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.