Here are some things we do:

- Tithing. This is the foundation of our financial survival because without
it we cannot expect God’s help. We pay tithing religiously (pun intended)
and that is how we can make it. It’s surprising to me how many people know this, from lots of different churches. It’s one of those things that in order to know that it works, you have to do it.

- Clothing: Thrift stores are your friend. That is where most of my clothing
comes from, and though I’m not stylish, I try to be neat and comely. I have
a free source for slightly imperfect women’s clothing that dresses my wife and our older daughters very nicely. For the younger ones, it’s helpful to know other parents of young children with whom we exchange baby’s and children’s clothing (not to mention maternity clothes). Jacob’s had so many clothes given him we won’t have to buy him any for at least a year.

Knowing how to sew is a big benefit as well. It means when the kids tear something they’re wearing (imagine that!) you can just sew it up and keep going. You don’t have to buy anything new. The current rage for patches and sparkles of all kinds on girls’ pants only works in our favor in that department.

- Food: Of course we have the garden. It’s doing far better this year than it did last, and we plan to have plenty of vegetables to can and freeze before the snow falls this year. The greenhouse will help extend the growing season, once I have it built.

The budget provides Jess $600 a month for all food expenses. That means she doesn’t buy a lot of prepared food; she buys staples and cooks from scratch. We also use a substantial food storage, as I’ve mentioned in a previous post. It helps that we can make so much of what we eat. This morning we had homemade french toast made of with bread I made, eggs from the ducks, and syrup Jess made.

Jess has learned to make meat an accent in her meals, instead of a feature. We eat less meat that way, which is healthier and cheaper. Every year we buy a side of beef and half a hog from a local butcher. Jess has acquiesced to the idea of buying a live hog next year; and in the fall some friends in town will butcher it for us. And I think I just might try to get a deer this year. That’s a sight cheaper than beef! (We just have to get used to the taste of venison.)