Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JUNE 30, 2021

Eat Out Less & Reduce Takeaways. We are all partial to a well-cooked restaurant meal or food delivery, but the costs can quickly mount up when done so regularly. Buy Second-hand. That’s where buying second-hand can help reduce the amount you pay. Sell What You Don’t Need.

Frugal Lives 100

Frugal Lives Frugal Living Saving Money Frugal 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JUNE 18, 2021

Eat Out Less & Reduce Takeaways. We are all partial to a well-cooked restaurant meal or food delivery, but the costs can quickly mount up when done so regularly. Buy Second-hand. That’s where buying second-hand can help reduce the amount you pay. Sell What You Don’t Need.

Frugal Lives 100

Frugal Lives Frugal Living Saving Money Money 100

Couponing 101

FEBRUARY 23, 2019

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. In an effort to save more, they might begin couponing and buy a bunch of things they don’t need that are free or cheap. I would also suggest cutting back on fast food.

Budget 81

Budget Budgeting Saving Eating Out 81

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 1, 2023

Assign a budget category to each transaction, so you can add up what you spend on food, fuel, clothing, self-care, etc. 3 – Cook/Eat from the pantry and freezer. Groceries is the easiest budget category TO GET OUT of control and the easiest budget category TO control. Use up all of those odd ingredients. Say that 5 times!)

February 130

February Frugal Financial Goals Goals 130

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

JANUARY 1, 2014

For those of you who haven’t seen the movie, No Impact Man is about a small family who spends a year trying to live “no impact” They live without generating garbage, without using electricity (for a portion of the year), and without buying anything new. Get Take Out/Eat Out Less.

Documentary 173

Documentary Eating Out Kids and Family Food and Drink 173

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 28, 2018

There are virtually countless ways that our diets affect the environment, from what we eat to the way we cook. Raising livestock for food takes an enormous toll on the environment, primarily because of the deforestation. Moreover, restaurants use an exceptional amount of energy and resources in storing and packaging food.

Saving Money 171

Saving Money Money Family Washer and Dryer 171

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

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Furthermore, my office was not near any sort of restaurant or café, thereby eliminating the accessibility of food out, as well as my craving for it. The only food nearby was at the cafeteria, which lacked any sort of allure because their menu was so limited and meat based. Many of us fill up our breaks with sourcing food.

Lunch 182

Lunch Lunches Work Office 182

Saving Cents With Sense

MARCH 6, 2013

Sometimes eating healthy can be intimidating due to the fact that foods that are better for you often cost a lot more. This is especially true for people who want to eat only organic or non-processed foods. These food items can be very pricey in the grocery store especially when compared to other less healthy foods.

Budget 85

Budget Budgeting Bulk Eating Out 85

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. Add vegetables to meals. Get Healthy'

Eating Out 170

Eating Out Food and Drink Meals Wellness 170

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 12, 2014

When finances are tight, often the only area we can control is our food spending. Having a routine keeps me scheduled so that I don’t forget to prep something and end up tempted to eat out. By having a schedule and knowing what we usually eat, I can save money by buying many foods in bulk.

Grocery Spending 246

Grocery Spending Grocery Groceries Food and Drink 246

Couponing 101

JUNE 14, 2019

We always make sure to buy a large pack of water before leaving on a trip. Even buying a 24 pack of bottled water at the store at full price is typically under $4 (much less with coupons!). It’s definitely worth it to keep refilling the ice in the ice chest to keep the food cold.

Travel 85

Travel Frugal Hotel Food and Drink 85

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 26, 2014

Make a list of all of the family and friends you buy for and how much you usually spend. Some popular items include homemade baking kits (think all of the ingredients for soup or brownies in a jar), homemade jewelry, artwork, crafts, and food. Eating out is usually a large expense for most people.

Holiday 169

Holiday Emergency Fund Homemade Eating Out 169

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 14, 2013

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. Food is usually our the biggest expenditure during our vacation and thankfully our beach condo will have a kitchen. For dinner, we''ll plan to eat in on 5 nights and eat out 2 nights.

Vacation 153

Vacation Saving Money Money Food and Drink 153

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 4, 2012

Plug those loopholes buy buying only those things that you truly need and use. Eliminate from your grocery list the “can-do-withouts” Avoid Wastage After examining and controlling your urge to buy the things you do not need, use the necessities wisely. Avoid wasting energy, water, gas, food and the like.

