Earn, Save & Live Smart
Find tasty, budget-friendly food ideas here! This section is packed with tips on using SNAP/EBT benefits wisely and getting the most out of your grocery budget. From easy recipes that save you money to smart shopping strategies, we’ve got you covered. Learn how to eat well and save at the same time. It’s all about enjoying good food without breaking the bank. Dive into delicious, affordable meal solutions today!
It’s 5:00, and you have no idea what you’re serving for dinner. Does that mean leftovers again? Will your family pitch a fit if you tell them you’re serving cereal for dinner? Do you decide to blow the budget and go out for dinner, again? How about a rotisserie chicken to the rescue…it’s a busy … Read more
A couple of months ago, we moved into a temporary corporate apartment, and I arrived with a huge bag of frozen chicken breasts from Costco (my answer to a super easy supper). I typically cook my frozen chicken breasts in a crock pot or on the grill, but I was limited to a 9 x … Read more
The perfect salad to go with your Tex-Mex favorites like Chicken Enchiladas or add chicken to make it a dinner salad.
When our kids were young, the bulk of our vacation budget was the lodging. Somehow, my boys became teenagers without me noticing and they ate. Constantly. Fast food got expensive! Dinners got expensive! Even pancake breakfasts busted the budget. My vacation planning strategy had to change, so we didn’t go broke. As I discovered online … Read more
Do you have a freezer full of food that could feed a small army for a week? A well-stocked freezer is a wonderful thing until there’s a power outage, and then you’re kicking yourself as you watch all that food go to waste. Good news…”Freezer Dump Stew” to the rescue! My friend Sue created “Freezer … Read more
Learn to love your freezer, and you’ll discover that it’s a great way to save time and money! Here are 5 foods that you should be freezing… Casseroles – Get in the habit of doubling and freezing casseroles. A casserole is best if you freeze it uncooked, thaw it in the refrigerator (usually 2 days) … Read more
Try these 8 easy tips to save money at restaurants. It really is possible to never pay full price at restaurants, but you’ll have to make a little effort and plan ahead if you want to eat out cheap! Save Money at Restaurants Discounted Gift Cards – Stock up on discounted gift … Read more
It’s hard to beat a box mix when it comes to brownies, but I’m always trying! This Rachael Ray recipe just might give the box mix a run…it’s frugalicious, fast and Budget Diet approved! You can even splurge and buy Ghirardelli unsweetened chocolate, and it will still be cheaper than the box!
I recently read an article that touted 20 budget recipes that were as low as $1.50 per serving. While this sounds dirt cheap, it’s really not given the total cost. For example, a lasagna recipe was used (beef and exotic vegetables included), at 1.50 per serving with say 15 servings, this adds up to be … Read more
Living frugally is hard. There is always a temptation to buy something you really want, your spouse really wants or the kids want. Then there are all the unexpected expenses that pop up; car maintenance and repair costs, a bigger than usual heating or cooling bill, lawn care or new mower costs, the list goes … Read more