At times, their frugality bothered me when I was growing up. I stated in another blog that I was 13 before I ever ate at a restarant. I wore lots of hand-me-down clothing. There was a really cool guy at church, who was closer to my sister Bev's age, who used to point that out to the kids at church: “Look, I told my mom to give my clothes to the Salvation Army, but it looks like she gave them to Harold Haire instead (followed by much laughter, of course)!
As a lifelong homemaker she was committed to saving money in any way possible. She saved books of S&H Green stamps and redeemed them for our family's benefit. She also clipped coupons and then watched for double and triple coupon days at various grocery stores! She pinched a penny as well as anyone! 😊 Did I mention that she took me into Picway Self-Serve Shoe Mart to buy my shoes?
When I was a young teen, they went from old, canvas tent camping to the purchase of an off-brand, used, hard-top camper. They were so proud of it! It was very small and shaped like the old Scottie campers. They joined a camper’s club called “The Happy Wanderers” and enjoyed many wonderful weekends with couples who had MUCH BIGGER AND NICER campers. But my folks pulled in with pride and had as much (or more) fun than anyone!
When I was in high school, they bought a Shasta trailer that was newer and a bit larger. They were SO EXCITED!! By then, I was driving and didn’t camp much with them. During this season of life they lost the cabin they had used for years at the Tri State Camp in East Liverpool. No problem; they simply lived in their campers (on the same site that Charlie and Laurie Mahosky presently use). 🙂
They had each been raised through the Great Depression. As a result, they had cultivated a phenomenal capacity for being content with what they had. I can only imagine their joy in 1957, when they moved from Beaver Falls into a brand new home in New Brighton! I was four-and-a-half years old. They paid $11,000!! They lived in that house until thy died (Mom in 1981, and Dad in 1992).
Although at times I was embarrassed, I always knew that they had a quality that I also wanted to have. In addition, they practiced extreme generosity toward the church and missions! And somehow, Dad always managed to squirrel away some money to give Mom when ‘Dollar Days’ came in Beaver Falls. 😉
I inadvertently hurt my Dad shortly after we were married. We had come home from Kentucky where I was attending Asbury Seminary. I was working as a part time unloader at UPS and the union had been on strike seeking increased pay for part time workers. I excitedly told Dad that I would be making $4.70/hour upon my return to work (an exceptional pay for part time work in 1974). I was disappointed that he didn’t seem to share my joy. Before leaving, I brought it up again and asked him why he wasn’t excited about my raise. He responded: “Son, I’ve worked for Townsend Company for forty-seven years (pause), and I’ve never made $4.70 an hour”.
But, he was content.
Like my Dad, I’ve never made big money either. I realize now that I probably would have been better off financially if I had stayed in the Pittsburgh Conference. Superintendents where I served didn’t advocate for pastor’s salaries while Pittsburgh Conference leaders (particularly Superintendent Jim Jobes) did!
Add to that the fact that my Dad and Mom did not deliberately pass on their wisdom about finances, and Debbie and I were set up for trouble. Before too many years of marriage passed, we were in debt. Growing our family, low wages, financing two masters degrees and unwise financial management eventually led to chronic depression for me and a distinct lack of joy accompanied by a constant burden of stress due to our debt.
However, God intervened in our lives and used some instrumental people to set in motion a long-term plan to enable us to eliminate our substantial debt! PTL!!! Today, we own our home and our vehicles and have no debt! Thanks be to God. And, like my parents, we are able to be generous with the church and missions (as well as others).
All these thoughts are triggered as I sit looking out over Pymatuning Lake! Debbie and I are here trying out our new camper! After 45 years of camping in tents and pop-up campers, we have recently purchased a used 5th-wheel camper (2002)and a used Ford F-250 (2008) to pull it. We own them both! 😊 We’re pretty excited about it!
I guess, after all these years, a little of Mom and Dad did rub off!
