The Sweet Life On A Budget

  The USDA food plans represent a healthy diet at four different cost levels. (thrifty, low-cost, moderate-cost and liberal-cost)  The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) utilizes the thrifty level of the USDA food plans.   Each food plan specifies quantities of food and beverage categories that can be purchased and prepared to make healthy meals and snacks at home.   This year, we decided to use the Official USDA Plans: Cost of Food Reports to guide our food budget this year at the thrifty level.    December 2022 Report Per Week  Male (14-18) = $68.90 Male (51-70) = $64.20 Female (51-70) = $57.70 Total = $190.80/Week or $954.00 Week 1:  Aldi: $51.74 Meijer: $0.49 Kroger: $81.48 Week 2:  Kroger: $212.76 Week 3: Aldi: $38.96 Kroger: $79.92 Total: $460.05 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 Frugal Five: #36 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 live a frugal life.     With the New Year upon us, it is time to set goals for how we will be spending our money.    This can look like shopping carefully, DIY projects, wasting less or just doing without.     Let’s see how we can save our pennies this year.    1-  Free-Bees and Samples  This week I was able to pick up 8X10 Photo, 4 Core Bars. 3 Nivea Body Wash (20 oz), 2 Icy Hot Lotions (3 oz) and Violife Cream Cheese (7.5 oz) from various stores.    In addition, I request samples from time to time and my Advil Dual Action Sample arrived this week.    That is 11 full size free items and 1 sample.   This is pretty good for the week....

  So far this year we were able to pick up 247 free items.   With inflation rising, the deals are minimal and hard to come.   We are grateful for everything we are able to pick up, mainly 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, 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)  May (11 Items)  June (13 Items)  July (34 Items)  August (44 Items)  September (18 Items) October (26 Items)  November (30 Items)  Here is my December 2022 list of Free-Bees!   December 2022 (19 Items) 8X10 Photo- Walgreen Coupon Code 4 Core Bars- Kroger Mega Sale, IBOTTA, Coupon 2 Oral B Toothbrushes- Kroger ...

  The USDA food plans represent a healthy diet at four different cost levels. (thrifty, low-cost, moderate-cost and liberal-cost)  The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) utilizes the thrifty level of the USDA food plans.   Each food plan specifies quantities of food and beverage categories that can be purchased and prepared to make healthy meals and snacks at home.   This year, we decided to use the Official USDA Plans: Cost of Food Reports to guide our food budget this year at the thrifty level.    December 2022 Report Per Week  Male (14-18) = $68.90 Male (51-70) = $64.20 Female (51-70) = $57.70 Total = $190.80/Week or $954.00 Week 1:  Aldi: $51.74 Meijer: $0.49 Kroger: $81.48 Week 3:  Kroger: $212.76 Total: $341.17 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 thes...

  I was first introduced to Living Large In the Cheap Seats by a college friend, Chris J., who introduced me to lawn tickets for popular bands.   We were able to see great concerts at a significantly discounted rate.   Later when reading Brokenomics by Dina Gachman, I revised this concept and decided to share it with you.  I have been doing this for years and have been able to enjoy wonderful experiences for FREE! FREE Entrance to National Parks   NPS Photo .     National Parks are one of America’s treasures and are enjoyed by many.     Although some parks are free to the public, others charge entrance fees.    However, five times a year our National Park Service offers Free Entrance to over 400 National Parks.  I like to take advantage of these days to see the parks which normally have entrance fees.  It offers me and my family a chance to widen our experiences.    However, if you love going to Na...