The Frugal Girl

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

Monday A friend treated me to tacos, and Zoe ate her leftover burrito. Tuesday I got back late from an orientation about an hour away, so I popped by Panera and picked up dinner for Zoe and me, using a gift card from my credit card rewards. $0 Friday We have leftovers from last night, so we’ll probably eat those up tonight.

Credit Card Rewards 206

Credit Card Rewards Leftovers Burritos Dinner 206

The Frugal Girl

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

What We Ate Saturday I ate dinner with a friend, and Zoe had leftover pizza when she got back from work. Tuesday Leftover chicken in a sandwich form for me, ramen for Zoe after her work shift. Friday We have some leftover soup, plus some leftover tortellini from earlier in the week, so we’ll probably eat those two things up.

Trader Joes 197

Trader Joes Leftovers Dinner Safeway 197

The Frugal Girl

NOVEMBER 10, 2023

My lunch leftovers were at least 25% better than the original dish. Monday I made some chicken noodle soup, using up my rotisserie chicken broth, the last of the celery, and some carrots. Wednesday Leftover chicken katsu, freshly fried, because I employed the trick of breading all the chicken but not frying all of it the first night.

Press 205

Press Leftovers Dinner Fry's 205

The Frugal Girl

DECEMBER 15, 2023

A friend had brought me some marinated thin fajita meat, so I used that to make tacos, which we ate with applesauce and chips. Monday We had burrito bowls with leftover meat from the one friend, and leftover beans and rice from the enchilada meal from another friend. ? The post WIS, WWA | I didn’t feed us much!

Leftovers 196

Leftovers Dinner Burritos Safeway 196

The Frugal Girl

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

and then I went home and made an alfredo sauce for pasta, with some kale and leftover ham mixed in. Wednesday I had leftover broccoli salad + pasta, and Zoe had tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. Wednesday I had leftover broccoli salad + pasta, and Zoe had tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. unbaked, obviously!

Leftovers 130

Leftovers Safeway Club Dinner 130

The Frugal Girl

AUGUST 25, 2023

For being so random, this was pretty tasty, and I felt happy about using up some veggies plus the random bag of couscous. Tuesday I sauteed some ham from the freezer, then sauteed some chopped kale, then added in leftover mac and cheese plus some milk and cream. Anyway, I got Domino’s for us afterward.

Leftovers 216

Leftovers Dominos Dinner Freezers 216

The Coupon Game

JULY 7, 2011

You'll notice in my Meal Plan this week that I use several blueberry recipes. That is simply because I have an abundance of blueberries right now and we are loving all the recipes we can use them in! Also, I quadruple the recipe so that I can freeze lots. Add 1 cup of blueberries at end. Make Ahead & Freeze! )

Menu Planning 49

Menu Planning Menu Plans Freezers Recipes 49

The Frugal Girl

OCTOBER 6, 2023

So we just bought everything we were going to try on, then went home and had a big try-on session at my house, which honestly was probably more fun than using the Target fitting rooms. Tuesday Zoe had some pizza leftovers, and I ate leftover salad, but this time I dumped the last crumbs from a Doritos bag on my salad, and that was 10/10.

Leftovers 197

Leftovers Dinner Chiquita Green And Frugal 197

The Frugal Girl

JANUARY 26, 2024

I’ve done some freezer scrounging to come up with things to eat, so…yay for using up what’s on hand. Chiquita commandeered the empty pizza box Wednesday Zoe was out with a friend, so I ate the leftover burger from Monday night. squirrel-watching I spent: $ 6.99

Freezers 193

Freezers Dominos Hawaii Chiquita 193

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 24, 2014

If you are hosting or just taking a dish, I put together a comprehensive post last year to help you make the day stress-free, Thanksgiving Menu Planning Tips & Recipe Ideas. I then use the leftovers for my meal planning. Here’s my favorite 20 Leftover Turkey Recipes. Please share in the comments.

Thanksgiving 124

Thanksgiving Dinner Leftovers Menu Planning 124

The Frugal Girl

JANUARY 5, 2024

Monday I’d gotten a loaf of cinnamon bread out of the freezer on New Year’s Eve day, so I used some of that on Monday to make French toast, which we ate with whipped cream and berries. But I can tell you that the pasta is ALL gone now, so dinner will not include leftover pasta again. Friday I don’t know!

Grocery Shopping 130

Grocery Shopping New Year's Groceries Grocery 130

The Frugal Girl

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

Friday We’ve got leftovers, so that’s probably what we will eat tonight. Obviously, you could give the gift card as a gift, but you could also use it as you buy Christmas gifts. Rolls > turkey. What did you have for dinner this week? For example, you can buy a $50 Bath and Body Works gift card for $40.

Fridays 207

Fridays Bath and Body Works Thanksgiving Pancakes 207

Couponing 101

JANUARY 6, 2012

Did you know that meal planning is one of the keys to saving money on your grocery bill? Using coupons will save you money at the register, but using your food wisely is going to save you money as well! I admit to completely dropping the ball with menu planning. We wasted more food (produce, leftovers, etc.

Saving Money 98

Saving Money Meals Money Menu Planning 98

The Frugal Girl

AUGUST 31, 2023

I’ve been out of school for the last two semesters, so I’d gotten kind of used to my carefree life. ? (Ok, Anyway, this week has made it clear to me that I need to change up how I do things; I need to switch up how I use weekend time, how I plan meals, and when I do household stuff. Ok, well, not entirely carefree.

