Sweet Frugal Life

Being Frugal Doesn't Make Life Any Less Sweet

Road Trip On A Budget

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How to save money on a family road trip.

My family and I are currently in the process of preparing for a spring break road trip.  We are so excited to spend quality time together and look forward to visiting a few sights, like the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and more!  Traveling by car can be a very frugal way to sight see, but like any vacation, expenses will add up quickly.  Today I’m sharing a few tips to help you road trip on a budget.

easy ways to save money on a road trip - cheap road trip ideas

Budget Friendly Road Trip Hacks

I am a huge proponent of the fact that you can still have FUN, enjoy life, and live on a BUDGET.  It’s possible!!  Planning a vacation around a road trip is a great way to have fun without spending a lot of money.  However, expenses can add up on, even when traveling by vehicle. 

So, here are a few ways you can save money on a family road trip…so that you can spend your hard earned money in other ways.

1.  Plan Ahead

One of the most important parts of road tripping on a budget is to plan ahead.  I suggest planning for your road trip a few months in advance (or as soon as you decide to travel).  There are a lot of factors to consider when making a good road trip plan.  Don’t forget to include: 

  • Making a budget (don’t forget to include gas, food, attractions, and miscellaneous)
  • Researching/planning places to eat, sleep and things to do
  • Meal planning/prep for foods you will pack and make yourself
  • Looking over the best route for driving

As you are making your road trip plan be sure you plan as frugally as possible using the tips below.  Give yourself enough time to research and plan ahead so that you will be able to find the most affordable options and frugal hacks.

How To Save Money on Road Trip Food

There are many ways to save money on road trip food.  Below are a few of my favorite hacks!

2.  Pack Your Own Food

One of my favorite parts of road tripping is the food.  There is just nothing better than munching on snacks, while listening to a good audiobook, and watching the scenery go by!  To save money on road trip food is important to pack as much as you can from home.

Buying food from gas stations and restaurants will get expensive fast.  And most tourist grocery stores will have higher prices than your local grocery store.  However, if you plan ahead (remember that little planning tip we already talked about 😉 ) and pack your own food in the car, you will be able to save a lot of money.

Here are a few of our favorite food to pack on a road trip:

  • Fresh fruit
  • Carrot sticks
  • Deli sandwiches
  • Bagels with cream cheese
  • Peanut butter sandwich
  • Granola bars
  • Muffins
  • Pita wraps
  • Nuts
  • Jerky
  • Popcorn
  • Pretzels
  • Yogurt
  • Salad

3.  Skip Restaurants & Eat At The Grocery Store

Ok, hear me out on this one!

If you don’t love the idea of packing your own food for your budget friendly road trip, then consider stopping at grocery stores along the way to eat your meals, rather than stopping at restaurants to eat.

You can get delicious, high quality food at grocery stores, with much lower prices than you would spend at a restaurant.  We love stopping at grocery stores for foods like deli sandwiches, friend chicken, fresh fruit and salads.  Try it, you just might like it!

4.  Stay At An Airbnb

Staying at an Airbnb is an easy way to save money on food expenses.  Most Airbnbs will give you access to a full kitchen, making it possible to cook all of your own meals, instead of eating out.

However, make sure to look at all of the hidden costs when booking an Airbnb to ensure that you really will be saving money.  The cleaning and extra fees can really add up, which means that sometimes it isn’t always the cheapest option!

5.  Stay In A Hotel With A Microwave/Fridge

You don’t have to book accommodations with a full kitchen to cook your own meals.  A hotel room with a microwave and fridge will provide all that you need to whip up a few easy meals.

Here are a some of the meals my family likes to eat in our kitchenette hotel room:

Breakfast:

  • Muffins
  • Yogurt parfaits
  • Fruit
  • Cereal
  • Oatmeal

Lunch & Dinner:

  • Mac and Cheese
  • Sandwiches
  • Bagels with Cream Cheese
  • Fruit
  • Protein Drink
  • Salad
  • Cup of Noodles

6.  Bring A Reusable Water Bottle

Avoid spending money on water bottles by packing your own reusable water bottle and filling it up with free water where available! 

I personally love this Stanley dupe water bottle.  It has a lot of really cute colors and great reviews.

7.  Eat Out For Lunch Instead of Dinner

If you do decide to go out to eat for a few meals, make sure to eat out for lunch instead of dinner.  Most restaurants will offer a cheaper menu during lunch hours, so that you can get the same product for a better price.

8.  Stay somewhere with a free breakfast

Make sure to always book a hotel that offers a free breakfast.  A free breakfast will give you one less meal you’ll have to pay for during the day.  Take advantage of the free breakfast by filling up so you can eat lighter for your other meals.

9.  Split A Meal

A great restaurant hack to save extra money is to order one meal and split it between two people!  This gives you two meals for the price of one!  You could even decide to eat half of your meal and then save the other half for lunch the next day!

10.  Take Advantage of Happy Hour

Many restaurants offer discount prices during happy hour.  It’s easy to do a quick google search to find restaurants nearby that participate in happy hour.  Plan your meals around those times and restaurants for the best discounts.

 

How to Save Money On Sleeping Accommodations

Taking your time and using patience is the best way to book budget friendly sleeping accommodations.  There are deals available…but it takes a little bit of searching and research!

11.  Shop Around For Sleeping Accommodations

Prices for the same hotel can differ on each website.  Make sure to take your time comparing multiple websites to find the best deal.

Next, call the hotel directly to ask if they can offer you an even lower price than what you found on the website.  Often if you call the hotel directly they will give you an even better deal than you found online.

Another option for finding good hotel deals is to use a bidding website, such as Priceline.  We used Priceline when booking a hotel for our trip to New York City and ended up staying in a beautiful hotel, with a fantastic room and in the perfect location….and it was a great price!

Make sure to book your hotel using the Rakuten cashback app!  It will often give you an extra 1-10% cashback on your hotel stay.

12.  Consider Camping

If you are really wanting to save money on overnight stays, you might want to consider camping somewhere.  Camping can be a much cheaper than a hotel room, especially if you already have your own camping equipment.

You could camp while sleeping in your car, or pack along a tent and sleeping bag to set up.  My kids love to camp and any chance we get to do it into a fun family adventure.  Camping is a great way to see new places while enjoying the fresh air.

13.  Stay With Friends Or Family

Another super cheap way to save money on lodging is to ask friends or family if you could stay with them for a night.  They will love being able to catch up and host their loved ones!  

Make sure to bring a nice thank you card or fresh flowers to show your gratitude!

 

How To Save Money On Entertainment

Try to have some fun while on your road trip!  My family loves getting to enjoy some of the fun things each of our destinations has to offer.  Fortunately, there are so many fun and free things you can do while traveling which makes frugality easy!  I’ve listed a few ideas below for your road trip on a budget!

14.  Visit Free Attractions

Road trips are a great way to see more of the world, and a lot of that can be done for free!  Look for free museums, zoos, or road side attractions that you can stop and visit.  Your family might also enjoy going on a hike, picnic, or playing in a nearby lake.

Talk to locals, and do some online research to find the best free attractions in the places you’ll be visiting.  You just might be surprised at how many you find!

15.  Get A National Parks Pass

An annual National Parks Pass is only $80!  There are so many fun and interesting things to see and do in our national parks, that $80 investment can bring a lot of fun and memories to your road trip.

There are also a few frugal hacks to purchasing a national parks pass, you can read all about them here.

16.  Use Coupons

When planning activities for your road trip, be sure to look into any coupons available.  I like to find coupons using Groupon, searching on google, or checking local facebook groups.

17.  Free Audiobooks

Listening to audiobooks is a great way to pass time while driving.  And guess what?!?!  You don’t have to spend any money to listen to audiobooks!  There are so many free resources out there for your enjoyment!  Be sure to check out my full list here:  Free Audiobook Resources.

 

How To Save Money On Gasoline When Road Tripping

One of the bigger expenses when it comes to a road trip is paying for gas.  As fuel prices keep climbing, consumers continue to look for new ways to save money.  Here are a few tips that might help.

18.  Drive Smart

The first way to save money on fuel is to drive smart!  Smart driving will help you get the most out of your car mileage.

Slightly changing the way you drive can make a big difference on your fuel consumption.  Slamming on your breaks or speeding up quickly will hurt your gas mileage.  Instead, try to get into the habit of accelerating and braking slowly and gradually.  It really does make a difference!

You’ll also find yourself saving money by driving at a decreased speed.  Driving at a speed of 65 mph is a good rule of thumb to get the best gas mileage.

