The cozy historical fiction series by Beth Brower follows Emma M. Lion through life in 1880s London, and the audiobooks have become especially popular. All eight currently released volumes have been produced as audiobooks, narrated by Genevieve Gaunt.

There’s just one problem if you’ve been looking to read these books for free: the library waitlists can be LONG!

If you’ve been waiting weeks (or months!) for your turn, don’t assume your only other option is buying every audiobook at full price. I did some digging and found quite a few ways you may be able to listen to the Emma M. Lion books for free, or at least very inexpensively.

Quick note: Audiobook catalogs, free trials, prices, and library availability can change, so always double-check that the Emma M. Lion volume you want is included before signing up for a paid service.

How to Listen to the Emma M. Lion Series for Free:

1. Check Your Local Library First

Let’s start with the completely free option. Search your local library catalog for The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. Depending on your library system, you might find physical books, ebooks, audiobooks, or some combination of the three.

And don’t give up just because your particular branch doesn’t have them. Ask whether your library participates in an interlibrary loan program or gives cardholders access to other library systems.

You can also ask your library to purchase a title. There’s no guarantee they’ll say yes, of course, but enough patron requests can help libraries know which books are in demand.

2. Search Libby

If your library gives you access to Libby, this is probably one of the first places you’ll want to check. The Emma M. Lion audiobooks are distributed through OverDrive and can be available through participating libraries on Libby.

The downside? Availability is determined by your library, so one library might have several volumes while another has only one or two. And because this series has gotten so popular, you might encounter a lengthy hold list.

Still, place those holds! You can always use one of the other options below while you wait.

Money-saving tip: If you’re eligible for cards from multiple library systems, add all of them to Libby and compare availability. Just be sure you’re following each library’s residency and eligibility requirements.

3. Don’t Forget About Hoopla

Here’s one that could help you bypass the Libby line entirely.

Some libraries offer the Emma M. Lion audiobooks through Hoopla. Unlike Libby, where you often have to wait for another patron to return a digital copy, Hoopla titles are typically available for instant borrowing when they’re offered by your library. For example, library catalogs currently show Volume 1 available as a Hoopla eAudiobook.

There’s a catch: Hoopla’s selection varies by library, and libraries generally limit how many Hoopla borrows you get each month. You may find all of the volumes, only a few of them, or none at all.

But it’s absolutely worth checking before paying for an audiobook.

4. Try an Audiobooks.com Free Trial

If you’re new to Audiobooks.com, check its current free-trial offer and search for the Emma M. Lion volumes before signing up. A free trial can be a great way to listen to one or more books without committing to another long-term subscription.

Just remember to make a note of when your trial ends if you don’t want to continue paying for the service.

5. Use an Audible Free Trial

Audible is another place to check, especially if you’ve never subscribed before. The Emma M. Lion audiobooks are available through Audible, including Volume 1 narrated by Genevieve Gaunt. Audible currently advertises a free trial for eligible new customers, though the exact offer and membership options can change.

Depending on the current promotion, you may be able to use your trial to listen to or purchase one of the books without paying the normal price.

And even if you’re not eligible for a free trial, keep an eye out for sales. Audible occasionally deeply discounts audiobooks, which could make buying several volumes cheaper than expected.

6. See If Everand Has the Volume You Need

Everand is another audiobook subscription service worth checking. As of this writing, Volume 1 through 5 is available on Everand, and the service advertises a free trial for new subscribers.

Before starting your trial, search the catalog for the specific Emma M. Lion volumes you need. If several are available, you could potentially get quite a bit of listening done during your trial period. Again, set yourself a reminder to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want another monthly subscription.

7. Check Amazon Music

This one is easy to overlook! If you’re eligible for an Amazon Music Unlimited free trial, check the audiobook catalog to see which Emma M. Lion volumes are currently included and what audiobook listening benefits come with the current plan.

Amazon changes its Music Unlimited promotions periodically, so check the terms before signing up. And if you’re already paying for Amazon Music Unlimited, definitely search there before paying for an audiobook somewhere else. You may already have access to audiobook listening as part of your subscription.

8. Check Spotify Premium Before Buying Anything

Already pay for Spotify Premium? You may have audiobook listening time included in your existing plan. That means you should always search Spotify for the Emma M. Lion volume you need before buying it somewhere else.

There are some limitations to Spotify’s audiobook benefit, including monthly listening-hour limits and differences between plan types. Since the Emma M. Lion books are relatively short compared with many audiobooks, however, your included hours could potentially stretch farther.

The important thing is to use the subscriptions you’re already paying for before adding another one!

9. Watch Chirp For Cheap Emma M. Lion audiobooks

This might be my favorite option if you’ve exhausted the freebies. Chirp sells discounted audiobooks without requiring a monthly subscription. And Emma M. Lion fans recently spotted the first five audiobooks for just $2.99 each.

Sales change, so you may not see the same price when you check. But, if you love the series and want to own the audiobooks rather than borrow them, it’s worth watching for another sale.

At $2.99 each, you could potentially own several volumes for less than the cost of a single month of some audiobook subscriptions.

10. Combine Services Instead of Sticking With Just One

This may ultimately be the best strategy for listening to the entire series on a budget. Don’t feel like you have to get every volume from the same place.

Maybe you listen to Volume 1 on Libby, grab Volume 2 instantly through Hoopla, use a free trial for Volume 3, listen to another through a subscription you already have, and snag the next few during a Chirp or Audible sale.

It might take a little more effort, but mixing and matching your options could dramatically reduce what you spend on the series.

Start Listening Without Spending Much

The sudden popularity of the Emma M. Lion books is both good news and bad news: It’s fun to discover a series everyone is excited about, but not so fun when you’re number 87 in line for the next audiobook!

Fortunately, you have more options than simply waiting or paying full price. Start with your library, Libby, and Hoopla since they’re free. Then check any audiobook or music subscriptions you’re already paying for. After that, consider strategically using a free trial or watching for a deeply discounted audiobook sale.

And one final tip: Don’t sign up for four free trials at once! Use one, listen to as much as you reasonably can, cancel if you don’t want to keep it, and then move on to your next option.

That way, you can hopefully spend a lot more time hanging out with Emma in St. Crispian’s, and a lot less money getting there.

Related Links:

• How to Find More Time to Read — Even When Life is Busy
• FREE 3-Month Subscription to Kindle Unlimited!
• Current Amazon Music Unlimited Promotions
• Where to Get Books for Free (Yes, Really!)
• 7 of My Favorite Fiction Books
• Ask Crystal: How do you find time to read?
• How to Listen to Books for Free
• Where to Buy Cheap Books (So You Can Read More Without Spending a Fortune)
• Best Devotionals & Christian Books for Women
• My Top 4 Favorite Reads From 2025
• My Top 7 Favorite Audiobooks
• My Favorite Non-Fiction Books & Memoirs

Have you read the Emma M. Lion books yet? Share your favorite volume and any tips for getting free audiobooks in the comments below.

Aldi

2 jugs Orange Juice – $6.70

1 gallon Milk – $2.85

1 4-lb bag Sugar – $2.69

1 pkg Fresh Boneless Chicken Breasts – $10.87

1 pkg Turkey Bacon – $3.49

1 Party Pack Brats – $6.79

1 32-oz carton Egg Whites – $4.79

1 Family-Size Box Cinnamon Crunch Squares – $2.79

1 box Raisin Bran – $2.15

1 large box Rice Squares – $2.95

1 Cauliflower – $2.89

1 carton Gourmet Medley Tomatoes – $2.39

3 cartons Raspberries – $4.47

2 8-oz pkgs Sliced Cheese – $2.90

1 loaf Honey Wheat Bread – $1.79

1 pkg Hamburger Buns – $1.29

Total: $61.80

Publix Trip #1

1 tub Cedar’s Organic Hummus – $4.99, received $4.99 Rebate from Flavor Wiki – FREE after Rebate

1 tub Fresh Cravings Hummus – $4.59, received $4.59 Rebate from Flavor Wiki – FREE after Rebate

1 tub Sabra Hummus – $2.14, received $4.99 Rebate from Flavor Wiki – $2.85 Money Maker after Rebate

1 Digiorno Stuffed Crust Pizza – $11.79, received 8000 points from Fetch ($8) – $3.79 after Rebate

2 boxes First Phorm Bars – $11.99, received (2) $2.50/1 First Phorm Ibotta Rebates – $6.99 for 2 after Rebates

1 20-ct box Go-Go Squeeze – $7.49

2 cans Bush’s Sidekicks – $1.89, received $1.25/2 Sidekicks Ibotta Rebate – $0.64 for 2 after Rebate

2 cans Contadina Tomatoes – $2.49, received (2) $0.50/1 Contadina Ibotta Rebates plus received 2000 points from Fetch ($2) – $0.51 Money Maker after Rebates

5 blocks Kraft Cheese – $12.47, received (5) $0.75/1 Kraft Cheese Ibotta Rebates – $8.72 for 5 after Rebates

1 OxiClean Stain Remover Spray – $2.09, used $2/1 OxiClean Publix Digital Coupon – $0.09 after Coupon

1 Dove Aluminum-Free Deodorant – $9.19, used $2/1 Dove Deodorant Publix Digital Coupon plus received 6250 points from Fetch ($6.25) – $0.94 after Coupon and Rebate

2 boxes Dunkin Bold Blend K-Cups – $11.09, received (2) $1/1 Dunkin Bold Ibotta Rebates – $9.09 for 2 after Rebates

2 cans Pillsbury Biscuits plus 1 pkg Oscar Meyer Hotdogs – $7.12, used $2.50 off Oscar Meyer and Pillsbury Publix Digital Coupon, plus received $1/2 Pillsbury Ibotta Rebate and 5000 points from Fetch ($5 – this completed a couple of Fetch offers for me) – $1.38 Money Maker for 3 after Coupon and Rebates

1 can Tuttorosso Tomato Paste – $1.29, received 2000 points from Fetch ($2) – $0.71 Money Maker after Rebate

3 jars Old El Paso Taco Sauce – $5.68, used $1/2 Old El Paso Publix Digital Coupon, plus received 7500 points from Fetch ($7.50) – $2.82 Money Maker for 3 after Coupon and Rebates

1 Bob’s Red Mill Baking Flour – $6.69, received $6.69 Rebate from Aisle – FREE after Rebate

3 pkgs McCormick Taco Seasoning Mix – $2.08, received $0.75/3 McCormick Ibotta Rebate – $1.33 for 3 after Rebate

2 boxes Annie’s Mac and Cheese – $2.69, received $0.50/2 Annie’s Ibotta Rebate plus $0.10/1 Any Brand Mac and Cheese Ibotta Rebate – $2.09 for 2 boxes after Rebates

~ Received $5 Midweek Ibotta Bonus

Total after Tax, Coupons and Rebates: $27.90

Publix Trip #2

5 cans Bush’s Chili Magic – $4.72, received (5) $0.50/1 Bush’s Chili Magic Ibotta Rebates – $2.22 for 5 after Rebates

7 Talenti Ice Cream – $20.29, received $1/2 Talenti Ibotta Rebate plus received 10,400 points from Fetch ($10.40) – $8.89 for 7 after Rebates

2 Springer Mountain Farms – $8.99, used (2) $1.50/1 Printables – $5.99 for 2 after Coupon

5 boxes Dave’s Killer Bread Organic Breakfast Bars – $14.47, received (5) $2/1 Dave’s Breakfast Bars Ibotta Rebates plus 6000 points from Fetch ($6) – $1.53 Money Maker for 5 after Rebates

2 bags Dave’s Killer Bread Organic Snack Bites – $6.49, received 3000 points from Fetch ($3) – $3.49 for 2 after Rebate

1 box New York Bakery Baked Bites – $3.59, used $1/1 Baked Bites Publix Digital Coupon plus received $1/1 Baked Bites Ibotta Rebate – $1.59 after Coupon and Rebate

Total after Coupons and Rebates – $20.65

Grocery Total for the Week: $110.35

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Cereal, Oatmeal, Grits, Omelets, Smoothies, Eggs/Bacon

Lunches

Deli Meat/Cheese Sandwiches, Applesauce Pouches, Veggies with Hummus, Breakfast Bars (School Lunches) x 4

Leftovers x 3

Dinners

Brats, Roasted Cauliflower, Macaroni and Cheese

Baked Chicken, Broccoli, Easy Whole Wheat Muffins

Homemade Pepperoni Pizza, Breadsticks

Waffles, Bacon, Scrambled Eggs

Venison Burgers, Baked Potato Wedges, Green Beans

Build-Your-Own-Soft Tacos (on homemade tortillas), Spanish Rice

Chicken Noodles Soup, Easy Whole Wheat Muffins

Get a FREE One Week Menu Plan!

Done for you dinner recipes with simple ingredients and a shopping list!

Yes, I Want It!

This was during Jesse’s law school years — the “we couldn’t afford $3 fish food” days I shared about earlier this week!

We had a tiny galley kitchen, one car, and an even tinier budget. We learned to make do or do without and be content with what we had.

But we also found ways to creatively stretch what we had to make memories. Some of our favorite date nights included:

• Going to Barnes & Noble, browsing books, and getting a coffee to share using a gift card I’d earned by taking surveys online.
• Heading to the library to find books and movies to check out.
• Or, if we really wanted to splurge, dumping out our coin jar to see if we had enough for each of us to get something off the dollar menu at McDonald’s and rent a $0.50 movie at Family Video!

Those little date nights gave us something to look forward to while we worked toward something we cared deeply about: getting Jesse through law school without debt.

This was a commitment we had made early in our marriage. We knew that short-term sacrifices could lead to long-term benefits — and they absolutely have (we ended up being able to pay cash for our first house a few years after Jesse graduated from law school!)

Having that goal didn’t make our budget bigger. But it helped us decide how we wanted to use the money we did have.

Maybe you’re trying so hard to be careful with money, but you still second-guess even small purchases.

You want to enjoy dinner out with your family without wondering afterward whether you should have saved that money for something else.

You’re tired of asking:

• Can we afford this?
• Should I buy this for the kids, or do we need that money for something else?
• How much should we be setting aside for upcoming expenses?
• Will we be able to afford college? Will we actually be able to retire some day?

You want a plan that helps you answer those questions.

In my brand-new book, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women (it comes out on Tuesday!!), I help you identify your priorities and walk you through building a realistic budget in under an hour.

I’ll teach you how to:

• Calculate the income you actually have available.
• Separate regular bills from expenses that change.
• Set realistic spending amounts based on your actual life.
• Plan ahead for expenses like Christmas and car maintenance.
• Choose a tracking method you’ll use.

