Utility Bills

Our city utilities has a program called Budget Billing. I'm sure many, if not most, other utility companies offer something similar. When you go on Budget Billing, they will take an average of your usage for the past year and you pay that amount each month for the next 12 months. They'll adjust accordingly at the end of that year. It eliminates all the seasonal fluctuation and makes budgeting much easier.

The requirements are very simple:

You have had utilities at the current address for a year or longer. Check.

Your bill is current. Check.

You have to pay on time each month, or they'll take you off. Check.

So we signed up recently and I had a vague idea of how much I thought it would run, from checking out most of the past year's statements. It turns out I was wrong. Happily wrong. Our monthly utility bill for the next year is...

EIGHTY-NINE DOLLARS!!

Talk about doing a stunned happy dance!! We moved over a year ago because the utilities at our old house were reaching the neighborhood of FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS per month. And we were living like frozen Otter Pops for that price. We were not having a tropical party, dancing in hula skirts and bare feet. We were miserably cold.

Now we get to have comfortable temperatures without selling the car, our blood, and the children to cover the bill. And considering that hubby's income is so up and down this time of year, it's a huge blessing to have a consistent utility payment.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

I love it when God does exceedingly abundantly above all that I could ask or think!

God's Provision

Given that Colorado winters aren't exactly ideal for RVing, we knew that things would likely be a bit lean since my husband does mobile RV service. But he's been fairly busy and things were still going okay until the past few weeks when the income began to significantly slip. However, we know that God is faithful and He will provide for us. He always has.

I need to transfer money to another account today to cover our life and auto insurance payments. The only problem is that we don't really have enough to accommodate those withdrawals and we thought we may have to get a cash advance on the credit card. An option we didn't want to have to utilize. Although a less than stellar choice, it's still better than bounced payments and canceled insurance.

So he calls me a few minutes ago to let me know that he got the second check for a job that he did awhile back. We thought he wouldn't receive this payment until next month!


Insurance payments? $292.00

Today's check? $350-something

Fill hubby's truck with gas, so he can work? $50-ish

Seeing God's hand in our lives? Priceless.

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:31-34

Answer to Financial Woes

While Saturday Night Live is certainly not at the top of the list of places I'd send someone for good advice on living, this is truly an exception. They hit the proverbial nail on the head. Ironically, it's from nearly three years ago. Too bad people weren't listening then. Enjoy.



Need I say more?

Monday Money Matters

Okay - so the money won't be in the bank until tomorrow. Old Me would've been BALLISTIC at this point! Slightly Improved Me (courtesy of Jesus Christ) figures God knew this would happen, I've got money in the bank to cover anything that could come through today (thanks, Mom!), and it isn't worth getting all stressed out. In the grand scheme of life, this is pretty inconsequential. Instead, I can spend my time and energy on taking care of the house, praying, being in God's word, etc. Definitely a much better use. Easier on the family too.

Enjoy the Chris Tomlin video (I am) and have a blessed day!

Monday Morning

It's one of those Mondays - you know, the kind where you feel like everything is out of sync. Much to do and probably not enough time to do it all. It's payday, but the money isn't in the bank . . . yet. I have to check the bank site every so often to see if the deposit is there. Hubby checked at work and they said it should be there any time. So my patience is being tested a bit.

I made my list this morning during quiet time and while reading Proverbs, came across a couple of my favorite verses regarding the plans of my day:

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

In addition, verse 3 says, "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established."

Only by committing my list to God, as well as my day, will there be any calm, rational, peaceful thoughts and direction. He knows what needs to happen today. He knows how my day will go. All I can do is my best in planning, seek His heart, and listen for his voice.

"Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it.' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left." Isaiah 30:21

May I remember these verses and remember to stop and listen for the Lord's direction before I make a move.