by Susan Gammage, Baha'i Life Coach
Tonight, at 3:00, Baha’is around the world will say prayers to commemorate the passing of Baha’llah, the founder of their Faith. What would make them get out of bed at that time of day? The following article, by Dale E. Lehman, from: http://www.planetbahai.org/cgi-bin/articles.pl?article=36 may give us some clues.
Jináb-i-Mírzá Ismá’íl, a believer present in that last audience with Bahá’u'lláh, has recorded: “Tears flowed from my eyes and I was overcome with feelings of grief and sorrow after hearing these words. At this moment the Blessed Perfection bade me come close to Him, and I obeyed. Using a handkerchief which was in His hand, Bahá’u'lláh wiped the tears from my cheeks. As He did so, the words of Isaiah [25:8], ‘and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces…’, involuntarily came to my mind.” (‘Alí-Akbar Furútan, Stories of Bahá’u'lláh, p. 109)
Considering all that had happened in the 48 years beginning with the declaration of the Báb in 1844, Bahá’u'lláh’s passing on May 29, 1892 at about 3:00 A.M. might seem anticlimactic. He died quietly at the age of 75, still marginally a prisoner but permitted to live outside the walls of Akká in a mansion known as Bahjí. The relative tranquility of His final days on Earth stand in marked contrast to the tumult that had surrounded Him for much of His life, yet it proved to be merely the calm before another storm for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, His oldest son and appointed successor.
Even a quick review of Bahá’u'lláh’s life shows Him to be remarkable. Born to a noble family in Persia, He might have lived a life of relative ease. He was generally held to be a wise and good man whose charity had earned Him the nickname “Father of the poor.” But when word of the Báb reached Him, He embraced the new religion and became one of its staunchest supporters, jeopardizing everything He had. Over the next few years He was briefly imprisoned twice, tortured on one occasion and narrowly escaped an official death sentence when Muhammád Sháh passed away before issuing the order.
Bahá’u'lláh’s imprisonment in August, 1852 on trumped-up charges connected with an attempt by two deranged Bábís to assassinate Násiri’d-Dín Sháh set the stage for the rest of His life. In that prison (Síyáh-Chál, literally “the Black Pit”) He experienced a revelation from God telling Him that He was the Promised One whose coming the Báb had foretold. This revelation was born while He was surrounded by the worst of criminals and weighed down by a chain so heavy that He would bear scars from it for the rest of His life. A far cry from the life He had until that time known! And it was just the beginning.
Released from prison in November, Bahá’u'lláh was stripped of wealth and property and banished to Baghdád, the first of four banishments He would suffer. In each place to which He was sent, His wisdom and character earned Him the admiration of people from all walks of life, but in each case the authorities, fearful of His influence, sent Him further into exile. Thus He was moved from Baghdád to Constantinople, Adrianople, and finally the prison city of Akká in the Holy Land. While the authorities plotted to be rid of Him, His own half-brother, Mirzá Yahyá, who the Báb had appointed as head of the Faith until the Promised One arose, grew increasingly jealous of Bahá’u'lláh’s influence among the Bábís. Yahyá attempted to claim the station of the Promised One for Himself and plotted Bahá’u'lláh’s death, once smearing poison on His teacup. Bahá’u'lláh nearly died, and suffered from a hand tremor for the rest of his life.
Although despised and threatened on all sides, He never once ceased to proclaim the message God had entrusted to Him. His Writings amount to some 100 volumes and were addressed to kings and commoners, friends and enemies, believers and deniers. For 40 years He proclaimed this Message in words such as these:
This is the Day in which God’s most excellent favors have been poured out upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things. It is incumbent upon all the peoples of the world to reconcile their differences, and, with perfect unity and peace, abide beneath the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving-kindness. It behoveth them to cleave to whatsoever will, in this Day, be conducive to the exaltation of their stations, and to the promotion of their best interests…. Beseech ye the one true God to grant that all men may be graciously assisted to fulfil that which is acceptable in Our sight. Soon will the present-day order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead. Verily, thy Lord speaketh the truth, and is the Knower of things unseen.
(Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u'lláh, IV, p. 6-7)
What are we, over a century after His death, to make of all this? We live in an increasingly cynical age, an age that has seen faith stand in opposition to reason while self-proclaimed prophets lead scores of followers to pointless deaths and religious fanaticism fuels acts of terrorism. Were not the Báb and Bahá’u'lláh just more of the same?
