Provident Living - Confessions of a Shopaholic

Do you remember this scene from the movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic?  The character, Rebecca Bloomwood is a shopaholic who is trying to overcome her addiction.  During the rehabilitation process she freezes her credit card in a giant block of ice which she is breaking into because of an "emergency," a huge sale!

For some of us, buying cute new clothes, jewelry or shoes may be something we love to spend our money on.  Others, it may be eating out, going on vacations or making sure we have the latest and greatest cell phone because it's so important to stay well connected.  We all have the best excuses for spending our money.  Buying things isn't bad and wanting and neither is having nice things.  This is why the prophets have counseled us to live within our means.  Living within our means has a different meaning to each person based on their situation which is why we have to be careful not to compare ourselves to others. 

In the April 1995 General Conference, Joe J. Christensen said "Learn to live within your means. Some of the most difficult challenges in marriage arise in the area of finances. “The American Bar Association … indicated that 89 percent of all divorces could be traced to quarrels and accusations over money” (Ensign, July 1975, p. 72). Be willing to postpone or forgo some purchases in order to stay within your budget. Pay your tithing first, and avoid debt insofar as possible. Remember that spending fifty dollars a month less than you receive equals happiness and spending fifty more equals misery. The time may have come to get out the scissors and your credit cards and perform what Elder Holland called some “plastic surgery” (Ensign, June 1986, p. 30)."

Sisters, we urge you to review your budget, look at your spending habits and make adjustments as necessary.  See if there are changes you should be making.  Save part of your earnings as well so in those emergencies you won't have to break out the credit card but will be able to use your reserves.  You will be blessed as you follow this counsel from the prophets in our day.