Frugal Friday 424

 Happy Frugal Friday and Happy New Year's Eve!

This Frugal Friday is going to look a little different as I reflect back on our year. 

January 2021 - We were rapidly paying down a car loan, our first ever one of those. The kids and I were in an accident in May 2020 where our car was totaled. We, thankfully, were not injured and the other driver was safe as well. Unfortuntately, the damage was enough that our older car "wasn't worth the cost to repair" per the insurance. We opted to pay about 1/3 cash down and then to pay off the rest quickly on a new (to us 2018) low-milage (under 20,000) car vs paying full cash for something older and more miles. On top of the car, we were seriously looking at building a new house.

Mid 2021 - By March, we had made the difficult but firm decision to not move forward with the build. This was especially difficult as we loved the floor plan we had chosen and the kids had been along to several design meetings and toured the model home several times. We instead invested money into paying off the car loan completely and into some updates to our current house. 

End of 2021 - We are very happy with that decision to not move. At the beginning of the process, the builder said we would be in our home by this Christmas. They have not even begun work on the part of the neighborhood that we would have built in. We would have been waiting/renting probably a year or more for our house. God knew best even when we didn't. 

On a professional note, I am most proud to have donated over $7500 in cash and books in our community and across the mid-west. I have worked with ASSIST Indiana, Resources of Hope, Trinity Lutheran Church and School, as well as countless individuals in their efforts to fill their bookshelves and fundraise for causes they love. What a wonderful year to be a Book Lady!

As we look ahead to 2022, our family strives to continue to faithfully pay down our mortgage and to live with our eyes set on the goal of "owing no man anything but love" (Romans 13:8) We also have been praying over/discussing something new and fun in our business lives. Stayed tuned... 

Happy 2022 from the Rileys!

Frugal Friday 423

 Happy Frugal Friday and Merry Christmas Eve!

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

- Last Friday night, Mark enjoyed the annual leader's party with his Scout Pack/Troop. The kids and I used a $10 coupon to order pizza for pizza and movie night.

- Saturday Mark and Owen had a special day out with Mark's mom. They went to Costco, our Christmas gift is a membership which we've never had before so please let us know what's a great deal there, and out to lunch. Thank you to Kristi for such a great gift!

- Annabeth had gymnastics on Saturday and then we ran errands together. Saturday night when we all got home we enjoyed a family game night. 

- Sunday after church we took lunch to Mark's mom and played more games. Yahtzee is a current favorite for all of us.

- Sunday evening Annabeth had her Youth Group party and took a silly pillow for the White Elephant gift exchange. It was a pillow that we had received in a White Elephant exchange a few years ago so free for us to gift. She was very excited to receive a Rubix Cube. 

- Once we were all home Sunday, we popped popcorn, watched "Elf," and had an indoor campout. The kids especially loved camping out by the lights of the Christmas tree. Oscar enjoyed sleeping outside of his crate and treated himself to a good night's sleep in the Master Bed. 

- Monday evening we played games and Owen and I made No Bake Cookies after dinner. Mark and Annabeth watched a new cooking competition show. 

- Last week we made our annual gingerbead house. We never eat our houses so instead of just having it sit around the house, we entered it into the Nana's Daylight Donuts Gingerbread House Contest. The kids WON the 13 and under age division and won a $100 giftcard and gift basket! Thank you Nana's! 

- Tuesday evening we enjoyed a night out at Christmas at the Zoo with our church Youth Group. Since it was a family event, I took Owen along as he has never been. Annabeth went once when she was very young, Mark's parents took her as a treat, but it's simply too expensive for us to go as a family. Being able to go for free with church was a HUGE blessing. Thank you to generous church friends who donated passes and parking for all to go free. Saved: $83

- Mark worked overtime and I sold some of my remaining UBAM Inventory.

- Wednesday we had our at-home Christmas and enjoyed Christmas Dinner. This year this kids chose chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn casserole, and cranberry sauce. We had the meal for lunch and a quick heat-up of leftovers before Blue Christmas Service at church that night. 