19.  Use Upside Cashback App When Getting Gas

I’ve recently started using the free GetUpside app and loving it!  All you have to do is download the app and you will be able to see the gas offers in your area.  Choose the offer you want, the offers I’ve received have been anywhere from 15 cents/gallon – 1 cent/gallon cashback. After you select the offer you want to redeem, just go fill up with gas and scan your receipt into the GetUpside app.  It’s all really easy!  I’ve been using it for about a month and have earned $10 already!  Yay!

20.  Use the Gas Buddy App

The best way to find which gas station will be the best deal is to download and start using the free Gas Buddy app to help you find the cheapest gas in your area.

It’s really easy to use!  Just download the app and enter in your location.  The app will then search to find the gas prices near you.  Scroll through your options until you find the best deal and use that station to fill up!

The prices will change and vary day to day, so check the app each time you need gas.

Other Ways To Save Money On Your Road Trip

Here are a few other ways you can cut costs on your next family road trip.

21.  Avoid Traveling During Holidays

Holiday travel tends to make prices in all areas increase.  If you can, try to plan your trips over non-holiday weekends.  This will save you money on gas, activities, and lodging.

22.  Pack instead of buy

Reduce the amount of items you will have to buy on your road trip by planning ahead and packing as much as you can.  Don’t forget to pack medication, band aids, all of the shoes you will need, jackets, and any other gear you think will be useful.

There is nothing worst than getting to your destination to realize you have to go to the store and buy something that you forgot to pack.

23.  Avoid Toll Roads

Toll roads are often an unexpected expense.  Make sure to plan your driving route to avoid having to pay these tolls. 

Use google maps to find the best non-toll road route.  This is easily done by clicking on the “avoid tolls” button in the “plan route” section.

24.  Invite A Friend

Inviting a friend on your frugal road trip is another great way to reduce costs.  Together you can split the cost of gasoline, lodging, and even meals at restaurants!  Plus, you’ll make countless memories!

 

 

In Conclusion

Don’t let frugality stop you from exploring and having fun.  Instead, have fun in a frugal way!  I hope these ideas help you to have an incredibly fun road trip on a budget!

 

Pin For Later:

frugal road trip tips - budget road trip

 

 

 

A road trip on a budget is possible!

Seasonal Sales Cycles: What To Buy Each Month For The Best Deal

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The Best Time To Buy Everything Month By Month

Ok. I want to let you in on a little secret…..are you ready for it????  Here goes!  

Shopping seasonal sales will change your finances.

There, I said it!

Will this one little hack change your finances drastically????  No!

But, will it help you to have more money?  Absolutely!

 

What is a sales cycle?

A sales cycle, also called seasonal sales, is when certain products are put on sale at specific times during the year.  These are usually the times when the products will be priced at their lowest, so if it’s an item you like to buy frequently, you should buy it during that time.

Learning the cycle of seasonal sales is one of the best ways to cut down your regular spending.  I like to wait to buy some of my fave products until I know the sale is likely coming, and then I can confidently buy it at the low price.

What stores have seasonal sales?

Are you wondering what stores have seasonal sales cycles?  Well, you’re in luck because all of them do!  Seriously!  Or at least at MOST stores.   You should be able to find a rotation of sales at clothing, grocery, furniture, hardware stores and more!

Items go on sale in cycles, typically the same products will be on sale the same time of year each year.  Keep reading to find out exactly what goes on sale and when.

 

What’s on Sale in January?

Bedding and Towels:  Many department stores will have sales on their bedding, towels and sheets during January as part of their “white sales.”

Holiday Decorations:  As Christmas ends, you will find huge discounts on all things holiday.  These usually begin right at the end of December/beginning of January.  But make sure to be quick shopping for all things Christmas, as these items will go fast!

Gym Memberships and Equipment:  With the turn of the New Years comes New Years Resolutions, and many goals revolve around fitness.  Because of these goals retailers commonly mark down their gym memberships and fitness equipment.

Calendars and Planners:  If you wait until after January 1 you will be able to get a cheaper price on calendars and planners for the upcoming year.

Toys:  Another great seasonal sales cycle that comes in January is toys!  You should be able to find markdowns on many toys as retailers are trying to decrease their stock of Christmas toys.  This is a good time to stock up for next year or for birthdays!

Grocery Sales in January

Oatmeal Products:  January is National Oatmeal Month, which means grocery stores will put their oatmeal products on sale.  The sales will include granola bars, instant oatmeal, and oat cereal.

Diet Foods:  As mentioned above, January is a popular month for dieting.  A lot of stores take advantage of these new years goals by putting their diet foods on sale.

Party Foods:  Towards the end of January, as the Super Bowl gets closer, you will be able to find markdowns on party foods.  Look for deals on crackers, pizza, wings, chips, dips, soda etc.

In Season Produce:  This month the cheapest produce to buy will be:  apples, grapefruits, kiwi, lemons, clementine’s, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels spouts, celery, and leeks.

 

 

What’s on Sale in February?

Winter Clothing:  February is a great time to stock up on cold weather clothing, such as clothes, gloves, hats, etc.  Many stores are trying to get rid of their supply to make room for summer/spring clothing.

TVs:  The beginning of February is one of the best times (excluding Black Friday) to buy a new TV.  The prices are heavily discounted right before Super Bowl week.

Furniture:  If you are in the market for new furniture/mattresses, Presidents Day is usually a great time to buy these items!

Video Games:  New video games are commonly released in November, right before the holidays.  If you wait until February to buy these new games you will most likely get them on a discount!

Grocery Sales in February

Chocolate:  Chocolate is heavily discounted after Valentines Day.  Stock up for birthday gifts or yummy snacking!

Canned Food:  February is National Canned Food month making it the perfect time of year to stock up on all the canned goods.  Most grocery stores will be having sales on canned foods including beans, tomatoes, soup, fruit, etc.

In Season Produce:  Seasonal produce in February includes asparagus, broccoli, carrots, celery, kiwi, avocados, lemons and grapefruit.

 

 

What’s On Sale in March?

Luggage:  Luggage typically goes on sale during March, so if you are in need of a new suitcase, this is your month!

Craft Supplies:  March is National Craft Month!  Look for deals on all things craft supplies this month.

Winter Sports Gear:  Now that spring is coming it is a perfect time to buy winter sports gear.  Items like skis and snowshoes will be discounted at many sporting good stores.

Cleaning Supplies:  Spring cleaning is just around the corner and many retailers will start discounting their cleaning supplies in March.

Grocery Sales in March

Frozen Foods:  National Frozen Food Month is in March, meaning many grocers offer deals on all things frozen foods.  It’s the perfect time to stock up on ice cream, frozen veggies, pizza and more.

Breakfast Cereals:  March 7th is National Cereal Day and with that comes discounts on both cold and hot cereals.

In Season Produce:  This month is also a great time to buy broccoli, carrots, celery, mushrooms, cauliflower, oranges, pineapples, and strawberries.

 

What’s On Sale in April?

Easter:  Stock up on all things Easter after the holiday is over.  You will be able to find deals on Easter baskets, eggs, candy, stuffed animals, and decorations.

Vacuums:  New vacuum models are typically released in April, and the older models will go on sale, just in time for spring cleaning.

Snow Blowers:  April is not the month when most people have snow blowers on their mind, but it is the perfect time to buy one for a discounted price!

Cookware Sets:  With graduation and wedding season approaching many department stores start discounting their cookware sets (which make perfect gifts)!

Grocery Sales in April

Ham:  Many foods will be marked down immediately after Easter, including ham!  It’s a great time to get a deal on this expensive meat.

Baking Items:  You can usually find some good deals on baking items throughout the month of April.

Easter Candy:  Make sure to stock up on Easter candy after the holiday is over.

In Season Produce:  The produce in season during the month of April is:  artichokes, beets, zucchini, peas, mushrooms, onion, avocado, and mangos.

 

What’s On Sale in May?

Furniture:  Memorial Day weekend is one of the best times of the year to buy furniture.  If you are needing any indoor furniture or mattresses, this is the month to do so!

Small Kitchen Appliances:  May is the perfect time to get deals on small kitchen appliances as retailers mark them down for graduation and wedding season.  

Paper Products:  A lot of grilling/picnic items go on sale right before Memorial Day weekend, including paper products like plates, napkins, etc.

Grocery Sales in May

Cinco De Mayo:  Cinco De Mayo is on May 5th which brings a lot of celebrations, and a few deals!  At the beginning of the month look for sales on salsa, tortillas, and other Mexican foods.

