I was invited and on Tuesday I attended a Community Action Partnership (CAP) Poverty Simulation Seminar (now that’s a title!). What an amazing experience.

CAP brought together individuals and organizations from our community who in some way work with or come in contact with those living in poverty. As a pastor I received an invitation (our church does financial counseling, food vouchers, and in some cases meets benevolence needs). There were about 100 people there, plus volunteers who helped run the poverty simulation.

Upon arriving, each individual was given a lanyard with a plastic card that had your “name” on it. For the next hour you were to become that individual. I was a young man of 25 (not bad!), who was employed at minimum wage, but was homeless (not good!) with a girlfriend (played by another individual at the seminar) and baby (age 1).  We were to work together to lift ourselves out of our situation.

The hour (actual time) was to represent one month in the life of the individual. Every fifteen minutes would be a new week. After 15 minutes the whistle would blow and you had to get back home (or in our case to the shelter) and then begin your new week.

The event was held in a large gym, and ringing the outside of the gym were various businesses, government services, nonprofit organizations, etc. There was a pawn shop, cash checking service, grocery store, even a jail which had numerous occupants through the event. The volunteers were very good at their roles – some would be helpful, others would give you the wrong forms, close early or be on break, etc. Also throughout the seminar you could randomly receive a “luck of the draw” card which could give you extra cash (like win the lottery) or give you a set back (flat tire, dentist bill, etc.).

The hour was very intense. Between “working” and standing in government lines we couldn’t get anything done. In fact the simulation was so intense that the individual who was “my girlfriend” had to stop and leave the room – her blood pressure was so high that it set off her diabetes!

After the hour was up we had a chance to debrief our experience. The theme around the room was one of feeling desperation and hopelessness. It was a very good simulation of what millions of Americans go through everyday just to survive. It gave me a better understanding of what can work or will not work when you are trying to help others.

If you ever get a chance to do this type of simulation in your area definietly take advantage of the opportunity. It will definitely make you think and possibly change your attitutde or misconceptions about being poor.

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Do we own our possessions or do they own us? In my life, much to my shame, I think it is a little of both.

There is a story in Matthew chapter 19 where a wealthy young man comes to Jesus and asks what good thing he should do that he could obtain eternal life.  Jesus asks this man if he keeps the commandments, and the young rich man says yes. The young man than presses the issue and tells Jesus that all these things I have kept (commandments), then he asks Jesus, what am I lacking? Jesus tells him to sell all his possessions, give to the poor, and come, follow him. This wealthy young man than turns away grieving.

The young rich man thought that he owned much, but in reality the things he had owned him. They kept him from something more important that he desired.

Do the things that we own keep us from doing something more important that we desire? Let’s try to keep our wealth, our possessions in proper perspective, and not let them control us.

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Well, we finally got our Ford Explorer back from the repair shop (Thanks Guys!). Everything looks great, even better than it was in some places! And everyone is doing fine – my wife had a little whiplash but she is okay now. Our overall experience with the insurance companies was good. Our insurance company, Erie, paid the medical part and they came through. The other party’s insurance company, Progressive, paid for the accident repair (since it was their fault). I was quite impressed with Progressive – they were good to work with and paid everything they were supposed to. We had no hassles.

Since the accident I have been thinking about insurance, so this weekend if I can find some time I want to review our policy and see if I need to make any changes. It’s a good thing to do on an annual basis, but I must admit it’s been a couple of years since I’ve done it. Not the best to wait until after an accident (much better before!), but fortunately everything was covered. I especially want to look at our collusion coverage and our deductibles to see if they are good for our situation.

If you haven’t checked your insurance in a while, it might be a good time (before an accident!) to review your policy, either to look for savings or more complete coverage, whichever you need.

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The girls rooms are clean! They sparkle! You can find things! It only took two days (this includes going through clothes to see what they have outgrown). There must have been 7 grocery bags of stuff we took out of their rooms – clothes to give away, papers and broken toys to be thown out. Ugh – it is amazing how much they collect in six months.

It’s not like we buy tons of stuff for them. We spend $50 per child at birthday’s, and a little over $100 at Christmas on each girl. Then throughout the year we may buy a couple of things. However there are Grandparents! But still, how do they get so much stuff into their rooms? Things must multiply under the beds!

Some of the toys and clothing we will give to friends, and we may have a bag or two that will go to a Goodwill Store (tax deduction!).

The good news is that now they should be able to find things – like socks which they said they did not have enough of but now their drawers are overflowing since we found the missing pairs.

Now we are good for another 6 months. I wonder what amazing things we will find next time?

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One snow cost me money, the last snow saved me money.

We live in a really windy area. The last snow storm, although only a few inches, came with high winds that caused drifting. I had left one vehicle in the garage – the garage door was drifted shut. I left the other vehicle at the top of the hill predicting that my garage doors would drift shut – unfortunately the way the wind came it drifted that vehicle in also. We were stuck.

We had been planning on going to a restaurant that was having a special. They have a smorgasbord and they were only charging $5 per person because of a “grand reopening.” So my family and I were going to take advantage of that special (more than 1/2 off per person) and we had invited my parents to come along. It would have cost us $35 (7 people), plus tip and taxes – probably about $50. Not bad for 7 people. However we had already spent our restaurant budget for the month of February.

Well, being snowed in canceled our plans. We were bummed. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was probably a good thing. We had gotten caught up in the promotion, and even though I didn’t have the money we were going to find a way. It’s not that $50 would have been the end of the world, but we are really trying not to overspend right now, and are trying to save our pennies as much as we can.

