Last weekend, in addition to celebrating Mark's homecoming, we also had some BIG events for Annabeth. Saturday night was her first high school dance and Sunday was her 14th Birthday!
Friday, October 10, 2025
Annabeth is 14!
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Mark is HOME!!!!
Mark is home!!
I've just wrapped up a season of solo parenting while Mark was away at Bomb School.
Since around the time Owen was born, Mark has served on our county's Bomb Squad and we have known that whole time that eventually his number would be up for a 6 week course in Alabama. He has been away a week or two each year for smaller trainings but this year was the big one.
He left in the heat of August, pools were still open, we were in shorts and tanks, the house was decorated for summer and now he's home in October. We are working our way through our Fall Bucket List, the house is decorated with pumpkins, and we are ready for fall fun together!
These past weeks have been so incredibly hard. As the primary caregiver and home educator, I am used to long days/nights with the kids. I am used to carrying the bulk of the home/child/errands for our family but somehow knowing that I was going to have to do it completely alone overwhelmed me. I was a mess before he left, sobbing as I tried to learn to use the weedeater so I didn't have to pay for yard help, and crying myself to sleep each night. (I'm thankful he didn't RUN out the door at that point)
In the first few weeks, I was incredibly bitter and jealous. I've certainly never gotten to come home and say "Hey, I'm headed out of town for 6 weeks..." I tried, but failed, to be happy for him as he lived a dream and accomplished a goal that he has worked hard for.
In the middle, thankfully, my parents and sister had us along for a big trip to Arizona. We got away, relaxed, saw somewhere new, and I came home refreshed. I came home focused. I came home determined to savor these weeks of just the kids and me.
We certainly didn't carry on as normal. They had extra TV time, they had cereal for dinner one night, we ate pizza rolls every week, and my yard hasn't been weedeated since my dad kindly did it in Week 2 BUT we did it. I did it.
We are SO proud of Mark's hard work at school, for all of the 100s on his exams, for passing with flying colors and coming home with ideas to help train his team better.
I did not share outside of a small circle of friends/family that Mark would be gone so long as I didn't feel entirely safe with everyone knowing he was gone. In turn, this lead to some confusion as the kids and I took a trip to Michigan City and the Arizona Trip and Mark was noticably absent in pictures as well as in our daily lives. Have no worries, we are happily married, we were just long distance for a bit like our dating/engaged days. I am forever proud to be married to an honest, hardworking man, who shows integrity in all aspects of his life. Welcome home my love.
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Our Fall 2025 Bucket List
Hello Frugal Friends!
Many of you enjoyed reading our Summer 2025 Bucket List and now that we've completed it, I wanted to share our Fall 2025 Bucket List.
As a reminder, the kids choose these items without any kind of prompting or guidance (clearly). I LOVE seeing what they actually want to do...it's always so simple! So instead of running myself ragged giving them alllll the fall fun this year, we are just going to do what they want. Here's to affordable family fun!
Riley Family Fall 2025 Bucket List
Register for 4H (October 1)
Start 4H Projects
Take photographs for 4H
Annabeth's Birthday (October 5)
Chicken Fingers/Mashed Potatoes/Gravy/Corn Dinner
Make Homemade Starbucks
Vacation with Kuhns (Scheduled)
Apple Orchard with Cousins
Fall Camp (Owen and Mark)
Go on a Fall Hike
Go to a Football Game (Scheduled)
Bake a Pie
Playdate with Neighbors
Zoo Teen Sign-Ups
Trick-or-Treat with the Sichting Family (October 31)
I am looking forward to a busy fall filled with the things we want to do!
What's on your Fall Bucket List?
Thursday, August 14, 2025
2,025 in 2025!
Yesterday we finished our 2,025 in 2025 Decluttering Challenge!
Surprised?!
ME TOO!
If you remember, we cleared out 2,024 items in 2024. We finished in late September, having actually started in November of 2023. It was a project I took on, inspired by my friend Justina over at Well Planned Mama, and that the family went along with it. In the end, we all learned a lot! I was VERY into the project and loved the process. I shared many updates last year on the blog and loved talking about it with people in "real life" too. I felt accomplished, in control, and excited that we had done it. Mission Complete.
