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Simple Luxury- Breakfast

  Simple Luxury- Breakfast Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese One of my favorite breakfasts is Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese on a Bagel.    The cost of smoked salmon, cream cheese on a bagel at a restaurant or coffee shop ranges from $10.99- $12.99.   This price point makes breakfast very expensive.  However, I can create the flavors and experience at home for much less.       Unfortunately, due to health reasons, it is not recommended for me to eat Bagels, so I have substituted Wasa Crisps for the Bagel.   When you simply put the ingredients together at home it will save you between $7.00 and $9.00.     If you wait for a sale on the smoked salmon, you can save a dollar more.    Here is the per breakfast cost analysis:  Non-Sale Week: Wasa Crisp: $0.18 (per crisp) x 2 = $0.26 Cream Cheese: $27.5 (ounce) x 2 = $0.55 Smoked Salmon: $10.40 (4 ounce)/4= $2.62 Cost Per Breakfast serving: $3.43 Sale Week: ...
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Menu Plan #336

  Menu Plan #336 NOTE-  1- Click on the picture and get a link to a post sharing the recipe.  2- Although all prices were correct at the time of the blog postings, the current cost of these dishes may be higher due to inflation and/or location.      Published January 2026:  USDA Thrifty Food Plan According to this plan, our family’s weekly budget is $191.10.  Since April  has 4 Sundays, our monthly budget is $764.40.   I will be tracking my weekly spending to see how close we are able to get to the thrifty budget.   Currently, I budget $200 per week.     We elevate our dining experiences by including fresh fruits, vegetables, and higher-quality meats.  Since our family has specific dietary needs, we limit our consumption of highly processed food.   Grocery Shopping Tip:     Ask for a Rain Check: This weekend Meijer had a surplus of chicken and marked it down, but by the time I g...

Menu Plan #335

  Menu Plan #335 NOTE-  1- Click on the picture and get a link to a post sharing the recipe.  2- Although all prices were correct at the time of the blog postings, the current cost of these dishes may be higher due to inflation and/or location.      Published January 2026:  USDA Thrifty Food Plan According to this plan, our family’s weekly budget is $198.80.  Since March  has 5 Sundays, our monthly budget is $994.00.   However, we have specific dietary needs, so I have increased our budget to $200.00 per week or $1,000.00 this month.     We elevate our dining experiences by including fresh fruits, vegetables, and higher-quality meats.  Since our family has specific dietary needs, we limit our consumption of highly processed food.   Grocery Shopping Tip:     Embrace Small Elements of Luxury in Your Life: Although our grocery budget doesn’t allow for having smoked salmon, cream cheese...

Frugal Five: #133

  With inflation rising and salaries staying the same, our ability to make ends meet is becoming increasingly difficult. Therefore, we must be more careful with our money. The Frugal Five is a series that celebrates the daily or weekly activities that help us live a frugal life.     This year, my focus is on Simple Abundance , so finding ways to live well while staying on budget will be challenging.    Come along and enjoy my journey of elevating joy, enjoying what you have, and finding luxury in my local area.    1- Giving Back to the Community  Supporting your community can take countless shapes. Some people choose to write a check, and that generosity absolutely matters. But many outreach efforts require more than funding—they need time, hands, and hearts willing to show up. I’m grateful that I’m able to participate in several programs that make a real difference for the people around me. One of the most meaningful ways I give b...