Happy Frugal Friday!
Here's how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:
- Last Friday, we enjoyed Letters from Anne and Martin at Butler University. The show was phenominal and I really enjoyed the Q+A at the end. The actors and director allowed the kids in the audience to ask questions but also posed social justice and social action questions/challenges back to the kids. This was part of Butler's free educational series. We only paid for parking: Spent $3
- Saturday Mark and Owen enjoyed the day at the National Museum of the Air Force at Wright-Patterson Airforce Base, Ohio. The museum was free so they only bought lunch while away.
- Saturday Annabeth and I picked up groceries for $85 for the week, she attended a birthday party, and I worked on computer work for my travel business. It's Fall Break season so I have many groups traveling each week. The theme parks are also beginning to roll out their winter and spring break specials so I have been working on quotes for clients as well. Interested in traveling in 2023 or 2024? Just message me at a.riley@magicalvacationplanner.com
- I helped clients book last minute tickets to Sea World. They saved over $60 off the Sea World website sale price by booking through me! Hooray!
- Owen was in need of new jeans and snow boots. Usually, I only buy undergarments, socks, and swimwear new and try to buy all other clothing items used. However, after visiting six thrift shops without luck we decided to buy new jeans. Mark found a steal at the outlet mall with $7/pair jeans. He also found a deal on snow boots there. Not used but still a great savings.
- We took a stack of books to a free little library. It was a different one than we usually donate to and it only had adult books. That was just fine with me. We dropped our items off and didn't bring anything home!
- We packed up a big tote of school curriculum, chapter books, unused coloring/activity books, and some shoes/clothes and took to the free table at our co-op. It's always fun to see people pick them and to watch them have the excitement of finding them there!
- We had several free fun meet-ups with friends this week. The kids saw friends at the Franklin library on Monday, a park on Tuesday, and the Greenwood library yesterday. I so appreciate friends that we can just meet up with, enjoy some conversation, and not have to spend money!
- We have been doing the budget billing plan for our utilities for years now. Even with that, we try to be very careful about how we use our resources. Last year, our electric bill had a big jump on it not really because of what we were using but just because of an increase in their prices. We have worked VERY hard to use less this year and on our new budget are able to owe $30 less each month! That will save us $360/year!
As grocery store, gas, and everything prices rise. How can we all quickly save a little money? Here are three things to do for the rest of October that can save/earn you some serious cash quickly!
1. Don't buy anything online until November 1. I rarely, if ever, shop online. Why? It's just too easy! Things just seem to jump into that online cart and it doesn't always feel like spending real money. But...if I have to load up the kids, drive to the store, go in the store, and part with actual cash...I realize that I don't really need that item at all. Keep track of each item you think you want but don't buy for the rest of the month and see how much you save!
2. Take three things out of your grocery shopping cart. Whether you shop on the app and do pick up or shop in store, choose three items to take out of your cart each week. For lots of fun, keep track of how much those items would have cost you. By doing this you'll let go of non-essentials and save money in the process.
3. Look around the house and find five items to list on Facebook marketplace. That old room decor in the back of the closet - let it go! Those baby clothes that your 3rd grader wore - say good-bye! Leave them on Marketplace through October 31. If they haven't sold - donate them - you don't need them anymore!
Just three little things to help your load feel lighter and your wallet heavier.
Happy Savings to All!
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