And if you add everything up and realize your expenses are higher than your income? We work through that, too.

You don’t have to have extra money or have everything figured out before you begin.

I want you to be able to look at your plan and know what’s available, what needs to wait, and what you’re working toward.

When you’ve planned for an outing, you can enjoy it. When you pass on a purchase, you know what that decision is helping you accomplish.

That doesn’t mean every money decision will suddenly be easy. But you’ll have a plan to come back to instead of trying to figure it out all over again every time.

My heart is to help you start right where you are, figure out your next steps, and build simple habits that work in your real life. So you can stop feeling like you’re constantly starting over and begin seeing progress.

If you’re tired of second-guessing your spending and want help creating a plan that fits your actual life, I wrote this book for you.

Pre-order your copy + claim your FREE bonuses here! 

And because I want to help you put what you’re learning into practice, I’ve put together $75+ in FREE bonuses when you pre-order!

Here’s what you’ll get:

5 Days to a Financially Healthier You Video Course — short lessons and printable worksheets to help you take action a few minutes at a time.

Couples’ Guide to Healthy Money Conversations — practical prompts to help you understand each other and work toward shared goals.

5-Day Budget Makeover — one doable lesson a day, delivered to your inbox.

Money Reset Toolkit — including a 10-Minute Money Reset and a roadmap to help you figure out what to do first.

We’ll be selling these bonuses as a bundle starting in January, but you can get them FREE when you pre-order before the offer ends Tuesday, October 27, at midnight.

The book releases October 27, so you only have a few days left to get the full bonus bundle!

Pre-order your book + see how to claim your $75+ FREE bonus bundle here!

P.S. If you can’t afford to buy a book right now, you can still qualify for the $75+ pre-order bonus bundle! Ask your library to carry the book, then email a screenshot of your request to crystal@moneysavingmom.com. I’d love for you to have these resources, too!

Looking for other apps where you can earn money or gift cards for free? We recommend Ibotta, Upside, CoinOut, and Swagbucks.

What is Fetch Rewards?

Fetch Rewards is a free app (for iOS or Android) that allows you to earn free gift cards to Amazon, Panera, Barnes & Noble, and so much more — just for scanning your grocery receipts. (Psst! You can now also redeem eReceipts to earn points for online purchases, too!)

Want to make a little extra money from scanning your grocery receipts? Keep reading! (Plus, use my link to sign-up to get a BONUS 2,000 points!)

Fetchtopia Week

Wow! This week is Fetchtopia Week which means users can get 2X-3X the normal amount of points on select brand offers, shopping, and receipts during the event. There is no unique link or code required.

Check your app as there are hundreds of amazing offers starting today.

Valid through October 27, 2026.

How does Fetch Rewards work?

All you have to do is download the app from your mobile device, take a picture of any receipt (within 14 days), and hit submit.

Just like that, you’ll get points back (literally, you get 25 points just for submitting the receipt!)

You can then cash in these points for fantastic gift cards to help you stretch your budget a little further OR be able to afford some fun splurges!

How to use Fetch Rewards

After you download the Fetch app on your mobile device, you’ll sign up with your email address or through Facebook.

Once you’re in, use the orange camera icon to scan any receipt within 14 days.

You’ll get points for every receipt you scan, and when you earn enough points to redeem a gift card (minimum 3000) you can cash in your points for eligible gift cards.

The gift cards will show up in your email within a few minutes… then all you need to do is spend them!

Are Fetch reviews positive?

Here are a few PROS of Fetch:

• It’s free!
• It participates with almost every store, including chain and local stores.
• There’s no need to clip coupons before you shop — just scan your receipt.
• It works with a HUGE network of brands.
• Scanning receipts is quick and easy.
• You don’t need to wait to get your gift card rewards.
• The app currently has a 4.8/5 star rating in the App Store and a 4.6/5 star rating in the Google Play Store.

And some CONS:

• You need to remember to upload your receipts within 14 days.
• In order to upload eReceipts, you must connect your email and/or Amazon accounts.
• You can not get cash back or a direct deposit to your Paypal or bank account.
• There’s an upload limit of 35 receipts per 7-day period.
• Your points expire after 90 days of inactivity.

Reasons I Love the Fetch App

Here are 7 reasons why the Fetch Rewards App is so great:

1. You Can Scan ANY Receipt

Just about any and all receipts qualify — including receipts from Aldi, Dollar Tree, gas stations, retail stores, local stores, restaurants, department stores, and so much more! (You can now also redeem eReceipts to earn points for online purchases, too!)

2. You Can Scan Up to 35 Receipts Per Week

This is great if you make multiple grocery shopping trips in a week or you save your receipts and then scan them all in at once (you have up to 14 days to scan in your receipt from the day you went shopping).

3. You Earn Points On Every Receipt

While they have various items you can purchase to earn bonus points, no matter what you bought, if you scan your receipt, you’ll get 25 points just for scanning your receipt! It adds up really quickly!

4. You Don’t Have to Mess With Scanning Bar Codes

Unlike some of the other rebate apps, you don’t have to mess with finding the offers and checking the boxes for them or scanning the barcodes on the individual items. You just scan your receipt, they automatically add the points to your account, and you’re done!

5. You Earn Bonus Points for Referring People

Fetch Rewards offers a great referral program and you can earn 4,000 points for every person you refer who signs up with your code and then scans a receipt. Spread the word about this great app and they’ll reward you for doing so!

6. You Don’t Have to Earn a Minimum Before Cashing Out

There’s no need to wait until you’ve hit a $25 payout with Fetch Rewards! As soon as you have enough points, you can start trading them in for $3 and $5 gift cards!

7. There’s a Big Selection of Gift Cards to Choose From

Choose from popular stores like Amazon, Panera, Target, Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks, TJMaxx, CVS, Kroger, Marshall’s, and tons more.

How to Earn With The Fetch Rewards App

You won’t earn a TON of money for scanning receipts, but every little bit adds up! And since it only takes a few seconds to scan my receipt, it’s so worth it! (Plus, you can use my link to sign up to get a bonus 2,000 points just for signing up!)

Most people report earning more points in the beginning and then earning fewer points the longer they use the app. But hey, all points are free money in my book, so I’ll take them!

This is a great way to stretch your grocery budget each month. Or it might be fun to set aside all of the money you’ve earned in a year and use it for Christmas gifts or one larger purchase.

How to sign up for Fetch Rewards App (+ bonus 2,000 points!)

Want to join me in this fun journey to earning free gift cards just for scanning your grocery receipts?

Just sign up through this link on your mobile device and submit your first receipt to start earning right away! And use my referral link to get a bonus 2,000 points when you sign up!

Fetch Rewards FAQs

Looking for other apps where you can earn money or gift cards for free? I recommend Ibotta, Upside, CoinOut, and Swagbucks.

Have you tried this app? I’d love to hear your Fetch Rewards reviews in the comments!

Want to EASILY earn $1,000+ this year from your PHONE?!

 With this FREE Cheatsheet, you’ll learn about 11 apps that help you earn extra $$$ with very little effort!

Send me my FREE cheatsheet to start earning $$$!

As I shared with you yesterday, I have a brand-new book coming out next Tuesday called, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women. I want to get this book into the hands of as many women as possible.

If you have benefited from what I do online and want to help support the book launch — without spending a penny! — I have two requests for you today:

1. Ask your library to carry The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women. This is HUGE for a book! Most libraries will happily purchase a book if a patron requests it. Even if you already bought a copy, asking for your library to carry it means that more people will find it and read it and have access to it. You can usually request this right on your library’s website or ask them when you are at the library. The book will be available as a paperback, ebook, and audiobook so you can request that they carry all versions — the ebook, hardcover, and/or audiobook.

2. If your library does carry The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women, check the book out from the library. The more people who check a book out, the more a library is apt to promote a book and purchase more copies. The book will be available as a paperback, ebook, and audiobook so check to see if your library has it in any of those available and go ahead and put it on hold.

That’s it! THANK YOU so much! And as my way of saying thank you for your help, if you did either of these things, take a screenshot and email it to crystal@moneysavingmom.com and I’ll send you a link to request the $75 pre-order bonuses completely free!

By the way, if you don’t want to do either item, but you want to get the $75 pre-order bonus package for free, just purchase a copy of The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women from any retailer and then fill out this form here.

There are SO many different ways to earn free Amazon gift cards and Amazon carries just about anything you can think of!

So that means you can use Amazon gift cards to stretch your grocery or household supplies budget, to afford diapers, to buy gifts for others on a really tight budget, or even to just buy something nice for yourself that you’ve really been wanting and can’t make room for in the budget!

7 Ways to Earn Amazon Gift Cards for FREE

These are my favorite ways to earn Amazon gift cards. And, while you may not earn hundreds of dollars from each, you’ll find that you can easily earn at least $5-$10 per month from each of these — and that really adds up if you try to regularly use at least 2-3 of these methods!

1. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is my all-time favorite way to earn Amazon gift cads and I’ve been using it for years now.

It is a site that rewards you for completing tasks and doing certain actions online. When you complete a task, you’ll earn points called Swagbucks that you can cash in for free gift cards.

Some popular ways to earn include:

• Taking surveys
• Shopping online through their portal
• Watching videos
• Searching the web
• Signing up for special offers
• Playing games

One reason I like Swagbucks is that there are so many different earning opportunities available. Even if you only spend a few minutes per day on the platform, the points can add up surprisingly fast.

Amazon gift cards are available in several denominations, and many users can redeem rewards starting at around $5. New members can also often qualify for a welcome bonus after completing certain activities.

Go here to read our complete guide on how to earn Swagbucks.

2. Ibotta

Ibotta is one of my favorite money-making apps, and it’s a great way to save money on groceries and more — without clipping coupons!

Simply browse available offers in the app before shopping, then upload your receipt or link your store loyalty account to receive cash back.

You’ll find rebates for grocery items, household products, personal care items, pet supplies, and even online purchases. I also like that many major retailers, including Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Instacart, participate.

Earnings add up pretty fast and you can cash out at $20. It’s a super easy way to earn Amazon gift cards simply for purchasing your groceries.

Go here to read more about how to get started with Ibotta.

3. Coinstar

Do you have any loose change lying around? Gather it up and take it to your nearest Coinstar kiosk!

Many people remember when Coinstar offered Amazon gift cards as a fee-free redemption option, but that’s no longer widely available. Today, most Coinstar kiosks offer a rotating selection of no-fee eGift cards from other retailers instead, and options can vary by location.

If you still have spare change lying around that you’d like to put toward an Amazon gift card, Coinstar can still be a useful option.

Simply take your coins to a Coinstar kiosk and convert them to cash. If you choose the cash option, Coinstar charges a processing fee (typically around 12.9%, plus any applicable taxes). Once you receive your cash, you can use it to purchase an Amazon gift card online or at many grocery stores, pharmacies, big-box retailers, and convenience stores.

Go here to find a Coinstar location near you.

4. Fetch Rewards

Fetch is one of the easiest rewards apps to use because you earn points simply by snapping pictures of your receipts.

Unlike some rebate apps, you don’t need to select offers before shopping. Just upload receipts from grocery stores, warehouse clubs, convenience stores, restaurants, gas stations, and many other retailers.

You’ll earn points on almost every receipt, plus bonus points when you purchase participating brands. The app also frequently runs special promotions that can help you earn rewards faster.

Most gift card rewards start at around 3,000 points, which is typically worth about $3, though redemption options and values can vary. Amazon gift cards are one of the most popular reward choices.

The best part? It only takes a few seconds to scan a receipt, making this one of the easiest ways to earn free Amazon gift cards throughout the year.

5. Microsoft Rewards

If you use a computer or smartphone regularly, Microsoft Rewards is one of the easiest ways to earn Amazon gift cards with very little extra effort.

Simply sign up for a free Microsoft account and earn points by using Bing as your search engine, completing daily quizzes and activities, and shopping through the Microsoft Store. You can also earn bonus points by using the Microsoft Edge browser and completing occasional challenges.

Points add up over time, and once you’ve earned enough, you can redeem them for Amazon gift cards (eligibility may vary depending on your account and region), as well as other popular retailer gift cards.

6. Survey Companies

While you won’t get rich or earn a full-time income from taking paid online surveys, it is a really nice way to earn gift cards on the side! Many legitimate survey companies reward participants with points that can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards after completing surveys about products, shopping habits, entertainment, and more.

Some of the better-known survey companies include Survey Junkie, Pinecone Research, Branded Surveys, and American Consumer Opinion. Most surveys take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes to complete, depending on the topic.

This was one of my favorite ways to stretch our financially lean budget when Jesse was in law school.

While individual payouts are usually modest, completing surveys during downtime, such as while watching TV or waiting in line, can help you accumulate enough rewards for a few Amazon gift cards each year.

Go here to see my list of the top legitimate paid online surveys you can trust.

7. Amazon Trade-In

Did you know Amazon will give you Amazon account credit for certain items you no longer use?

Through the Amazon Trade-In program, you can send in eligible items such as:

• Amazon devices
• Kindle e-readers
• Fire tablets
• Streaming devices
• Smartphones
• Video games and gaming equipment
• Other select electronics

If your item qualifies, Amazon will provide an Amazon gift card credit that is automatically added to your Amazon account after your trade-in is accepted. In some cases, you may also qualify for an additional promotional discount on a new Amazon device.

What I like about this program is that you don’t have to use the credit toward a replacement device. The credit works much like an Amazon gift card balance and can be used on millions of eligible products across Amazon. That makes it especially helpful if you’re planning to buy birthday gifts, Christmas presents, household essentials, or simply want to upgrade older tech without paying full price.

Before recycling or throwing away old electronics, it’s worth checking whether they’re eligible for trade-in. You might be surprised by how much Amazon credit you can earn from devices you’re no longer using.

Want More Advice on Becoming Financially Healthy?

For more encouragement and ideas to manage your money and stretch your budget, pre-order a copy of my new book, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women.

This book is something I wrote for each and every woman. It’s for the woman in college, the married woman, the single woman, the mom with lots of kids, the woman who doesn’t have kids, the empty nester, and anything and everything in between.

It is part memoir (sharing so many stories of my upbringing and how my parents and grandparents influenced me when it comes to money + lots of stories from our early years of marriage) and it is part practical handbook.

It is packed with my best time-tested advice on how to change your financial future — one step at a time — written in a very realistic, down-to-earth, encouraging style.

