Menu Plan #337 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: Marked Down Prices: I know that my local Kroger and Meijer stores will mark down their prices in the mornin...
This year has provided our family with 36 free items ! This year I am focusing on being more selective on what I pick up for free. I am still seeking high quality items or preferred brands which my family will use. As a result, I may need to pay a little for items previously picked up for free, but I am comfortable with this. I will not be making a goal again this year, but am grateful for anything I am able to secure for my family. Instead, my energy will be used to research how to elevate the items I purchase or get for free in our current economy. Traditional ways of picking up free-bees are as follows: digital coupons, printables from the company when available, store coupons and reward programs, samples, and rebate apps such as IBOTTA. I will seek additional ways to buy items at a significant discount or free. ...