Comments on: Find Big Money in Your Budget

By: Lannette

Lannette — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:07:51 +0000

I’m glad I found your page. I have tried couponing and for the life of me I just can not get the hang of it. You have helped me save in two ways this passed weekend. First I downgraded my satellite tv to the bare minimum, and I made my own breadcrumbs. Still getting used to limited channels but the breadcrumbs were awesome. Keep posting your great articles and thanks.

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:42:05 +0000

I’m scared to have my landline turned off because I still have little ones. Want easy access to a landline in case of emergencies. Kids are smart, but I don’t want them to have to search for my cell if they need to call 911. I do know a lot of people who have switched to just cell phones, though. I only use mine about 30 minutes per month anyway.

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:39:39 +0000

Exactly. It’s not a bargain if you don’t need it.

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:38:56 +0000

Best wishes with your new vineyard. Sounds exciting!

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:37:04 +0000

Thanks so much for the link.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:12:28 +0000

@Alyssa @ Keeping the Kingdom First, I completely agree. What works for some may not work for others but it's no reason to judge the decisions they are making in their family. I think it is funny because I just received a mailer today for a healthcare sharing organization that I wanted to look in to. We have a healthy family and are currently on an HSA plan right now. It does not cover maternity and God surprised us with a pregnancy a few months ago so now we are paying out of pocket for everything birth related. Although I qualify for Medicaid due to our income, we believe God will provide us the funds for this baby we weren't planning on because we have great faith in Him and know He won't leave us stranded. Personally, I at times think people place TOO much faith on their health insurance and too quickly overlook other options, believing health insurance to be the only thing that saves them. However, if they feel this is the best way to cover their family in an emergency, then so be it! But for goodness' sake, take Alyssa's advice and stop knocking down the people who go for other options and obviously are seeing it work!

By: niki

niki — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:33:21 +0000

#3 is fabulous! And so true!

By: Alyssa @ Keeping the Kingdom First

Alyssa @ Keeping the Kingdom First — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:07:20 +0000

I am more than a little taken aback by some of the commenters’ reactions to Joy’s decision to go with Samaritan Ministries. This works for her family and has covered there needs entirely for about the same “cost” as regular insurance. I do not think it is necessary to call her irresponsible or foolish for this decision. We should be encouraging each other regarding our finances, not tearing each other down! While healthcare ministries may not work for everyone, I appreciate that Joy took the time to share and inform her readers about this unconventional method. Kudos!

By: Joy @ Five J's

Joy @ Five J's — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:26:12 +0000

@Melissa Multitasking Mama, I’m the one Amy linked to about insurance, and I just wanted to clarify that saying we ‘dropped’ our health insurance isn’t really an accurate description of what we did.

We did drop our insurance coverage, but we are not out in the cold now with regard to our medical expenses. Instead, we are now members of a health care sharing ministry, and our medical expenses are shared among the members of the ministry.

It’s a new concept for a lot of people (it was for me too), and it’s not ideal for everyone. I wouldn’t have considered it for our family if we had chronic health problems prior to joining. But now that we’re members, if we DO develop some kind of chronic problem, those expenses will be taken care of through the ministry.

So like I said, a health care sharing ministry isn’t for everyone, but for people like us, without chronic health problems, but who still need to maintain ‘coverage’ in case of unexpected medical needs, it’s been an answer to prayer.

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:24:20 +0000

@Rhiannon, Oops — should’ve read this before I responded to your first comment. Thanks for reading Joy’s post.