Whether you are struggling and stressed or feel like you are in a good place financially and would just like to fine-tune things, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women is for you.

Related Links:

• How to Fund Your Christmas Budget in Just 15 Minutes Per Day!
• The Best Legitimate Paid Online Surveys
• Over 40 Different Income-Earning Ideas
• The Complete Guide On How to Use Swagbucks
• 15 “Weird” Ways to Save Money
• 10 Easy Ways to Earn FREE Christmas Gifts
• The Best Apps to Make Money Reselling Your Stuff
• 14 Smart (and Slightly Unusual) Ways Our Readers Save Money on Food
• The 5-Minute Weekly Budget Check-In That Might Change Your Finances
• How to Start a Savings Plan That Works

Can you think of any other creative ways to earn Amazon gift cards? I’d love to hear in the comments!

We had worked so hard to get through the law school years without taking on debt. We’d lived in a tiny basement apartment, stretched our grocery money, worked side jobs, and said no to so many things.

But the job we’d been counting on didn’t work out.

We were devastated. We’d been living on around $1,000 a month, and this new job paid $36,000 a year. To us, that felt like a HUGE pay increase! We’d planned so much around that income.

I remember how shocked I felt… and honestly, just numb.

I was pregnant with our second baby, so sick and tired in my pregnancy, trying to get a side business off the ground, and adjusting to motherhood with our toddler.

Just when we were starting to feel really desperate, Jesse got a last-minute job offer in another city. With only about a week’s notice, we found a new townhome to rent, packed up our little apartment, and moved.

I thought we would finally be able to breathe a sigh of relief.

But that was short-lived. That job didn’t last long, either.

We found ourselves with a toddler, a newborn, a bank account with very, very little in it, and no steady paycheck. Plus, we now lived in a new town where we only knew a few families.

It was lonely. It was exhausting. And I was so anxious so much of the time.

I remember running the numbers over and over in my head. My chest would tighten as I wondered how we were going to pay our bills.

In fact, I will never forget the day money was so tight that we couldn’t afford fish food for the little fish we’d gotten free when I mystery-shopped a pet store.

It cost around $3.

We had to wait two full weeks before we could find those $3 in our budget.

(Gratefully, the fish somehow survived and lived quite a while after that no-food incident!)

So if money feels heavy to you right now, I remember that feeling. I get what it looks like to have a really tight budget and to feel so much stress and anxiety around money.

For me, starting with what I had meant using a laptop, an internet connection, and the things I’d learned about stretching our money. Eventually, those became the starting point for MoneySavingMom.com.

I couldn’t see that future when I was sitting there scared about our bills. I could only take the next step.

It’s one of the reasons I wrote The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women.

I wanted to put the encouragement AND the practical help I needed back then into one book.

If you’ve been asking yourself…

• “Where is our money actually going?” I’ll walk you through getting a clear picture of your income and expenses.
• “What could I possibly do with what we have right now?” I’ll help you identify resources you already have that could help you save or earn money.
• “What if I’m just bad with money?” We’ll look at beliefs that might be keeping you from trying—and how to begin challenging them.
• “Where do I even start?” I’ll help you choose a manageable next step instead of trying to fix everything at once.

My heart is to help you sit down with your money and have a clearer picture of what you have, what needs your attention, and what you can do next.

If you need help finding your next step, I wrote this book for you.

And right now, when you pre-order, you can also receive FREE bonus resources to help you put what you’re learning into practice.

We’ll be selling these bonuses as a bundle starting in January, but you can get them FREE when you pre-order before the offer ends Tuesday, October 27, at midnight.

Pre-order your copy + see how to claim your FREE bonuses here!

P.S. If you already know you want the book, order before Tuesday, October 27, at midnight so you can get the bonuses, too! Get your copy and claim your FREE bonuses here.

Between social media, email, news, games, and endless notifications, our phones make it incredibly easy to get distracted. And, while you can set app limits or tell yourself, I’m just going to put my phone away, sometimes those strategies aren’t enough.

That’s part of the reason a little device called Brick has gotten so much attention lately. Brick gives you a physical way to block distracting apps on your phone. And many people are huge fans of it!

There’s just one catch: It currently costs $59. If you’re intrigued by the concept but aren’t ready to spend nearly $60, there are some inexpensive, and even free ways to create a similar setup.

What is Brick?

Brick is a small physical device that pairs with the Brick app on your smartphone. You decide which apps and websites you want to block, and then tap your phone against the Brick to activate your chosen mode. When you’re ready to regain access, you physically return to the Brick and tap your phone again.

You can create different modes for different situations. For example, you might have a Work mode that blocks social media but leaves email and other work apps available. Or you could create a Family Time mode that removes most distractions while leaving your camera, phone, and other essentials accessible.

Brick also lets you schedule modes to automatically activate and deactivate at certain times. The important part isn’t necessarily the technology. It’s the physical barrier.

If your Brick is sitting in your office while you’re downstairs with your family, you can’t mindlessly override your limit from the couch. You’d have to make the conscious decision to get up, walk to the Brick, and unlock your apps.

One person from my Instagram community explained why this works so well for her:

“I have a hard time ‘just putting my phone away,’ so I’ve learned for me I need [Brick] to help me.”

Another said she keeps her Brick in her office, which means she has to physically walk upstairs or across the hall to regain access to distracting apps. That little bit of extra effort is often enough to make her move on to whatever she was supposed to be doing instead.

And that’s really the appeal.

Why Not Just Use Screen Time?

Of course, your phone already has tools designed to limit screen time. The problem is you might be the person who set the limit, and also the person who knows exactly how to override it!

It’s easy to tap “ignore” or change your settings when you’re really tempted to scroll. Brick’s physical device adds another layer of friction between the impulse and the action.

Brick even offers Strict Mode to make it more difficult to work around the restrictions, plus five Emergency Unbricks in case you lose access to your physical Brick and immediately need to unlock your apps.

One follower told me she uses it to avoid doomscrolling when her kids get home, and said:

“I can bypass the time controls in my phone, but I can’t with the Brick unless I physically get up and find it.”

Another mom appreciated that she could still use her phone for work while blocking the apps and notifications that tend to distract her. That’s an important distinction: Bricking your phone doesn’t necessarily mean making your entire smartphone unusable.

You can choose which tools you still need. But do you really need to spend $59 to accomplish this?

Not necessarily.

How to Brick Your Phone For Less

The concept behind Brick is relatively simple: Make distracting apps harder to access.

Here are several ways to recreate that friction without paying full price.

1. Try Foqos and an NFC tag

If you’re an iPhone user, one of the closest inexpensive alternatives I’ve found is Foqos. Foqos is a free, open-source iPhone app that uses Apple’s Screen Time tools to block distracting apps and websites. You can start or stop a focus session with an NFC tag, QR code, barcode, timer, or other options.

That’s where things get interesting from a money-saving perspective.

You don’t need a $59 proprietary device. You can use an inexpensive compatible NFC tag and place it somewhere inconvenient like on your refrigerator, in your office, or across the house.

Want to scroll Instagram? You’ll have to get up and walk over to your tag first. The Foqos app itself is currently free, although its App Store listing notes that it offers in-app purchases.

2. Repurpose Something You Already Own

Before you even order NFC tags, look around your house. Some cards you already own may contain NFC technology that can work with apps that allow you to register your own NFC tag.

For example, people have reported using old hotel key cards or other NFC-enabled cards as their physical “Brick.” Compatibility can vary, so don’t assume every card will work.

If you already have a Yoto Make Your Own card, that’s another option worth trying. One Yoto user shared that they paired a spare Make Your Own card with Foqos and kept it on the refrigerator. Other users reported successfully doing the same thing.

In other words, your DIY Brick might already be sitting in your junk drawer!

Tip: I wouldn’t experiment with an active credit or debit card for this. Stick with an unused card or an inexpensive NFC tag that you don’t need for anything important.

3. Use a QR Code Instead

Don’t have an NFC tag? You may not need one at all. Foqos can also use a QR code or barcode to control a focus session.

You could print your code and put it somewhere that requires you to intentionally get up and retrieve it. For example, tape it inside a kitchen cabinet, put it on your refrigerator, or leave it in your home office.

The goal is to make unlocking your apps inconvenient enough that you have time to ask yourself, Do I actually want to do this?

That extra 30 seconds may be surprisingly effective.

4. Try a Free Android Alternative

Foqos is currently designed for iPhone, but Android users have options, too. One example is TapBlok, a free, open-source Android app that works with compatible NFC tags or QR codes.

You select the apps you want to block, then create or register your physical tag, start your session, and then put the tag somewhere else. You need the tag again to exit the blocking session.

As with any third-party app that requests permissions related to your apps or screen time, read the permissions and privacy information before installing it.

5. Put Your Phone in a Timed Lockbox

Maybe you don’t need access to your phone at all. One Instagram follower shared a decidedly low-tech solution: Her friend puts the phone inside a timer safe for 30 minutes or so. Once it’s locked, the safe won’t open until the timer expires.

This could be especially helpful during dinner, family time, Bible study, homework time, or before bed. The downside is obvious: You won’t have easy access to your phone if someone calls or you suddenly need your maps, camera, authenticator app, or another essential tool.

But if you already own a timer lockbox, or can find an inexpensive one, it’s one way to create a very literal physical barrier.

6. Make Screen Time Harder to Override

The cheapest option is still the one already built into your phone. Instead of relying on a limit you can easily dismiss, consider adding an accountability layer. For example, you could have your spouse or another trusted person create and retain your Screen Time passcode so you can’t immediately override your own restrictions.

It’s not exactly the same as Brick, but the principle is similar: Remove the easy escape hatch.

You can also experiment with your phone’s Focus settings, Do Not Disturb, scheduled downtime, notification settings, grayscale mode, or simply deleting the apps that waste the most time.

Before spending money, give the free tools on your phone a fair shot.

The Trick Isn’t the Brick, It’s Creating a Barrier

I think this is the biggest takeaway from all the feedback I received. You don’t necessarily need a particular gadget to use your phone less. You need to figure out what makes you stop and think before opening a distracting app.

For some people, a Screen Time notification is enough. For others, it’s way too easy to tap past it.

And, for some people, physically walking across the house to unlock Instagram creates exactly the amount of friction they need.

That’s also why I’d hesitate to say spending $59 on a Brick is automatically a waste of money. Sometimes paying for a polished solution you’ll actually use is better than cobbling together a free system you abandon after three days.

But, if you’re interested in the idea and aren’t sure whether it will work for you, try the cheap version first.

Download a free blocker, grab an NFC tag you already own, print a QR code, or experiment with your phone’s built-in controls. Put your “unlock key” somewhere inconvenient and try it for a week.

If you suddenly find yourself spending less time scrolling and more time doing the things you actually wanted to do, you’ll know the concept works for you, whether your Brick costs $59 or practically nothing.

More Links You’ll Love:

• How I Finally Found Time to Read Again and How You Can Too
• 50+ Frugal Screen-Free Activities for Kids
• 6 Strategies to Kickstart Your Morning Success (for FREE!)
• Steal My Work-From-Home Toolkit (That Helped Me Build a 7-Figure Business)
• Unplugged: My 2025 Word of the Year
• How Our Screen Detox Led to a Calmer, Happier Home and a Screen-Free Summer
• A Look at How and Why We Don’t Use Screens When Traveling
• The Hard Truths We’ve Learned from a Month of Using the Opal App

Have you tried any of these ways to Brick your phone on the cheap? Share your advice in the comments below!

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The Best Sweet Treats Without Refined Sugar:

Hu Chocolate – This delicious chocolate comes in a variety of flavors and is sweetened with coconut sugar. You can also get the Hu Chocolate Bites in a few different flavors.

Larabar – There are a number of different Larabar varieties that are made with just fruit or fruit and nuts. Do note that the chocolate varieties have cane sugar in them.

Bon Appesweet Chocolate – These chocolate bars are sweetened with dates. I have not tried them but they come highly recommended to me! These come in a variety of flavors.

Lily’s Chocolate – This brand is sweetened with stevia. You can get a variety of chocolate bars, chocolate peanut butter cups, and chocolate chips.

Realsy Stuffed Dates – I just discovered these and haven’t tried them yet, but they look delicious!! They come in a variety of flavors and dates are the sweetener.

Smart Sweets – These are sweetened with stevia. Personally, I’ve only tried the sour blast buddies and I didn’t think they were great, but I know many others disagree with me.

ChocZero – This brand is sweetened with monk fruit and fruit. I have not tried it yet.

Simple Mills – We love the Simple Mills Chocolate Chip Cookies and the Sweet Thins. There are so many other Simple Mills options to choose from and all have very high quality ingredients. They are refined sugar-free treats that are sweetened with coconut sugar.

IQ Bars – These bars are sweetened with stevia and have pretty high protein and fiber content! I really enjoy these and they are great for traveling!

Classic RX Bars – These bars are delicious and do not have sugar and are just sweetened with dates. I love these for traveling or quick snacks, too! (Be sure to read the ingredients – some of the non-classic bar lines have other sweeteners including honey or agave.)

That’s It Bars — These bars are made with fruit only! Great for a quick on-the-go snack or for traveling!

Honey Mama – These products are sweetened with honey and coconut sugar. I haven’t tried them yet because someone just told me about them, but I’m excited to try them!

I’m still discovering new refined sugar-free treats, so I’d love to hear your favorites!

By the way, if you are looking for delicious sugar-free drinks? I love and recommend Olipop and Zevia!

More Links You’ll Love:

• 30 Quick & Easy Protein Snack Ideas
• Greek Yogurt Bowl with Protein Powder (Easiest High-Protein Snack That is Delish!)
• Easy Protein Recipes (That Are Budget-Friendly & Family-Approved!)
• Easy Protein Breakfast Muffins
• 30+ Best Road Trip Snacks on a Budget
• Cheap Easy Snacks on a Budget
• Ask Crystal: Is it possible to eat healthfully on a budget?
• 20 Ways to Afford Organic Foods on a Tight Budget
• 25+ Healthy Cheap Snacks for Kids
• Healthy Homemade Protein Bars
• 20+ Easy Healthy Family Dinners on a Budget
• Nourish: Hire a Registered Dietitian at $0 Cost to You!

We also regularly share deals on these snacks and more, so check out all the recent grocery deals here!

What would you add to this list? Leave a comment and tell me what I need to try next!

FREE Goal Setting Worksheets!

 Let me help you set, track, and actually accomplish your goals this year!

