As the Gregorian calendar year concludes this week, many think of resolutions. I don't think so much of resolutions as that feels like the ticket to a let down, and the first Biblical calendar month is in the spring. I do consider two things this time of year, however; that seem a bit like a resolution. I keep the standard business year regarding profit, loss, and taxes, so I do make certain economic assessments at this time. The other thought is in regard to weight management . . . It's not a New Year's resolution so much as I know, I do not want to begin the Biblical year 20 pounds heavier, so I resolve to maintain my weight. Enough about that, back to the economic assessment.
Being self-employed, I don't receive a tax refund, so figuring my taxes isn't as exciting as it is for many. Mine are more a matter of just getting it done and behind me for the year. For those who will receive a tax refund, the figuring begins as soon as the W2s arrive. This year's refund could be a new economic start for some. The tax refund may not eliminate all the financial issues, but for many it's a substantial amount of money that can be used to eliminate a debt or put toward an investment. The tax refund is not part of the regular budget!
Americans have been programmed to believe we must borrow our way into the American dream. I speak from experience on this following statement. One has to remain asleep to keep a dream alive! We can fall into debt, but we cannot fall out of it. We must determine to become debt free. The Bible does refer to debt and it's not mentioned as sin, but rather servitude. Proverbs tells us the borrower is servant to the lender. That applies to credit cards, banks, payday loans and cash for car titles.
Banks have more fees and the feds' printing presses have slowed, so the "cost" of money is going to go up. Meanwhile downtown businesses have not been restored. Construction is not booming in the suburbs, and many who lost their homes in this great recession, continue to be homeless. The only restoration that we have really seen is the Stock Market and we already know, the fat cats don't lose their footing when the house of cards collapses. The folks in Washington seem to weather economic storms well, also. What's left of the Middle Class has hung on, but it wouldn't take much of a shift to reduce that class to the chasm between the elite and the impoverished servants. Congress very recently passed legislation for further protection of the banking industry. Another economic issue is on the horizon . . . Debt will be a hindrance.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Energy
This issue has been addressed before here at the Goshen Gazette, but this time of year it bears repeating. Many, many folks are just feeling drained, stressed, and exhausted. Tis the season . . . The days are short, the nights are long, and for most, the month outlasts the money. As if those variables weren't enough, we humans seem to live to bring disharmony and share dysfunction, while calling it celebration. We can wear ourselves out!
As I thought of the lifestyle I used to have, I am so thankful for the change Abba has brought. I've known for years, when it comes to tithing on earnings, a person can do a lot more with a blessed 90% than with 100% in disobedience. Now, I've applied that to time and energy as well. We've discussed the daily time tithe, and to be honest, not all days go as abundantly as others, but I'm realizing this same principle applies to my energy! The way I spend my energy completely determines my level of exhaustion or exuberance.
Before following Messiah, my career involved frequently being on call. That translates to often working Sabbath, but definitely being available for work 24/7 some weeks. I'm still available 24/7, but only 24/6 for business. Sabbath is reserved for Abba, Y'hshuwah, and rest. Sometimes I am blessed to fellowship and sometimes there is an ox in the ditch, but there are no plans of work and certainly no buying or selling. That alone has made all the difference in my health.
As the pressures of holidays feel like a vice this coming week, be sure to take the time tithe with Abba. Meet Messiah in "the garden" and be renewed. Regardless of what you celebrate or don't celebrate, even the grocery stores have an anxiety buzz about them as shoppers prepare for gatherings, or simply choose to take advantage of a few sale items. Stress is just higher this time of year, so energy wanes more rapidly. Our Creator is the only source of renewed energy, and cutting oneself off from Him to embrace the traditions of man will actually be draining.
I have found myself starting to give into a few ideas of holiday dread, but as I realize what I'm doing, I determine in my heart and mind to walk out II Corinthians 10:4-5 with Philippians 4:8
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through G-d to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of G-d, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Messiah;
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
It's amazing how many stressors simply fly out of my thoughts as I implement these passages.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Counting the Cost
We're going to talk money and food today. I know neither of these topics really have any value in the kingdom economy, but the way we spend one to obtain the other does have a bearing on what we have left for greater causes. Eating out, for those of us who keep kosher can be a challenge. We never have any idea what's cooked next to what.
A friend introduced me to the dining experience of a Mongolian Grill. It seemed to have real potential. Since they are constantly cleaning the grill, I could choose the least busy time to dine and avoid any potential treif next to my dinner. The buffet is comprised primarily of vegetables, and although I think there is crab in the evening, the main choices of meat are chicken and beef. It seemed simple enough to just take a bowl, place my choice of ingredients in the bowl, add some pepper sauce of sorts, and hand it to the grill chef.
While the chef mans the grill, we were to stand and watch the food prepared. Of course, the chef does provide skilled entertainment of sorts and scoops the finished product onto a plate. He smiles as he hands the plate over the counter very close to the "jar" and the gong. I can then add sunflower seeds, wasabi, and head to the table. In the meantime, the waitress has brought a beverage and rice to the table for my dining pleasure. In checking my facts, I have discovered the HuHot's Mongolian Grill refers to their chefs as "Grill Warriors."
