Sweet Frugal Life

Being Frugal Doesn't Make Life Any Less Sweet

Frugal Fashion: How to Look Stylish Without Overspending

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Stay trendy without having to spend a lot of money on clothes

You don’t need a designer wardrobe—or a huge budget—to look stylish. With the right mindset and a few smart tricks, you can create outfits that look polished, trendy, and totally “you,” all while sticking to your frugal values. Fashion on a budget isn’t about settling for less; it’s about being creative, intentional, and confident in your choices.

Here’s a few ideas about how to look stylish without overspending.

1. Start With What You Already Have

Before buying anything new, take a good look at what’s already in your closet. Most of us wear only a small percentage of our clothes regularly. To stay trendy while on a budget, try pulling all of your clothes out of your closet, try everything on and then mix and match a few items to make some new outfits.

Pro tip: Look for new outfit combinations you’ve never tried—layering, tucking, or adding accessories can make old pieces feel brand new.

2. Build a Capsule Wardrobe

Have you tried a capsule wardrobe? It is one of the best frugal fashion tips out there!

A capsule wardrobe is a small collection of versatile, mix-and-match pieces you love and actually wear. Choose neutral basics—like jeans, white tees, and black pants—and add a few statement pieces that show your personality.

Building a capsule wardrobe saves you from having to buy a lot of unnecessary clothing, but gives you enough trendy outfits that mix and match well to keep your clothing feel fresh and new.

When your clothes all work together, you’ll feel like you have more outfits with less clothing.

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3. Shop Secondhand (It’s the Secret Weapon of Frugal Fashionistas)

It’s no secret that I love me a good thrift run.

Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online resale apps like Poshmark, ThredUp, and Mercari are gold mines for quality clothing at a fraction of retail prices.

You can find brand-name jeans, jackets, and even designer handbags for a small portion of what they cost new. And when you thrift, you’re helping the planet too—win-win!

Just remember not to get frustrated if you stop by a thrift store and can’t find anything that matches your style. That’s normal!

Thrifting takes a lot of time and patience. It’s very hit or miss. Keep checking the second hand stores regularly. You’ll find some treasures if you keep looking!

4. Learn the Art of Timing Sales

If you prefer to only buy new clothing, no worries! There’s still some ways to stay trendy and frugal.

I highly suggest to plan your clothing purchases around sales cycles. Most retailers have predictable markdown schedules, some of the best times to buy new clothing for a discount is during end of season, holidays, and especially January and July clearance events.

Tip: Add items to your online cart and wait a few days—many stores will send you a discount code to encourage you to check out.

5. Invest in Quality Basics

Something important to remember is that being frugal doesn’t mean always buying the cheapest item. A $15 pair of jeans that wears out in three months isn’t going to be the best bargain. Focus your spending on classic, well-made basics that last—like good jeans, solid shoes, and a timeless jacket.

These staples form the foundation of your wardrobe, so everything else can be swapped in and out more easily.

6. Accessorize to Refresh Your Look

Another great way to stay fashionable on a budget is to accessorize!

Accessories are the easiest way to update your style without buying new clothes. A scarf, belt, hat, or bold necklace can instantly change the vibe of an outfit, making you feel like you’re wearing a completely new outfit-without having to spend the money for it!

Frugal tip: Rotate accessories seasonally—pack away winter scarves when summer hits so you appreciate them again next year.

7. DIY and Upcycle

If you’re crafty (or even a little bit adventurous), try repurposing older clothes. You could cut jeans into shorts, crop a sweatshirt, or dye a faded shirt a new color. You’ll have a whole new wardrobe for completely free! And we love free!

There are endless tutorials online for easy fashion DIY projects that cost almost nothing but make your wardrobe feel fresh again.

8. Follow Fashion Creators Who Focus on Realistic Style

Social media can inspire you—or make you feel like you need a whole new wardrobe every season. Follow creators who focus on budget-friendly fashion, thrifting hauls, or capsule wardrobes. They’ll give you outfit ideas you can recreate with what you already have. I personally love Penny Pincher Fashion and Looking Fly on a Dime.

And on that same note, don’t be afraid of unfollowing creators that tempt you to spend more money.

9. Take Care of What You Own

Extending the life of your clothing will make it so that you don’t have to buy new clothing as often. The more you care for your clothes, the longer they will last. Remember to wash your clothing in cold water, air dry as much as possible, and store items properly. Even simple habits like folding sweaters instead of hanging them can make a big difference.

10. Get Cashback When Shopping Online

If you are going to buy clothing online, make sure to do it through the Rakuten app. Rakuten gives cashback on purchases you make online. Most online stores are available through the Rakuten app, and the amount of cashback can vary from 1% all the way up to 15% or more!

My rule of thumb is that if you are going to spend money on something anyways, than you might as well be earning a little extra cash while you’re at it!

Rakuten has an amazing new member incentive! You will receive a bonus $30 cashback after you spend your first $30 through the app!

11. Confidence Is the Best Accessory

At the end of the day, the most stylish people aren’t always the ones wearing the most expensive clothes—they’re the ones who wear their outfits with confidence. Own your look, and you’ll always appear put together, no matter what’s on the price tag.

In Conclusion

Frugal fashion isn’t about giving up style—it’s about being smart, resourceful, and creative. When you mix secondhand finds, thoughtful basics, and confidence, you can build a wardrobe you love without spending a fortune.

So next time you feel tempted to splurge on the latest trend, remember: true style isn’t about money—it’s about making what you have look and feel like you. You’ve got this!

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It’s totally possible to be frugal and fashionable!

How To Save Money Without Feeling Deprived

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Tips To Cutting Expenses Without Cutting Your Happiness

When I tell people that I stick to a budget and like to be frugal, a negative reaction is fairly common. Many people view frugal living as an endless sacrifice and a million “no’s”, they often feel that it leads to a boring and unfulfilled life. I’m here to tell you that you CAN budget, save money and live frugally, while still living a life that makes you happy! Today I will tell you exactly how to save money without feeling deprived.

Step 1: Track Spending With Zero Judgement

The first step to living a frugal life while staying happy is to track your spending…..without judging yourself.

For one entire month you should write down every single thing that you spend money on. Big or small, write it down! Don’t try to change (this is where the no judging part comes in) your habits to make them look better on paper. We want an accurate representation of how you truly spend money.

If you would like a free spending tracker, grab it in my Free Budgeting Worksheets Bundle.

Step 2: Rate Your Spending On A Happiness Scale

Once the month is done, and you have written down everything that you bought it’s time for a quick Joy Audit.

This can be done by taking your list of expenses and rating everything you bought based on the level of happiness each purchase brought you. I recommend using a scale of 1 to 10.

Items on the lower end of the scale, such as #1, would be “why did I even buy this?” These would be purchases that you never really used after buying, or things didn’t add any value to your life.

The purchases on the higher end of the scale, would items that make your life better and happy and is used and enjoyed to the fullest! Personally, my Friday date nights would be a fit in this category!

Remember, this is a no guilt scale! We are just trying to reflect on spending and your own personal happiness levels.

Step 3: Cut Expenses With A Low Happiness Rating

Now that your Joy Audit is done, it’s time to start saving money without depriving ourselves of happiness!

In the frugal living world we talk a lot about cutting “non-essential” spending. But, if we focus on only our non-essential spending, it can often lead to cutting out a lot of purchases that bring us immense joy. Your happiness is important! Step 3 focuses on saving money while also staying happy.

Look through your tracked expenses and take note of all the non-essential purchases that ranked low on your happiness scale. I recommend anything that ranked between a 3-1. Now, make a decision to cut those low ranking purchases out of your budget moving forward.

