Frugal Friday 453

 Happy Frugal Friday!

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

- Annabeth had a Friday date with my sister. They made homemade cupcakes, browsed the craft store, and had lunch out together. We were so happy to have Lu stop in while on her vacation north of us. 

She made and decorated little Mouse Cupcakes.

How cute!

- Mark spent last week serving at his Scout troop's summer camp. Mark has been serving as an adult leader since he graduated high school and has always used a week of vacation time from work for summer camp. To be honest, only now that Owen is old enough to be in scouts do I really appreciate that sacrifice. Owen was able to go up Friday and Saturday and he had the best time. 

- While the boys were gone Annabeth and I enjoyed catching up on So You Think You Can Dance and cheering for Keaton. Saturday I surprised Annabeth with a coffee date (I had a buy one, get one free drink on the app) and a pottery painting outing. We used a 20% coupon fro summer reading for the pottery. 

- The kids each collected their Premium Money from the fair. Our county generously gives each 4Her a small stipend for each project they complete.

- We also did our weekly grocery shop on Saturday. We spent $55 on groceries for the week. We already had several breakfast options at home, lunches are always sandwiches with fruit/veggies or sandwiches, and then Annabeth chose our dinners. For dinner this week we had black bean enchiladas, homemade sushi night, bowtie chicken pasta, pork loin with veggies, and French Dip Sandwiches with sides. We are working our way through the Little House Cookbook and also made our own butter this week.

- Monday night we stayed out/up late to enjoy a free movie at the new amphitheater. It was a bit drizzly and the event wasn't well advertised so probably under 100 people in the whole big field with us. We had the best time! 

O was thrilled to meet the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who

My Sweet Girl

We 100% live in the cutest small town!

- Tuesday afternoon we met up with one of Owen's t-ball friends at the library to play. They are also a homeschool family and we enjoyed a good play, chat, and then little walk together. 

- Wednesday evening we visited all of the Indy Rileys. We took Owen's old PawPatrol bike to Jackson and then took dinner to Mark's mom. I had some things to drop off at each house so it was good to combine the trip. 

We had a lllooonnnggggg week. Did anyone else feel like each day this week was 15 days long? No? Just us? It was such a strange week! Maybe because the kids activities were off this week but wow, what a long week!

Happy Savings to All! 

Frugal Friday 452 - 2022 Dancecation Edition!

 Happy Frugal Friday!

Here's how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money the past two weeks: 

- This year's Nationals Trip took us to IL, IA, and MO! 

We always take a selfie on vacation

My dad took this fun picture of us taking our selfie

- We left for our trip Saturday, July 9th. We returned our nieces and nephew to their parents in IL. They had been here visiting Mark's mom for the week and this saved their parents a trip (nearly 6 hours each way) picking them up. We also had to take two cars on vacation anyway due to schedules so it felt better to have each car full of people with gas prices being so high. 

- On the way west, we stopped a bit over midway at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, IL. The visitor's center and house were both free! We did pay $8 to park both cars. 

- While at Matt and Jenn's we had a make-your-own sushi night, neighborhood walks and bike rides, park play, and Sunday morning church and Bible Class at their new church. We pray for Matt's Vicar year at St. James Lutheran. 

- Our kids have never been to Iowa. Matt and Jenn's new house is within 2 hours of Iowa, Jenn's home state, and so I said "Where can we take the kids?" Jenn planned a whole outing for us. We all drove up to the Starr's Cave Nature Preserve for a hike and creek stomp. We drove into Burlington where her mom made dinner for us (thank you!), drove the famous Snake Alley, and then we stopped along the river so the kids could see the Mississippi River on the drive home. 

It really was beautiful!

- Monday night we split up from the group and took the kids bowling, the Tangerine Bowl in Quincy has $1 Mondays so it was just $8 for all of us to bowl with shoe rentals, and to dinner. They really enjoyed a bit of time just the four of us. 

- Once we had the dance schedule, and knew we would be staying a few nights with Matt and Jenn, we cancelled three nights in our hotel. This saved us $400 which was AWESOME! 