Merry Christmas Eve to all of you. Thank you for joining us on our frugal journey, even on this holiday morning, as we work to "owe no man anything but love"

We pray that you spend this weekend celebrating the One Who came for us all. Born as a baby, lived as a man, but died that we ALL might live the life eternal. That gift, His gift, is free. We cannot earn it, buy it, or work for it - it's by the gift of grace that when we pass we will live forever with Him in heaven if we just believe. I pray that you do believe and if not already may this season stir your heart as your eyes begin to look towards Him. 

Frugal Friday 422

 Happy Frugal Friday!

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

- Last Friday we spent the afternoon at the Johnson County Museum of History. Every Christmas we love to walk the indoor tree trail, vote for our favorite tree, and then enjoy the museum. Right now the special display is of the most beautiful miniatures. The kids spent an hour doing the scavenger hunts and looking at each of the houses/displays. We love this donation only museum - so fun and affordable!

- Saturday morning Owen and I had a Christmas date. I used a Starbucks giftcard, thanks Shop Kick (you can click my link to start earning money too!), and we had a nice coffee/cake-pop date. We also combined a sale and Kohl's cash to get Annabeth's Christmas gift from him at 50% off. 

- We had a very busy day Saturday with three things across two towns. We made a point to meal prep and because we planned ahead we had healthy meals from home even though we were busy running all over the place.

- Sunday morning the kids played Mary and Joseph in the church cantata. I am very thankful for a church that encourages children to become involved in worship early and often in childhood. We have a wonderful choir director who works diligently with the kids, helping them learn real singing skills and to play instruments. This year they played hand bells during their song. We treated Mark's mom, brother, and our niece/nephew to lunch after church. 

- Both Saturday evening and Sunday evening we had birthday parties. The kids really enjoyed being able to choose gifts for their friends and then loved the parties even more. We are so thankful for the blessing of great friends!

- Our friends messaged us about a hotel change for an upcoming trip. By switching hotels we were able to upgrade to a bigger room AND are saving almost $300 on the trip! This is a huge blessing and will give us more spending money for food/gas/state park admissions for the trip. 

- Tuesday evening Owen had his end of the semester event for Cub Scouts. They had a gift exchange, pizza party, and award ceremony. Owen has now earned the rank of Tiger. We are so proud!

- Wednesday night the kids had their Dance Company party. They enjoyed pizza, games, and receiving their company shirt for the year. Owen has always been really jealous of Annabeth going so he was very happy to be included this year. 

- Annabeth's friend surprised her with a Harry Potter cookbook! It was such a sweet, thoughtful gift as Annabeth LOVES cooking/baking and Harry Potter. Mark surprised us all with the ingredients to make Butterbeer so we had a special treat Wednesday evening. Thank you Sichting Family!

- We did our end-of-semester deep clean of the schoolroom. This is my way of staying on top of all of the crafting projects. We organize, recycle, and I find that with everything neat and tidy the kids are more apt to play/create in that space again. 

- Mark had days of Christmas breakfasts, coffees, etc between work and groups that he volunteers with. 

We had a busy, busy week but I've been so thankful for weather in the 50s and 60s. We have spent so much time outside and it's been lovely. 

Praying for our family/friends in Western Kentucky who were affected by last weekend's tornado. Please continue to reach out if we can bless you in any way.

Happy Savings to All. 

Frugal Friday 421

 Happy Frugal Friday!

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

- Saturday morning the moms of our homeschool co-op enjoyed a lovely tea at Rustic Root. I was on the planning committee and was so thrilled with being able to share such a great morning of fellowship with friends. It was also a very affordable morning out, under $20 with tip/person!

- Sunday after church we enjoyed pizza at Mark's mom's house. She generously sent us home with leftovers which was enough for two meals! Thank you. 