Grilling Items:  Condiments, hamburger buns, hot dogs and other grilling foods are commonly put on sale during May in preparation for Memorial Day BBQs.

In Season Produce:  Make sure to look for these seasonal produce items:  apricots, artichokes, beets, blackberries, carrots, cantaloupe, peas, radish, strawberries and watermelon.

 

 

What’s On Sale in June?

Bath and Body Products:  Bath and Body Works always has their semi annual sale in June with fantastic markdowns!  This is a great time to stock up on your favorite bath and body products, I also like to buy a few to gift as Christmas presents!  This is one of my favorite seasonal sales cycles!

Tools:  With Fathers Day in the middle of June, you will find prices on tools dropping.  These make great gifts for Fathers Day, but you can also plan ahead for Christmas!

Workout Clothing:  Many retailers put their workout clothing on sale in June as people tend to get more active during the summer months.  This is a good time to get a deal on clothes for exercising or outdoor adventures.

Spring Clothing:  June is a great month for shopping clothing clearance racks.  Most of the spring clothes are put on sale to make room for all of the summer items.

Pain Killers:  Did you know that June is National Headache Month (yes, this is a real thing!)?  You can usually find a few deals on pain killers, sinus medications, aspirin, etc.  

Grocery Sales in June

Dairy Foods:  June is National Dairy Month and with it brings grocery deals on all things dairy, including milk, yogurt, eggs, ice cream and cheese.

Grilling Items:  Like May you can find a lot of deals on foods for grilling, such as meats, condiments, buns, etc.

In Season Produce:  Here are a few of the produce items that are in season this month:  corn, cucumbers, squash, apricots, blueberries, peaches, strawberries and watermelon.

 

What’s On Sale in July?

Patriotic Items:  Immediately after the 4th of July is the best time of year to stock up on supplies, decorations and clothing for next years celebrations.  These sales will begin right before the holiday, but if you wait and buy after the 4th, the discount will be even greater.

Paint:  Lowes and Home Depot typically have paint sales in July.  If you’ve been wanting to paint a room in your house, this is a great month to do it!

Swimsuits:  Near the end of the month you will start seeing discounts on swimsuits, stock up now before they get picked over!

Grocery Sales in July

Ice Cream:  July is National Ice Cream Month (AKA:  the best holiday ever!).  Grocery stores will be having sales on ice cream, so be on the lookout for those throughout the month!

Hot Dogs:  In addition to ice cream, July is also National Hot Dog Month!  You will be able to find deals on hot dogs, buns and condiments.

In Season Produce:  Seasonal produce this month include blueberries, watermelon, green beans, squash, swiss chard, tomatoes, corn and cucumbers.

 

What’s On Sale in August?

School/Office Supplies:  August is a popular time for retailers to mark down their school and office supplies in preparation for back to school time.  Stock up now and be prepared all year.

Patio Furniture:  As summer comes to an end, you will be able to find good deals on outdoor patio furniture.  It’s a great time to buy ahead to use for next year!

Yard Care Supplies:  This is the perfect month for buying garden supplies, lawn mowers and other yard care items.  Retailers are marking down yard care supplies to clear them out before winter comes.

Grocery Sales In August

Breakfast Foods:  The first day of school will be starting soon, and typically the seasonal sales cycles include deals on easy foods for parents and kids.  Breakfasts items is one of those foods.  You should see sales on cereal, juice, and frozen waffles.

Cold Lunch Foods:  In addition to breakfast, food items for cold lunch will also be going on sale.  Make sure to stock up on fruit cups, lunch meat, lunchables, crackers and peanut butter.

In Season Produce:  Stock up on these produce items in August:  peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, raspberries and watermelon.

 

What’s On Sale in September?

Summer Clothing:  September is the perfect month to stock up on warm weather clothing to use for next year.  You will find big discounts at most clothing stores.

Luggage:  Labor Day weekend typically brings great sales on luggage.  Make sure to buy any suitcases you will need during the first weekend of September.

Grills:  This is the perfect month to buy that new grill you’ve been eyeing.  They will be marked down as part of the end of summer clearance sales.

Mattresses:  Another popular Labor Day weekend sale is on mattresses.  Check your local furniture store for this great seasonal sale cycle deal!

Grocery Sales in September

Canned Soup:  Fall is just around the corner and you’ll begin seeing markdowns on fall comfort foods, such as canned soups.

In Season Produce:  Make sure to watch out for good deals on these September produce items:  apples, green beans, cantaloupe, beets, cauliflower, onion, tomatoes and pears.

 

 

What’s On Sale in October?

Jeans:  October is one of the best times of the year to buy jeans.  They are commonly marked down as back to school season ends.

Camping Gear:  If you like to camp, or want to start camping, October is the perfect month to stock up on new supplies.  The discounts are heavy now that summer is officially over!

Grocery Sales in October

Seafood:  October is National Seafood Month and grocers will offer sales on seafood throughout the month to celebrate.

Baking Sales:  The fall baking sales are prevalent during October.  You should be able to find many baking items on sale including canned pumpkin, chocolate chips, evaporated milk, flour, sugar, etc.

In Season Produce:  You’ll find the best deals on these produce items during October:  apples, potatoes, cranberries, grapes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, broccoli and cabbage.

 

What’s On Sale in November?

Halloween Costumes:  Head into the store the first couple of days after Halloween to stock up on Halloween costumes.  These are great to keep around for next years Halloween or for your kids to use when playing dress up.

Electronics:  November is the best month of the year to buy electronics, especially during Black Friday sales.  This is a great time of year to buy TVs, laptops, and other electronics.

Beauty Products:  Black Friday is also a great time to buy beauty products like makeup and hair tools.  Most beauty stores will have big sales all weekend.

Appliances:  Appliances are traditionally included in the November Black Friday deals.  You should find some of the lowest prices on refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, etc. this month.

Grocery Sales in November

Canned Food:  Thanksgiving pantry staples will be on sale this month, so look for deals on canned pumpkin, canned cranberry sauce, sweetened condensed milk and canned vegetables.

Halloween Candy:  All Halloween candy will go on sale the first week of November.  You can stock up on candy to use for Christmas or other events throughout the year (or just to eat yourself….).

In Season Produce:  Be sure to shop this months in season produce:  beets, broccoli, pears, brussels sprouts, carrots, kiwis, oranges, potatoes and pomegranates.

 

What’s On Sale in December?

Gift Cards:  Gift cards will be on sale throughout the month of December.  This is the perfect time to buy gift cards to give as presents or to use throughout the next year.  Look for gift card sales from retailers and restaurants.  Last year I bought a few Target gift cards for 10% off!

Vehicles:  December is a great time to buy a new vehicle.  Many dealerships are more willing to negotiate at the end of the year to clear the lot for newer models.

Christmas Decorations/Wrapping Paper:  Wait until after Christmas to shop for new holiday decorations and wrapping paper.  They will be heavily discounted at the end of the month.  I always like to stock up to save for the next year.

Grocery Sales in December

Baking Goods:  Baking items continue to be on sale throughout the holidays.  Watch for deals on items like flour, sugar, pie crusts, and whipped cream.

Party Foods:  As the end of the month nears take advantage of grocery sales on party foods such as veggie trays, crackers and dips.

In Season Produce:  Winter produce will be priced right this month, stock up on items like:  pears, cauliflower, celery, grapefruit, oranges, and spinach.

 

Shop Smart

If you regularly shop the seasonal sales cycles you will begin to see a decrease in your spending (which in turn increases the amount of money in your pocket!).  It requires some patience and effort, but it’s worth the wait to score good deals on items you need and want!

 

Here are a few other articles to help you save more money:

10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

12 Products Worth Buying To Save Money In The Long Run

15 Best Generic Products To Buy

 

Pin For Future Reference:

month to month sales cycles - when do things go on sale

how to buy everything on sale - grocery sales cycles tips

Enjoy shopping the seasonal sales cycles now that you know what to buy each month for the best deal. 

 

Fall Activities For Families

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Fall Bucket List Ideas.

Ahhhh fall!  My favorite time of year.  It’s the perfect fresh start as school begins, the air turns crisp, and we get to enjoy a bountiful garden harvest.  There are also so many fall activities for families making the season perfect in every way! 

With fall just around the corner, we decided to share some of our fall bucket list ideas.  Hopefully they will help you and your family find some fun, frugal things to do together.

“Sweet Frugal Life is an Amazon Associate.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Fall Activities For Families

Check out our favorite fall bucket list ideas below.  These will make fall fun, while staying in budget!