Step 4: Find A Place For Your Extra Money

Now that you have found some extra cash in your budget, it’s time to use that money for something even more important……SAVINGS! I mean, that’s what I’m here for right? To help you save more money! So, this is how we are going to do it.

Look through some of your future saving goals, and current financial needs. Try to find somewhere in your budget that you could put the extra money you now have.

A few ways you might want to use your extra money could be:

  • Paying off debt: If you have debt that you’ve been trying to pay off, use this extra money to put towards that debt payment so that you can get it paid off sooner rather than later. Not sure how to start paying off your debt? Check out this article: How To Pay Off Debt With The Debt Snowball.
  • Growing your emergency fund: Do you have a fully funded emergency fund? If not, this extra money gives you the perfect opportunity to get one. Funnel your new found savings into your emergency fund, so that if anything unexpected occurs you won’t have to stress financially.
  • Saving for a big expense: You could also use this extra money to save for an upcoming big expense, such as buying a house, a car, or going on a vacation.

Your money goals will be unique to you and your situation! As long as it will help you progress further, and keep you happy, that’s what we are about!

Step 5: Make It A Habit

Let’s rehash shall we?

First we found some extra cash in your budget, and we didn’t have to sacrifice any of the things that make you most happy. Yay for that!

Next, we found some areas in our budget that we could use this extra cash for. Areas that will really help us prepare for our future and live a debt free life.

So, what’s next?

Well, now it’s time to make this new way of spending a habit! Personally, I’ve found that it’s really easy to start off strong in a new savings goal….but then slowly go back to my old habits.

I don’t want that to happen to you! To keep up with your new budget, I recommend going through this same process every 2-3 months. Continually looking through your expenses and ranking them on a happiness scale will help this mindset to stay in the forefront of your thoughts.

In Conclusion

I hope that this article was able to help you find some ways to save money without feeling deprived.

Remember, frugal living isn’t about living with less – it’s about living with more of what you love and less of what you don’t.

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You can save money without feeling deprived of your joy!

Ways You Are Wasting Money Without Realizing It

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Little ways you might accidentally be spending money

Do you ever look at your bank account at the end of a month and wonder, where did all of my hard earned money go?? You know you’ve been working hard all month, but somehow all of that money seems to fly out the window. It happens to most of us from time to time! Keep reading to learn a few ways you are wasting money, without even realizing it!

1. Using Plastic Bags

Do you have a habit of using plastic bags regularly? This can be a quick way to save leftovers, pack a lunch, or store random items.

However, those baggies can start to add up to some big spending. A cheaper option would be to use some tupperware or a reusable bag. True, the initial investment will be more pricey than your typical plastic bag, but the savings will add up over time. Not only is it good for the environment, it’s also good for your wallet!

2. Forgotten Subscriptions

It’s far to easy to sign up for subscriptions these days. There are just so many options, such as a new app or a few streaming services. With a simple click of a button we can have so many fun things at our disposal!

Unfortunately, it’s much easier to sign up for subscriptions than it is to cancel those same subscriptions! And the expenses can add up quickly!

I encourage you to take a few minutes to look through your expenses and find a few subscriptions to cancel. I’m betting that you can find a few that you don’t use very often.

3. Keeping Devices Plugged In

Did you know that keeping unused devices plugged in will cost you extra money in the long run?? It’s true! Even if you aren’t using a device, if it is plugged in it is still using phantom energy, and this costs you money. Try getting into the habit of unplugging anything and everything that you aren’t using, including phones, toasters, and all electronics.

4. Throwing Away Containers Before Emptying Them

We’ve all done it. We use up most (but not all) of what’s left in a ketchup bottle, or yogurt container, and then toss the container into the trash without a second thought.

A few years ago I made a goal to stop throwing away my *almost* empty containers. Honestly, I was shocked at how much food and product I had been wasting. When I started trying to use every last drop, the item was able to last so much longer than I had imagined.

Here are a few things that have helped me use every last drop:

  • Using a mini spatula to scrape out anything leftover in a container. These work great for scraping out leftovers in makeup or food jars! I use one regularly for my foundation and it lasts me an extra month than I had planned on!
  • Freezing leftover food in ice cube trays to pull out when needing a small amount.

5. Letting Food Expire

I honestly don’t want to admit the amount of food I regularly find hiding in the back of my fridge growing mold….it happens much more often then it should.

Allowing food to expire is another way that many of us (me included) lets money go down the drain.

According to a study in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, the average American household throws away approximately $1,866 amount of food each year. That’s a lot of money!

To prevent food waste try a few of the tips below:

  • Make a meal plan that revolves around ingredients you already have at home
  • Include a few meals in your meal plan that focuses on eating leftovers
  • Freeze your leftovers to reuse for another meal. Not sure what food can be frozen? Read this article: 19 Foods You Didn’t Know Could Be Frozen
  • Buy what you need and what you know you’ll eat, not what you “hope” you’ll eat
  • Check expiration dates regularly to make sure you use it up before it goes bad

6. Replacing an Item When It Breaks, Instead of Repairing It

Learning to make repairs on items something when they break, rather than immediately buying something new to replace it, will save you so much money throughout your life.

Here’s a list of things you could try to repair, instead of replace:

  • Socks
  • Sweaters
  • Window Screens
  • Lawn Mowers
  • Appliances
  • Power Tools
  • Stuffed Animals
  • Furniture

Obviously, there is so much more we could add to the list! But, hopefully these ideas will get you started. I love to watch YouTube videos to help me learn all the tips for making repairs.

7. Being A Name Brand Snob

Alright, I’ll admit it. I was once a name brand snob. I truly thought that i would only be happy with name brand purchases. That is, until I realized how much money I was wasting each and every day.

I slowly started branching out to more off brand items and realized that most of them taste just as good as the name brand version! Now, most of what I buy are off brand, and I have never looked back!

You will save so much money, and get just as good of product simply by switching the brand you are trying.

Not sure where to start, read my article: Off Brand Items That Are Just As Good As The Name Brand.

8. Paying For Convenience

Convenience is a slippery slope in the budget world. Paying for a little convenience here and there might look like small fees, but those small fees will add up over time and are a fast way to waste money without realizing you’re doing it.

A few examples of convenience fees you might be paying for are:

  • Pre cut produce at the grocery store
  • Grocery Delivery
  • DoorDash
  • Yard Work
  • Professional Cleaners
  • Meal Subscription Boxes

The next time you are tempted to spend a little extra on convenience, stop and ask yourself if it’s really worth the extra money, or if you have the time and ability to do the extra work yourself.

9. Ignoring Energy Usage

How close of attention do you pay to lights being left on in your home? I know at my house my kids LOVE to leave the basement light on when they leave for school, it feels like I’m constantly reminding them to turn off the lights. My kids don’t realize this, but every second the lights are on, we are spending money.

What about the heating and cooling of your house? Do you set the thermometer where it feels most comfortable and then forget about it? Or do you make the effort to adjust it for when you’ll be out of town, at night time in an effort to save money.

One of the more common ways we are all wasting our hard earned money is by ignoring our energy usage. All it takes is being diligent about turning lights off when not in use, adjusting your thermostat at night time or when you are out of town, and you will begin to see more money in your budget.

10. Using Paper Towels

Using paper towels to mop up spills is a quick way to waste money. Instead of grabbing a paper towel, try using a reusable dish cloth or rag. The savings in the long run is huge! And it’s better for the environment! Win! Win!

11. Ignoring Freebies

Do you know of all the freebies out there? Cause there are TONS! So we all better be using them! When you ignore freebies you are wasting a chance at saving some money and falling into the trap of wasting money without realizing it.

