Hey y’all,
There used to be a video on the internet about “home economics.” That video inspired how I think today, because it talked about the economy of the house and running a household (as far as the money goes) like a business.
I never took home economics in school, but my perception of it was always learning how to cook, sew, etc. I never considered that home economics was truly about running and managing the home.
Since the home is like a business, especially for house-wives (or spouses) like myself, I try to keep it up like a business. I mop all the floors on Monday morning, and (I’m planning to do more of this in our new house) decorate and create a peaceful atmosphere.
I don’t like hustling and bustling. When I was in college, we had a coffee shop inside the library, and that was one of my favorite places. I like coffee, but I mostly liked the quiet. Waiting in line to get the coffee wasn’t fabulous, but then you could go find a cozy spot and unwind for hours from all the stresses of the day. That’s the kind of atmosphere I want to create in my house.
To that end, my household’s budget is important. Every business, no matter the size, has a budget. A business without a budget will have a difficult time thriving. Similarly, my house has a budget. I know how much money we have to spend, and I know how much is designated for different things.
I was an RA in college. We got $25 to spend per semester to decorate the housing floor we ran. That’s just how it was. We were taken to a store, told “You can spend $25,” and when our $25 was gone, that was it. Doing the same thing for your house is no different. You may only be able to spend $50 per week on groceries. Just go to the store, and when you hit $50, stop (or adjust your purchases). Maybe you can spend $500 per week on groceries. Great! The principle is the same, though. Go to the store. Spend $500. Then stop! No more. That’s all there is. In a business, when people go over budget, they get reprimanded or fired. If your household is being run like a business, that’s like becoming suddenly homeless if you spend too much on groceries! That may seem extreme, but that point of view is wonderful in home economics.
Whether it’s how you decorate, cook, clean, budget, etc., think of your home as a business. Money/things don’t just float in and randomly disappear; take charge of them! Tell them where to go! Make your household thrive!
Frugal Treehugger 