This year is really on the move, isn’t it? It’s hard to believe we’re already an entire month in, and it’s time for a check up of our yearly S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timed) goals. You can find the list of our yearly goals here if you missed it.
You glance over at the calendar and suddenly realize (with dread) that it’s already February and you don’t have any fun Valentine’s Day ideas ready to go. One kid needs Valentine’s cards for school, another needs cupcakes for their party, and you have no clue how to make your spouse feel special.
I have been creating a complete 2 week meal plan that is frugal and includes recipes and suggestions for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks.
Between our BHAG of paying off debt and my hatred of making decisions, meal planning is something I feel is a must do.
Yes, I still have to make decisions. But I’d far rather make them all at once than 3 times a day every day.
One thing I don’t do is assign foods to a certain day ahead of time. I like to choose from the list based on the chaos of a given day and what I’m feeling up to making at that time.
That means I’m still making decisions daily, but it’s simple enough to choose from an already created list.
After a brief stint of winter, we had a wonderful weekend of warm (for January) weather. But I hear the snow is planning to return. So I’m trying to create a nice mix of foods.
[et_bloom_inline optin_id=”optin_11″]
I know exactly how it feels to not just want, but need, to slash your grocery bills.
It’s that one part of the budget that takes up so much money, but you have immediate control over that spending.
(Not like a mortgage…I mean, you can refinance but that takes for-e-ver.)
Her ideas are completely doable…even for people who are new to living frugally.
[et_bloom_inline optin_id=”optin_11″]
Snacks and Extras include
Those are the meals we love and the new ones we can’t wait to try this week!
Be sure to follow my Pinterest board where I share tons of easy, frugal, delicious pins!
Follow Medium Sized Family’s board Food on Pinterest.
[et_bloom_inline optin_id=”optin_11″]
Don’t forget to leave me a tip about your favorite Mexican recipe!
Happy Monday, lovely readers! How did your week go? I have to say, I could get used to 60 degrees in January! We had a nice weekend (despite the fact that we are dealing with a 10 year old with a concussion. Any tips on keeping an active boy still without letting him look at screens or read anything?? What a tough protocol to follow! But important, we know.)
Happy Friday! I’d say it’s been a crazy week here, but aren’t they all?
Another Friday means another edition of the 5 Ways We’ve Saved Money This Week series. When I first started this series, I wondered if I’d be able to come up with unique ways that we’ve saved every week. And each week I wonder if I’ll be able to do it again. But we’ve managed to do it 20 different times now! That means that in this series alone, you can find 100 different ways to save money! Isn’t that amazing?
The list of easy winter activities for kids you’ve been looking for. Cheap, simple, fun for a tired Mom!
It’s 4:00 in the afternoon and your kids have been home from school all day.
The toys are cast aside. Everyone’s tired of Disney+.
Instead, they’re playing their favorite game called “bounce my sibling off of the wall”.
You are desperately Googling for fun activities, because if you Google the words running through your mind you are afraid you’ll wind up on a list somewhere.
While I’d love to offer you another cup of coffee and some chocolate pie, the internet has its limitations.
But what I can give you is a treasure trove of ideas to do when you are stuck inside.
(more…)
Wondering what to do with pennies? Read on to learn how they are more powerful than you think!
When I was a teenager, I was super interested in finance. I devoured books about being frugal and saving up your money. I know, I was a bit of a weirdo. But, to me, it was fascinating!
I watched where my dollars went, but I also kept track of my change. I’d pick up the penny on the sidewalk. When I put it together with its friends, they added up to something.
Is it already the end of January? This year is flying by! It’s almost time for a goals update, and I want to make sure I’m taking my beloved baby steps towards the goals I’ve set for 2016 since we’re nearly 1/12th finished with it.
I'm Jamie, and I want to help you afford a beautiful life with your family. Learn more. 
