Money Saving Duo

Discovering how to live a glorious life on less

family activities

Our Family on Mission: Serving at VBS

by

This week the Mora family served at our church’s first Vacation Bible School (VBS) at our Alma location. Serving together is just one way you and your family can live a glorious life for less.

Although we want to help you build financial stability, we also want you to live life from a place of joy and service – otherwise, what’s the point? And doing so often starts with serving other people.

If you aren’t familiar with Vacation Bible School, it’s basically a week where churches host children’s programming to tell the story of Jesus. Our church has been hosting an incredible VBS program for years, but this was the first time bringing it to the Alma Campus where Aaron is the campus pastor.

This VBS was particularly special because it was the first time our boys could serve right along with us. Elijah served on the tech team and Ben worked with the 2nd graders. Our girls also attended and, as always, had a great time.

No matter how you decide to serve, we hope you’ll consider it as a way to not only give back, but to also remind you that building financial freedom isn’t just about the money, it’s about the experiences you and your family get to have together. And if you’ve been following our blog for a while, we hope you’ll notice that living a glorious life doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.

Related: Get to Know the Mora Family

In other words, you can live a very full life without a lot of money. Plus, serving in your community in a variety of ways also helps others live a more glorious life too.

Here are some ways to consider supporting your community and building relationships with others:

  • Food Pantries and Meal Programs – These programs usually have an easy place for volunteers to jump in and help those dealing with food insecurity.
  • Community Outreach Events – Stay connected to your city’s social pages or newsletters and watch for ways to participate in programs you are excited about.
  • United Way – Your local United Way may have lots of opportunities to partner with a variety of local initiatives.
  • Homeless shelters – There are lots of ways to serve those dealing with homelessness. Whether its staffing for overnights or helping support.
  • Donate items – It’s always great to bring extra items you don’t need to thrift stores. But there may be local outreach agencies that need them more. We like to donate nice items to the Foster Closet or Clothing Ministries.

No matter how you decide to serve, we hope it’s a great way for you and your family to give back, build relationships and help lift others up around you.

Do you have a favorite way to serve in your community? We’d love to hear all about it! Share in the comments or message us on Facebook.

Enter to Win $1000 for your Staycation!

by

Please note: This post contains a referral link and we may receive an extra entry into the giveaway if you click through the links and enter yourself. We just thought you should know!

Want a little extra spending cash to make the most of your staycation? Enter to win $1000 from Vrbo to spend on family activities during these uncertain times.

Enter to Win a $1000 Staycation
credit: Vrbo.com

Five lucky winners will receive a $1000 prepaid VISA reward card to spend on family activities during these uncertain times.

Use yours to stock up on board games, a backyard tent, or maybe even a trampoline… that’s what we decided to spend our spring break money on this year since we had to cancel our original plans.

April 12th, 2020 is the last day to enter so act fast!

January 2020 Free and Fun Family-Friendly Activities in Mid-Michigan

by

Are you ready to kick off the new year with fun and free family activities? We’ve scoured community calendars and Facebook event pages to find a solid list of activities that we hope your family will love and enjoy as much as ours.

fun and free family-friendly activities in Mid-Michigan

January 8th, 4-5:30 pm, it’s Open Make time at CMU! Open to 3rd – 7th grade students, Open Make is part of the CMU Center for Excellence in STEM Education and provides a great opportunity for students to try their hand at a variety of STEM related projects at no cost. RSVP and learn more here.

January 8th, 3:30-4:30 pm, stop by the Shepherd Community Library for Create, Make & Take Crafts! Open to children of all ages, the library provides all the supplies you need to create something wonderful. Learn more on the Chippewa River District Library calendar.

January 10th, 5-6:30 pm or 7-9 pm, Take the kids on a full moon stroll this month at the Sylvan Nature Preserve or at Chippewa Nature Center. Strolls at the Chippewa Nature Center are led by Interpretive Naturalists Jeanne Henderson and Michelle Fournier and begin at 5pm. Hikes at Sylvan Nature Preserve will begin at 7 pm Learn more about the stroll at the Chippewa Nature Center on Facebookor check out the Sylvan Nature Preserve on the MeetMtP.com website.

