Posts Tagged Frugal Fridays

There are so many things that compete for our attention – work, finances, chores – that inevitably we lose sight of all the precious moments and wondrous beauty that fill our lives on a daily basis.  So, as I snuggle in to dream about plum fairies, I recall with great joy some of my favorite winter blessings.

Photo: Corin@ 2008

The Beauty of Winter

• The glistening of icicles delicately dangling from the rooftops.
• The peaceful beauty of new-fallen snow.
• The view of little ones enveloped in cuddly, footed jammies.
• The crackling fire flickering its soft, brilliant light in the fireplace.
• The tracks left in the snow by wildlife reminding us that we share this special place and time with other creatures.

Photo: Tiffany Washko

The Joy of the Cold

• Watching the kids play… and play… and play… in the snow until we force them to come in to warm themselves with delicious hot cocoa and mini-marshmallows.
• The warmth of my favorite mug warming my hands while sipping steaming hot cocoa.
• Cuddling on the couch with my husband to watch a movie after our children are asleep.
• The crispness in the air and the crunch of snow under your feet as you traverse through a world where the ice and snow have changed the landscape and life seems new.
• Snuggling with the little ones while discovering new worlds and revisiting beloved ones through the pages of marvelous books.
• The warm kitchen with the scrumptious smell of brownies baking in the oven wafting through the house.

Photo:  Michael Wade

Self-Indulgences

• The excuse that it is simply too cold to go outside allowing me to pursue my indoor pleasures while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors through the windows sheltering me from the frigid temperatures outside.
• My familiar, old, flannel nightgown protecting me from the chill of the cold, dark night.
• Thick, soft, warm socks caressing my feet and keeping my tootsies toasty.
• Being curled up in a cozy cocoon of my favorite throw while reading a great book.

Some of these pleasures are available year-round while others are truly wintry treats.  Even when our funds are scant, our hearts can be overflowing with joy and love as we delight in the wonders and beauty of the season without spending any money.

What do you enjoy during the special time of winter?

This post is linked to Finer Things Friday and Frugal Fridays.

Today started off on a very bad note.  To begin with, my alarm clock woke me up.  I know, I know – so many of you use an alarm to get up every day, but I am spoiled in that my normal alarm comes in the form of one or two sweet little boys trying to climb into my bed to give me morning hugs and kisses (and hopefully at a much later hour than this morning).

I was able to wake the boys easily and they were both in good moods UNTIL Little One decides that he does not want to get dresses PERIOD!  Now, the reason for the alarm being set this morning was the fact that I had an appointment to take my car in which in order to arrive on time we had to leave the house in less than one hour.  And, of course, this is the morning that a 2-1/2 year old chooses to assert his independence and not want to get dressed!  UGH!  Well, let’s just say that after much fighting arguing declaring my impending victory debate with Little One we made it out of the house just on time to make it to said appointment.

When we arrived at the dealership to have the needed work done on my vehicle, they gave us a rental car.  Now, I am not usually impressed by rental cars, but this was a brand-new 2009 Honda Accord – as in it only had 125 miles on it!!!  Well, that was a nice treat.

Since the boys and I had gotten all of our bickering for the day out of the way with the dressing situation this morning and we were all enjoying ourselves, I suggested that we go and visit my grandparents whom we haven’t seen since before Christmas who live about 3-1/2 hours away.  The boys were elated!  So, we drove home and packed an overnight bag after getting the okay from DH to leave him alone overnight and Friday (he was suppose to have the day off) which I have to say caused him much anguish with the thought that he was going to have an entire evening and the next day to do whatever he wanted without interruption.   Anyway, with blessings from DH and our bag in the car, we started off on our trip.

We had a blast during the drive!!  The three of us sang along with the radio at the top of our lungs.  We pretended we were in a rocket.  We even enjoyed our pit stop which allowed us to have a race back to the car!  We were simply being ourselves and relishing each other’s company.

How can I top that?  Well, when we pull into my grandparents’ driveway and park, Little One keeps saying, “We are at Gamma & Gampa’s house!!  Get me out, please!!”  In the meantime, Big Boy unbuckles himself and exits the car is at Grandma and Grandpa’s door before I can even get out of the car!  (Note: Big Boy did wait until the car was parked to unsecure himself.)  It was heart-warming to see how excited they were to see Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa!!

Being here with my grandparents is like being at home.  It really is a home-away-from-home for me.  Being in their house and especially in their presence fills me with peace and comfort.  I am very fortunate to still have my grandparents (actually, I still have all of my grandparents so I am extremely blessed!) who are in their 80s.  As I sit here writing this tonight, the only thing that could be better about being here with them is if I were still little enough to climb up in their laps to cuddle with them!  Spending time with my grandparents fills my soul.  I am so blessed!

Please join Amy for more Finer Things Friday.