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You can use any kind of ground meat that you like! It works with ground chicken, turkey, pork, beef, venison, or sausage. I used ground turkey this particular time since I’d gotten some on markdown. You can also top the finished stir fry with sesame seeds if you like them.

I serve Egg Roll in a Bowl with rice and call it a meal. I like to stir some sesame oil into the rice after it’s finished cooking, and top it with chopped green onions or cilantro.

This post is part of our $10 Dinner Ideas series, brought to you by Brigette on our team! Each week, she shares easy, delicious, and affordable family-friendly dinner ideas that cost less than $10 to make, use everyday ingredients, and are super quick meals.

Egg Roll in a Bowl Dinner Menu:

• Egg Roll in a Bowl
• Steamed Rice

Ingredients for Egg Roll in a Bowl:

• 1-lb. ground meat (Food Lion) — $3.17
• 6 green onions, chopped (Aldi – $0.99/bag) — $0.33
• Garlic cloves, minced, to taste (I used 5) (Aldi – $0.99 for 3 heads) — $0.17
• Fresh ginger, peeled and finely diced, to taste (I used 1 Tablespoon) (Aldi – $1.99/lb) — $0.25
• 2 bags coleslaw mix (Publix – $1.50 per bag) — $3
• 1/2 cup soy sauce (Aldi – $1.50 for 10oz) — $0.60
• 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil (Walmart – $3.48 for 5 oz) — $0.34
• Chopped cilantro for garnish

Total for Egg Roll in a Bowl: $7.86 (serves 6)

Ingredients for Steamed Rice:

• 3 cups dry rice (Aldi – $6.75 for 5 lbs) — $1.69
• Water
• Salt
• 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil (Walmart – $3.48 for 5 oz) — $0.34
• Chopped green onions for garnish

Total for Steamed Rice: $2.03 (serves 6)

Total Cost for Dinner: $9.89 (makes 6 servings)

How to Make Egg Roll in a Bowl:

1. Cook the rice according to the directions on the bag, using your preferred cooking method.

2. While the rice is cooking, brown the ground turkey over medium-low heat in a large skillet or wok, stirring until done. Stir in the white part of the chopped onions (save the chopped green tops for garnish), minced garlic, and chopped ginger. Continue cooking and stirring until the vegetables are tender (if needed, add in olive oil so that nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pan).

3. Add in the coleslaw mix and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes, or until cabbage is tender.

4. Stir in the soy sauce and sesame oil and cook until heated through. Garnish with chopped cilantro and green onions.

5. When the rice is finished, stir in the sesame oil and top with chopped green onions.

Print

Egg Roll in a Bowl ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

Egg Roll in a Bowl is an easy, healthy skillet meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes! You can find variations of this recipe all over the internet, but if you’re looking for the easiest, fastest one — this is it, haha!

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Chinese

Keyword easy dinner, family favorite, high protein, homemade, weeknight dinner

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 507kcal

Author Brigette

Cost $9.89

Ingredients

Ingredients for Egg Roll in a Bowl:

• 1- lb. ground meat Food Lion — $3.17
• 6 green onions chopped (Aldi – $0.99/bag) — $0.33
• 5 Garlic cloves minced, to taste (I used 5) (Aldi – $0.99 for 3 heads) — $0.17
• Fresh ginger peeled and finely diced, to taste (I used 1 Tablespoon) (Aldi – $1.99/lb) — $0.25
• 2 bags coleslaw mix Publix – $1.50 per bag — $3
• 1/2 cup soy sauce Aldi – $1.50 for 10oz — $0.60
• 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil Walmart – $3.48 for 5 oz — $0.34
• Chopped cilantro for garnish

Ingredients for Steamed Rice:

• 3 cups dry rice Aldi – $6.75 for 5 lbs — $1.69
• Water
• Salt
• 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil Walmart – $3.48 for 5 oz — $0.34
• Chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions

• Cook the rice according to the directions on the bag, using your preferred cooking method.
• While the rice is cooking, brown the ground turkey over medium-low heat in a large skillet or wok, stirring until done. Stir in the white part of the chopped onions (save the chopped green tops for garnish), minced garlic, and chopped ginger. Continue cooking and stirring until the vegetables are tender (if needed, add in olive oil so that nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pan).
• Add in the coleslaw mix and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes, or until cabbage is tender.
• Stir in the soy sauce and sesame oil and cook until heated through. Garnish with chopped cilantro and green onions.
• When the rice is finished, stir in the sesame oil and top with chopped green onions.

Nutrition

Calories: 507kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 1133mg | Potassium: 591mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2mg

FAQs about Egg Roll in a Bowl

More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10:

• Baked Nachos
• Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole and Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins
• Sloppy Joes and Simple Coleslaw
• Chinese Chicken Stir Fry with Vegetables
• Cheesy Baked Tortellini and Green Bean Fries
• Bubble Pizza
• Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet
• French Toast Casserole and Baked Scrambled Eggs
• Easy Baked Chicken
• Biscuits and Gravy
• Quick & Easy Mini Calzones
• Mexican Lasagna

And, be sure to check out all our easy dinner recipes here!

If you make this Egg Roll in a Bowl $10 family dinner, we’d love for you to leave a review and let us know how it turned out!

FREE DOWNLOAD: 60 Meals To Help You Avoid Takeout!

Meal time just got so much easier!

Send me my FREE list of meal ideas!

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Practical prompts and tools to help you and your spouse have more productive, less stressful conversations about money and work toward your goals together.

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Kathrynne called me last week to tell me her really exciting news! 

The huge corporation she had interviewed with recently had offered her an internship! And not only that, but they were so impressed with her that they created a float position between two teams specifically for her because both teams she interviewed with wanted to hire her!! 

I have watched her give and serve and work so hard and build character and walk through really hard things the past few years, and I couldn’t be prouder of the woman she is. 

And also, I had prayed very specific prayers that if she were to get an internship offer that it would be so clear that this was the one for her. For so many reasons, this could not be more clear.

Since the time she was in my womb, I have prayed for her to know and love the Lord and use her life to glorify him. It is an honor to be her mom and to get to have a close-up view of her journey. And I can’t wait to see what the future holds! 

Also, I think it’s quite funny that I birthed a child who loves spreadsheets so much and is majoring in accounting. She definitely did not get any of those skills or interests from me! 😂

Mothering is such a complex and emotional journey, isn’t it?! The same week I’m seeing fruits in Kathrynne’s young adult life and celebrating with her, I’m also living the day-to-day with my younger kids and, while it’s beautiful and such a joy, sometimes that day-to-day living can be so trying!

In frustration and anger, these words spilled out of my mouth to one of my children this week: “If you don’t change your attitude and stop crying immediately, I’m going to turn this car around and we’re going straight home!” 

Yes, this child was over-reacting to a situation. But the irony was that so was I. 

We work hard to help our kids regulate themselves and respond calmly — and here I was, doing the exact opposite. 

Yes, I almost immediately felt convicted by my harsh response and frustration, but I wasn’t ready to acknowledge, own, or apologize for it yet — because, you see, I was still frustrated. 

And then my child says from the back seat, “Can we listen to worship music?”

Of course! 🫣

God knew that was exactly what my heart needed in that moment. A reminder of His grace and compassion for me in the songs that my child kept picking for me to play. 

And my heart slowly softened as I heard my child singing the words of truth. 

Eventually, I couldn’t hold onto my frustration anymore. I asked my child’s forgiveness and they willingly gave it. I told them how I had responded poorly and I was really sorry for that. 

And then, we both sang the worship songs together. 

As we walked up to the event we were headed to, this child reached for my hand to hold it. 

And it was such a reminder of God’s grace for me as a parent. 

I make mistakes. I fall short. I sin. But there is forgiveness and restoration to be had — if I’m willing to humble myself, let go of my frustration, acknowledge where I’ve messed up, and receive God’s amazing grace. 

By the way, want to know one of the worship songs we listened to? “This is Amazing Grace!”

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness?
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger?
The King of glory, the King above all kings
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder?
And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?
The King of glory, the King above all kings
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You laid down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You’ve done for me

May you receive and rest in His amazing grace today… and if you need to repent of sin and ask for forgiveness, may you have the courage to do so and find your restoration in Jesus. 

Many of you know that I love following politics. However, the past few months, I’ve stepped back from following a lot of the sources I had been following because I noticed it was stealing my peace and causing me to feel upset.

Maybe you can relate??

If so, I found a news source that keeps you informed without causing you to feel all worked up and unsettled — which is such a gift. I also love that they include Christ-centered perspective and encouragement woven throughout. 

It’s called The Pour Over and, in addition to their weekday emails, you can now download their brand new app, which will give you brief, politically-neutral news summaries, updated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Plus, you’ll have access to a deep dive into one audience-selected topic each Saturday in TPO Explains.

Best of all, it’s FREE! Go here to download The Pour Over app so you can stay informed on current events without feeling stressed!

My new book, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women, officially releases October 27, and this is your last chance to grab $75+ in exclusive pre-order bonuses FREE! If you have been thinking about ordering, now is the perfect time.

When you pre-order from any retailer, you’ll be eligible to claim the FULL bonus bundle, including the Money Reset Toolkit, Couples’ Guide to Healthy Money Conversations, and 5 Days to a Financially Healthier You Video Course.These practical resources are packed with tools, encouragement, and actionable steps to help you start building healthier money habits right away. I don’t want you to miss these!

And if you’ve already pre-ordered, THANK YOU! Be sure to claim your bonuses before the deadline, too!

Pre-order your copy + grab your FREE bonuses here!

This Week on The Crystal Paine Show: Behind the Scenes with My Next Book and Why It Might Be My Last

Listen in to this episode of The Crystal Paine Show as Jesse and I talk about something that I have been working on for a long time: my sixth book, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women, which comes out very soon on October 27th!

The release date was originally September 15th, so having it pushed back six weeks at the last minute has made for an interesting fall. Between running our business during its busiest season and suddenly having all these podcast interviews lined up, I have had plenty to keep me on my toes but I am so excited to finally share this book with you!

In this episode, I’m telling the story behind the book, including why I believe this may be my last one, what I learned from writing my very first book, and how this project became something completely different from my original idea. In writing this book, I wanted to create something more intentional than a collection of blog posts: a short, story-driven book that combines practical financial guidance with the personal experiences that shaped my approach to money, which includes lessons from my parents, the influence of my grandparents, and the legacy that they have left behind. I share stories that I haven’t told publicly before, along with some of the creative, outside-of-the-box ways my family learned to save money and build financial freedom.

We also discuss what financial health actually means to me. It’s not about having a huge bank balance, owning a home, or being debt-free. It’s about finding peace and living intentionally with whatever resources you have. I want you to see how budgeting can help you spend on what matters to you, whether that’s a vacation, a concert, or a special dinner, without the guilt and/or stress.

I am also sharing the resources available to help you put these ideas into practice, including my free five-day budget makeover and the exclusive bonuses that come with pre-ordering the book. We talk about the money toolkit, resources for having conversations about finances with your spouse, and my five-lesson 5 Days to a Financially Healthier You course.

My hope is that you’ll walk away feeling encouraged, equipped, and confident that financial health is possible right where you are. You don’t have to have everything figured out to start making meaningful changes! I hope that you enjoy this episode, and please be sure to preorder a copy of the new book!

Listen to the episode here.

What I’m Reading…

I’m currently reading The Bright Side of the Other Side and House Hushing.

What I’m Listening to…

I did almost zero listening of anything this past week due to being an the event mentioned above for three days and then in Atlanta for a baseball tournament for two of the other days, but I did run a 12-mile run and listen to a lot of songs on my Truths to Remember playlist.

What I’m Watching…

This past week, the girls and I watched week 5 of Dancing with the Stars together. (It’s fun to have a show that Kierstyn, Kaitlynn, and I all enjoy together!)

Micah and Kierstyn had asked a lot of questions about 9/11, so we watched two documentaries with them on the topic this week: 9/11 Reunited (this was very well done and I would highly recommend it) and 9/11: Four Flights (also very worth watching. 

More Links You’ll Love from This Week:

• Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread Recipe — This recipe is delicious year-round, but something about fall makes its warm, cozy flavors feel even more special and delicious.
  
• How to Travel for Cheap — Family travel can be one of the most fun — and most expensive! — things we do all year. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to drain your bank account. Check out this post for dozens of ways to save on transportation, lodging, food and fun!
  
• Baked Nachos ($10 Family Dinner Idea) — This one-pan dinner is SO easy to throw together at the last minute and your family can customize the toppings to make it a meal everyone will enjoy.
  
• 50+ Simple Ways to Practice Hospitality on a Budget —  When money is tight and your schedule is full, it might feel overwhelming to even think about hospitality. But here’s the truth: you don’t need a big budget or a perfectly styled home to offer meaningful hospitality. With a little creativity, some realistic expectations, and a heart to bless (not impress!) others, you can open your door and create space for community without breaking the bank. This post has more than 50 ideas to help you.
  
• Schedule of Christmas Hallmark Movies — Love cozying up to Hallmark movies during the holidays? Get excited for the Hallmark Countdown to Christmas movie marathon, which started this weekend! Check out this post for the full schedule and details on how to access it.
  
• Moving from Financial Fear to Faithful Stewardship — I had the privilege of being a guest on the Dr. Nurse Mama podcast this week. If you’re struggling with financial stress or family budgeting, I hope this episode will encourage you and give you practical steps for your financial journey.

Those tools can be helpful, but knowing what to do doesn’t always make it easier to actually do it, or figure out what your body needs.

That’s what makes Nourish different. This app combines helpful tracking tools with personalized, one-on-one support from a registered dietitian.

I’ve been using Nourish since 2025, and it’s helped me make meaningful changes to my health, energy levels, and relationship with food. I’ve learned that the best weight loss app isn’t necessarily the one that tracks the most data. It’s the one that helps you understand what your body needs and build habits you can actually sustain.

What Is the Best App for Weight Loss?

There isn’t one weight loss app that’s best for everyone. But if you’re comparing your options, it’s helpful to look beyond calorie counting.

A good app should make it easy to track food, movement, and other health habits while helping you set realistic goals. Ideally, it should also provide personalized recommendations, accountability and support when your circumstances change.

Your overall health matters, too. Sleep, stress, hormones, energy levels and other factors can influence how you feel and the habits you’re able to maintain. Nourish checks many of these boxes, but it also offers something you won’t find in many traditional tracking apps: regular access to a registered dietitian.

What Is the Nourish App?

Nourish is a virtual nutrition platform that connects you with a registered dietitian for personalized nutrition counseling. Appointments happen virtually, so you can meet with your dietitian from home.

