My Wish Book for Saving Money

Mrs. White's wish book.

In an effort to spend less money this year, I decided I needed a wish book. All through the year there are things that distract me with a sense of want.  There are little things I want to buy that do not cost much money. However, if I were to purchase every one of them, I would have no money at all.  The solution for me is to keep a wish book.

Money is for food, clothing, shelter, and to help those in need. We must not be frivolous or wasteful. It is not okay for me to have things any time I want them. Yet, there is a time and a place for special gifts and treats. The best time for a present is a birthday, holiday, or on Mother's day.

My wish book is one of those blank, lined journals.  The cover is very pretty and reminds me of quiet, simple days. It makes me think of old country living and the beauty of homemaking. There is a beautiful farm house off in the distance, a lovely sunset, a large, carefully tended garden, and a homemade quilt on the clothesline. I think the cover is an ideal image for a book to write about simple things that I would like to have someday.

Here is how it works:

I write the date, the name of the item I would like, and then leave a space on the right for whenever I am able to have this wish fulfilled. I will include the date it happens as well.

The things I would like are very simple and inexpensive.  I will give you some examples:

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1.  "Little One, God Loves You" (Board book)

 I want to add books to our home library. I like to keep an ongoing assortment of sweet books that my grandchildren can read whenever they visit here. This book is so sweet and precious:

2.  "Peony Garden Journal" (notebook by Peter Pauper Press)

 I would like a lovely floral book to keep track of my garden.  I want to write out the dates for planting, the dates of the first harvest, and little notes on how the garden is doing.  The design on this notebook is calming and elegant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  "Help for our Healing" (sermon by Dr. Charles Stanley, from In Touch Ministries, on DVD)

 I have a collection of sermons on both DVD and CD.  I have heard this sermon before and have taken notes. It is a good one that I would like to see again and again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  "The Greatness of God" (sermon by Dr. Charles Stanley, from In Touch Ministries, on CD)

 This is an excellent sermon that I watched the other day. I am told it is not available on DVD. It is only offered on CD. I would love to listen to this one again and again. I am working on building up a large collection of sermons on both CD and DVD, here at our home library.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.  "Midnight Floral Journal" (notebook by Peter Pauper Press)

 I would like to add some extra beauty to my finances. I would use this stunning notebook for my budget. Normally I use a composition notebook, but in my effort to surround myself with gentle beauty, here at home, to bring cheer and happiness to my days, I would like this pretty book for my budgeting work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.  "Peony Garden Desk Notes" (note pad with gift box by Peter Pauper Press)

Every time I go to make a grocery list, I use a small piece of paper. This floral box of notepaper is ideal for bringing pretty things to my desk with a good purpose. Once the box is empty I can refill it with scrap paper and continue to use it.

 

 

 

 

 

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This list of a variety of things will give you an idea of what I have in my wish book.  It is okay to want things. It is okay to receive a gift. But there must be waiting and patience and frugality in order to reach the essential goal of saving money. 

This year is a good year to avoid spending money as much as possible. Keeping a little wish book is a great tool to help us dream about little treasures that we might someday have. 

 

On the first page of my wish book, I will write the precious verse: 

 "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." - Psalm 37:4

 

I will always strive to remember that if the Lord wanted me to have these things, he will find a way to provide. And if not, I will still be grateful and at peace. I will leave that with him and rest content.

 

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

The beautiful testimony of the Mother of D.L. Moody - Poverty in the 1800's. 

Excellent advice from Colonial Days - To Earn and not to Spend. 

Peaceful, Old Fashioned Living - Retirement Planning for the Poor.

 

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