We all want to have fun, but we shouldn’t have to spend tons of money to enjoy ourselves.  Here are ten ways to have fun as a family that are free:

1. Play a game in the backyard such as catch, tag football, soccer, Frisbee, croquet.  Getting out and running around together really helps to bond families.  The exercise is great for everyone!  The laughs and giggles are even better!
2. Go on an discovery hunt. Decide what you want to look for – triangles, green items, things that look out of place in their surroundings, frogs, different types of flowers, etc.   Then, take a leisurely walk in your neighborhood to see what treasures you can find.  It is amazing all of the beautiful items that surround us that we never take the time to notice.  Sharing such discoveries with your family is great way to support an appreciate of the world around us.
3. Swing at the local park. You are never too old to swing – I know I still enjoy swinging on a strong swing set!
4. Create your own Movie Night at home. Put in your favorite family movie or borrow one that you haven’t seen from your library or a good friend.  Then, pop some popcorn and turn down the lights.  Not only is this frugal, you can stop the movie for potty breaks and can control the calorie content of the popcorn and snacks!  Something you can’t do at the theater!
5. Camp out in your living room. Pretend that you are camping out while still enjoying the conveniences of home by setting up camp in the living room.  Pull out the sleeping bags.  Turn off the lights and pull out the flashlights.  Take turns telling stories and signing campfire songs.  And, if your children are still small, let them sleep in their “play tent.”
6. Make a meal together. Does your clan love pizza?  Or maybe your family prefers a more gourmet meals?  Decide on the menu and make the meal together as a family.  It is fun to create something as a family, and if you are able to eat it afterward, even better!!
7. Host a Game Night. What could be more fun than game night?  Maybe game night with another family!  Invite another family to join in the fun and have fun sharing your favorite board or card games.
8. Participate in a library program together. Check with your local library to see if they offer any activities that you can participate in as a family.  Our library hosts all kinds of wonderful programs such trained dogs who perform and Family Story Time.
9. Build something together. There are so many mediums that you can use to build things together: wood, metal, clay, material (as in sewing), food, paper, play dough, blocks, cardboard, just to name a few!   Here are some ideas to start you thinking: a keepsake box for your child’s treasures, a washer game, a bird house, a gingerbread house (you don’t have to wait for Christmas!), a sculpture, a scrapbook, an apron & chef hat, an outfit for the Barbie or baby doll, a cape for your little super hero (yes, boys can sew too!), a planting box, a ramp to drive their trucks down, a skate ramp (for older kids!), and sock puppets.
10. Listen to a story together. You can either take turns reading aloud or listen to audiobooks.  Most libraries carry a good selection of audiobooks or you can download free audiobooks.  You can even take turns making up your own stories to share with each other.

No matter what you choose to do as a family remember that being together and enjoying each other’s company is what is important, not the activity that you are participating it.  Even grocery shopping can be fun if done together as a game!  Now, go and enjoy your family!!

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You can find other frugal ideas at Frugal Fridays hosted by Life as Mom and Frugal Family Fun hosted by Cents to Get Debt-Free.

Would you like to be able to reduce your grocery budget?  How about avoid the grocery store?  Well, there is a wonderful non-profit organization called Angel Food Ministries who can help you do just this!

Here is a Angel Food Ministries description of their program:

What is Angel Food Ministries?

Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief and financial support to communities throughout the United States. The program began in 1994 with 34 families in Monroe, Georgia (between Atlanta and Athens), and has grown to serve hundreds of thousands of families every month across 35 states. Angel Food Ministries crosses denominational lines and has spread the good news of the gospel of Christ through salvation tracts that are placed in each food order.

Everyone Qualifies!

There are no qualifications, minimums, income restrictions, or applications.

Everyone is encouraged to participate.  Some churches even encourage participants to apply the money they saved to help someone else in need.

Blessings by the Box

Angel Food is available in a quantity that can fit into a medium-sized box at $30 per unit. Each month’s menu is different than the previous month and consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of approximately $60. Comparison shopping has been done across the country in various communities using a wide range of retail grocery stores and has resulted in the same food items costing from between $42 and $78.

Generally, one unit of food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week or a single senior citizen for almost a month. The food is all the same high quality one could purchase at a grocery store. There are no second-hand items, no damaged or out-dated goods, no dented cans without labels, no day-old breads and no produce that is almost too ripe.

Also offered are specialty boxes such as steaks, chicken and pork. Many participants in this bonus program appreciate the expanded choices. Additionally, there is no limit to the number of units or bonus foods an individual can receive, and there are no applications to complete or qualifications to which participants must adhere. Angel Food Ministries also participates in the U.S. Food Stamp program, using the Off-Line Food Stamp Voucher system.

It’s both a Bargain and a Blessing!

Sample Menu:
(this month’s menu can be viewed here)

• 4 lb. IQF Leg Quarters
• 4 oz. Beef Back Ribs
• 1 lb. 80/20 Lean Ground Beef
• 2 lb. Breaded Chicken Tenders
• 1.5 lb. Bone in Pork Chops (4 x 6oz.)
• 1 lb. Ground Turkey
• 18 oz. Stuffed Manicotti (Cheese)
• 12 oz. Smoked Sausage
• Betty Crocker Seasoned Potatoes
• 7 oz. Cheeseburger Dinner
• 16 oz. Green Beans
• 16 oz. Baby Carrots
• 2 lb. Onions
• 1 lb. Pinto Beans
• 1 lb. Rice
• 7 oz. Blueberry Muffin Mix
• 10 ct. Homestyle Waffles
• Dessert Item

Visit the Angel Food Ministries website to see if they have a distribution location near you!  Most distribution locations even offer online ordering (you can even use your credit or debit card!).

You can find other ideas for reducing your budget with Frugal Fridays hosted by Life as Mom.