You can find a plethora of freebies a lot of different ways, here are just a few places I suggest looking:

  • Public Library ( yes, they have more than books you can check out!): 10 Free Things At The Library
  • Birthday Freebies (get free stuff every year for your bday!): How To Get Free Stuff On Your Birthday
  • Community Events: look for free concerts and events around town for free entertainment
  • Join a Freecycle Facebook Group to get things that others are giving away for free
  • Email your favorite companies and ask for coupons (yes this works!)

12. Overusing Laundry Detergent

I feel pretty confident making the assumption that that you are using more laundry detergent in your washing machine then you need to. Truth is, I think I use to much! Make sure you thoroughly read the instructions on your detergent to learn how much is actually needed. You just might might be surprised at how little your washing machine actually needs. The less you use, the less money you waste! Yay!

13. Using Incandescent Lightbulbs

The next way you are probably wasting money without realizing it is by buying the old fashioned incandescent lightbulbs. Yes, the price is cheaper up front, but these type of lightbulbs are making your electricity bill so much more expensive.

LED light bulbs last longer and uses less electricity than a traditional light bulb. Check out this Light Bulb Showdown article to see the huge life time savings in this one simple change.

14. Overpaying On Your Bills

Yes, we all have to pay our bills. And, at first glance those bills might feel set in stone. However, I’m here to tell you that many of them are actually negotiable!

That’s right! You can call up your service providers and ask them right out if they can offer you a lower rate than what you have been paying.

Not sure how to do that? I explain it all here: How To Negotiate Your Bills. I’ve heard so many success stories from this!

15. You Always Fill Up At The Same Gas Station

I’ll be the first to admit that I frequent my neighborhood gas station regularly, it’s just quick and convenient!

However, I have learned that over the years that I will save much more money if I shop around for gas, instead of filling up where it’s quick and convenient.

Make sur to check out gas buddy and Upside when trying to find the gas station with the best price on gasoline.

16. Buying Precut and Prepackaged Groceries

I love convenience as much as the next person, however when it comes to cutting costs at the grocery store, the first place you should look at is the convenience foods you are buying.

Do you spend money on pre-portioned snack items, such as buying small bags of chips instead of one large bag? Or maybe you buy premade salads or precut produce?

These types of purchases will run your grocery bill up fast! You will spend less if you begin buying the whole foods and cutting/portioning them out yourself.

17. Buying Everything New

Speaking of convenience, it is so easy to run to your local Walmart or scroll on Amazon for anything and everything. But, there are so many high quality items available for a fraction of the cost, you just have to be willing to be something gently used.

Rather than immediately turning to the flashy new store to buy a never before used item for top dollar, start browsing thrift stores, garage sales, and Facebook marketplace for gently used items at a fraction of the cost.

We have bought everything and anything used including, furniture, clothing, lawn mowers, toys, christmas presents, home decor, appliances, and more! If you are willing to make the time and effort to browse a few thrifting options, than you will save yourself a lot of money!

In Conclusion

These are just a few of the many ways you might be wasting money without even realizing it! If you can relate to any of these, don’t worry, you’re not a lone! Everyone succumbs to the ease and temptation of tossing money out the window every now and then. But, fortunately, we can all recognize our mistakes and try again!

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Now you can stop wasting money without realizing it!

19 Ridiculously Easy Foods To Freeze – You Probably Didn’t Know About

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How To Freeze Foods To Reduce Kitchen Waste

Have you ever wondered what foods you can freeze??  There are many foods that freeze well, but today I want to share about a few food items you probably didn’t know you could freeze!  Knowing how to freeze these foods will help you save money and prevent kitchen waste.

Sweet Frugal Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.  As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Supplies Needed to Freeze Food

There are a few supplies you will need to help you freeze food.  I promise, the initial investment is well worth the amount of money you will save!

I use each of these products when freezing food, and they all work great!  A vacuum sealer does the best job of getting all air out of the bag, which is important!  So if you will be doing a lot of freezing, I do recommend getting the vacuum sealer.  But, each of these products will work.

Frozen foods in freezer

Benefits of Freezing Food

You might be wondering why it’s important to know how and what foods to freeze.  Well, I’ll tell you!

Not only is freezing food a great way to save money on groceries, it’s also a fabulous way to prevent excess food waste in the kitchen.

Here are three of the most common times I freeze food to save money:

1.  Freezing Leftovers

Have you ever had to throw out food from your fridge or pantry because it had gone past it’s expired date before you could use it?!?!?

This happens to me All.The.Time!

The trick????  I’ve learned to freeze my leftovers, rather than storing them in the refrigerator.  This one simple change has saved me so much money and has prevented a lot of waste in the kitchen.  Win, win!

You can easily freeze leftovers by putting them into a freezer ziplock bag or container and tossing them into the freezer!  Most leftovers will stay good in the freezer for 3 months.  These frozen leftovers are perfect for a quick meal on busy days.

2.  Freezing Sale Items

Another reason to freeze food items is to stock up on sale prices.  When I find a great sale on perishable foods, I stock up on multiples and freeze most of it to use for later.  I just really love not having to pay full price for groceries (or really for anything!).

To find grocery items on sale in your area I recommend downloading the free Flipp app.  This awesome app scans all of the local grocery sale ads so you can easily see what’s on sale each week.

When you find a good deal, stock up and freeze the excess!  

3.  Freezing Foods Before They Expire

If you have items in your pantry that are close to reaching their expiration date, you might want to stick these items in the freezer!  The freezer will prolong their shelf date and give you more time to using it, preventing you from having to throw it away. Because, as I like to remind my kids, when you throw food away, it’s the same thing as throwing your hard earned money away. You spent money on that food! Freeze it!

Foods You Didn’t Know You Can Freeze

Alright, now let’s get to the fun part!  Most people know that you can freeze strawberries, onions, chicken, etc.  Today’s article is all about foods you probably didn’t know that you can freeze.

1.  Butter

Butter is a great item to buy on sale and freeze for later use.

How To Freeze:

To keep butter fresh for a few months you can easily freeze it in it’s original packaging.  If you are wanting to store it in the freezer for longer, I would put the butter in a freezer bag.

Use the butter within 4 months for best results.

How To Defrost:

You can defrost butter in the refrigerator overnight, or set it on the countertop to let it thaw at room temperature.

2.  Flour

Another great item to buy on sale and freeze for later is flour.

How To Freeze:

To freeze flour put it in an airtight container, like a freezer bag, or one of these storage containers.  Fill the container as full as possible, the less air the better!  

You can keep flour in the freezer for 6-12 months.

How To Defrost:

Let flour thaw at room temperature before using.

3.  Eggs

Most people are shocked when I tell them that eggs are freezable!  But, it’s true!!!  You can freeze eggs.

How To Freeze:

To freeze eggs, just crack them into a bowl and whisk together with a fork.  Next, you will pour the eggs into a freezer bag or container, get out as much air from the bag as possible and put them in your freezer.  So easy, right?!?!

Eggs will stay good in the freezer for 6-12 months.

How To Defrost:

Thaw eggs in the refrigerator and then use them to make scrambled eggs, omelets, or in baking.

4.  Avocados

Another great food to freeze is avocados!  Frozen avocados can be used in dips, baking, or I like to put ours in smoothies.

How To Freeze:

You can freeze avocados by chopping them into small pieces and placing the pieces into a freezer bag or freezer container, and then putting the bag into the freezer.

Use your frozen avocados sometime between 3-6 months.

How To Defrost:

Let the frozen avocados sit in the refrigerator overnight to defrost.

5.  Cream

Many recipes call for a small amount of cream, which is great except for it leaves us with a large container of leftover cream.  Save this excess in the freezer to use at a different date.

