Getting By without Debt

LOC: Sitting by the fireplace around 1925.

I was out in the rain doing errands. There was a chill and a weariness about me that made me long for home.  I looked forward to a cozy fire in the pellet stove and a comfortable room where I could rest.  But when I walked into the house, I found a cold and empty parlour.  It was soon explained to me that the wood pellet stove was broken.

I put on a thick house robe and made some tea.  There was nothing I could do about the broken stove.  I had to find another way to get warmed and rested. We pulled out a little space heater and set it up in the parlour.  It was nice to sit right next to it and get a bit of warmth and heat. 

In these modern days of central heat and efficient homes it is hard to imagine being cold. It used to be that people would gather around the fireplace where they could get warm.  There were times when there was a rocking chair by the kitchen stove. This was where the family spent their time staying cozy until bedtime. Then they would hurry upstairs to get under a pile of warm quilts.  Being cold was just the way it was. But those wood stoves were so comforting and helped keep out the chill.

Here in Northern Vermont, our winters are long and cold.  It is common for us to need the wood pellet stove into the month of May.  As spring comes along, it is needed less often, but always for a little while each day to keep the chilly air out of our house.  

Whenever there is a sudden expense we are facing, we have to stop and consider.  We cannot just spend money or place an order for these necessary things in life. Nobody is made of money. We have to get by and make do so that we have time to save up for the expense. We need to find a way to hang on and just do the best we can until money is available.

After careful investigation of our pellet stove, my husband has found the need for a replacement part.  He has been maintaining and repairing these types of stoves for us over the years.  The part he needs will cost a few hundred dollars.  It would be normal these days for people to get out a credit card and go into debt to get such a necessary part. But we cannot live on borrowed money. We only have the means to live within a careful budget. There are always going to be extra financial needs that come up. We can only handle a certain amount each month.  We cannot live in a way that is beyond our means. This would be dangerous and could leave one in dire circumstances.  Living within one's budget means we have to learn how to make do and to get by. This is common, old time living.

Brighter days will come.  There will not always be hardships. But when we have to endure some hard days because of our financial circumstances, we will come out of this with a feeling of peace and rest knowing it is the Lord who takes care of His children. He will always provide in His perfect timing. We will simply get by and make do, waiting for the storm clouds to clear. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

 

From the Archives -

Remembering my Childhood - When Television was Special. 

Some Encouragement - Why The High Cost of Food?

The Way it Was in the Old Days - Retirement Planning for the Poor. 

 

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