So...imagine my surprise when on January 1, 2025 Mark and the kids asked where our 2025 coloring sheet was and where we would declutter first! I had no intention of doing the project again or asking them to do it again but they asked - so we did!
Now, not even all the way through August, we are 2,025+ items lighter!
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Peace on the Little Pigeon River
July 5 we headed to Pigeon Forge, TN for the kids' dance nationals. It was our third year in Pigeon Forge and we were already dreading the huste and bustle of the parkway. If you read my last post you know that our summer has been filled with loss, grief, changes, and many days an overall sad spirit. Needless to say, we were not in the mood for overpriced mini-golf, wax museums, or crazy souvenier shops.
Our first morning in Pigeon Forge was a Sunday and instead of worshipping online with our church from home, I found that First Methodist had a service time that worked with our dance schedule. I made the short drive and found myself, in the middle of the PF Strip, at the sweetest brick church right along the Little Pigeon River. The sign out front told me of church ancestors who had built this little place after the last pandemic and a historic flood over 100 years ago.
Inside, I was warmly welcomed like a lost friend. Seated in the "Midwest section" among other out-of-staters from Ohio, I was greeted by the pastor and most of the church members. I heard "Glad to see ya" and "What brings ya'll here?" and "So glad you've stopped in today" over and over again.
Seated on a pew, well worn by 100 years of use, I worshipped alongside those in their Sunday best, those decked out in Dollywood souvenier gear, and even a gal ready for her next work out. We sung old hymns accompanied by a piano and organ that have been used by several generations and worshipped the One who's been here for all time.
In a church who's mission statement read "...to make disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly" it was a JOY to commune with them. I typically choose to visit Methodist churches while traveling as they all practice open communion, allowing for any and all to commune with them. As the pastor welcomed all to the table he said, "Welcome All. We care not what journey in life brought you here today or where you are in your spiritual journey just that you are in this space with us today. Because you are here, you are welcome."
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Where We've Been...
Hello Frugal Friends.
Long time no "see"
It's been a month since I've posted, probably the longest break I've taken since beginning blogging in 2008.
Our June was . . .
I don't know how to describe our June.
The end of May, we had the most beautiful day with my Momaw. We had lunch with her, talked about home projects, celebrated Owen's birthday, and for a bit of the afternoon just she and I sat in her living room. I read a long time ago that "grandparents are your first best friends" and that is 100% true for me. Momaw was always my voice of reason, encouragement, and her pride in me was just what I needed when I was unsure. We left that evening with a "See you next Friday."
Over that weekend, we celebrated Owen's 10th birthday a day early with a trip to the Indianapolis Zoo for the rhino experience. He was thrilled to meet his favorite animals and watching him pet them was a gift to me as much as it was to him. There was a long moment where he stood, eyes closed, hands to the side of a rhino and it was almost like a religious experience. I could feel him speaking to the rhinos soul and back.
Owen turned 10 on June 2 and that same evening Momaw entered the Life Eternal.
We did indeed go back to visit her that Friday - for her funeral - but we did go. Like many funerals, it brought family in from far away, put nearly everyone in the family in the same space at the same time, and I tried to enjoy that gift. God is always good, always working for us, and we all couldn't help but smile that the route from church to the cemetery (without any planning by the family) took us past the Barnard-Jones building at KWC, her favorite bread shop, the old neighborhood, the country club, and past her favorite orchard. It was one last tour with her of all of her favorite places.
We spent a week+ in Evansville/Owensboro with our family, doing what needs done to begin the process of closing a house. Then we came home to our busiest week of summer - VBS and six dance shows all in one week. My parents came up for that week and we enjoyed even more time together.
Last week, Annabeth had her favorite week of summer - Production Camp and Owen and I finished our Indiana Counties tour. We also said "See you soon" to one of our pastors. As United Methodists, we are always changing pastors and this was our third to leave since 2020. We'll say "hello" to our second new one in just a few weeks. I love our church and this tradition as we faithfully accept the will of God for leadership in our church but it isn't always easy as we truly miss the people.
