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Sunday Play Day? I Love Free Stuff
Free Swing Set Haul Today! My wife scored a massive swing set with a climbing wall and zipline. Today we’re disassembling, loading up the U-Haul (thanks, Mom-in-law!), and hoping those posts aren’t cemented in the ground. Free stuff + family projects = best kind of Sunday.
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What Motivates You?
Is focusing on frugality really just ‘focusing on money’? For me, it’s about something much bigger: Freedom. From the ability to garden on a whim to being present the moment the kids get home from school, the ‘Snowball Experiment’ isn’t just about dividends—it’s about regaining control of time. Even when car repairs and slow side-hustle…
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Why is Life Always So Busy?
here are some weeks where I feel like I never leave the house. Other weeks, like this month of May 2026, every single day off is jam-packed. Cousins visiting, Amish building the shed, moving a giant free swing set + zip line, sleepovers, wedding baking… and somehow still squeezing in covered calls and dividend buys
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Mother’s Day 2026: Thank You for Everything
Happy Mother’s Day 2026! It’s the first year my mom, mother-in-law, and wife are all together. Breakfast in bed from the kids, family dinner, and lots of gratitude. So grateful we’re all within a mile of each other now.
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Shed Preparation Time
Getting the yard ready for the new shed this weekend — emptying the old one, moving it, buying gravel, installing slatwall, and adding a small loft. Busy times, but progress is progress.
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Frugal Friday May 7th 2026: Always Find a Deal
A little over a week ago my wife’s car had been losing air in one of the tires. We took it in earlier this week for a look over and the tire had a nail on an un-patchable part. They also discovered a mouse nest inside the blower motor for the cabin. The tires were…
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Best Methods for Chaotic Recovery?
Crazy busy week — fixing the garage door, hosting family for Mother’s Day, moving a massive free swing set, and prepping for a new shed delivery. Some weeks the struggle is real, but we’re making it work.
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Summer Camp Open House 2026
From memories of fifth-grade field trips to touring the shores of Lake Erie with my own kids, our visit to the Camp Fitch Open House was a walk down memory lane. While summer camp is a significant line item in the budget, seeing the impact of these experiences on our children makes the ‘Snowball’ grind…
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Frugal Friday 5/1/26: Selling Scraps
From big-ticket items like a new shed and summer camp to wedding travel, April has been a test of financial endurance. While it hasn’t felt like a ‘frugal’ month, a lucky roadside find and a little DIY elbow grease are keeping the side-hustle spirit alive. Here’s a look at the reality of a ‘rough on…
Mini Thoughts
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