Hey everyone!! I recently had a lovely time hanging out with a good friend. While we were chatting and hanging out I started to notice differences between her and I. She had better baby gear, better clothes, used money way more freely than me and I began to get jealous. I started to compare her newly remolded home to my old and not the prettiest home. I started comparing work, income, lifestyle all in my head of course.
For a moment, a brief flash I felt bad about myself. I felt lesser than because of meaningless possessions. I was taken aback by this because I have never really been that person to covet anothers lives or stuff. I had to stop that thought process right in it's tracks and when I got home I read the post I wrote a month or so ago here.
I wanted to share this moment with you guys because being on this journey can be rough and you may have these moments of self pity. Remember to keep your eyes on the prize and off of other peoples lives. Be happy for what you have and don't take anything for granted.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for being your awesome selves!!
I will leave you with this:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Hello friends!!!I know a lot of you out there are in the same boat as us so, I thought I would share some of our very, very favorite activities we do on our super low budget.
1. Board games. Seriously guys we love 'em. It's a great way to have fun and bond. We have bought games new once in a blue moon after saving up holiday or family money we have budgeted BUT a great free way to get games is to borrow them from friends or family. You can also find very cheap board games at the thrift store or yard sales. Along these same lines are doing a puzzle together, or play cards.
2. Spending time outdoors. Take advantage of your local parks, you help pay for them with your taxes so don't forget to use them :) We do all kinds of different outdoor activities. Take a hike, if you have small children try to make them a scavenger hunt sheet to take on the hike. Include things that are easy to find for littles like leaves, a bird, a squirrel, a flower. For older children you can make it more difficult looking for specific animals and plants. This is great for learning, exercise and fun!
Don't underestimate the simple joy of just taking a walk and talking.
You could try geocashing read all bout it here- https://www.geocaching.com/play.
Have a picnic. Food tastes so much better on a park bench, just trust me ;)
Don't forget to bring a ball and Frisbee to the park or your backyard and play some catch!!
Get out those bikes and go for a ride.
3. The library. Friends, I love the library. SO much. There are a ton of things to do there and they are all free! Eric and I even had a date at the library a couple weeks ago and I can't wait to do it again. Check and see what is going on at your local library. Ours have family movie nights, indoor play areas for kids, story time for kids, workshops and fun activities for teens and adults. Not to mention all those books, movies and music there!
4. Check out what your town or city has to offer. Become a tourist in your own town. Check out some historical sites, or a beach or river or pond, take a walk on another side of town you don't go to often. Find your city's website and see what free activities or festivals are going on, you might be surprised.Or check out the next town over :)
5. Dollar menu date, we do this more in winter. Make sure to give your family a big breakfast at home first. Make it a fun one have pancakes or waffles or whatever your family loves. Find a fast food place that has a indoor playground for the kids and get yourselves a cup of coffee. (I pack a few snacks for the kids shhhh don't tell!) let the kids play and enjoy your coffee.
6. Make a time capsule. We did this last year and it was a lot of fun. Find things that represent you and your family at this point in time. Take a picture of yourselves that day and include it in there. Make it as fun or silly as you want. I buried a Twinkie. Here is a video of us doing ours.
Remember money doesn't buy happiness or quality family time! You can make your own fun for free
or very cheap. What do you guys like to do for fun on a budget?
