Wise & Frugal

"She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard". ~ Proverbs 31:16

This verse shows us that the virtuous woman spends her money wisely and makes it work for her. She uses her earnings to provide for her family. What she chooses to do with the money is something that keeps producing over time, for example, the vineyard that keeps on producing grapes for wine, she sells the wine and plants more vines, buys more land, or does something else with those funds. The virtuous woman excels at what she does and is a financial asset to her home.

While reading this verse, I could not help but to think of Marylou, my mother in law. My husband and I just returned from a mini vacation to Arizona to celebrate Marylou's 74th birthday. Spending time with my mother in law is always a pleasant experience and very inspiring too.

While having coffee with Marylou one morning, I noticed the pile of newspapers on her dining table. Marylou started to sort through the pile while sharing about her most recent trip to the grocery store where she saved more than $70 by using coupons. I thought to myself "Yeah right, who has time to go through tons of newspaper and cut out all of those coupons?" I work full time, there is No Way I could ever find the time to do this." I'm usually the one who let's out a big sigh when I see the person in front of me take out a big wad of coupons to pay for groceries. Marylou added that not only did she save money, but also received $4.00 back! OK, Now she got my attention. Marylou bought over $100 worth of groceries, saved over $70 and also got money back! Coupon Clipping is not the most exciting hobby but if it saves that much money and I can get cash back, why not give it a try.



Everywhere you look in Marylou's home, it is evident that she spends wisely and knows how to use her skills to make profit. Her home is filled with items she has made herself including; sofa covers, lamp shades, aprons and table cloths. She makes floral arrangements out of buttons to decorate her home or to give away as gifts. Her backyard is filled with fruits and vegetables she has planted herself. She bakes for church fundraisers and would much rather whip up a meal in seconds than go out to a restaurant.

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" Ecclesiastes 9:10




My husband has shared with me that his mother used to buy antique furniture at yard sales or estate sales, she would take the furniture home to refinish it and reupholster it herself and sell it for profit. It was always an ongoing joke in his home to be careful where you sit because your chair might be gone when you return.

"Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms shall be filled with all precious and pleasant riches." ~ Proverbs 24:3-4

In Matthew 25 the Lord tells the parable of the Talents(coins).It is a story of a man who is preparing to leave on a journey and entrusts his possessions to his servants. He distributes his wealth among three servants, apportioned to them on the basis of their abilities. To the first he entrusted five talents, to the second two talents, and to the third one talent. The first two servants quickly set to work with their master’s money. The third servant did not invest his master’s money at all; he dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. When the master returned, the first two eagerly met their master, apparently delighted in the opportunity to multiply their master’s money. Both were commended as “good and faithful servants”; both were rewarded with increased responsibilities in their master’s service; both were invited to share in their master’s joy.

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"~ Matthew 25:21