As we left church that afternoon, I said "Lord. Please no more."
Then we got word that a dear little girl, a friend of Annabeth's since Kindergarten, was in a car accident. We've spent day and night since then praying for Halle and for her family. Just like my Mama, I'm one for pacing the house at 3 AM when I can't sleep, and I've covered many miles it seems as I pray for Hal and her family. I am so thankful for a BIG God who can do BIG things. If you would, join us in prayer for her.
This month I have not been at my best. I have not shown up for others as I probably should have. I have not felt like connecting but God had a different plan. In a month when I've wanted to be selfish and sad, God has given us neighbors who needed lawn care help, friends who needed meals made, birthdays to celebrate, and life to live.
Today I am so thankful to be here, for my children to have started school this week, and for the gift of serving God and others every single day.
Thank you for your patience as I let this space go to hold space in "real life" for work that needed to be done there.
See you next week Frugal Friends!
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Our Summer 2025 Bucket List
For the past few Christmas seasons, we've had the kids made a Christmas Bucket List. I found when we did it the first year that what the kids wanted was always very simple and small compared to what I thought they wanted.
We've never done a Summer Bucket List before but last year we saw our friend the Swanson Family's list. Annabeth remembered and asked if we could do it this summer too.
While I know most people are just beginning summer, we are already at our halfway break from school. We go back July 1 so we've been really working on crossing items off. Our goal is to finish our list by August 1st.
Riley Family Summer Bucket List
Sign Up for Summer Reading
Finish Summer Reading (I'm the only one not done)
Finish Indiana Tour (9 counties to go!)
Visit Momaw
Visit Eblings
Movie Night with Sichtings
Cook-Out with Friends
Annabeth Learn to Mow Lawn
Eat Ice Cream Cones
Play in Backyard Sprinkler
Swim in a Pool
Wash Cars
Go to Farmer's Market
Owen to Summer Camp (Scheduled)
Annabeth to Production Camp (Scheduled)
Annabeth Post-Dance Haircut (Appointment Booked)
Friday, May 30, 2025
Frugal Friday 574
Happy Frugal Friday!
Here's how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:
- Friday to Sunday my parents kept the kids and Oscar for us. They went to the Strawberry Festival, played MANY games, spent Saturday in Nashville (IN), and sooooo much more! My parents have had an incredibly busy spring caring for my Momaw and I am so thankful that they were kind enough to set aside this weekend to help us. The kids loved having them here!
- While they stayed home, Mark and I went to Cincinnati to celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary. For Mark's birthday in March, I gifted him a hotel stay and tickets to the Reds/Cubs game. We found lots of free fun (I detailed it on my business Facebook page) and had fun on budget! Free stops included 21c hotel museum, William Howard Taft Presidential Site, Fountain Square, Findlay Market, Taft Museum of Art, and the riverfront. We parked our car on Friday and left it in the garage until Sunday. We walked over 10 miles exploring the city! We had a great time away, reconnecting.
Friday, May 23, 2025
Frugal Friday 573
Happy Frugal Friday!
Here's how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:
- Friday night we had stir-fry dinner and movie night. We made chicken sti-fry, egg rolls, and watched many episodes of Gilmore Girls. It was much more affordable than eating out and still felt special.
- Saturday afternoon we enjoyed a swim birthday party for one of Owen's favorite friends. The pool was kind enough to give swim passes to guests beyond just the party time and so the kids were able to swim the whole afternoon. Thank you to my sweet friend Lauren who sent home the extra Anna-Safe treats she had purchased for the party. I am forever thankful for friends who have safe foods for Annabeth.
- Sunday after church we went to my nephew's baseball game. After the game, we went to Mark's mom's house for dinner and belated Mother's Day. I am so thankful for the gift of cousins for my kids - they truly love spending time with all of their cousins.
- Mark's mom did a grocery delivery order. When it came, it had bottled water that she doesn't care for. They refunded her for those and sent the correct ones. She kindly gave us the three cases!! We plan to take them on a trips later this summer.
