Frugal Living

12/02/2025

Frugal isn’t about less—it’s about more creativity, more joy, and more savings.

Stretch your dollar without sacrificing joy this season!
• Shop Your Pantry First 🥫
Before heading to the store, check what you already have. Many holiday recipes can be adapted with pantry staples—saving you both money and time.
• DIY Décor 🎄
Repurpose jars, baskets, or even old wrapping paper into festive centerpieces. It’s eco-friendly and budget-friendly.
• Gift of Time ⏳
Instead of buying, offer experiences: babysitting, pet care, or a homemade meal. These gifts often mean more than store-bought items.
• Energy Savers 💡
Unplug unused electronics and switch to LED lights. Lower bills = more room in your budget.
• Plan “No-Spend” Days 📅
Challenge yourself to skip purchases for one or two days each week. It builds mindful habits and keeps impulse buys in check.

11/30/2025

🍪 Frugal Christmas Cookie Ideas
1. Cinnamon Crinkle Cookies
• Made with spice cake mix, cinnamon, eggs, butter, and powdered sugar.
• Yield: 36 cookies for under $5 total.
2. Peppermint Snow Cookies
• Uses basic sugar cookie dough with peppermint extract and crushed candy canes.
• Great for cookie exchanges and holiday trays.
3. Cake Mix Cookies (Any Flavor)
• Just cake mix, eggs, and oil — customize with sprinkles or frosting.
• Super versatile and cheap.
4. Rudolph Cookies
• Basic sugar cookie base decorated with pretzels (antlers), chocolate chips (eyes), and red M&Ms (nose).
Fun for kids to decorate.
5. Dark Chocolate Cranberry Magic Bars
• Uses a simple crust, chocolate chips, dried cranberries, coconut, and condensed milk.
• Slightly pricier but still frugal if you buy ingredients in bulk.

Bonus Budget Tips
• Buy cake mix on sale and use it for multiple cookie batches.
• Use store-brand butter and sugar — flavor stays great.
• Decorate with crushed candy or cereal instead of expensive toppings.
• Make double batches and freeze extras for gifting or parties.

11/30/2025

🍔 National Chains with Kids Eat Free Deals
• Bob Evans – Kids eat free every Tuesday with the purchase of an adult entrée (limit 3 kids’ meals per 3 entrees; typically for ages under 12). Offer available via their app.
• Ruby Tuesday – Kids eat free Tuesdays after 5 PM and all day Friday with an adult entrée.
• Chili’s – Members of My Chili’s Rewards can receive offers for free kids’ meals (12 and under) with the purchase of an adult entrée.
• TGI Fridays – Kids eat free Monday through Thursday with a full-price adult meal.
• Denny’s – Kids eat free Tuesdays from 4–10 PM at participating locations, with an adult entrée purchase.
• IHOP – Many locations offer kids eat free promotions (often on certain evenings), though participation varies.
Smashburger – Select locations run kids eat free specials on certain days.

📝 Things to Keep in Mind
• Participation varies by location – Always check your local restaurant before heading out.
• Age limits – Most deals apply to kids 12 and under.
• Adult entrée requirement – Nearly all offers require the purchase of a full-price adult meal.
Rewards programs – Some deals (like Chili’s or Denny’s) may require joining a free rewards club or using the restaurant’s app.

Can you add any other restaurants to this list?

11/30/2025

Join in the fun!

11/30/2025

Why pay full price when you don’t have to? 🛒
I’ve been using Capital One Shopping to find hidden savings, coupon codes, and price comparisons—and it’s been a total game-changer for stretching my budget. Whether you’re holiday shopping, grabbing everyday essentials, or treating yourself, this tool helps you keep more money in your pocket. 💵

👉 Check it out below!
Smart shopping isn’t about spending less—it’s about spending wisely. Let’s keep building a community that saves together and thrives together!

