Menu Plan Monday ~ Saving Money in my Frugal Kitchen ~ Week #1 April 2025

My Frugal Week

I took out the last package of bone-in chicken breast out of the freezer to thaw this week. I cooked those in the crockpot on Friday to have chicken for the weekend. 

And on Thursday I decided to do some grocery shopping. I went to Trader Joe's, Gordons Food Service, and Publix. I picked up olive oil, black olives, B1G1FREE light OG Italian dressing. 

I found a canister of Duncan Doughnuts coffee in the dollar bin. I couldn’t believe it as later that day I saw the same sized canister at Publix for $18.99. 

On Friday we stopped at UGO, Kroger, and Ingles. 

The best deals we found at UGO were cream cheese for $1.00, Cracker Barrel Cheese for $1.19, and Siggis Yogurt 3 for $1.00. The sell by dates were close on the yogurt, so I only bought six, but what a great deal as it normally sells for $1.69 and up. 

UGO had the Orgain protein drinks for $1.19 each. At Kroger they are $3.50 each, so I bought three boxes, which is 54 in all and will last me over two months. 

We bought five packages of chicken breast at Ingles on markdown for $3.99 each. 

At Kroger we used multiple coupons and sales and saved $16.74 with coupons. We also had $10 off our grocery order on out account for a survey we did, and also we had a coupon for a free bag of Iams cat food. 

 

What’s for Dinner

Monday ~ Beef Cube Steak in Gravy, Potato & Onion Bake, Green Beans & Onions. 

Movie Night Tuesday ~ It’s movie night for Bailey, so I had the night off from cooking. Bailey had homemade pizza and I had the vegetable soup I made on Sunday. 

Wednesday ~ I pulled one of the $2 Rotisserie Chickens out of the freezer for dinner. I pulled the chicken off the bone and chopped the meat up, seasoned with onions and taco seasoning mix.  Chicken Tacos for dinner and I had a side of the vegetable soup as well 

Thursday ~ Using more of the rotisserie chicken, I made a salad for dinner, but Bailey wanted chicken tacos again, so we both had what we wanted. I served it with fresh strawberries and radishes. 

Friday ~ I put the last package of bone in chicken breast in the crockpot. And I seasoned it with Kinders grilled chicken seasoning. We had it for dinner once we came home from grocery shopping that day. 

Saturday ~ Chicken Salads with all kinds of delicious add ins, my favorite type of meal. 

Sunday ~ Chicken Fajitas, Corn or Flour Tortillas, Red Peppers, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Red Onions, Black Olives, Chipotle Sauce, and Corn. 

What’s been on the menu in your home this past week?

Belinda

Homemaker at Heart

Mortgage & Debt Free~ Living within our Means ~My Linktree
~ She looketh well to the ways of her household ~Proverbs 31:27

Frugal Friday ~ First Frugal Friday of April 2025

 Welcome to Frugal Friday!

My Frugal Week
On Monday my siblings and I closed on Dad’s property, and it truly felt like the end of an era for me. I was nineteen years old when we came here and watched my parents worked hard to buy this land of fifteen acres and add adjoining land to the original land over the years and ended up with forty acres. Today I am fifty-seven years old and we are left with only the original fifteen acres and one day this will belong to someone else too. 

There is a gentleman here who builds furniture out of red cedar trees and we have several on our property here. So, I've decide to have him build one from a cedar tree on our property. Then, when we leave this place, we will always have this as a reminder of this land and how much my Dad loved it. 
This week I decided to let one of our garbage man go as they both wanted to come on the same day and we didn’t need that. That will mean be an extra $60 in my budget every month. 
I went to physical therapy three times this week and had a follow up visit with my surgeon on another day. Having to get up and dressed and out of the house four days this week makes it feel like I’m working outside our home again. This pattern will continue for the next four weeks as well as physical therapy is scheduled for three days each week. 
I have to say that even though it’s hard, I love GOING to physical therapy much better than home health coming here. They have the necessary equipment there and work much harder with me. I have a better understanding of why my surgeon prefers his patients go to PT rather than have them come in for home health. 
Frugal Things I Did This Week:
- hung laundry up to dry- made dinner at home each night- paid all the bills online saving postage- perused grocery store ads online- combined errands to save on gas- no shopping for entertainment thus avoiding consumerism - shopping with purpose for necessities 
Freebies
Our local thrift store, People Helping People, put free vegetables on their Facebook page on Thursday. I did not see it in time to go that day, but managed to go the next day and was given some carrots and potatoes. They had onions and sweet potatoes, but were already out of those by the time I was able to get there. 
Saving Money YouTube Videos
Vintage Life of USA YouTube channel has a video on, "20 Cheap Recipes We Ate To Get Through The Great Depression". Included are the recipes and background of several Depression era recipes such as hot water cornbread and mock apple pie.
What I've been Reading This Week
Do What is Needed ~ A blog post by Donna. Her and her husband are busy with gardening plans this spring. Here is a tidbit from the post:

Find ways to cut out expenses, such as dropping some things entirely if it is not completely necessary and put that money aside, we all need to have at least some savings.   Learn to grow food, plant the seed, eat homegrown food, stay informed and then do things that keeps our family safe.