As I casually ate my meal, and it was good; I glanced through the menu for the cost of this buffet as well as the appetizers and overpriced desserts. Being left handed, I think the right side of my brain is supposed to be dominant. At any rate, it kicked in as I looked at prices while dining. Maybe that's why I never got into reading cereal boxes. The right side of my brain wasn't needed as there was virtually no math on a cereal box, yet I digress . . . Back to my eating and "calculating."
The "cereal bowl" in which I had gathered my grill goodies held probably, at most $2.00 worth of finely sliced and diced chicken and veggies with pepper sauce; for $8.99. It is all you can eat, so I did have the option to fill another cereal bowl, if I so chose, but one plate really did seem adequate. Maybe a few more pea pods or bamboo shoots, but I was full and satisfied, except I found myself discontent with the cost of the meal. I didn't want to sit there and "eat my money's worth." I wanted the meal to be more economical. Now, here's the kicker that caused me to rethink this establishment.
Upon entering the establishment through lunch hours, $8.99 is a given. When Mr. B and I went together, that was two people to be "served," so there were two meals to grill and two glasses of water . . . For $17.98, there were two plates, lovely as they were, exceedingly overpriced for veggies and paper thin meat. That's not all, though, a 20% tip: 3.60, even 15% is 2.70, then the grill chef's tip. Even a dollar a plate is an additional $2.00 and I'm sure someone reading this just called me cheap . . . So, for two people to have lunch with minimal tips, the cost is $22.68 + tax. That's over $11.00 a piece for a couple of dollars worth of veggies AND I served myself and another person at the table.
The food was good. I have no complaints about the freshness or the quality of preparation. I will, however; probably not return to HuHot's Mongolian Grill. That is an outrageous cost for lunch and I could do something much more meaningful with that money.
A friend introduced me to the dining experience of a Mongolian Grill. It seemed to have real potential. Since they are constantly cleaning the grill, I could choose the least busy time to dine and avoid any potential treif next to my dinner. The buffet is comprised primarily of vegetables, and although I think there is crab in the evening, the main choices of meat are chicken and beef. It seemed simple enough to just take a bowl, place my choice of ingredients in the bowl, add some pepper sauce of sorts, and hand it to the grill chef.
While the chef mans the grill, we were to stand and watch the food prepared. Of course, the chef does provide skilled entertainment of sorts and scoops the finished product onto a plate. He smiles as he hands the plate over the counter very close to the "jar" and the gong. I can then add sunflower seeds, wasabi, and head to the table. In the meantime, the waitress has brought a beverage and rice to the table for my dining pleasure. In checking my facts, I have discovered the HuHot's Mongolian Grill refers to their chefs as "Grill Warriors."
As I casually ate my meal, and it was good; I glanced through the menu for the cost of this buffet as well as the appetizers and overpriced desserts. Being left handed, I think the right side of my brain is supposed to be dominant. At any rate, it kicked in as I looked at prices while dining. Maybe that's why I never got into reading cereal boxes. The right side of my brain wasn't needed as there was virtually no math on a cereal box, yet I digress . . . Back to my eating and "calculating."
The "cereal bowl" in which I had gathered my grill goodies held probably, at most $2.00 worth of finely sliced and diced chicken and veggies with pepper sauce; for $8.99. It is all you can eat, so I did have the option to fill another cereal bowl, if I so chose, but one plate really did seem adequate. Maybe a few more pea pods or bamboo shoots, but I was full and satisfied, except I found myself discontent with the cost of the meal. I didn't want to sit there and "eat my money's worth." I wanted the meal to be more economical. Now, here's the kicker that caused me to rethink this establishment.
Upon entering the establishment through lunch hours, $8.99 is a given. When Mr. B and I went together, that was two people to be "served," so there were two meals to grill and two glasses of water . . . For $17.98, there were two plates, lovely as they were, exceedingly overpriced for veggies and paper thin meat. That's not all, though, a 20% tip: 3.60, even 15% is 2.70, then the grill chef's tip. Even a dollar a plate is an additional $2.00 and I'm sure someone reading this just called me cheap . . . So, for two people to have lunch with minimal tips, the cost is $22.68 + tax. That's over $11.00 a piece for a couple of dollars worth of veggies AND I served myself and another person at the table.
The food was good. I have no complaints about the freshness or the quality of preparation. I will, however; probably not return to HuHot's Mongolian Grill. That is an outrageous cost for lunch and I could do something much more meaningful with that money.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Time is More Valuable Than Money
I've done a great deal of comparison and differentiation when it comes to time and money versus the world system and the Kingdom, but something very simple dawned upon me this week that has to be shared. It's such a basic fact, everyone may already know this! The truth is short and it's up to us as to whether it's bitter or sweet.