Clearly not. Both gave up everything to proclaim their Messages. They gained nothing in this world, nor could they have hoped to gain anything. From the start they were surrounded by bitter enemies whose one object was to destroy them. They were both known for their knowledge, wisdom and kindness. They asked nothing for themselves while exhorting their followers to the highest standards of belief and behavior, standards they upheld in their own lives. Indeed, the only true parallel in history to the Báb’s mission is that of Jesus, while Bahá’u'lláh’s mission stands unparalleled. Their followers suffered every manner of persecution and died by the thousands at the hands of their oppressors even though they didn’t oppose either the government or the clergy. Rather, Bahá’u'lláh made obedience to the government a requirement for His followers. Thus these persecutions and deaths were not akin to the armed standoffs and suicide pacts we’ve seen in this century. They are, rather, akin to the Roman persecution of the early Christian community.
Moreover, consider the sheer influence wielded by two men who were stripped of position and possesions, whose deaths were sought by the most powerful people of their time and place, and whose claims were rejected by the majority of the people. Think of all the self-proclaimed prophets who have arisen since that time. Where are they now? Where are their followers? What good have they done in the world? Meanwhile, Bahá’u'lláh has over six million followers around the world, drawn from every national, racial, ethnic and religious background. His religion is among the fastest-growing in the world and His teachings are being put into practice not only by Bahá’ís, but by humanity generally. The world is evolving rapidly toward that state of unity that He promised, whether it realizes it or not, whether it wants to or not. Jim Jones, David Koresh and their ilk are mere footnotes to history, but Bahá’u'lláh is everywhere.
I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to stand in Bahá’u'lláh’s presence, to hear His voice, to ask Him a question. There are many stories of such encounters. Some people recount the awe they felt when they were near Him, others how he intuitively knew what was on their minds. The stories that tend to pop into my mind, though, are the ones that show His humor and His love for His followers, such as this one about a young boy who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, so to speak:
Áqá Muhammad-i-Tabrízí has recounted how, as a child of four or five, he would go with his family to the Mansion of Bahjí each Friday, as was customary among the believers at that time, to attain the presence of the Blessed Beauty. They would stay all day, using the rooms on the lower floor of the Mansion.
During one of these visits the grown-ups were resting in their rooms at noontime; as it was a warm day, he left his room and wandered to the upper floor of the Mansion where he entered the large hall. Ambling about he eventually came to the room where food was stored, and here he noticed a bag filled with sugar. Instinctively he took a handful, put it in his mouth, then filled both hands before leaving the storeroom. Back in the hall, he froze in his tracks upon seeing the Blessed Beauty pacing to and fro there. Slowly and in a gentle manner, Bahá’u'lláh came towards him, cast a loving glance at his hands and then led the little boy towards a large table in the middle of the hall. Picking up a plate of candies, He offered one to the child who, with closed fist, accepted it. “It seems you like sweets,” Bahá’u'lláh said. “Eat well! Goodbye. And may God protect you.”
(‘Alí-Akbar Furútan, Stories of Bahá’u'lláh, p. 69-70)
God singled out Bahá’u'lláh to be the revealer of His names and attributes, to be the channel through which the Word was transmitted to us. For this He became the object of the hatred, jealousy, and wrath of kings and their ministers, of priests and even of some of His own family. For forty years He suffered under their hatred, yet love and laughter remained two of His most precious gifts to humanity. I find great comfort in that.
What’s your favorite memory of this Holy Day? Post your comments here:
by Susan Gammage, Baha'i Life Coach
As you go through life, you’re constantly affirming your own thoughts and beliefs. Throughout each day, you consciously and unconsciously tell yourself things based on your belief system.
The problem is, much of the time you may actually be re-affirming negative thoughts rather than positive ones. This is bad news. After all, if your affirmations are negative, you can expect only negative outcomes!
How many times in a day do you tell yourself how stupid you are for forgetting something or how fat you are when your favorite jeans feel tight?
Negative thinking reinforces an internal belief that we’ll never be able to change ourselves and that we’re destined to continue repeating our self-destructive behaviors. When we re-affirm our negative thoughts, we enter into a vicious cycle that leads to even more negative thinking.
Imagine how different your life would be if you began using affirmations to reinforce the positive!
Affirmations work wonders if you use them properly. By making a few simple adjustments in the way you phrase your inner dialog, you can begin using this powerful technique to change your thinking and change your life.