Nourish dietitians specialize in a wide variety of areas, including weight management, emotional eating, digestive health, women’s health, pre- and postnatal nutrition and general wellness.

The Nourish app also lets you log meals, track macros, set goals, and monitor your progress. But the goal isn’t simply to collect more numbers. Your dietitian can use information about your eating patterns and health goals to provide more personalized recommendations.

Instead of handing you a rigid meal plan or expecting you to overhaul everything overnight, Nourish emphasizes personalized care and sustainable behavior changes.

Want to see if you can get started for little to no cost? Check whether your insurance covers appointments with a Nourish dietitian.

Why Nourish Is Different From a Traditional Weight Loss App

Traditional weight loss apps can provide valuable information. Tracking your meals, for example, may help you notice that you’re consistently low on protein or that you tend to skip meals during busy days.

But numbers don’t necessarily tell you why you’re exhausted, constantly hungry, or struggling to make progress.

That’s where personalized support can make a difference.

Nourish dietitians provide individualized care based on each patient’s goals, and the platform describes its approach as focusing on long-term behavioral changes rather than short-term fixes.

In other words, you’re not left staring at a dashboard wondering what all the information means. You have a professional who can help you connect the dots and determine a realistic next step.

My Honest Experience Using Nourish

I started meeting with a Nourish dietitian in the summer of 2025. At the time, I was exercising and trying to eat well, but I still felt stuck and depleted. I assumed my dietitian would tell me to count calories more carefully or pay closer attention to my macros.

Instead, our conversations helped me look at the bigger picture. My body had been through years of pregnancy, nursing, fostering, caregiving, parenting six kids, and running a business. I began to understand that constantly pushing myself while under-eating and under-sleeping wasn’t necessarily helping me reach my health goals.

“I thought I needed more discipline. What I actually needed was personalized support and permission to nourish my body.”

My dietitian gave me clear, manageable steps I could implement without making me feel guilty or overwhelmed. That experience began changing the way I thought about health. Instead of focusing so much on trying to be skinny or seeing a particular number on the scale, I’ve been learning to focus on becoming stronger, having more energy, and making sure my body is actually nourished.

How Nourish Helps You Track Progress

One thing I appreciate about Nourish is that progress doesn’t have to be defined by the scale. The app can help you keep track of meals, eating patterns, nutrition goals, and other information that can help you and your dietitian identify patterns over time. Nourish’s app currently includes features for logging meals and macros, setting goals, and monitoring progress.

Depending on your individual plan, you might also pay attention to things like hydration, movement, sleep, digestion, energy levels, mood, or habits your dietitian recommends.

Progress can take many forms. Maybe you have more energy in the afternoon, feel satisfied after meals, sleep better, get stronger during workouts, or simply spend less time thinking and worrying about food. Those wins matter, too.

Can Nourish Support Weight Loss Without Restrictive Dieting?

Yes. Nourish has dietitians who specialize in weight loss and weight management, but the approach can extend well beyond simply telling you to eat less. A dietitian can help you look at portions, meal balance, hunger cues, and eating patterns and create realistic habits based on your individual goals.

My own experience taught me something especially important: The healthiest next step isn’t always eating less and exercising more. Sometimes your body may need adequate nutrition, better sleep, less stress, or a healthier relationship with food before you focus on anything else.

Of course, everyone’s body and circumstances are different. Working with Nourish or using any other nutrition or weight loss app doesn’t guarantee that you’ll lose weight, and individual results will vary.

How Much Does Nourish Cost?

Here’s one of the biggest potential benefits: Nourish currently reports that 94% of its in-network patients pay $0 out of pocket. However, your actual cost depends on your insurance plan, and some patients may have a copay, coinsurance, or deductible.

Nourish offers a coverage calculator so you can check your benefits before getting started. It also has a Nourish Guarantee designed to provide a no-surprise billing experience. For patients paying out of pocket, Nourish currently lists its self-pay rate at $145 per session.

Since insurance coverage and pricing can change, always confirm your expected cost directly with Nourish before scheduling.

Who Might Benefit From Nourish?

Nourish could be worth considering if you’re overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice, tired of starting and stopping diets, or want to work toward weight loss in a more sustainable way.

It may also be helpful if you want personalized guidance and accountability without shame, struggle with low energy, want to improve your relationship with food, or need help understanding patterns in your eating and health habits.

Nourish probably isn’t the best choice if all you’re looking for is a basic automated calorie counter. Its biggest differentiator is the human support behind the technology.

Is Nourish the Best App for Weight Loss?

There isn’t one best weight loss app for everyone. However, I think Nourish is a strong option if you’re looking for personalized, professional support instead of another restrictive diet plan.

My biggest takeaway from working with my dietitian has been that genuine progress doesn’t have to come from becoming more obsessed with food or the scale. For me, it came from learning how to better nourish and care for my body.

Check whether your insurance covers Nourish and connect with a registered dietitian who can help you create a realistic plan for your health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nourish a weight loss app?

Nourish is a virtual nutrition platform rather than a traditional calorie-counting or weight loss app. Its registered dietitians can help with weight-related goals while considering other factors such as eating habits, energy, sleep, stress and your relationship with food. Nourish offers dietitians with specialties including weight loss, emotional eating, women’s health and pre- and postnatal nutrition.

Does the Nourish app include food tracking?

Yes. Nourish’s app includes tools that let users log meals, track macros, set goals, and monitor their progress. This information can also provide useful context when working with your dietitian.

Is Nourish covered by insurance?

Nourish reports that 94% of its in-network patients currently pay $0 out of pocket. However, insurance coverage varies, and some people may have a copay, coinsurance, or deductible. Nourish recommends using its coverage calculator to verify your individual benefits before scheduling.

Can a dietitian help me lose weight?

A registered dietitian can help you develop an individualized nutrition strategy, identify barriers to your goals, and establish realistic, sustainable habits. Nourish has registered dietitians who specialize in weight management and weight-related goals, but individual outcomes will vary.

Go here to sign up for a Nourish account.

Need help making your habits finally stick?

 Join our FREE habit tracking challenge!

 

SIGN ME UP!

But here’s the truth: you don’t need a big budget or a perfectly styled home to offer meaningful hospitality.

With a little creativity, some realistic expectations, and a heart to bless (not impress!) others, you can open your door and create space for community without breaking the bank.

Many times, we think of hospitality as being when we’ll host another family or group of people for a meal. While that is definitely one form of hospitality, it is by no means the only form of hospitality.

We decided to ask our readers to share some of their best tips for practicing hospitality on a budget, and they came up with SO many great ideas!

Looking for ways to practice hospitality on a budget? Use this reader-sourced list of ideas to help you open up your home, feed your family/friends, and build community — all while maintaining peace of mind about how much you’re spending.

Here are some simple, budget-friendly ways to welcome others in — without the financial stress:

Frugal Hosting Ideas

Instead of hosting a 3-course meal or blowing your budget on takeout pizza, consider these less-expensive ways to gather your friends in your home on a budget.

• Enjoy coffee on the front porch.
• Plan a group meal with 2 or 3 friends (1 brings the main dish, 1 brings a couple of sides, 1 brings dessert and anything extra).
• Invite people over for dessert after dinner. This could be as simple as brownies, cookies, or ice cream, or you could ask everyone to bring a favorite dessert. (Or skip the dessert and just serve coffee and tea!)
• Meet at someone’s home in PJs (morning or evening) and bring whatever snacks you have on hand.
• Host a “Muffins and Munchies” party — Everyone brings a sweet muffin and a savory munchie to share.
• Serve cheese & crackers in the backyard.
• Set up a s’mores bar and bonfire.
• Host a potluck. There doesn’t even need to be a main dish if everyone brings something to share, such as a salad or dessert. This is also a fun way to get new favorite recipes as you all try each other’s food!
• Stock up on coffee cakes when they’re on sale and stick them in your freezer or make some freezer-friendly snacks, so you’re ready for last-minute hospitality.
• Offer donut holes and coffee/hot chocolate on a Saturday morning.
• Pop a variety of different popcorns and ask your friends to bring their favorite drink.
• Have a “Spring Fling” — Everyone brings a plant they split from their garden and an appetizer to share.
• Keep healthy and frugal snacks for kids on hand to give your kids’ friends when they come over.
• Invite friends over to play in the sprinkler and eat popsicles while the moms chat.
• Host a cereal night — Each person brings their favorite box of cereal with a variety of milks.
• Plan your company meals around what you already have on hand and what is on sale.
• Serve canned biscuits with jam and honey and ask your friends to bring their favorite tea.
• Plan an ice cream sundae social — You supply ice cream and ask everyone to bring toppings.
• Enjoy a game night and snacks — Everyone brings a favorite game and snack.
• BYO Takeout — Invite a group of friends over with instructions for everyone to grab their own takeout on the way.
• BYO Meat to grill — and everyone brings a side to share.

Remember that your friends want to visit you because of the conversations and laughter you’ll all have together, not because of the food you serve and not because your home is perfectly-coordinated or impressive.

I always keep it simple when we open up our home…mostly because it makes me stressed if I try to cook a fancy meal. I’d rather be relaxed and be able to fully focus on loving on our guests and investing in them so keeping things really simple is what works best for me! And the reality is that most people care more about spending time with you than about how amazing your food is. People just like to be welcomed into your home and included!

Frugal Meals That Feed a Crowd

These frugal meal ideas are a great option the next time you offer to bring a meal to a friend or host a group at your home.

• Spaghetti (or spaghetti pizza)
• Soup + salad
• Homemade pizza (everyone brings their favorite toppings)
• Breakfast for dinner (or Saturday morning breakfast!) — We LOVE serving breakfast for dinner at our house. Think pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Or a waffle bar with fruit, whipped cream, and chocolate chips. Or an egg casserole with cinnamon rolls and fruit.
• Hot dogs
• Chili — You could even have a chili cook-off where everyone brings their favorite chili to share!
• Taco bar
• Baked potato bar
• Breakfast burritos
• Sloppy Joes or Pulled pork (stock up when the meat goes on sale)
• Baked Nachos
• Roasts or rotisserie chickens (when on sale) + potatoes, carrots, and some bread.
• Leftovers — Challenge yourself to make a “silly” meal out of whatever you have on hand.

Note: My extended family gets together every summer for vacation and we cook meals for 25+ people! You can see some of our budget-friendly ideas and meals here, here, here, and here!

You can also click here to grab a FREE list of 60 simple meal ideas when you’re not sure what to cook!

Frugal Tips to Entertain for Less

Planning a frugal menu is only one way to save on hospitality; there are many others ways to entertain on a tight budget!

• Skip paper products and wash your own dishes.
• Look for pretty plates, stemware, vases, tablecloths, etc. at the thrift store.
• Buy disposable seasonal plates/napkins/cups on clearance after the season/holiday.
• Make paper chains from strips of construction paper or pompoms from yarn as cheap decor.
• Cut flowers or greenery from your garden and use them to decorate your home for any occasion.
• Have your kids color images relating to the theme of the gathering, then cut them out and mount them on colored paper to hang on the wall.
• Serve water with lemons, limes, cucumbers, mint, or even cranberries for a festive look without paying for pricier beverages.
• Keep homemade sweet tea in the refrigerator and always have ice for ice water.
• Borrow from friends when possible. Don’t have enough folding chairs or serving plates? You could borrow from a neighbor or ask friends to bring their own!
• Play happy, calm music to frame the mood.

Frugal Ways to Show Hospitality to Others

Showing hospitality doesn’t always require food or hosting in your home — and it certainly doesn’t need to break your budget. It’s much more about opening yourself and your heart to relationships with others, which doesn’t have to cost anything!

Here are several frugal ways you can show others how much you care:

• Pray for and send a card to someone.
• Fill a thrift store teacup with a few tea bags and give it to a sick neighbor or friend.
• Make frugal gift bags for neighbor kids — bubbles, coloring books, boxes of raisins, applesauce cups, and tiny toys.
• Pick up bagels and go to a park for breakfast and a walk.
• Bring brown bag lunches to a local park or community center.
• Many areas offer free concerts, festivals, or events that would be great for the whole family. Why not ask some friends to join you?
• BYO Snacks to a play date at a park.
• Use one of the ideas on this list of fun and frugal ideas, and ask some friends to do it with you!
• Invite someone to coffee. This is inexpensive (especially if you literally just order a cup of tea or coffee!) and can be a fantastic way to begin connecting with someone on a deeper level.
• Invite friends to meet you at a restaurant where kids eat free/cheap.
• If you have a little extra room in your budget one week, buy some ingredients to make muffins or soup to stick in your freezer and have on hand for taking meals to people. Or, double up your own meals when cooking and freeze one to share. You’ll be ready to help a friend in need, even if their need pops up on a busy day for you!
• Save your free samples and trial-sized items to make gift bags for neighbors or hostesses.
• Bring veggies or flowers from your garden to a few neighbors.
• Buy extra groceries on clearance and bring them to a family who could use them.
• Pair up with another friend to help your friend in need. If you know of another friend who might also be short on finances or time, ask if she’d like to help you with making a meal. One of you can make the main dish and bread, another the salad and dessert, and you’ve just pulled off a great meal for half the cost.
• Coordinate a birthday dinner at a restaurant (where everyone pays for their own meal), rather than hosting everyone at your house.
• Meet up with friends at a restaurant and take advantage of one of these family meal hacks at popular restaurants to save on an easy group dinner.
• Give a jar of homemade soup mix, brownie mix, pancake mix, cookie mix, etc.
• Offer to bring a friend some frozen goodies instead of a whole dinner. Instead of a full meal, you could make some banana bread, muffins, rolls, or a freezer-friendly dessert, and put them in a pretty basket with some notes of encouragement taped onto them. Bring it over and tell the family they can stick everything in their freezer and use them when they want to.
• Bake and deliver a dozen cookies to a friend or neighbor.
• Plan to make a double-batch of one meal each week and bring one of the meals to a friend or neighbor.
• Visit the elderly and shut-ins — even if you don’t bring any food along.
• Create a separate bank account for giving and hospitality and put a little into it from each paycheck.

Here’s the thing: hospitality isn’t about impressing others — it’s about making them feel loved and welcome.

You don’t need a fancy home, matching dishes, or a gourmet spread to open your door to someone. In fact, some of the sweetest memories are made in imperfect spaces with simple food and a whole lot of heart.