Money poorly spent, can often be "made up" if the amount isn't too large. A poor financial investment can be rectified and the money applied another direction. Even bad debt can be paid off, or in severe cases, bankruptcy can offer a clean slate. But time misspent and poorly invested is lost forever . . . We are each given so many hours in a day, and no one is guaranteed tomorrow.
Money can be made and replaced and the Fed can just print it, but . . . time spent, good or bad, is spent.
Money poorly spent, can often be "made up" if the amount isn't too large. A poor financial investment can be rectified and the money applied another direction. Even bad debt can be paid off, or in severe cases, bankruptcy can offer a clean slate. But time misspent and poorly invested is lost forever . . . We are each given so many hours in a day, and no one is guaranteed tomorrow.
Money can be made and replaced and the Fed can just print it, but . . . time spent, good or bad, is spent.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Paying Forward
The title of this article is a term that really doesn't set well with me, politically speaking, but it seems appropriate for the grocery store. I'd like to appeal to all those who receive a discount, primarily senior. This does not apply to those who are having to decide between filling a prescription or eating cat food, but rather to those of us who are still actively in the workforce, but our silver locks afford us a discount on certain days. Honestly, I really cannot understand how I should be more deserving of a discount than a young couple trying to feed and clothe their family.
I've been on this soapbox before, but I've gotten to know some of the cashiers at the local grocery store. We're not organizing a club or anything, and bless their hearts, there's no gossip going on. There are young families in real need and any little bit of assistance is greatly appreciated by the clerks. They've shared with me, how heart breaking it is to watch someone start putting things back, especially when it's simple staples like bread and milk at the end of the month. These are not people who have a cart full of ready made food and children screaming for candy. These are people who are what we now know as "the working poor." How can this be, in America?
Mr. B dropped me off at the market the other day and he headed to O'Reilly's. I knew I should take my time and I did, but I still ended up at the end of one of the checkouts for awhile and that's when I got to see what is happening. I try to make it a point to go on Tuesday, which is senior discount day. As it turns out, the senior discount is about the same percentage as the tax rate, so I can estimate what it will be. The store was quite busy, so I was able to witness several transactions. Of course, there were several seniors that seem to make a point to shop on the discount day. There were several younger shoppers also though. Perhaps they were taking advantage of the advertised sales before they changed or avoiding the pre-Thanksgiving Wednesday shoppers. At any rate, I watched the majority of the crowd pay with plastic. It could have been debit cards or SNAP benefit cards. I couldn't tell, but it is also possible to use credit cards at the grocery store. Can you imagine paying interest on a gallon of milk, loaf of bread, and toilet tissue?
When I turned 55, I determined my senior discount would serve a better purpose than giving me a discount on dog food and coffee. The cashiers will work you on this. As the cashier spoke the other day, she shared that "she has a pretty good idea of the regulars who are struggling." It's the only grocery store in town. A few dollars discounted is not going to change whether or not I am supplied, but a few dollars for a young struggling family may be the difference between a gallon of milk, or going without. As an aging boomer, I really did want to leave the next generations a better world, but now as a Bible believer, I know that simply is not going to happen. As a Bible believer, however; I can leave my change and redirect my senior discount, paying forward, to "feed the lambs."
I've been on this soapbox before, but I've gotten to know some of the cashiers at the local grocery store. We're not organizing a club or anything, and bless their hearts, there's no gossip going on. There are young families in real need and any little bit of assistance is greatly appreciated by the clerks. They've shared with me, how heart breaking it is to watch someone start putting things back, especially when it's simple staples like bread and milk at the end of the month. These are not people who have a cart full of ready made food and children screaming for candy. These are people who are what we now know as "the working poor." How can this be, in America?
Mr. B dropped me off at the market the other day and he headed to O'Reilly's. I knew I should take my time and I did, but I still ended up at the end of one of the checkouts for awhile and that's when I got to see what is happening. I try to make it a point to go on Tuesday, which is senior discount day. As it turns out, the senior discount is about the same percentage as the tax rate, so I can estimate what it will be. The store was quite busy, so I was able to witness several transactions. Of course, there were several seniors that seem to make a point to shop on the discount day. There were several younger shoppers also though. Perhaps they were taking advantage of the advertised sales before they changed or avoiding the pre-Thanksgiving Wednesday shoppers. At any rate, I watched the majority of the crowd pay with plastic. It could have been debit cards or SNAP benefit cards. I couldn't tell, but it is also possible to use credit cards at the grocery store. Can you imagine paying interest on a gallon of milk, loaf of bread, and toilet tissue?
When I turned 55, I determined my senior discount would serve a better purpose than giving me a discount on dog food and coffee. The cashiers will work you on this. As the cashier spoke the other day, she shared that "she has a pretty good idea of the regulars who are struggling." It's the only grocery store in town. A few dollars discounted is not going to change whether or not I am supplied, but a few dollars for a young struggling family may be the difference between a gallon of milk, or going without. As an aging boomer, I really did want to leave the next generations a better world, but now as a Bible believer, I know that simply is not going to happen. As a Bible believer, however; I can leave my change and redirect my senior discount, paying forward, to "feed the lambs."
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