Frugal Friday 568

 Happy Frugal Friday!

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

- Friday afternoon Annabeth and I got our nails done. While this may not seem frugal, and it wouldn't be if it was a regular habit, BUT it was my birthday gift from Mark and the kids. He kindly gifted me enough for both of us to go. I saved it until right before Easter/Annabeth's Confirmation so she could have the fun of beautiful nails for this special weekend. 

- On Saturday, the boys took a tour of the Statehouse with Owen's Cub Scout Pack. Mark had not been before and Owen didn't remember much from our previous tours. A leader in the group paid for lunch for everyone so the boys also enjoyed a pizza lunch down on the Circle. They had a great time out, learning together.

- Saturday wrapped up the Kids' Sale. I felt very happy with my sales and my Express people's sales. When I break it down by hour, I typically make $30/hour worked and feel like it's a fairly easy way to add to our travel income. 

- Sunday after church, I picked up all of our leftover sale items. I took them to the free table at our co-op yesterday as we had some great homeschool books, books, and clothing leftover. I hope others were thrilled with their finds. 

- We spent time at Mark's mom's house this weekend. We helped with some yard work, shared a meal, and spent lots of time enjoying spring together. Sunday was his parents' 40th Wedding Anniversary which meant everyone missed his dad a little extra.

- I did a declutter on my Instagram. I had realized that I was following a ton of accounts that I was just scrolling right past each day. Even though it isn't "stuff" clutter around the house it's still clutter in my mind. I unfollowed around 50 accounts and now see more of what I want to see*

- Tuesday the kids and I escaped to the woods. We've been running non-stop and I just wanted some peace. We hit a great trail near Lake Salomonie in Wabash County. While the forest floor was greening up, the trees were still pretty bare. I let the kids each move at their own pace (we always wear bright hats in the woods so we can track each other) and we all came away from our time in the woods with some real peace. We technically didn't have the time, at all, for it this week but it was so needed and truly the best use of an afternoon.

At the top of Kissing Falls. 

The creek was flowing enough for a waterfall but still shallow enough

for us to cross safely at the top.

Owen at Frog Falls

Kissing Falls.

The kids were thrilled with the flow here.

I honestly thought it was going to be so much more after

all of the rain lately but they were still excited.

- Tuesday evening I took a meal to a family in town. The mom works at our local library and has been such a blessing to us in our library years! The husband had heart surgery last week so when I saw the ask for meals, I signed right up. I took over pasta Alfredo, bread, salad, and Mark's cookies.

- Wednesday afternoon we stuffed the Easter bags for church. At our church, the children find empty eggs (the tomb was empty so our eggs are a reminder of that) and they exchange them for a goodie bag. In the bags we have candy and information about our children's ministry and family ministry events. 

- This week the kids' 4H club had t-shirt orders. Owen immediately wanted one which was fine with me as he's always just had Annabeth's hand-me-downs. Annabeth decided she didn't love the design and will choose to keep wearing her one from several years ago. I LOVE that our kids don't have to immediately have what everyone else has or what they think everyone else is getting. 

- I did the bulk of our homeschool curriculum shopping for next year thanks to some online sales. I was able to save $75 + shipping costs by shopping this week vs other weeks. I will say we are spending over $250 more than ever before but I am proud to have waited for sales and sourced things as affordably as I could. I honestly cannot believe next year I'll be teaching 5th and 9th grade - pretty wild for a family who said "We'll try it a year and see how it goes..." in 2013. I thank and praise the Lord for the gift of homeschooling our children. 

- Last night we had the kids Spring Review at our co-op. Owen's class shared facts about space and the 7 continents. Annabeth's class made yearbooks for the group and handed those out. We had a special night celebrating their accomplishments. They were so excited to have Grandmama, Grandpa, and Nana all there. I am SO thankful for the women who pour into our co-op by sharing their time and talents. 

We are looking forward to a very special Easter weekend and cannot wait to shout, "He is Risen!" 

Happy Savings to All! 

*One note about social media. I make it a habit to immediately unfollow anyone who agitates me, makes me want to lash out with a quickly typed response, or makes me feel inferior about my own life/income/home/etc. 9/10 these people aren't people in my real life but rather "influencers" and if they aren't influincing me to have good, positive thoughts then I don't need to follow them.