Your subconscious mind accepts things on a very literal basis, so for affirmations to work effectively, you need to follow a simple formula.
Follow these tips to create positive affirmations that can change your life for the better:
1. Your subconscious needs to know you’re doing something now, not in the future. For example, if you state an affirmation as something you want to change, such as “I will quit smoking,” your subconscious cannot distinguish what you mean by “I will.”
It has no sense of planning for the future. In fact, your subconscious mind will accept what you tell it, even if the behavior has not yet happened, that’s why you should state your affirmation as if it’s already a fact.
2. An affirmation must be personal for your subconscious to accept it. Saying, “You need to eat healthy” won’t help you change your diet. When your subconscious hears the word “you,” it doesn’t interpret it as a statement directed at yourself.
Instead, phrase your affirmation in the first person. Stick to “I” in your affirmations and you’ll soon notice a strong positive effect on your behaviors.
3. Your subconscious mind is very literal. It can’t process the concept of “not.” The statement, “I am not going to lie on the couch watching TV when I should be exercising” won’t do anything other than re-affirm how you should lay on the couch in front of the television.
Form your intention in a positive way, even if you haven’t made the behavior
change yet.
Positive, personal, present tense affirmations are extremely powerful in changing how your subconscious affects your behavior.
Make an effort to stop reinforcing your old, negative thinking that keeps you caught in a rut. Try using these three simple techniques today to create affirmations that can change your subconscious programming, your actions, and your life for the better.
My favorite place to find affirmations that work is at: http://www.thinkrightnow.com/cmd.asp?af=923000
I’ve written to this company twice, to tell them how greatful I am for the results I’ve achieved through their products. You can read these letters here: http://www.susangammage.com/for-my-personal-story
What is your experience with affirmations? Post your comments here:
by Susan Gammage, Baha'i Life Coach
In my Bahá’í-inspired life coaching practice, I often see people who are familiar with the quote:
What will be the food of the future? Fruit and grains. The time will come when meat will no longer be eaten . . . our natural diet is that which grows out of the ground. The people will gradually develop up to the condition of this natural food. (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Ten Days in the Light of ‘Akká, pp. 8-9.)
They are motivated to make a transition to healthier eating habits and want to know how to go about actually achieving that goal.
The good news is that once you do something consistently for only a few weeks, it becomes a habit.
Here are some simple techniques to help you avoid those tempting junk foods so you can make wise and healthy decisions in your daily routine.
Strategies to Avoid Temptation:
1. Am I hungry? Ask yourself if you’re really hungry or if you’re eating out of convenience or emotion. Many times you probably aren’t as hungry as you think, so try to get involved in a different activity instead of snacking.
2. Water, water, and more water. Drink a lot of water each day. Not only is this good for your whole body (both inside and out), it can actually make you feel full. Also, oftentimes when you think you’re hungry, your body is actually thirsty, so keep yourself well hydrated.
3. Try chewing gum. Putting something in your mouth like gum or hard, sugar-free candy can help convince your brain that you’re eating!
4. Divert your energy. Instead of putting all your energy into making two grilled cheese sandwiches with bacon, try taking a walk or doing something that requires you to use your hands, like knitting or woodworking. It’s pretty hard to do these and eat at the same time.
5. Allow yourself snack time. Choose healthy snacks instead of chips and salsa or chocolate bars. For snack time, try eating celery, popcorn without butter, fruits, or a make-your-own trail mix with raisins, nuts, and dried fruits.
• A good hint for snacking is to have healthy snacks readily available in your home, and unhealthy snacks completely out of the house; that way, the healthy stuff is easy to grab.
How to Choose Healthy Foods:
The next time you’re off to the grocery store, use these tips to help you choose the right foods and avoid the unhealthy stuff.
1. Stay away from preservatives. You don’t need that Twinkie that can outlast any environmental disaster! When you learn to read nutrition labels and ingredient lists, you’ll find that there are many snacks that are full of preservatives. You probably shouldn’t buy the food when the ingredient list contains more than a handful of items. Plus, if the expiry date isn’t until two years from now, it’s being heavily preserved.
2. Use the food guide or pyramid. Canada’s Food Guide or the food pyramid from the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gears you toward whole foods and minimal sweets. Get a copy and make your grocery list by following their guidelines.