Want to hear something wild? I used to be terrified of hospitality. I wouldn’t ever open up my home to anyone. But then I read Jen Schmidt’s Just Open the Door book, and it completely changed my life. Now, I adore hospitality and our home is a revolving door of people, friends, teens, and kids! (You can hear more about this journey in my podcast interview with Jen!)

So if you’ve been waiting for things to be “just right” before you invite someone over…don’t! Hospitality isn’t about having more — it’s about sharing what you already have.

Start looking for ways to show hospitality and reach out to others and I bet you’ll begin to find them all around you!

Want More Financial Advice that Fits Your Real Life?

For more encouragement and ideas to manage your money while living in line with your priorities, pre-order a copy of my new book, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women.

This book is something I wrote for each and every woman. It’s for the woman in college, the married woman, the single woman, the mom with lots of kids, the woman who doesn’t have kids, the empty nester, and anything and everything in between.

It is part memoir (sharing so many stories of my upbringing and how my parents and grandparents influenced me when it comes to money + lots of stories from our early years of marriage) and it is part practical handbook.

It is packed with my best time-tested advice on how to change your financial future — one step at a time — written in a very realistic, down-to-earth, encouraging style.

Whether you are struggling and stressed or feel like you are in a good place financially and would just like to fine-tune things, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women is for you.

Other Posts You Might Like:

• How I Overcame My Fear of Hospitality
• Feeding Teenagers without Breaking Your Budget (100+ Ideas!)
• Crowd-Pleasing Meals for 25+ People
• Recipes for a Crowd of People on Family Vacation (26 People)
• Cheap Meals for a Crowd (Vacation Menu)
• Easy Meals for Big Groups
• When You Feel Lonely and Left Out
• How to Love Someone You Disagree With
• How to Find and Build Better Friendships
• Reimagining Church as Family
• Loneliness, Friendship Breakups, and How to Build Strong Community

What are your best budget-friendly tips for showing hospitality to others? Let us know!

Aldi

1/2 gallon Orange Juice – $3.35

1 gallon Milk – $2.76

1 32-oz carton Half and Half – $2.39

1 large carton Egg Whites – $4.79

2 dozen Eggs – $3.30

1 pkg Fresh Boneless Chicken Breasts – $11.84

1 carton Cottage Cheese – $2.85

1 48-oz jar Canola Oil – $3.79

2 boxes Cereal – $3.90

2 pkgs Turkey Bacon – $6.98

1 jar BBQ Sauce – $1.69

1 box Butter Quarters – $2.69

2 bag Fresh Green Beans – $4.78

1 bunch Bananas – $1.85

1 bag Fresh Garlic Heads – $1.19

1 bag Spinach – $1.89

1 pkg Broccoli Florets – $2.55

1 bag Mini Cucumbers – $1.89

1 bag Red Onions – $1.95

1 bag Honey Crisp Apples – $1.99

4 cans Chili Beans – $3.40

2 cans Pumpkin – $3.18

1 16-oz bag Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – $3.29

1 bag Chocolate Chips – $3.65

2 pkgs Deli Sliced Cheese – $2.90

Total: $84.85

Publix

5 boxes General Mills Cereal – $12.60, used (2) $1/2 General Mills Publix Digital Coupon plus received $1/2 General Mills Ibotta Rebate plus received 4300 points from Fetch ($4.30) – $5.30 for 5 after Coupon and Rebates

1 box Banza Pasta – $1.99

2 bags Totino’s Pizza Rolls – $7.47, used $0.50/2 Totino’s Publix Digital Coupon plus received (2) $0.50/1 Totino’s Ibotta Rebates plus received 1000 points from Fetch ($1) – $4.97 for 2 after Coupon and Rebates

2 pkgs Mighty Spark Chicken Sticks – $7.59, used (2) $1.50/1 Printables, plus received 759 points from Merryfield ($0.76) – $3.83 for 2 after Coupons and Rebate

1 bag Mini Peppers – $1.99

2 First Phorm Protein Bars – $2.98, received (2) $1/1 First Phorm Bars Ibotta Rebates – $0.98 for 2 after Rebates

1 pkg String Cheese – $2.84

2 boxes College Inn Broth – $3.19, received 200 points from Swagbucks ($2) – $1.19 for 2 after Rebate

3 bags Strawberry Lemonade Nerds Gummy Clusters – $8.98, received (3) $1/1 Strawberry Lemonade Gummy Clusters Ibotta Rebates – $5.98 for 3 after Rebates

1 bag Sweet Potatoes – $2.41

3 bags Trolli – $8.98, received (3) $0.75/1 Trolli Ibotta Rebates – $6.73 for 3 after Rebates

2 box Ritz Sandwich Crackers – $4.79

1 box Lance Sandwich Crackers – $2.79

3 cans Pillsbury Crescent Rolls – $4.17, used $1/2 Pillsbury Publix Coupon plus received 1000 points from Fetch ($1) – $2.17 for 3 (I didn’t realize until I got home that these small cans didn’t qualify for the Ibotta rebate!)

2 boxes Ryze Mushroom Coffee – $19.98, received $9.99 from Aisle, plus received (2) $2/1 Ryze Ibotta Rebates and 3200 points from Fetch ($3.20) – $2.79 for 2 after Rebates

~ Received $5 Ibotta Midweek Bonus

Total after Coupons and Rebates: $45.75

Grocery Total for the Week: $130.60

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Cereal, Oatmeal, Grits, Omelets, Smoothies, Eggs/Bacon, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Lunches

Sandwich Crackers, Apples, Cheese Sticks, Chicken Meat Sticks, Veggies with Dip x 4 (School Lunches)

Leftovers/Pizza Rolls x 3

Dinners

Stromboli, Green Beans

Chicken Gravy over Rice, Broccoli

Spaghetti (using venison sausage from the freezer), Spinach Salad, Homemade Breadsticks

Dinner Out (My boys have a school function that includes dinner, and my husband and I are going out with friends)

Pancakes, Bacon

Chili, World’s Easiest Cornbread

Leftover Chili over Baked Potatoes with Cheese, Roasted Cauliflower

FREE One Week Menu Plan!

Done-For-You Dinner Recipes With Simple Ingredients and a Grocery Shopping List!

Send me my FREE Menu Plan!

{Psst! Looking for creative ways to save for this year’s Christmas budget? Read our post on How to Fund Your Christmas Budget in Just 15 Minutes per Day! Or check out our post on 10 Easy Ways to Earn FREE Christmas Gifts.}

Hallmark Christmas Movies Schedule

The Hallmark Christmas Movies 2026 Schedule has officially been released and it begins tonight, October 16th!

When Do Hallmark Christmas Movies Start?

New movies have already started rolling out!

And since the movies are running all day and night long, don’t forget to set your DVR for your personal favorites.

Check Out the Hallmark Christmas Movies Schedule

Not only will holiday movies run 24/7 through Christmas Day like usual, but there will also be a countdown to Christmas including lots of premiers every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening at 8PM EST throughout November and December!

Best Christmas Hallmark Christmas Movie Classics to Watch All Season

If you’re looking for a top 25 list of Hallmark movies (with cast listings and brief descriptions) here’s a great place to start.

And here’s another list of 35 favorite Hallmark Christmas movies.

What are the new Christmas Hallmark movies on 2026?

Hallmark is releasing brand-new movies in 2026! Yay!

You can download this PDF and preview all 31 movies on the Hallmark website.

How to Watch Hallmark Christmas Movies

If you already have the Hallmark Channel as part of your cable TV package, you can watch any of the Hallmark Christmas movies via the “Watch Live” link on the Hallmark website (once you log in with your provider information).

You can also add a Hallmark Movie Now package onto a current Amazon Prime account or add the Hallmark Hub package to a current Peacock account for $6 per month (there are 7-day free trials for some of these options).

Whatever you choose, you’ll want to make sure to download the Hallmark Movie Checklist App!

And I’d love to hear which Hallmark Christmas movies are your favorite!

See the full schedule of new releases here.

FREE DOWNLOAD:

Christmas Budget Boost Cheatsheet!

20 Simple Ways to Easily Add $100+ To Your Gift Budget Before Christmas!

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There are SO many ways to save money on travel, but it will differ by person and family, depending on your preferences for the type of travel, lodging, and vacations you enjoy — and that’s okay! Whether you’d rather camp under the stars, lounge at a beach resort, or load up the minivan and hit the road, there’s a money-saving strategy that will work for you.

Planning a family road trip, a weekend getaway, or a winter vacation? There are dozens of ways you can save a bit (or a bunch) here and there to really stretch your travel budget without sacrificing any fun memories. Those little savings add up fast and you might be surprised by how much more fun vacation feels when you know you got a good deal on your flights, hotels, food, and activities!

Budget Travel Tips: Creative Ways to Save Money on Your Next Family Vacation

If you’re planning a family vacation soon, don’t miss this comprehensive list of creative ways to travel for cheap! Be sure to bookmark it, pin it, or share it with your travel buddies because you’ll want to revisit this list as you continue planning.

As you’ll see in all of these ideas, if you really want to save as much money as possible on vacations, it helps to think outside the box and get creative. A little flexibility and a little planning ahead can go a LONG way!

Here are some of our best tips:

Cheap Ways to Travel: Save on Airfare

1. Drive instead of fly

Do the math on how much you’ll save to make sure it’s worth it, but more often than not, it saves quite a bit of money!

2. Choose a creative mode of travel like a train

Check out some great train travel savings tips here. (And sometimes Amtrak runs great BOGO deals!)

3. Plan flights for Tuesdays or Thursdays

This is when flights are usually the lowest, so shifting your travel days just a little can save you big.

4. Purchase domestic airfare 6-8 weeks before your travel date

This is prime time for the best ticket prices.

5. Look at ticket prices on Tuesday-Thursday

The prices for flights are usually higher on Monday, Friday, and weekends, so midweek is the best time to make this big purchase.

6. Take advantage of airfare sales!

Many airlines run seasonal sales throughout the year and it’s a great time to plan ahead and snag tickets at a discounted price. (We often post the best Southwest sales when they pop up!)

7. Do your research on flights

Don’t forget airfare search engines like Kayak or Expedia. Those can be valuable resources when comparing airfare costs.

8. Travel during off-season times

Airfare is much lower during the less popular times of year to travel. Avoid holidays if you can, because airfare is often 3-4 times higher than a regular ticket price during those times.

9. Sign up for airline rewards programs

Many airlines offer free loyalty programs that do NOT require a credit card! You’ll earn points for your travel over time and can cash them in for free flights.

How to Travel for Cheap: Save on Lodging

10. Try camping

Camping allows you to savor time in nature and enjoy free or very reduced nightly lodging fees.

11. Use Priceline to find a last-minute Express deal on a hotel.

More info on this super helpful tip HERE. (I’ve done this many times, including when Kaitlynn and I went to NYC recently, and it’s worked beautifully!)

12. Stay with family or friends

If you have family or friends in the area you’re visiting, free lodging with them will always save you tons of money, plus you can spend extra time with loved ones while you’re visiting.

13. Plan a staycation

Sleeping and eating at home and enjoying local attractions during the day as hometown tourists will save a lot of money and still offer fun memories.

14. Go in with family or friends on a bigger Airbnb or VRBO house.

Most of the time, splitting a big place like this results in a much lower cost per night for lodging expenses. Plus, most of the time you’ll also save on food because bigger places have a kitchen that will prevent you from eating out so much while on vacation.

15. Search multiple hotel travel sites to find the best price.

Read more about how to get hotel discounts HERE.

See our recent travel deals here.

16. Don’t forget about coupon codes and cash back sites!

These can both save you a lot of money on hotel purchases. (Our favorite cashback sites are Rakuten, TopCashBack, and Swagbucks.)

Cheapest Way to Travel: Saving on Food

17. Stay at a place with a kitchen

Then you can cook at home and save on eating out. Buying groceries and cooking yourself will almost always be less expensive than eating out for every meal while on vacation.

18. Take advantage of complimentary breakfast.

Many hotels and bed & breakfasts offer complimentary breakfast each morning. Getting one free meal each day is a huge savings!

19. Pack your own snacks when possible

Whether it’s for the car on a road trip, the airplane while traveling, or the destination itself, consider packing your own snacks to avoid over-priced ones while on vacation.

20. Only eat two meals per day.

If you’re eating really big meals on vacation, you might be able to get away with just two meals — brunch and dinner!

21. Take your own water bottles

Refill them throughout the day and save. Paying to purchase water bottles or drinks can add up quickly.

22. Buy restaurant gift cards at Kroger

You’ll get 4x points — which you can then use to save on gas!

23. Place a grocery pickup order

Find a store near your ending destination that offers online ordering, so you can simply pick it up and not give in to impulse purchases.

24. Pack a picnic lunch and eat at a state rest stop

While you’re there, you can check if they have coupons for other local restaurants or attractions.

25. Take advantage of deals on local restaurants and attractions

Use apps like Local Flavor or Groupon to find bargains on local favorites.

26. Prepare freezer meals

Put your prepared meals in a zip-top bag and take a slow cooker or instant pot along to reheat them.

Save with These Budget Travel Tips!

27. Find creative ways to fund your travel budget

If travel is super important to you and you don’t have wiggle room in the budget, find ways to earn extra money for vacations. Some examples might include selling items, taking surveys, or using rewards apps like Swagbucks. (Swagbucks offers gift cards for all kinds of restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and airlines.)

28. Travel in the off-season when prices are cheaper

We already mentioned airfare is a lot cheaper during the off-season, but so are lodging costs, resort fees, cruise prices, and entertainment expenses.

29. Scout out free activities at your destination before you travel

You can even post a question to your social media about free/frugal things to do in the area you plan to travel to.

30. Walk instead of drive

If you’re vacationing in a walkable area, consider walking instead of renting a car or taking an Uber each day. (Looking for ways to save on rental cars? Check out these tips!)

Want to Earn Money for Travel?

If you dream of traveling more than your current budget allows, side hustles can be an amazing way to grow your travel budget. But, for most women, adding one more thing to your plate might feel nearly impossible. That’s why I made this FREE product — 10 Flexible Side Hustles for Women. In it, you’ll find ten flexible, totally doable, outside-the-box ideas — even if you’re short on time, energy, or experience!

Inside this FREE guide, you’ll discover:

• 10 creative, LOW-PRESSURE side hustles you’ve likely never heard of — perfect for busy women juggling a full plate
• How to START EARNING extra income without a business plan, a big online following, or a fancy resume
• Real-life ideas that help you use what you already know, love, and do — in a way that actually fits your lifestyle
• A fresh perspective that breaks the myth that you need more time, money, or experience to start earning on the side

You don’t need to be “more qualified.” You don’t need to wait until life slows down. You just need the right ideas — and a willingness to begin!