- Somehow over the course of our booster seat years, we ended up with five seats across our vehicles and the grandparents' vehicles. I've passed two along to a friend and last weekend I passed along the remaining three to a friend who is a social worker in the city. She will be able to use these to drive some of her clients. We were glad to have the room in the garage and to have them go where they will be used.
- Monday our friend Kelley and her girls had us over. With her church ladies group, she had started some diamond dot suncatchers that will be given to a local nursing home. We were able to complete nearly all of the rest of them as we visited. Annabeth particularly enjoyed this activity. Kelley is a great encouragement to me in always finding ways to bless others.
- Tuesday we dropped a science text book off to a friend. We finished it this spring and she mentioned looking for something different for her daughter for next year. I was happy to pass it along!
- The kids had studio dance pictures this week. As always, we did not buy any pictures. With our dance fees the kids do already get pictures from competitions do we don't spend double buying the studio ones too. Saved: TONS of money
- My debit card is set to expire next month. The new one arrived, I activated it, but chose not to save it to any of my devices. This stopped me from impulse spending this week. Saved: $25
- Last night my parents treated all of us to dinner at Bucca di Beppo for our anniversary. Mark's mom also let us know that she will keep the kids for us for a whole day so we can have a day date sometime! Thank you all!
Frugal Fails:
- Somehow, even though we double check everything, Annabeth and I left her jazz shoes at her last competition venue. We didn't notice there or while processing the bags at home but we did notice when it came time for pictures this week. We searched the cars and house and didn't find them. So, she borrowed some for pictures and I ordered a new pair. This was especially painful as she had worn them literally four times and they would have worked for the next few years :(
- Based on previous years' Nationals schedules and the kids' routines this year, I had guessed we would only be away four nights this summer. We've paid a ton for condos the past two years in Pigeon Forge so I decided to book a hotel room to save BIG. A tentative schedule has come out and it shows the kids will dance every day of the competition meaning we will be there seven nights. At the hotel, this would be an additional $500+ As it was a basic hotel room with mini fridge and no other ammeneties, I decided to check VRBO and AirBnB to see if anything was left for about the same price. In the end, I found a condo for a little less than the extended hotel stay. I am excited this means we will be able to cook with a full kitchen vs eating quick food in a hotel room or being very tempted to eat out. While we don't love spending the additional money in rentals and also three more days of paying a dog sitter, I was relieved to find a rental around the same price as the hotel.
Friday, May 16, 2025
Frugal Friday 572
Happy Frugal Friday!
Here's how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:
- Last week, when we realized our new furnace/ac unit didn't use the same filters as our old one, I put our extras on Facebook for free. Within just a few minutes a friend claimed them and picked them up from our house the next day. Part of our decluttering journey has been the fun of giving away SO many items for free!
- Mark spent a day giving speeches at one of the schools. They gave him a little gift basket as a thank you. He brought home a nice pen, coupon for a free McDonald's meal, candy, and a giftcard to Main & Madison which he kindly gave to me!
- Saturday the kids had most of their group dances at a competition in Zionsville. The boys drove up separately to tick Boone County off our list. I left them to their own devices and instead of choosing some free fun they went to Greek's Pizza. They did compare it to our local one and said it's way better. They brought us girls leftovers and thus none of us ate the lunch I had packed. Saturday night we packed away the cooler food into the fridge and saved it for our Sunday lunch.
- Sunday was Mother's Day. Both of our moms were out of state visiting family so we had the day with just the four of us. Owen had dance so he and I were in Zionsville from 9-3. Mark and Annabeth mowed the lawn, made a homemade cookie cake, and smoked chicken + Mac-and-cheese for dinner. On the way home from the competition, Owen and I popped into a "fancy" northside Goodwill. We were a little disappointed to not find nicer items then we find on our side of town but I did find a nice sweatshirt for Annabeth and a pair of pants for me. I had a giftcard so it was $0 OOP.
Friday, May 9, 2025
Frugal Friday 571
Happy Frugal Friday!
Here's how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:
- I took each of the kids on a little coffee date over the past few weeks. My best friend had given me a gift card and this was a fun way to use it! $0 OOP.
- Mark and I got ice cream one evening. I used a free Blizzard from the Dairy Queen App to make for a very cheap date.
