Comments on: Musings on Frugal Living and Giving More

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:42:00 +0000

I have started a quarterly food drive in the neighborhood and then take the food to the local food bank. Helps me get to know the neighbors as a bonus.
This is great to organize in churches if they are not already doing so.
~libby

By: Kimi Harris

Kimi Harris — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:25:00 +0000

Thank you all, for your wonderful ideas and sweet comments. It has been such an encouragement.

By: My Year Without

My Year Without — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 03:49:00 +0000

What a great topic of conversation: living frugally while helping the less fortunate. It seems like more and more people are finding great joy in helping others, even if it means less for themselves. There are so many ways (monetarily and time) to contribute. When it comes to helping others, I always ask first: Am I helping meet someone’s basic needs? By that I mean: food, clean water, clothing, and shelter. (I’m aware that a lot of the children in the sex trade are NOT given adequate food…among other things.) This helps narrow down my search when I look at volunteer organizations.

Most recently I contacted Meals-On-Wheels, an organization that sends volunteers out to senior’s homes and delivers a healthy, warm meal. It may be the only warm and healthy meal they get all week.

Anyway, I think it’s exciting that you are thinking in that direction and wanting to help others even though you are having to cut back yourself. That is truly inspiring.

By: Watercolor

Watercolor — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 00:34:00 +0000

My little church has a sandwich ministry. Every other sunday afternoon, a small group of us make PBJ sandwiches and head out to the city parks to hand them out to the homeless. We also bring bananas and gatoraid. Bananas work best as homeless often have teeth issues and can't bit hard fruit. So for the cost of a loaf of bread and half a jar of peanut butter and jelly and some fruit and a few bottles of drink a week each, we feed a lot of people.

It is a small thing but the surprise on their faces and thankfulness is overwhelming to me sometimes.

I like that it helps people right here in my city.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:13:00 +0000

We have been thinking the same lately. I have just discovered the “More with Less” cookbook. It has many frugal recipies in it and the author talks quite a bit about what you just spoke of. I have yet to make any of the recipies but they look good. It is worth checking out. Good Luck.:)
Betsy

By: Purpleflowerpatch

Purpleflowerpatch — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 09:08:00 +0000

I am blessed to have a husband who is willing to support us alone while I stay home and teach our kids, but we do find financial constraints difficult more months than not, and you can find yourself very self-focussed…but I agree with you, giving is so important too. We give every pay to our church, and also to other things at certain times, but giving is also the extra loaf of bread to the single mother, or just offering a ride to an elderly neighbour…giving can be disguised in so many ways can’t it?
Thanks for this post – I hadn’t really thought before about how being frugal can have us focussed on ourselves. I shall be praying about this! Bless you Kimi!!

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 06:26:00 +0000

Kimi,
In my family growing up my parents (and grandparents) never thought it was wise to give to someone without them being able to give something in return (it would take away their self respect), so they would hire a person to work on the farm or whatever they were able to do and in return would help in whatever way they could (a room at the house, fix a car…etc)
Recently my husband and I have had some drastic changes to our lives (new city/state, new budget, new ministry) along with all of those changes we finally have a yard for the first time and we are also working a considerable amount with the homeless community in Portland. This week we decided to equip ourselves with yard/gardening tools and be willing and able to offer someone a job (and work along side them) along with whatever provisions we might be able to make for them. We also now have a spare room in our house for the first time in many years. It should be an adventure, but I think it is very important to remember when we are trying to give of our resources that time and relationship are two things that can’t be underestimated! Sometimes we are more protective of that budget than we are with the monetary one.
God bless you in the struggle…and thank you for sharing it with the rest of us!

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:06:00 +0000

I grew up tithing 10% of my income to give whether it be a cause or someone close to me in need. I carried this practice into adulthood, but since leaving my job to move abroad this has gotten all out of wack. We definitely need to focus on the financial aspect of giving again. Thanks for your post.

By: Kimi Harris

Kimi Harris — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:29:00 +0000

LizzyKristine,
So true. Thank you for sharing.

Karen,
Thanks, Karen and yes, that is a picture of me. Not a very clear one, is it!

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:17:00 +0000

Kimi,

I was just wondering if the picture on the side of your webpage in sepia is you?
You do a great job posting interesting of topics. Thanks for a job well done.