How To Freeze:

I love to freeze cream using an ice cube tray.  It makes it easy to pull out a few tablespoons for recipes!  Learn exactly how to freeze cream using an ice cube tray here.

Frozen cream cubes will stay fresh for 3-6 months.

How To Defrost:

You can pull your cream cubes straight from the freezer and directly into your soups or recipes.  They can also be defrosted by placing them in the refrigerator overnight.

pouring milk into a cube tray

6.  Bread

Buy bread when it is on sale, and then freeze it to use for later! We have a “day old bread store” in my city that sales loaves of bread that are close to their expiration dates. I love to go every few weeks and buy a few loaves to stick in my freezer and use from time to time.

How To Freeze:

Bread is one of the easiest thing to freeze!  All you have to do is put it in the freezer, and done!

The packaging the bread comes in from the store is enough to keep the bread fresh for a few months!  See how easy?!?! 

Bread can stay in the freezer for 3 months before using.

How To Defrost:

Your bread will taste best if you defrost it in the oven.  Just warm your oven to 325 degrees, remove bread from packaging, and let it sit in the oven for 15-20 minutes.

7.  Grated Cheese

Cheese is a great item to buy on sale, or in bulk and then grate to freeze for later.  Cheese can turn a little crumbly when frozen, so it works best to grate it first and then freeze.

How To Freeze:

After grating your cheese, simply put it in a freezer bag, remove all of the air, and place it in the freezer.

You can keep frozen cheese in the freezer for 6-9 months for best results.

How To Defrost:

Let the cheese defrost in the refrigerator overnight before using.

8.  Milk

Yes!  You can freeze milk!  Shocked???  I was too!

How To Freeze:

You shouldn’t freeze a milk carton that’s completely full.  So, use about 3/4 of a cup from the carton before freezing.  This allows room for expansion.

Once you have a small amount of milk out of the carton, you can stick it in the freezer.  That’s it!

Milk will stay good in the freezer for 6 months.

How To Defrost:

Defrost milk in the refrigerator overnight before using.

9.  Chips

Found a deal on chips?  Buy a few and throw them into your freezer to save for your next party (or midnight snacking if you’re like me….).

How To Freeze:

Chips can be frozen in the sealed bag they came in.  All you have to do is toss them into the freezer, bag and all!

Make sure to use your frozen chips within three months of freezing. 

How To Defrost:

To use, just thaw them at room temperature!  Easy peasy!

10.  Pizza Dough

When I make our Friday Night Pizza Dough I always double the recipe and freeze half for the next Friday.  This gives me something easy to pull out and use for a quick dinner (and it totally looks like I spent all day making it….when I really just got it from the freezer, win!).

How To Freeze:

To freeze pizza dough you need to put it in a freezer bag, get all of the air out, seal tightly, and freeze.

Use your frozen dough within 3-6 months.

How To Defrost:

When you are ready to use your frozen pizza dough, let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight.  

pizza dough on floured surface

11.  Cooked Pasta

Freezing cooked pasta is a great way to preserve any pasta leftovers you might have from dinner.  You can freeze spaghetti, rotini, fettuccini noodles, and more!  As long as they don’t have the sauce on top, they can be frozen.

How To Freeze:

To freeze cooked pasta, you will first need to let it cool completely and then lightly toss the pasta with olive oil.

Next, lay the pasta in a single layer on a cookie sheet.  This doesn’t need to be perfect, but flash freezing does help prevent the pasta from clumping together in the freezer.

Stick the cookie sheet in the freezer and let the pasta freeze for about 1-2 hours (this is called flash freezing).

Once frozen, scoop the pasta off of the cookie sheet and put it in a freezer bag or a freezer container.

Place in the freezer and use within 3 months. 

How To Defrost:

You can reheat your frozen pasta in the microwave or by boiling it in hot water.

12.  Sauce

While freezing pasta, you might as well freeze some sauces too!  Right???  Right!

You can freeze almost any sauce, including:  spaghetti sauce, enchilada sauce, tomato sauce, pizza sauce, and more!

How To Freeze:

To freeze sauce just put it into a freezer bag or container, get all of the air out, and seal tightly.

Use your frozen sauces within 3-6 months.

How To Defrost:

Defrost sauces by placing them in the refrigerator overnight.

frozen pasta in freezer

13.  Herbs

Herbs are definitely freezable!  If you enjoy gardening (like I do!) freezing your home grown herbs is a great way to save money!

How To Freeze:

I love to freeze my garden herbs in an ice cube tray.  This gives me quick access to them when I need them.

To do this you will need to fill an ice cube tray cube with herbs to about 3/4 full, next add olive oil until the cube is full and freeze.

Once frozen, take the individual cubes out of the tray and place them into a freezer bag.  

For best results use frozen herbs within 3-6 months.

How To Defrost:

You can put the frozen herb cubes straight from the bag into soups and stews.

14.  Pancakes

Pancakes are my busy mom hack to less stressful mornings! They are so easy to double your favorite pancake recipe, pop half of them in the freezer, and then pull them out for breakfast when you just don’t have time to cook anything else!

How To Freeze:

Check out this article for all the details on freezing pancakes.

How To Defrost:

You can defrost your pancakes using the microwave, which is great because the kids can do it themselves if they need to!

15.  Sandwiches

I first heard about freezing sandwiches from Fun Cheap or Free!  This is a great way to save your kids uneaten sandwiches, or to prepare for an upcoming busy day.

Be sure to check out their freezing sandwiches article here for all of the details!

16.  Grapes

Frozen grapes are one of our very favorite snacks.  They are juicy and delicious!  My kids claim (and I have to agree!) that frozen grapes taste just like a grape snow cone!  You must try this!  When you find grapes on sale, buy a few extra bags to freeze. 

How To Freeze:

The first step to freezing grapes is to wash them and then let them dry thoroughly.  Once the grapes are dry place them into a freezer bag, take out all air, seal tightly and then place in the freezer.

Use within 3 months.

How To Defrost:

Don’t defrost your frozen grapes!  Eat the grapes straight out of the bag for a delicious snack!

red grapes

17.  Nuts

To keep your nuts fresh for longer, freeze them! 

How To Freeze:

Nuts are easy to freeze!  Just put them into a freezer bag, get out all of the air, and seal tightly.

Frozen nuts should be used within 6 months. 

How To Defrost:

Let your frozen nuts sit in the refrigerator overnight to defrost and then use.

18.  Mashed Potatoes

I grew up on an Idaho potato farm, so I am alllll about the potatoes!  My husband loves to make mashed potatoes at our house, but he always tends to make more than we eat (eyes bigger than the stomach thing…..).

Instead of throwing these extra potatoes away, we freeze them to use for another day!

How To Freeze:

Freeze your mashed potatoes in a freezer bag or freezer container.  Remove as much air as possible, seal tight and put into the freezer.

How To Defrost:

To use frozen mashed potatoes, let them thaw in the refrigerator and then reheat in a small pot over the stove.  While heating on stove add a couple of tablespoons of sour cream.  This will give them a yummy and creamy consistency.

19.  Frosting

Yep!  You can even freeze frosting!  And it’s very easy to do!

How To Freeze:

Just scoop the frosting into a freezer bag, get all of the air out and seal tightly.   Done and done!

The bag can then be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.  

How To Defrost:

To thaw frosting, let it sit in the refrigerator over night and then it’s ready to use!

In Conclusion

These are just a few suggestions of the many, many foods available to freeze.  I encourage you to start trying to focus on stocking up when you find a good grocery sale, and freezing it all for for later. It’s so fun to have a freezer full of budget friendly foods!

You will begin to see a huge savings in the amount of money you are spending on food if you start using your freezer more!