Canada: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/alt_formats/hpfb-dgpsa/pdf/food-guide-aliment/view_eatwell_vue_bienmang-eng.pdf
USA: http://mypyramid.gov/
3. Buy lots of fresh vegetables that you can use to make up a quick and healthy stir-fry with chicken, brown rice, or even soy products. Buy easy to make salads where the lettuce and other veggies are already washed. These are easy, quick, healthy, and they taste good. The key is to choose vegetables that are dark green or orange in color.
4. Buy fresh fruits and do some research on how to tell when fruits are at their freshest and when they’re in season. Try some of those exotic fruits you’ve always looked at but never purchased. Make your own fruit drinks and smoothies for a healthy, delicious treat.
5. Buy a variety of whole grains and nuts – this doesn’t just mean bread and peanut butter! Do some research into the kinds of nuts and grains you can eat, and try gradually introducing them into your diet. A good resources is at:
http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/grains_tips.html
http://nutrition.suite101.com/article.cfm/nutritive_benefits_of_nuts
More Great Grocery Store Tips:
1. Shop in a circle. Many nutritionists will tell you to shop the perimeter of the store. Grocery stores are usually set up with their fresh foods, fruits, vegetables, fish, and breads all around the perimeter. Preservative-laced foods are in the center and at the ends of each aisle.
2. Go alone. Leave your children in good hands and go alone to the grocery store. This way you can concentrate on getting only the healthy foods you desire without being pressured into buying junk. Alternatively, if you do bring your children, be prepared to spend extra time teaching them how to spot healthy foods.
3. Make a list! This technique is a tried and true method to avoid buying foods that aren’t healthy. Stick to your list and, for fun, seek out healthy foods you haven’t tried before to tempt your taste buds.
With some determination and strategies in place, you can achieve your goal to eat healthy! By incorporating healthy changes into your diet one by one, you’re slowly creating a new habit, and moving towards the ever-advancing society promised in the Bahá’í Writings.
Before long, you’ll be choosing healthy foods without a second thought, and those unhealthy foods you used to eat will no longer tempt you. Once you discover the benefits and better taste of fresh and healthy foods, you’ll never want to go back!
What do you do to eat more healthy foods? Post your comments here:
by Susan Gammage, Baha'i Life Coach
Would you like to see some changes in your life? You can begin making these changes by building self-awareness.
The Bahá’í Writings have a lot to say about the importance of knowing oneself:
True loss is for him whose days have been spent in utter igno¬rance of his self. (Bahá’u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u'lláh, p. 156).
The first Taráz and the first effulgence which hath dawned from the horizon of the Mother Book is that man should know his own self and recognize that which leadeth unto loftiness or lowliness, glory or abase¬ment, wealth or poverty. (Bahá’u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u'lláh, pp. 34-35).
What is Self-Awareness?
Self-awareness is a self-conscious state where you’re focused on yourself and your well being.
It’s often said, “We cannot change what we will not see.” Self-awareness is the process of acknowledging not only our strengths, but our weaknesses as well. Becoming self-aware entails listening to your body and feelings and taking action based on what you hear.
Bahá’u'lláh, in the Hidden Words (Arabic 31), tells us to: “Bring thyself to account each day” – so this is the best time to check in. If you’re in tune with your body, you’ll know when to say no to that extra piece of cake or say no to staying up late, because those things lead to abasement. You’ll become more in tune with your body the more often you respect it. Self-awareness is a process. The more we do it, the better we become at it.
How do you become self-aware?
These tips will help you in your journey to self-awareness:
1. Reflect on who you are and who you’d like to become. While it’s important to notice your faults and weaknesses, it’s equally important to acknowledge your strengths. Bahá’u'lláh tells us to bring ourselves to account – and bookkeepers who do accounting, always look at both income and expenses; profit and losses – but so many times those from Judeo-Christian backgrounds, just look at the things we didn’t do well. When we only dwell on the negatives, we are continuing to abase ourselves, and we’re not being truthful.
The better we understand ourselves, the better we’ll be able to accept ourselves as we are or change the things we’d like to be different. Self-awareness requires us to be honest with ourselves and have the courage to change the things we can.
• A full recognition of yourself gives you the opportunity to become the self-fulfilled person you’re destined to be.
Looking deep within your soul, you’ll find the many character traits that make you unique. Begin by acknowledging the positive things. This will strengthen and encourage you to face the less favorable character traits without abandoning your new venture.
On the other hand, when evaluating your strengths, don’t let your ego get the best of you. If you magnify either your strengths or your weaknesses, you can’t possibly get a realistic picture of yourself.
