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!
Many days, by the time I wrap up work and start cooking dinner, it’s already about the hour that we should be sitting down to eat. But, there I am in the kitchen with nothing yet started. There are days when I can push back our mealtime until the food is ready, but there are … Read more
I love salads, especially for spring and summer meals. One of my favorite parts of a salad is the dressing that ties it all together. But since most store-bought dressings are loaded with calories, they can quickly turn my healthy meal into the equivalent of a happy meal. What’s a girl to do? Introducing: no-dressing … Read more
Toddlers and snacks just go together, it seems. Little kids’ attention spans have a tendency to run out before mealtime is over, so they end up hungry again shortly afterward. Instead of fighting against this common behavior, savvy parents use snack time as an opportunity to load up their little ones with toddler-sized portions of … Read more
I want to feed my family nutritious meals, but like most of us, my food budget is limited. Grocery costs seem to go up and up, but there are still healthy foods that cost less than a dollar. When I base my meal plan around these ingredients, I can put a filling dinner on the table for … Read more
While coffee is my must-have morning drink, tea has become my favorite afternoon pick-me-up. At first glance, tea bags seem like a better value, but I get the best flavor and most bang for my buck when I use whole leaves instead. Here’s what I’ve learned about how loose-leaf tea can help trim down my … Read more
Oh, chocolate, how I love thee. Let me count the ways. I’ll take chocolate in just about any form, but it’s incredibly special when it comes straight from my own kitchen. Whether you consider yourself a novice or an expert, making chocolate candies is totally doable for you. Candy recipes often have short ingredient lists … Read more
I remember Lent growing up, and dishes during that time were usually rather bland and tasteless. I also recall my mother spending hours in the kitchen, trying to come up with meatless dishes that would appeal to her family. With the Lenten season upon us, I wanted to find quick, easy meatless recipes that my kids … Read more
Outdated food, mysterious leftovers, sticky spills: The refrigerator can be a scary place. In fact, cleaning out the fridge is one of my least favorite chores. That’s why it makes more sense to keep my fridge neat and organized to begin with. A weekly clean-up is more efficient when I have a system in place … Read more
I’ll admit it: I was pretty far into my adult life before I learned to appreciate coffee. I had dropped my son off at a morning class and had 45 minutes to kill before picking him up. Having nothing else to do, I stopped in a local cafe and–against my better judgment–ordered a cup of … Read more
Please tell me that I’m not the only one who never remembers that I need to make a dish for a get-together until I’m already at the grocery store. When this happens — more often than I’d like to admit — the easiest solution is to grab a nearby box and scan the back for a … Read more