Creatively dealing with the recession

Coupons, sharing utility costs, stretching the grocery budget, ... these are just a few of the ways home sharing can save you money. It's all about pulling our resources for the benefit of all of us. Not only is it about money, though that is big, it is also about skill, time, strengths, etc. For example, we just started a painting project in the kitchen. Charissa is great at the trim work, but hates to roll - the part I prefer. So we were able to work together and get the job done doing what we like and are better at. Chad is always offering his tech skills to improve our computer and phone services. Of course, Jacob provides constant entertainment. Mike is the go to person for car stuff and the master of the lawn!

So if you find yourself in a situation where you can cooperate with another family and do some home sharing as we all weather this economy roller coaster...go for it. Work together, find each other's strengths and skills and benefit the whole household. It takes patience and a lot of give and take, but it can really pay off!

Standards....where do they come from?

As a home sharer, I have been thinking about the standards we employ throughout our lives. We all have standards, like a standard to never smoke, or always write thank you notes, or always drive the speed limit, or never shop at Walmart,...etc. Take a minute, you will be able to identify some that you have. We all have them. Some of them are standards because they are imposed on us, like rules...thus we drive the speed limit. Some we acquire because it is what we inherited from parents or other role models. Some are wise standards for good reasons, like don't smoke since it is bad for your health. Some standards are put forth from God in His Word, those we should all follow...He knows what He is doing after all! As we look at the specific standards we have, we will find some that are just pure whims of our own creation. It is these standards that sometimes we have to remember not to impose on others. So I am learning to say, "It's okay, it is just my standard, and I shouldn't feel the need to impose my standard on anyone else." So the next time something rankles you, do a little assessment. Consider the reason for the standard; safety, sound reason, inherited habit, spoken to us by God or just because that's the way you like it. Remember others have their own standards, too. So as we home share we can learn how to compromise those standards, that I would call 'just cause I like it that way' standards, a bit to make the home shared a happy home.