There is no reason why we can’t have yummy things. Make it yourself is my motto. Recipes and how to’s from the simple things in life to the ones a bit more complicated
There are seasons where everything seems to hit at once. Right now for us, it’s: So instead of stressing… I’m doing what I always do: We’re eating from the pantry What a Pantry Challenge Actually Means This doesn’t mean we’re not buying anything at all. I’ll still pick up: But the goal is simple: Use…
Don’t you hate when spaghetti sauce hits your white turtleneck and your first thought is: “Well… that’s done for.” It doesn’t have to be, though. (Although this is exactly why I tend to wear vests and scarves—I’ve learned a few things over the years.) Getting stains out of clothes is one of my little superpowers,…
Have you ever looked at what you have for dinner and thought… “I didn’t quite buy enough.” Maybe it looks a little light.Maybe you’ve got a teenage boy in the house who could eat the whole thing himself. Yeah… I’ve had those days too. And that’s exactly when I make this. Because it: 👉 No…
🍔 Ordering food out Convenience: Takeout because you’re tiredInstead: 👉 You’re not lazy—you’re unprepared. Fix the system, not yourself. ☕ Coffee on the go Convenience: Daily drive-thruInstead: 👉 Save hundreds a year without giving up coffee. (I could never do that!) 🛒 Grocery delivery Convenience: Delivered to your doorInstead: 👉 Same food, fewer fees and…
It’s one of the things we do here all the time. I try to plan meals. I really do. But sometimes you forget to take the pork chops out of the freezer. Sometimes you realize halfway through cooking that you’re missing an ingredient. And sometimes you just plain don’t feel like eating what you planned….
Real Frugalist American Chop Suey This is one of those meals that happens when the pantry is doing its job.A little pasta, a jar or can of tomatoes, maybe some ground meat from the freezer — and suddenly dinner appears. Ingredients (Use what you have — this recipe is flexible.) Optional add-ins if you have…
One of the things that surprises me when I scroll through social media is how often someone will post a picture of their kitchen and ask: “What can I make for dinner? This is all I have.” And the cupboard is nearly empty. I don’t say that with judgment at all. It’s just a different…
Living in New Hampshire, snow days are just part of life. Sometimes you hear the storm coming and know school will be cancelled. Other times you wake up and wait for the announcement: delay, cancellation, or business as usual. It’s always a bit of a surprise. Over the years we’ve settled into a pretty simple…
I talk a lot about cutting subscriptions around here because they are one of the biggest “money leaks” in a household budget. A few dollars here. $9.99 there. Something auto-renews and you forget about it. Before long you’re spending $100–$300 a month on things you barely use. So today I want to challenge you to…
I’ve learned that frugality isn’t about deprivation — it’s about peace.It’s choosing what matters, protecting your budget from “little leaks,” and building a life that feels steady instead of stressful. These are the simple rules I come back to whenever money feels tight, prices creep up, or I catch myself getting pulled into comparison. Here…
