Her husband praises her saying...
By Sharon Jaynes
Crown Financial
It was interview day in our couples’ Sunday school class. My husband and I were in the hot seat, facing the class to answer a few questions about what made our 19-year marriage a success. Our teacher told both of us the questions ahead of time so we wouldn’t be caught off guard. However, we did not discuss our answers with each other. I sat with anticipation, perched upon my high back chair (or should I say “pedestal”). I knew the last question that would be posed to Steve, and I was already feeling myself becoming puffed up at the accolades that would certainly proceed from his lips.
The final question was, “What is one thing you admire most about Sharon?” I dreamed he would say, “The way the light shines on her silky chestnut hair,” or “That special twinkle in her deep blue eyes.” I held my breath with anticipation.
A pause…
“She’s thrifty,” he answered.
“Thrifty!” I echoed in disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding!” The class broke out in laughter at my obvious disappointment with Steve’s answer. Oh well, not so romantic after all, but I guess he’s got a point. From the time we were two engaged college students holding a yard sale for a honeymoon until now, almost 20 years later, I have enjoyed saving money, searching for bargains, and learning to be a “do-it-yourself” Proverbs 31 wife.
I have discovered that with ingenuity, patience, and creativity, you can do much with little. Let me give you an example of how becoming a “do-it-yourselfer” can mean great savings. When I decided to decorate our bedroom, I set out to do it as beautifully and inexpensively as possible. I chose material from a fabric book, located it in stock, found it at an outlet, and waited a few weeks for it to go on sale. The charts at the end of this article show how I saved on fabric as well as wallpaper.
A project that could have easily cost $2,123.74 fell to $357.24. With just a little bargain hunting and willingness to try it yourself, you also can do much with little. The wife of noble character in Proverbs chapter 31 was also known as “thrifty,” and we can learn much by her example.
Now, back to the Sunday school class. After I got over the shock of Steve’s answer, he went on to say that being thrifty is more than finding good bargains and clipping coupons. We can be thrifty with our words: not wasting them on idle gossip and tearing others down but lavishing praise and encouragement on those around us. We can be thrifty with time: not squandering it on things that do not matter but investing it in things of eternal value. We can be thrifty with our energy: not being drained by expending wasteful hours due to disorganization but by being frugal and planning ahead.
I guess, when you look at it that way, being called “thrifty” is not such a bad thing after all. But there is one area of my life in which I hope to never be labeled a spendthrift, and that is love. When it comes to how I invest, spend, and give that precious commodity away, I hope I’m known as excessive, lavish, and extravagant!
FABRIC (21 YARDS) PLUS LABOR
Source
Cost
Seamstress Total
Book price
$546.00
$720
$1,266.00
In-stock price $262.50
$720
$982.50
Outlet price
$176.50 $720
$896.50
Outlet sale price $123.50
$720
$843.50
Outlet sale price $123.50
Make it myself $123.50
WALLPAPER (26 ROLLS) PLUS LABOR
Source
Cost Hanger
Total labor cost
Book price
$467.74 $390
$857.74
In-stock price $285.74
$390
$675.74
Mail order $233.74
$390
$623.74
Mail order $233.74
Hang it myself $233.74
