Being a good Steward of your money is very important. I personally feel that we 'vote' with our money. We make value judgments based on products we buy. That's why people boycott companies whose practice they cannot abide. They don't want their money going to help causes/ people who believe in things that they don't believe.

Being frugal allows us to better live within our means. Is it a perfect means? Not always but it is smarter than always paying full price for everything without even thinking. That way lies madness.

Being a good Steward of our money also means generously giving it away. It may seem oxymoronic that giving away your money is good for you but it truly is. Not only will it make you feel better, but it's better for the community at large and that's a good enough reason for me to donate my money when I can.

Here's where Being a Good Steward of Your Money and Donation go hand in hand. Know the people to whom you donate or at least do some research. Give to your local church or faith community. Go through the Unitied Way or even a small non-profit that you have personal contact with. Don't hand out money to people who call you over the phone. That's not being responsible with your money. That's being taken for a ride.

Money is the way that budgets are made for organizations and this time of the year is extremely important as non-profits struggle to make ends meet between the rock and a hard place - more people are in need and they have fewer dollars in which to help them. In this climate of economic downturn I don't know anyone who isn't being cautious and that's a smart plan. But if you can, please make some provision for a donation to a non-profit in your area. There are so many programs that will not be available in the New Year because of a lack of funds. Then there is the trickle down - those programs are led by people. Those people won't have jobs, etc., etc., etc.,

The Stewardship conversation may start with our money but it's not going to stop here. We'll continue to talk about ways in which we can give back to our community, take care of what we have and be Good Stewards. This is definitely a Cool Idea!

Restaurant.com is offering 60% off for the Valentine's Day Holiday - offer ends 2.15.2009. That means that a $25 certificate will only cost you $4! And to make this an extra-Cool Idea if you meet their terms and conditions you can also get a FREE $15 FTD gift with your order. Now wouldn't that be fantastic.

Use discount code TREAT and hit 'APPLY'. Now you are the recipient of a much less expensive night out for you and your Valentine. 

The benefit here isn't just for you and your Valentine. Although, it's hard to pass up a deal like this! But one aspect of the downturn in our economy which I'm sure a lot of us are well aware of is that people are eating out less. We're saving money by staying home. Whether we're doing this because we've already lost jobs or in anticipation of job loss or just 'because' - it has already had an effect on the restaurant industry.

NPR had a piece last week about how with each layoff that the government counts there's another layoff in the service sector that isn't counted. This is because we don't go out to eat, or go shopping, or grab a cup of coffee, etc., like we used to when we had extra bucks in our pocket. I've worked in the restaurant industry and it was my only means of support at the time so I am a kind and gentle person to have at your table. Perhaps that one of the reasons that I like the idea of using the Restaurant.com certificates - I get a good deal and I help out a restaurant and the server. It's a win - win - win situation. And in my book that's the essence of a very Cool Idea!