- This is the first trip since having Oscar that we have paid a pet sitter. The only other trips we have taken my parents have kept him but they were coming along this time. We paid a family from our homeschool co-op to keep him. Saving the hotel room money certainly made the cost of a dog/house sitter less painful on the budget.

- Our friends Chad and Melissa found an awesome deal on our hotel LAST August! We were able to get a two bedroom, two bathroom suite with kitchen and living area for a great price. This worked especially well as Mama and Dad joined us for this trip. A HUGE thank you to my parents who surprised us by covering the hotel for the week. Thank you! 

- Wednesday was our off day from dance. We spent the day exploring the Lewis and Clark Boat House Museum and Historic St. Charles. We did a bit of shopping, lots of window shopping, and ate lunch/ice cream on Main Street. 

- Over the holidays, I took part in a COVID 19 research study. I was paid in a Visa gift card. I set it aside and saved it for this trip. With the gift card I was able to cover gas for my car, two meals out, and souvenir dance shirts for the kids. I also got coffee with my sister-in-law and ice cream with my Mama and Owen. It was well worth saving the gift card from February to now as it made vacation much more fun and affordable. 

- The kids and I returned home late Saturday evening. We spent Sunday getting settled back in the house, doing laundry, and giving Oscar LOTS of love! 

- Monday and Wednesday mornings we enjoyed the fair before the heat set in. Monday morning Mama and Dad came along to see the kids' 4H projects. Thank you to our friend Ann and her family for letting us park at her house for free both days.

- We enjoyed two free library programs this week - a class on prairie plants from DNR as well as the end of summer reading ice cream science class. After the ice cream class, everyone got a free bowl of ice cream. On the way out, a friend told me that those bowls are about $8 at the actual shop! What a savings. I am SO thankful for our incredible library system and all of the classes they offer.

- Yesterday we drove down to Charlestown for what felt like the fastest day of summer. We haven't seen our best friends since February due to busy busy BUSY schedules and the day just flew day! The kids had the best time swimming and we can't wait to spend several days with them next month! 

In light of all of the wonderful adventures we had, a heavy fog has hung over this week. One of our nation's most recent mass shootings came to our county this past weekend. Mark, despite being away serving at Scout Summer Camp, came back to serve with the bomb team and to help with evidence. I have been praying for all those who witnessed the senseless acts of violence, for the victims and their families, for the Good Samaritan and his mental health as well as his family, and also for the shooter. There is no amount of hate in the world that could separate me from Christ or for praying for His people, ALL people. 

Happy Savings to All. 

Frugal Friday 451

 Happy Frugal Friday!

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

- Friday night we FINALLY had our "Last Day of School" dinner. We missed it in May and just haven't been out to eat as a family until Friday night. By making eat-out meals a VERY rare occasion it's always very special for the kids. 

- Saturday afternoon we drove down to the lake to visit our friends the Ottes. They generously opened their home and lakefront to us AND served us pizza dinner! They are truly so kind - especially as they had a baby later in the week! Our kids had the best time swimming together. We took along watermelon and dessert to add to the dinner. After dark, we headed over to the lake chapel to watch the fireworks. We were engaged during the lake fireworks and it's our special tradition. 

At the 2006 Lakeview Fireworks I prayed that God would let me be Mark's wife.

At the 2007 Fireworks we got engaged.

2022 We celebrated with our 10 and 7 year old! Time flies! 

- Sunday after church my sister-in-law came over. She recently joined my book team and we had fun training together. Through July 15 it's only $5 to join UBAM - How can I help you decide to change your finances? 

- Sunday evening we went to the pool during "Twilight Swim" - the last two hours the pool is open - for just $2/each. 

- The kids have been asking to re-do their bathroom for quite a while. They couldn't agree on at theme or they kept choosing themes that would require a lot of shopping. Finally they asked for Minnie and Mickey and we were able to change out our Lemon Bathroom to Mickey Bathroom for under $10. 

The big "picture" is actually a puzzle.

Annabeth received it for Christmas and asked to frame it for decor

We got the Mickey/Minnie towel for just under $10 online

We changed out this wreath from lemons

to the Mickey and Minnie heads.

