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Menu Plan #333

  Menu Plan #333 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 Simple Meals :  We are embracing a more simplistic menu plan, such as grilled sausages with sauerkraut and potatoes...
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Frugal Five: #130

  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.   20 1- Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup for the Week  Work over the next few weeks is expected to be tough, and we’ll all be doing a little more than usual.  With that in mind, keeping lunch elevated feels like an important way to maintain morale.  March’s weather is always unpredictable, but a warm lunch becomes a small but meaningful comfort — something that makes the day feel a little more luxurious. Last weekend I prepared a lar...

FREE BEES--> February 2026

  January provided our family with 24 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.        Janua...

FREE BEES---> January 2026

  January provided our family with 11 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.        Janua...

Living Large: In the Cheap Seats- FREE Entrance to National Parks

  I was first introduced to Living Large In the Cheap Seats by a college friend, Chris J., who introduced me to lawn tickets for popular bands.   We were able to see great concerts at a significantly discounted rate.   Later when reading Brokenomics by Dina Gachman, I revised this concept and decided to share it with you.  I have been doing this for years and can enjoy wonderful FREE experiences! FREE Entrance to National Parks   NPS Photo .     National Parks are one of America’s treasures and are enjoyed by many.     Although some parks are free to the public, others charge entrance fees.    However, our National Park Service offers free entrance six times yearly to over 400 national parks.  I like to take advantage of these days to see the parks which normally have entrance fees.  It offers me and my family a chance to widen our experiences.    However, if you use the National Parks multiple tim...