And, honestly, I think earning extra money specifically for vacation is one of the most fun and motivating goals!

Head here to get this free printable list!

More Money-Saving Travel Tips!

Check out all these other great tips for saving money on travel and vacations:

• 8 Tips to Plan a Memorable Vacation Without Spending a Fortune
• 5 Ways to Save Money on Food During Family Vacations
• 9 Money-Saving Vacation Tips
• How to Save Money on Meals While on Vacation
• How We’re “Selling” Our Way to Vacation
• How We Save in Order to Spend More on Travel
• 10 Ways to Save on Spring Break Travel
• 5 Ways to Save on Family Train Travel
• Get a Bang for Your Buck on Travel Expenses
• How to Get the Best Hotel Discounts
• 4 Creative Ways to Fund Family Vacations
• The Complete Guide on How to Use Swagbucks
• How to Boost Your Vacation Budget With Groupon
• Our Experience Staying in an AirBnB in Rome
• How We Prepared For Our Very First Camping Trip
• My Master List of Things to Take On a Camping Trip
• 5 Important Lessons We Learned on Our First Camping Trip
• Frugal Ways to Occupy Kids While Traveling
• 12 Ways to Save on Car Rentals
• 10 Ways to Save on Visiting National Parks with Kids
• Recipes for a Crowd of 26 People While on Our Family Vacation
• Cheap Meals for Large Groups of 25+ People on Vacation
• Easy Meals for 20+ People on Vacation

Do you have any other tips for ways to save money on travel? Let us know in the comments below!

Looking for ways to earn extra income?

These 10 Flexible Side Hustles for Women are flexible, totally doable, outside-the-box ideas!

Send me my FREE list of Side Hustles for Women!

I make this bread all throughout the year, but I especially love making it in the fall because I love the way it makes my house smell like “autumn” while it’s baking! My entire family shamelessly begs me to make this bread. I hope you will love it as much as we do at my house!

Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
• 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk (I substitute 1 cup milk + 1 Tablespoon vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup oil

Glaze:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• a few teaspoons milk — enough to get to a glaze consistency

How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1 Tablespoon cinnamon. Set aside.

2. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and remaining sugar.

3. In a third bowl, combine buttermilk, egg, and oil.

4. Stir the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened.

5. Pour half of the batter into a greased 9x5x3-inch pan. Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon-sugar. Spread the remaining batter on top and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar.

6. Swirl knife through batter.

7. Bake 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan and cooling on wire rack.

8. Combine glaze ingredients and drizzle over bread when it has completely cooled off. Slice and enjoy.

Makes 1 loaf

Print

Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread

This is an easy quick bread recipe that looks fancier than it actually is! I love it because it uses simple ingredients that I always keep on hand in my pantry. It’s especially wonderful warmed up or toasted with butter for breakfast or an after-school snack (my boys actually cheer when they walk in the door and smell this, haha).

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword bread, breakfast, brunch, dessert, easy breakfast, easy side dish, family favorite, freezer friendly, homemade, quick bread

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Cooling Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 378kcal

Author Brigette

Ingredients

Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups sugar divided
• 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk I substitute 1 cup milk + 1 Tablespoon vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup oil

Glaze Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• a few teaspoons milk — enough to get to a glaze consistency

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1 Tablespoon cinnamon. Set aside.
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and remaining sugar.
• In a third bowl, combine buttermilk, egg, and oil.
• Stir the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened.
• Pour half of the batter into a greased 9x5x3-inch pan. Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon-sugar. Spread the remaining batter on top and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar.
• Swirl knife through batter.
• Bake 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan and cooling on wire rack.
• Combine glaze ingredients and drizzle over bread when it has completely cooled off. Slice and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 323mg | Potassium: 90mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 86IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 2mg

More Recipes You’ll Enjoy:

• Easiest Whole Wheat Banana Muffins
• Easy Rice Pudding Recipe You’ll Love
• Cottage Cheese Pancakes Recipe
• Easy Lazy Monkey Bread Recipe (With Canned Biscuits!)
• Greek Yogurt Bowl with Protein Powder (Easiest High-Protein Snack That is Delish!)
• Biscuits and Sausage Gravy Recipe ($10 Family Dinner Idea)
• French Toast Casserole and Baked Scrambled Eggs
• Easy Protein Breakfast Muffins
• Peanut Butter Protein Pancakes
• Crustless Spinach Quiche and Whole Wheat Bread ($10 Family Dinner Idea)
• Our Favorite Zucchini Bread Recipe

Plus, check out this post on 25 Ways to Save Money on Groceries!

If you make this Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread recipe, we’d love to hear how it turns out! Leave a review or comment below.

FREE 50+ Easy and Cheap Breakfast Ideas!!

Mornings just got so much easier with this FREE list of 50+ Easy & Cheap Breakfast Ideas for Busy Weekday Mornings!

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This One Small Step Has Been Transforming My Health (and It’s Covered by Insurance!)

Are you wanting to make healthy changes in your diet but don’t know where to start? Struggling to hit your health goals or feeling overwhelmed by trying to stay on track?

In the summer of 2025, I made a decision that I honestly didn’t expect to have such a big impact. I signed up to meet with a Nourish dietitian.

Not because I had a big health goal or some drastic change in mind, but because I was feeling a little stuck. I had been working out more, trying to be mindful of what I was eating, and wanting to better support my body through this full season of life.

I figured it couldn’t hurt to get a little expert insight, especially since Nourish is fully covered by insurance under our plan.

Honestly, I expected to get a few helpful tips on calories and macros. I didn’t expect it to shift so much of how I view my body, my energy, my relationship with food, and even how I approach rest and recovery.

But it has. And I’m so grateful. Let me tell you more about my honest experience with Nourish…

What Is Nourish?

Nourish is a virtual platform that connects you with an online registered dietitian — someone trained to help you with everything from emotional eating and hormone health to energy levels and gut issues — all from the comfort of your own home.

Instead of handing you a one-size-fits-all meal plan or a strict list of foods to avoid, your Nourish online dietitian walks with you step-by-step. They listen to your goals. They help you build habits. They offer insight on how nutrition, sleep, stress, and movement work together. And they empower you to nourish your body well — without shame, restriction, or overwhelm.

My Completely Honest (+ Very Vulnerable) Nourish Dietitian Review

To be honest, I was hesitant at first. I wasn’t sure I needed an online nutritionist consultation. I wondered if my health goals were “big enough” or if it would be worth the time.

But I also knew I wanted to take better care of myself. I felt a little foggy some days. I wanted accountability and clarity, and deep down, I wondered if I was giving my body what it needed to thrive.

That first call with my Nourish dietitian? It blew me away.

She helped me understand how the stress and depletion of the last few years — pregnancies, nursing, fostering, adopting a child with disabilities, caregiving, running a business, and raising six kids — had left me running on fumes. She walked me through how under-eating and under-sleeping were actually slowing down my metabolism and affecting my mood and hormones.

She didn’t guilt me. She didn’t overwhelm me. She encouraged me and gave me clear, simple steps I could take that very week.

What I’m Learning from My Nourish Dietician

Every session has been eye-opening. Not because of some radical overhaul… but because of how freeing and healing it’s been to undo old beliefs.

My dietitian has helped me:

• Identify and challenge long-held beliefs about food and weight.
• Realize how often I’ve equated worth with a number on the scale.
• Shift from restriction to nourishment.
• Take baby steps toward what she calls “food freedom” — where food supports your life, not controls it.

It’s emotional work, too. But so, so worth it.

Finding Food Freedom

After I started eating more (at the encouragement of my dietitian), I discovered that it was a big struggle for me. I realized I had a lot of fear around food and had put a lot of stock into what the scale said. My joy or frustration for the day and how I felt about myself was often very tied to whatever number the scale showed that day.

One of the big things my virtual dietitian encouraged me to do was to stop weighing myself. This was scary — but it ended up being SO freeing!! It took awhile to get used to, but once I did, I began to feel a whole new world open up for me!

I discovered that I had spent years trapped in a cycle of so much food noise in my head — constantly analyzing calories, pushing myself to exercise more, thinking I needed to lose weight, chasing skinny, mentally beating myself up if I didn’t follow the diet plan I had come up with for myself. I did all of this under the guise of self-discipline when it actually was dysfunctional!

I am slowly finding such freedom when it comes to food. My brain feels much quieter around food and it feels weird but also so amazing!! I love that I can find joy in food and eating without needing to constantly analyze, stress, or feel like I’m not where I need to be.

I’m chasing strong not skinny, nourishing myself not a number on the scale — and it’s been incredible!

Taking My Wellness Even Further

Recently, my dietician has been challenging me with practical ways to prioritize more sleep and to prioritize play. She’s having me try out better bedtime routines and try out different hobbies. It has been so good for my soul… and I feel like meeting with her is therapy for my whole self!

I’m also SO excited because Nourish is now offering lab work as part of their program and it’s covered by insurance for most people, as well! So just like you can hire a dietitian through Nourish and most insurance companies will pay for it, you can also now have lab work done as part of the program and it’s $0 cost to you if your insurance covers it!

The Nourish Lab panel checks the most important data for your metabolic and heart health — cholesterol, blood sugar (A1C), kidney function, electrolytes, and thyroid hormones. This is all so helpful because this data enables you and your dietician to make more informed decisions as you collaborate to improve your diet and health, and it provides another way to measure your progress. These labs are done at a Quest Diagnostics location near you and are fully covered every 3 months at no cost to you, providing up to $200 per year in value. 

I had a metabolic panel done and it was so easy to do, the results came quickly, and my dietitian went over it with me. Best of all, it was entirely covered by insurance!

Making the Most of Your Free Dietitian Online

If you decide to sign up (which I highly recommend if you’re curious!), here are a few tips to make the most of your online nutritionist consultation:

• Track your eating, movement, and sleep for a few days ahead of your first call (I used MyFitnessPal and my Oura ring).
• Bring questions or struggles you want help with — even small things like “I snack all day and feel tired after lunch.”
• Share your health history (I even brought my bloodwork to our second session!).
• Be honest and open — this isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress.

How Much Does a Session Cost with a Nourish Dietitian?

If you’re wondering what a Nourish session might cost, here’s the exciting news: 94% of users pay $0 out of pocket when they use insurance!

That’s right! You have a very good chance of being able to meet with a free dietitian online — right from the comfort of your own home. How cool is that?!

I have been sharing about Nourish for the past few months or so as I have been using it and benefiting from it. Here’s what one my my readers had to say about their experience after giving it a try:

“I tried Nourish because of you and it has helped me SO MUCH!! I’m overweight and I’ve never had anyone teach me how I’m supposed to eat to be healthy and fuel my body, until now…and I’m 45 years old. Any my insurance has been paying 100%!!! Thank you for sharing. It’s been life changing for me too. I’m so thankful.”

I would say that number they give is quite accurate as the majority of my audience is also finding that Nourish is covered by their insurance, too.

That said, every insurance plan is a little different — some may have a small copay or coinsurance — but Nourish does everything they can to keep your costs low and offers a simple insurance coverage calculator to help you know what to expect ahead of time.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Most people pay nothing. Yes, really! The majority of users don’t pay anything out of pocket because Nourish is in-network with hundreds of insurance plans across all 50 states.
• You can check your coverage easily. Nourish makes it super simple to verify your insurance and see if there may be any copays or fees.
• No surprise bills. What your insurance says is what you’ll pay — no hidden costs or unexpected fees. All appointments are backed by the Nourish Guarantee to provide a no-surprise billing experience! Note: One of my followers was told that her insurance would cover Nourish and then that ended up not being the case. Nourish zeroed out her balance and didn’t charge her anything for the two sessions she had because of their Nourish Guarantee.
• Paying out of pocket? If your insurance doesn’t cover sessions, the self-pay rate is $145 per session — and you’ll know that up front.

Why I Recommend It

If you’re:

• Feeling stuck with your health goals
• Battling low energy or brain fog
• Walking through a tough postpartum season
• Wanting to build a better relationship with food
• Or simply needing some gentle accountability…

I highly recommend checking out Nourish. This is one of the most grace-filled, personalized things I’ve done for myself in a long time.

What Others Are Saying

As you can see, I’ve really enjoyed Nourish but you don’t have to just take my word for it! Here are some messages and feedback I’ve received on social media and email from those who tried Nourish for themselves and shared the experience:

Ready to try Nourish?

Head here to check if your insurance covers it: Nourish Dietitian Program

If it does, you’ll get access to a caring, credentialed online dietitian covered by insurance who will walk with you, encourage you, and help you create a life that feels vibrant, nourished, and whole.

Nourish FAQ

Saying yes to that first call with the Nourish dietitian is changing my life in the best of ways and I am so thrilled and grateful!

Go here to sign up and see if Nourish is covered by your insurance.

More Links You’ll Love:

• 5 Steps to Start and Stick With Better Habits
• Greek Yogurt Bowl with Protein Powder (Easiest High-Protein Snack That is Delish!)
• 6 Tips to Find Motivation to Work Out Every Morning
• How to Find Time to Work Out Multiple Times Each Week
• 6 Strategies to Kickstart Your Morning Success (and get my habit tracker FREE!)

If you’ve ever tried an online nutritionist consultation or free dietitian online, I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!

FREE Goal Setting Worksheets!

 Let me help you set, track, and actually accomplish your goals this year!

Send Me My FREE Worksheets!

All you have to do is fry up some ground hamburger (or chicken or turkey) and open a couple of cans and dump. How easy is that?!? This is a go-to meal for me when I have approximately 30 minutes to figure out what we’re having for dinner and make it.

Note: This is not a good meal to have leftovers of because the chips get soggy, so I recommend only making the amount that your family will eat in one sitting.

This post is part of our $10 Dinner Ideas series, brought to you by Brigette on our team! Each week, she shares easy, delicious, and affordable family-friendly dinner ideas that cost less than $10 to make, use everyday ingredients, and are super quick meals.

Baked Nachos Menu:

• Baked Nachos (feel free to add a side like fruit, but this is a one-pan meal that hits all of the food groups!)