Frugal 189

Frugal Family Budgeting Budget 189

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 29, 2013

You had to have known that this challenge was coming…I’ve taken away the drive-thru breakfast , then I told to you pack a brown bag lunch and now we’re eating dinner at home. For the record, I LOVE TO EAT OUT! There is rarely any variety and she loves to eat a variety of foods. Split a meal.

Dinner 113

Dinner At Home Finds Home 113

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 14, 2013

Don’t buy anything that is not on the list unless you forgot something truly important. Eating out harms you in two ways. Eating out harms you in two ways. Find out any similar places or situations where you can make cuts. Why not go on a picnic instead of eating out? Carry Snacks.

Saving Money 222

Saving Money Money Bills Insurance 222

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

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 Grocery Groceries Money 113

Saving Cents With Sense

AUGUST 2, 2013

Barnes and Noble Cafe Coupons Buy 1 Get 1 Free Starbucks Frappuccinos (exp: 8/3/2013). Bonefish Grill Coupons Free Bang Bang Shrimp WYB Any Food Purchase (exp: 8/18/2013). Friendlys Coupons Buy 1 Fribble Get 1 Free (exp: 8/6/2013). Logans Roadhouse Coupons $5 Off $20 Food Purchase (exp: 9/5/2013).

Del Taco 58

Del Taco Tacos Restaurant Burger King 58

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

Couponing 101

SEPTEMBER 11, 2019

Since you would have probably otherwise discarded these ingredients, using them to make an easy broth in your Instant Pot is like getting free food. Avoid Eating Out. Avoid Buying Other Appliances. You can drink the broth plain or add more ingredients to make it a soup. Use Simple, Inexpensive Ingredients.

Money 67

Money Appliances Re-use Cooking 67

Couponing 101

JULY 28, 2011

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. In an effort to save more, they might begin couponing and buying a bunch of things they don’t need that are free or cheap. I would also suggest cutting back on fast food.

Budget 96

Budget Budgeting 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

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

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 15, 2011

Eating Out. Use coupons, children eat free specials, and discounted restaurant gift certificates to save on meals. Look at the pattern of how money was spent in prior months eating out. If eating out two to three times a week costs the family one hundred dollars, become ruthless at reducing that amount in half.

College 100

College Budgeting Budget Friends And Family Sale 100

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 Grocery Groceries Money 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

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.

Saving Money 52

Saving Money Money Saving Bills 52

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 1, 2019

Assign a budget category to each transaction, so you can add up what you spend on food, fuel, clothing, self-care, etc. 3 – Cook/Eat from the pantry and freezer. Groceries is the easiest budget category TO GET OUT of control and the easiest budget category TO control. Use up all of those odd ingredients.

February 100

February Frugal Financial Goals Budgeting 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JUNE 5, 2014

For example, when I was trying to get healthy unsuccessfully, I cut back my daily soda habit to one or two times a week, I only stopped for fast food twice a month, and I started making the organic mac n’ cheese instead of Kraft. The problem isn’t moderation so much as what their concept of what moderation is.

Food and Wine 232

Food and Wine Goals Finance Wine 232

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 10, 2013

One of the biggest changes I noticed in my life came after I began paying better attention to what I was eating. It’s easy to mindlessly snack on junk food all day. I started keeping track of what I was eating, and paying attention to its nutritional content, as well as how it was produced.

Finance 212

Finance Nutrition Money Motivation 212

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 12, 2012

Skip the pizza and constant eating out. Avoid the frozen and prepared foods sections–these are not the bargains they appear to be. Buy Used Textbooks. Cut your textbook expenses to a fraction by renting or buying used books in older editions for a fraction of the price. Smart Grocery Shopping.

College 203

College Saving Money Money Student 203

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 10, 2014

Heading out for Valentine’s Day dinner sounds lovely, but long lines, high prices, and the cost of a babysitter, can keep many of us in for the holiday. Sure, we’d love to eat out and have someone else prepare and serve our food, but that would involve a babysitter and a food tab.

Menu Planning 113

Menu Planning Menu Plans Recipes Home and Garden 113

Saving Cents With Sense

MARCH 28, 2014

If you are heading out this weekend, take a coupon (or 2) with you to save on eating out. BJ’s – $5 Off $20 Food Purchase (exp: 4/7/2014). Del Taco – Buy 1 Get 1 Free Egg & Cheese Muffin (exp: 4/2/2014). Jamba Juice – Buy 1 Get 1 Free Juice or Smoothies (exp: 3/30/2014).

Restaurant 61

Restaurant Del Taco Red Lobster 2014 61