You Might Enjoy These Related Articles:

How to Freeze Raspberries

How To Freeze Fresh Corn

Best Ways To Store Produce To Keep It Fresh Longer

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I hope this helped you learn what foods you can freeze!

How To Keep Strawberries Fresh

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The Best Ways To Store Strawberries To Keep Them Fresh Longer

It’s strawberry season at my house! Oh how I love picking fresh strawberries from the garden. There is just nothing better than sitting on my backyard deck eating a bowl of freshly picked strawberries. However, the one thing I do not like about strawberry season is when my beautiful, perfect strawberries start to go bad (so sad!!!). Fortunately over the years I have learned a few tricks about how to keep strawberries fresh! It takes a little extra work and prep, but it is so worth it to keep your strawberries from spoiling quickly.

These tips for keeping strawberries fresh work for both garden strawberries and store bought strawberries! I try to look for strawberry sales during the spring and buy a huge batch to eat throughout the week.

Feel free to pick and choose which method you prefer for your preventing spoiled strawberries! I’m just sharing a few of my favorites below.

Sweet Frugal Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

1. Wash Strawberries In Vinegar Solution

I’m super excited to share this first method for keeping strawberries fresh (prob because it’s my fave!) I learned it a few years ago and my life changed! Seriously! I’ve thrown so many less strawberries away, making my belly and wallet very happy!

One of the best ways I have found to keep your strawberries fresh longer is to wash them in a vinegar solution before storing them in the fridge.

I love this method because:

  • It’s easy
  • It’s quick
  • It’s cheap
  • It works!

Washing strawberries in a vinegar bath only takes a few minutes of prep time, but will make a huge difference (promise!).

To make your vinegar solution, simply combine one part vinegar to three parts water in a clean sink (I honestly just eyeball this part!). Place your strawberries in the vinegar solution and let them soak for about 5 minutes. Make sure to stir them around a few times so they all get evenly bathed!

After 5 minutes, rinse the strawberries thoroughly in a strainer and lay them on a paper towel to dry for 1-2 hours.

Once the strawberries are thoroughly dry (this is important!), put them back into their original container and store them in the fridge.

I personally like the containers that strawberries come in from the store, but I know a lot of people swear by these storage containers from Amazon.

2. Store Strawberries in a Mason Jar

Another way to keep your strawberries fresh longer is to store them, unwashed, in an airtight glass mason jar.

I’ve tried this strategy a few times and it does a great job at prolonging the life of your strawberries.

I love the mason jar method because:

  • It’s easy
  • It’s quick

However, I have found a couple of things that I don’t like about this method.

The first thing that I don’t like is that the bottom layer of strawberries tend to become soft and mushy fairly quickly. The weight from the strawberries stored on top of them tend to squish the bottom layers, making some of your delicious strawberries go bad faster than they should (which is what we are trying to avoid!!).

And the second thing I dislike about storing strawberries in a mason jar is that a mason jar typically doesn’t have a large storing capacity. So, you will need a few jars to store a large amount of strawberries. This isn’t a huge deal breaker, but just something I have noticed.

3. Store Strawberries Unwashed in Fridge

Another storing method I have tried is to simply store strawberries in the fridge unwashed. I know, I know…..unwashed sounds a little absurd, but there is good reason behind this idea.

Strawberries will begin to spoil when they are wet, so if you store them pre washed you will ensure the strawberries don’t experience any excess moisture.

I love the unwashed strawberry method because:

  • It’s easy
  • It’s quick
  • It’s cheap

However, I have learned that this method will not keep your strawberries fresh for days and days. If you plan to eat your strawberries within the next day or two, storing them unwashed in the fridge will work just fine. But, if you want them to last longer, then I would recommend trying a different method.

A Few Tips to Remember

I have used each of these three methods in my attempts to keep my strawberries fresh.

However, I don’t believe they are all created equal, and I highly recommend you give the vinegar wash a try! Although it is a little more time consuming, it has worked the best for me!

Here are a few tips for you to keep in mind:

  • Strawberries need to be stored dry. If you wash them, make sure to let them thoroughly dry before refrigerating. I have found that storing strawberries in the fridge, on a paper towel will help absorb any excess moisture.
  • Make sure to remove any moldy strawberries before storing strawberries. One moldy berry in the container will ruin the rest of the bunch.
  • Keeping strawberries on your counter for a day will be fine, but if you want them to last any longer than that, you will want to store them in your fridge.
  • Strawberries are very easy to freeze! I love buying strawberries on sale, or picking them from my garden and freezing them for long term storage. Here’s my easy tutorial for freezing strawberries!

In Conclusion

Now that we have gone over a few different ways you can keep strawberries fresh longer, it’s time for you to try out the different methods and pick the one that works best for you!

Don’t forget to read a few of my other articles to help you keep your food fresh:

Pin For Future Reference:

Now you know how to keep strawberries fresh!

Easily Forgotten Christmas Budget Categories

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Holiday Expenses You Shouldn’t Forget This Year.

The holiday season will be here before we know it!  It seems that at every store I’ve gone to recently I keep seeing little pops and hints of Christmas, and I am SO excited about this.  Truly, Christmas is the most magical time of the year!  If you haven’t already started putting together your Christmas budget, I highly recommend you begin now.  Not sure how to do this or what belongs in a Christmas budget?  No worries!  That’s why I am here!  I’ll tell you exactly what a Christmas budget is and remind you of the most commonly forgotten Christmas budget categories.

What’s a Christmas Budget?

But, first things first, let’s talk about what a Christmas budget actually is!

A Christmas budget is a budget that you make for keeping track of all of your Christmas expenses.  It should include any gifts you want to buy for the year, parties you will attend, household decorations you might want to buy, food you will make, etc.

Why Do I Need A Christmas Budget?

We all know that the holidays can get expensive fast!  I recommend that everyone make a Christmas budget each year to help prevent them from going into debt and overspending during the holiday season.  A Christmas budget gives you the permission to spend in the way that YOU want.  So you can buy and enjoy what you need for the holidays, without having to feel guilt or buyers remorse.

When you commit to a budget you will be much more likely to spend the amount that you have already decided you can afford.

Not sure how to budget?  That’s ok!  Just grab my budgeting cheat sheets below and they will tell you everything you need to know to put together a successful zero based budget!

 

 

 

What Should I Include In My Christmas Budget?

When I first started making a Christmas budget I always seemed to forget a few items.  Sure, I remembered the gifts that I needed to buy, but then there always seemed to be random little expenses that kept popping up.

It took me a few years to finally figure out every category I needed in my holiday spending budget.  But, not to worry!  I’m going to share all of the commonly forgotten Christmas expenses so that you won’t have to wait a few years to figure it out for yourself!  You can make a successful Christmas budget today!  Yay!

Commonly Forgotten Christmas Budget Categories

Below are the most commonly forgotten Christmas budget categories.  Use this as a guide when making your holiday budget, it should help you brainstorm exactly what expenses you will need to plan for this year.

1.  Holiday Travel

Do you have plans to travel for the holidays?  Maybe you are traveling far across the country, or perhaps you have a short road trip planned to visit family.  Either option will require some expenses.  Make sure to budget for any traveling you will be doing over the next couple of months.  You’ll need to budget money for gas, food, possibly plane tickets, lodging, and any activities or experiences along the way.

2.  Christmas Decorations

If you like to decorate your home for the season, don’t forget to budget some money for this expense.  This is one of the most commonly forgotten Christmas budget category!

You can find some fairly cheap decorations if you shop the after Christmas clearance sales.  I usually buy a few new decorations every year right after the holidays, and then when I pull them out the next December it’s a fun surprise because I forgot I had bought them!  It’s like a fun early present!

young child wearing santa hat looking at decorated christmas tree

3.  Gifts For Teachers

I love gifting my kids teachers a small gift every Christmas to let them know how much I appreciate their time and love they give my child.  The problem though is I would often forget to add this extra expense to my gift budget!  

