Bills, Budgeting and Meals - Frugal Focus

Bills

Budgeting

Meals

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Introducing the 2014 Grocery Budget Challenge

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 10, 2014

Are you spending more on groceries every month than your budget allows? The grocery bill can get out of control for me if I’m not careful. This year, I need to reduce our monthly grocery spending to $450 a month to stay within our overall budget I have planed for 2014. Start meal planning ASAP.

Budgeting Budget Groceries Grocery

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How I’m Managing our Family Budget during the Pandemic

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 11, 2020

How I’m managing our family budget during the Pandemic: We pay ourselves at the beginning of each month, so when this crisis started in mid-March, we were covered for the month. I set up a strategy years ago to pay for those yearly expenses , so thankfully, there’s money for these bills and we won’t fall behind.

Budgeting Budget Family Debt

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My #1 Tool that Saves Me Hundreds on Groceries

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 20, 2022

I still use this simple tool for meal planning! Meal planning is the #1 way I save money on groceries. “MEAL PLANNING IS THE #1 WAY I SAVE MONEY ON GROCERIES.” ” And there is one tool that makes meal planning very easy. This simple spiral notebook is what I use to plan our meals and my shopping list.

Tools

Tools Groceries Grocery Saving Money

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Ways to Save Money on a Tight Budget

Saving Everyday

OCTOBER 27, 2023

If you’re looking for ways to save money on a tight budget, we’ve got you covered! Christmas is right around the corner, so if you’re looking for ways to save money on a tight budget, we’re here to help! Ways to Save Money on a Tight Budget This is a two-part conversation. Lean into cheap meals.

Saving Money Budgeting Budget Money

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Grocery Budget Challenge | January Meeting

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 30, 2014

The Goal of the Grocery Budget Challenge is to be creative with our meal planning and grocery shopping so that we aren’t over-spending. We don’t want to make our families miserable with bland meals, boring snacks, and not enough food in the house. My success : My January grocery budget was $450.

Budgeting Budget January Groceries

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11 Simple Meal Planning Tips

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 8, 2014

If there is one budget category that can quickly get out of control for me, it is GROCERIES. If I don’t plan our meals and my shopping list, I spend too much money and make too many extra stops to the grocery store during the week. 3 Reasons Why You Should Plan Your Meals: 1. Meal Planning Saves Time.

Meals

Meals Simple Menu Planning Menu Plans

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Grocery Budget Challenge | February Meeting

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 28, 2014

The Goal of the Grocery Budget Challenge is to be creative with our meal planning and grocery shopping so that we do not over-spend. We don’t want to make our families miserable with bland meals, boring snacks, and not enough food in the house, but we must stay on budget. Did you plan your meals regularly?

Budgeting Budget February Groceries

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Grocery Budget Challenge | March Meeting

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 30, 2014

The Goal of the Grocery Budget Challenge is to be creative with our meal planning and grocery shopping so that we do not over-spend. We don’t want to make our families miserable with bland meals, boring snacks, and not enough food in the house, but we must stay on budget. How Did We Do in March.

Budgeting Budget March Groceries

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 09.29.17

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

I’ve recently re-started the series, What We Ate this Week on our Budget , because I missed the accountability and I had several readers ask for its return. Our monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. I am working to stock up my freezer with extra meals or meal components to make my week night dinner rush easier.

Budgeting Budget Homemade Financial Goals

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Grocery Budget Challenge | July & August

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 30, 2014

The Goal of the Grocery Budget Challenge is to be creative with our meal planning and grocery shopping so that we do not over-spend. We don’t want to make our families miserable with bland meals, boring snacks, and not enough food in the house, but we must stay on budget. My budget is $450.

Budgeting Budget Groceries Grocery

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 09.22.2017

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

I’ve recently re-started the series, What We Ate this Week on our Budget , because I missed the accountability and I had several readers ask for its return. Our monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. Want to lower your grocery bill? 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning.

Budgeting Budget Financial Goals Tacos

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 10.20.17

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 20, 2017

Welcome to my weekly series, What We Ate this Week on our Budget. Our monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. It’s a tight budget and I failed miserably recently, but we have lots of financial goals, so I need to get it back in line. Want to lower your grocery bill? 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips.

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Daughter

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Grocery Budget Challenge – April Meeting

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 30, 2014

The Goal of the Grocery Budget Challenge is to be creative with our meal planning and grocery shopping so that we do not over-spend. We don’t want to make our families miserable with bland meals, boring snacks, and not enough food in the house, but we must stay on budget. Did you plan your meals regularly?

Budgeting Budget Groceries Grocery

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Grocery Budget Challenge | September & October

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 30, 2014

The Goal of the Grocery Budget Challenge is to be creative with our meal planning and grocery shopping so that we do not over-spend. We don’t want to make our families miserable with bland meals, boring snacks, and not enough food in the house, but we must stay on budget. How Did We Do in September & October.