• Until you examine the truth of who you are, you cannot move into the person you can become.
2. Pay attention to your likes and dislikes. Far too often, people make life-changing choices without acknowledging deeply rooted personal preferences.
• Before you embark on goals for your future, have a full awareness of the things you especially enjoy and those you prefer not to have in your life.
3. Face your inner self. During your self-awareness process, think about your motivations, dreams, fears and stressors. Think about why you feel the way you do, then begin to work toward overcoming these inner battles.
4. Ask your loved ones’ opinions. The Bahá’í Writings tell us to consult in all things. Talk to people who know you best and really listen to what they see as your dominant character traits and motivations. Ask them to be completely honest with you and be prepared to hear their opinions.
For further assistance in this complex matter of self and its attributes you may find it helpful to consult Bahá’ís who have been trained in psychology and psychiatry (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer 14 August 1977)
• You may not be your own best judge of character. Accept the way your loved ones see you as part of this process. Consider their opinions along with your own analysis in order to see the full picture of who you are.
Self-awareness is a necessary part of self-esteem and change. If you want to grow as an individual, begin with a complete and honest picture of who you are now. This total awareness will start your journey to becoming the best you can be.
What have you done to become more self-aware? Post your comments here:
by Susan Gammage, Baha'i Life Coach
Is your daily routine so busy and full of activities that it’s causing you stress and agitation? We’ve all heard of the health risks associated with too much stress, but how can you reduce that stress and find peace in your life? Thankfully, the Bahá’í Faith requires us to take time everyday, for the gift of prayer and meditation.
There are many benefits to meditation and prayer:
1. Stress reduction. Both meditation and prayer are wonderful for reducing stress. You’ll find that it helps you learn how to get away from the worries of life to a more peaceful state of mind.
• Just 15 minutes a day can make a huge difference by bringing peace and relaxation to your body and mind. A few minutes each day isn’t much, considering that the positive effects will last hours. If we say a couple of prayers in the morning and at night, plus the short obligatory prayer and 95 Alláh-u-Abhás mid-day, we will live in a state of prayer all day, and it won’t take more than 15 minutes total.
Supplication to God at morn and eve is conducive to the joy of hearts. (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, vol. 1, p. 186)
2. Improved health. Many studies have proven that prayer and meditation foster vibrant health. Usually these health benefits, such as lower blood pressure and decreased risk of heart disease, occur because of the lowered stress levels.
• Physical problems are often a symptom of turmoil on the inside and prayer and meditation can help to overcome that turmoil.
3. Better control over your thoughts. Having negative thoughts from time to time is part of being human. Many people who are stressed don’t believe they’re able to control what they think. The stress mounts, tempers flair, and before long arguments ensue.
However, by bringing prayer and meditation into your life, it’s possible to control your thoughts and stop negative thinking as soon as it happens. This helps keep your mind at peace.
4. Happiness. Both peace of mind and happiness are true benefits of meditation and prayer. Everyone is seeking happiness in their lives, and when you’re able to find peace of mind through prayer and meditation, you’re also welcoming happiness into your life.
By spending some time in personal reflection, you’ll gain a greater wisdom of your mission in this life, and you’ll be better able to appreciate all that you’ve been given, both good and bad. Meditation and prayer help banish those negative thoughts that threaten your peace of mind.
As the Bahá’í Writings teach us:
At that hour will the mystic Herald, bearing the joyful tidings of the Sprit, shine forth from the city of God resplendent as the morn, and, through the trumpet-blast of knowledge, will awaken the heart, the soul, and the spirit from the slumber of negligence. Then will the manifold favours and outpouring grace of the holy and everlasting Spirit confer such new life upon the seeker that he will find himself endowed with a new eye, a new ear, a new heart, and a new mind. He will contemplate the manifest signs of the universe, and will penetrate the hidden mysteries of the soul. Gazing with the eye of God, he will perceive within every atom a door that leadeth him to the stations of absolute certitude. He will discover in all things the mysteries of divine Revelation and the evidences of an everlasting manifestation. (Bahá’u’lláh, Kitáb-I-Iqán p. 125-6)
5. Better concentration. As you pray and meditate, you welcome peace and tranquility into your mind, which then affects how you live your life. When you alleviate the stresses in your life, you’re better able to concentrate on the things that are important, such as family or work.
• Continued prayer and meditation will help you expand your focus to multiple areas of your life.
