Happy Frugal Friday!
Here is how we saved money/made extra money/spent money wisely this week:
- Mark worked overtime at his main job as well as a shift at his part-time job. I had two Usborne book parties and closed out my holiday book box orders.
- Two weeks ago we sold Mark's truck. We bought it two years ago and it ended up being a far bigger project than we are responsibly ready to take on at this time. Mark worked extra shifts and used his birthday/Christmas gifts and money to buy parts and pay for labor on the things he couldn't do but it was just becoming far more than we needed to put into it. We orginally listed it for sale in July and it took until this month to sell. Mark was very sad to see it go but it was the right, responsible choice for our family. We earned enough to match what we spent on the new family car and were refunded the remainder of what we had paid in insurance for the year. We will add that refund to our savings account.
- We took advantage of Open Gym on Saturday morning and took Annabeth to an extra gymnastics class this weekend. We have had pretty busy Saturdays so this was the first one we were able to take her. It is built into our budget with the studio and we hope to get her there as much as possible this winter. Owen loved playing with the other little siblings in the hallway.
- Annabeth was invited to a pottery painting party on Saturday afternoon. She very much enjoyed painting her own little bank. We gifted the birthday girl a gift certificate to our dance school (which I think her parents were very happy to see since they can use it for class fees) as well as a ballet sticker book.
- We packed our shoebox for
Samaritan's Purse. Annabeth chose to fill a box for a 6 year old girl. Mark took Annabeth to the store on Sunday and they filled up on school supplies - pencils, crayons, colored pencils, notebooks, and markers. They also added hygeine items - toothbrushes, hair ties of various kinds, and a hairbrush. Annabeth chose two little cupcake dolls for the girl's toys. At home, I found a manicure set (without sharp scissors since it was for a young girl), a flower hairbow, and a little sticker book in our "gift box." Annabeth loves doing this each year and we love watching her give with joy! We used a $10 off coupon to help buy things and tried to use up things in our gift tote as well.
- Mark's work vehicle was needed at the office over the weekend so he drove home a marked vehicle. Both of the kids loved checking it out and having a "real" police car to look at! Owen was beside himself with excitement!
- Sunday evening Mark made biscuits and gravy for dinner. Once we were full of warm food, we bundled up and headed outside to play for the evening. The kids loved seein the first flurries of the season!
- We had a great Halloween! The kids enjoyed their usual classes at Style. Their friend Kinsley and her family made sweet little treats for the kids and her mama even gave each of my kids their own, allergy free ones. Thank you Katelyn! Our amazing neighbors all stopped in Halloween night with treats for the kids - coloring books, crayons, color your own bags, and allergy free treats! Since our kids' grandparents all live far away we are so thankful to have these special grandparent-like people in our lives!
Buckets and costumes ready!
Owen used my trick or treat bucket from when I was little!
That cat decoration is also from my parents house from when I was little.
Post trick-or-treat trade out for safe candy.
Owen was originally "scared" of his costume so we were glad he
finally agreed to wear it!
Annabeth waiting to trade out her treats for safe ones.
- We had a great trip to Meijer yesterday. We saved $45.55 with coupons! My best deals were Owen's GF bean chips for $.99/bag and hair color for just $.49! We also checked out the sushi and the sushi man Simon offered the kids a sample. I thought one piece each but he gave them a WHOLE ROLL to split! My little sushi-monsters loved that!
Frugal Fails and a Savings Challenge for November:
- We did have some food waste this week - 1/3 jar of pasta sauce and 1/2 container of sour cream were hidden in the back of the fridge for quite a few weeks. I worried they wouldn't be safe to eat so we dumped them out and recycled their containers. We also let four yogurts expire.
- We ate out twice as a family this week. We really try to only eat out as a family three times (or less) each month. We have set the goal of not eating out as a family (AT ALL!) for the month of November. Mark does eat out some for work meetings and will continue to do that. We took a family vote and Annabeth chose to use the money we save from not eating out to buy supplies for the Meal Bags that we help fill. We will make a big shopping trip at the end of the month just for Meal Bags!
How can you find extra money in your budget to bless others this Christmas season?
If you are local and would like to know more about donating time, money, or resources to the Meal Bags please let me know!
Happy Savings to All!
