The Frugal Girl

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

This is better than endless nights of eating out, but definitely not as frugal as an organized trip to Aldi. I spent $63 at Safeway, spread out between an embarrassing number of trips. What I Spent So I went to pull together my grocery spending for the week and I realized that it’s all quick trips to Safeway.

Safeway 205

Safeway Toaster Ovens Leftovers Toasters 205

Couponing 101

MARCH 22, 2012

Just as menu planning and eating at home saves us money by cutting back on eating out, sack lunches are much the same! Make a commitment to pack sack lunches for work and to send your children to school with sack lunches more often.

Lunch 70

Lunch Lunches Frugal Menu Planning 70

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 28, 2022

There’s a reason why menu planning is #1 on this list. When I plan a menu, my spending is generally under control. When I don’t plan, I make multiple trips to the store, eat out too often, and most certainly blow our budget. And I promise you that I do feed them–lol!

Saving Money 130

Saving Money Groceries Grocery Money 130

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 8, 2014

Plan for All Seven Days. I’ve been lazy in the past and just planned for the work week and ignored the fact that we do need to eat on the weekends. But that one week where I don’t menu plan or do a shoddy job on it, is the week that I’ll blow my budget.

Meals 186

Meals Simple Menu Planning Menu Plans 186

Coupons Do Work

APRIL 14, 2015

This is what I do: Step 1 : make a monthly menu plan and stick it on the fridge or the wall. Note: to see my example of a monthly menu plan, click here. If I want to eat out or the kids help me make a fun meal – stockpile stuff. That is what I know I need to spend for the week. Step 2: leftovers.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Food Kids and Family 100

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. For lunch, we usually pack a cooler with food each day that we are at the beach and eat out somewhere for lunch on the one day when we need a sun-break. Create A Budget.

Vacation 153

Vacation Saving Money Money Food and Drink 153

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 15, 2019

There’s a reason why menu planning is #1 on this list. When I plan a menu, my spending is generally under control. When I don’t plan, I make multiple trips to the store, eat out too often, and most certainly blow our budget. And I promise you that I do feed them–lol!

Saving Money 113

Saving Money Groceries Grocery Money 113

The Coupon Game

JUNE 16, 2011

Here's the Breakdown: Bakery Pizza Dough (2): $1.99 = Paid $3.98/2 2 Breyer's All Natural Ice Cream (2): BOGO $5.99 = Paid $5.99/2 2 Tropicana Pure Premium Orange Juice, 59-oz (3): $3.00 - 3 $1/1 Peelies on bottles = Paid $6/3 Smart Balance Milk, 1/2 gal: $2.50 - $.75/1 75/1 Printable HERE = Paid $1.75/1 55/1 Peelies = Paid $7.76/4 lb = Paid $.55/1

Publix 55

Publix Organic Organization A&W 55

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. If you are traveling with other families, splitting the menu planning will save you money and also give you a night off when it is someone else's turn in the kitchen. Yeah, for nights off!

Vacation 178

Vacation Saving Money Money Food and Drink 178

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. If you plan for your grocery trip, you should be able to stay on track. When I don’t plan, I am sure to blow our budget. Yeah, that is not me.

Saving Money 100

Saving Money Groceries Grocery Money 100

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

The easiest way to reduce your grocery spending is to plan your meals. Read 11 Simple Menu Planning Tips to learn how to reduce your grocery bill without making everyone in your family miserable. And when dining out, at least follow these 15 Smart Tips to Save Money when Eating Out.

Emergency Fund 100

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 27, 2015

Grocery shopping wisely – We shop at affordable stores, shop the ads/sales, and menu plan. Dine out on a budget – We used a coupon for 98% of our dining out experiences. We have yet to call in to the Dave Ramsey Show, but we plan on going to his studio to visit and yell, “We’re Debt Free!” I rarely use coupons.

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Pay Off Debt Finds 100