The Sweet Life On A Budget

  Cowboy Soup This stick-to-your-ribs soup is not only delicious but very budget-friendly.   My mother-in-law would make it frequently for my husband and son during the winter.    It is one of their favorites and is requested frequently.  Each time I make it, we remember my mother-in-law.  This soup not only fills our belling but our souls.    We hope you enjoy one of our family favorites.    Ingredients  1 lb of ground beef 2 cans of whole peeled tomatoes (15 oz each) 4 cans of water (15 oz each) Salt and pepper to taste ½ Onion 1 lb of pasta Instructions  Brown ground beef and drain.  Add ground beef, tomatoes, water, onion, salt, and pepper in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot.    Cook for 10 minutes under pressure.  Transfer the results into a larger pot, add pasta, and bring them to a boil.  Then lower the heat to medium-high and cook for 10 minutes.  Enjoy. 

  With grocery prices climbing higher and higher, it is getting more challenging to feed your family healthy food on a budget.    According to the USDA for my family of 2 adults and 1 child (age 14), our budget per month would be $169.30 per week, if we adhere to the thrifty plan.    (November 2021 chart) This budget is solely for food and does not include any paper products, cleaners, or personal care items.    Research has shown that lower processed, whole, fresh fruits and vegetables are an essential part of eating healthy.   In addition, eating protein (meat or meat substitute) and dairy products are equally important.     However, with inflation on the rise, it is getting harder to feed your family healthy nutritious food and maintain your standard of living.     Although the USDA has increased their estimations on how much you should be spending on food each week, our salaries have not kept up with inflation.  ...

  Meal planning is essential to eating healthy, keeping the grocery bill down, and maintaining your sanity throughout a workweek.   In addition to meal planning, I try to prepare meals as much as possible over the weekend.   This helps to lower my stress during the week.    However, if we have a busy weekend, I try to plan simple or crockpot meals.    Meal Preparation Plan Cut Crudites Hard-boiled Eggs Egg McMuffins (Recipe Linked) NOTE-  1- Click on the picture and get a link to a post sharing the recipe.  2- Although at the time of the blog postings all prices were correct, the current cost of preparation of these dishes may be higher due to inflation and/or location.      Breakfast Options:  Yogurt (Recipe Linked) Egg McMuffins Monday Jambalaya Cornbread Tuesday Bean and Cheese  Enchilada Salad Chips w/ Salsa Wednesday  Chicken Parmesan Pasta Homemade Gravy  (Recipe Linked) Salad Garlic Bre...

  French Style Scrambled Eggs Our family enjoys going to a little French Bistro for breakfast.   The coffee is fabulous and the eggs are fluffy, creamy, and delicious.    Since my homemade eggs were not this yummy, I set out to discover the secret.  To my surprise by just adding milk or better yet cream made all the difference.   Give it a try and enjoy an elevated breakfast on the weekend.     Ingredients 4 Eggs ¼ cup of Milk Pat of Butter  Instructions Crack the eggs into a container.  Add the milk and whisk.  Melt the butter in the pan.  Add the whisked eggs to the pan and cook over low heat.  Scrape the bottom of the pan every few minutes to reposition the egg mixture in the pan.   Continue to scrape the bottom of the pan until the egg mixture is cooked.    Plate and enjoy. 

  So far this year we were able to pick up 255 free items.  Our life has gotten really busy and a little overwhelming, so we are grateful for everything we are able to pick up at such deep discounts.       As always, I am able to secure these items through 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).    Here is my December 2021 list of Free-Bees!   December (14)  Orange Ginger Aromatherapy Mist- Bath and Body Works Full Product Coupon Muscle Milk Zero Sugar (4 ct)- Kroger Sale, Kroger Cash, IBOTTA Kroger Italian Sausage (1 pound)- Kroger Free Product Coupon  Crest Toothpaste (3.5 oz)- Kroger Sale, Coupon  4 Pro-Health Crest Toothpaste (4.6 oz)- CVS Sale, Coupon, and ECB 8x10 Photo- Walgreens Coupon 5 Photos (4X6)- Walgreens Coupon  Last...

  Meal planning is essential to eating healthy, keeping the grocery bill down, and maintaining your sanity throughout a workweek.   In addition to meal planning, I try to prepare meals as much as possible over the weekend.   This helps to lower my stress during the week.    However, if we have a busy weekend, I try to plan simple or crockpot meals.    Meal Prep Plan Cut Vegetables Yogurt Hardboiled Eggs NOTE-  1- Click on the picture and get a link to a post sharing the recipe.  2- Although at the time of the blog postings all prices were correct, the current cost of preparation of these dishes may be higher due to inflation and/or location.      Breakfast Options:  Coffee Cake Yogurt (Recipe Linked) Monday Traveling Eating Out Tuesday Traveling Eating Out Wednesday  Baked Shrimp Coleslaw Thursday Pasta Salad Garlic Bread Friday Appetizer Night Chicken Wings Cheese Platter Vegetable Platter Saturday Bra...

  The world has been in flux since the start of the pandemic in 2019 and it has been a roller coaster ride ever since.   Although I have tried to live intentionally and for the most part I was able to make logical and sound decisions in the past year, emotionally the past few years have been weighing on me.     This year I am claiming my word of the year to be RESILIENCE.  To be resilient is to be able to overcome adversity and quickly recover from difficulties in your life.   It is important to find the joy in your life and focus on what you have or are able to accomplish, as others do not have as much as you.      In order to live a more resilient life this year, I am starting with focusing on meditation and gratitude.   As my year progresses, I am sure that more skills and life adjustments will make themselves known to me.    What is your word for 2022?