Thank you for dropping by my frugal blog, you are always welcome here. 
We would love to hear all about your week in the comment section.

BelindaHomemaker at HeartMortgage & Debt Free~ Living within our Means ~My Linktree
~ She looketh well to the ways of her household ~Proverbs 31:27

Menu Plan Monday ~ Saving Money in my Frugal Kitchen ~ Week #4 March 2025

 My Frugal Week

We've done no grocery shopping this week instead we’re using what we have on hand here to make meals. I took a big package of bone in chicken breast, bought on markdown, and cooked it in my slow cooker on Wednesday. It has been the basis of our meals the rest of the week. 

Sometimes when we are out of a certain item, I will either substitute that item or just do without. For example, I didn’t have any cheddar cheese for tacos this week, but I did have mozzarella, so I used that instead of going to the grocery store for cheddar cheese, which saves us money. 

I made an0ther spice container, for thyme this time, using a pint size canning jar and a parmesan cheese lid. I made a fancy label for it with masking tape and a Sharpie. LOL

 

What’s for Dinner

Monday ~ Orange Chicken, Cauliflower Rice, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Red Peppers. 

Movie Night Tuesday ~ Bailey had the last of the Orange Chicken & Cauliflower Rice with Roasted Carrots on the side. I had a Baked Potato with Cottage Cheese Ranch, and Black Olives with Roasted Carrots on the side.

Wednesday ~ Chicken Enchilada Bake, Cabbage & Onions, Corn. 

Thursday & Friday ~ Crockpot Chicken, Cabbage & Onions, Green Beans & Onions. I bought these huge packages of bone in chicken breast marked down at Kroger and they are so big, almost as big as  small turkey breast. The bone in chicken always has such good flavor. 

Saturday ~ Chicken Tacos, Red Onion, Corn or Flour Tortillas, Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Black Olives. Corn as a side dish. 

Sunday ~ Vegetable Soup made for this week’s lunches along with Chicken Sausage, and Potato & Onion Bake. 

What’s been on the menu in your home this past week?

Belinda

Homemaker at Heart

Mortgage & Debt Free~ Living within our Means ~My Linktree
~ She looketh well to the ways of her household ~Proverbs 31:27

Frugal Friday ~ Fourth Frugal Friday of March 2025

Welcome to Frugal Friday! 
Quote of the Week

Do not save what is left after spending, spend what is left after saving. 

~ Warren Buffett

My Frugal Week

On the day of my surgery we unplugged multiple items in our home and we ended up only using 8 kWh in electricity! That is proof to me that unplugging items really works!
If you’re interested, here is a X-ray of my new left knee:

This surgery had me in more pain than the last one, and due to the lymphedema in this leg, the swelling was worse, which made it hard to bear weight on that leg. However, I've had three physical therapy sessions this week, and I can feel myself getting stronger every day. 
The weather has been beautiful here this week. Sunny spring days with flowers and trees in bloom. I've been walking some in our driveway to get some steps in, and I'm hoping, one day, to become one of those people (like Bailey) who gets 10,000 steps in everyday.
Freebies

Bailey won a Hulken bag! Apparently they have giveaways on their Instagram page from time to time, which is how she won. She was so excited and used it on my recent hospital stay. It’s a great bag and glides over thresholds and even elevators effortlessly. She received several compliments on it while we were there. 
I received a $15 Walmart card from my Insurance company for getting a test done. I used it to buy me a strap like they use in Physical Therapy to stretch my leg. I've been watching The Fall Doc on TikTok and he speaks a lot about how people in their 50s and 60s need to build strength in their legs in order to handle getting older and trying to prevent falls in our aging years. 
What I've been Reading This Week
Words to Eat By, written by Karen Koenig. This book teaches you how to use word power rather than try to rely on willpower to overcome your struggles with eating. Someone asked me recently what I was doing to lose weight and I mentioned to them that I had done a lot of reading on the topic. If you struggle with this issue, I would definitely recommend this book. 
Outsmarting Overeating ~ another book written by Karen Koenig. This book really spoke to me about not having the life skills to handle everyday living but turning to food instead and how to go about changing that. 
Mrs. White who writes over at over at The Legacy of Home has written wise blog post entitled, Extreme Thrift.  It’s a well written post that I hope you find time to read this week. 

