Single Income Families: 10 Principles for Success

There are a few principles necessary to make it on one income. Here are some that come to mind.

Generosity

Yes, you read that right. You can’t out-give God. We shouldn’t give so He’ll bless us, but the bottom line is that when we give, He gives back--abundantly. I speak from personal experience here. Start with a tithe (10% of your income) given to your local church. Beyond that, look for ways to give money, time, possessions, talents, and resources to others. Even if you don’t receive a tangible blessing as a result, know that you’re laying up treasures in Heaven where it really counts.

Frugality

Obviously our culture is designed for the lifestyles of two-income families. For those of us who have made the choice to be homemakers, it takes a good dose of thriftiness to manage our families with today’s cost of living. We have to learn to be frugal mamas!

Contentment

In our materialistic culture it’s difficult to differentiate between wants vs. needs. If we are going to successfully live on one income, we must learn to be content with what we have. The Apostle Paul learned this lesson. In Philippians 4:11 he said,…I have learned in whatever state I am to be content.” We don’t truly need that much.

Thankfulness

Thankfulness goes hand-in-hand with contentment. When we are grateful for what God has given us, we don’t always feel compelled to have more. Let’s remember that if we have a home and a car we’re richer than 95% of the world. That helps put it in perspective!

Patience

Patience saves a lot of money. It’s hard to get past our culture’s must-have-now mentality, but when we do, it’s worth it.

Unselfishness

We have to let go of feeling entitled to certain possessions, luxuries, opportunities, and even our own time. We must put the wants and even often the needs of others before our own.

Sacrifice

When we are unselfish, sacrifice isn’t so hard. Doing without is easier when we realize that it allows us to fulfill our goals.

Creativity

When you do without, you have to get creative! Don’t settle for the bare minimum. Find frugal ways to make your life beautiful.

Joy and Laughter

Your family will love having you at home when you are full of joy and make home a fun place to be.

Commitment

If you make the choice to stay home, the only way you’ll succeed is to be absolutely committed to it. Stay the course, even when it’s hard!

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Remember, even if these are qualities you don't have, God can help you develop them...And the discipline of becoming a homemaker may be the catalyst He wants to use!

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Here’s a little rhyme that was popular during the Great Depression. It’s a good reminder of how to make a little go a long way.

Use it up, wear it out,
Make it do, or do without.