The Sweet Life On A Budget

  Each Summer we make a bucket list to focus our summer.  This year is no different.  This summer we will have more time to enjoy each other because of switching swim teams there is a wait time for our son's participation in swim meets.   Fun in the Sun:  Enjoy our backyard animals Exploring the local pool  Make Smores  Enjoy the Fire Pit Grill out at least twice a month Eat Outside on the screened porch Make Ice Cream Fishing Picnic Make Popcycles  Fun with Friends Host neighbors for drinks Celebrate National Donut Day Celebrate Cow Appreciation Day  Play Frisbee Golf Summer Slide  40 minutes of Summer Slide Work each Day M-F Read at least 3 books on the Certification Reading List Community-Based Adventures  Concerts in the Park Movies in the Park  See Fireworks 2 Hikes Attend 1 Festive  House Love Unpack Moving Boxes Consign or Donate unwanted items What are you planning on doing this summer?   Leave a comment ...

  The Frugal Five With inflation on the rise and our salaries not being able to keep up, it seems like we have taken a pay cut and must be more careful with our money.   The Frugal Five is a series where we celebrate our daily or weekly activities that help us to live a frugal life.     1- Used a Gift Card  Years ago I received a gift card for Christmas but had forgotten about it.    I needed a new pair of slippers, so I utilized the gift card to pick up a pair.  I am looking forward to wearing my new slipped when I move.     2- Picked up a summer side hustle Each summer I work the Extended School Year for my school district, but because I am moving I thought this money was gone for the summer.    However, I discovered that there were several virtual service hours.  I double-checked with my supervisor and picked up these hours.  3- Double Checked my Grocery Receipt I picked up my groceries at Kroge...

  The news is full of headlines indicating that energy shortages are on the horizon for most of the world. Over the decades, we have become reliant on the coolness of our air conditioners and have forgotten how we survived without them.     It is now time to rediscover how to stay cool without our AC.      Our 5 part series provides ideas on how to beat the heat this summer without the use of AC.     Series  Dress for the Heat Water to the Rescue  You Are What you Eat House Adjustments- Part 1 House Adjustments- Part 2 Dress for the Heat Clothing selection can help to keep you cool.   First, natural fibers, such as cotton, allow air to circulate around your skin.  Whereas, synthetic fibers, such as polyester, will trap heat against your skin.     Another clothing hack is to wear loose clothing in the summertime.   This will also circulate air around your skin, releasing heat and sweat, which i...

  So far this year we were able to pick up 73 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 (13 items)  February (5 items)  March (5 items) April (29 items)  Here is my May 2022 list of Free-Bees!   May (11 Items)  May 2022 2 Photos (8x10) Dozen Eggs- Kroger Make It Right  Dozen Eggs- Kroger Store Coupon 1 Decorative Plant- Michael’s sale and $5.00 store coupon  Air Wick Warmer and Scent- Kroger Free Coupon Calypso Lemonade Single- K...

  National Donut Day National Donut Day stems from the Salvation Army’s efforts during World War I to provide a comforting meal to the soldiers.   A group of volunteers soon discovered that serving donuts to the troops was the best option given their challenge of cooking in the field.     These volunteers soon became known as the donut “lassies”.      In 1938, Donut Day was established to honor the volunteers who provided comfort to the soldiers.    Nowadays, donut day is celebrated by donut shops around the county offering a free donut to every customer.      Donut Day is the first Friday of June each year.    This year it will be celebrated on June 3, 2022.    We have been going to Krispy Kreme for years to celebrate Donut Day and plan to do so again this year. Where can you pick up a free donut? Krispy Kreme Donuts Duck Donuts Dunkin Donuts 7 Eleven Shiply Do-Nuts Pick up your free donut and lea...

  We have a 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.    With our preparations to move the craziness continues.   However, I am determined to use up our frozen meat and vegetable and NOT eat out!  Wish me luck as we go through the rest of this month.     Meal Preparation Plan Cranberry Scones Egg Sandwiches Red Pepper Hummus  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/or location.      Breakfast Opt...

  The Frugal Five With inflation on the rise and our salaries not being able to keep up, it seems like we have taken a pay cut and must be more careful with our money.   The Frugal Five is a series where we celebrate our daily or weekly activities that help us to live a frugal life.     1- Cleaning out the Freezers Before Moving   For the last few weeks, I have been working on cleaning out our freezers in preparation for our move across the state.   Although this plan has been a little trying, it has kept our grocery bills down and our loss of food down.   Yippie for decreasing waste and increasing savings.  2- Finding and Fixing a Problem Pipe  Where we are moving the housing market is so tight that inspections are waved in order to be considered.  However, our company still paid for a house inspection to be completed, so we took advantage of it.   The inspector found a pipe that could burst at any time.    It w...