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...]
$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...]
Large Family Laundry Tips + Tide Savings
This conversation is sponsored by Tide at Walmart but all tips and opinions are mine as a momma of 5! Doing laundry for 7 people can surely feel like you're in a never ending annoying cartoon. As soon as you get one person's laundry done, it's time to start someone else's. The laundry is an area that I have to be organized in or else it becomes very stressful. I want to pass on some of my large family laundry tips. Hopefully, these tips will help you as you do laundry for a large amount of people. Large Family Laundry Tips + Tide Savings Quick note: Keep reading I'll show you how to save money on your laundry with the Ibotta app. #1. Separate the Laundry I have found that separating the laundry by … [Read more...]
88 Great Depression Recipes
Have you ever wondered what people ate during the Great Depression? Well, I can tell you that it isn’t what we enjoy today. Just because they ate it during this time period, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy these Great Depression recipes today! But trust me there are a few others you might want to skip! See all of our cheap dinner ideas as well. 88 Great Depression Recipes If you aren’t familiar with the Great Depression, it took place during the 1930s. It started in 1929 and then ended in the late 1930s. Stock prices fell and people both rich and poor were affected. Related: 12 Lessons from the Great Depression on Wasting Less Construction was halted, crop prices fell, no jobs, and food shortages affected the USA and nations across the world. Of course, just like people do, … [Read more...]
6 Genius Frugal Living Tips for Frugal Family Living
We are always looking for ways to stretch out the budget. We fully take part in frugal family living and this, in turn, teaches the kids about money as well. This all boils down to the 6 genius frugal living tips that are the base for all our frugal living. 6 Genius Frugal Living Tips for Frugal Family Living If you're looking for "new" ways to save money, you are probably overlooking quite a few of them. These six ideas are only a few to get you started. Once you've got these put into practice, take a look at the other ways to save money that we recommend. They will help you save money in all areas of your life so that you can build on these six ideas. How can I save money fast? I always want to start by saying you should always bring in more money where you can and I get asked this … [Read more...]
What a Westgate Resorts Military Weekend Includes
I was hosted for the Military Weekend at Westgate Resorts in Orlando to conduct my review. All opinions remain my own. We were recently invited to a weekend at Westgate Resorts for Military Weekend in 2019. This was an amazing weekend, packed full of fun events. When we arrived on Friday, and there were so many events planned for the weekend, I got really excited! What a Westgate Resorts Military Weekend Includes Friday On Friday, when we got to the resort, we were able to check in. We got to stay in one of the villas and it was bigger than my first apartment! From there, we were able to enjoy miniature golf, paddle boats, bicycles, and sports equipment. We were able to head to the Activities Center and enjoy these activities all weekend. Saturday This day was … [Read more...]
My Secret Tip for Making Dinner Fun
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of McCain. All opinions are 100% mine. Trying to feed five kids on a budget is no joke. This is why McCain® Potatoes are such a staple in our family. McCain® Potatoes are something we always have in our freezer. When my kids open the freezer, they will know there is a McCain® Potato package in there waiting to be made. All Kinds of Potatoes I think one of my favorite things about McCain® Potatoes is that they have a set of potatoes for every single event out there. Here are some of the potato options they have: McCain® Craft Beer Fries - Crafted with American Pale Ale, these beer battered thin cut fries are the perfect treat to pass around for any occasion. McCain® Smiles: Put a smile on any kid’s face … [Read more...]
10 Money-Saving Tips from the Amish Lifestyle
When you're looking to cut expenses, one way to do so is to look at groups that are known for being frugal. The Amish are just one of these groups and if you look hard enough, you can learn quite a few money-saving tips from the Amish lifestyle. The Amish live a very simple life and as a result, they live very frugal lives. For families who are looking to lower their living expenses, taking a few steps toward this simplistic, frugal lifestyle is one sure-fire way to do it. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that the Amish are frugal but that isn't entirely true. The Amish live a lifestyle that happens to be frugal, but they don't do it for the sake of frugality. It is their beliefs and values that are frugal by nature. You, however, aren't likely to be Amish which … [Read more...]
Why is Technology is Important for Military Moms?
This is a paid partnership with my friends at Verizon #VZMilitaryMom #brandpartner If you’re a Military Mom, then you know all about the sacrifices that are made. Verizon is honoring Military Moms in a unique way this year. Whether you’re a wife that has had her husband deployed or a mom that has had her son or daughter deployed, Verizon wants to honor you. Veteran Moms and active duty moms, this one’s for you! You can nominate a military mom or even nominate yourself by going here. Why is Technology is Important for Military Moms? Technology is a HUGE thing for military moms. This is becoming the new way to keep in contact with their family that is deployed. From emails and pictures, to phone calls and even video chats. What can you win? When you … [Read more...]