January 11th, 10 am – 4 pm, The Midland Mall is hosting its annual Kids Day event. Businesses and organizations will be on site to share kid-friendly resources and products with those who attend. Learn more on Facebook.

January 18th, 2-3 pm, Stop by the Chippewa River District Library in Mt. Pleasant to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. through the eyes of Coretta Scott King. Rosie Chapman will be honoring the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. through a dramatic and interactive performance. Appropriate for all ages. For further details visit the Chippewa River District Library’s website.

January 19th, 2-2:30 pm, For those of you with younger ones, the Baby & Me Storytime at Barnes and Noble in Midland may be the perfect break in your day. Recommended ages are between 0-2. Learn more on Facebook.

January 25th, 1-4 pm, Stop by the City Forest in Midland to cheer on those participating in this year’s Midland Midwinter Chill Cardboard Sled Races! Participants build sleds out of card board and can win prizes. Learn more on Facebook.

January 30th, 7:30 pm, Expose your family to the arts by attending one of CMU’s Faculty Artist concerts. This one is titled ‘Rebels & Rulebreakers’ and is free to attend on campus at the Staples Family Concert Hall. For a full list of performances, visit CMU’s Event website.

Free Family Fun Events in Mid-Michigan March 2019

by

Looking for some ways to welcome Spring? We’ve got you covered all March long with our list of FREE family fun events happening throughout Mid-Michigan.


Photo by Benjamin Manley on Unsplash

Calling all LEGO fans! Stop by your local Barnes & Noble for a special LEGO architecture build event on Saturday March 9th at 6pm! For those of you in mid-Michigan, Barnes & Noble is located in the Midland Mall.

It’s time for another Kids & Culture event, this time at Off-Broadway Performing Arts Studio! Stop by Saturday March 9th between 10 am – 12 noon for a fun and free family-friendly event.

Another great opportunity this month is a comedy magician show taking place at Plachta auditorium on Central Michigan University’s campus on Tuesday, March 12th at 7 pm. Trent James, the award-winning comedy magician, is sure to wow you, making this an evening of fun for everyone. Free to attend and open to the public.

Not sure if this show is right for you? The video below will give you a sneak peek into a Trent James show.

We’re told that March 12th is FREE pancake day at IHOP! Stop by and enjoy your free shortstack and, if you’re able, consider donating to help children battling critical illness while you’re there.

And if you love free food, you might want to mark down March 20th on your calendar. We’re told that Dairy Queen will be serving up free ice cream cones that day, but haven’t been able to officially confirm it. Check with your local Dairy Queen to see if they will be participating.

Stop by the Chippewa River District Library, Shepherd branch for Create, Make and Take Craft time on March 13th at 3:30pm. All materials will be provided – you just need to bring your creativity!

Grab your favorite board game and head on over to the Salvation Army in Alma on March 15th at 6pm for a free family game night! Movies will also be playing in the chapel.

Looking for an opportunity to introduce your family to the orchestra? Creative 360 in Midland will be hosting the Midland Community Orchestra Small Ensemble and invites everyone to come and listen March 15th at 7pm. More details can be found on the Great Lakes Bay Parents website.

Did you know that Michigan is one of the top maple syrup producers across the nation? In 2017 it was ranked as the 7th top producer of this sugary confection. On March 16th, your family can discover how maple syrup is made during Maple Syrup Day at the Chippewa Nature Center! The event is free for kids and members, but $5 for adults who aren’t members at this time.

Stop by the Chippewa River District Library, Veterans Memorial campus for a rescheduled family date night featuring Kim Darst from Husky Haven Sled Dogs and her incredible story of racing in the Iditarod! Attendees will get the opportunity to see her sled gear and interact with one of her dogs! Be sure to arrive early to this event taking place March 17th at 2pm. 

