The Sweet Life On A Budget

  The weather here has just started feeling like spring.    Yippie!    Although I attempted to start several plants from seeds, I did not get as many plants as I would have liked.     However, my Tomato and Pepper seeds that I harvested from last year’s crop are doing very well.    I call that a win.   If you are interested in learning how to harvest seeds, the click the link below:  https://sweetlifeonabudget.blogspot.com/2020/10/garden-update-2020-seed-saving.html This year has been a whirlwind of activity at my house with working from home, helping my child with his school work, taking a class, house chores, etc.    I really haven’t put a lot of time into my garden preparation this year.    However, I can still plant a few things to help with the grocery bill this summer.     Hopefully, I will have enough produce to preserve some crushed tomatoes and salsa.      On a po...

  So far this year we were able to pick up 16 free items.  With our current health crisis the deals are very limited and hard to come.   We are grateful for everything we are able to pick up especially because we are only going to the store when we need a list of items.       As always, I am able to secure these items though Kroger incentives, Giant Eagle Advantage Program, Drug Store (Walgreens/CVS)  Rewards programs, sales, Pinch Me, Smart Source, Meijer’s Buy 10 get the 11th free sale, and Rebates Programs (IBOTTA/SavingStar).    January  Here is my February 2021 list of Free-Bees!   February (3)  Simple Truth Quark Yogurt- Kroger Customer Coupon Life Cereal (16 oz)- Meijer Sale, Coupon, IBOTTA, Coupon.com Banana- Meijer Customer Coupon My favorite deal this month was getting the Life Cereal for FREE.    This month was a little crazy for me, so there wasn’t a lot of time to organize my sho...

  Walgreens February 14-20  Revlon Kiss Balm (BOGO 50%) Cost:  Buy 2- ($4.99 + $2.50 x 2 = $7.49)   OOP: $7.49 Register Rewards: $4.00 IBOTTA: $3.00x 2 = $6.00  Final Cost: FREE + $2.51 MM Crest Mouthwash (Scope- 1 liter) Cost: $3.99 x 2 = $7.98 Coupon: $3/2   (Walgreens Digital) OOP: $4.98 Register Rewards: $4.50 IBOTTA: $1.00 x 2 = $2.00 Final Cost: FREE + $0.02 MM Crest Mouthwash (Pro-Health Clean Mint 500 ml) Cost: $3.99 x 2 = $7.98 Coupon: $3/2  (Digital Coupon- Walgreens)  OOP: $4.98 Register Rewards: $4.50 IBOTTA: $0.50 x 2 = $1.00 Final Cost: FREE + $2.02 MM NOTE: Crest Mouthwash deals total is 1, so pick the mouthwash you like best.  Scott Paper Products (Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, Kleenex Tissues - 3 ct) Cost: $5.00 Coupons:      - $1.25 Digital Store Manufacturer Coupon (WIll come off each time.)     - $1.00 Scott Toilet Paper (Walgreens Digital)   ...

    Making small changes that have big results.  On Friday’s I share the weekly deals that cost less than $1.00.   These deals help to keep us in our budget and living The Sweet Life.  Although I do not advocate shopping at a large number of stores during this health crisis, if you are going to a particular store that has a deal- just pick it up too.       CVS Deals (February 7-13) Colgate Toothpaste (Select Total and Opti White) Cost: $3.29 X 2 = $6.58 Coupon: $1.00 (1/31SS) X 2 = $2.00            OOP: $4.58 ECB: $4.00/2 Final Cost: $0.58/2 or $0.29 each  All Detergent and Snuggle Fabric Softener Cost: $2.99 Coupon: $1.00 (2/7 RMN)             OOP: $1.99 Final Cost: $1.99  ** If you have $1.00/CRT then your cost will be $0.99  (February 14-20) Colgate Toothpaste (Max - 6oz or 2 in 1 - 4.6oz) C...

  So far this year we were able to pick up 13 free items.  With our current health crisis the deals are very limited and hard to come.   We are grateful for everything we are able to pick up especially because we are only going to the store when we need a list of items.       As always, I am able to secure these items though Kroger incentives, Giant Eagle Advantage Program, Drug Store (Walgreens/CVS)  Rewards programs, sales, Pinch Me, Smart Source, Meijer’s Buy 10 get the 11th free sale, and Rebates Programs (IBOTTA/Coupon.com).    January  Here is my January 2021 list of Free-Bees!   January (13)  Bolt 24- IBOTTA Pro Bar Peanut Butter and Chocolate- Free Product Coupon True Made Vegetable Ketchup- Mega Sale, Coupon, Kroger Cash Back and IBOTTA Crest Pro- Health Toothpaste (3.5 oz)- Mega Sale, Coupon Super Pretzel (6 ct)- Meijer’s Store Coupon  2 GFB Bars- Kroger Cash and IBOTTA 2- Nivea Breathab...

  Our meals need to be nutritious, clean, flexible, quick and cost effective. Between our work schedules and after school activities, we need to carefully plan our meals so that we do not end up ordering out.   Instead of guessing regarding our food budget, I looked up the Official USDA Food Plans as of December 2020 which was enlightening.    Since, we have 3 members in our household and use the thrifty plan, the food only weekly budget would be $123.40.  However the monthly SNAP benefits average $125 per person or about $260.00 per household.    Goal: $400.00  What did we spend?  Week 1- $76.36 Kroger: $36.74 Aldi:$39.62 Rebates- $2.60 IBOTTA: $2.60 Kroger Cash: $1.75 Week 2- Kroger: Rebates:  IBOTTA:  Kroger Cash:  Week 3:  Meijer: Kroger:  Aldi” Rebates:  IBOTTA:  Coupon.com:  Week 4- Kroger:  Aldi:  Total: $76.36 Rebate Total: $2.60 Final Total: $73.76 NO...