The Sweet Life On A Budget

  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 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).    January  Here is my January 2022 list of Free-Bees!   January (13)  8x10 Photo- Walgreens Coupon 8x10 Photo- Walgreens Coupon Sargento’s Cheese Slices (12ct)- Kroger Free Item Coupon Freschetti Pizza- Kroger Sale, IBOTTA 2- Thomas Mini Croissants- Kroger BOGO, IBOTTA, Kroger Cash 5- Good Belly Juices (32 oz)- Kroger Sale, IBOTTA, Kroger Cash  Core Peanut Butter Choco...

  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) Brownies 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:  Bagels Egg McMuffins (Recipe Linked) Hardboiled Eggs Monday Jambalaya Salad Tuesday   Crockpot French Dip  Sandwiches Roasted Potatoes Wednesday Thursday Pizza Salad  Friday Shrimp Casserole Sa...

  Hygge in the Winter     Winter has taken the country by storm with vengeance.   Several areas are suffering exstremely cold temperatures, snow and ice, and the interruption of power.   This requires people to prepare for the worst and hope for the best, but we can do this with style and grace.    In preparation we make sure that we have flashlights, warm blankets, emergency food storage, topped off gas tanks, and charged phones, ipads and laptops.   Our home has a gas stove and fireplace, so we are fortunate because if the electricity goes out, we will still be able to cook and have a heating source.   However, when we were not so fortunate to have these backups, we made sure that we invested in subzero sleeping bags.      By looking for Hygge activities to embrace during these times, we can endure this situation with style and grace.    I always enjoy warm beverages on these cold, snowy day...

    Making small changes that have big results.  Inflation is going up and up with no end in sight.   Therefore, I am changing my shopping habits a little bit.   I can no longer expect to have a large number of free items or items under $1.00.    However, I can know my prices and pick up items that are significantly lower than usual.    My deals will be limited to needed items and occasionally a great deal on just wanted items.    In addition, I am looking for a new day of the week to post deals, so look for this post throughout the workweek moving forward.         Kroger Deals (February 2-8, 2022) ** Check your Best Customer Coupons .      This month I received the following coupons from Kroger-Sargento Sliced Cheese (8oz).  Since we eat a lot of cheese, I am grateful to have this coupon come my way for a second month.    Core Blueberry Bar Cost: $2.49 Kroger Buy...

  14 Days of Valentine’s  Each year I try to do something nice for each member of my family for the 2 weeks leading up to Valentine's Day.  With the inflation of general prices and the age of my son, it has become harder to surprise him and my husband with treats.    My goal this year is to spend less than $15.00 for the entire 2 weeks for both of them.        I try to pick up special candies when they go on sale for 60%-70% off after Christmas.    However, this year I didn’t find any good deals on candy after Christmas.    However, in late January Valentine’s candy went on sale and I was able to pick up Andes Mints for $2.00.     Wow!    28 days of treats for $2.00.    I will pair each treat with a pun, joke, or lunch box note.    Here is where I found a few for free:  Food Puns:    http://www.alittlemooreblog.com/printable-valentines-day-food-puns...

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:  Bagels Egg McMuffins (Recipe Linked) Monday Jambalaya Salad Tuesday Crock Pot Chicken Street Tacos Salad Chips w/ Salsa Wednesday  Chinese Take Out Thursday Breakfast for Dinner Friday Pizza Salad  Saturday Shrimp...