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Hey, do you need a specific tool for
a weekend project or maybe something

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special for a party you're hosting?

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Is your first thought
I need to go buy one?

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What if your neighbor already has
one that you could borrow today?

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Let's tap into the power of community.

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Hey there and welcome back
to Your Daily Ask Ralph.

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I'm Ralph.

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Thanks for joining me after our
deep dive recap episode yesterday.

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We're back with our daily
actions in the series, the Joy

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of Living Below your means.

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We're working to break that cycle of
financial shame and do it with confidence.

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Today we explore another way to
save by not buying things at all.

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Let's think about those times.

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You need something for maybe
a specific short-term purpose.

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Maybe you need a power
washer for your deck.

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Maybe you're having a party and you
need a large serving platter for guests.

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Maybe you're doing some research and you
need a specific book for researching, or

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maybe you've got a particular tool for a
home repair job that you've got planned.

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Now, listen, often our default
reaction is to head to the store

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or click online and just go buy it.

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We may not even consider asking
someone if we could borrow it.

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We don't do that because we're
shy or maybe out of pride or

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just not thinking of it at all.

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We end up spending money on items we might
only use once or maybe even twice, which

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then just tend to clutter up our homes.

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That automatic need equals must
buy reflex, especially for those

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infrequently used items leading to
unnecessary spending and clutter

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because we overlook community resources.

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That's the single frustration that
we're focusing in on today's show.

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Here's the thing.

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God designed us for community.

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The early church is a
great example of that.

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They shared things generously.

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Just go read the book of Acts chapter two.

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While we live differently today,
the principle of helping each

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other and sharing resources
is still incredibly relevant.

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Our hyper individualistic culture often
makes us forget that it's okay to ask for

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help or okay to ask to borrow something.

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It does require humility, but
it also builds relationships and

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strengthens our community bonds.

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And furthermore, being willing
to lend our things will foster

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generosity in us as well.

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It's simply good stewardship to
avoid buying something unnecessarily

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if it can be easily borrowed.

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So what can we do?

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How can we break this cycle?

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What can we do to break that must buy
default and leverage that power of

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community I've been talking about, well,
the single resource saving solution

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is to actively explore borrowing, or
even bartering before buying things.

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Especially for items that
you won't use very often.

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Think about the possibilities.

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You can ask your friends,
you can ask your family.

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Maybe ask your neighbors.

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Who do you know who might
already own the item.

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You just have to ask, maybe
look to community groups.

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Many areas have things called buy
nothing groups where neighbors

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share their things freely.

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Some  libraries have libraries of
things where you can borrow tools,

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you can borrow kitchen equipment,
you can borrow games, you name it.

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And don't forget your church community.

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Is there a way to share resources
within your church family?

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Hey, if there isn't, maybe
that's an option for you.

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You may even consider  bartering.

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Do you have a skill or a good you could
trade with someone for something you need?

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for example, like, I'll help you with
your yard work if I can borrow your power

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washer Making, borrowing or bartering your
first thought, not your last resort, can

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save significant money and reduce waste.

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The solution is pretty clear.

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Community connection.

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Borrow or barter first.

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So, okay, here's your
action step for today.

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Thinking ahead perhaps to
upcoming needs you might have.

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First thing I want you to do
is identify a potential need.

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Think is there a tool?

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Is there an item?

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Is there a piece of equipment,
maybe a book or a party supply

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that I need soon that you don't
own or you would normally buy?

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The second thing I'm gonna
encourage you to do is brainstorm

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some borrowing options.

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So before you even think about buying it,
spend like five minutes brainstorming.

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Ask yourself, who might
I borrow this from?

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Is there, do I have a
friend that has this?

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Is there a family member or a neighbor?

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Is there that library of things nearby?

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Could I ask in my local
buy nothing group online?

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Then I want you to  Take one, asking step.

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Commit today to taking one concrete
step towards borrowing or bartering

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For that item, send that text
asking a neighbor or post an ask.

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In that Buy nothing group.

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You can check out the library's website.

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I just want you to take that first
step to explore those non buying

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options, and here's a bonus for you.

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Think about things you own already
that you could offer to lend out,

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fostering that spirit of community.

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Now, you may be asking Ralph, why
make the effort to borrow or barter?

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Well, here's why.

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Because it directly fights the frustration
of unnecessary spending and, and clutter

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for those infrequently used items.

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Hey, guess what?

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It's gonna save you money.

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It's gonna help you build relationships.

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It's gonna foster that community.

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We talked about.

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We're gonna build interdependence
and it promotes good stewardship.

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See, by maximizing the use of
resources that already are available

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within our circles, we grow community

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well, let's pray about it.

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Father God, thank you for
the gift of community and the

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people you place around us.

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Lord, help us to overcome any pride or
hesitation that keeps us from asking

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for help or borrowing when appropriate.

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Give my friend listening right now
the courage to reach out today to

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explore borrowing options before
even deciding to buy something.

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Lord, open the doors for connection
and open the doors for resource

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sharing within their community.

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Foster us all in a spirit of
generosity, willing to both ask

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and to lend, reflecting your
love and provision to the world.

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Thank you for the power of working
together, and we ask this in Jesus' name.

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Amen.

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Alright, well think about that
upcoming need and reach out.

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You might be surprised how many willing
people are willing to share their things.

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Build those community connections.

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It's a true blessing.

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Now, sometimes the truth is borrowing
isn't an option and we do need to

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buy things, especially consumables.

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So be sure to join me back here
tomorrow on Ask Ralph, where we'll ask

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could switching brands save you money?

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Hey, and if this episode sparked
an idea about sharing resources.

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Do me a favor and please
pass it along to someone.

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You can find resources and links in
this show notes, and this is the big

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change@financiallyconfidentchristian.com.

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So until tomorrow, borrow before
you buy and keep seeking him first.

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And let's keep working to be
financially confident Christians, stay

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financially savvy and God bless you.

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You have a great day today.