First of all, thank you all for your patience as I have taken off far longer than I intended to with Frugal Friday posts. I appreciate all of the messages and kind words you have shared in person. I will return with Frugal Fridays in 2026!
Until then, I wanted to respond to a question that I received earlier this fall...
How do you give when money is tight?
We've been there Friend! Trust me, especially in our early years of paying off student loans and medical bills, we were a couple that gave some to church and scrimped and saved just to give holiday gifts to loved ones. Through the years, as debts were paid off (we are debt free except for our house) and as I took on a true part time job, we've been able to give to church, support friends' fundraisers, and to give monthly Boys & Girls Club of Johnson County where Mark is the President of the Board.
To other organizations and individuals here's how we have been giving this fall in ways that cost us $0...
- We take clothes, books, and school items that the kids have outgrown to our co-op free table. It's so fun to watch the younger kids love new-to-them princess items, early readers, and more!
- We take books, puzzles, and games that aren't collected there to Little Free Pantries in our area. Visit Little Free Pantry to find a pantry near you.
- Our local library has a Free Pantry for food items. There are many low-income and unhoused individuals who use our library for the wi-fi, air-conditioning or heat, a quiet place to read, etc. We love to take food but also home items. This week we took two lunch sized coolers, reusable shopping bags, some dishes, silverware, as well as some holiday decor. We have had many meaningful conversations checking in with people there and I pray that our children grow up to show eye contact, kindness, and time to anyone and everyone who needs it.
- The boys did a massive garage organization project. Thanks to a Black Friday sale the wood and totes they needed were a good deal. As they cleaned out they took items to the curb. I listed them on Facebook and local people picked up: a dresser, filing cabinet, shelving unit, scooter, and bicycle. All for free!
- I provide childcare on Wednesday evenings for a non-profit. A few weeks ago, they kindly gifted all of the childcare workers gift-bags from Ulta Beauty. Annabeth and I had SO much fun going through them. We kept some items and with others we created a cute Wicked themed makeup gift bag to donate to a local Christmas drive for teens. It's an adorable bag and was free for us to give!
- My sister brought clothes to trade with us. After I went through them, we took some to my sister in law and nieces and the rest we added to another donate pile.
- One of Mark's Scouts is working on her Eagle Scout Project. She coordinated a massive hygiene and clothing drive for the Hope House in Greenfield, IN. The boys volunteered with her and also took along the clothes to donate. Any of the hygiene items from my bag that we didn't keep went there to bless others.
- The shoe list came out for the kids' dance season. Owen needed white Adidas shoes. Our friends the Slaughters had passed down a pair to him two years ago but they were too small. I put them on our Company Facebook page and a friend was able to use them. I was thrilled to pass them along and to save their family the $70 from buying new!
- A local friend asked on Facebook about baby hangers. We happened to have dozens, one of the few baby items still around that I have struggled to part with, and I was happy to share them with her and her family.
While we love giving, it's also always a little fun to get things too...
- I bought a few items from the Slaughters and Lish, SO kindly, passed along an extra bag as well. Owen LOVES wearing things from her boys and we so so so appreciate the gift of free (cool!) clothes.
- While we give a lot to the co-op Free Table and Little Free Libraries, the kids also enjoy bringing home items from them too. We often read, play the game, and then pass along again. It's perfect!
I hope maybe some of these ideas can encourage you to find simple, free ways to share with your community. Giving doesn't have to be big, flashy, or expensive. It can so easily be done with a humble heart and willing hands.
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