Thank you for dropping by my frugal blog, you are always welcome here. 
We would love to hear all about your week in the comment section.

BelindaHomemaker at HeartMortgage & Debt Free~ Living within our Means ~My Linktree
~ She looketh well to the ways of her household ~Proverbs 31:27

Menu Plan Monday ~ Saving Money in my Frugal Kitchen ~ Week #3 March 2025

 

Thank you all for the well wishes you sent to me this week. You are such blessings to me. 💕 

My Frugal Week

Those $2 rotisserie chickens I bought recently really came in handy after my surgery. I took the breast meat off and warmed it up in a skillet with onions and seasonings and we ate it on salads for a couple of days after I came home. I was very grateful to have them in the freezer. 

We didn’t practice a lot of frugality while I was in the hospital as Bailey did bring protein bars, but did get a salad at Subway one night. I did have a little bit of food waste at home this week, but it is what it is with me being out of commission part of the week. 

How are you doing? How are you doing navigating grocery store prices these days? Mrs. White over at The Legacy of Home wrote a good article about this topic called, Getting By with Little Money. It’s a look into the past in 1940 when times were also hard financially and people had to make do because of hard financial times.

Here are some ideas that might help:

Saving money in the kitchen is all about smart shopping, reducing waste, and maximizing efficiency. 

1. Plan Your Meals – Create a weekly meal plan to avoid impulse buys.

2. Make a Shopping List – Stick to it to prevent unnecessary spending unless you find amazing markdowns. 

3. Buy in Bulk – Purchase staples like rice, beans, and pasta in bulk to save per unit cost.

4. Use Coupons & Discounts – Check for deals, use cashback apps, and shop during sales.

5. Buy Seasonal & Local Produce – It’s fresher, cheaper, and tastes better.

6. Limit Processed Foods – They cost more and are often less healthy.

Reducing Food Waste

7. Use Leftovers Creatively – Turn extra veggies into soups, stir-fries, or omelets.

8. Freeze Excess Food – Preserve fruits, meats, and leftovers before they go bad.

9. Store Food Properly – Keep produce fresh longer with proper storage techniques.

10. First In, First Out (FIFO) – Use older ingredients before opening new ones.

11. Make Your Own Broth – Use veggie scraps and bones to make homemade stock.

Cooking Efficiently

12. Cook in Batches – Prepare meals in bulk to save time and energy.

13. Use Energy-Efficient Appliances – Pressure cookers, air fryers, and slow cookers use less power.

14. Cover Pots While Cooking – This reduces cooking time and saves energy.

15. Use Residual Heat – Turn off the oven a few minutes early; food will keep cooking.

DIY & Substitutions

16. Make Your Own Coffee & Drinks – Skip the expensive coffee shop habit. I love to make my own protein drinks with either a protein shake or protein powder and almond milk, ice, and a squirt of calorie free skinny syrup. Bailey does the same thing with protein and coffee. 

17. DIY Cleaning Products – Vinegar and baking soda work wonders. We are out of Lysol for the moment, so I mixed up some Dawn and water in our spray bottles until I can get this replaced. 

18. Grow Your Own Herbs – Basil, mint, and cilantro are easy to grow at home.

19. Use Less Meat – Swap in beans, lentils, or tofu for budget-friendly protein.

20. Bake Your Own Bread & Snacks – Homemade versions are often cheaper and healthier.

How about you? Any tips to share with us? In the meantime, here is what we had for dinner this last week. 

 

What’s for Dinner

Monday ~ Chicken Tacos, Corn or Flour Tortillas, Cheddar Cheese, Tomatoes, Black Olives, Red Onions, and Corn on the side. 

Movie Night Tuesday ~ We used Sunday’s chicken to make chicken quesadillas and then I put what is left into the freezer for another day. 

Wednesday ~ Ginger Chicken Stir-fry, Salad, Roasted Carrot Hummus, Red Bell Peppers & Celery Sticks. 

Thursday ~ Hospital dinner of Turkey and Dressing with gravy and green beans. 

Friday & Saturday & Sunday ~ We had plenty of salad fixings in the house, so we’ve been eating those to make it easier to clean up while I’m recuperating. 

What’s been on the menu in your home this past week?

