How to Save $10,000 in Today's Turbulent Times

By Larry Tomczak, Op-ed contributor Thursday, December 05, 2013

Surviving and even thriving in the midst of today's economic upheaval is the challenging task we all face. Many churches in addressing financial matters will focus on the area of giving the tithe, which is paramount, yet oftentimes overlook what God says about handling the other 90 percent. As a result, millions of people look to financial counselors like Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman or secular forecasters for guidance and help.

Here's the deal as we close out this year: God wants to both encourage and instruct all of us (myself included)to be ever looking to Him as our ultimate Provider in addition to being better financial stewards so we can glorify Him and be channels of blessing to others in need.

This is personal for my wife and me as we find ourselves closing the year without any more partial salary from a local church, health insurance, cell phone coverage or any perks that have been part of my ministry for over 41 years. This is by divine design as God recently transitioned me from a local church involvement "because of the impending distress" (1 Cor 7:26) coming upon America to serve the wider Body of Christ in our desperate need for spiritual awakening and assurance as children of God.

Therefore, I'd like to offer some specific suggestions to assist all of us to be like the "wise ant" of Proverbs in preparing ourselves and saving money for whatever lies ahead.

With a little self-discipline, discernment and prudent decision-making, we really can save "big bucks."It comes the same way that God instructed His people to take the promised land--"little by little"(Deut 7:22).

Our motivation in saving this money should not be to spend it frivolously on unnecessary items but rather to be faithful stewards by diminishing any debt, having Joseph-like supplies in readiness, as well as investing in God-honoring ministries, ministers and missionaries.

In Luke 16:10–11 Jesus says, "if you are not faithful in money matters, who will entrust the true riches to you? "

Aubrey Andelin, an author on marriage and family issues says, "Few families are free of anxieties and contentions in the matter of family finances. To some it is a matter of such major importance as to be an ever festering sore, never healing and continually thwarting the happiness of the home. As a factor in marital breakup, it is one of the primary causes."

Are you ready to enter into a new dimension of financial rest through the "Exchange Zone?" To save money and have more to give, will you make choices substituting one thing for another to discover big dividends in the end?

Let me illustrate by citing "exchanges" made in the realm of eating habits that bring the benefits of weight loss and longevity of life.

The best-selling paperback series entitled, Eat This Not That! presents the reader with thousands of simple food swaps that can save individuals 10, 20, 30 pounds – or more! Once people are informed of hefty caloric content in foods they routinely consume and change over to healthier items, they discover weight-loss as well as increased energy! Examples of items the author exhorts us to replace (calories follow):

Cinnabon classic cinnamon roll--813
Outback cheese fries w ranch--2900
Uno classic d.d.personal pizza--2300
Panera Sierra turkey sandwich--840
Pizza Hut 4 slices supreme pan pizza with pepperoni--1672
Starbucks bran nut muffin w Venti white hot choc--1530
Ruby Tuesday Bella turkey burger--1145
McDonald's hotcakes w biscuit w/o syrup n margarine--1090

Scary, huh? Yet as scripture tells us to add to our "knowledge, self-control…" (2 Pet 1:6), once we're informed, we can exercise self-control in making better choices.

So here goes. These are not presented in some rigid, legalistic way but rather as practical suggestions enabling you to save money God's "little by little" way and have more to give.

10 SPECIFIC WAYS TO SAVE $10,000

Renounce all impulse buying and commit to live by this pledge: If I can't afford it – I don't need it. If I need it – I'll save for it. Remember the biblical admonition: "Owe no man anything..."(Rom 13:8).
Enjoy the free cup of coffee offered by most local grocery chains and forgo the daily Starbucks "specialty" routine. Incredible as it may seem, this will save you over $1200 annually. If you skip that breakfast bagel/roll/sandwich, you'll save an additional $1500-$1800. That total comes to $3,000!
In winter, lower your thermostat to 62 degress;wear sweaters; use inexpensive oil heaters and close off rooms/vents not being used. This actually is not only cheaper, it's healthier!
Buy gas at Costco or similar discount stores to save $.10 a gallon! This adds up to thousands of dollars yearly.
Pray then purchase pre-owned cars versus the latest luxury model which depreciates markedly when driven off the lot! I love my 2000 red &reliable Honda coupe that I got for $4400 a decade ago. Billionaire Warren Buffett drives a similar Honda and lives in the same house he bought in 1957. The IKEA founder drives a 10-year-old Volvo while Walmart heir Jim Walton drives a 15-year-old pickup truck! Regarding selection of an automobile, to each his own, but don't get snared with payments, pricey repairs and status symbols.
Unless there's some scholarship or major financial aid, don't be fooled thinking my child MUST go to some prestigious out-of-state school to succeed. Read the Wall Street Journal on "Employers Favor State Schools for Hire" or the book "How I Got Through College Without Loans,Debt or Mooching Off My Parents" for eye-openers. Payment plans for local colleges can average $250 a week. Count the cost here to avoid tens of thousands of debt requiring payback for sometime decades.
Look for bargains! My Messianic Jewish friend of 35 years, Bob Weiner, always chides me, "Larry, you know why God created Gentiles? He knew somebody would have to pay retail!" Consider...Go to movies between 4 and 6 PM when it's 1/2 price. Buy Christmas, birthday and anniversary gifts for the future after the holidays when stores like Barnes & Noble and Target offer items up to 80 percent off. Get generic prescription drugs that can be 75-85 percent less than advertised brands. Purchase in bulk at discount superstores. Don't rent DVDs regularly but go to your library with hundreds of great, free DVDs. Bring home all the toiletries from the motels when you travel. Reuse grocery plastic bags as wastebasket liners. If you have a cable system, regularly call and cash in on discounts, specials and make appeals to lower your rates as a loyal customer. Instead of rushing off to the cleaners, get a "wrinkle free"spray to restore items of clothing. There's so many more creative ways to be good stewards and save money but these are just a few that come to mind.
Save on water bills by turning off water during toothbrushing; waiting until you have a full load for the washer; shorten your shower times or "wet, off, soap,rinse,done!"
If you are pregnant and not a high-risk pregnancy, how about prayerfully considering the option of a skilled and caring midwife? Outside the United States, 80 percent of babies are born under the care of midwives. Two of our three children were born this way. Hospital costs can run into the tens of thousands. Epidurals--$5000. A C-section--$12,000. While not for everyone, an average $600 bill for a midwife can be an attractive draw in these economically challenged times.
This one is the most important one of them all! Worshiping God with our tithes, offerings and charitable gifts in accordance with the Malachi 3:8--12 "Covenant of Blessing" is a sure way to experience godly abundance and prosperity. As someone once said, "Everyone tithes--either to the Lord or to the doctor, the dentist or the car mechanic."

Difficult days are before us as we close out a year and look to a new one. Reread in the gospels what Jesus foretells concerning the days prior to His return. In these days, Proverbs exhorts us, "The prudent man sees danger and hides himself. The fool goes on and suffers for it." Let's be prudent in preparing spiritually and economically for whatever lies ahead.

Larry Tomczak is a best-selling author and cultural commentator with over 40 years of trusted ministry experience. His passion is to bring perspective, analysis and insight from a biblical worldview. He loves people and loves awakening them to today's cultural realities and the responses needed for the bride of Christ—His church—to become influential in all spheres of life once again.