Frugal Friday 439

 Happy Frugal Friday!

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

- Last weekend the kids and I went to Ft. Wayne with my sister for a long dance weekend. The kids both danced really well and we all had a great time! With competitive dance there are times when travel/hotels can't be avoided but I do my best to save money as we go.

- I booked our hotel through Booking.com. I get 10% off most stays on Booking and they price match so I know I am finding the lowest/best price plus that 10% off. There were three choices near the dance venue and I chose the most affordable one. This saved me nearly $200 compared to the hotel next door. Unfortunately I didn't realize until we were checked in that our hotel did not have a pool. That wasn't a big deal for me but the kids were VERY disappointed. I made sure to click the Rakuten and Ibotta cash back on for more than $30 cashback on my stay between the two. Saved: $230. 

- Because we had saved that $230 on the hotel, we ate out three meals and saw several museums/attractions. My sister generously treated Annabeth to dinner/shopping on Friday night and took Owen to the Auburn Car Museum and the Botanical Gardens. They both really enjoyed each place. Annabeth and I went to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art for a few hours. It was $14 for both of us and a great visit. We both love glass art and they had a great deal of that. 

- We did eat out three meals. Somehow, with tip, I managed to spend $42 on each meal. Owen and I had sushi Friday night, Saturday lunch the kids and I had the Burger Bar (BEST meal of the trip!), and for dinner I treated all of us to pizza. I'll let you decide which place I got the best deal for $42. 

Owen and me on our sushi date.

He LOVED the fancy restaurant and live piano music

Owen. In a nutshell. 

Annabeth had a great time creating her own art at FWMOA

Sunset on Fort Wayne

- On the drive home, we surprised the kids with some stops on the Garfield trail. My kids LOVE the Garfield comics so this has been on my to-do list for a while. I was glad we had not made a special trip for this as several of the Garfields were put away for repair and some needed repair. The kids didn't care though, they loved it!

- We had a busy week of dance and school this week. We have less than 20 days left in our school year so we are well into review mode and looking forward to summer vacation!

This weekend we look forward to shouting "He is Risen!" and singing "Up from grave He arose." We don't do bunnies or baskets or candy instead we leave the focus on the One Who came for us all. The One who although sinless, blameless took our sins to the cross. Who died for us. Who rose again all so that we might have the Life Eternal. We don't deserve it, we didn't earn it, and we certainly can't pay Him back. While, I am thankful to be passing through this beautiful earth, I cannot wait to live with Jesus forever. Amen. 

Happy Easter to All!