Frugal Living

06/26/2025

🍽️ Frugal Weekly Meal Plan for a Family of 6
Feeding a big family doesn’t have to mean a big grocery bill! This simple meal plan uses affordable ingredients, leftovers, and pantry staples — all for about $125–$140/week. 🙌

Here’s your budget-friendly plan:

🗓️ Monday
Breakfast: Oatmeal with apples & cinnamon
Lunch: PB&J sandwiches + carrot sticks
Dinner: Slow cooker chili with cornbread
Snack: Popcorn

🗓️ Tuesday
Breakfast: Banana-spinach smoothies + toast
Lunch: Chili wraps (leftovers!)
Dinner: Baked chicken thighs, potatoes & broccoli
Snack: Yogurt cups

🗓️ Wednesday
Breakfast: Muffins & scrambled eggs
Lunch: Tuna salad lettuce wraps
Dinner: Rice & bean burrito bowls with salsa & corn
Snack: Apple slices + peanut butter

🗓️ Thursday
Breakfast: Overnight oats (peanut butter & banana)
Lunch: Hummus, cheese & cucumber pita pockets
Dinner: One-pot pasta with frozen mixed veggies
Snack: Trail mix (raisins, pretzels, peanuts)

🗓️ Friday
Breakfast: Pancakes (make extra & freeze!)
Lunch: Leftover pasta + simple salad
Dinner: DIY pizza night using homemade crust & leftover toppings
Snack: Frozen grapes

🗓️ Saturday
Breakfast: Breakfast burritos with eggs & veggies
Lunch: Turkey-cheese roll-ups + oranges
Dinner: Crockpot BBQ pulled pork sandwiches + coleslaw
Snack: Veggie sticks & ranch

🗓️ Sunday
Breakfast: Yogurt + fruit parfaits with granola
Lunch: Pulled pork quesadillas (use leftovers!)
Dinner: Veggie stir-fry with rice & scrambled eggs
Snack: Homemade banana bread

💡 Frugal Tips:
• Cook once, eat twice — plan for leftovers
• Repurpose ingredients (pork → 2 meals!)
• Use frozen veggies + pantry staples
• Homemade snacks like popcorn or muffins save tons!

💬 Want any of the recipes? Comment below with the day or meal, and I’ll send it your way!

06/25/2025

☀️ Summer Fun Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank! 💸👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained without spending a fortune? Try these free or super cheap ideas to make memories and stretch your budget:

🎨 Craft Day at Home – Use recyclables, scrap paper, or nature finds to create something fun.

📚 Library Visits – Most libraries have summer reading programs, story times, and free events.

💦 DIY Water Play – Sprinklers, sponges, water balloons… instant backyard fun on hot days!

🎥 Free Movie Nights – Check your local parks or create your own backyard movie with popcorn and blankets.

🍎 Pick-Your-Own Fruit Farms – Many are free to enter — just pay for what you pick!

🛍️ Treasure Hunt at a Garage Sale – Give your kids a $1-$2 budget and see what they find.

🐐 Visit a Local Farm or Petting Zoo – Many are low-cost or donation-based.

🧺 Plan a Picnic – Pack lunch from home and head to the nearest park or shady spot.

🌿 Nature Walk or Scavenger Hunt – Print out a checklist and explore the outdoors.

💬 What are your favorite free or frugal summer activities with your kids? Let’s build a go-to list for every parent!

06/25/2025

🛠️ FRUGAL TIP OF THE DAY: Repair Rather Than Replace! 💡

Before you toss it… can you fix it?

Whether it’s a loose button, a squeaky door, or a broken drawer — a quick DIY repair can save you from spending money on replacements you don’t really need.

🧵 Sew it.
🔧 Tighten it.
🔌 Glue it.
🛠️ YouTube it.

Simple fixes can extend the life of your belongings and stretch your budget further — and the best part? It builds confidence and resourcefulness too!

💬 What’s something you’ve recently repaired instead of replaced? Inspire someone else by sharing it below!

06/23/2025

🌱 Frugal Tip: Grow Your Groceries! 🥕🌶️🍅

Gardening isn’t just a hobby — it’s a smart, money-saving move! Whether you’ve got a big backyard or a few pots on the porch, growing your own food helps your family eat better, waste less, and spend smarter.

