Positive Hits PER

April 1, 2011

I really enjoy it when complexity is made simple!  It feels like too many times we try to make God’s enduring message more difficult than it is…

When we come to realize that our salvation has so little to do with our own doing, and everything to do with what Christ did on the cross – freedom prospers.

Good works are great, but they will never be a bridge to heaven, only through the grace, and mercy of Jesus’ sacrifice do we gain salvation!

Simply Profound!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrLzYw6ULYw

March 31, 2011

Mike Kelly’s 9 ways to save

To help stretch your budget a little further in these tight times,  here are a couple of ideas that might help out!

1. The Grocery List is King – making a grocery list in advance can help with those impulse buys that end up sitting in the fridge or adding extra calories while in the checkout line. It can also help with preplanning meals that are a lot healthier. Also, making a grocery list makes it a lot easier to know what coupons to look for.

2. Coupons aren’t just for little old ladies – Coupons are now my best friend, and I love the convenience of being able to search any number of online sites for coupons, and coupon codes that can be used instantly. I’ve gotten to the point where I’ll do a search for just about any merchant to check coupons before making a purchase.

3. Can I see a menu? – I love that my wife seems to always to have an idea of what she wants to cook for the week. This makes it easier to make a grocery list, find coupons, plan for left over nights, and even know which day local restaurants are running discount meals.

4. The Library – The great thing about libraries is that they are really trying to meet the growing needs of the public. Many libraries are now offering not only print, but DVDs, and books on both CD, and Mp3. If you’re still into flipping the pages of magazine, or book you can usually find a very wide selection of both. The best thing is most libraries now have an online search database that will allow you to search, place on hold, and renew the item you want.

5. Pay Cash! – This is quickly becoming more, and more difficult these days, it feels like even gas stations are against cash…. who wants the hassle of prepaying for a estimated amount of when you might have to go back inside to collect your change after pumping? The thing is lots of gas stations are also hitting your account with a $100 hold until they receive full payment for your automatic purchase. There are even figures that state that most Americans spend upwards of an extra 12-18 percent more when making a credit or debit purchase. Not to mention, late fees, interest, and all the rest from our friendly credit card companies…. Though it may be a bit of a pain, plan out how much you intend to spend, and stop when you’re out.

6. Unplug – It seems like common sense, but turning off unused electrical devices like chargers, TV’s, and microwaves can help save money as well. Simply put that little blinking clock or standby light isn’t turned on by magic!

7. After Holiday Sales! – This might get me into trouble with some people, but going shopping after Christmas is one of the best times of the year to save. My wife and I put off buying each other gifts until after Christmas, and really ended up saving a lot of money! Sometimes the pickings can be a little slim, but there is nothing like getting something on sale for 65-75% off one day after it was retail (just goes to show how much the mark up must be).

8. Stream it! – One of the first things I think I noticed when I got back to the US from Thailand was how depressing all the commercials are in America. I’m not just talking about the sheer amount of mindless junk there is to buy, but really how depressed I started to feel. It felt like every other commercial was talking about some disease I might have, and some drug that would make it all better, and then would end up causing even worse side effects…. I can’t believe how many drug commercials there are! Not to mention I have to waste anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes of my hour long program watching people tell me what I don’t have, and why I should buy it. It can be exhausting! The remedy? Stream it! There are now numerous streaming sites that can connect directly to a media device, DVD player, or even a TV. It’s usually worth the initial investment to get away from all of the high satellite, and cable bills.

9. Simplify! – Do we really need to keep up with the Jones’s? Living contently with what we have now is a prime way to save money. Do we really need a new smart phone each year? Do we really need a new car, bigger TV, or new clothes? It’s unbelievable what we spend our money on, and then how much we suffer after we make the purchases. God has called us to be good stewards of what we have. Many times if we take an “attitude of gratitude” to what we have, it can lessen the desire to spend for new, bigger or better.

If you have any additional ideas, please feel free to post them below!

Be Well!

Mike Kelly