This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Navy Federal Credit Union. All opinions are 100% mine. Summer is here, and that means there's time for lots and lots of fun. Fun doesn’t have to be narrowed down to just one activity. There are lots of ways to enjoy the summer months. If you’re looking for some ways to have fun on a budget this summer, these tips are for you! 12 Summer Fun On a Budget Ideas Free Activities at the Library One thing I’ve found is that the library always has lots of activities that are free. Head to your local library to see what events are happening at your branch. If your efforts to find free events are in vain, the library is still a really cool place to hang out and read. Plus, if it’s super hot where you are, you can always spend … [Read more...]
12 Mind Blowing Tips on How to Make Money at Flea Markets
I have been to many flea markets, I love seeing everything, talking to vendors and if I'm lucky I find some good food. One trend I am noticing is many vendors make a full-time income. Hello, real-life American Pickers! So this led me to do some digging and asking around on How to Make Money at Flea Markets and I mean really make money! Because who doesn't want to travel around buy cool stuff and get paid to do it? This is one of many ways we share where you can make money online (and offline too!) 12 Mind-Blowing Tips on How to Make Money at Flea Markets Before we jump in you need to understand there are 2 types of flea markets. There are the ones where you buy a permanent booth on a monthly basis. This is generally where you can leave your items overnight as they lock up. They … [Read more...]
10 Amazingly Cheap Bread Dinner Ideas – Meals with Bread
My family loves bread, no doubt about that. However, it is also a great ingredient for cheap dinner ideas. While most families use white bread, you can use any type of bread that you have on hand. I like to freeze the ends of bread that no one likes to eat for many of these bread dinner ideas. Cheap Dinner Ideas - 10 Cheap Meals Made Out of Bread Homemade Gravy over Bread If you don’t have biscuits or just prefer bread, then use this to make a cheap meal. This is known for us sausage biscuits and gravy. You can get a roll of sausage for $2.50 or so at Walmart and a loaf of bread for less than $1 and have a great family meal for under $5! You can always make your own biscuits with our 7 Up Biscuits Recipe with the gravy. Pizza Bread – Using bread, pizza sauce, … [Read more...]
DIY Glass Cleaner Recipe – Better Than Windex
One of the things I spend the most money on at the store outside of food and diapers are cleaning products, like glass cleaner. So I am looking for ways to save money on them and let's face it how many have you bought that you just don't like? Well, that's one of a few reasons I starting looking for a DIY glass cleaner recipe and now I'm sharing the one I love with you. DIY Glass Cleaner Recipe - Better Than Windex Raise your hand if you have a cabinet under your sink, a shelf in your pantry, or a closet or even a spot in the garage that is full of cleaning products. *Raises Hand* Now think about how many of the products are just sitting there because you bought them, tried them out and they didn't work or you didn't like them for one reason or another? At least half I'm … [Read more...]
How We Prepare for Back to School with Dollar General
This post is sponsored by Dollar General but all opinions are mine as a mom of 5 sending kids back to school! Back to school is right around the corner, whether we choose to believe it or not. The summer has flown by and it’s time to start thinking about going back to school. Kids always seem to need a lot for back to school, so there is no better time to prepare for this transition. Here are some tips to help prepare for back to school. How We Prepare for Back to School with Dollar General #1. Start shopping early You don’t have to wait for those back to school commercials to start shopping for back to school. My best advice for preparing for back to school is to start shopping early. Start shopping as soon as school … [Read more...]
Great Depression Cooking Tips That Will Save You Money
When it comes to saving money and giving your family great food you can learn a lot from your great grandparents from the great depression. They learned to make do with little to nothing and put meals on the table despite challenges. When it comes to cooking these simple great depression cooking tips will help you save money on feeding your family. Great Depression Cooking Tips That Will Save You Money They had a way of cooking during the great depression that made the most of what they had. The food wasn't always the most balanced or even a favorite but it kept you going and it was there. It's easy to take many of their cooking tips and tricks and incorporate them into your everyday cooking routine. Related: 22 Frugal Living Tips from the Great … [Read more...]
Easy Instant Pot Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe
Instant Pot recipes are so easy to make that it seems to be everyone's new favorite thing. This is why our Instant Pot Recipes Page is so popular! So today we add another recipe to that page. Our Instant Pot Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe. Cheesy, gooey goodness done in the ease of the Instant Pot! Easy Instant Pot Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe Have you made potatoes in the Instant Pot? Oh, my word it's so easy and shortens the cooking time and it tastes just as yummy! Few questions I have had about this recipe before we get into it. What goes with au gratin potatoes? I absolutely LOVE having ham with my Au Gratins! Then the next day, take the leftover ham mix it into the potatoes for a new meal. Anything pork goes great with Au Gratin potatoes. Roasted chicken, … [Read more...]
17 Must Try Chinese Food Recipes You Can Make at Home
One of my biggest weaknesses in my budget is take-out Chinese food. It's not a food we have really made at home but something we crave regularly and break our budget on to order. So to save our budget I have put this list of 17 Chinese food recipes that are easy to make at home. 17 Must-Try Chinese Food Recipes You Can Make at Home I will say I am a fan of the Chinese food buffet because I can get a bit adventurous and try new foods. If I am unsure I stick to my tried and true fried rice ( no mushrooms please!) But at a buffet recently I fell in love with pepper steak and think it is my new favorite! Until recently the closest I got to making any Chinese food recipes at home was a box of fried rice and tossing in some shredded chicken and calling it chicken fried rice. Easy … [Read more...]
12 Family Summer Activities That You Won’t Believe are Actually FREE
Summer is finally here, which is great news. Like most other families in this country, we’re on a budget too. No one wants to spend a ton of money on family activities that they can’t afford. If you’re looking for family summer activities you will love that these are actually free! 12 Family Summer Activities That You Won't Believe are Actually Free! Visit all the parks in your area - Challenge yourself to visit all the parks in your area. Most communities have at least one park, if not multiple. If you don’t have a park in your area, then head to the local towns. Parks are almost always free, which is a great opportunity for family time. You can pack a lunch and just enjoy each other’s company. Splash pads! - A lot of towns are starting to set up splash pads. They … [Read more...]
$100 Until Payday: The $100 Grocery Budget (or Less!)
It happens to the best of us; we think we're okay on groceries, but for some reason, we suddenly find ourselves low on food. Maybe we didn't menu plan correctly or maybe we simply ate more than we intended. Whatever the reason, if you're short on groceries and short on money, it can be a very stressful and scary time for a family. Learning to stretch your groceries is something that all Moms (or Dads) should learn how to do. It is easiest if you imagine that you only have $100 left until payday. $100 Until Payday: The $100 Grocery Budget (or Less!) By imagining that you only have $100 left, it forces you to think about budget-friendly meals that you can feed your family and how to take what you have in your fridge, freezer, and pantry and make it into as many meals as you … [Read more...]