1.  Have a Bonfire

Fall is the perfect time for a bonfire.  Invite some friends over for a backyard bonfire, or head up to the mountains and enjoy a large fire together in the forest.  Make sure to bring some marshmallows to roast!  Enjoy snuggling under a blanket and the fresh crisp air.

To keep the bonfire extra frugal friendly, skip all of the smores toppings and just roast marshmallows!  They only cost $1/bag and are so tasty when melty.

2.  Go Apple Picking

Fall is a great time to buy apples for a low price.  Check out your local farmers market for cheap apples…or better yet go pick them yourself at a u pick apple orchard!  This is a great activity to get your whole family involved in.

There isn’t much better than spending a day in the orchard picking apples, at least for me!

3.  Carve Pumpkins

What’s Halloween (or fall) without a carved pumpkin???  Buy a few pumpkins from the store (or grow your own) and spend time together as a family being creative as you carve pumpkins. 

You don’t even need to buy the carving kits in the store.  Just print out a few free templates from the internet and use your kitchen knives for carving.  Frugal for the win!

4.  Fall Scavenger Hunt

Another perfect fall activity for families is to go on a fall scavenger hunt.  This can be done in your neighborhood, a nearby forest. or a local park.

Just use a brown paper bag (or whatever you have at home) to collect different colored leaves, acorns, pine cones, etc.  You might want to make a list of specific items to look for to have a common goal while hunting!

5.  Fall Crafting

Fall is the perfect time for crafting!  As the weather cools down, spend some time inside working on a craft together as a family.

Check out this super easy Toilet Paper Roll Pumpkin.  It’s the best project for both crafters and non-crafters, and it turns out SO cute!

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6.  Attend a High School Football Game

What’s fall without some football!  Make you would enjoy being a part of the community by attending your local high school football game.  There is just something special about the cool fall air, bright Friday night lights, and the energy of a crowd.

Plus, tickets are usually really cheap making this a great fall activity for families!

7.  Make Applesauce

Have you ever had homemade applesauce?  It is so much better than store bought!  My kids look forward to it every year, and I love making it!

Making applesauce be a very big process, but it’s a fun way to spend an afternoon together as a family.  Plus, there is just nothing better than the smell of sweet apples and cinnamon in the house.  It makes me happy!

Be sure to grab this applesauce maker and apple corer/peeler/spiralizer.  They both make the applesauce process much easier, promise, game changers!

8.  Go to the Pumpkin Patch

Spend a fun family day at the pumpkin patch.  It can be so fun walking around the pumpkin patch while looking at all of the different colors, shapes, and sizes of each pumpkin.

To make the experience a little cheaper you could choose to buy just one pumpkin as a family to share together.

 

 

9.  Go On a Hike

Fall is the perfect time of year to get up in the mountains and enjoy nature with a hike.  You could even make a day out of it by packing a picnic!  I love seeing the beauty in the forest as the leaves are changing color.

10.  Bake Something

Is there anything better than fall baking???  I think not!  Spend time together in the kitchen baking some fun fall treats.  

Here are a few of my fave recipes to try:  Grandmas Famous Banana Bread Recipe or Whole Wheat Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe.

11.  Play in the Leaves

Rake up a big pile of leaves and then have some fun jumping into them!  This is the perfect way to get your kids to help with the work…and then celebrate with some fun!

12.  Drink Apple Cider

On the first day of fall each year I buy a box of Apple Cider for our family to enjoy.  My kids love this simple tradition!

13.  Go to The Corn Maze

Go to your local corn maze and get lost!  Try it both during day time and night time for different experiences. 

Most corn mazes will offer daily deals, so be sure to look out for “buy one get one free” or “family discount” days.  Last year we went on bring a pet day and received a discount.

14.  Paint a Pumpkin

Don’t like carving pumpkins?  Consider painting one instead.  You could paint a funny face on it or even make a pretty design, the sky’s the limit!

15.  Dip Apples in Caramel

Making caramel apples is a fun fall activity, but can get a little messy!  So, I love to buy apples and caramel for dipping instead.  It’s much less work and you can control how much caramel goes on each apple (the more the better in my opinion!).

16.  Make a Fall Treat

One of our favorite fall bucket list ideas is treats!  Because treats just happen to be my love language!

There are so many delicious goodies you can make during fall.  Pumpkin cookies and apple pie are a couple of favorites at our house.  My kids always request these Monster Rice Krispie Treats. They are perfect for Halloween time and sure to be a huge hit!

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17.  Go On a Hay Ride

Hay rides are so much fun and the perfect fall activity!  Look at your community events and find a place where they might be offering hay rides.  They are usually only a few dollars per person.

18.  Roast Pumpkin Seeds

After carving pumpkins, be sure to save the seeds for roasting.

All you have to do is wash the seeds and place them on a cookie sheet.  Drizzle olive oil on top and sprinkle with seasoning salt.  Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Easy and so so tasty!

19.  Go To The Farmers Market

Does your community have a farmers market?  Spend a day as a family browsing the different booths. 

Farmers markets are a fun place to taste a few samples, listen to some good music and maybe buy a treat or two.  It makes for a lovely morning out, without having to spend a lot of money.

20.  Plant Fall Bulbs

Fall is a great time of you to plant a fall flower bulbs in your yard.  When you plant them in the fall you will be rewarded with beautiful flowers in the spring, which is such a fun treat to see!  My favorite bulbs to plant each fall are tulips and daffodils.

21.  Watch Football at Home

Invite a few friends over to watch a football game together on TV.  Ask everyone to bring an appetizer or dessert so you can eat while enjoying the big game.

22.  Watch a Halloween Movie

Another fun fall activity for families is to watch a Halloween movie together.  A few good family friendly Halloween movies are:  Double, Double, Toil and Trouble, The Haunted Mansion, Casper, and Hocus Pocus.

In Conclusion

Fall is such a magical time of year, but it doesn’t have to be expensive!  I hope a few of these fall bucket list ideas helps you to have a wonderful fall with your family!

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How to Save Money When Eating Out

By: Sweet Frugal Life6 Comments

Best tips to save money at restaurants.

It’s so fun to go out to eat!  You don’t have to wash any dishes, someone does all of the cooking for you, you don’t have to wash any dishes, the food is delicious, and did I mention you don’t have to wash any dishes (because that’s totally my favorite part!)??!?!?!  The only negative to eating out is that restaurants can be so expensive!  Going out to eat regularly can take a huge toll on your budget.  Today I am going to share a few tips to teach you how to save money when eating out.

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5 Ways to Spend Less at Restaurants

Want to eat out without spending a lot of money?  I have you covered with these 5 frugal restaurant hacks.

1.  Eat Out For Lunch

One of our favorite ways to save money when eating out is to eat out for lunch rather than dinner.  Most lunch menus will be very similar to a dinner menu, but with cheaper prices.

Eating at restaurants for lunch is also perfect for ordering a smaller meal, such as a sandwich or a salad, both of which are usually cheaper. This is a great way to enjoy the great food (and less dishes!), without having to spend full price.

2.  Skip The Extras

Anyone else always tempted to purchase the extras when at a restaurant???  Or just me???  You can order a drink, appetizer, dessert, extra sides and so on and so on.  It can be easy to get carried away once you sit down and start ordering.

I’ve found that the best way to stretch my dollar is to skip all of the extras.  Instead of ordering a drink, order water.  Skip the appetizer and dessert as well.  They are both very over priced.  Instead, consider stopping for a cheap treat on your way home; or better yet eat something sweet once you get home!

3.  Shop the Deals

Become familiar with your local restaurant deals. Many restaurants will have specialty discount nights.  These might be in the form of:

  • Kids eat free nights
  • Buy one get one free
  • Special family deals. 

Before eating out do a little research to find the restaurant deals in your areas.  Plan the nights you eat out around those discounts.  One of our favorite restaurants offers a buy one get one free lunch on Thursdays.  So, we will often go out for a lunch date and take advantage of that deal.

Another great place for restaurant deals is the website Restaurant.com.   This is a great website for huge discounts on your favorite restaurants. 

They sell gift cards for a discounted price.  So, if you buy the discounted gift card before going out to eat, you can get your meal for much cheaper!  I just bought a $10 card at our favorite yogurt shop for only $4!!  Great deal, right????

Try to buy a discounted gift card from Restaurant.com before going out to eat, you will begin to see a huge savings.

4.  Split the Meal

Turn one restaurant meal into two meals by splitting your entree in half!

