My Husband Mr. Thrifty - You Have Not Because You Ask Not
Posted: Saturday, January 23, 2010
by Michelle Mackin
Blogz.org Higher Level Blogging
When it comes to money my husband has got to be one of the thriftiest men around. Yep, he
can stretch a dollar every which way... except Safeway. Really! He never ceases to amaze me.
Just when I least expect it, he's pulling out a wad of money. Now, you might not think this is much of an accomplishment, so I should probably inform you that as a pastor my husband doesn't make much money at all. No, pastors don't get paid much. At least, not this one. But, he keeps a pretty good attitude about it.
One of my husband's favorite Bible passages is, "Silver or gold have I not, but such as I have give I thee." Now, how can a Christian woman argue with that? So, I'm not complaining.
But, for a man with a very limited income, my husband does the best he can with what he has and the way he does that is through thrift. He is frugal, economical, careful, cautious, prudent and sparing. He sacrifices. He saves. He pinches his pennies.
Still, my husband is not stingy, miserly or selfish. He is a generous man and even tithes. On what? I don't know. Where does he get it from? I don't know... I'm still trying to figure that out. But, he gets it.
Now, the reason I bring this all up is because my husband has some rather amusing tendencies in his thrift. Just some of them include:
Saving discarded glass jars for grease.
Saving empty coffee cans for trash.
Saving canceled stamps, old coins and old books.
Saving bar soap the size of a peanut in a container.
Saving old toothbrushes for work brushes.
Saving tooth paste tubes that still have a few tight squeezes left in them.
Making three meals out of one.
Picking up change whenever he sees it on the ground.
OK... You get the idea. He does dozens of things like this. All of them in his effort to stretch his dollar.
But, recently he came up with a real whopper of an idea for saving. It was one of those ideas that make you wrinkle your nose back and curl your lips as you say, "What in the heck are you thinking?"
We were sitting and having a cup of coffee, when my husband, in a matter of fact tone, said, "I know how I can save money."
"How?" I asked, peering over my cup.
"Why can't we just throw the Q-tips in the washing machine? They're made out of cotton, aren't they?"
I have to admit, I was speechless for a moment. But, as he persisted with the idea, my nose began to wrinkle back... the lips pulled back exposing my teeth and my gums. Now, I don't know about you, but the thought was so disgusting that I almost got sick.
"You have got to be kidding!" I replied.
"Why can't we wash Q-tips?" he asked laughing.
"No, Dear. It ain't gonna happen."
He laughed, we laughed and the whole matter was forgotten. But, that's my husband for you. That's my Mr. Thrifty. God bless him.
Now, I've got to go find him. He was headed off to the laundry room, mumbling something about recycling lint from the dryer for insulation or padding or something... But, before I go, think about helping this poor old pastor and his wife out. The Bible says, "You have not, because you ask not." Well, I'm asking. Lord, I'm asking.
Michelle Mackin is a pastor's wife. While working in business and bookkeeping she is a mother of three and grandmother of three. While her first desire is to serve the Lord, she also loves music, puzzles, lakes and the ocean. Michelle has no time to get bored. To read other articles go to Wordcasters, http://blogzorg.ning.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)My dear Michelle,You make me giggle all the way down reading this funny article also because of the title that I have to look it twice to make sure to pinch the pennies and not the penis and I'm relieved not that one.About the ways Mark handles things at home it's more or less what I do here at times like the remaining toothpaste, the tiny soap bars (gather up enough and place them in a piece of cloth (slightly moist) and gently pat to make a larger piece) for handwash. It is hard to squeeze the remaining toothpaste just cut it into two parts and there you just easily brush it with your toothbrush. Each of you have one part.Very amusing home event. I enjoy this piece!Thank you so much Hilda,I was actually thinking of telling him to save his shampoo bubbles and recycle those into one of his jars. Then he could sift out the dirt and reuse those. LOL. What do you think?Love, hugs and blessings always,Michelle
This is hilarious but it reminds me of my auntie and my mum!! Mum refuses to have hot running water in the tap and boils kettles, she never has a light on in the room she's not using and her has storage heaters that only go on for a short amount of time. Admitidly, she does have a warm shower but usually just has a wash in the sink usig the kettle water. She spends her money in charity shops and makes her meet last several days. She does have money but she gives it all to support her grandchildren. She enjoys living life this way so she tells me! She hasn't even been christened because her mum didn't bother to sort it out! Well, I think she deserves to be at least Christened don't you?!!!!!Lovely to hear about your husbands way of living. I'm afraid myself and my two children, although we are not materialistic, would never survive under such a strict regime!!!ElfredaI hear you loud and clear Elfreda,I am not at all materialistic yet there comes a point where I have snarl at Mr. Thrifty. Then he wonders why things go bump in the night. LOL.Love, hugs and blessings,Michelle
Great article Michelle. Had a really good laugh over the Q tips thing.Keep your wonderful attitude and sense of humor, and keep sharing all that with us.Thanks Joyce,My children are under the delusion that we are old and have a boring life. It is not that way at all. We can have fun even with Q tips. I also believe that Mark is secretly trying to find a way to recycle plastic toothepicks, YUK! I really have to draw the line.Love, hugs and blessings,Michelle
thanks my dear - needed a giggle - hey, the cast must have come off?!! Blessings on Monday, MarijoThanks Marijo,Yes, the cast is off, yet my arm and wrist have absolutely no strength. The doctor gave me six weeks to strengthen it or I may have to deal with PT. I think I will work it myself and save some $$$. You know, be like dear Mark..Mr. Thrifty! LOLLove, hugs and blessings always,Michelle
Good article sweetie, glad to see you are writing again. Love you, MomPS: I recycle my soap bars too.I am writing again slowy but surely. I took that US =Census Test toay and passed to my surprisel. We'll see what happens.Love you Mom,Michelle
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