Frugal Friday 500

 Happy Frugal Friday!

First of all, THANK YOU for being here for 500 weeks! WOW! I never imagined this little blog would last so long or be viewed so many times. I hope that our efforts to "owe no man anything but love" have been encouraging to each of you.

Here is how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:

- While cleaning out the kids rooms we found some 4H, Scout, and Style items that were too small. We promptly passed along to families from each group with younger kids. I try to really stay on top of items like this so we have less in our home and so we can bless others.

- We had some food items we are not going to be able to use up so I offered them on Facebook for free. We had some buttermilk, we had purchased it for Father's Day dessert but have no way to use up the rest, egg whites, part of a big Costco pack but when I realized we had too many for me to eat before they expire, and then I had been freezing bananas all spring when they were going soft. I don't care for bananas and don't want to bake with them or use them in smoothies. Some friends came and picked up all of the items and already knew just what they were going to do with each item. Free for them, zero food waste for us!

- We enjoyed two parties last week at the city pool. The kids had a great time swimming with friends despite the very cold water. Saturday night was the Little League pool party and I really enjoyed someone else serving dinner and entertaining the kids. 

- Sunday morning we had church and Sunday School. I also took a walk with church friends which was a great way to enjoy the Sabbath.

- Mark spent Saturday afternoon to Monday morning in Illinois for the Ordination and Installation of his brother into his first church as pastor. We made the decision earlier in the spring for Mark to go alone - we have quite a bit of activity and travel this summer and it was easier for me to stay home with the kids for this trip. We were very thankful that St. James did a livestream of the service and we were able to worship from home.

Not long before the service started our weather warning sirens went off.

We all packed into the bathtub and watched the livestream from there.

We were very blessed to have, once again, been miles from each of the tornadoes near us. 

- Monday evening Mark and I took ice cream to a local park and had a good, long chat. Between travel and work it's easy to become passing ships and we are trying to be very purposeful in checking in with each other in really meaningful ways. 

- Tuesday morning we enjoyed seeing Nancy Drew at our local Artcraft Theatre. The film was part of their summer series so tickets + popcorn/drinks were just $15 for the three of us. We generally do not go to movies due to the price but we try to see one a summer as a special treat. I felt that $15 was a very good deal. 

- Wednesday night was Owen's last game of the Little League season. His team placed third in the Rookies Division for the year. We're proud of all of his growth and progress. Can't wait for fall ball.

- After O's last ball game we went to Frozen Paradise for celebratory ice cream. It was $22 with a tip. This was the first and only time we've eaten out all ball season. I work very hard to plan meals so that we don't have to grab fast-food even if it means a quick dinner like sandwiches and sides. It saves us SO much money. We do try to make the last night special though and under $25 for all four of us felt like a great deal. 

- Yesterday we drove down to Charlestown for the day. With packed summers this was the first play day we've been able to have with our best friends since Spring Break. We were SO excited to spend the day with them before school starts back next week. Thank you all for sharing your pool and dinner - we love you Eblings.

We are looking to a lovely, long holiday weekend celebrating all the things we love about being Americans.

Happy 4th of July and Happy Savings to All.

Frugal Friday 499

 Happy Frugal Friday!

Here is how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:

- Last Friday we spent the day downtown. We had lunch at the Willard, enjoyed free fun at Festival County, window shopped, and rounded out the day with safe ice cream at Frozen Paradise. Before that my parents took the kids to Hobby Lobby and Goodwill. We had the best week with them in town for baseball, dance, and fun. It was so hard to say good-bye Friday afternoon. 

The kids loved all of the FREE fun at 
Festival Country including these photo ops

- Friday evening was Owen's last regular season Little League game. We had gorgeous weather and a win for the boys. Now on to tournament play tonight.

- Saturday morning Annabeth and I enjoyed a children's play at the Artcraft. Many of her friends were in it and we were happy to go cheer them on. It was a fun, affordable morning out. One of the MOST important things I want to instill to my children is that we should ALWAYS cheer for others. 

- Saturday afternoon Owen enjoyed a free baseball clinic at our local high school. He had a couple of hours of fun instruction and loved playing extra baseball over the weekend. They each received a free t-shirt and bracelet. 

- Saturday evening we attended the graduation party of one of Mark's Eagle Scouts. Mark has been working with this young man nearly all of his childhood/scout years and we are very excited for him to continue his education and baseball career at college. 

- Sunday we served as greeters at church and then had Mark's choice of lunch and a movie afternoon at home as his activity of choice. For dinner we went to Mark's mom's house where she had the boys' favorite foods to celebrate them for Father's Day. Each of us are thankful for our fathers, the lessons we have learned from them, and above all for our Heavenly Father from whom all blessings flow.