All you have to do is eat half of your meal, and then get a takeout box to bring the other half of the meal home for another meal.  You will get two restaurant quality meals for the price of one!  Yay!

You could also split the entree with your spouse or friend.  My husband and I split meals quite often and the servers are always more than happy to accommodate us and bring out two plates with one entree.

5.  Turn an Appetizer into a Meal

Another great way to save money when eating out is to turn an appetizer into an entree.  

Appetizers are often much cheaper than entrees, but they still provide a large amount of food.  Consider ordering a trio appetizer for a well rounded meal.  Many times I actually prefer an appetizer to a meal.  Win, win!

 

In Conclusion:

Eating out is a fun way to take a break and enjoy a good meal.  There is nothing wrong with enjoying a meal out, as long as you stay within budget.  Just make sure to plan ahead and practice self control!

 

Related Articles:

10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

The Best Frugal Living Tips You Need to Know

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How To Save Money On Gas

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Best Tips To Learn How To Save Money On Gasoline.

Anyone else notice the cost of gasoline rising?  I basically want to cry gigantic tears every time I go to the pump to fill up.  After I finally wiped away my tears I decided I needed to learn how to save money on gas to help prevent any more grumpiness.

I’m still trying to implement these new learned lessons, but so far I have been so excited to see my gas bill come down slightly, and I hope to decrease it even more over time!

How To Save Money On Gas

Here are a few things I have been doing to help decrease my fuel expenses.  I hope they help you save some money too!  Remember, every little penny can add up to big savings over time, especially at the pump!

1.  Shop Around

Never fill up at the first gas station you see.  It might be the closest, but that doesn’t mean it is the cheapest option, and we definitely want the cheapest!

The best way to find which gas station will be the best deal is to download and start using the free Gas Buddy app to help you find the cheapest gas in your area.

It’s really easy to use!  Just download the app and enter in your location.  The app will then search to find the gas prices near you.  Scroll through your options until you find the best deal and use that station to fill up!

The prices will change and vary day to day, so check the app each time you need gas.

2.  Carpool

Another great way to save money on gas is through carpooling.  Bonus, it will also save your car on wear and tear!

You might want to consider asking a few co-workers who live near you if they would like to carpool to work together.  Just meet at one central location and then take turns driving.

Or!  If you are a parent you could ask other parents to carpool to your kids activities together.  There is no need for 5 parents to all drive to the same place, right?  Right!

If you feel nervous about asking others to carpool with you just remember that we are all looking for ways to make gas cheaper, so they will most likely be thrilled to join your carpool!

3.  Join a Warehouse Club

Most warehouse clubs sell gasoline for much cheaper than the typical gas station.  Sam’s Club and Costco both consistently have much cheaper gas than the local gas station.

Just make sure you will use your club membership wisely.  Sometimes these memberships can tempt us to spend more money than we normally would, but if used correctly this is a great way to save money and shop smartly!  Check out the best deals at Costco here!

 4.  Brake and Accelerate Gradually

Slightly changing the way you drive can make a big difference on your fuel consumption.  Slamming on your breaks or speeding up to quickly will hurt your gas mileage.  Instead, try to get into the habit of accelerating and braking slowly and gradually.  It really does make a difference!

5.  Drive Less

You can save on gas by spending less time driving.  I know this might be a difficult one for many people, we have places to go and things to do!  But, if you are able this will be a great way to cut monthly costs.

Here are a few alternatives you might consider to help minimize your driving time:

  • Bike or walk instead of driving.
  • Work from home if possible.
  • Combine errands into one outing.
  • Park further away from your destination and walk.

6.  Earn Cashback

If you are going to be filling up with gas anyways, you might as well earn some cashback while doing so.  Here are a few of my favorite ways to get some money back at the pump:

  • GetUpside:  I’ve recently started using the free GetUpside app and loving it!  All you have to do is download the app and you will be able to see the gas offers in your area.  Choose the offer you want, the offers I’ve received have been anywhere from 15 cents/gallon – 1 cent/gallon cashback. After you select the offer you want to redeem, just go fill up with gas and scan your receipt into the GetUpside app.  It’s all really easy!  I’ve been using it for about a month and have earned $10 already!  Yay!
  • Fetch Rewards:  Fetch Rewards is one of my favorite ways to earn some extra gift cards.  All you have to do is scan your receipts, including gas AND grocery receipts!  So, after you get gas, just scan your receipt into the Fetch Rewards app and you will be rewarded with points!  These points can be redeemed later for gift cards to your favorite places, such as Amazon, Target, etc.
  • Discover Card:  I love using my Discover Card when making gasoline purchases.  I get 1% spent cashback every time I fill up with gas, but Discover will offer 5% bonus cashback every few months on gas purchases.  I love these bonus months!

7.  Keep Tires Inflated

Remember that the maintenance of your vehicle will effect its fuel efficiency.  One thing that could hurt the fuel efficiency is letting your tires become deflated.  Make sure to keep your cars tires inflated at the proper levels to get the most bang for your buck.  According to the U.S. Department of energy this one trick can save you up to $.02/gallon.

Bonus!  Keeping your tires properly inflated will also help your tires to last longer, which will save you even more money!  This is what I like to hear!

8.  No Idling

An important way to save money on gas is to not keep your engine on when your car is idling for a long time.  Keep in mind that when your engine is on, you are using fuel, even if you aren’t moving. 

Never let your car sit and idle for a long period of time.  If you know you will be waiting in your car for a few minutes, maybe when picking up kids, checking the map on your phone, or getting groceries, turn off the cars engine to prevent using any unnecessary fuel.

9.  Roll Up Windows

Driving with the windows down can be fun and refreshing, but it also hurts your gas mileage.  To start saving more money on your gas bill, leave your windows up when driving.  It will make a difference!

10.  Regular Maintenance

As mentioned before, it is so important to keep your car up to date on regular maintenance and serviced.  This regular maintenance will help ensure your vehicle is getting the best gas mileage possible.

11.  Join A Fuel Rewards Program

Make sure to join a few fuel rewards programs to earn rewards, such as free gas and discounts!  This is a great way to knock a few pennies off the price of your gasoline.  

Here are a few suggestions of stores with fuel rewards programs:

In Conclusion

These are my best tips for helping you learn how to save money on gas!  I encourage you to try a few, or all of these tips out and let me know if you start to see some savings or not!

 

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Cheap Mothers Day Gift Ideas

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Mothers Day 2021 Gift Ideas.

Are you looking for some cheap mothers day gift ideas?  That perfect gift that will help mom feel special, but will also fit in your budget?  I’ve got you covered!  Mother’s Day is such a special holiday.  I love celebrating all of the many wonderful women in the world.

Whether you are shopping for a gift for your sweet mom or a special lady in your life, I hope this list of cheap gifts for women helps you find the perfect gift for that perfect someone.  Best of all??  Everything is under $30!

Cheap Gift Ideas For Mothers Day

1.  Bamboo Bathtub Caddy Tray

Moms deserve a little break every now and then!  This Bamboo Bathtub Caddy Tray is the perfect gift to give her a little relaxing time.  It’s expandable with multiple slots and sections for all of her favorite devices and bathtub needs!

2.  Women’s Pajama Set 

What woman doesn’t love lounging in a new PJ set?  I haven’t met one yet!  This set is very cute and looks so comfy.  It comes in 4 different colors and only costs $24.99!

 

3.  Indoor Herb Garden Starter Set

This Herb Garden Set is the perfect gift for someone who loves to cook or garden.  It comes with everything you need to grow cilantro, thyme, parsley and basil right in your window sill.  The reviews are great and it’s less than $30!

4.  Lip Sleep Mask

Using a lip sleep mask has been one of the best things I’ve done for my lips!  This makes a great gift for any lady.  It’s something that many won’t spend money on, but love to use!  This lip sleep mask is less than $15 and currently has a 10% off coupon to make it even cheaper!

 

5.  Spa Gift Set

This lavender spa gift set is adorable!  I love that it comes in a mini tub!  Another thing that I love is that it is packed full of an assortment of spa supplies, including bath bombs, body lotion, shower gel, and more! 

 

6.  Shower Steamers

Shopping for someone who doesn’t love taking baths?  They might love these shower steamers!  They come in a 6 pack with different scents.  You can use them similar to a bath bomb, but instead of placing them in the bath water, they go on the floor of your shower!

 

7.  Microfiber Hair Turban

Another cheap Mothers Day gift idea is this microfiber hair turban.  With over 25,000 positive reviews and less than $10 for a two pack, this is a great find!  The hair turban will cut down on drying time making less damage to your hair, which is what we all want!