Budgeting Budget September October

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 01.15.16

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 15, 2016

Every week, I share how I saved and what we ate for the week on our budget. Our current monthly budget for my family of 4 is $500. Did you make a new budget-friendly dish this week that your family enjoyed? We’re all looking for new weekly meal plan ideas. Want to lower your grocery bill?

Budgeting Budget Friends And Family Sale Leftovers

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 10.13.17

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 13, 2017

Welcome to my weekly series, What We Ate this Week on our Budget. Our monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. It’s a tight budget and I failed miserably recently, but we have lots of financial goals, so I need to get it back in line. Want to lower your grocery bill? 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips.

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Financial Goals

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Grocery Budget Challenge: May & June Meeting

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 30, 2014

Ok, Ok, let’s talk grocery budget! The Goal of the Grocery Budget Challenge is to be creative with our meal planning and grocery shopping so that we do not over-spend. We don’t want to make our families miserable with bland meals, boring snacks, and not enough food in the house, but we must stay on budget.

Budgeting Budget Groceries Grocery

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 03.11.16

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 11, 2016

I love prep once, cook twice meals. Did you make a new budget-friendly dish this week that your family enjoyed? We’re always looking for new weekly meal plan ideas. Want to lower your grocery bill? 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning. 8 Freezer Meal Recipes.

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Freezers

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 04.22.16

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 22, 2016

Every week I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Our current monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. Want to lower your grocery bill? 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning. 8 Freezer Meal Recipes. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning.

Budgeting Budget Kids and Family Freezers

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What We Ate This Week on Our Budget 03.27.15

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 27, 2015

Every Friday, I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Currently our monthly budget is $500 for my family of 4. Would you like to lower your grocery bill? These posts will help: 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning. 8 Freezer Meal Recipes. Sunday: Leftovers.

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Homemade

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 01.22.16

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 22, 2016

Every week, I share how I saved and what we ate for the week on our budget. Our current monthly budget for my family of 4 is $500. I serve the applesauce as a side for many meals and use it in baking. Sunday: The meatballs I made on Saturday night was enough to for two meals. Want to lower your grocery bill?

Budgeting Budget Homemade Freezers

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 03.25.16

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 25, 2016

Every week I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Our current monthly budget is $500 for my family of 4. Pork tenderloin in one of my favorite cuts of meat and my favorite Cook Once, Eat Twice meals. Thursday: I bought a huge 5lb bag of turkey meatballs at BJs last week to have on hand for quick meals.

Budgeting Budget Freezers Dinner

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 12.18.15

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 18, 2015

Every week, I share how I saved and what we ate for the week on our budget. Our current monthly budget for my family of 4 is $500. I roasted it immediately and used the meat of it for this week’s meals. I roasted it immediately and used the meat of it for this week’s meals. Want to lower your grocery bill?

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Lunch

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 09.15.17

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 15, 2017

I’ve recently re-started the series, What We Ate this Week on our Budget , because I missed the accountability and I had several readers ask for its return. Our monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. Want to lower your grocery bill? 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning.

Budgeting Budget Freezers Kids and Family

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 04.15.16

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 15, 2016

Every week I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Our current monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. Want to lower your grocery bill? 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning. 8 Freezer Meal Recipes. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning.

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Kids and Family

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 11.20.15

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 20, 2015

Every week I share what we ate on our budget. Our montly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. Want to lower your grocery bill? 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning. 8 Freezer Meal Recipes. I used those chopped peppers in Monday nights dinner.

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Freezers

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8 Action Steps for a Frugal February!

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 1, 2023

8 Action Steps for a Frugal February: 1 – Write a budget/spending plan for February. I’m a big fan of Zero Based Budgeting. If you’re new to writing a budget, read: How to Start a Budget (and be successful at it!) For a list of budget categories, read: How to Start a Budget.

February Frugal Financial Goals Goals

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 09/01/2017

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

It’s been a long time since I’ve shared the series, What We Ate this Week on our Budget , but I missed the accountability and I had several readers ask for its return. Our monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. Want to lower your grocery bill? 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. 8 Freezer Meal Recipes.

Budgeting Budget 2017 Financial Goals

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What We Ate this Week on a Budget 11.06.15

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 6, 2015

Every week I share what we ate on our budget. Currently I try to maintain a $500 monthly grocery budget for my family of 4. I made some rice and steamed some vegetables to add to the meal. Want to lower your grocery bill? 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning.

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Freezers

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What We Ate this Week on Our Budget 02.19.16

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Every week I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Our current monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. I packed food for breakfast and lunches, but we did go out to dinner on both nights…did I mention we spent the entire weekend at a pool…restaurant budget blown! Want to lower your grocery bill?