- Kristi sent home leftovers after Sunday dinner and they provided another dinner this week. Thank you. 

- This week Annabeth enjoyed a theater production day camp at the dance studio. We presented her with several summer camp options and gave her the choice of one. This was her choice. We let it be an option of just one in an effort to give her free time this summer and to watch our summer spending. 

- Owen really enjoyed having our days to just us all week. Monday we ran to appointments for him and used up his last gift card from Christmas. He had not really wanted to spend it until now and I was proud of him for saving it. Tuesday we deep cleaned his room. Wednesday we worked on his 4H projects and had neighbor friends over to play. Yesterday he finished his 4H projects and Summer Reading so we celebrated with a trip to the library, long bike ride/park walk, and with ice cream at the new Millie's Ice Cream downtown. I really treasure one-on-one time with each of the kids and was glad to have it.

We're looking forward to a fun filled weekend - Annabeth's play today, Owen's ballgame tonight, and then celebrating some family achievements this weekend. 

Happy Savings to All 

Frugal Friday 498

 Happy Frugal Friday!

Here is how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:

- Mark returned home from Raven's Challenge. The bomb team had a great week of training with teams from around the world. The long hours there did result in overtime pay for Mark.

- Saturday for lunch we enjoyed time with Mark's mom for her birthday. We celebrated her birthday along with Owen's and had pizza for lunch and ice cream cake for dessert. 

- Saturday evening Annabeth and I headed to her best friend's birthday party. It had a "Wednesday" theme and as always Melissa had INCREDIBLE decor! Their family is so warm, welcoming, and I'm so thankful for their friendship. Annabeth chose to gift Sophia a Tiny Art Kit. 

- Sunday morning Annabeth I served at greeters at early service. Annabeth also helped lead music and the Lord's Prayer during both services as part of VBS Sunday. I am forever thankful that she fell in love with the Lord at such a young age and that she seeks to serve him in all she does. 

- Owen was very sick Friday evening through Sunday evening so he and Mark stayed home most of the weekend resting. He was finally feeling back to normal by Monday lunchtime.

- Monday evening O did make it to his baseball game. The weather was gorgeous - under 70 with blue skies and sun. O had his best game yet with three hits and two runs scored.

- Tuesday morning I cleaned out a drawer and found a Starbucks giftcard. Much to my surprise it had $14.70 on it. Woohoo!! I was so surprised - I am usually pretty good about spending money on coffee. I used it Wednesday morning when I went to volunteer at the kids' dance rehearsal. 

- Wednesday morning the kids had dance rehearsal with their recital Wednesday night. They were excited to have Nana, Grandmama, and Grandpa all there.

- Yesterday we had an adventure day with Grandmama and Grandpa. We drove to the Richmond area and stopped at the Richmond Fossil Park, ate at Pizza King where enjoyed 10% off thanks to our kind waitress, stopped by the Levi Coffin House Museum, saw the highest point in Indiana, and popped in an Amish grocery for some snacks. We had a great day out exploring.

In November we hiked at the highest point in Alabama.

Yesterday, we wandered around the highest point in Indiana. 

One was at the top of a mountain, the other in the middle of cornfields.

- Last night we went to the pool for free swim and dive in movie. It was packed so we swam 2 hours and then came home for popcorn and the movie in our own living room.

We have had a great week with Mama and Dad here. Now we look forward to a weekend of baseball, graduation parties, and Father's Day.

Happy Savings to All!

Frugal Friday 497

 Happy Frugal Friday!

Here is how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:

- Last Friday was Owen's 8th birthday. We woke up early to do a scavenger hunt for his gifts before Mark went into work. He got a new shirt, playdoh set, book set, and an Elvis shirt to help share the surprise that we will be going to/staying at Graceland later this year! To help keep birthdays feeling special our kids pick all of the meals and activities for the day. We made homemade breakfast pizza for breakfast, splurged on eat-out lunch at Enzo's pizza, and had taco bar for dinner. They each get to choose one eat-out meal on their birthday and since we rarely eat out the $35 for three people really shocked me! Glad we typically cook at home. He chose to see the WAVE Foundations' Shark Show at the library as his activity and I was thankful that was free. 

- Friday evening we rented the youth center at church and inivtied some of his friends to come out to play for his birthday. They had a great time and I really enjoyed not having the stress of cleaning house or figuring out how to entertain everyone. We had about a dozen kids so it was great to let the play with the ping-pong tables and such at church. Owen chose a nacho bar and ice cream cups as the meal/dessert. We had tons of leftovers and were able to eat it across several days.