Here are a few frugal gardening tips to get started:

✅ Start from Seeds – A $2 seed packet can grow enough veggies to feed your family all summer.
✅ Use Kitchen Scraps – Regrow green onions, lettuce, celery, and herbs right on your windowsill!
✅ Compost for Free Fertilizer – Save those veggie peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds. Nature does the rest.
✅ Grow What You’ll Eat – Focus on high-yield favorites your family actually enjoys (hello, tomatoes and cucumbers!).
✅ DIY Containers – Buckets, milk jugs, and even old totes make excellent garden pots.

💬 My favorite thing to grow? All kinds of peppers! 🌶️
They're colorful, versatile, and they just keep producing all season long!

Even a small harvest can cut your grocery bill and bring big satisfaction. Plus, it’s a fun way to get the kids involved and connect with nature.

👇 What’s your favorite thing to grow — or a gardening hack you swear by? Share it below!

06/23/2025

🐔 Frugal Tip: Raise Chickens, Save Money! 💰🥚

We raise 9 chickens, and they lay more than enough eggs for our family of 6 — with extra to share or use in baking, breakfasts, and more!

Here’s why raising chickens can be a smart and frugal choice for your household:

✅ Free Eggs – Fresh, healthy, and always on hand — no more $5+ cartons at the store!
✅ Less Food Waste – Chickens love veggie scraps, stale bread, and leftovers. Nothing goes to waste!
✅ Natural Fertilizer – Their droppings are great for the garden and help you grow more food.
✅ Teaches Responsibility – Kids can help with care and chores, learning valuable life skills.
✅ Start Small – A simple coop and a few hens is all it takes to get started.

Backyard chickens are fun, educational, and definitely budget-friendly. If you’ve got a little space and a love for fresh eggs, this could be your next frugal win! 🐣

💬 Have questions or already raising chickens too? Share your experience below — we’d love to hear it!

06/23/2025

💡 Frugal Tip of the Day: Shop Your Home First! 🏡

Before heading to the store, take a moment to check what you already have. You might be surprised by how often we buy duplicates simply because we forgot what’s tucked away in a cabinet or closet.

🧼 Need cleaning supplies?
Check under the sink — there’s probably a half-used bottle waiting for you.

🎁 Need a birthday gift bag?
Look through your stash of wrapping supplies before buying another.

🍽 Planning dinner?
Base your meals around what’s in the fridge, freezer, or pantry before creating your grocery list.

Frugal living isn’t about restriction — it’s about being resourceful. Every time you “shop your home,” you save money and avoid clutter. Win-win! 💰

👇 Have you ever discovered something at home you forgot you even had? Share your funny or surprising finds below!

06/18/2025

06/07/2025

🧺 Decluttering Isn’t Just About Space — It’s About Peace. ✨

Living frugally isn't just about saving money — it's also about making the most of what you already have. And that starts with clearing out the clutter.

Here’s the truth:
👉 Clutter costs you.
It wastes your time, takes up your space, and even causes you to spend more (because you can’t find what you already own!).

💡 Try this:
• Pick one area — a drawer, a closet, or a shelf.
• Sort into 3 categories: Keep, Donate, Trash.
• Ask: Have I used this in the last year? Do I really need it?
• Set a timer for 15 minutes. Just start — that’s the hardest part!

🧼 The result?
More space. Less stress. And a fresh perspective on what truly adds value to your life.

You don’t have to do it all today — but you can do one small thing right now. 🧘‍♀️

💬 What's one thing you decluttered recently that felt amazing to let go of?

06/05/2025

🍲 10 Frugal & Delicious Crockpot Recipes

Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Just 3 ingredients: chicken breasts, taco seasoning, and salsa. Shred and serve in tortillas!

Slow Cooker Chili
Ground beef, canned beans, diced tomatoes, and chili seasoning. Great for leftovers and freezes well.

Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork
Pork shoulder + BBQ sauce + onions = amazing sandwiches on a budget.

Cheesy Potato Soup
Frozen hash browns, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, and shredded cheese — cozy and hearty!

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
Canned tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, onion, and herbs. Add ground meat or keep it vegetarian.

Crockpot Chicken & Rice
Chicken breasts, cream of mushroom soup, and uncooked rice. Easy and filling!

Beef Stew
Chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and onion with broth and seasoning — classic and comforting.

Crockpot Lasagna
Layer noodles, ricotta, sauce, and cheese for a no-oven-needed version of a family favorite.

Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken
Chicken + cream cheese + ranch seasoning = perfect over mashed potatoes or rice.

Crockpot Oatmeal
Steel-cut oats + milk or water + cinnamon and fruit = ready-to-eat breakfast in the morning!

🛒 Most of these recipes use pantry staples and minimal prep — perfect for busy days and tight grocery budgets!

💬 Want one of these recipes typed out in full? Drop the number below and I’ll post it!

06/05/2025

☀️ Frugal Summer Fun with Kids! 💸

You don’t need a big budget to make big memories! Here are some fun and inexpensive ways to keep your kids entertained all summer long:

🌳 Nature Scavenger Hunt – Make a list of things to find at the park, in your yard, or on a trail walk. Free, fun, and full of discovery!

📚 Library Adventures – Many libraries offer free storytimes, summer reading challenges, and craft sessions.

💦 DIY Water Park – Sprinklers, kiddie pools, sponges, and buckets = hours of backyard fun.

🎥 Backyard Movie Night – Hang a sheet, borrow a projector (or watch on a laptop), and enjoy popcorn under the stars.

🍦 Make Your Own Ice Cream Sundae Bar – Use what you have at home and let the kids build their own sweet creations.

🎨 Craft Day – Raid the recycling bin and get creative! Cardboard castles, rock painting, or homemade kites.

🛒 Kids Workshop Days – Check stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot for free craft events (often on Saturdays!).

🧺 Picnic at the Park – Pack a lunch, bring a frisbee or bubbles, and enjoy a change of scenery.

🐐 Visit a Local Farm or Petting Zoo – Many offer low-cost or donation-based admission.

👟 Take a “Yes” Day Walk – Let your kids guide the walk — say yes to turning down that trail, stopping to watch bugs, or dancing on the sidewalk!

You don’t need to spend a fortune — just a little creativity and quality time go a long way. 💕

💬 What’s YOUR favorite frugal summer activity? Share it below to inspire other families!

06/05/2025

🍽 Restaurant Chains with Kids Eat Free Deals

Applebee’s
🗓 Varies by location — often on Mondays or Tuesdays
📌 Usually requires purchase of an adult entrée

Denny’s
🗓 Tuesdays (sometimes Saturdays too)
📌 One free kids meal per adult entrée, kids 10 and under

Chili’s
🗓 My Chili’s Rewards members may get periodic “Kids Eat Free” offers via email
📌 With qualifying adult purchase

IHOP
🗓 Often after 4 p.m. on certain days (varies)
📌 Kids 12 and under eat free with adult entrée

Texas Roadhouse
🗓 Typically Tuesdays (select locations)
📌 One free kids meal per adult entrée

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
🗓 Sundays
📌 Free kids meal with $12+ adult purchase; kids 12 and under

Moe’s Southwest Grill
🗓 Sundays
📌 One free kids meal per adult entrée at participating locations

Ruby Tuesday
🗓 Tuesdays (select locations)
📌 One free kids meal per adult entrée

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
🗓 Kids eat free with adult entrée on Tuesdays (most locations)

Smashburger
🗓 Wednesdays at some locations
📌 Free kids meal with adult meal purchase

⚠️ Disclaimer: Offers may vary by location and are subject to change. Be sure to call ahead or check with your local restaurant to confirm participation and details.

06/03/2025

💰 Family Budgeting Tips That Actually Work! 💰

Frugal living starts with a plan — and your family budget is the foundation of that plan. Whether you're trying to pay off debt, save for a vacation, or just make ends meet, these simple tips can help:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Top Family Budgeting Tips:

✅ Track Every Dollar – Know exactly where your money is going each month. Small leaks sink big ships!

✅ Set Family Goals – Saving for Christmas? A car? Let the kids help brainstorm and stay motivated together.

✅ Meal Plan Weekly – Reduces grocery waste and saves hundreds each month. Bonus: fewer last-minute fast food runs!

✅ Use the Cash Envelope Method – Especially helpful for categories like groceries, dining out, or entertainment.

✅ Plan a No-Spend Weekend – Make memories, not receipts! Movie night, board games, homemade pizza — all frugal fun.

✅ Review Monthly – Sit down as a family and adjust where needed. Celebrate the wins together!

💬 What’s your favorite budgeting tip that’s helped your family save? Share it below and let’s help each other thrive — not just survive!