 

8.  Tote Bag

I love these crossbody tote bags.  They are perfect for carrying around all of your necessities.  There are many colors to choose from, so you are sure to find something for everyone!  Plus they are on sale!

9.  Plush Throw Blanket

 You can never go wrong gifting a nice throw blanket to someone!  I found this pretty fleece blanket and love it!  There are many colors to choose from and only $17!

10.  Magnolia Table Cookbook

 Another great gift idea for moms is to gift them the Magnolia Table Cookbook.  This is the perfect present for anyone who loves to cook or Joanna Gaines fans.  I have this cookbook and love the recipes in it!  The pictures are beautiful, recipes are easy to put together, and some of our family favorite!

 

11.  Slippers

How about buying your mom some cozy slippers!  These slip on slippers are the perfect gift!  They have so many positive reviews and are a great deal!

 

12.  Scented Soy Candle

This scented soy candle not only has thousands of positive reviews, but is also so cute!  I want to try each of the many different scents.

 

13.  The Home Edit Book

I fell across The Home Edit while watching their series on Netflix, and am officially obsessed!  They share some of the best organizational tips to make home organizing so much easier.  This book would be the perfect gift for anyone!

 

14.  Fruit Infuser Water Bottle

How about gifting a fruit infuser water bottle?  These are so fun for making water a little tastier and more fun to drink.  This one is super cute and comes with recipes, oh how I love recipes!

 15.  Faux Plants

A touch of greenery adds some warmth and color to any home.  This cute faux plant is a perfect gift for someone who loves farmhouse decor.

 

16.  Mama Necklace

Jewelry is always a great gift idea for women.  This Mama necklace is extra special for a mom figure in your life.  There are three different colors to choose from, and a lot of great reviews!

 

17.  Pretty Dish Towels

I love these pretty Denim and Cotton dish towels.  They come as a set of four and are a very trendy design.  Dish towels are something I always love receiving as a gift, because mine get so dirty to quickly!

 

18.  What I Love About Mom Journal

If you are looking for a gift from a child to mom this What I Love About Mom journal is perfect!  The child can fill in the journal prompts all about mom and then gift it to her.  This makes a perfect keepsake for many many years.

 

19.  Best Mom Ever Mug

Sometimes traditional gifts make the best gifts!  I love this beautiful marbled Best Mom Ever Mug.  It comes with a matching coaster and stirring spoon.  

 

20.  Sheet Mask Set

Give mom some pampering this year with this set of 8 sheet masks.  They have no harsh chemicals and are the perfect way to brighten and hydrate your face.

 

21.  Himalayan Salt Body Scrub

This 10 oz. Himalayan salt body scrub looks so cute and fun to use.  It is a great way to exfoliate skin and help your body to relax.

22.  Makeup Organizer

If your mom enjoys makeup, she might like having a new organizer.  This rotating makeup organizer is adjustable and perfect for storing all things makeup, jewelry and skin care.

23.   Soft Bathrobe

Another cheap mothers day gift idea is to gift mom a soft bathrobe.  This Kimono Style Bathrobe is perfect!  It has a great length, many different colors to choose from, and looks so comfy!

24.   Ceramic Ring Dish

It’s always nice to be reminded that you are loved, which is why this ceramic ring dish is the perfect gift for mom on any occasion!  Plus, it’s function!  I love functional gifts!

 

25.  Felt Letter Board

Felt letter boards make such a fun decoration in the house.  They are perfect for displaying inspirational or seasonal messages.  I’ve always wanted one and would love to receive this gift (hint….husband…. ;))!

 

It’s The Thought That Counts

I love giving gifts to people I care about, and I love receiving gifts.  But, there is one thing I hope everyone would remember when shopping for someone.  The price tag of a gift does not matter, what matters is the thought and care you put into choosing a gift for someone.

There are so many wonderful, thoughtful gifts out there that won’t break the bank, but will be so fun to receive!

 

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What Should I Plant In My Garden? I’ll help you decide!

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Wondering what is the best things to plant in the garden?  I’m here to help you decide!

Asking yourself the question, “What should I plant in my garden?”  I’ve been there!  Keep reading to help you plan the perfect garden for you!

I am so excited that Spring is here! The snow has (finally!) all melted around my house and I’ve been anxiously checking my garden every day.  I can’t wait to start planting little seeds.  There is nothing more exciting to me than planting a tiny little seed into the ground and watching it grow into a beautiful plant producing a bountiful harvest. It’s so satisfying!  If you are trying to decide what to plant in your garden this year, here are a few steps to help you make the decision!

Trying to decide what to plant in my garden each year can be a lot of fun!  I love receiving my Burpee Seed Catalog each year and planning what to plant and when.  It usually involves a lot of big dreams of a huge garden bearing lots of produce….and zero weeds…..  To bad it never ends up exactly that way!  😉

While fun, this is also one of the most important steps to gardening.  If you are wanting a successful harvest, it’s crucial that you think hard about what to plant.  Not every seed is right for every gardener.

Questions To Ask Yourself When Planning Your Garden

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself when deciding what crops to plant.  They should help you make the best decision about what will be best for you personally to grow.  Let me know in the comments if you have any other gardening questions!

best things to plant in garden - planting a garden

What Produce Does Our Family Enjoy?

One of the first questions you should ask yourself when deciding what to plant in your garden is what fruits and vegetables does your family enjoy eating the most? 

It’s really easy to get carried away planting all the things that many people often forget to focus on the basic foods that their family enjoys the most.  If you have a bountiful harvest, but nobody will eat it, then it’s not worth planting in the first place….right????  Right!

Spend a minute thinking about the produce you buy weekly at the grocery store, and then make a list of these grocery staples to help give you some gardening inspiration.

For example, my list would look like this:

  • Apples
  • Pears
  • Bananas
  • Oranges
  • Strawberries
  • Grapefruit
  • Watermelon
  • Broccoli
  • Spinach
  • Onions
  • Lettuce
  • Tomatoes
  • Peas
  • Corn
  • Green Beans

Now, this is a list of the produce I buy for my family most often, but not everything on this list will grow well in my garden.  This is where the following questions come in.

 

What Grows Well In My Climate?

The next question you need to ask yourself is what grows well in your specific location.  I would love to tell you exactly what to plant and when, but there’s a good chance your growing season/climate will be very different from mine.  

The first step to learning what will grow well in your location is to find out what zone you are in.  Your planting zone will tell you when to plant which crops.  You can easily find your planting zone here.

For example, I live in Zone 5.  This means that I have a shorter growing season than somewhere like Zone 9.  The crops that grow well in Zone 5 can differ from the ones in Zone 9.

Another great way to find out what grows well in your climate is to ask other gardeners in your area.  If you have neighbors or friends who enjoy gardening, ask them what they enjoy growing most and have had the most success with.

Once you have determined your zone, start researching the best crops for that zone.  This can easily be found using a google search.

 

How Much Garden Space Do I Have?

The size of your garden is a huge factor when deciding what you should plant in your garden.  If you have a small garden, you might not want to plant crops that take up a large amount of space, like pumpkins, corn or watermelon.

If you have a smaller garden, I recommend planting crops that need a smaller space, such as spinach or carrots.

And, if you are planting in containers, you will want to only plant what grows best in containers.  I’ll share a few ideas below with you.

Plants That Grow Well In Containers:

  • Tomatoes
  • Potatoes
  • Beets
  • Herbs
  • Lettuce
  • Onions
  • Peppers
  • Strawberries

Plants That Need A Lot Of Space To Grow:

  • Corn
  • Pumpkins
  • Bush Beans
  • Peas
  • Raspberries

Plants That Grow Well In Small Gardens:

  • Lettuce
  • Onions
  • Potatoes
  • Beets
  • Peppers
  • Tomatoes
  • Radishes
  • Pole Beans

 

What Crops Are Most Expensive To Purchase At The Store?

If you are gardening as a way to save money, which I recommend, try to focus on growing the produce that is most expensive to buy at the store.  

A few of the crops I have found that are cheaper to grow than buy are:

  • Bell Peppers
  • Tomatoes
  • Herbs
  • Squash
  • Lettuce
  • Berries
  • Green Beans

One of the great parts of gardening is the ability to preserve what you grow, so that you can use it throughout the year.  This is especially important for the produce that is most expensive.

Bell peppers and berries can easily be frozen using the flash freeze method I talk about here.  Herbs can even be frozen using the ice cube method taught here.  This gives you even more bang for your buck all year long.