11/25/2025

Frugal Living: Save Money, Spend Wisely

Living frugally isn’t about deprivation—it’s about intention. By cutting back on what doesn’t matter, you free up resources for what truly does.

Here are a few practical ways to start today:
• 📝 Shop with a list – Avoid impulse buys by planning ahead.
• 🍲 Meal plan around sales – Seasonal produce and weekly deals can slash grocery costs.
• 💳 Use cashback & coupon apps – It’s like free money for purchases you already planned.
👉 My favorite is Rakuten! You earn cashback just for clicking through—so simple.
Use my referral link to get $50: https://www.rakuten.com/r/PENNYD1047?eeid=28187
• 🛒 Choose store brands – Often the same quality at a fraction of the price.
• ❄️ Freeze leftovers – Prevent waste and save on future meals.
Frugal living is about peace of mind—knowing your money is working for you, not against you. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your savings grow.

11/25/2025

Tame the Tupperware Chaos: 5 Quick Tips for Organizing Food Containers!
Say goodbye to the avalanche of mismatched lids and mystery containers! Here’s a clean, scroll-stopping post you can share to help your audience reclaim their kitchen space:

5 Smart Tips to Organize Your Food Containers: Because leftovers deserve a tidy home.

1. Declutter First – Toss warped containers, stained lids, and anything without a match.
2. Pair & Stack – Always store containers with their lids attached or nested nearby.
3. Use Bins or Drawers – Corral containers by size in clear bins or deep drawers.
4. Label by Use – Separate lunch containers, freezer-safe ones, and bulk storage.
5. Try a Lid Rack – A simple file organizer or undershelf basket keeps lids upright and easy to grab.

Bonus: Consider switching to stackable glass containers—they last longer and look sleek!

Frugal Living

11/25/2025

For anyone who was ever confused about this, lol! Here you go!

11/20/2025

What's on your menu for Thanksgiving? Share with us below! For our family everyone gets to pick one favorite food item they want included in the menu. Here's what we are having for our family of 6! (I might try to sneak a green vegetable in! 😉)
PS: I made our Thanksgiving grocery list from our menu. I priced out how much everything would cost and when I went to the store I stuck to my list. That kept me from spending extra money on stuff I really didn't need.
Ham
Turkey
Sweet Potatoes
Corn Casserole
Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Rolls
Pecan Pie Bars
Apple Pie Bars
Pumpkin Pie
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11/18/2025

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11/15/2025

DG Markets are popping up in many places.
🛒 Smart Frugal Finds at DG Market

Best types of cheap grocery finds at Dollar General Market:

Pantry Staples:
* Dollar General’s house brand staples—rice, pasta, dry beans—are often very affordable.
* Canned vegetables, beans, and soups from their store-brand line are especially good value.

Budget-Meal Mixes & Sides:
* Knorr-style rice sides or similar “rice + pasta + seasoning” meals are cheap and quick.
* Shelf-stable ready rice packets (like Ben’s Ready Rice) — great backup carb for cheap.

Condiments & Basic Flavorings:
* You’ll often find low-cost condiments: ketchup, mustard, and hot sauce for cheap.
* Bouillon, seasoning mixes, and affordable seasonings are gold for frugal cooking.

Affordable Proteins:
* Canned beans are a go-to for budget protein.
* Some DGs have frozen sections with budget-friendly frozen veggies or proteins.

“Better for You” Items:
* DG has a “Better For You” grocery line: whole grains, legumes, low-sodium canned goods, and other healthy-ish staples.
Some of these healthier items are surprisingly budget-friendly, especially in smaller DG Market stores.

Seeds (for gardening) are also extremely frugal.

Using DG’s Weekly / Receipt Coupons:
Many DG shoppers stack the $5-off-$25 coupon (or similar) with in-store discounts to stretch their dollar.

Check the DG app for digital coupons + “clearance” or marked-down grocery items.

Shopping for Dried Fruit and Nuts:

According to deal shoppers, DG’s dried fruit and nuts can be significantly cheaper than at big grocery stores.