Proverbs 31:10-31

A wife of noble character who can find?
       She is worth far more than rubies.

 Her husband has full confidence in her
       and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
       all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax
       and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,
       bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;
       she provides food for her family
       and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it;
       out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;
       her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,
       and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff
       and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor
       and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
       for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;
       she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,
       where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,
       and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
       she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
       and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household
       and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
       her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,
       but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
       but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,
       and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

 Saving Money at the Grocery Store 
1. Shop at warehouse wholesalers such as Costco and Sam's. Items in bulk are almost always cheaper than buying smaller portions. But, be careful. Only buy something in bulk if you will actually use it. It doesn't make sense to buy a 25 lb. bag of rice, no matter how great a deal it is, if your family doesn't eat rice.

2. Look at unit prices when shopping. Often we pay more to buy smaller quantities of an item, and don't even realize it! So check the unit price and make sure you are getting a good deal.

3. Compare prices at different stores. Keep a price list and compare the prices at Wal-mart vs. a grocery store, or Sam's vs. Costco. Many times one store will have better prices on some things, while another has better prices on others. Of coarse these days you also have to consider gas prices, so remember to keep that in mind as well.

4. Never go shopping without a list! Should I say that one again? Never go shopping without a list. When you go without a list you are so much more likely to buy things that you don't need, as well as to forget things that you do need. Which of coarse means going back to the store.

5. Don't impulse buy! Make it a habit to only buy what is on your list. That way you know what you are going to spend going in to the store, and you aren't tempted to buy extra things.

6. Don't buy convenience foods. Convenience always comes at price. Many convenience foods can be made at home to keep on hand for when you might need to save time. And you can make them for a fraction of what they cost at the store.

7. Don't waste food. Reuse leftovers for lunches, or use leftover vegetables in a casserole. Or have a night where you eat all the leftovers for dinner. A friend of mine serves the leftovers from the night before with dinner the next day.

8. Plan a menu. You can plan out your menu incorporate leftover into new meals, or to buy in bulk and use those ingredients. If you have a plan and know what you are going to eat, you aren't left looking to convenience foods to save you in a crunch.

9. Dried beans are cheaper than canned. Many frozen vegetables are also cheaper than their canned counterparts. So again, check prices.

10. Cereal is almost always a bad deal, unless it is just an awesome sale. There are so many frugal breakfast options, and with a little planning ahead, they can be just as convenient.

11. When something is on sale, buy in bulk! Our local store often has hotdogs for $0.68, and when they do, we buy a bunch and freeze them. Same with cheese. So take advantage of a great sale.
    "To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." ~ Titus 2:5