“Can I Tell You Why?” | Originally Published July 21, 2023
You may have noticed that I have a love for novels and knitting. And I love sharing those passions with my community in a way that benefits my fellow mamas and their kiddos.
You also may be wondering why on earth I talk so much about . . . budgeting.
“Hold up, rewind. I was told there would be no math.”
So, why am I so passionate about budgeting when the topic itself is so . . .
boring . . . restrictive . . . complicated?
Honestly, I might be the only person who gets so fired up about starting a budget, and that’s okay.
Because it’s not the budget that makes me so excited. (Although, I do really love numbers and their constant reliability!)
It’s the why behind the budget
that I want to share with others. The accomplishment and peace of mind that accompanies the dedication of maintaining a budget is what I want other moms to feel.
Because mothering from that place of contentment, without the worry of financial burden and fear of the unknown, makes all the other areas of parenting a little easier. Less stress equals more enjoyment of the things we love.
And I know we can all use a little more of that!
Every child deserves a mom who enjoys him more and more each day. A mom who can be fully present with her during read-alouds and tea time conversations!
When my oldest son was seven months old, I became a single mom. The realization that I would have to go back to work full-time to support the two of us was devastating. I had been looking forward to motherhood and all the new beginnings it would bring, but those dreams of being home with my babies were dashed from the beginning.
Someone else would get to care for my baby every day while I was gone at work. I wouldn’t get to be the stay-at-home mom that I’d imagined being. I would have to miss so many new beginnings in motherhood.
The loss felt too overwhelming.
Eventually, after daily obedience putting one foot in front of the other, I began to settle in to this new normal. God began to validate my loss and confirm His purpose in my heartache. He helped me get away from pity parties asking, “Why me?” and focus on the good things, like the precious time my son and mom would get to spend together every day. The constant presence my dad and brothers had in my son’s life.
And it turned out that I still really loved the working world, and thrived as a businesswoman. The Lord knew that this detour would be included in my story, and the way He wired me accommodated that shift. He gave me a work setting where I would be recharged around people during the day, and get lost in my work so the hours flew by.
I would “come home from work” to my childhood home for a family meal around the table with my parents and son before bringing him home for bedtime.
Family. Friendship. Routine. Stability.
With these staples, I was able to make it through those unexpected years with grace. God has definitely redeemed that season of my life, and I can see now how He has used so much of the hard to develop the good in my life, then and now.
The years of working away from home while my first son was young has allowed me to now work from home while raising all four of my sons alongside my husband. Not only did my career provide for my family of two so many years ago, it gave me the experience and expertise to be able to provide for my family of six during my husband’s transition from a year and a half of unemployment to self-employed, back to traditionally employed with his own growing writing business.
I’m grateful for my office job as an accountant back in the day, even though the nature of that necessity kept me away from my baby during the week. Because it paved the way so that 18 years later I can help other stay-at-home moms pour into their own children using the resources I developed during my years of sacrifice and longing.
I don’t want other moms to feel the pressure to give their precious time away to an employer when they have so many better things to do at home.
So I’ve started creating digital budgeting products to allow moms to contribute to their family’s financial goals without getting a job that takes her away from home.
My Lowe Budget Products were started with the purpose of serving my stay-at-home mom friend. Let’s call her Grace. She needs another option than giving her time to an employer to contribute to her family’s financial provisions. Grace works tirelessly to serve her family.
And I want to serve and support her.
The work she’s doing in her home is invaluable.
She’s already working a full-time job raising and training her kiddos, getting paid in kisses and cuddles. The character of her children is the payout for her hours. Her priority is to teach little humans to thrive in this world. The nature of her work as a SAHM, homeschool teacher, chauffeur, cook, nurse and caregiver doesn’t allow any extra time for an income-producing job. (Learn about my homeschool resources to help you help your children succeed!)
Grace needs a way to contribute financially that doesn’t require a traditional paycheck. No more feeling useless. She just needs a slight shift in perspective to have that confidence and peace of mind. Her efforts are not only empowering her children to succeed, but she’s also benefitting her family financially.
Are you the parent staying at home to serve your family while your husband is at the office providing financially? I want you to realize that the money maker doesn’t necessarily need to be the money manager.
You’re better as a team anyway, so pursue your financial goals together!
He can be the one earning the income, and you can be the one saving on expenses . . . or vice versa! Reduced spending is just as effective as increased income when you’re managing a budget to reach your financial goals.
And let me tell you, I am definitely familiar with living a life of moderation . . . extreme moderation . . . cutting costs for the bigger purpose. As soon as the single-mom life hit, I was determined to pay off my half of the student loans and credit card debt that had accrued during my marriage.
Determined!
I have three words for you . . .
1995 Pontiac Bonneville
Yeah bro! I sold my Jeep and started driving that beast of a car to save! The amount I’d been spending on a monthly car payment now could be allocated to paying down my debt.
I didn’t eat out a lot, and hardly did any shopping other than groceries. For three years I implemented a tight budget for myself so that I could establish a lifestyle of financial freedom and peace of mind moving forward.
I remember the exact time and place when those three years of financial sacrifice literally paid off.
I was with my friend Sarah on a plane over the Atlantic, experiencing my first international travel to Ireland, Scotland and England. It was a celebration vacation! And it was the day of our flight that my final credit card payment was scheduled to pay off the remainder of that debilitating debt.
“FREEDOM!!!”
(Could you hear my Scottish accent quoting Braveheart? Obviously!)
Being intentional back then made it possible to walk in my dream now. I’m so grateful to my old self, and her conviction and obedience to God’s direction through my detour. My budget started back then, and basically runs itself today, which allows me to thrive with my family, despite the uncertainty of life.
(Left to right: Joey’s 50’s themed birthday party; 2023 family vacation; Knott’s Berry Farm family day)
Thank you, Jesus.
For more encouragement and mom support like this, please consider subscribing to my monthly newsletter. You’ll also receive my Story of the Month youth fiction series to read for free, plus access to my Free Download Library and a 10% Priority Reader Discount on your first order!
