Welcome Back!
My last Frugal Friday post was in late May 2025. The next week we lost my Momaw. I planned to, for the first time ever, take time off from posting as life was heavy. Then over the summer I checked in sporadically, writing organically about faith and life. In August, Mark left for six weeks and I had decided to leave Frugal Fridays off for those weeks too. It isn't terribly time consuming but I needed to streamline our lives while he was gone. Then...I just never picked it back up...
Now. Here we are. March 2026. 3/4 away from the last time I let people into our week-to-week lives. The break was nice, it was needed. I've learned some hard lessons, been incredibly hurt, and wrestled with relationships in the past nine months. I am thankful that you all gave me space but still checked in. In this time I have learned how to better be a friend, who I want in my corner, and that my joy is truly only in Jesus. I am not made for this world and am merely stopping by. May you see Him in me.
So...here's how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:
- Friday Mark had the day off work as his birthday day. The city gives each employee one paid day off in their birthday month. He ran some errands for me while I ran school. He also stopped in the Columbia Outlet and found some great end of season deals. After our last three southern vacations have included weather with snow flurries, we have decided that fall 2026 and 2027 we will just head north! With growing kids, we have people who needed some new basics. For under $200 Mark found rain and winter coats for Owen, a new jacket for him, and two fleeces for us girls. Retail value of just one of Owen's coats was $300. We are stocked up and ready to head to lakes, mountains, and icy waters!
- Friday evening my parents were in town. They treated us to dinner at the Willard - thank you! The waiter was a little frenzied and we ended up with two free pizzas and a free drink. Mama and Annabeth ate the leftovers all weekend!
- We also walked around the March Madness event at our local shops. Each of the adults filled out and turned in a card to see if we could win a prize. I also stopped by At Home with Heartland to pick up my swag bag. I did their spring survey and was gifted a free coffee and lotion (Mama loved those), free bracelet (Annabeth took that), and a free t-shirt of my choice! Thank you!
- Saturday and Sunday was the kids' first dance competition of the year. I stocked the pantry and fridge/freezer ahead of the weekend with high protein and electrolyte snacks. We carried over lunch/snacks OR came home to eat meals vs buying food at the venue. Mark, Mama, and I did splurge on a coffee each as Sunday was a 14 hour dance day WITH a time change. Caffeine became essential.
- Saturday morning, before dance, I baked a few loaves of cornbread and put taco soup in the crock-pot. This was done by dinner time so as we left dance, we headed straight home to eat. This eliminated the temptation to order pizza or pick up food. About 20 minutes of work saved us some serious money.
- My Mama and Dad brought some things to trade. Each of the kids got a new (used) book, some magazines for me, and a birthday gift filled with consumables for Mark. We had cleaned out our glass containers and they took a few of those. We donated the rest to a Little Free Pantry.
- I edited an upcoming hotel stay. I booked it last month to be sure I had something reserved but was watching for a lower priced room. One came up this week and I was able to change. Saved: $95
- I used my mPerks to save on gas this week. Saved: $2.50
- I booked a flight using points. We have never been credit card people but I found the Southwest deal this winter made sense for our 2026 travel plans. Paid only: $11.50
- Yesterday we had Annabeth's co-op class over for a movie day. I used some of our classroom budget for popcorn chips and our family provided cutie oranges and applesauce. Another family brought rice krispie treats. We had a great morning together!
Happy Savings to All!
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