 

How Much Time Do I Want To Spend Gardening?

Gardening is time consuming, that is just a fact of life.  In order to grow and harvest a garden, you will need to be able to donate some of your time to each crop.

If you enjoy gardening and want to spend more time on it, than you might consider growing high maintenance crops, such as:

  • Green Beans
  • Peas
  • Fruit Trees
  • Corn

If you are looking for some easy to grow, less time consuming crops, I would consider:

  • Carrots
  • Potatoes
  • Beets
  • Onions

 

Still wondering, “What should I plant in my garden?”

If this is your first year planting a garden, I always recommend starting small.  Choose a few of your favorite vegetables, that will grow well in your area to plant this year.  If it goes well then you can add a few more next year.

It truly takes trial and error before you find the right crops to plant in your garden, but you will figure it out.  I believe in you!

Want a little inspiration?  I’ll share what I am planting this year! 

This year I am planting:

  • Peas
  • Green Beans
  • Pumpkins
  • Corn
  • Onions
  • Carrots
  • Potatoes
  • Beets

I usually plant tomatoes and peppers, but have finally (and a little reluctantly) decided they are just to difficult for me to grow in my very windy garden spot.  And that’s ok!  

Happy planting!!!

 

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19 Foods You Didn’t Know You Could Freeze

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Foods you can freeze to save money.

Have you ever wondered what foods you can freeze??  There are many common freezable foods, but today I want to share about a few food items you probably didn’t know you could freeze!  These are all food items that freeze well, but aren’t talked about as much as the other common freezable foods.

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.  The initial investment is 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.

Benefits of Freezing Food

You might be wondering why it’s important to know how and what foods to freeze.  Freezing food is a great way to save money on groceries.

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 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 to stock up on sale prices.  When I find a great sale on perishable foods, I stock up on a few 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.

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.

6.  Bread

Buy bread when it is on sale, and then freeze it to use later!

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 in the freezer.

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

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, fetuccini 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 freeze 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.

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!

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!

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 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 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 buying sales, and freezing for later, and freezing foods before throwing them away.

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!

10 Free Father’s Day Gifts

By: Sweet Frugal Life14 Comments

Celebrate dad with these Free Fathers Day ideas.

Do you ever want to gift your Dad something extra special…..but constantly draw a blank???   This is how I feel every.single.holiday.  I am constantly racking my brain for that perfect “knock your socks off” gift…..but, I am also on a tight budget and don’t want to spend a lot of money on this gift. This makes it so difficult!  You know what I have learned though???  My dad doesn’t want me to spend a lot of money on him!  Sure, he wants to be loved and appreciated, but that doesn’t come with a price tag.  It comes through loving actions and careful thought.  So, I have started giving him Free Father’s Day Gifts.  They are all chosen from the heart with love and thought to his personality.  Here are a few ideas to help you brainstorm!

frugal fathers day ideas

I am a member of online affiliate programs.  I will receive compensation from purchases made through links in this post.  All opinions are my own.

Here are 10 free father’s day gifts

1.  Bake Him Something

Bake your dad his favorite treat!  Does he have a favorite cookie, or does he love fresh homemade bread?  Make it for him!  Be sure to package it in a gift bag with a nice ribbon for the perfect finishing touch.

My dad loves homemade snickerdoodles, so this is a gift I’ve given him for a few Fathers Day.  He loves the cookies and loves that I remember his favorite things.

2.  Watch the Game Together

If your dad loves to watch sports, invite him over to watch a game together.  Use this as a time to enjoy each others company and bond over something he enjoys.  Ask him questions about the game and take genuine interest in his interests.

My grandpa LOVES to watch “the game”, it honestly doesn’t matter what “the game” is, he just wants to watch it.  I lived with him very briefly a few years ago and I treasure the evenings when I sat down next to him, watched a game together, and listened to him explain all of his insights and opinions on what we were watching.

The simple moments spent with a loved one is often the times that bring the best memories, don’t you think???

3.  Give Him Service

Do something kind for your dad!  Does his garage need cleaned out or the lawn mowed?  Don’t even ask him first if he needs help!  Simply find a need, show up at his house, and get to work.  He will appreciate your thoughtfulness, and your willingness to help him without being asked.

4.  Send Him a Thoughtful Card

Pick out a nice card for your dad (from The Dollar Tree, of course), and write a thoughtful note inside.  Let him know just how much you appreciate everything he has done for you.  Stick it in the mail, or hand deliver it with a hug!

My love language is words of endearment, so a card means more to me than any other gift I could receive!

5.  Movie Night

Does your dad have a favorite movie?  Invite him over to watch the movie together.  Make sure to provide some popcorn and other treats (I love Good and Plenty…I know, I’m weird).

I always know I can get in some good quality time with my Father-In-Law if I offer to watch a John Wayne movie together!  I don’t necessarily enjoy John Wayne, but I know he does, and that’s what matters most!

4.  Get Outside

Is your father an outdoors man?  Suggest a day in the mountains together to go on a hike or fishing trip, choose whatever your dad enjoys most.  He’ll love that you’re the one doing the inviting!  Enjoy the quiet time together as a way to get to know him a little better.  Ask questions about his interests and childhood.  You just might learn something new!

7.  Game Night

Host an old fashioned game night at your house.  Invite your dad and a few of his friends and family members over.   Ask him to teach you one of his favorite games, or you can teach him one of yours!

Games are such a great ice breaker and the perfect way to have some laughs and bonding time together.  My favorite memories with my grandfather was playing games with him.  He didn’t talk much, but when we played games together he had a twinkle in his eye and I loved watching his quirky side come out.

Need a few game suggestions?  Here’s my list of our favorite frugal games.

8.  Best of Memory List

Make a fun list of all of your favorite memories together.  Include a few heartfelt memories, and some funny ones.   You could make the list a little extra special by including a few photos!

I have made my parents a few of these memory books from Mixbook.  They aren’t free, but you can make one for less than $20.  Memory Books are such a sweet keepsake.

9.  Cook Him Dinner

Invite your dad over for dinner and cook him all of his favorite foods.  Let him relax while you do all of the work.  Don’t forget to decorate the table in his favorite colors or interests (maybe even a sports team theme???).

My dad loves antiques, so if I were to decorate a table for him, I would be sure to include a few antiques as centerpieces.  Think for a few minutes about what your dad loves, and try to add it to the table in some way.  It’s these special details that can make a big difference.

10.  Play a Sport Together

Does your dad love sports?  Spend an evening outside playing a sport together.  You could shoot some hoops, play catch, or whatever it is that your father would enjoy most.  You might not be a sports fan, but play it with him anyways.  This makes it even more special that you were willing to put your interests aside for your sweet dad.

In Conclusion

There are so many cheap ways to celebrate Fathers Day!  The most important thing is you show him you care and love him.  Choose one of these free Father’s Day gift ideas and spoil him rotten!

 

Related Articles:

Cheap Gift Ideas for Neighbors, Teachers, and Friends

10 Valentines gifts for him under $10!

 

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10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

By: Sweet Frugal Life8 Comments

The best ways to money on groceries.

Groceries is one of the biggest monthly expenses in most households.  And, unfortunately food prices continue to rise every single day.  The good news is that this is one of the expenses that can be lowered, it just takes a little extra effort.  I’ve been learning how to save money on groceries for over a decade now.  It has taken a lot of trial and error, but I have finally found a few tricks that work.

secrets to spend less on groceries

I am a member of online affiliate programs.  I may be compensated by purchases made through links in this post.  All opinions are my own.

1.  Meal Plan

A meal plan is an essential step when trying to save money on groceries.  I recommend you browse through pinterest boards, and recipe books to give you fresh ideas of what to cook each week.  Write down everything you want to make for the week, including snacks and meals.  As you meal plan, make a list of  groceries to buy.  Take this list with you to the grocery store and only buy what you wrote down, nothing else!

A good meal plan will be written based on what you already have in your pantry and cupboards.  Take a few minutes to take inventory of what you already have at home and plan your meals around those items.

Meal planning limits impulse buys and the temptation to eat out.  Do not skip this important step!

2.  Keep it Simple

It’s fun to experiment and try making a few fancy meals.  But, when you meal plan remember to think about the cost of ingredients.  Sometimes those fancy meals have ingredients that will cost you a lot of money.

Try simplifying how you cook to save money on groceries.  You don’t need to have simple meals every day of the week, but try to plan a few meals each week that are simple and basic.

