Fun and Frugal

What does a person with limited funds, and energy do to get both her and her family ready for her beloved nephew’s wedding?

I’ve been scratching my head as to how to get a dress for my daughter and myself along with pants and a dress shirt for my growing 13.75 year old man-child. My hubby and youngest two were all set but as the wedding gets closer, I have been stressing over what to wear.

I’ve gained a bit of weight since I can’t exercise anymore the way I used to (Turbo Jam videos) but, when I tried on the only suitable dress I had for a wedding, it made me look as a marshmallow…….toasted marshmallow since the dress is brown. 😭

So, my family and I set out to our local thrift store with so much HOPE to find what we need and fast.

My beautiful daughter found a gorgeous pink A line dress with flowers that suits her well while my son found black Jockers slacks (do people still say that?) and a nice white button down dress shirt with a vibrant blue tie.

Thankfully, after trying on a handful of dresses and feeling a bit discouraged, I found a dark indigo blue sleeveless dress with some shimmery bling on the front from Kohls with the tags still on. The tag read $50 but I got it for $5! Ta da!! God provided as always and now I can feel less panicked about the fast approaching wedding and good about the clothes we were able to find.

As for a much much needed hair cut, I watched a few YouTube videos and taught myself how to cut and layer my own hair. I have cut my hair in the past and cut my entire family’s hair out of necessity. It saves a ton. Sometimes we get poor results but I think we are managing and it’s one less task on my over-worked (and underpaid) hubby.

The wedding is August 3rd and thankfully only about half an hour from my house. We are really excited about it…..my niece-to-be is darling and I loved her the minute we met. She and I also share the same birthday which I’m so delighted about and makes her even more special to me.

I’m so thankful God gave me the energy to clothing shop with my kids! It was the first time shopping together in years and felt so wonderful to be able to handle and enjoy it.

I’m getting stronger friends!! Praise God for today and also praise Him for the bad days because without them, the good days wouldn’t be so marvelous!

Much love,

Viv 🥂💗

Author: Viv

I'm a spoonie Blogger grieving the loss of my husband who went home 2/13/22.

80 thoughts on “Fun and Frugal”

    1. I’m so glad I could share my day with you Kelly! I always enjoy the pictures you post as well. 😃 I’ve had to learn how to get by with less which hasn’t always been fun but now, I really do enjoy it. Much love. 🤗😚

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  2. Praise the LORD Vivian. This is such a wonderful blessing. The dress you were blessed with is beautiful and so is your daughters too! I have been cutting my hair for a couple of years it needs it now but it will have to wait haha. I am so happy you were able to go shopping. It’s one step at a time isn’t is. One step at a time. Thanking the LORD for your blessings 🙂

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    1. I am so thankful I could share my happy day with you dear Margaret.🤗 Oh, yay! It’s good to know others who cut their own hair too! I’m glad you liked the dresses. They are cool so we shouldn’t melt outside for the reception. 😁😎 Today was a good step for me……yes, one step at a time. I’m not ready for Wal-Mart yet but who is right?😂 😙🤗😍

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  4. Inspiring post. Should be a great encouragement to those who must do with a shoe string budget. I do the same, mostly because I can’t see wasting money when “humbling” oneself a little reaps so much reward. A new $50 dress for $5! That’s a find for sure. Gorgeous pictures. I have a grand daughter who looks like your niece, but a bit older. I started to make a picture to put on the ‘frig just to see family reaction, but decided not to.

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    1. Hi Oneta! Thanks so much for your comment….that means a lot! I am excited my kids are learning to be careful with their money and not to waste. I do hope others gain encouragement from this too! I’m thankful for my new niece as she’s as gorgeous inside as her picture shows outwardly…..a real gem. Awwww, those fridge pictures are so cheerful..God bless you!🤗

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  5. Great finds, Vivian! You’ll all look so great. No toasted marshmallows! Lol. 😂 That was cute. I enjoyed reading your post and I’m glad that you were able to get out too. We understand! It’s not always easy to get out, and such a blessing when we do!

