Have I stuck in there... Barely

It is true, I love shopping. I enjoy a stroll along an old path from one smelly old boutique to the next - that is layered in new and exciting bargain and finds for me. It is the hunt. I am a clever shopper though. I read brand labels and write them down on a pad of paper and search them on the Internet to make sure I am getting a bargain. Bargain...yes.. you might be wondering, have they given up their pack to not spend money on wants? No. I have purchased a winter coat and beyond that...applause please...I am doing it. Nothing! I have to say there are days I am dying, I want to grab a new tee or purse. But no, we are working hard to go through the holiday season on budget. We have cashed in our checking account rewards for cash and that is our Christmas budget. I even filled out a survey for Nordstroms online and they sent me a $50 card so I am thrilled to say the least. It is like God is rewarding us in small ways to say, "Keep going." So we have created all our teacher gifts by hand, we made homemade soaps in many colors and flavors according to the child giving the soap. We also put a handful of Bay leaves in a pretty little bags for them from our bay tree. Is that what it is called? Who knows, but you cook with them in soups and such. I have my days where I want to buy something but I have really been thinking about the true fact of.. do I need this? Most of the time, it is no. We also have been giving more of the items we have at home to charity. Downsizing and not replacing which feels great. We also have been buying gifts for Operation Child and some families at church with less than us. So we have been giving when at a time that feels like we have nothing to give. I asked my husband why we are giving and how this would all right itself, and here was the quote he sent me: Giving of ourselves is often easy during times of plenty, but giving in our own times of need is a much deeper sacrifice. Ultimately, it just feels good and right. Abundance!