- We don't shop at Meijer super often but they do have some items we cannot find anywhere else. I made sure to use our "Free Item" coupons that came in the mail this month. We got a free peanut butter and free yogurt. Saved: $4.28
- Sunday the kids had a dance competition in downtown Indy. Our arrival time was 6 AM and we didn't leave until 8 PM. We packed along lunch and snacks. The boys went home midday for a break to let Oscar out. Although it cost them gas and time, it was more affordable than hiring a dog walker to come in for him. I did splurge on the way home and we ordered pick up pizza. After 14 hours of dance, I was in no mood to cook. I did use $2 Papa John's bucks and a 20% off coupon.
- Monday, after two weeks without heat or ac, we had our new unit installed. I am very, very thankful that this happened in April/May when it didn't make any difference to not have anything running. We've had beautiful weather and typically don't run heat or air for most of April-early June anyway. We were excited that the new unit came in about $400 less than we thought. Even so, this was a major expense so are busy looking at our monthly budget to figure out how to trim it down to rebuild savings. Expect a LOT of free, frugal fun to appear here over the summer.
- At my Wednesday night job, they often have excess food, supplies, etc that are donated. Once the group members go through, the volunteers can choose from what is left. This week's donation included some new-with-tag clothing basics donated from Maurice's. I chose 8 items for Annabeth and myself. We replaced worn out items in our dressers for free!
- I ordered an item from Amazon that didn't come in exactly how I wanted. When I went to return it, Amazon told me that they would give me a full refund in the form of Amazon gift card and that there was no need to return the item. I will give the item as a gift in the future. I will also save the gift card amount until fall birthdays or maybe even Christmas as I don't shop online often at all.
- Mark was sick all last week, I came down with it last Friday, and Owen started feeling poorly Monday. As a result, we've laid low the past two weeks trying to recover as quickly as possible. The worst part has been a persistent, dry, hacking cough. We hope to be fully through it soon.
Wednesday evening, I came home to our neighbor mowing our front yard. I was so surprised as he's a new neighbor, and we don't speak often. When I got out of the car to thank him, he just said he knew it had been rainy and maybe we needed that little bit of help getting ahead of Thursday's rain. It was such a simple, but deeply meaningful, act of kindness for us. It felt so wonderful to be seen and helped. It was a living reminder to us to always seek opportunities to be the hand and feet of Jesus.
We are looking forward to another dance weekend! Good luck to our SDA Family at our last regional of the season!
Happy Savings to All!
Friday, May 2, 2025
Frugal Friday 570
Happy Frugal Friday!
Here's how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:
- Last Friday we spent the day in Elkhart with our friends the Evans family. We enjoyed time at their house and had a snack lunch. Spent $0 for many hours of fun!
- The kids and I rounded out a 9 county tour of Northern Indiana. I found a good hotel deal for under $100/night at a very safe, clean place. Especially traveling alone with the kids I did not want to risk an unfamiliar area so I stayed right where I knew how to get places and with a chain I was comfortable with. We spent $45 on gas as we drove many miles and $30 on stops. We supported a small family owned bakery and local candy shop with that $30.
- Friday night through Sunday the boys had Spring Camp with the Scouts. They camped at Lakeview for the first time in a while and I know Mark really enjoyed sharing that special place with Owen. Together they caught around 80 fish which was the highlight of all of the stories from campt this week.
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Frugal Thursday 569
Happy Frugal Thursday!
Here's how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:
- My mama kindly took us to Costco ahead of a weekend luncheon. This allowed us to buy in bulk and save from buying more smaller quanities from a regular grocery. Thank you to my parents for helping us with this huge grocery purchase! It made feeding everyone much easier for us.
- We had a great weekend with my family in town. We took lots of walks, played hours of card games, went to several parks, and did eat out two times. My parents treated us to lunch and we took everyone out for ice cream and treats on evening. We ate the rest of the meals at home.
- Sunday was Easter and Annabeth's Confirmation. We are so proud of her willingness to share her faith and to serve our church community. We welcome her to full membership in the UMC and look forward to helping her live and love like Jesus.