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    1. Lol!😂🍢 I’m so glad you enjoyed the post and pictures…..it felt good to write something more light and fun than my usual. Oh, it was great to get out but we left a little after seven to beat the heat advisory that’s in effect until 11p.m. tonight…..it’s so hot here. Yes, so great to feel good enough to go. 🤗😚

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      1. I need to do some lighter posts too. I do have some lighter stuff, but the heavy life stuff keeps coming up, and then I have to work through that. God’s using it though. But I will have some fun too. 😊

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      2. Goodness, I love your posts dear lady. I can relate most to the heavy stuff and it makes me not feel so alone. Yes, I’m the same……I write with more zeal if the topics are prevalent and things I’m facing right now. God is using you in powerful ways and I look forward to all of them. 💗😚

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      3. Aww, I’m so glad that my posts help you. We’re in this together. I’m thankful we’ve crossed paths, Vivian. It really is nice to be able to relate to others, and I feel the same way: your posts make me KNOW that I’m not alone. Thanks so much for the encouragement. I’m trying to give myself a kick in the pants to comment on others blogs more It’s easy for me to get stuck on my own thoughts. But you should know, that you’re a very bright and sweet light. We’ll get through all of it. We both know it! ❤

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      4. Me too Tina! I’m so glad too!!😃🤗 We are so blessed indeed! Yes, together. AMEN! I have struggled with my thyroid for years and years, so I can relate to that rollercoaster ride.🎢 Awww, thanks for that! 😙😙😙It’s so sweet and wonderful being used to help others and you have helped me immensely Tina. I was just telling my youngest that this world is not our true home……we are just passing through. I get so much hope from that thought. 💗💗

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    1. Oh I know! So awesome. It’s been years since I was able to shop with my teenage daughter and she’s just as tickled as I am over it!!😃 Thank you dear friend!😚😍🤗💗

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    1. Thanks dear Dawn!🤗🤗 We are excited about our finds today. Yes, so much stronger…..when I think of how I was a year ago, even six months ago, I see progress. It’s encouraging!☺😃💗💗

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    1. Yes, yes, I agree. Only Grace shows us those tokens of joy…..I’m so sorry things are tougher now for you and will continue to keep praying dear Beverley. 🙏🙏🙏💗

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  13. frugal is my middle name Vivian! I have been in a situation where we needed 6 outfits for my grandfather’s funeral……..i was mourning, we had little money and had to travel. lots of prayer and God took care of it all………So happy God answered your prayers with appropriate clothing and the energy to do what needed to be done!

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    1. Dearest Wendi, I’m so sorry about your grandfather…..it’s so beautiful how God orchestrates all the details in our lives down to the hairs on our heads and the clothing we wear. I do enjoy finding treasures for nothing…….the Dollar Tree is one of my favorite stores along with Thrift shops. Having the energy yesterday was amazing and my dizziness was minimal. I felt my head wanting to be dizzy but I told it no!😂😙 Much love always! God bless you!!🤗😍🤗😍💗

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      1. Thank you……..it was a tough week but through the sadness I did see God’s hand in everything we did.
        I am praising God that you were physically able to do what you did and you have many, many more days like this to come. Amen.

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  14. Great message Vivian, powerful and transparent too…

    Isn’t it amazing to see Abba leading us through even the tightest financial moments, and give us bonuses along the way. This season of stretching in my life has truly helped me to hear Abba’s voice and see His sovereign hand in all things!

    “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord…Matthew 25:23

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    1. Oh yes! I do believe leaning on God even more during financial crisis has grown my faith doubly. If we never had experienced job loss we wouldn’t be as thankful now for my hubby’s current job….
      If we didn’t struggle now to make ends meet…..we wouldn’t see the beauty of God’s faithful provision and all those scripture verses about God providing wouldn’t be as precious to us unless we lived it out. Thank you for the verse from Matthew…..yes, faithful in what God gives little or much. Amen. God bless you brother!!

