The Sweet Life On A Budget

  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.       ...

  Simple Luxury- Breakfast Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese One of my favorite breakfasts is Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese on a Bagel.    The cost of smoked salmon, cream cheese on a bagel at a restaurant or coffee shop ranges from $10.99- $12.99.   This price point makes breakfast very expensive.  However, I can create the flavors and experience at home for much less.       Unfortunately, due to health reasons, it is not recommended for me to eat Bagels, so I have substituted Wasa Crisps for the Bagel.   When you simply put the ingredients together at home it will save you between $7.00 and $9.00.     If you wait for a sale on the smoked salmon, you can save a dollar more.    Here is the per breakfast cost analysis:  Non-Sale Week: Wasa Crisp: $0.18 (per crisp) x 2 = $0.26 Cream Cheese: $27.5 (ounce) x 2 = $0.55 Smoked Salmon: $10.40 (4 ounce)/4= $2.62 Cost Per Breakfast serving: $3.43 Sale Week: ...

  Menu Plan #336 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:     Ask for a Rain Check: This weekend Meijer had a surplus of chicken and marked it down, but by the time I g...

  Menu Plan #335 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 Small Elements of Luxury in Your Life: Although our grocery budget doesn’t allow for having smoked salmon, cream cheese...