Frugal Friday 555

 Happy Frugal Friday!

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

- Friday evening we celebrated Annabeth's birthday with her best friend. She asked to go to Claire's to shop and to have pizza. Claire's, thankfully!!, had some awesome deals and the girls shopped a Buy 3, Get 3 Free + $10 off coupon + 2 free pairs of earrings coupons. They were very excited and I loved watching them help each other pick the perfect crazy accessories. We picked up pizza and took it over to her friend's house. Their family's gift to Annabeth was a craft night! My friend Melissa is a Cricut Queen and helped Annabeth made a shirt and decorated a cup for her. It was the PERFECT no clutter, fun experience gift! Thank you all!

- We took a bag of dance shoes/clothes to friends and I shared some more t-shirts and shorts from the studio on our dance company Facebook page. Over the years, so many generous friends have passed company wear on to our kids so I always try to pass it on when we are done. It's a great cycle! 

- Saturday was Annabeth's 13th Birthday! Here's how we celebrated...

She spent the morning doing her dream activity: volunteering at the library book sale.

She was gifted a free bag of books for helping and it gave her SO much joy! 

Our kids always get one eat-out meal on their birthday. 

She chose the "Train Mexican Place"

Her dessert of chocie this year was ice cream sundaes with

mini marshmallows, chocolate candies, and caramel sauce 

- We have always let our kids pick one paid for activity and one eat out meal on their birthdays. They also choose the rest of the menu for the day. She chose donuts for breakfast and pizza rolls/fruit cocktail for lunch. My Aunt Nancy gifted her a Target gift card so we went there in the afternoon to pick up her choice of gift. After dinner, we had her sundaes, spent time reading, and did a living room camp-out. 

- Sunday at church we enjoyed World Communion Sunday and a Missions Fair. That evening was the church picnic, we each were to bring a dish based on the first letter of our last name. We had salads and I thought I was being creative by bringing a veggie tray assuming most people would bring potatoe or pasta salad - turns out nearly everyone brought a veggie tray. Oops! We'll remember for next year!

- Sunday afternoon, we had the Rileys over for Annabeth and Luke's birthdays. He kindly let her choose the meal: homemade pizzas - we did chicken BBQ, chicken Alfredo, and pepperoni for the little kids. I also put out Cesear Salad, raspberries, and kiwi. I made Annabeth her choice of cake - lemon with vanilla frosting. She had a great time with the cousins and enjoyed opening two gorgeous pairs of Mickey ears for an upcomg trip!

13!

- While we have finished our 2,024 in 2024 challenge, we have still been cleaning out! Last week, two totes of items left our home. This week, I cleaned out the kitchen cabinets and we donated some silverware and Tupperware to a Free Little Pantry and have some other items to donate to a local non-profit. Space for us, gifts for others!

- Last month, a generous company donated school supplies to our co-op. In the boxes, we received hundreds of children's safety scissors. Once our group had taken what they needed, I brought the excess home. We have been able to donate to 5 other organizations thanks to the excess! 

- Tuesday evening I had a board meeting. The hostess served a lovely dinner and dessert. It's always nice not to have to cook and we had a great evening making plans. I highly encourage you to put yourself in groups where leadership is in constant prayer and consideration for the group. It means so much to know others truly have the best interest of everyone at heart!

- A friend of Mark's listed some gym equipment for sale on his Facebook. Mark and I have been debating over a treadmill for a while but other things kept coming up as we saved. This one was a steal for a great, quality one so we went for it! Mark went to pick it up, ended up helping his friend move some things around in his basement, and then carried the machine up the stairs. When he was loaded up and went to pay, his friend wouldn't take the money. It was SUCH a gift to us. Thank you! 

- Last night, I took dinner to some friends. I made chicken fajitas with rice and added GF tortillas, oranges, and boxed Goodie Girl Cookies. They are receiving Meal Train meals many nights a week so I tried to take some shelf stable items so they aren't swimming in leftovers. If you would, keep "M" in prayer and as you pray please pray for healing for her.

- Last night, I was getting ready for bed when I took one last look at Facebook. I saw that, for the second time this year, people near us were seeing the Northern Lights. Depsite a great effort last time, I still have never seen them. I threw on some sweats and hopped in the car and drove until I found them! 

Northern Lights in Whiteland, IN

This is very close to what they looked like with the naked eye

Mark stayed home with the sleeping kids and saw them from our yard 

after I left. We did wake the kids up to be sure they could see them. 

What a glorious week! We've seen God answer prayers big and small this week and we're forever thankful for his love and mercy.

Happy Savings to All!