Get control.

I'm sure all of you realize how type-A, organized, systematic, and carefully coordinated (read: borderline OCD) I am in conducting the affairs of life. Afterall, I do have the spiritual gift of Admnistration. If you hadn't already realized that, I invite you to go back to the first week of January this year and read about how I freaked out about my unpreparedness to purchase a new vehicle. It wasn't pretty.

So, it may come to a surprise to most of you that I don't have a budget in place. That is, no formal budget. It's all in my head. Sure, I balance my checkbook religiously, and pay my bills on time, live debt-free (no longer true, thanks to RJ), and try to be cognizant of my savings, but I've never, ever, had any fancy Excel spreadsheet or Dave Ramsey envelope system.

But, let's be real. It's unwise of me to be so flippant about the money that God has blessed me. During a time of great abundance in Egypt, Pharoah entrusted Joeseph with management of the grain and when a famine swept the land, Egypt didn't go hungry. Why? Because Joseph was a very wise, God-fearing man, and he made the decision to conserve grain when the harvest was plentiful. As a result, the storehouse was full when the drought came. See Genesis 41.

And, look at the Proverbs 31 woman and how she "laughs at the days to come," as she "worked with eager hands." I know what God is preparing me for, and in order to learn how to be that woman, it's imperative that I take my finances seriously.

So, beginning March 1, I will begin to track my income, expenditures, and savings. I began the new year by taking my lunch to work everyday, and only eating out on special occasions, and that alone is already saving me a ton of money. I'm also learning to say no to some social engagements that require a swipe of my credit card, and I haven't entered a Target since before Christmas. Because many of you out there are money gurus (Sarah Scott and Rhonda Hendricks, I'm thinking of you), I welcome your advice, warnings, and encouragement.