The Sweet Life On A Budget

  Menu Plan #303 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 preparation of these dishes may be higher due to inflation and location.      December 2024  USDA Thrifty Food Plan According to this plan, our family would have a budget of $187.40 per week. Since January has 4 weeks, our monthly budget is $749.60.   We elevate our dining experiences by including fresh fruits, vegetables, and higher-quality meats.  Since we have health concerns and are active individuals, we limit our processed food choices.    Grocery Shopping Tip:      Here is what we did this week to make our week easier:   Meal Planning  Wash and Cut fruit and vegetables Bake banana bread Make a huge salad for lunches Take meat out of the freezer Make Yogurt Breakfast Options:  Yogurt  Avocado Toas...

With inflation on the rise and salaries not increasing, our ability to make ends meet is decreasing. Therefore, we must be more careful with our money. The Frugal Five is a series in which we celebrate the daily or weekly activities that help us live a frugal life.     I am exploring ways to reduce costs during busy weeks. One strategy is to cook dinner at home instead of eating out. Here are some of my tips and trips.    1- Soup is On The Menu Last weekend, I was very sick and needed a healthy dose of soup.    I mustered up the energy to make homemade Italian Wedding Soup with bread.      This fed my soul and body.    I recovered quickly and later in the week, I cooked a huge pot of 3 Bean Chili for a Family dinner and  Potluck Lunch at work.   Soup is a great way to use leftover vegetables and odds and ends.       2- Shopping the Loss Leaders I purchased Chicken Breast from M...

  January provided our family with 13 free items !   This year I am focusing on seeking fewer free-bees, but looking for higher quality items I pick up.    However, I will pick up all the free bees my family will use within the year.  As a result, I may need to pay a little for items previously picked up for free, but I am comfortable with this.    Since I have changed my focus on this exercise has changed, I will not be making a goal this year.    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.        Janu...

  Menu Plan #302 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 preparation of these dishes may be higher due to inflation and location.      December 2024  USDA Thrifty Food Plan According to this plan, our family would have a budget of $187.40 per week. Since January has 4 weeks, our monthly budget is $749.60.   We elevate our dining experiences by including fresh fruits, vegetables, and higher-quality meats.  Since we have health concerns and are active individuals, we limit our processed food choices.    Grocery Shopping Tip:     Stock up when you find a great deal on holiday items, such as ham. I saw ham on sale for $0.79 per pound. I picked up 2 because they will be kept in my extra refrigerator and the sell-by date is the end of March. My plan is to eat them for Sunday s...