Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 14, 2011

One of my favorite ways to pass a day is cooking from scratch. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about plunging my hands into dough, and smelling fresh food cooking in our oven. And when I cook my great-grandmother’s matzo ball soup recipe, I’m connected to all of the memories of her I hold dearest.

Cooking 133

Cooking Cooking At Home Friends And Family Sale Budgeting 133

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. This Week’s Dinners: Saturday : I baked a spiral ham that I bought on sale before Christmas. The post What We Ate this Week on our Budget 01.08.16 Take out the chicken.

Budget 100

Budget Budgeting Leftovers Dinner 100

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 130

February Frugal Financial Goals Goals 130

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 24, 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. They come in handy–my family gets fed and I get a little break from cooking. Thursday: I had leftover cooked chicken in the freezer and used it to make chicken, sweet potato & black bean quesadillas.

Budget 100

Budget Budgeting Leftovers Freezers 100

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 16, 2015

The 5 Easiest Budget Categories to Reduce. They are by far the easiest & quickest category to reduce in a household budget. In fact, there was a time that I rarely cooked over the weekends, because we ate out so often. I only shop on Wednesdays, when the store has a 50% off everything sale. Dining Out.

Budget 100

Budget Budgeting Thrifting Thrift Stores 100

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Are you enjoying these “what we ate on a budget” posts? My intent is twofold: to hold me accountable with our grocery spending and to give some ideas and insight into how we eat on a budget. Our budget is currently $500 for my family of four. Although my kids are young (9 & 6), they truly eat like adults, truly.

Budget 100

Budget Budgeting Homemade Kids and Family 100

Saving Everyday

MAY 29, 2024

Whether it’s how to save money, cook affordable and delicious meals, make extra money, or save money on food, I have been there and practice what I preach. Cook from scratch. Simple home-cooked meals will always be cheaper than ordering in or going out. Plan your menu around what’s on sale. You get my point.

Saving Money 52

Saving Money Money Friends And Family Sale Saving 52

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 5, 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. I haven’t gotten into to fire pit cooking yet. My oldest daughter loves sausage burgers, so when they’re on sale, which is quite frequently, I buy them. It’s sale price is $9.99

Budget 100

Budget Budgeting Tacos Friends And Family Sale 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 8, 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. I bought a huge watermelon that was on sale and we had it several nights as a side dish. Tip #2: I used chopped up ham that I had in the freezer from the Easter ham sales. I picked a good one this week.

Budget 100

Budget Budgeting Leftovers Freezers 100

Coupons Do Work

APRIL 14, 2015

Over the years I have had to budget, put money away…so we can live the life without worrying about money. To budget, not spend on stupid things and save as much as you can. For the clothes and shoes for my kids, I look for sales. I wait for the good sale. I wait for the good sale. Then I have no choice.

Budget 100

Budget Budgeting Food Kids and Family 100

Shereen Travels Cheap

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

If you want more tips for things to do outside of your home, here's my post on how to do a romantic staycation on a budget. I also cut my puff pastry into heart shapes I set my coffee table with a pink sequin tablecloth that was actually a curtain panel, added a heart runner for an interesting look.

Valentines Day 248

Valentines Day Trader Joes Food and Wine Home and Garden 248

For the Mommas

JULY 31, 2016

10 Eating Habits of People Living on a Tight Budget. We’ve all been there: unexpected expenses put a big dent in your budget and finances are a little tight. Here are 10 Eating Habits of People Living on a Tight Budget. They provide fiber and protein and don’t hurt your limited budget. It’s time to get creative.

Budget 60

Budget Budgeting Friends And Family Sale Meals 60

Saving Cents With Sense

NOVEMBER 7, 2013

Check out my simple tips for creating a budget friendly Thanksgiving below: 1. Match up the items that you plan to buy with store sales and coupons. Plan your cooking to use the oven all at one time (instead of days ahead). The post 7 Tips for a Budget Friendly Thanksgiving appeared first on Saving Cents With Sense.

Thanksgiving 102

Thanksgiving Budget Budgeting Friends And Family Sale 102

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 30, 2015

The chicken was in the freezer and part of my freezer cooking session that I did in the fall. And I treated my kids to a package of Oreos that was on sale this week and for 3 whole days they thought I ROCKED! Did you cook a new recipe for your family this week? It’s so nice to have meals ready to go in the freezer.

Budget 100

Budget Budgeting Tacos Freezers 100

For the Mommas

FEBRUARY 10, 2016

Valentine’s Day Menus on a Budget. If you’re on a budget this year, don’t think for one minute that you have to skip on a delicious meal. During Valentine’s Day, many grocery stores offer more expensive cuts of meat on sale. You may find New York strip or even t-bones on sale for around $5 per pound.

Budget 40

Budget Budgeting Dinner Wine 40

Saving Everyday

OCTOBER 8, 2017

Healthy food gets a bad rap for being expensive, but it doesn’t have to break your budget. My kids grew up on “white spaghetti”, which is just cooked noodles, olive oil, salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese. Similar to rice, they can be added to many dishes, and there are endless ways to cook them. Having eggs?

Budget 56

Budget Budgeting Food Bulk 56

The Frugal Girl

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

I learned how to cook and bake at a very young age, and I’ve always enjoyed kitchen work as both creative pursuit and scientific inquiry. Mise en place for a recipe Even in college, when I was living in a dorm, and had a dining hall meal plan that meant I could get whatever I wanted whenever I wanted it, I still cooked and baked.

Kids and Family 186

Kids and Family Parenting Cars Car 186

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 28, 2022

Groceries is one budget category that can get out of control very quickly, and that’s before inflation. However, it can be an easy budget category to manage, but it takes some planning, skill, and organization. These are strategies I use weekly to help keep my grocery bill in line with our budget. According to the U.S.

Saving Money 130

Saving Money Grocery Groceries Money 130

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 1, 2019

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 100

February Frugal Financial Goals Budget 100

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 23, 2015

This Week’s Breakfasts, Lunches and Snacks: For breakfast, we ate cereal that I bought last week during a stock up sale. For the kids lunches, I buy frozen ravioli and cook it in the morning. Also my husband made green smoothies for the two of us.

Budget 100

Budget Budgeting Leftovers Homemade 100

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 11, 2014

I just moved to the more rural area to enjoy time gardening and cooking with real foods. My daughter and I are gluten free due to celiac and changing to a healthy grain free sugar free way of cooking has become a big passion of mine over the last couple of years. Use this to develop a budget & determine where you will cut back. (If

Debt Free 235

Debt Free Debt Mom Goals 235

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 23, 2014

The topics include: cooking. budgeting and frugal living. 5 Days to Budget Breakthrough by Kimberlee. No Cook Freezer Meals by Kelly McNelis. Real Food on a Real Budget by Stephanie Langford. Simple Cooking to Save You Money by Kelly Crawford. The ABC’s of Freezer Cooking by KM Logan.

Sale 138

Sale Kids and Family Simple Mom 138

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 28, 2019

5 Action Steps for a Mindful March: 1 – Write a budget/spending plan for March. 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!). If you need encouragement and guidance with your budget, join my private Facebook group: Family Budgeters Unite!

March 100

March Financial Goals Budget Budgeting 100

Saving Everyday

OCTOBER 3, 2023

Set a Budget Spending adds up quickly on any vacation, and overspending can add unwanted stress when all you should be doing is relaxing! Some people prefer having an overall budget, while others prefer setting a daily budget. Some people prefer having an overall budget, while others prefer setting a daily budget.

Saving Money 52

Saving Money Money Travel Hotel 52

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 31, 2016

Need to find some wiggle room in your budget? It is totally possible to eat your favorite foods within a grocery budget. Keeping a tight grocery budget is giving us some wiggle room each month to put towards other financial obligations. Day 10: Plan a Freezer Cooking Session. Day 20: Stock up on Holiday Sales.

Grocery Spending 100

Grocery Spending Grocery Groceries Budgeting 100

The Frugal Girl

JANUARY 29, 2024

My kids both have chronic medical issues that are costly & require much budgeting. The hardest-it gets really old being on a tight budget sometimes, even looking at the end game or the why. There’s always been garage sales/flea markets, library, state parks, fishing. This means funds are tight.

Arkansas 177

Arkansas Frugal College Kids and Family 177

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 1, 2021

Make it a game and be creative when looking for money within your budget and finding new ways to earn extra money. Groceries is the easiest budget category to overspend. It was an escape from the office, but it was eating up my budget…see what I did there! Who wants to cook after a long day! Try freezer cooking.

Emergency Fund 130

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 130

Saving Everyday

MAY 24, 2024

Cooking Dried Chickpeas Add a bag of dried chickpeas to a large bowl along with a teaspoon of salt. If they still feel a little firm in the middle, cook them a little longer. Soak for one hour, drain and rinse well, and cook as instructed above. Serving Suggestions Serve alongside any cooked protein as a side dish.

Simple 52

Simple Meals Recipes Re-use 52

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Grocery University is a "2 hour, 19 minute audio course that will teach you everything you need to know about making the most of your grocery budget – regardless of whether you’re new to bargain shopping or have been a super-shopper for years.". Are you looking for ways to trim those costs? Grocery University can help.

Grocery 157

Grocery Groceries Audio Sale 157

Saving Everyday

DECEMBER 6, 2023

He was a great cook, and his tuna pasta salad was something I always looked forward to. Cook the pasta according to the package directions (see tip below). While the pasta cooks, you can move on to the other things. Once the pasta is fully cooked, rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking and drain well.

Recipes 52

Recipes Food and Wine Cooking Re-use 52

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 31, 2020

Also, I cooked the ham bone in a big soup pot with water, celery, onions, carrots, and garlic for hours. I drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and/or other seasonings and roast at 350 until cooked through, approximately 20+ minutes, it depends on the types of foods I’m roasting. Cook Once, Eat Many Times!

January 130

January Frugal Green And Frugal Homemade 130

Couponing 101

MAY 4, 2013

Here are the categories and eBooks included in the sale: Home & Property {Cleaning, Organizing & Decor}. Budgeting {Money & Time Management}. Your Grocery Budget Toolbox. In the Kitchen {Recipes and Cooking}. Money Saving Mom’s Guide to Freezer Cooking. Seasonal Menu Plans on a Budget.

Health and Beauty 97

Health and Beauty Work From Home Budgeting Budget 97

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 15, 2019

Groceries is one budget category that can get out of control very quickly. However, groceries is also an easy budget category to control, but it takes some planning, skill, and organization. Personally, if I don’t make a shopping list and plan my meals, my grocery budget is toast. Institute a ‘Raid the Fridge’ Night.

Saving Money 113

Saving Money Grocery Groceries Money 113

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 24, 2021

These family favorites are fresh, tasty, and easy on your grocery budget. I didn’t list a price for pantry staples, such as seasonings, cooking oils, butter. pantry items needed: olive oil, oregano, salt/pepper, cooking spray. Spray the pita with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt and/or other seasonings to your taste.

Homemade 130

Homemade Cooking Burritos Kids and Family 130

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 10, 2020

These family favorites are hearty, tasty, and easy on your grocery budget. I didn’t list a price for pantry staples, such as seasonings, cooking oils, butter. 2 cups shredded or diced cooked chicken. Instructions: For the cooked chicken, one option is to roast split bone-in chicken breasts. Are you an ALDI shopper?

Leftovers 130

Leftovers Recipes Bread Cooking 130

Saving Everyday

DECEMBER 1, 2023

White rice and eggs is one of my go-to dishes when I don’t feel like cooking but still want something that feels like comfort food. Ghee – I prefer to cook the eggs in ghee butter for added flavor. Cook the egg however you like. When the egg is cooked to your liking, carefully place it on the rice.

Simple 52

Simple Leftovers Cooking Recipes 52

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 3, 2014

I’m trying to find that balance of staying within a set budget while still eating well. But we have some serious financial goals to hit and the grocery budget is an easy target when it comes to cutting the budget. I carefully planned our menu each week around the sales flyers and loss leaders.

March 100

March Grocery Groceries Homemade 100