They are from another sign we have in the living room. 

- Tuesday was our first day back to school. Annabeth is in 6th grade this year and Owen is in 2nd. It is our 10th official year of homeschooling with curriculum and I am excited for what we are all going to learn! 

- Tuesday evening I had dinner out with a friend. This was such a special treat and I am thankful for it!

- Wednesday after school the kids and I met up with Mark's mom and three of the cousins for a movie date. Kristi generously bought everyone's tickets and candy for everyone. This was the first time we have been to a movie in over a year so it was quite the treat! Thank you!

- I purchased a swimsuit from Zulily that didn't look how I liked and unfortunately I couldn't return it. I posted it for free on Facebook and was able to trade it to my friend Alysha for a bag of hand-me-downs for Owen. I was glad to be able to get it out of our house and to someone who will wear it. 

- We spent two evenings this week visiting on our neighbors' porch. Last Friday our power went out but we had the garage door up so we went over until the power came back on so we could put the door down. We also sat over on the 4th and watched some fireworks in the neighborhood. Our neighbors are in their 80s and are such an incredible encouragement to us in faith, parenting, and love. 

- Last night I tried my hand at French cuisine. I made Croque Monsieur Pie for dinner. The recipe called for bread with the crusts cut off. I kept all the crusts and baked them up this morning for the kids as "French Toast Sticks" - waste not, want not. 

We'll see you back in 2 weeks for a MEGA Frugal Friday!

Happy Savings to All! 

Frugal Friday 450

 Happy Frugal Friday!

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

- Friday evening Annabeth and I enjoyed the church musical of one of her friends. It was a great little production and amazing that the kids had learned it all in one week. It's really important to us that we teach our children to show up, support, and cheer for others and we try to always say "yes" when asked by friends.

- Owen got called to sub into a baseball game so he and Mark went to the ballfield Friday night. We joined them after the musical. Afterwards, the kids and I went to our neighbors' house for a little cupcake birthday celebration. The kids had the best time with a pick-up soccer game and I enjoyed visiting with friends. It was a great summer evening.

- Saturday morning Mark and Owen took the red car to get new tires and alignment. We got a rebate from the tires and that covered the alignment. Car maintenance is one thing I will always spend money on because keeping up on the cars keeps them in good shape and prevents more expensive repairs later.

- While the boys were out, Annabeth and I ran to the store to do a mini-stock up on groceries and to get a frame to finish out a 4H project. We used a giftcard to also get Starbucks - this is one of her favorite treats. 

Coffee Girls.

Annabeth made her gorgeous headband at VBS last week!

- Saturday evening we had a simple dinner and then went out on a 2+ mile hike. One of our city trails has a wide variety of trees and prairie grasses/flowers. Mark downloaded an app so we could learn the name of the ones we didn't know.

- Sunday we took lunch to Mark's mom's house. She surprised our kids with prizes from Disney World. We had a great afternoon of visiitng.

- Sunday evening we enjoy a free pool party thanks to Grace UMC where the kids did VBS the week before. The weather was beautiful and a small group of only about 100 or so came out for the party so the kids loved not waiting in lines for the slides or diving boards. Annabeth went off the high dive for the first time and we all loved watching Mark go off the high dive as well! 

- We have changed some travel plans for the rest of the summer. We were able to cancel three nights in a hotel saving us $400! 

- This week Owen was at VBS at Mt. Olive Lutheran, the home church of our brother-in-law and sister-in-law, and Annabeth was at Production Dance Camp at the dance studio. I was especially proud of Owen for staying at VBS as it was the first time he's ever stayed away from us without Annabeth also being there!

Tiger "tattoo" after Wednesday's VBS.

Mt. Olive does SUCH a wonderful job with their VBS.

- While the kids were out each day, I enjoyed doing some computer work for my book business, Goodwilling (Tuesday I ran into my neighbor and friend Shirley so I shopped and chatted with her. Wednesday I went to brunch and then thrifting with my friend Katelyn) 

We had a lloonnngg busy week but it was also a great deal of fun! We are looking forward to the holiday weekend and are ever so thankful to be Americans.

Happy Savings to All!