If you want to give a small gift to any teachers or coaches in your life make sure to include it in your budget this year.  

4.  Christmas Dinner

Do you like to cook a big Christmas dinner each year?  You know the one with ham, potatoes, rolls, eggnog, and everything in between????  Make sure to include money in your budget for these pricier foods.  

Remember, it’s ok to splurge every now and then….just include it in your budget!

5.  Holiday Cards

Sending holiday cards to your friends and family is a long loved Christmas tradition.  Don’t forget to budget for sending out cards, you’ll also need stamps and envelopes!

 

 

6.  Gifts For Co-Workers

We love to give little gifts to my husbands co-workers each year…unfortunately this is one of those expenses I tend to always forget about it.  If you want to participate in any gift exchanges at work, don’t be like me and forget to include it in your budget.

7.  Christmas Traditions

Remember to budget for any Christmas traditions or activities your family will want to enjoy this year.  This might include going ice skating, going to the movies, decorating gingerbread houses, etc.

Keep in mind that Christmas traditions do not have to cost a lot of money!  Here are some of our favorite budget friendly Christmas traditions.

8.  Gift Wrap

Another commonly forgotten Christmas budget category is gift wrapping supplies.  Don’t forget to budget for wrapping paper, bows, tape and anything else you’ll need to wrap gifts.  The Dollar Tree is my favorite place to buy gift bags and tissue paper.  And I love to stock up on Christmas wrapping paper after Christmas each year.

christmas wrapping paper and ribbons on table

9.  Giving To Others

One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is serve others.  It is truly what brings me the most joy and happiness and is the reason for the season.  Make sure to budget for any giving that you plan to do this Christmas.  

But, also remember that you don’t even need to spend any money to serve others.  Here are 101 frugal ways to give to someone else.

10.  Christmas Parties

Do you have any holiday parties to attend (or possibly host) this year?  Budget for any expenses those parties will cost.  They might include gifts for the host, a white elephant gift, decorations, food to share, etc.

11.  Holiday Baking

And the last commonly forgotten Christmas budget category is holiday baking.  Baking is a fun party of any holiday, but especially during Christmas time!  Unfortunately, the price to buy the extra ingredients like chocolate, marshmallow cream, cream cheese, etc. gets expensive fast!  Make sure to plan ahead with these added costs and include them in your Christmas budget.

 

A Christmas Budget Brings Contentment

If you don’t normally budget for Christmas expenses I encourage you to begin this year.  Start today even!  Having a plan in place for how to spend your money during the holiday season will bring you so much peace and contentment and you will be able to enjoy the season so much more!

While you are planning your budget make sure to remember each of these commonly forgotten Christmas budget categories!

 

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Make to include these commonly forgotten Christmas budget categories this year!

The Best Deals At Dollar Tree

By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

The best things to buy at the Dollar Tree.

I love shopping at my local Dollar Tree.  Not only are the items all affordable ($1.25???  yes please!), but they also have quality products!  However, the truth is that not all items sold at your local dollar store is a good deal.  We are often led to believe that because something is sold at the Dollar Tree, it MUST be the best price in town, right???  Well, this is not always the case!  Today I am going to share the best deals at Dollar Tree.  These are the items that you can always count on to be a better price than you can buy anywhere else.

Best Deals At Dollar Tree

The next time you are shopping at Dollar Tree, make sure to look for these amazing deals!

1.  Pregnancy Test

There is no need to spend a lot of money on pregnancy tests!  Just hop on over to your local Dollar Tree and pick up one of these tests for just $1.25.  They are just as accurate as the tests you can buy at the grocery store, but for only half the price!  Yay!

 

2.  Ovulation Predictor

Another great buy in the pregnancy sectioin is an Ovulation Predictor.  You can buy a big pack of these at Walmart for a good price, but the ones at Dollar Tree are still cheaper!

 

3.  Hair Scrunchies/Hair Ties

The Dollar Tree is a great place to buy hair scrunchies and hair ties!  They are not only affordable, but also super cute!  I love the huge selection available!

 

4.  Bleach

One of the best deals at Dollar Tree is their bleach.  For only $1.25 you can get a 96 oz. container of bleach!  That is a great price and I haven’t been able to find it cheaper anywhere else.

 

5.  Bandaids

If your kids are anything like my kids you probably go through a lot of bandaids.  Fortunately, you can buy them for a great price at Dollar Tree!

 

6.  Flip Flops

I love grabbing a few pairs of flip flops at the Dollar Tree every summer.  They are super cute and comfortable, plus it doesn’t matter if they break or get lost….because I spent less than $1.50 on them!

 

7.  Candles/Wax Melts

You really can’t beat paying less than $2 for a candle and a carton of candle wax melts.  Whenever you need to buy a candle, make sure to buy it at the Dollar Tree.

 

8.  Coloring/Activity Books

Dollar Tree has a huge selection of coloring and activity books perfect for kids.  I love to buy a few at the beginning of each summer to keep my kids entertained for the next few months.  The books are constantly changing and I love looking through the new selection regularly.

 

9.  Seasonal Items

Another great buy at Dollar Tree are the seasonal items.  Dollar Tree is wonderful at rotating through a large supply of seasonal toys, decorations, food and more.  It’s a great place to stock up on summer fun activities or stocking stuffers….and everything in between!

 

10.  Greeting Cards

The cheapest place to buy greeting cards is always at the Dollar Tree!  For only $1 you can get TWO greeting cards to give to your loved ones.  This is a great buy!

I also love to buy a package of blank note cards.  For $1 you get 6 blank cards, and can use them for any occasion!

 

11.  Gift Bags

The next time you are at Dollar Tree make sure to stock up on gift bags.  They are a fantastic deal and come in so many designs and sizes.

Want to know the best part of buying a gift bag???  It’s reusable, so the one time purchase can be used again and again!

12.  Sticky Notes

Another great buy at the Dollar Tree is the sticky notes.  I love using sticky notes for weekly planning and list making, so I always buy a package or two!

 

13.  LED Light Bulbs

LED light bulbs are expensive, buy can save you a lot of money in the long run!  Buy your LED lights at Dollar Tree so that you can still get the long term rewards, without the high price tag.

 

14.  Nail Polish

I have two girls in my home who LOVE doing their nails.  They buy a lot of their nail polish at Dollar Tree because the prices are MUCH lower than at other stores.

 

15.  Picture Frames

Did you know that you can even buy picture frames at Dollar Tree?  Because you totally can!  I love buying picture frames at Dollar Tree because they are so cheap, and have a lot of different styles and sizes to choose from!  Yay!

 

In Conclusion

The Dollar Tree has so many great deals, especially the ones listed above!  I have been able to save my family a lot of money by buying each of these things at Dollar Tree, and I hope this article will help your family save money too!  That’s what I’m here for after all!

 

Related Articles:

Dollar Tree Pantry Organization Tips

Dollar Tree Easter Basket Ideas

How To Save Money On Diapers

 

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I hope you enjoy the best deals at Dollar Tree!

 

Is Butcher Box A Good Deal? Here’s My Honest Review!

By: Sweet Frugal Life3 Comments

Here’s my honest Butcher Box review!

For years I have been asking “Is Butcher Box a good deal?”  I kept hearing so many people say how awesome Butcher Box is and I have been wanting to try it out for myself!  I finally got my wish when they contacted me and offered to send me a box to review.  Talk about a dream come true!  I know a lot of you out there have probably heard about Butcher Box, but have been unsure if it’s right for you or not.  Today, I’m sharing my honest review of Butcher Box to help you make that important decision.