- Sunday afternoon I finished out a clothing challenge that I have been working on for a couple of weeks. I set the goal to wear only tops, skirts, and dresses that I haven't put on all fall. Any items that I tried on but didn't wear were placed in a bag. Then Sunday I took out all of the passed over items and tried them on one by one. I did find that several items I pass over often look nice on me and I'll wear them this week. In all, I have 18 items leaving my closet! I always let Mama and Lu look through them first and then we pass along to friends or donate. 

- Monday we had a "Christmas School Day." With a 5th grader and 1st grader, I really want to slow down and savor the season. I am very aware this year of how grown-up Annabeth is becoming and I don't want to miss the little moments. After just a bit of book work, we made Christmas crafts, listened to Christmas music, painted, made cards for friends, and started our favorite winter book The Long Winter.

I got these cute little craft kids for free with Meijer coupons

- Monday morning we also dropped off 12 puzzle and book sets to the Franklin PD Toy Drive. Thank you to all who donated towards the fun cause. We love blessing our community and always support our local police.

- Tuesday night Owen had the opportunity to visit a firehouse. He went once with our homeschool co-op as a baby but then by the time he was far enough into preschool to go COVID shut them down to visitors. He very much enjoyed going with his Cub Scout Pack. Thank you Indianapolis Fire Department for allowing our guys to have a great learning opportunity!

- I ran my last Usborne Books & More inventory sale of 2021. There are still many great books, and collections, all $15 and under in my VIP Group. Check out the SALE. There's also still plenty of time to shop! Order (here) by December 16th for Christmas Delivery. 

- Yesterday we stopped by a friend's house to deliver a book and she generously had cookies ready for us. Thank you Katelyn for sharing your baking talents with us! 

We are looking forward to a VERY busy weekend with gym time, birthday parties, and our church Christmas Cantata. If you live in the Indianapolis area and would like to enjoy our church's Christmas program please message me for dates and times.

Happy Savings to All!

Frugal Friday 420

 Happy Frugal Friday!

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

- We enjoyed Thanksgiving in Indy this year. We took macaroni and cheese, squash casserole, mashed potatoes, and chocolate chip pie. We enjoyed spending the day with nearly all of Mark's family. Thank you to healthcare heroes like my sister-in-law Cassidy who work holidays!

- Friday we had a quiet day at home. We put up our tree, found out that half of the lights on our 9 year old tree were out, and promptly decided to just pay $25 for new lights vs the cost of a brand new tree. Mark chose colored lights, our tree was prelit with white, and now it looks like we have a brand new tree! We had leftovers for meals and enjoyed a "Home Alone" movie marathon.

- Saturday we spent the day at Luke and Cassidy's. We all took items for lunch and shared the cost of pizza for dinner. The kids would have stayed another ten days probably, they love playing with their cousins.

- Sunday, Annabeth and Owen led the Advent Service at church. We feel so blessed to raise our children in church and in Truth. Sunday we had a long lazy, games and hang-out afternoon at home. 

- For months I have been making copy-cat Starbucks pepper egg white bites. For around $7 I can make enough for 9 days. This week, I bought supplied for a copy-cat iced white mocha that came pretty close. I spent around $10 for supplies to make over two weeks worth of coffees! I generally splurge on coffee 1x/week BUT this will be a huge savings over time. 

- Our big grocery win was that Walmart was out of the 8 count of Poptarts that I ordered. The teen filling my order just substituted a 48 pack for the 8 pack price! 40 FREE - WOOHOO! 

- This week I ran my 2nd Annual Puzzle Drive for the Franklin PD Toy Drive. The puzzle/book sets are ordered and we'll drop them off when they arrive. We are donating 12 sets!

- Yesterday was our co-op Christmas party. The moms who planned it did an incredible job of making it a day to remember! Our kids loved a pancake breakfast, games, crafts, and more! We are feeling much more in the holiday spirit now!

- Part of why I LOVE being a book lady is that I really, truly love sharing books that I love. This week we were able to send out two books - one to celebrate a baby on the way and one to a little friend with a broken bone. Matching the right books, to the right people, at the right time brings me so much joy! 

We had a great week getting back into the school/work rhythm after vacation and the holidays.