The Sunday Mail
Pastor Grace Kapswara Matrimonial Hub
WE landed at Amsterdam Airport and it seemed the devils we had conquered at Heathrow — of not over-spending in duty-free shops — had followed us to The Netherlands.
I tried by all means to reconcile the notes on the subject of “To adjust as a couple” that we had been teaching.
But I was head on with designer shops labelled “50 percent off” and the fight was not easy. Have you ever been in a situation where you literally hear a shop calling your name? “Grace please come and see what I have for you. Do not worry you can just look, I promise I will not force you to buy”?
I think if you are a lady you can relate to this smooth whispering voice.
This is exactly what I was hearing as I was face to face with a perfume designer shop. I do not know why we have been tricked to think that if something is 50 or 30 percent off then it is for free. The thing is it will be 50 percent off US$700 and so it means you will be still paying US$350.
Needless to say I got myself one bottle and as if I was oblivious to the reality and consequences waiting for me once I disembark the aeroplane, I found myself clustered with thoughts of regrets when I saw how many things I could have covered on the ground with the money I had spent.
Having been given a duty to oversee more than 600 couples by our father Bishop Tudor Bismark has made my husband and I search deeper for solutions as to how to help couples at any given point. We have seen a high rise of divorces in this decade like never before and one of the major causes of such a plight is the economic down fall which we have been experiencing as a nation.
With this back drop, tackling the issue on how to adjust as a couple in these hard times has become a paramount area of need to exhaust.
Today I will give you three simple tips on how you as couple can enjoy with the minimal resources you have after learning how to adjust to your situation at hand.
The words adjust basically means to alter or move something in order to achieve the desired fit, appearance or result.
It involves verbs like modify, balance, calibrate, regulate and fine tune. Another definition will be to change something so that it becomes more effective.
Start living frugally: The first step of having control of your money is to look at the things you purchase each week and making a list of each of every item (food and beverages) and crossing out everything you could survive without.
If you look at the bank statement of the previous month you may see a handful of purchases at your local convenient store or garage which may easily add up to US$100 to US$150 a month. Convenience is the drain of your wallet stop buying things which deem very small and cheap yet you really don’t need them because in the end you will pay hard for them.
New ways to make income: The proclivity and tendency to see as if the world has come to an end when one’s job end has been a major block to thinking outside the box. Today there are many ways one can create income slowly but surely through the internet and social media.
Genuine education for “how to” is available and young couples must engage in visualising more than one stream of income.
Social creativity: I have seen couples who go out at expensive places as their way of winding down yet they are myriad of ways to enjoy without spending much.
A work out together will help both your wallet and your health, and you can Google so many fun ways to do it.
Mountain climbing ending with a picnic of homemade sandwiches, juice and popcorn will be very refreshing. Having a low-cost braai and home-grown lettuce with friends will do just right for a fine weekend.
Having said the above, on my next writing I will elaborate more on the points I have written. In the meantime enjoy completing the short yet difficult homework above.
Pastor Grace Kapswara and her husband Pastor Kuda serve as the pastoral oversight of the Married Couples Ministry (YOU & I) in New Life Covenant Church Harare, Zimbabwe. They are also founders of His Wings Ministries, a compassion and outreach ministry evangelising to and empowering the less privileged
