Living well, spending less : 12 secrets of the good life

151 Pages·2014·1.25 MB·English

by  Soukup, Ruth

Praise for
Living Well, Spending Less
Living Well, Spending Less is an inspiring book full of step-by-step instructions
and spiritual wisdom. I love how Ruth is transparent about her mistakes as she
leads us to reevaluate our priorities. This book is a great biblical guide to living
well and finding joy!
COURTNEY JOSEPH, author of Women Living Well (the book) and
WomenLivingWell.org (the blog)
In this book, you will be inspired by Ruth’s authenticity and honesty as she
shares her own journey from constantly spending time and money chasing after
more to discovering she already has all the makings of a rich and full life right
where she’s at. If you struggle to simplify your life and wish you could savor the
here and now, this book is a must-read.
CRYSTAL PAINE, founder of MoneySavingMom.com and New
York Times bestselling author of Say Goodbye to Survival Mode
Ruth’s book inspires, motivates, and comforts at the same time. Her book is
about far more than saving money; it’s about learning how to be content and
satisfied, regardless of your financial situation. It made me wish Ruth lived
down the street so I could meet her for coffee and a chat.
STEPHANIE NELSON, founder of CouponMom.com
Ruth Soukup knows firsthand how mamas like us live crazy busy lives, and she
steps in as a friend to help us manage and love every minute of it. In Living Well,
Spending Less, Ruth offers her best tips for gaining control over the chaos with
wisdom-based insights on all things thrifty and family. I’ll be reading it again
and again and recommending it to friends who long to live and love the good life
that God has for them!
RENEE SWOPE, bestselling author of A Confident Heart (book and
devotional) and Proverbs 31 Ministries’ radio cohost of “Everyday
Life” with Lysa & Renee
It doesn’t take more than a trip to Target or a glance at People magazine for me
to come face-to-face with my own insatiable desire for more. More beauty. More
designer clothes. More gadgets. More happy. But, as Ruth Soukup discloses
through her signature honest and down-to-earth style, “more” will never make
you and me “full.” But here’s the good news: The life you crave is far closer
than you can imagine. Ruth will show you how to get there.
MICHELE CUSHATT, speaker and author of Undone
Living Well, Spending Less is relatable and helpful without being condemning.
Ruth takes a complicated, emotionally laden issue like spending and makes it
seem possible to come to terms with what’s keeping us stuck both in our
finances and in our lives.
EDIE WADSWORTH, author of Coming Home and blogger at
Lifeingrace
Ruth Soukup has learned contentment does not come with a Pottery Barn label.
Every woman who struggles with wanting more should read this book before she
discovers a stack of receipts and a trail of regrets. It’s never too late, as Ruth so
engagingly and shares, to discover that the Good Life — God’s best — is free.
GLYNNIS WHITWER, author and executive director of
communications at Proverbs 31 Ministries
I couldn’t stop reading Living Well, Spending Less. I tried to — only because I
had other things I needed to do — but I couldn’t. Rarely is there a book so adept
at weaving personal story with practical tips. I found myself craving this good
life that Ruth writes of — a life that is possible for anyone who reads this book.
EMILY T. WIERENGA (WWW.EMILYWIERENGA), author of
the bestselling memoir Atlas Girl
Living Well, Spending Less is about more than planning a better budget or
maintaining an organized home; it offers tips for easing stress and improving
time management. Here, Ruth gifts us with a simple yet powerful blueprint for
realizing true, deep contentment with all of the good things that this life has to
offer.
KASEY KNIGHT TRENUM, blogger at time2saveworkshops.com
Living Well, Spending Less is an incredible book that will teach you how to
spend smart without compromising a great life. Ruth’s stories and practical
advice will make you want to be a better mother, wife, sister, and friend. Trust
me, you’ll be happy you read this book.
RACHEL CRUZE, coauthor with Dave Ramsey of Smart Money
Smart Kids
ZONDERVAN
Living Well, Spending Less
Copyright © 2014 by Ruth Soukup
ePub Edition © December 2014: ISBN 978-0-310-33773-7
Requests for information should be addressed to: Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Soukup, Ruth, 1978 – Living well, spending less : 12 secrets of the good life /
Ruth Soukup.
pages cm
ISBN 978-0-310-33767-6 (paperback) 1. Finance, Personal. 2. Budgets, Personal. 3. Saving and investment. I. Title.
HG179.S55255 2014
650.1 — dc23
2014011390
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a
division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by
permission. All rights reserved.
Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in
any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life
of this book.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
means — electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other — except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior
permission of the publisher.
Published in association with The Fedd Agency, P.O. Box 341973, Austin, TX 78734.
Cover design: Dual Identity
Interior design: Beth Shagene
First Printing November 2014
To Chuck, Maggie, and Annie — thank you for always
reminding me what the Good Life is really about
Contents
Introduction
PART ONE: LIVING WELL
SECRET #1: The Good Life Is Not What We Think It Is
A life well lived is not so much about what we have but about who
we are SECRET #2: Contentment Is a Choice
Longing for what we don’t have keeps us from the Good Life
SECRET #3: We All Have a Sweet Spot
Finding that place where our passion and ability intersect
SECRET #4: Written Goals Can Change Your Life
A clear long-term vision and written goals allow us to reach our
full potential SECRET #5: We All Get the Same Twenty-Four
Hours
The Good Life starts with personal discipline and good time
management SECRET #6: Less Stuff Equals More Joy
Lower your family’s stress level by clearing out the clutter
PART TWO: SPENDING LESS
SECRET #7: We Need to Spend Less Than We Think We Do
Why stewardship matters
SECRET #8: Saving Is a State of Mind
Learning to live within our means affects every single thing we do
SECRET #9: How to Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half
The simple changes that can save hundreds at the checkout line
SECRET #10: A Clean House Is a Happy House
The best reasons for keeping a tidy house, and how to get it that
way SECRET #11: The Best Things in Life Are Free
The things we want most in life are things we can’t buy
SECRET #12: We Get More When We Give
The Good Life needs to be shared
Notes