Although prayer and meditation can provide peace in your life, it can be hard to make the time at first, but it’s easier than you think. Simply find a quiet place in your home and allow yourself to relax and feel at peace for 10-15 minutes. You deserve those 15 minutes of peace each day!
Should a person recite but a single verse from the Holy Writings in a state of joy and radiance, this would be better for him than reciting wearily all the Scriptures of God . . . Recite ye the verses of God in such measure that ye be not overtaken with fatigue or boredom. Burden not your souls so as to cause exhaustion and weigh them down, but rather endeavour to lighten them, that they may soar on the wings of revealed Verses unto the dawning-place of His signs. This is conducive to nearer access unto God, were ye to comprehend. (Bahá’u’lláh, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and a Devotional Attitude, p. 3)
While there are plenty of positive benefits of prayer and meditation, it may take practice and perseverance to achieve them. Over time you’ll begin to experience this wonderful gift in your own life and you’ll be thankful that you did!
What have you noticed when you pray and meditate? Post your comments here:
by Susan Gammage, Baha'i Life Coach
Whether you want to admit it or not, there’s a global recession happening, and it’s affecting millions of families. People are being laid off, companies are going under, and even some governments are completely broke. Let’s face it. The old world order is collapsing, just as Bahá’u'lláh predicted it would. Being caught in it, isn’t much fun, though, is it?
Finding ways to cut back on your spending can help you during this difficult economic period. Saving money is always good, but it’s a skill that becomes especially important during a recession.
How can you save money during a recession? It’s all about paying the Right of God first, and then planning, cutting frivolous costs, and changing the way you spend money.
The Baha’i Writings teach:
It is clear and evident that the payment of the Right of God is conducive to prosperity, to blessing, and to honour and divine protection. (Baha’u'llah, Lights of Guidance, p. 304)
Here are some handy tips you can use to help you save money:
1. Pay important bills first. The mortgage, electricity, water and heat have to be paid no matter what.
2. Save Money on groceries. Groceries are a huge, yet necessary, expense. After the bills are paid, most of the budget will fall into the groceries category.
• Buy generic rather than name brands. They usually taste just as good but cost less.
• Buy non-perishable foods in bulk. Many items can be bought in bulk such as rice, canned foods, and frozen foods.
• Never shop on an empty stomach or during the Bahá’í Fast. Eat before grocery shopping; otherwise, you’ll wind up buying more junk and convenience foods because you’re hungry.
• Make a list of what you need and stick to it. It really is that simple!
• Cut and use coupons. 10 for $10 deals and sale items are your friends. Combining coupons with sales can slash your grocery bill even more.
• Avoid shopping at expensive stores, even if they’re closer to home. Instead, go a few miles out of the way for the discount grocery stores. Most items in the store are exactly the same thing, other than the price tag.
3. Rent movies or borrow them from the library, instead of going out. Have a movie night once a week. Sit down with some popcorn (the kind you pop on the stove) and watch a movie. This is a great way to spend quality family time, without much expense.
4. Put the credit card down. Credit purchases may get your “stuff” now, but you’ll pay double for it later. If you want something, save up and pay cash or wait. Leave it out of your wallet, so you have to go home and get it, before you can make a purchase. This will give you a “cooling down” period.
5. Cook at home. If you go out to eat two or three times a week, cut back to once every two weeks or once a month. Instead, learn to cook at home. If you plan ahead and cook in quantities, you’ll save time and money by popping the extra portions into the freezer.
6. Unplug. If there are things in your house plugged into the wall and you aren’t using them, unplug them. Many items, like computers and phone chargers, draw electricity whether they’re on or not. Plug it in when you need it, then unplug it when you’re done.
7. Lower your thermostat. Set your thermostat at a specific temperature and leave it there. 68 to 70 is an energy-saving setting in the winter. If you get chilly, put on a sweater or grab a blanket. You’ll save more than you realize on your heating bills.
These are just some of the many ways to save money and stretch your dollar a bit further during these challenging times. These tips require a change to your habits, which can take some getting used to. In time, however, you’ll adjust and the money you save can make a big difference in your budget.
It’s important to stick with your plan to save money. Making a change for a week won’t do the trick. Committing to changing bad habits for good will reap the greatest benefits in the long run.
Once you’ve paid the bills, don’t forget to pay the Right of God. It has to be paid before the donations to the Bahá’í Fund, so including it in your regular monthly payments is one way to ensure peace of mind during the recession.
What’s your experience with saving money or paying the Right of God? Post your comments here:
