Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 18, 2011

When you start to look at your money and the things you buy as investments and expenses, it will totally change your spending habits. For example, buying food and paying rent do not make you any money. So start looking at each thing you buy as an investment. Cut Down the “Eating Out”. It is that simple!

Money Saving 180

Money Saving Money Eating Out Real Estate 180

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 28, 2022

As my kids have grown into teenagers who eat as much as adults, I spend about $800-1000/month–this includes anything I buy at the grocery store, so it includes paper and cleaning products. When I don’t plan, I make multiple trips to the store, eat out too often, and most certainly blow our budget. 049/oz, vs. $9.99/100

Saving Money 130

Saving Money Groceries Grocery Money 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 4, 2014

Making your own dishes is a healthier alternative to buying ready meals as you’ve got much more control over how much salt and sugar will be present and gives greater scope for adding vegetables to make them even more nutritious. Get creative when eating out. Get Healthy'

Eating Out 170

Eating Out Food and Drink Meals Wellness 170

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

AUGUST 2, 2012

Without giving it a second thought, that little snack just cost you 45% of your daily sodium intake. I’d estimate that 50% of the time you’ll see canned food, boxed dinners, bags of chips, and cases/bottles of sodas lining most peoples’ carts. Reducing Our Sodium Intake Avoid processed foods.

Eating Out 188

Eating Out Meals Health Cooking 188

Coupons Do Work

MARCH 4, 2016

Since I am off to Disney World and buy the ‘Hopper Ticket’ while breaking the bank (good thing I have been budgeting and couponing this year!!!!), Get Souvenirs before Buying: Did you know you know you can get FREE items throughout the Disney Parks? Members can see films, eat out, shop at discount rate.

Disney World 100

Disney World Saving Money Disney Money 100

Penny Pinchin' Mom

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

I look for coupons and deals that are specific to the brand my family likes, and then I buy in bulk. Most of the things we buy we don’t need; we want them. If you see something that isn’t a necessity or entirely integral to your existence, instead of buying it on the spot, wait 24 hours. Imagine that!

Saving Money 52

Saving Money Money Saving Bills 52

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 19, 2014

Include anything that you’d like to add to give the reader an idea about your personality. Daniel can work anywhere there is an internet connection and the kids can homeschool anywhere, but we didn’t have the money to buy the plane tickets or book AirBnB apartments. We ate at home a lot and watched our food budget carefully.

Debt 245

Debt Debt Free Finance Friends And Family Sale 245

For the Mommas

JULY 24, 2016

Buy as small a house as you can while still being comfortable. Buying isn’t always the better investment. If you calculate your mortgage interest, the cost of insurance and maintenance, buying can be much more expensive than renting. Eat out less. One of the biggest expenses you probably incur is eating out.

Frugal Lives 49

Frugal Lives Frugal Living Frugal Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions 49

Couponing 101

JULY 28, 2011

It may seem like the same thing, but let me give you an example. They are a family of four and have a grocery budget of $60 per week, they cook 2-3 dinners from scratch each week and eat out once or twice a week. First, they could search for coupons for the things they already buy. Have they truly saved money?

Budgeting 96

Budgeting Budget Saving Eating Out 96

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Basic Necessities Food Whether you are well-off or tight on cash, you still need to eat. So, you have to put food on top of your list of necessities. You may want to buy the cheaper ones and those that offer deals. You may want to buy the cheaper ones and those that offer deals.

Bills 213

Bills Telephones Money Taxes 213

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

We shopped at garage sales, turned down the heat, combined errands to use less gas, didn’t buy a lot of prepared food, cooked at home and the like. Eating out or going to a movie were once a year events. We especially never put anything consumable (like gas, food, eating out, movies and etc) on a credit card.

Thrifty 213

Thrifty Garage Spendthrift Fair-Trade 213

The Frugal Girl

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

Limiting waste is what really drives most of the habits I have that would qualify as “frugal” – reducing/eliminating food waste, returning unneeded items, pursuing refunds, checking on warranties, repairing things, etc. For me, being in the kitchen and making food for people is an act of love.

Kids and Family 192

Kids and Family Parenting Cars Car 192

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 9, 2012

But there is no way you are going to give up cable, the cell phone, eating out or your gym membership. What is the one thing you are refusing to give up that would help you pay off your debt? Write out what you have to spend on your home, utilities and other necessary items. And, how did you get out of it?

Money 203

Money Debt Finance Credit Cards 203

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 15, 2019

As my kids have grown into a teen and tween who eat as much as adults, I spend about $700/month–this includes anything I buy at the grocery store, so it includes paper and cleaning products. When I don’t plan, I make multiple trips to the store, eat out too often, and most certainly blow our budget.

Saving Money 113

Saving Money Groceries Grocery Money 113

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 15, 2011

Knowing exactly how much income is going out towards bills, unplanned expenses, and splurges is the first step in saving for a college fund. This should help give a clear picture of how much money is received and spent. Eating Out. Look at the pattern of how money was spent in prior months eating out.

College 100

College Budgeting Budget Friends And Family Sale 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Because so many people are living on incomes that cannot support their spending habits; living on borrowed money, moving money from account to account, buying, spending, hiding the bills, and eventually the ‘dog of debt’ will catch up to you and bite you right in your credit report. Buy Store Brands. Embrace the Food Network.

Saving Money 221

Saving Money Money Budgeting Budget 221

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

AUGUST 19, 2013

In Huffington Post article Boomers Give New Meaning To Spoiling The Grandkids author Linda Stern reported: “Roughly 36 percent of the grandparents surveyed by AARP said “spoiling (grand)children by buying them too much” was a part of a grandparent’s financial role.”. Our kids need the help.

Grandchildren 220

Grandchildren Grandkids Kids and Family Parenting 220

Saving Everyday

AUGUST 1, 2022

Like housing, utilities, and insurance, food is a major expense you can’t go without. Reducing your food expenses is one of the best ways to reduce your overall spending and find extra money in your budget ! Consistently using things you already have not only saves money but also prevents food waste. Have a plan.

Groceries 52

Groceries Grocery Food and Drink Saving 52

Saving Everyday

AUGUST 1, 2022

Like housing, utilities, and insurance, food is a major expense you can’t go without. Reducing your food expenses is one of the best ways to reduce your overall spending and find extra money in your budget ! Consistently using things you already have not only saves money but also prevents food waste. Have a plan.

Groceries 52

Groceries Grocery Food and Drink Saving 52

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 22, 2016

I use them regularly when we eat out at restaurants, and I will not shop at a department store without one, but grocery coupons are completely different for me. You might have heard of the extreme shoppers who can buy $200 worth of groceries, but only pay $4.25. American households waste as much as $600 a year on food**.

Saving Money 100

Saving Money Groceries Grocery Money 100

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 1, 2011

Maybe you don’t want to cook at all during your vacation or maybe eating out for every meal is beyond what your budget can handle. Use Cash I like to use cash while on vacation, because I am less tempted to buy useless souvenirs and over spend with a credit card, but it takes a little planning to come up with the cash that we need.

Vacation 178

Vacation Saving Money Money Food and Drink 178

Saving Everyday

NOVEMBER 8, 2023

Baby Essentials at Disney Those with little ones know that eating out can be tricky. Luckily, Walt Disney World has a plethora of quick dining options, from food trucks and booths to elegant resort lounges. Buy a snow/bubble wand (our boy loved it, and it kept him busy for hours!) until 2:30 p.m.

Disney World 52

Disney World Disney Baby Outdoors 52

Coupons Do Work

SEPTEMBER 2, 2016

Restaurants that Give Senior Citizen Discounts. Save money when eating out, and here you will find a list of your favorite restaurant, when the discounts are and some say how much. A&W All American Food: 10% Senior discount varies by location verified. Restaurant Discounts. Backyard Burger : free drink with purchase.

Discount 113

Discount Restaurant 2016 El Pollo Loco 113

Saving With Shellie

MARCH 29, 2011

Eat out for a little less with the new Smokey Bones coupon. Usually the coupons are $10/$20 but today they offered a buy one entree, get one free coupon. Plus, when we reach 5,000 fans I'll be giving away a $50 Amazon gift card! This coupon is valid through Thursday (3/31).

Eating Out 45

Eating Out Gift Cards Fans Giving 45

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 20, 2017

you’d like to add to give the reader an idea about your personality. in our local church, and giving to others in need. because we aren’t eating out. Also buy produce as it is in season. Use all the food you have, and freeze it if you know you won’t use it up before it expires.

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Friends And Family Sale Budgeting 100

Saving With Shellie

MARCH 21, 2011

If you need a break from your kitchen, eat out for a little less with the new Smokey Bones coupon. Usually the coupons are $10/$20 but today they offered a buy one entree, get one free coupon. Plus, when we reach 5,000 fans I'll be giving away a $50 Amazon gift card! This coupon is valid through Thursday (3/24).

Eating Out 45

Eating Out Gift Cards Fans Kitchen 45

Saving With Shellie

APRIL 15, 2011

Eat out for a little less with the new Smokey Bones coupon. Usually the coupons are $10/$20 but today they offered a buy one entree, get one free coupon on their Facebook page. Plus, when we reach 5,000 fans I'll be giving away a $50 Amazon gift card! This coupon is valid through 4/17.

Eating Out 45

Eating Out Gift Cards Fans Giving 45

For the Mommas

AUGUST 14, 2012

Do you like to dine out? I love to eat out, but I hate how expensive it can be. I decided to participate and give the experience a fair shot. The process of buying my certificate was quite easy. One tip for when you are buying your certificate – be sure to note the terms. We had an awesome meal.

Restaurant.com 56

Restaurant.com Dining Budgeting Budget 56

Saving Cents With Sense

JANUARY 11, 2016

Planning was essential for meals because I knew that if I got tired and hungry it would be so easy to continue to snack or grab non-nutritious filler foods. I also knew that I couldn’t completely stop from eating all the foods I loved. I needed to find healthier versions of those foods to make smarter choices when I was eating.

Food and Drink 40

Food and Drink The Biggest Loser Lunch Lunches 40

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 1, 2021

Add up how much you are spending in the morning and you’ll see how much you will save for your fund, and maybe that will give you the inspiration to skip the AM drive-thru. There was a time (pre-pandemic) that I ate lunch out almost every day with friends. For ideas, read: 5 Make-Ahead Breakfast Ideas. 12 – Do It Yourself.

Emergency Fund 130

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 130

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 4, 2014

Include anything that you’d like to add to give the reader an idea about your personality. This meant moving to a less expensive rental, cutting cable and changing our eating-out and entertainment habits. We did cut back on eating out quite a bit and we are people that LOVE to try new foods.

Debt Free 243

Debt Free Debt Goals Student 243

Saving Everyday

OCTOBER 3, 2023

How to Save Money When Traveling When it comes to traveling, the three main areas you can save are accommodations, travel, and food. This doesn’t mean every minute of your day needs to be planned out. I wait for it to come out and have a list of cabins saved to book the second that code goes live!

Saving Money 52

Saving Money Money Travel Hotel 52

Saving Cents With Sense

SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

comes up and you are left to try and scramble some food together to form a meal, or end up having to order out a meal that may not be the healthiest option for your family. Meal Planning can be done in many different ways and customized to however your family eats. Check Out What You Have. Search For Recipes.

Menu Planning 92

Menu Planning Menu Plans Meals Dinner 92

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

They may start getting money for birthdays or for doing chores and may learn that they can save it, spend it and give it away. Food Related. Include kids in deciding on menus, listing ingredients and buying the items at the store. Let them buy something once in a while with their own money – making sure to count their change.

Money 187

Money Parenting Kids and Family Gasoline 187

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

Include anything that you’d like to add to give the reader an idea about your personality. We stopped buying stuff. We started cooking at home more, a big issue for us was eating out. We tried our best to stretch the food budget. We stopped buying things until we absolutely needed to. I am very happy.

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Bath and Body Works Gas 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 12, 2016

I was very excited about it and ended up buying Dave Ramsey’s book, The Total Money Makeover. And I cut back on lifestyle – cooking food at home, taking the bus to work vs driving and paying for parking, etc. Stop eating out – it’s so much better for your wallet and your waistline to cook at home.

Credit Cards 100

Credit Cards Debt Debt Free Student 100

Saving Cents With Sense

APRIL 24, 2013

Whether it’s trading in the luxury gas guzzling sports utility vehicle (aka “SUV”) for a less expensive, less ostentatious hybrid, or choosing to cook more instead of eating out, everyone is doing what they can to spend less of their hard earned dollars. STEP #2: Buy some wall shelves. STEP #3: Sell what you don’t need.

Frugal 95

Frugal Furniture Money Saving Money 95