The longer I live for YHVH and seek to walk in His ways, the more blessings and benefits I recognize as a result. Just the other day, I found myself reflecting on the different ways keeping Shabbat saves our family money!
1. We don’t spend money for a complete 24+ hours. Because we are giving everyone the opportunity for a day of rest and not soliciting services within our “gates” (our community) during Shabbat, Shabbat is essentially a spending freeze. Every dollar we don’t spend because we’re keeping Shabbat is a dollar we’ve saved.
2. We sit on the idea of purchasing something before doing so. Recently, I was looking to make a purchase online, but sunset drew near on Friday, causing me to put the idea to the side for a day. When I came back to it on Sunday, I decided I didn’t actually want what I was so close to purchasing on Friday. At least one day a week, we have the opportunity to practice delayed gratification, pause before purchasing, and separate ourselves from an item we’ve been mulling over, which in turn can save us an unnecessary or splurge expense.
3. We become more self-aware of our spending behaviors. By not spending on Shabbat, the things we do spend money on, especially the little splurges, become more apparent. If we pass by the coffee shop on our way to Shabbat service, and our heart does a little pitter patter and longs to turn in for “our usual,” we may suddenly realize that we buy coffee out every time we come to town. Because we’re not spending on Shabbat, we gain insight into our spending habits, which helps us to be more intentional with how we spend (or save!) our money.
4. Preparing for Shabbat saves us money. I make one trip out each week to fill up on gasoline, run errands, and purchase everything needed for the weekend. This preparation keeps me from making multiple trips to the store, which in turn saves me money on gasoline and spontaneous buys at the store. In addition, gasoline is most expensive on Saturdays. When I buy gasoline during the week in preparation for Shabbat, and do not purchase gasoline on Saturday, I’m saving money! (Plus, it saves me time which can then be used in industry at home, saving us money through domestic effort!)
5. We eat home-prepared foods on Shabbat. Because we have a “no spend” Shabbat, we don’t eat out on Shabbat, which saves us so much money! Even if I were to purchase premade or convenience foods at the grocery store and simply reheat them for Shabbat, the per serving cost is much less than eating out. Also, because we keep Shabbat from sunset to sunset, one of the foods I often prepare for Shabbat is soup, stew, or chili because soups can be kept cooking for an extended amount of time (and actually become more flavorful as a result). As it turns out, soup is one of the most economical foods to make— another money savings in our family, thanks to the Creator’s command to keep Shabbat!
6. We feast with friends at our Shabbat services. Every Shabbat fellowship I know of shares food at some point during the day. When we pool our food together, somehow my one dish and everyone else’s one dish multiples, and we always have so much food! My whole family has a variety of foods and flavors and “courses.” I may bring a casserole and a loaf of challah, but my family also has salad, fruit, dessert, and a variety of other casseroles, soups, meats, and vegetables to eat. We eat, we feast, and we are satisfied, but it only costs our family the expense of the dish or two I bring.
7. We are healthier. Our bodies need rest from our labors. Our minds need peace from our daily business and busyness and stress. Our spirits need refreshed. Shabbat gives us the time for restoration and healing, and as a result, I feel healthier and experience holistic wellness, which not only doesn’t cost me anything— but also saves me money I would have spent elsewhere for the same effect.
Of course, our family doesn’t keep Shabbat because it saves us money. We keep Shabbat because YHVH says, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” But YHVH’s commands are a blessing to His people and have benefits that perhaps aren’t always obvious. The Scriptures say “remember YHVH your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18). As I remember YHVH by being faithful to keep His commandments, I am noticing the affect on our finances; through Shabbat alone, our family is saving money and building wealth!
Shalom!
Raquel
Women Living Torah 
We have relaxation time like reading, music, getting out in nature too.
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