- We, as always, did not give our kids any kind of Easter candy/baskets/gifts. My parents always have done an egg hunt for the kids with candy inside the eggs and Mark's mom does Easter baskets. That is more than enough for or our kids, especially as we don't feel it is a holiday about gifts other than the gift of Eternal Life through Christ Jesus.
- Monday afternoon I received a Nielsen survey postcard. It took me less than 4 minutes and I received a $20 gift card for my time.
- Mark took on his biggest bulk order with his Marked By Riley business. He worked several evenings to complete it. We are thankful for friends who choose to support our small businesses. Mark's Custom Sewing Business and my travel business.
- I changed a hotel reservation for next month. When I booked it originally, it was cheaper on one site vs another. I looked again to be sure I still had the best deal and the price had dropped overall + a different site had it for even less. I cancelled our original one and rebooked. Saved: $70
- I cannot eat egg yolks due to an intolerance. I have eaten egg whites only for years but this week Just Egg had a deal on their Instagram that if you bought their plant based eggs they would refund your entire purchase. We were able to find them at Kroger to try. Saved: $8.49
- Sadly our air conditioner unit is beyond repair. It's original to the house, from 1998, and we have limped it along with some fixes over the years but it's time. Mark called several places, got several quotes and opinions, and found the best deal for us. I am so thankful this came in 70 degree April so we didn't feel rushed by a heatwave into this huge purchase.
I am posting a day early because the kids and I are off for an Indiana Adventure today and tomorrow. We are most looking forward to visiting friends!!
Happy Savings to All!
Friday, April 18, 2025
Frugal Friday 568
Happy Frugal Friday!
Here's how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:
- Friday afternoon Annabeth and I got our nails done. While this may not seem frugal, and it wouldn't be if it was a regular habit, BUT it was my birthday gift from Mark and the kids. He kindly gifted me enough for both of us to go. I saved it until right before Easter/Annabeth's Confirmation so she could have the fun of beautiful nails for this special weekend.
- On Saturday, the boys took a tour of the Statehouse with Owen's Cub Scout Pack. Mark had not been before and Owen didn't remember much from our previous tours. A leader in the group paid for lunch for everyone so the boys also enjoyed a pizza lunch down on the Circle. They had a great time out, learning together.
- Saturday wrapped up the Kids' Sale. I felt very happy with my sales and my Express people's sales. When I break it down by hour, I typically make $30/hour worked and feel like it's a fairly easy way to add to our travel income.
- Sunday after church, I picked up all of our leftover sale items. I took them to the free table at our co-op yesterday as we had some great homeschool books, books, and clothing leftover. I hope others were thrilled with their finds.
- We spent time at Mark's mom's house this weekend. We helped with some yard work, shared a meal, and spent lots of time enjoying spring together. Sunday was his parents' 40th Wedding Anniversary which meant everyone missed his dad a little extra.
- I did a declutter on my Instagram. I had realized that I was following a ton of accounts that I was just scrolling right past each day. Even though it isn't "stuff" clutter around the house it's still clutter in my mind. I unfollowed around 50 accounts and now see more of what I want to see*
- Tuesday the kids and I escaped to the woods. We've been running non-stop and I just wanted some peace. We hit a great trail near Lake Salomonie in Wabash County. While the forest floor was greening up, the trees were still pretty bare. I let the kids each move at their own pace (we always wear bright hats in the woods so we can track each other) and we all came away from our time in the woods with some real peace. We technically didn't have the time, at all, for it this week but it was so needed and truly the best use of an afternoon.
*One note about social media. I make it a habit to immediately unfollow anyone who agitates me, makes me want to lash out with a quickly typed response, or makes me feel inferior about my own life/income/home/etc. 9/10 these people aren't people in my real life but rather "influencers" and if they aren't influincing me to have good, positive thoughts then I don't need to follow them.
Friday, April 11, 2025
Frugal Friday 567
Happy Frugal Friday!
Here's how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:
- Last Friday, Oscar had his annual vet visit. He never does very well with his shots and his ears are infected, again. Poor buddy. We ended up cancelling a Saturday adventure day to stay home with him. We made pasta bake and had a Gilmore Girls marathon.
