With Spring half over and Summer just around the corner it’s  a great time to start thinking about those recipes that take very little time in the kitchen.  Here is a quick and healthy cold bean salad that can be put together in no time.  Read more »

Nothing beats a picnic for getting together with family, friends and good food.  Everybody contributes to the picnic menu by bringing a dish to pass and clean up should be minimal if everyone chips in.  Whether you choose to have your picnic in your own backyard or at the park or beach a picnic can bring a day of frugal fun! Read more »

One of my visitors shared this frugal gourmet meal and even broke down what it cost. She says it feeds 6 people but if this is a main dish meal I am thinking maybe 2 or 3. Still a great frugal gourmet dinner for under $10.00. Read more »

Kids can be picky eaters but luckily most kids love fruit such as bananas.  Here are a few banana recipes that your kids will really enjoy. Read more »

You know you mean well. You clip those coupons from the Sunday paper or you find printable coupons online. However, when it comes to actually using them you find it difficult to organize or cumbersome to go through while doing your grocery shopping (especially with small children in tow). That’s why you need a better system to organize your coupons such as the Couponizer. Read more »

Cabbage salad goes with just about anything.  Try this refreshing cabbage salad recipe for a quick side dish or take it to your next pot luck.  Read more »

When it comes to meal time you can’t get much more economical than grain dishes such as chicken fried rice.  The next time you have chicken for dinner be sure to cook an extra chicken breast for the next day and mealtime will be a breeze!  If you don’t have the vegetables listed try substituting what you have on hand.  You could also try substituting leftover pork for the chicken. Read more »

For some reason when I think of lemon poppy seed bread I think of Spring.  There is really something special about it that makes it perfect for either company or to serve every day.  This quick and easy bread is actually more of a cake and that would be delicious served on Easter with brunch or as a light dessert after dinner.  I have also included a quick and easy punch to serve along with your get together. Read more »

With today’s cost of living, it is uncommon to find a family living on one income, except in unique situations when he or she is a high income earner or that the circumstances do not permit two working parents. Unlike the olden days, cost of almost every item has gone up, even the necessary ones, like housing, utilities and foods. Faced with such situations, especially when the economy is down, it is no wonder most families have to survive on at least two incomes. Read more »

It’s 5 o’clock and you have had a busy day.  Now you’re exhausted but you have to figure out what to feed the family.  You need some quick dinner ideas that aren’t going to sacrifice nutrition and flavor. Read more »

Even though it is just 20 degrees out as I am typing this I know that spring is right around the corner.  One of my favorite vegetable in the springtime is asparagus.  I always serve it at Easter time either steamed or roasted and even though asparagus is sometimes a bit pricey I usually find it on sale Easter week.  This is a great asparagus recipe to serve as a side dish or even a light lunch. Read more »

I know that some cuts of meat aren’t always economical but with anything else if you buy in bulk you can usually save money.  Not to mention the prep time for this meal is under 15 minutes and dinner can be on the table in under an hour so it is one of those meals that is nice to have the ingredients on hand for. It is so tempting to order dinner out or pick up fast food when you just don’t have a plan in advance.  That’s why it is nice to always have ingredients for a few quick backup meals on hand so that you aren’t caught off guard when you don’t have time to cook. Read more »

Nothing warms you up on a cold day quite like oatmeal.  Serve this delicious version for breakfast or anytime!  This apple oatmeal with pecans and dried plums is quick and easy to make.  Stock up on the ingredients so that you can make it often in the winter. Read more »

Cooking on a budget doesn’t imply that you have to put your health at stake to consume food with lower quality and price. Can Can you have the best of both worlds and spend less while still having good quality food? Of course! Cooking on a budget isn’t at all difficult if you can just learn the few tips I am about to mention. However, always plan in advance with a shopping list before you head for the supermarket. As you plan, always put your aim in mind and your aim should be to purchase healthy food economically.   Read more »

Most people have been able to save with coupons during their life, but not too many people make it a habit to truly track down the best and most valuable coupons in order to save large sums of money every week. Read more »

Family budgeting sounds easy in theory but when it comes to putting your plan into practice, it is easy to fall short of your targets. Read more »

Did you know that by creating a family food budget you can cut down your shopping costs dramatically? Whether you have just one child or five, coming up with meals plans that everyone likes is difficult and sometimes seemingly impossible. Then there are the costs associated with cooking something different each night to please everyone. Read more »

make a lot of chicken casserole recipes and always buy boneless skinless chicken breasts in the big packs  when they are on sale for $1.99 a pound or less.  Usually I will buy at least 2 big packs which I can separate and freeze.  Doing it this way I find that by the time I start to run out it is on sale again.  Using for chicken casserole recipes means that I can stretch it to last longer.  Here is a delicious recipe that will help stretch your budget.  Remember to stock up on other ingredients such as cream soups when on sale or buy the generic when possible.  I have found that most generic brands work just as well as name brands in recipes.  Read more »

I love making dump cake and here are two variations that are both popular for family get togethers. Save money by stocking up on the ingredients when on sale since canned and boxed goods often have a long shelf life. I normally keep coconut and nuts in the freezer so that they will last longer. I also store the leftovers in the refrigerator. Read more »

Eating healthy on a budget is easy - once you know the secrets! Many people think that eating healthy means that you have to spend a painstaking number of hours in the kitchen every night whipping up a gourmet meal - but that is far from the truth! In fact, healthy meals can often be made very quickly and for a low price. Compared with eating out, cooking a nutritious meal at home every night is considerably cheaper and well, healthier! When you eat out you really don’t know what is going into the food you are buying and even if it looks healthy there could be many additives in there that simply are not good for you. The only way to truly know what you are eating is to make it yourself. Read more »

For a nice Southern New Year’s dish serve up some Hoppin John, which is another way to serve black eyed peas in the South.  Try serving with ham, cooked greens and corn bread. Read more »

I think I made this buffalo chicken dip for the first time over Memorial Day. Ever since I have been asked to bring this to every family function or holiday and someone always asks for the recipe. Some like to use bleu cheese dressing instead of ranch but since this has quite a kick to it I prefer the ranch. This really does taste like chicken wings but without the mess! Read more »

According to Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, pork and sauerkraut should be served on New Year’s Day for good luck. My mother makes this every year and now I prepare it for my family. Read more »

I am not from the South, however I have friends who are and they always eat black eyed peas for New Year’s.   Since black eyed peas are economical and easy to prepare why not make up some for New Year’s day.  Read more »

Savvy shoppers have a lot of budgeting tips to save hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars each year just by shopping the bargains.  Keep in mind that the only true bargain is one that you would have been buying anyway.  If you buy something just because it is on sale then you won’t save any money in the long run.  Here are some budgeting tips for saving money every time you shop. Read more »