Budgeting Budget Kids and Family Homemade

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 03.04.16

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 5, 2016

Have you ever blown your budget in four days? I did too and on top of that we officially blew through our restaurant budget. Did you make a new budget-friendly dish this week that your family enjoyed? We’re always looking for new weekly meal plan ideas. Want to lower your grocery bill? 8 Freezer Meal Recipes.

Budgeting Budget Home and Garden Daughter

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 09-08-2017

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 8, 2017

I’ve recently re-started the series, What We Ate this Week on our Budget , because I missed the accountability and I had several readers ask for its return. Our monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. Want to lower your grocery bill? 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning.

Budgeting Budget 2017 Home and Garden

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 05.01.15

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 1, 2015

Every Friday, I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Currently our monthly budget is $500 for my family of 4. This week, I made one of my favorite Cook Once, Eat Twice meals: Roasted Pork Tenderloin. Would you like to lower your grocery bill? These posts will help: 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips.

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Friends And Family Sale

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 03.18.16

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 18, 2016

Every week, I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Our current monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. It is usually $2 for a 14 oz bag and I can get 2 meals from the bag. Want to lower your grocery bill? 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning.

Budgeting Budget Daughter Leftovers

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 06.12.15

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 12, 2015

Every Friday, I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Currently our monthly budget is $500 for my family of 4. Would you like to lower your grocery bill? These posts will help: 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning. 8 Freezer Meal Recipes. 10 Paper Products to Avoid.

Budgeting Budget Homemade Freezers

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Weekly Meal Plan 02.26.16

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 26, 2016

Every week I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Our current monthly grocery budget for my family of 4 is $500. Did you make a new budget-friendly dish this week that your family enjoyed? We’re always looking for new weekly meal plan ideas. Want to lower your grocery bill? 8 Freezer Meal Recipes.

Meals

Meals Leftovers Kids and Family Homemade

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 12.12.15

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 11, 2015

This Week’s Dinners: Every week, I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Our current monthly budget for my family of 4 is $500. Want to lower your grocery bill? 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning. 8 Freezer Meal Recipes. My #1 Simple Tool that Saves Me Hundreds.

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Costco

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 01.08.16

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 8, 2016

Every week, I share how I saved and what we ate for the week on our budget. Our current monthly budget for my family of 4 is $500. Want to lower your grocery bill? 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning. 8 Freezer Meal Recipes. The post What We Ate this Week on our Budget 01.08.16

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Dinner

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What We Ate This Week on our Budget 03.13.15

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 13, 2015

Every Friday, I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Currently our monthly budget for my family of four is $500. Would you like to lower your grocery bill? These posts will help: 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning. 8 Freezer Meal Recipes. 10 Paper Products to Avoid.

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Freezers

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 04.10.15

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 10, 2015

Every Friday, I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Currently our monthly budget is $500 for my family of 4. Would you like to lower your grocery bill? These posts will help: 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning. 8 Freezer Meal Recipes. 10 Paper Products to Avoid.

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Freezers

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 12.05.15

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 5, 2015

I roasted my free turkey that I received from Giant and as you’ll see below I used the meat and stock through out the week for my meal planning. This Week’s Dinners: Every week, I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Our current monthly budget for my family of 4 is $500. Want to lower your grocery bill?

Budgeting Budget Leftovers Thanksgiving

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What We Ate this Week on our Budget 04.17.15

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 17, 2015

Every Friday, I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Currently our monthly budget is $500 for my family of 4. Spaghetti is my go-to meal when I’m being lazy or the pantry is pretty bare. It was a tasty dinner and VERY budget-friendly. Would you like to lower your grocery bill? 8 Freezer Meal Recipes.

Budgeting Budget Friends And Family Sale Freezers

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5 healthy and yummy recipes for under 2 dollars – friendly budget

Coupons Do Work

AUGUST 2, 2016

Times can be tough and we need a way to budget our cash whenever possible. A good way to budget your bill on this one is to buy rice in bulk from Amazon at only $18 for a 15-pound bag. A good way to budget your bill on this one is to buy rice in bulk from Amazon at only $18 for a 15-pound bag. Fried Rice With Ham.

Budgeting Budget Recipes Bulk

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What We ate this Week on our Budget 06.18.15

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 19, 2015

Every Friday, I share what we ate for the week on our budget. Currently our monthly budget is $500 for my family of 4. Would you like to lower your grocery bill? These posts will help: 11 Simple Meal Planning Tips. How I Use Pinterest for Meal Planning. 8 Freezer Meal Recipes. It was AWESOME.

Budgeting Budget Delivery Service Dinner