The Sweet Life On A Budget

  This year has provided our family with 55 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.       ...

  Menu Plan #339 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 March 2026:  USDA Thrifty Food Plan According to this plan, our family’s weekly budget is $190.90.  Since May  has 5 Sundays, our monthly budget is $954.50.   My son is hosting a game night which we need to provide 7 teens with dinner, snacks and dessert.  In addition, Mother’s Day is this month and we usually pick up a treat meal to make at home, so we avoid going out to celebrate.  Finally, graduation and Memorial Day is this month.     I am trying to absorb these events into my grocery budget but this may break my budget.   I am tracking my weekly spending to see how close we are able to get to the thrifty budget of $954.50.    ...

  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- Strategic Spending Strategic Spending is all about pre‑planning every dollar before you spend it. Over the last month, I’ve been putting this approach into practice specifically with my grocery budget—and the results have been impressive. By intentionally shopping at two stores located close to each other, I reduced my grocery bill to around $500 last month. Here’s what made the biggest difference: 1. Price Points Vary More Than...

  Menu Plan #338 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 March 2026:  USDA Thrifty Food Plan According to this plan, our family’s weekly budget is $190.90.  Since May  has 5 Sundays, our monthly budget is $954.50.   My son is hosting a game night which we need to provide 7 teens with dinner, snacks and dessert.  I am trying to absorb this event into my grocery budget, but it may break my budget.   I am 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...