Belinda

Homemaker at Heart

Mortgage & Debt Free~ Living within our Means ~My Linktree
~ She looketh well to the ways of her household ~Proverbs 31:27

No Frugal Friday Today

 

Happy Friday everyone! I came here to say there will be no Frugal Friday post today as I just had my second knee surgery yesterday. The surgery went well and we just got home from the hospital and I’m going to rest today, but I’ll be back soon. 💕

Thank you for dropping by my frugal blog, you are always welcome here. 
We would love to hear all about your week in the comment section.

BelindaHomemaker at HeartMortgage & Debt Free~ Living within our Means ~My Linktree
~ She looketh well to the ways of her household ~Proverbs 31:27

Second Frugal Friday of March 2025

Welcome to Frugal Friday! 
My Frugal Week
The final tally is in from the consignment sale and we made a total of $749 just from items we decluttered. Bailey is going to use part of the funds to pay her tax preparer. We went back on Monday to pick up several big items that didn’t sell. 
I also went to the eye doctor on Monday for my yearly checkup and got a good report. He said my eyes looked good and to keep up with the injections from the retina specialist. 
Afterwards I went next door to America’s Thrift Store. Their prices are higher than I like to pay, so I didn’t buy much, just two shirts for me. They want $2.99 for one canning jar when I can get them at The Samaritan Center for $1.00. 
On Saturday I took my handheld chainsaw and trimmed one of the holly bushes near the bottom of the stairs. I was even able to move the picnic table a little. I raked up and then used the leaf blower to move some leaves and the area looks much better. I've been reading many of you have also been wanting to get out in your yards too. 

This big bottle of Dawn is heavy for me to lift with my bad shoulder. So, I took a plastic water bottle and pour just a  little bit in the bottom and added water. I then poked some holds in the lid of the water bottle and it is much easier to lift and by diluting with water, it saves money too. 
Freebies

I've got a new CapTel Captioned Telephone that is closed captioned for the hearing impaired. I always have my cell phone on speaker phone, so I can hear. I often had trouble hearing students at school when I subbed due to the background noise, so this is perfect for me! The screen types out what the person is saying so you can hear their voice and read what they are saying. This is provided free of cost to anyone with hearing loss. 
On a side note, I went to a senior expo last week and learned that the same high blood sugars that can damage your eyes (like mine), can also damage your hearing. I didn't know that before, but it does explain things. 
Saving Money on Entertainment
I’ve been watching Mama’s Family for free on Pluto this week. Sometimes I like to just zone out with a TV show even when I know what is going to happen and this fit the bill this week.
What I've been Reading This Week
As far as books go, I am currently reading Dr. Dean Ornish's book called, Eat More, Weigh Less. This book first came out in 1994 and I read it back then, but I like his take on things and so I decided to reread this one.
Other items I've read this week include:
How to Make Your Own $2.00 Charcoal Grill
20 Recipes You Can Make with a can of Beans

Thank you for dropping by my frugal blog, you are always welcome here. 
We would love to hear all about your week in the comment section.

BelindaHomemaker at HeartMortgage & Debt Free~ Living within our Means ~My Linktree
~ She looketh well to the ways of her household ~Proverbs 31:27

Menu Plan Monday ~ Saving Money in my Frugal Kitchen ~ Week # 2 March 2025

 

My Frugal Week

This was another week of eating at home to save money. No eating out, take out, or fast food. I wash my dishes several times each day,  so my kitchen stays neat and tidy, so that I want to go in there and cook. 

 

What’s for Dinner

Monday ~ Chicken Tacos, Tortillas, Red Onion, Cheddar Cheese, Tomatoes, and Lettuce. 

Movie Night Tuesday ~ Homemade Pizza 

Wednesday & Thursday ~ Lentil Loaf, Mashed Pot, Green Peas. 

Fish on Friday ~ Salmon Patties, Green Beans with Onions, and Baked Sweet Potatoes. 

Saturday ~ Bailey attended an event in Marietta, Georgia, so I was on my own for dinner, which was a plant based meal to save money on meat. Baked potato with broccoli and black olives and a salad. 😋 

Sunday ~ Chicken made in the slow cooker, using one can of enchilada sauce. Roasted Vegetables (Potatoes, Celery, Carrots, Onions), and Steamed Broccoli. The chicken was so good with the enchilada sauce. I’m going to make it that way more often. 

We served two meatless meals this week to save money on meat.

What’s been on the menu in your home this past week?

Belinda

Homemaker at Heart

Mortgage & Debt Free~ Living within our Means ~My Linktree
~ She looketh well to the ways of her household ~Proverbs 31:27