This was a good reminder to me how hard it is to save and resist temptation. That special was tempting. Yes it would have been fun, but it would have set us back. And right now we really can’t afford setbacks. And again, although it was only $50, sometimes temptation is bigger – that furniture store deal, or the car deal, or the vacation deal.

I’m glad we didn’t get to go – in fact my wife and I are both actually really happy that it didn’t work out. I guess a snow storm can be a blessing and a teacher!

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It’s that time of year again (we do it twice a year, Fall and Spring) when we do a thorough cleaning of the girls rooms (ages 7, 8, and 9). We try to strike a balance between having them keep their rooms clean and not being clean room Nazi’s. It’s a hard balance to keep! But twice a year we do a thorough cleaning, and at the same time encourage them to give away toys they are too old for or are no longer playing with.

Well, my wife just called me at work. She was furious! She said she must have found over a dozen pairs of socks stuffed in various places. And we just bought socks because the girls were low on them! I’m glad I am at work, I know there are three girls in trouble right now. They were too lazy to put things away (common for children) and they hid it from us (also common) and we ended up spending money on clothing we wouldn’t have had to (probably also common).

So now my wife wants to come up with some system where we check their rooms more regularly. We ask them to clean up their rooms daily, but we only check thoroughly weekly – that is about to change!

After the Great Toy Clean-out is finished I will let you know the results!

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I was feeling a little depressed the other day. Once again the snow came and it took all day to get out, most of the family was sick and on antibiotics, and I was paying bills. But a good friend emailed my family and lifted our spirits with some kind words and encouragement.

In Exodus chapter 17, the Israelites are drawn into a battle. Moses sends the troops in and he watches from on top of the hill with the staff of God in his hand. Now, when Moses lifted his hand up (with the staff), the Israelites prevailed in the battle, but when he let his hand down, the enemy prevailed. After awhile, Moses’ hand grew tired and he couldn’t keep his hand up. So two of his men – Aaron and Hur took a stone and gave it to Moses’ for a seat, and then they supported his hands. The Israelites then won the battle convincingly.

Like Moses in this battle, like myself this week, we can all use a hand, we can all use some encouragement. We need to find friends or family who can encourage us in the tough times, who will stand with us. Someone who will laugh with us, cry with us, even get tough with us, and will forgive us when we fail.

Life is too tough to go it alone. We need each other. Take some time this week to encourage someone you know who is going through a difficult season.

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Forgiveness is a wonderful thing, both for the receiver and especially the giver. As long as there is no forgiveness, both are in bondage.

There is a story in Matthew chapter 18 about a servant who owed a large amount of money to a king. He went to the king and begged for forgiveness of the debt. The king had compassion on him and released him from his debt. This servant, just after being extended this kindness, went out and found a poor man who owed him a little. He seized him and began to choke this poor man for the money he owed. Then the servant had the poor man thrown into debtors prison for his debts. Upon hearing of this, the king summoned the servant and called him wicked – he had been forgiven much, yet he could not forgive a little. So the king changed his mind and had this servant thrown into jail.

If we want mercy and kindess and forgiveness, we need to extend mercy and kindness and forgiveness.

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One of the best tools you can have in your marriage and finances is an agreed upon communication strategy regarding finances. My wife and I share all our financial information with each other. If she spends $5, I know it. If I spend $10, she knows it. We are very open and honest, and it works for us. It builds a lot of trust in our relationship.

I know others who only ask or tell their spouses their expenditures if they are over a certain dollar amount, maybe $50 or $100. I know others who have “allowances” and as as long as they are within their allowance, nothing is said. And that works great for them.

What works best for me and my wife may drive you and your spouse crazy. What works for your family maybe too much or too little information for mine. I think there are many ways  of dealing with your family finances that are fine as long as:

1. You both agree! If you are not in agreement, then that’s bad relationally and financially. You need to get on the same page.
2. You are not using the money for destructive purposes (i.e. an addiction).
3. You are not trying to hide poor financial decisions or overspending.

Find what the best communication strategy is for your family, and then use it. And it probably doesn’t hurt to review from time to time to make sure everyone is still on the same page. And of course there may be times where you have to share more or less depending on current circumstances (i.e. someone sick, you’re in debt and working your way out, etc.).

If you don’t have a plan, make time soon to sit down and discuss what financial spending information your family needs to be sharing with each other.

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I have not learned contentment. First I wanted snow (to play in with my children). Now I want the snow to go away! I want spring-but when Spring comes I will probably complain about the mud. So I will want it to be summer, and of course I will then probably complain about the heat. Then I will want it to be Fall, but will complain about raking up the leaves. So then I will want it to be winter and the cycle will continue. Contentment is a hard virtue to learn.

I am so much like the children of Israel in the book of Exodus. They were in bondage and slavery and wanted out. When they were delivered by God through Moses, they then complained about the food:

The sons of Israel said to them (Moses and Aaron), ‘”Would that we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

The people remembered the food, but forgot the pain and suffering of being enslaved by the Egyptians. Even when they were provided abundant bread, they then asked for meat! They were never satisfied.

Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying “Contentment makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor.” * May we all learn to be rich through contentment.

* Quote found through worldofquotes.com.

Hi there - could you help spread the word about A Penny Saved? We rely on word of mouth to get new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would truly appreciate it. Sunday Thought 74 is a post from: A Penny Saved