- We had a great deal of rain over the weekend. Mark and Owen made many trips to his office to check on rising waters. Thankfully he didn't have any major water damage to his spaces. Owen very much enjoyed checking on the flood around town.
- Sunday after church, I dropped off our items for the Kids' Sale. I tagged everything a few weeks ago and it was GREAT to get everything dropped off! I use our school room to store everything and we always love clearing it out when it's drop off time. So far my Express people and myself have had great sales and I look forward to getting totals tomorrow night.
- Monday we did a huge schoolroom clean-out. During the months that I use my half of it as storage, the kids' section often gets crazy as well. This year we also had the treadmill so it's been just packed. We spent an hour sorting through arts and crafts supplies and figuring out what we can take to the free table at our co-op. We are now at 1,000+ items cleaned out for our 2,025 in 2025 challenge!
- We ate meals at home. This week, and next week will be too, has been crazy. Instead of trying to be fancy, we did some fast meals at home to save money without taking up heaps of time. It would have been easy to want to stop out to eat several days this week but by planning ahead with easy groceries we avoided that!
- It has been a very busy work week for me. SO many vendors - including Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and several major cruiselines - have all launched incredible summer sales. Quotes are going out and I cannot wait to finalize bookings. Want my (FREE!) help with your vacation plans - just send a message! a.riley@magicalvacationplanner.com
- Yesterday the kids and I did an Indiana travels day. We stopped in Frankfort and then at Sycamore Row for our free stops. We also enjoyed a tour at Seiberling Mansion. We had all been really looking forward to this stop and I had planned ahead for the cost - $20 for the three of us.
- We stopped in Tipton at the most darling little shop - Tinkerhouse. I had not planned to spend any money but it was even cuter in person than online and we HAD to shop small! The owner's mom was working and told me about taking her kids on Indiana county visits when they were kids. She loved being our Tipton County stop so much she gifted me a candy bar! Saved: $4
I am very thankful to be through this week. I now have my Kids' Sale work done until late summer and I also had my last meeting on our co-op board. I have served three years in leadership and I look forward to just having a classroom and committee next year. It has been an honor to serve our group in this way.
We are looking forward to the weekend and what will be our busiest, most exciting week of spring!
Happy Savings to All!
Friday, April 4, 2025
Frugal Friday 566
Happy Frugal Friday!
Here's how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:
- Friday after school and work we headed south for the weekend. My parents treated us to sushi dinner. On Saturday, we spent the day in Owensboro. Mama, Lu, and I stayed later than the rest visiting with Lance and Momaw and howling with laughter at old stories. It was the most perfect day!
Friday, March 28, 2025
Frugal Friday 565
Happy Frugal Friday!
Here's how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:
- Friday evening into Saturday, Annabeth enjoyed her last Confirmation Retreat at church. We are so proud of the work Annabeth has been doing on her Confirmation workbook, field trips, and independent Bible study. Annabeth already serves in several areas at church and we are excited to see her faith continue to grow. She baked cookies and took them to share.
- Friday evening I enjoyed a Mom's Night with some ladies from our homeschool co-op. I took a long a cheeseball + crackers and gluten-free Oreos. We had a lovely time!
- Saturday I tagged ALL of the items for the Kids' Sale. The sale has been moved up a few weeks this year so I needed to get organized sooner than usual. With my Express Tagger's items I had about 500 items to tag. We will use the money from this sale towards vacations this year.
- Saturday I did take a break for lunch out with the boys and again when my best friend popped in for a chat. We live 90 minutes away from each other and we treasure every moment we can snag together!
- Sunday after church we hosted Mark's mom for dinner. Owen helped make homemade stromboli and Annabeth made homemade cookies. We also had salad. I love love love how much the kids enjoy baking/cooking and that they love sharing that with others.
- This week Owen attended a FREE Lego Camp at a library. In all, he had 7 hours of class on Legos, coding, and some other math skills. As other camps in the area are quite pricey, I was so thankful for this free opportunity! The kids also enjoyed playing at the library, getting books, and I enjoyed fireside sits with several friends.
We are looking forward to a fun weekend! Happy Savings to All!