This article contains affiliate links.  I will be compensated from purchases made from links in this article.

What is Butcher Box?

First things first, Butcher Box is a meat delivery service that offers 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef; free-range organic chicken; heritage-breed pork, wild-caught Alaskan sockeye salmon, and more!!  These high quality meat products will be sent straight to your doorstep.

But!  The thing that makes Butcher Box most special is their commitment to raising animals in a humane way, with no added hormones or antibiotics, EVER!

Their mission is centered around making the lives of farmers and animals better, and helping the consumer gain access to a higher quality meat.  (win, win!)

How Does It Work?

Butcher Box works very similar to other subscription services.

First, choose your box from the 5 different box choices.

The box choices include:

Custom Box Classic

  • 9-14 lbs.
  • $159/month

The Custom Box Classic gives you the option of choosing your own cuts of beef, pork or chicken.

Custom Box Big

  • 18-26 lbs.
  • $288/month

The Custom Box Big gives you the same option of choosing your own cuts of beef pork or chicken as the classic custom box.  The Big box is just…bigger!

The Basic Box

  • 7-7.5 lbs.
  • $99/month

The Basic Box includes high quality beef, organic chicken, and pork.

The Mixed Box

  • 8.5-11 lbs
  • $137/month

The Mixed Box is the box that I ordered.  It came with high quality selection of beef, chicken and pork.  The amount and exact cuts will vary month to month, but we were very pleased with our box.

The Beef and Pork Box

  • 8-11 lbs
  • $137/month

The Beef and Pork Box will give you a variety of both beef and pork cut meats.  You will find anything from tenderloin to steaks to ground beef and more.

The Beef and Chicken Box

  • 8.5-11 lbs
  • $137/month

In the Beef and Chicken Box you will be treated to a selection of both chicken and beef meat cuts.

The All Beef Box

  • 8-10 lbs
  • $137/month

In the All Beef Box you will receive beef cuts ranging from ground beef to roasts and steaks.  Yum!

How Often Will I Receive My Box?

You have three options for delivery frequency.  You can choose to have your box delivered monthly, every 6 weeks, or every other month.  However, you can cancel or pause delivery at any time at no extra cost.  So, if you are needing a break, just put it on pause and continue whenever is convenient for you.

What Makes Butcher Box Special?

Butcher Box is special because of their commitment to delivering high quality products to their customers and their mission of raising animals in a humane way.  Here are a few other highlights about Butcher Box and their animals.

Beef: 

  • 100% grass fed
  • Pasture raised

Chicken: 

  • Free range organic
  • No antibiotics ever
  • No added hormones (Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones or steroids in poultry)

Pork:

  • All vegetarian feed
  • Humanely raised
  • Bacon has no nitrates or nitrites and does not contain added sugar

How Is The Box Shipped?

All of the meat shipped from Butcher Box is frozen and individually vacuum packed.  It will be shipped in a box with insulation and dry ice if needed.  Your meat will arrive frozen, cold and ready for the fridge or freezer.

What Came In My Box?

Alright, now let’s get to the good stuff!  Here is all the nitty gritty about receiving my first box.

I wanted to try out the Mixed Box and was really excited to see everything that I got.  In this box I received:

  • 2 lbs of Ground Beef
  • 2 NY Strip Steaks
  • 4 Top Sirloin Steaks
  • 1lb of Whole Pork Tenderloin
  • 3lbs of Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

The meat was still frozen and cold when arriving on my doorstep, just the way we like it!  I also loved the packaging!

How Did It Taste?

The meat we received was so yummy and tender.  It was delicious!  In all honesty, I usually buy fairly cheap meat and we could definitely tell a difference in quality from Butcher Box and the cheaper variety.

My husband even made a point to tell me how much he enjoyed it more than the kind I usually buy.  (hint noted hubby!)

Can I Cancel My Subscription?

Canceling your Butcher Box subscription is super quick and easy.  You can cancel anytime with no charge.  Or, consider just putting your subscription on hold for a few months.

Putting it on hold is a great way to take a break if your freezer is getting to full or your budget is getting tight.

What I Liked About Butcher Box

The Convenience

Butcher Box is about as convenient as it gets!  The ordering process was quick, delivery painless and I didn’t even have to leave my house.  As a busy mom, I am all about making life a little more convenient.

The Taste

We truly loved the taste of Butcher Box meat.  Everything was tender, juicy and delicious!

The Quality

You just can’t get better quality than Butcher Box.  I love that their animals are raised in a humane way.  And, I love that the meat is fresh, organic with no added hormones.

It’s important to me what my family puts in their body, and I know I can trust Butcher Box in this.

What I Did NOT Like About Butcher Box

The Cost

Butcher Box averages about $6/per dinner.  I do not think this is an extreme cost, considering the quality of the product, but it is more than I usually spend on my meat products.

However, like I said before, I usually buy much lesser quality….and we can taste the difference.

Will I Order From Butcher Box Again?

Absolutely!  I will order from Butcher Box again!

After tasting this product, and enjoying the convenience of it being shipped right to my front door, I definitely want to start ordering from them with an every other month subscription.

I decided (to help offset the cost) to keep a mix of higher quality Butcher Box meat and lower quality grocery store meat in our freezer at all times.  It’s a good way to get the best of both worlds.

Try Butcher Box For Yourself

If you want to try Butcher Box out for yourself click here and start enjoying some delicious meat!

 

 

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I hope this answered your question, Is Butcher Box A Good Deal?

 

 

How To Stretch Meals

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Easy ways to stretch your meals so you can spend less on groceries.

One of the biggest budget busters in most households is the grocery budget.  There is no denying the fact that food is expensive.  However, there is good news!  Groceries is one category in your budget that you can lower!  It definitely takes a little bit of extra work and effort, but it can be done.  There are a few different ways to lower your grocery expenses, and one of my favorites is learning how to stretch meals.

What Does It Mean to Stretch Meals?

Stretching meals simply means to make the food that you have last longer, feed more people and prevent waste.  It’s really easy to do too!  All it takes is a little more planning and creativity, but each of the following tips are so easy!

Here are 10 ways you can stretch meals so you can save more money.

stretch meals save money - how to cut the grocery budget

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1.  Meal Plan

A smart meal plan is the first step to stretching meals.  When you make a meal plan, try to plan meals that will use the same ingredients.  This is an easy way to reuse ingredients before they go bad.

For Example:  Buy one head of lettuce and plan three meals that week you can use the lettuce for.  Or buy a rotisserie chicken from the store and meal plan several meals for chicken, like I did here.  These meals might be Chicken Alfredo, Chicken Noodle Soup, Chicken Pot Pie, etc.  Here’s how I use one Roast Beef for three meals.  It follow the same plan, buy once and use three times so it doesn’t go to waste.

2.  Use Less Meat

Meat is one of the most expensive parts of the meal.  Stretch the meat out for more meals by using less than the recipe calls for.

For Example:  If you are using a recipe that calls for 1 lb. of hamburger meat, use 3/4 lb. instead.  You probably won’t even notice the difference in your meal.  You can then use that extra 1/4 lb. hamburger for another meal.

3.  Souper Tuesday

Soup is so cheap to make and an easy meal to stretch!  I love making a huge pot of soup when I feed large groups or as a way to feed our family for several meals.

Consider turning Tuesday dinner into, “Souper Tuesday.”  This will be the day each week when you will make soup for dinner.  The pot of soup that you make should last your family for several meals.  You can even freeze the leftover soup to use for a later meal.  Just make sure to use it within the next 3 months.

