The Sweet Life On A Budget

  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 watch the pennies because they add up. Here are some of my tips and tricks.    1- Garden Update  I have been enjoying harvesting a few items from the garden.     Strawberries are ready for picking, and our family has eaten them as fast as they ripen.     In addition, the kale has been growing very well.   I have several 2-cup packages in the freezer waiting for winter soups.    Another way I use kale is to mix it with cabbage and lettuce to bulk up our salads.       Unfortunately,  the peas have not grown this year, so I have substitu...

  Living Large In the Cheap Seats June- July 2025 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 concerts at a significantly discounted rate.   After reading Brokenomics by Dina Gachman, I revised this concept and decided to share it with you.  I have been doing this for years and enjoyed wonderful experiences for FREE! Concert in the Park Series The Keehner Park concerts are 7-9 p.m. on select Saturdays between Memorial Day and Labor Day at the Keehner Park Amphitheater.  The free concerts welcome all guests to pack a picnic for the evening.  Sorry, but alcohol is NOT permitted. June 7 – Southwest Ohio Symphonic Band June 14 – Miami University Steel Drum Band   June 21- UC Community Band  June 28- West Chester Symphony Orchestra July 12-  Strings Attached Band July 19- Cincinnati Shakespeare Company - A Mid Summer Night's D...

  Menu Plan #313 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.      April 2025  USDA Thrifty Food Plan According to this plan, our family would have a budget of $189.90 per week. Since May has 4 weeks, our monthly budget is $759.60.   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.   This month will be a little trickier because Easter is during this month.    Grocery Shopping Tip:     Shop the Memorial Day Sales and the discounted meat section.     This week I filled my freezer with hamburger ($1.99/lb), Salmon ($5.99/1.25lb), and Italian Sausage ($2.50/lb). ...