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 … [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...]
How to Start a Budget (and be successful at it!)
Do you feel like you have more month than money? Do you look at your bank account and wonder, "where did all the money go?" We've been there too. Many years ago, our cash flow sucked, we put Christmas on a credit card, and I wasn't sure how I was going to pay for a large tax bill. During that time, I started to budget for everything. Every … [Read More...]
Ebates Review: How to Earn Cash Back
This is my honest Ebates review. All links to Ebates are to my referral link. When you join, you will also get a referral link to share with your friends to earn additional cash back. If you do any shopping online, whether it's at a department store, discount store, travel, or vacations, you are leaving money on the table if you're not shopping … [Read More...]
Family Budgeters Unite!
On Facebook? I started a closed Facebook group, Family Budgeters Unite! I envision the group to be a place to find and share tips, motivation, encouragement, and inspiration about family finances and budgeting. We'll talk about what works for us and doesn't work for us when it comes to saving and budgeting our money. I have a lot of plans for … [Read More...]
Introducing: Family Budget Spreadsheets
I've been working behind the scenes on a tool that I personally use to track and organize our finances: Family Budget Spreadsheets This package of 9 Microsoft Excel spreadsheets is designed to help you organize your finances, plan for major purchases, create a budget, understand your cash flow, and track your net worth. Many years ago, we … [Read More...]
Medi-Share Update: One Year Later
This is NOT a sponsored post. However, links to Medi-Share's website are referral links. I only suggest products that I believe in, and this is my honest experience and opinion of our first year with Medi-Share. Health insurance is a struggle for many people, and for us it became a big source of anxiety at the end of 2015 when our insurance … [Read More...]
Our 2018 Financial Goals
Did you make 2018 financial goals? My husband and I discussed some ideas over our holiday break and we decided on 2 solid must-achieve financial goals for the year. If we complete them early, we'll move on to 2 additional goals that are on our radar. Our 2 Main Financial Goals for 2018: 1 - Finish the will. Shame on us for dragging our … [Read More...]
My Personal Goals for 2018
2017 was a great year, but for some reason I did not create personal goals for myself last January. I had every intention of doing so, but I blew it off and now I feel like I've paid the consequences of missed opportunities...and my favorite jeans no longer fit. Everyone who rocks goals talks about accountability, so this year I'm sharing a few … [Read More...]
My 2018 Planner
Are you looking for the perfect 2018 planner? I'm pretty excited about the one that I found for the new year. It is highly functional, affordable, and at the moment, wide open for all the possibilities and opportunities that 2018 will bring. While I embrace the digital world, paper is the way I plan my life. I have been using a paper planner … [Read More...]