Wellness 214

Wellness Toaster Ovens Fry's Bread 214

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 19, 2014

Are beans and rice regular ingredients in your menu planning? This is a large recipe, so I used the leftovers the next day in wraps with leftover cooked chicken , avocado, and salsa. You can use any color sweet pepper 1 cup uncooked (non-instant) white rice 1 1/4 cup water. Fiesta Black Beans & Rice.

Menu Planning 100

Menu Planning Menu Plans Leftovers Cooking 100

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 28, 2022

These are strategies I use weekly to help keep my grocery bill in line with our budget. There’s a reason why menu planning is #1 on this list. When I plan a menu, my spending is generally under control. Designate one night a week as “raid the fridge’ night to get rid of leftovers. Utilize the Freezer.

Saving Money 130

Saving Money Groceries Grocery Money 130

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 9, 2011

Paper products, such as toilet paper and diapers are easy for me to use coupons too. Menu Plan As I have written before, groceries are the one category that I feel like I have the most control over when it comes to spending. When I plan a menu, my spending is generally under control. Freeze for later use.

Economical 164

Economical Saving Money Kitchen Money 164

The Frugal Girl

OCTOBER 13, 2023

Chiquita joined us because she always wants to be where the people are. Monday A longggg lecture day for me, and I had leftover chicken. Peanut butter has protein, I don’t use a lot of honey, and I use either 100% whole wheat bread, or Dave’s Killer Bread. Fruit salad and chips on the side.

Chiquita 130

Chiquita Green And Frugal Leftovers Cars 130

Saving Cents With Sense

JANUARY 31, 2013

Start Menu Planning. Menu planning is an excellent way to cut down on overspending at the grocery store. By planning out your family’s meals for the upcoming week, you can determine precisely what ingredients you need. Casseroles are another great way to use leftovers from another meal.

Dinner 75

Dinner Simple Family Menu Planning 75

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 15, 2019

These are strategies I use weekly to keep my grocery bill in line with our budget. 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.

Saving Money 113

Saving Money Groceries Grocery Money 113

Coupons Do Work

APRIL 14, 2015

Gwyneth Paltrow posted on her facebook page : There are a lot of people who use Food stamps (now known as SNAP), and the reality is, food stamps or not, anyone can live on $29 a week. They were the leftovers. This is what I do: Step 1 : make a monthly menu plan and stick it on the fridge or the wall. Step 2: leftovers.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Food Kids and Family 100

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 8, 2014

79/pound, my menu that week will revolve around a roasted chicken , and Chicken Noodle Soup or Chicken and Black Bean Quesadillas or Pulled Chicken BBQ Sandwiches. If pork tenderloins are on sale, my menu will include Roasted Garlic & Herb Pork Tenderloin and I’ll use the leftovers on another night for tacos.

Meals 186

Meals Simple Menu Planning Menu Plans 186

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. Most of the coupons I use come directly from the store, either from their in-store magazines , kiosks, or the coupons that print with my store receipt. Yeah, that is not me.

Saving Money 100

Saving Money Groceries Grocery Money 100

Coupons Do Work

MARCH 17, 2015

years is to stock up on the items that you use often that do not expire. Free (and super cheap) on something that I do use is better than nothing! Food: I do a monthly menu plan. I take what I have in my pantry, check out my kids sports schedule and plan accordinly. I wrote an article about it here.

Money Saving 100

Money Saving Money 2015 Saving 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 12, 2011

It is actually really easy to clean lots of things without using harsh chemicals. Using just bi-carb soda and vinegar there are a range of things you can do from cleaning the bathroom right through to the oven. 2.) Use up all your food and reduce waste. 6.) Use the car less. USA, UK, Australia etc.)

Saving Money 220

Saving Money Money Reuse Home and Garden 220

The Frugal Girl

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

a lunch salad from this week I spent: $71 at Aldi $6 at Safeway So, $77 for us this week. What We Ate Saturday Leftover chicken noodle soup , and I again added cream to mine. Also, I took the suggestion from one of you and added my leftover tortellini to the soup. Wednesday Leftover chili. PROBABLY NOT.

Leftovers 204

Leftovers Dinner Fry's Safeway 204

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 14, 2013

A little up front planning will help you save money while on your trip, so that you can have the relaxed vacation that you''ve been waiting for. Using only cash while on vacation will force you to question each purchase, especially when it comes to spending money on unnecessary souvenirs--you won''t want to waste your cash.

Vacation 153

Vacation Saving Money Money Food and Drink 153

The Frugal Girl

OCTOBER 20, 2023

Tuesday I used leftover chicken to make half of this chicken and biscuits recipe. Halving it worked great for just the two of us! Wednesday We had enough leftovers to make cooking unnecessary, which was handy because I had an evening lab (Where we learned all about how to insert catheters and administer enemas.

Green 210

Green Green And Frugal Leftovers Dinner 210

Couponing 101

JANUARY 17, 2012

Buy in Bulk – Buying in bulk can be tricky, but if you have a solid plan in place for how to use the food, it can save you quite a bit of money! For instance, my friend and I bought 50 pounds of organic potatoes recently and split them between us. This ties in with my menu-planning goal as well!

Whole Foods 94

Whole Foods Saving Money Money Food 94

The Frugal Girl

DECEMBER 29, 2023

Sunday I made chicken fingers to use up some random pieces of chicken in my freezer, and we had fruit on the side. Tuesday I made Zoe’s fave baked ham sandwiches (mission use-up-the-ham!) Wednesday Zoe didn’t get home until later, so she ate some leftover sandwiches.

Safeway 199

Safeway Freezers Leftovers Dinner 199

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

We use an online account like, Capital One 360 (my referral link). 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. 18 – Use Cash Back Grocery apps.

Emergency Fund 100

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 100