the hindrances (Psalm 139: 23-24). Too often we forget that when we surrender to Jesus, He will allow us to live in our income. Remember His promise to give life, food, and clothing ... when we seek His first Kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6: 24-34).
- Pray (quickly, how you feel, lead) individually and as a family. This must be God. Without reservation, the husband and wife must agree to live on one income. When you are tempted to think that you cannot do this, rest assured that if it is His will, you will do it in due time (2 Peter 1: 3). You cannot do it alone - therefore the followers of Christ have the Holy Spirit living in us (Galatians 3: 3).
- Once God helps you set a goal to live on one income on a specific date, accept that you will not take or use credit cards to earn income. Understand that money is not a problem, the choice of lifestyle. Thus, you cannot expect a two-user lifestyle for one income. You must give up some desires.
- Do not go home running! Do not stop the second income suddenly. Move gradually; start living on one income plus, say, 80% of the income that will stop. During the agreed period, below 80% to zero. If you try to go there in one fell swoop, you might think that this is impossible. As noted earlier, save your unspent earnings in the Capital Fund.
A husband and wife must draw up a family financial plan, including a spending plan, a capital fund, and material well-being (transfer of property owned at market value less debts). To reduce debt or raise money, ask God if you sell "valuables".
First, do not be surprised when expenses exceed a lonely income. This is normal, even at the third attempt! Go back, look at the assumptions, eliminate more desires, ask God about His insights.
- To keep track of future household chores and finances, decide to create a Family Affairs Council (board of directors for the home) or equivalent. One person should write books, but the family should be involved in the decision making of the household.
- Get tax advice on a single-income planned household. You may be pleasantly surprised.
- Reduce; simplify, consider the following: rent instead of owning a home, starting a vegetable garden, getting a freezer to keep vegetables out of season.
- When God shows you to start; pray, go on, keep on praying!
- As you go monthly in the Family Council, review the progress. Do not revise the goal if God does not lead.
Summary
The return of one income in order to be at home with children is not a financial, but a figurative decision that can lead to a loss of work. It's a hard work.
Although Doreen and I were not followers of Christ, when we decided to live on the same income, looking back, we know that this is correct. We donated, especially the first five years, when Doreen and our young children did not have access to convenient and reliable transport. As a grandfather and grandmother, I assure you, donating today to raise children "in the order in which they should go," are small in the big picture - they are temporary, with permanent rewards.
Copyright (C) 2009, 2012, Michel A. Bell