- Saturday morning the boys had breakfast together and then ran errands like oil change and gasing up the cars. Annabeth and I headed to the Farmer's Market. It was much too early for any real produce so just tons of baked goods and homemade items. We skipped those and spent a bit of money on pepper plants. We had planted our own but they didn't come up. If we get 8 peppers from the four plants we bought we will have made our money back. 

- Sunday after church we went to Mark's mom's house for lunch. L+C+Kids gifted Owen some water rockets and that meant a whole afternoon of fun for all of the kids. Kristi has great shade outback so even with the hot, sunny weather we were able to keep all of the kids out and happy for 4 hours!

- This week was VBS at our church. For the first time, Annabeth was old enough to be a helper and this brought her SO much joy! Every year since Kindergarten she has talked about wanting to be old enough to help at VBS and she loved helping lead song and dance. Owen enjoyed his group and I helped with crafts all week. It was such a joy to share the gospel with over 100 kids! 

C.S.I. themed VBS was perfect for our C.S.I. Family

- My parents were here from Monday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon. They came up to see one of Owen's baseball games and we had a great time with them! They took the kids out to eat, to parks, to the library, played outdoors, and helped me do the dance/4H/baseball runs in the evening. Tuesday evening, Mama and I snuck in a shopping and dinner date which was wonderful. I SO love having them in town!

- Last night we enjoyed free night at the city pool. For locals, every Thursday night of June/July the FC Pool will be FREE from 6-8 PM. It was a lot of families and not overly crowded. We'll be taking advantage of this each week. 

- Mark spent his week away at Raven's Challenge with his Bomb Squad. We thank and praise the Lord for the safety of all teams from around the world during their exercises. 

We are looking forward to another weekend celebrating birthdays! 

Happy Savings to All

Frugal Friday 496

 Happy Frugal Friday!

Here is how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:

- Friday night we drove down to Evansville after baseball. We ate dinner at home, very early, to avoid eating out.

- Saturday morning we had a big garage sale at my sister's house. Each household brought items and the kids sold baked goods and drinks. The kids filled a large tote with toys and books to sell as well. Combined the kids made nearly $70 so they were very happy. We were excited to visit with my aunt and uncles who stopped by as well. I love being in Evansville!

- After the sale, we divided everything left to be donated. Two carloads went to the Rescue Mission Thrift shop, one car load will be donated to Mountain Mission, and we brought back items for KIC-IT. 

- Mark and I enjoyed the weekend at the lake. We spent Saturday afternoon browsing, not buying, at some of our favorite antique stores. We had a special anniversary dinner out thanks to his mom. Thank you Kristi for the anniversary money!! Sunday we visited Momaw and then spent Sunday evening/Monday morning working on a dock project at the lake. So thankful to be able to help Mama and Dad with this project.

14th Anniversary Weekend

- Owen stayed at Mimi and Grandpa's for the first time overnight this weekend. He wants to come by himself later in the summer so this was a test with Annabeth along. He did well and can't wait to go back later. Sunday evening Mark, Dad, and O enjoyed his first trip to Tri-State Speedway. Owen LOVED the races and it was a great kick off to his birthday week. 

Race Guy.

- We spent Memorial Day with the whole family at the lake. Lu and I made our annual visit to the Coal Museum Rummage Sale - I didn't purchase anything but she found some decorative mirrors. The kids, and Oscar, loved being out on the lake. We reserved a camping spot for later this year for our first family tent campout away from home. 

- Tuesday I spent over 7 hours powerwashing the house, patio, and front walk. I always underestimate how long projects take and thought I would have it all done in 2 hours. Not so much BUT I was so thankful to be able to borrow my parents' powerwasher and to save the cost of having someone else come and do it. 

- Tuesday night was Owen's last night of Wolves for the year. They always finish the last night of Cub Scouts with the Pinewood Derby. Owen's car came in 4th and we had a great night!

- Wednesday was the opening day for Walt Disney World 2024 reservations. I had four reservations ready to go and spent all day in the online queue for my clients. My services are always free and save my clients from having to deal with the hassles of registrations, early wake-ups for reservations, and more. Message me at a.riley@magicalvacationplanner.com for quotes and bookings.

- We had some food/drink items, worth around $15, that we weren't going to eat. I shared them on Facebook and friends came to pick up. I was very happy to be able to pass them along vs creating food waste.

We are looking forward to a busy weekend celebrating birthdays and graduations.

Happy Savings to All!