Here are a few simple dinner ideas:  breakfast for dinner, grilled cheese sandwiches, pasta bake, bean burritos, spaghetti, quesadillas, stir fry, etc.

3.  Buy What’s On Sale

As you meal plan check the weekly grocery ads to see what’s on sale for the week.  Plan your meals around those sales.  For example:  If chicken is on sale, I will plan a few meals with chicken.

If you have room in your grocery budget buy a few extra of what’s on sale.  If you buy it when it’s on sale, you will be spending less in the long run.  I like to stock up on snacks, cereal, fruit (buy fresh and freeze for later), and canned goods during sales.

The best way to check ads is by using the Flipp App.  It’s a completely free app to use and very easy to navigate.  You will enter your zipcode, select your favorite stores, and then can browse each of the ads.  There are new ads each Wednesday.

4.  Shop Your Pantry

Before you ever meal plan or even look at the weekly ads, look through your pantry.  Take a quick inventory of what you already have.  Plan your meals around those items.  Turn it into a game and try to come up with as many meals as you can, only using the ingredients you own.  This is a great way to use up the items you bought shopping sales.

If you have kids, try to make it fun for them.  Tell your kids that you are playing  Box Car Children (did anyone else love those books as kids????).  During this game they can only eat the food you can find and gather around the house.  Kids love this!

Another way I use up my pantry is by having regular YO-YO nights.  YO-YO stands for “You’re On Your Own” and is really just a fancy way of saying we are having leftovers for dinner.  When I plan Yo-Yo for dinner the family knows we are eating leftovers and whatever can be found in the pantry.  Cheapest dinner around!

5.  Utilize Cashback!

Take advantage of every cashback app available.  It hardly takes any time to scan your receipts and you get FREE MONEY!

If I ever see my husband throw a receipt in the garbage without getting cashback I ask him, “Would you ever throw 50 cents in the trash can?  No!  But when you throw away a receipt without scanning it first, it is the same as throwing away money.”  The small cashback adds up!  In the 5ish years I have been using cashback apps I have gotten hundreds and hundreds of dollars back.

My Fave Grocery Cashback Apps:

Ibotta:  The first cashback app I ever used was ibotta, and I’m still using it weekly.  It’s so easy to use!

All you have to do is shop, check the app for rebates, scan your receipt, and the money is instantly put into your ibotta account.  Easy.  Peasy.  They have a wide selection of rebates, and I can always find something to earn on.  My favorite rebates are the “any brand” rebates they often put on items such as milk, produce, pantry items, beauty and household.

*******Sign up for Ibotta with this link and you will get up to a $20 welcome bonus!  Yay!  This is the perfect way to try it out!***********

 

Discover Card:  My FAVORITE way to earn cashback is by shopping with my Discover Card.  I know a lot of people don’t like using credit cards, and I get it!  But, for me, this has been the best way for us to earn more money.

In short, when I shop with my Discover Card I automatically earn cashback on all purchases.  They give you 1% cashback on EVERYTHING and 5% on different categories that are rotated monthly.  (Currently, I am receiving 5% on groceries).

You don’t have to do anything, just use your card and your cashback will grow.  I earn around $500 cashback with Discover a YEAR, and all I do is shop like normal!

Fetch Rewards:  Fetch Rewards is hands down the easiest cashback app to use!  All you have to do download the Fetch Rewards app, scan your grocery receipt, and fetch will automatically reward you with points.  It’s seriously that easy!

These points can be redeemed for gift cards to ALLLL of your fave stores (I usually choose Amazon or Target!).  One of my favorite parts of Fetch Rewards is that your points can be redeemed for as little as $3 (3,000 points equals $3).  This makes collecting the reward quick and fun.

Checkout 51: Checkout 51 is very similar to ibotta.  You shop, scan your receipt and qualified purchases and you will get the rebated money instantly in your account.  Once you reach $20 in your account you can request your money, same as ibotta.  Most importantly, it only takes a few minutes to check for rebates and one minute to scan your receipt.  I have made over $50 cashback using Checkout 51!

6.  Cook From Scratch

The more you cook from scratch, the less money you will spend on groceries (I promise!).  I know how big the temptation is to grab the prepackaged foods at the grocery store.  But, if you really want to save money on groceries you need to learn to resist this temptation.

If cooking feels really overwhelming to you, start small with a few simple recipes.  Slowly try new things.  Don’t let a few failures get you down.  I have been cooking almost my whole life and I still make a few flops every now and then.

If you struggle finding the time to cook start meal prepping during the week.  Set aside one day each week as your meal prep day.  This might be a weekend, evening, or whenever you have free time.

Your meal prep day will be the day you cook up your meat, cut up veggies, and mix up a few snacks.  These can all be stored in your fridge to use throughout the week for meals.

7.  Buy Meat on Sale

Meat is one of the biggest grocery expenses.  Get into the habit of only buying it when it’s on sale.

One way to get cheaper meat is to buy it in bulk.  Look for places selling bulk meat, like Butcher Box, and stock up when they are having sales.

7.  Shop Less Often

How many times have you gone to the grocery store for “just one thing” and left with a cart full of food?!?!?  It has happened to me more times than I would like to admit!  The less times we go to the grocery store, the less money we will spend (I know you’re shocked right).

The next time you feel that temptation to run to the store for one little thing, don’t do it!  Instead, figure out how to make it work without buying that one ingredient.  Look up a good substitute ingredient, or find something else to make.  I promise your bank account will thank you!

8.  Calculate Your Spending

Make sure you don’t go over your grocery budget by keeping track of how much you are spending while at the grocery store (before checking out!).  Whip out your phone calculator and add up each item as you put it into your shopping cart.

This helps keep you on track so there is no surprises at the checkout counter.  If you see you are going over your budget, take some of the food out of your cart and put them back on the shelf.

The EASIEST way to keep track of how much you spend while grocery shopping is to shop using Walmarts Free Grocery Pickup.  This is probably the best invention ever.  Not only does it save me time and sanity (hello no crying kids in the grocery cart), but it also saves me so much money!

The Walmart Grocery App is easy to use.  Just open it up, click the items you want to add to your cart, and then check out when done!  You will select a time and day to pick up your groceries at your nearest Walmart.  A nice Walmart employee will bring your groceries out straight to your car and load them up for you!  It’s the best!!

Grocery shopping this way helps me easily keep track of how much I am spending.  Before I check out I look at how much money I have spent, if I have gone over the grocery budget I delete a few items until I get to the right amount.  I haven’t gone over budget since I started doing this!

********If you want to try Walmarts Free Grocery Pickup (AKA My Favorite Thing Ever!) you can get $10 off your first order by using this link!

9.  Buy Generic

I use to be such a name brand snob (not proud of it) and insisted I would never buy generic.  Many years later I am so glad I saw the error of my ways.  Most generic grocery brands are just as good as the name brand, sometimes even better!  I now wish I would have realized this earlier, we could have saved so much more money!

Try buying less name brand and more generic and you will notice a huge savings on your grocery spending.  This is such a simple change that can make a big difference.

10.  Meatless Mondays

Spend less money on expensive meats by incorporating a few meatless meals into your weekly meal plan.  We like to have Meatless Mondays, which is one day every week when I plan a meal without meat.  You can set up your meatless days however works best for you.

I have found the best meatless meals are meals with beans, quinoa, soups and pastas.

BONUS

11.  Learn from Others

One of the best things I have one for my grocery budget is to study!  I read blogs, follow money saving Instagram accounts, and do what I can to study and learn from others grocery tips.  It takes time, and it takes a little bit of effort, but it has helped me tremendously!

One of my favorite blogs to follow is Money Saving Mom.  She gives realistic advice to help moms (and anyone!) save money.  I actually just bought her BRAND NEW ebook Slash Your Grocery Bill:  25 Tried and True Strategies and was so impressed!  She goes over 25 of the best methods to save money on groceries, giving details and easy to follow instructions.

I actually had no idea you could freeze baking mixes until I ready this book (it’s shared in tip #16!).  I am planning on whipping up a few baking mixes today and sticking them in my freezer for later use.

The best part is she has the book on sale for only $8.50!  Don’t waste any time and download Slash Your Grocery Budget today!  It is full of so much money saving goodness!

In Conclusion

I know you save money on groceries!  Try a few of the tips in this article, the more you try, the more you will save.  The most important thing is to never quit.  It takes constant effort to spend less at the grocery store.  I know you can do it!

Want to see exactly how I grocery shop each week on my $500 grocery budget?  Check out my YouTube video below!

 

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