Take a break from technology and stop by the “Pop” in carnival taking place at Finch Fieldhouse on Central Michigan University’s campus March 22nd from 6 – 8 pm. CMU’s Recreation, Parks and Leisure services RPL 430 class is partnering with Angel Wings to host a family-fun night where kids and adults can play classic carnival games like ring toss and mini bowling. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged to help support the local charity.

Are there free family-fun events we missed? Share them in the comments or on our Facebook page.

Our Movie Adventure to the Crystal, MI Box Office Theater

by

We love going to the movies, but by the time you buy tickets for the entire family, it can be a long term negotiation on what you can afford at the concession stand. As a result, we are always on the lookout for a great deal.

A friend tipped us off to the Crystal Box Office in Crystal, MI as a suggestion. An affordable, single screen theater in a small town we had never stopped in before. We checked the schedule and saw that they were playing Aquaman around New Years. The boys and I were ready for an adventure to someplace new, and we set off to check it out. 

I had no idea what to expect. Maybe a small screen and long lines. But we arrived to find a parking space right in front of the theater and no wait to purchase our tickets at the old style booth that opened to the outside sidewalk. The tickets were only $4 each!

Then we got inside and found a concession stand from a bygone era, filled with the fresh smells of popcorn and other treats. For $3 you could get a huge popcorn and fountain pop for a buck.

We had the theater almost to ourselves and got a perfect spot toward the middle. The sound was great and the screen large. While we were enjoying the film we didn’t even remember that we were at a smaller theater. 

The building is a bit dated and the facility shows a little wear and tear, but it also gives it an old school charm. I would recommend this stop to anyone in the Central Michigan area looking for a fun, new spot to catch a flick on a budget. Although, you’ll want to check ahead to see if they are playing the movie you want on their only screen. 

For the most up to date listings and more information, visit their facebook page at facebook.com/crystalboxoffice.

Going to the Movies? Keep It Affordable With These Great Tips

by

Who doesn’t love going to the theater? Watching a movie on the big screen is a whole lot of fun, but lets be real… it can be down right costly! Luckily, we’ve discovered a few ways to save big at the movies.

Scout out ticket prices before you go. We’ve recently discovered a few smaller theaters in our area that charge less than the larger theaters do. If you live in Mid-Michigan, you should bookmark these theater options:

Ideal Theater in Clare, MI – Tickets are $5 for each adult, $4 for each child 12 and under.

Crystal Box Office Theater in Crystal, MI – Tickets for the 7pm show are $5 each and only $3 for the 3:30 pm show. Concessions are also inexpensive – you can get a small soda and a small popcorn for only $3.25!

Check for special offers and discounts. Even the larger theaters typically have discount nights or special events where you can see movies at a lower price or in some cases, even for free.

Celebration Cinema, for example, offers a discounted movie every Sunday night and recently launched T.A.C.O Tuesdays (Tickets Are Cheap on Tuesdays). Both specials feature $6 ticket pricing. Celebration Cinema also features the FLICK Family Film Festival at select times throughout the year were kids 12 and under can go and see a movie for free.

NCG Cinemas, with a location in Midland, Alma and Lansing, also features discounted ticket pricing on Tuesdays. Reel Deal Tuesdays allow you to get discounted tickets and concessions. We’re told ticket prices are only $5 on Tuesday; however, couldn’t confirm this on their website.

Sign up for a reward program if its offered. Since Celebration Cinema is the theater in our town, we made sure to sign up for their rewards program. It didn’t cost us anything to sign up, but when we go to see movies we often receive special discounts on tickets or concessions. Sometimes we even get free concession items if we’ve garnered enough points. 

A couple of weeks ago, my youngest and I went to the movies and we received $4 off our tickets. Worth the free sign up if you ask me. NCG Cinemas also offer a customer rewards program.

Eat before you go to the show. We know how hard it can be to resist that buttery popcorn you smell as soon as you open the theater door, but if you’re looking for ways to keep movies affordable, eating at home before you go can be a great way to save a few extra dollars.

What are your favorite ways to save money at the movies? Share your top tips in the comments.