Have you started to think about 2019? Is improving your finances in the New Year one of your goals? You're not alone! Saving more money is one of the top resolutions that people make...after getting in shape and eating healthier. My mission has always been to help families build a strong … [Read More...]
Summer Fun Guide 2019
After a long-snowy-polar vortex winter, are you dreaming of blue skies and sunny days? We are! Summer is my kids' favorite season. What's not for them to love? My kids have three months off from school, will spend their evenings and weekends at the community pool, and hang out with the … [Read More...]
Introducing: Family Budget Spreadsheets 2019
Have you started to think about 2019? Is improving your finances in the New Year one of your goals? You're not alone! Saving more money is one of the top resolutions that people make...after getting in shape and eating healthier. My mission has always been to help families build a strong finanical plan, gain confidence with their money, and live … [Read More...]
Have a Mindful March!
It's March 1, and I declare it Mindful March. We made one big financial goal for 2019 and are striving and working hard to make progress. We started the year with a great January and made some progress with our goal, so to continue the momentum, I wanted to double down on our financial goal and be very mindful with our finances. Our goal for … [Read More...]
2019 Christmas Savings Club | February Meeting
On January 25, 2019, I started the Christmas Savings Club. The club is open to anyone who wants monthly accountability to save for a cash Christmas. On the 25th of every month from January to November in 2019, I will hold a virtual meeting on the blog to give updates on our progress, motivate one another, and help all of us save for a cash … [Read More...]
How to Save Money on Groceries
Looking for ways to save money on groceries? Groceries is one budget category that can get out of control very quickly. However, groceries is also an easy budget category to control, but it takes some planning, skill, and organization. Personally, if I don't make a shopping list and plan my meals, my grocery budget is toast. If you need to … [Read More...]
Have yourself a Frugal February!
One month down for 2019. How did you do with your financial goals in January? We have only one financial goal for 2019 and we made some progress in January. For the first time in 9 months, we made an extra payment to our last remaining non-mortgage loan. It was a great feeling to make that payment, and to continue the momentum I want to … [Read More...]
2019 Christmas Savings Club
On January 25, you might not want to even think about Christmas. It's 20 degrees outside and all you want to focus on is warmer weather and summer vacation. I promise I won't start reciting Christmas carols, but while the holidays are still somewhat fresh in our minds, I think it would be a good idea to start planning for Christmas … [Read More...]
Our 2019 Financial Goal
In previous years, I would create a long list of financial goals, only to have little accomplished by the end of the December. Too many shiny quarters and not enough focus gets absolutely nothing accomplished. I almost stopped writing goals down altogether. In 2018, we decided to focus on just 2 main financial goals and before I share my 2019 … [Read More...]
My Word for 2019
One word. Just one word to focus on during the upcoming year. It’s been a trend every January and I’ve always found it interesting to read how other people have come up with their one word. I chose a word back in 2014 and by the end of that year I forgot what the word was! So will 2019 be any different for … [Read More...]
What We Ate this Week on our Budget 12.14.18
Here's a peek at what we ate this week on our budget. I've had to bump up the budget over the years as my kids have grown and started to eat as much as adults. I now spend $600-700/month on groceries and I struggle to remember those days when I spent $400-500. My kids ate like birds back in day and now they are famished every time they walk into … [Read More...]
2018 Reader Survey: Help me make FBS better for YOU!
I have a big favor to ask you. I know that you all are extremely busy, but could you please, pretty please with a cherry on top, complete my reader survey. Now before you roll your eyes and leave, let me explain why I’m asking this of you. This survey will help me create content that you WANT to read. I want to be a resource for you and your … [Read More...]
7 Aldi Dinner Ideas
Whether you're an avid Aldi shopper or new to the store, I've pulled together 7 Aldi Dinner Ideas for $70 to make your next meal plan easier. I bought all the main ingredients for these 7 dinners at Aldi and the cost was around $70--AND there were leftovers for additional meals. Nice work, Aldi! A few details about this list of Aldi Dinner … [Read More...]
My Honest Review of Blue Apron Meal Kit Delivery Service
This is not a sponsored post, however, any direct links to Blue Apron are my referral links. You will receive dollars off your first order and I will earn a credit. I only write my honest opinion on products that I have tried. Thanks for your support. My daughter has been begging me for several months to try Blue Apron subscription meal kit … [Read More...]
30+ Ways to Use Leftover Halloween Candy
Looking for ways to use leftover Halloween Candy? I've got you covered! I'm a big fan of all things sweet and chocolate, so I look forward to Halloween candy. As a child, I grew up on a road that didn't have a lot of houses, so while trick or treat was fun for me and my brother, we only came home with a handful of candy. My favorite memory of … [Read More...]
How We Frugal-ed this Week: 10/12/18
Frugal Friday: A recap of how we frugal-ed our way through the week so that we have more money to put towards our financial goals. Our mission: Live WELL On LESS Money. What We Ate this Week: I make an effort each week to serve my family delicious food but still stick to the budget. Every Sunday afternoon, I plan the meals and do my grocery … [Read More...]
Facing 50
It happened. I turned 49 last month. I survived...but my mom's homemade birthday cake had a lot to do with it. Now I'm on the road to the big 5-0! Half of me is in such denial that I want to hide in bed under my covers. The other half of me wants to punch 50 in the face and show it who's boss. It's an odd place to be. How did I get … [Read More...]
Chit Chat: End of Summer 2018 Edition
The end of summer edition of Chit Chat. Here's a peek at what's going on with me, my family, and our life since my last Chit Chat. I was vacant from the blog and its social media for much of the summer. I didn't mean to be, but between working at our business, chauffeuring 2 tweeners to swim practice and other various activities, and spending … [Read More...]
What We Ate this Week 07.14.18
Here's what we ate this week on our budget. I made a huge salad to get us through the week, tried a new recipe that I found on Facebook, and whipped up a batch of Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins with some ripe bananas that I had on the counter. We also ate a lot of summer fruit and corn on the cob...tis the season. This Week's … [Read More...]
Chit Chat: Date Week, Yard Salin’, and my Downsized Garden
Here's a peek at what's going on with me, my family, and our life. My husband and I had a planned date WEEK recently. Our kids spent their first week of summer vacation at the beach with their Girl Scouts troop. We sent them off on Monday morning and they came home Saturday afternoon. One thing that I didn't want to do much of on our date … [Read More...]
What We Ate This Week 06.16.18
Here's a list of what we ate this week. For the first time this summer, I grilled pizza, one of our favorite things to make on the grill. It's so easy and you'll find my method below. This week's dinners: Sunday: Spaghetti night! I also served garden salad and garlic bread. Monday: Leftover night Tuesday: Shredded pork sandwiches, wild … [Read More...]