• Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4

    I thought maybe this week would a little calmer, but it has yet to slow down.  In between appointments I was able to make a quick stop at the grocery store.  Nothing fancy or amazing this week just picking up a few items before the next wave of crazy begins, ha!  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

    Groceries from Ingles and Dollar Tree

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $35.02 at Ingels for 2 loaves Bread, 1 container Cottage Cheese, 2 jars Planters Peanut Butter (on sale), 1 package Ground Beef (on clearance), 1 box Danimals Yogurt Sticks, 1 container Philadelphia Italian Cream Cheese Spread (on clearance $0.99), 1 container Strawberry Cream Cheese, 1 bag English Muffins, 1 bag fresh Oranges (on clearance for $0.99), 1 can Biscuits ( on clearance $0.50), 1 bag Blueberry Bagels. (everything was marked down, on sale, or clearance today at Ingles).

    Dollar Tree Groceries:

    • $1.00 for 1 box Toast’em Poptarts

    We were able to get a few items this week. Thankfully, I was able to make it by the store and pick up some items that we’ll need over the next couple of weeks.  Thanks for helping keep me on track even in the midst of this busy season!

    This week I spent $36.02 on groceries.  I was under on my budgeted amount for the week, yay!  I was happy to find a few items marked down on clearance.  I hope that next week we can come under budget!

    It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks!  As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me.  I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too.  The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.

    Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances.  Life doesn’t always go as planned.  We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given.  Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life.  A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others.  There is so much more to life than having all the stuff.  We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.

  • Recipe: Mixed Fruit Smoothie

    Flash frozen strawberries we picked this summer with fresh pears, blueberries and banana

    I know it is still Winter but every once in awhile I look forward to a good smoothie for breakfast or snack.   This smoothie is rich in antioxidants and vitamins to give you that extra boost for the day!

    Mix Fruit Smoothie:

    • 3 Frozen Strawberries
    • 1 small Pear
    • 1/4 cup Blueberries
    • 1/2 Banana
    • 1/2 cup Milk

    Put all the ingredients together and blend until smooth.  Drink and enjoy!

    Mix Fruit Smoothie

  • Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4

    Another week with a busy school schedule, including a “Back to School” Night.   Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

    Groceries from Ingles, Walmart, and Dollar Tree
    Ingles Groceries:
    • $16.00 at Ingles for 5 containers of fresh Strawberries, 1 container fresh Blueberries, 1 tray White & Sweet Potatoes, 5 bags Bing Cherries, 2 containers Half & Half Cream, 1 bag Laura Lynn Bread, 4 bottles Pink Lemonade,  (all the items were marked down on clearance or on sale)

    Walmart Groceries:

    • $15.40 at Walmart for Baking Soda, 2 cans Peaches, 1 bag Sugar, 1 bag English Muffins, 1 block Cheese, 1 jar Salsa, 2 boxes Vanilla Pudding and 6 packs Taco Seasoning.

    Dollar Tree Groceries:

    • $3.00 at Dollar Tree for 2 bags Whole Wheat Bread and 1 box Toaster Pastries.

    This week I spent $34.40 on groceries.  Even though I was only a little under on my budgeted amount for the week I was able to stock up on several items.     Thankful for the reduced cost of Whole Wheat Bread at Dollar Tree with all the lunches I have been making for school and work.  I hope that next week is an even better week and we can come under budget for the week.

    It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks!  As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me.  I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too.  The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.

    Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances.  Life doesn’t always go as planned.  We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given.  Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life.  A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others.  There is so much more to life than having all the stuff.  We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.