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  16. Amen! Sisterfriend, I’m with you in the frugality department. I love the last part – being thankful even in the bad days so we can relish the marvelous ones! Bonus message – you’re walking around in the store shopping with the niños – even the 13.75 year old 🤣. Continue to keep on keeping on ❤️🤗

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    1. Hi sweetie! Yes! I am still super excited about shopping with my kids! My oldest is too! She and I have missed out on a lot of typical mother/daughter things so shopping together felt like a big big gift to us. My son went off all on his own but did great finding what he needed……he was excited too because we were all together. He is almost 14 and eats me out of house and home…….I know you went through or maybe are still going through this with your boy. 😂😊 It’s a challenge to fill up a man-child. 😭 Love you and hope you are well! 💗😍😚😚🤗🤗

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      1. Oh yes! Still going through, my man-child is 16.something, will be 17 in Nov and some days…I wonder where the food disappeared to. I’m so glad you were able to bond with baby girl, Viv. I know this excursion meant a lot to you both…it is a BIG deal and I’m screaming from the mountain top – Hallelujah!!! Praise the Lord for this great thing He has done – a wonderful miracle He has wrought in your lives…Hallelujah once more 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽. Love you sweet friend in VA. I’m well by the way…just hot! Believing God to fix my AC thermostat and cool this house soon ☺️

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      2. I wonder that too! It’s so hard to keep anything in my fridge or pantry. He says I eat too much….lol!😂 Thank you dearest for rejoicing along with me! I’m saying Hallelujah with you!😄😚 Oh ugh…😣 I bet you are hot. We are having a heat wave, and it was 100° here until a storm came through and cooled the place down. I will pray your thermostat gets fixed soon. I hope so!🙏🙏 Love you too precious! Big hugs!

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      3. Big hug always welcome around this side – irregardless of the weather 🤗🤗🤗. Prayers also appreciated too, we should get a storm tonight into tomorrow – who knew I would be thanking God (or even praying) for the storms – now here’s a message for us, Viv. Only those with the eyes of faith can appreciate it. Love you, tons ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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      4. Maybe it’s part of the system that moved through here, hopefully moving up your way. It greatly cooled but lots of thunder and heavy rain….my family made it home from church going 30 on the highway. How lovely, indeed those storms look all big and scary but God uses them truly to bring good….like a cool breeze instead of stifling heat. Very very true. 💗💗💗💗💗 Love you tons too…and praying for relief. 🙏

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      8. Hey Viv, thanks for checking in. Yes, it’s up and running but we have to get an electrician out to replace the meter along with some electrical wires since the ones present are, well, no longer present lol.

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      10. Me too! We got a chance to also experience God’s providential care in getting the funds rustled together during what feels like a season of famine on our end. 🙌🏼

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    1. Yes, I’m still so excited about that! Only $5 and the tags still on that read $50…..I’m still praising God for His provision. Awwwe, thanks Cindy! God bless you!😍🤗😙😙

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  19. Pingback: The Sunshine Blogger Award | 3rd Nomination – Confessions and Thoughts of a Reluctant Preacher's Daughter

  20. Vivian, that was beautiful! I know what it is like to live on a shoe-string budget, so I totally get what you just shared here. I can still recall back in the early 80s. I was given the lead part in a Christmas musical for our church at that time, but I had nothing nice to wear. A good friend of mine gave me some money to buy a nice dress. I never ever spent that much money on a dress before. So, I went to the store, found a dress, bought it, and they left it on the hanger and put the bag over it. I felt like I was rich, just for that moment, i.e. I felt special. I had always bought dresses they took the hangers off of and then stuffed in a bag. I know that is a material thing, but I never had much, so I felt kind of like I was queen for the day, given a treat.

    Because I never had much, I find excitement in the little things. So, that is why I identified with you so much in this, and I am so happy for you that you were able to find what you were looking for at a bargain price, too. And, I am happy, as well, to hear that you are feeling better and that you were able to get out to do this. That is a treat, in and of itself. When we don’t have much, I think we appreciate what we do have more. Little things in life bring us joy. And, I believe that is what you were talking about here when you said it is the bad times that make the good times so good, or something like that. You appreciate them more, because you know what it is like to do without. I am just happy for you and I am so glad that you are feeling better. Sue

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    1. Thanks so much Sue! I’m so glad to hear from you. It’s so neat how in our struggles we learn so much that we can share with others during or following and look back seeing what God has done. Awwww, I bet that dress was super special to you and you looked and felt beautiful. True, those little kisses from heaven bring joy. Much love Sue! Hugs. God bless you! 🤗💕🤗💕

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