  • Freezing Tip:  Freeze broth based soups simply by pouring it into a Ziploc freezer bag.  Squeeze out all of the air, seal tight and place in your freezer.  This will stay fresh for 3-6 months.  To thaw:  place frozen soup in fridge and let it defrost overnight.  Warm it up over the stove and enjoy!

Get creative with your soups!  Most soups can be made just by tossing together a few ingredients you already have in your pantry.  A little bit of chicken, broth and veggies will make a fantastic soup!

4.  Include More Side Dishes

Usually the main dish is the most expensive.  You can stretch the main dish out by adding more sides to your meal.

Try using a variety of side dishes and mix it up daily to keep the meals more interesting.

A few of our family favorite side dishes are:

Each of these ideas are budget friendly (especially if you shop sales) and very filling.  Encourage your family to take a few sides along with the main meal.  This will fill the family up quicker, making you able to use your main dish for a few other meals throughout the week.

5.  Use a Filler

Try adding a “filler” ingredient to your recipes.  A “filler” is just a cheaper ingredient, one that the recipe doesn’t call for, that you add to a meal to make it more filling and bigger.

A few of our favorite fillers are: pasta, rice and beans.

Beans

A can of beans is one of the cheapest and easiest ingredient to add to recipes as a filler.  All it takes is opening up a can!

You can use any of your favorite kind of beans, we prefer black beans, pinto beans or refried beans.

These can be added to a wide variety of meals including:  enchiladas, soups, or tacos.

Pasta

Pasta is cheap and filling.  You can easily add it to soups to make them more filling.

Rice

Rice can be mixed with beans or meat to use in burritos, tacos, or enchiladas.  This is also a great filler for soups!

Use your imagination and get creative when choosing fillers!

6.  Meatless Monday

Try incorporating less meat into your meals.  We do this by having Meatless Monday each week.  This is one day of the week when I prepare something, well, meatless!

A few of our favorite Meatless Monday dinners are:

  • Broccoli Cheese Soup
  • Homemade Mac n Cheese
  • Bean Burritos
  • Pasta Bake
  • Spaghetti

Grab a few of these recipes in Mel’s Home Cooking Recipe Book!

7.  Appropriate Servings

Many of us (definitely me!) eat larger servings than is necessary.  Stretch your meals by eating smaller portions.  It’s important to eat enough, just focus on not over eating and this will help you save more for the next meal.

Our eyes might want two large spoonfuls, but remind yourself that one large spoonful will be enough to fill your hunger.

  • Tip:  Eat on smaller plates to help keep the portions smaller!

8.  Meal Prep

Meal prepping in advance is an easy way to ensure you have smart portions for every meal.

I like to set one day aside each week as my Meal Prep day.  This is the day when you will cook your meat, chop your vegetables, and separate all the ingredients into daily meals.

When we prepare the food in advance it’s much easier to plan out the servings and ensure nothing goes to waste.

Store your dinner portions in Tupperware, Ziploc bags or, I really like these containers.

9.  Add Water

Stretch meals by adding water to the recipe.  Water is FREE, making it the cheapest ingredient you own!

You can add extra water to soups or stews to stretch the broth a little further.  Your family won’t even notice the difference, and your soup will last much longer!


 

10.  Save All Leftovers

All food can be reused!  Try to get into the habit of saving any and all leftovers from each meal.  This food can all be used for a different meal in different ways.

Freeze It

If you don’t think you will be able to use up the leftovers within the next few days you can easily freeze it for later.  Just let the food come to room temperature, put it in a Ziploc bag, get out all of the air, and toss it in the freezer.

For a full list of what can be frozen check out this list from Lauren Greutman.

Reuse It

If you have enough leftovers for another meal, consider saving it to eat the next day.  We love to have leftovers for lunch, and sometimes even dinner.

Re-purpose It

If you don’t have enough extra food for an entire meal, add the leftovers with some other ingredients to make a complete dinner.  You can turn most leftovers into a soup or casserole, simply by mixing it with something else!

We love to use leftover taco meat for soup the next day.  I just mix the taco meat with some cans of beans, tomatoes and water and wah-lah-Taco Soup!

 

In Conclusion

Try think outside the box when you are stretching meals.  There are so many different ways you can save money on groceries and make the food you have at home last longer!  You can do it!

 

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Stretch meals and prevent waste with these easy grocery saving tips.

How To Get A Discount On Amazon Prime

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Tips For Saving Money On Amazon Prime!

Alright, the news is out and Amazon Prime has announced that they are raising their prices.  Starting on February 18, 2022, prices will increase from $119/year to $139/year.  As prices seem to be increasing all around us, hearing this extra price rise has been hard for many of us just trying to save a few bucks.  So, I did some research and found a few ways you can get a discount on Amazon Prime!

What is Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime is a subscription service from Amazon that gives you extra perks, including faster shipping, free shipping, access to thousands of video streaming content, kindle books and free music to stream.

You can subscribe for a yearly fee or monthly.  The choice is yours and you can cancel at anytime!

Sweet Frugal Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

What is included in Amazon Prime?

I like to think of it as multiple services (books, music, movies, etc.) all wrapped into one.  Amazon Prime offers you:

  • Access to stream thousands of movies and tv series
  • Millions of ad-free songs available for streaming
  • Thousands of kindle books, magazines and more
  • Early access to prime deals
  • Unlimited photo storage
  • Free shipping
  • And much, much more!

How to get a discount on Amazon Prime

I know so many people who love Amazon Prime, and all of its many benefits, but the high price tag just doesn’t fit into their budget.  If you can relate to this at all, then you’re in the right place!

I have scoured the internet, researched everything on Amazon, and found a few hacks to help you get an Amazon Prime Discount!

1.  Amazon Student

If you happen to be a student, then you qualify for an Amazon Prime discount through Amazon Student.  Anyone enrolled in a college or university, within the United States qualifies for the Amazon Student discount.

When you sign up for an Amazon Student account you will get 6 months of Prime for free!  At the end of the 6 month free trial, you can continue using Amazon Prime for a huge discount of just $7.49/month.

Amazon Student includes all of the prime perks, you will get the quick and free shipping, and the ability to stream movies, music and more!

2.  Free 30-Day Trial

All new Amazon Prime customers can get a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial!  This is a great way to experience all of the amazing benefits of having prime, for free!  You can cancel your free trial at any time, so no need to worry about signing up for long term if you decide it’s not right for you.

There are rumors that have claimed that Amazon will offer the free 30-day Amazon Prime trial to anyone who had prime in the past, but haven’t used it for over a year.  It’s worth looking into if you are an old customer who cancelled a year or two ago!

3.  EBT Discount

Another great Amazon Prime discount to look into is for anyone with an EBT (Electronics Benefits Transfer) card.  This is a discount that isn’t as talked about as much as the others, but totally should be!

If you currently have an EBT card, then you can get an Amazon Prime membership for just $5.99/month.  That’s less than half the price of a regular membership!

4.  Amazon Household

If there are multiple people living in one household, you can all save a little bit of money by sharing Amazon Prime benefits through Amazon Household.  With Amazon Household you can share a Prime account with 2 adults, 4 teens, and 4 children.  If everyone chips in a few dollars each month, it’s a great way to get all of the Prime benefits for less!

Keep in mind though, that you will be sharing your payment methods with each other, so make sure you are comfortable with that before setting up Amazon household.

5.  Metro by T-Mobile

If you happen to be a T-Mobile customer on the Metro plan, you can get Amazon Prime for FREE!  It is probably not worth switching cell phone plans just to get this discount, but it is a fun perk you should know about it if you already have the plan.

In Conclusion

Amazon Prime is such a great service, and I have loved using it off and on over the years.  I hope that these suggestions can help some of you enjoy a discount on Amazon Prime!

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I hope you are able to get a discount on Amazon Prime!

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