Ingredients for Baked Nachos:

• 1 bag (12-14 oz) tortilla chips (Bargain City) — $1
• 1-lb ground beef (or chicken or turkey — I used ground chicken that was already cooked from my freezer) (Publix) — $2.50
• 1 packet taco seasoning (Aldi) — $0.55
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 15-oz can black beans, rinsed (Aldi) — $0.85
• 1 15-oz can corn, drained (Aldi) — $0.85
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (Aldi) — $3.09
• additional toppings as desired – I used a sliced lime, sliced cherry tomatoes and chopped cilantro (Aldi) — $1 (other topping ideas include sour cream, black olives, chopped onions and avocado/guacamole)

Total Cost for Dinner: $9.84 (makes 6 servings)

How to Make Baked Nachos:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

2. In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium-low heat until cooked through, stirring often. Drain the grease. Add the taco seasoning and 3/4 cup water and stir well, simmering for a few minutes so that the flavors can infuse.

3. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray (you can also use 2 cookie sheets and spread things out more). Spread the chips evenly in the pan(s).

4. Spread half of the cheese over the chips. Sprinkle the taco meat evenly over the chips. Do the same with the black beans and then the corn. Top the nachos with the rest of the shredded cheese.

5. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and top with additional toppings of your choice!

Print

Baked Nachos

This one-pan dinner is SO easy to throw together at the last minute! And it gets bonus points from me because teens love it and can make it on their own quickly. You can easily customize the toppings based on what your family likes.

Course Appetizer, dinner, Main Course, Snack

Cuisine American, Mexican

Keyword chicken, easy dinner, family favorite, homemade, weeknight dinner

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 620kcal

Author Brigette

Cost $9.84

Ingredients

• 1 bag tortilla chips (12-14 oz) Bargain City — $1
• 1- lb ground beef or chicken or turkey — I used ground chicken that was already cooked from my freezer (Publix) — $2.50
• 1 packet taco seasoning Aldi — $0.55
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 15-oz can black beans rinsed (Aldi) — $0.85
• 1 15-oz can corn drained (Aldi) — $0.85
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese Aldi — $3.09
• additional toppings as desired – I used a sliced lime sliced cherry tomatoes and chopped cilantro (Aldi) — $1 (other topping ideas include sour cream, black olives, chopped onions and avocado/guacamole)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium-low heat until cooked through, stirring often. Drain the grease. Add the taco seasoning and 3/4 cup water and stir well, simmering for a few minutes so that the flavors can infuse.
• Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray (you can also use 2 cookie sheets and spread things out more). Spread the chips evenly in the pan(s).
• Spread half of the cheese over the chips. Sprinkle the taco meat evenly over the chips. Do the same with the black beans and then the corn. Top the nachos with the rest of the shredded cheese.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and top with additional toppings of your choice!

Notes

Note: This is not a good meal to have leftovers of because the chips get soggy, so I recommend only making the amount that your family will eat in one sitting.

Nutrition

Calories: 620kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 1062mg | Potassium: 381mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1115IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 464mg | Iron: 3mg

FAQs about Baked Nachos:

More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10:

• Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole and Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins
• Sloppy Joes and Simple Coleslaw
• Chinese Chicken Stir Fry with Vegetables
• Cheesy Baked Tortellini and Green Bean Fries
• Bubble Pizza
• Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet
• French Toast Casserole and Baked Scrambled Eggs
• Easy Baked Chicken
• Biscuits and Gravy
• Quick & Easy Mini Calzones
• Mexican Lasagna
• Easy Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet

And, be sure to check out all our easy dinner recipes here!

If you make this Baked Nachos $10 family dinner, we’d love for you to leave a review and let us know how it turned out!

FREE DOWNLOAD: 60 Meals To Help You Avoid Takeout!

Meal time just got so much easier!

Send me my FREE list of meal ideas!

I almost don’t want to tell you this story because I don’t want to be true! But it is, so here we are…

Nine weeks ago, I went off of refined sugar and white flour. I said I was going to try it for six weeks, just to see if it would help my allergies. I had had a big allergy flare and had to be on multiple medications and was feeling miserable, so felt like I was willing to try anything.

I really didn’t think it would work but I figured I’d try it. And it DID help! I felt SO much better. 

So I made it six weeks and felt like it was easier than I thought it would be, so then I was like, “well, I guess I’ll keep going…” So I went almost nine weeks without any refined sugar or white flour. 

Then we were at a party last Saturday and they had this cake that looked SO good. I thought, “what’s one little piece of cake?!” 

Here’s the crazy thing — within 12 hours, I started to feel like things were swelling up inside. White sugar and white flour are supposed to feed inflammation and, sure enough, I felt like things were getting inflamed. My lymphnodes started swelling up, my congestion came back, and I felt like I had a head cold with runny nose and sneezing. I was miserable! All for one little piece of cake! 

So now I’m like “okay, body, I hear you.”

I don’t know how long I’ll be doing this for, but here we are. I guess this is my life now! Who would’ve ever thought that Crystal the Queen of Sweets would not be eating refined sugar and be okay with it?!

If you’re curious what a day of eating looks like for me, check out this example day!

But don’t feel sorry for me! I’ve found lots of delicious treats to eat that don’t have refined sugar in them. Click here for a list of the best candy and sweet treats without refined sugar.

Plus, I still eat local honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, fruit, dates, whole wheat flour (mostly fresh ground), and stuff like that, so I don’t feel deprived.

And now we’re going to talk about periods. So if you’re one of my very few guy readers, feel free to just scoot on out of here! 🙃

For the rest of you: usually leading up to my period, I have about 3 days with inflammation, bloating, and generally feeling blah. 

Well, since giving up refined sugar and white flour, it’s totally different. My last two periods, I haven’t even known that I was about to have my period! No bloating, no inflammation, no blah feeling.

The only way I knew it was coming was my Oura ring telling me that my period was about to start! And, when it told me, I was like, “I don’t think so because I do not feel gross!” And then it would start! 

Speaking of periods, check out my IG Live I did with Kim Gargano about her new book, Holy & Hormonal: A Faithful Guide to Understanding Your Body and the God who Designed You. 

We talked about:

• ​How each of the phases of a woman’s cycle is like the 4 seasons and how to support your body in each phase.
• Why getting bloodwork done is so important and what to test for.
• Tiny baby steps we can take to fuel and nourish our body better without feeling overwhelmed.
• Simple, high protein breakfast ideas.
• What cortisol is and why it might be impacted by how stressed we feel, and what to do if you have high cortisol.

If you want some really great advice and encouragement surrounding balancing your hormones, you will LOVE this IG Live, and I’d encourage you to check out her book!

“David cut his toe and it’s bleeding everywhere, he’s really upset, and I think he needs stitches!”

Jesse called me and told me this one night this week, as I was driving home from Kierstyn’s cross country meet. I could hear David wailing in the background and it broke my mama heart. 

But here’s what was even harder…

When your child can’t verbally communicate and has limited communication skills, they can’t tell you what they did or exactly where it hurts.

He was so upset and we could only guess at what had happened and how he was feeling. These are the parts of parenting a child with significant disabilities that are so hard.

But then, in the midst of him panicking and being so upset, I heard Jesse say to him, “Do you want to talk to mama?”

As soon as Jesse asked him, he calmed down some.

I started telling him how brave he was and how sorry I was that it hurt and that I was coming home and that we were going to help him feel better. I could hear him slowly getting calmer and calmer.

By the time I got home, he was calm enough that Jesse was able to get the bleeding to stop and to wrap his foot. David was so excited to see me and cuddled right up next to me.

We would have just taken him into urgent care, but we knew he would need sedation of some sort if he needed stitches. 

So, at 7:30 pm, Jesse took him to the ER. He said he felt bad taking him to the ER when it was minor, but we also didn’t want him to have to go to after hours urgent care and then find out they needed to transfer him to the hospital so they could sedate him for stitches.

Gratefully, they were able to clean it and glue it and he didn’t end up needing stitches or sedation!! And he did really well at the hospital — except for the cleaning and gluing part!

As soon as he got home, he lunged from Jesse’s arms into my arms and wanted to cuddle up in bed like this and went immediately to sleep and slept like this all night long.

While I’m sad he hurt himself and couldn’t tell us more about it, I was also grateful that he could be so comforted by me. You see, he is usually a total Daddy’s boy. He will choose Jesse over me almost every single time.

But that night, when he was hurting, he wanted comfort from his mama. Seeing how attached he is and how deeply calming my voice and presence were to him made me so grateful.

What a gift that I get to be his mama and that he feels so safe with me.

I traveled to Kansas with Micah last week for my Grandpa’s service. We had the best time and he didn’t use a screen or device one time the entire 3 days we were on the trip. 

Here’s why & here’s how we do it…

THE WHY:

We limit screens pretty significantly at our house — our young kids don’t have iPads or devices, they don’t use our phones, and we limit the types of shows they can watch to what we call “calm shows” or family movies that we watch together.

We’ve found that this makes a big difference in their behavior and attention span. Remember, this is just what works for our family in this season. I’m not saying it is a universal rule!

So, when we travel, we have a no screens rule while we are traveling. This encourages the kids to look out the window, interact with everyone, and find creative ways to keep themselves occupied.

THE HOW:

I try to always have some snacks, toys, and activities planned. I also usually get something new for a long road trip or plane ride. For instance, Micah got to get new cars and a little toy airplane for this trip. I also got an activity book that kept him throughly engaged one entire flight. (Add affiliate link?)

I also don’t plan to get my own work done. If I expect my kids to not be on screens, it’s not fair if I’m engrossed in a screen and not interacting with them. So I never pulled out my laptop the entire time we were traveling there and back last week. I did do some journaling, I did do some work on my phone when Micah was having a blast playing with his toys, I got a lot of reading done, and I spent a lot of time just being with Micah. 

I took him on this trip specifically because he hasn’t gotten a lot of one-on-one time with me the past few weeks and has been showing signs that he needed some TLC from his mama. We had the best time together and it was so good for his heart and mine for us to have such quality time together. Not having screens as distractions really helped facilitate that, too! ❤️

What are your best road trip or flight activity ideas to do with kids? I’d love for you to share with me in the comments below!

Don’t Miss This Bonus: 5 Days to a Financially Healthier You

If you’ve been thinking about pre-ordering The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women, this bonus is one you won’t want to miss! I’m so excited to share this one with you!

When you pre-order from any retailer, you are eligible to claim an incredible collection of exclusive pre-order bonuses — including this week’s bonus: 5 Days to a Financially Healthier You. This is a practical 5-day video course that also includes a module to read and printable worksheets to help you put what you’re learning into action. 

In just a few minutes a day, you’ll work through simple, actionable steps designed to help you build healthier money habits and make meaningful progress with your finances.

And… your pre-order gives you access to all the bonuses released so far and every new bonus still to come before the book launches! We have some really fun giveaways coming too!

Pre-order your copy + claim your bonuses here!

This Week on The Crystal Paine Show: Making Peace with What I Can’t Control (with Lysa TerKeurst)

I am honestly truly honored to have Lysa TerKeurst joining me for this conversation! Lysa has been such a meaningful mentor in my life for many years, and in her new book, Making Peace With What I Can’t Control, she tackles something that I think so many of us wrestle with: the exhausting desire to fix, manage, and control the people and circumstances that we love.

This conversation with Lysa helped me see control in a way that I hadn’t really considered before — sometimes, our struggle with control doesn’t come from wanting power; it comes from responsibility, capability, and care. We love people so deeply that we don’t want to watch them make choices that could hurt them, but there’s a difference between helping someone and trying to control their outcome, and Lysa explains how trying to rescue others can eventually lead to anxiety, exhaustion, and codependency.

Listen in as we discuss parenting, including a story from my six-year-old’s first cross-country race that helped me understand the difference between supporting someone and controlling them. That conversation leads into something that has been especially significant in my own life: our desire to control how other people perceive us. We talk about approval, overthinking conversations, replaying what we said, and how a mistake can become a label we believe about ourselves.

Lysa also opens up about some of the most painful seasons of her life — including betrayal, divorce, disappointment, and moments when she questioned whether she could truly trust God — and she opens up about what it means to hold onto faith when God doesn’t do what we thought He would do, and why accepting reality isn’t the same thing as giving up.

If you’re in a season in which you feel like you’re trying desperately to hold everything together, I really hope that this conversation feels like someone throwing you a rope and saying, “Just hold on for today!” You are not alone, and you don’t have to control the outcome to be okay.

I hope that you enjoy my conversation with Lysa, and, as always, please feel free to reach out to me with any thoughts or questions! I would love to hear from you!

Listen to the episode here.

What I’m Reading…

I finished reading Making Peace With What I Can’t Control this past week. If you struggle with feeling like you are frustrated that people aren’t acting like you wish they would act or aren’t making decisions that are best for them or if you wish life didn’t feel like things are so out of control, I think this book would really encourage you!

Currently reading: The Inspired Homeschool. The Bright Side of the Other Side, and House Hushing.

What I’m Watching…

This week, the girls and I watched week 4 of Dancing with the Stars together. (It’s fun to have a show that Kierstyn, Kaitlynn, and I all enjoy together!)

I also watched Chilean Miner Rescue: Race Against Time (very fascinating!!) and Surviving the Mount St. Helen’s Disaster (Kierstyn and Micah watched it with me and were so fascinated by it!

What I’m Listening to…

I’ve almost finished listening to The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Volume 3.

More Links You’ll Love from This Week:

• “When your 6-year-old with Down syndrome learns how to vacuum and it’s all he wants to do” — This video right here represents SO many skills David has developed this year! He has been obsessed with the vacuum for the last two months, but he just started being able to push and maneuver it himself and he is incredibly proud of himself — and so are we!! Also, he wants to vacuum for at least an hour every day!
  
• Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole with Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins — My sister Brigette shared this delicious recipe and says, “This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole and these Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins have been a staple at my house for years. Pair them for an easy, affordable, and filling $10 Family Dinner!”
  
• Easiest Whole Wheat Banana Muffins — Another delicious recipe from Brigette! This is the easiest, yummiest recipe that is the perfect way to use up ripe bananas! It only takes a few simple ingredients – and doesn’t use any eggs, milk, or oil! 
  
• You Can’t Control the Economy but You CAN Control Your Money — Money can feel especially stressful when so much of the economy is outside of our control. Rising costs, housing challenges, job uncertainty, college expenses, retirement — it’s easy to feel like we’re constantly bracing for what might come next. But, while we can’t control the economy, we can become more intentional about the way we manage what we have. This week I joined the Minimalist Moms podcast to discuss what that looks like. Tune in for encouragement and practical advice.

It is also one of the fastest muffin recipes ever, making it an awesome last-minute addition to your meal when you’re short on time and your pantry is almost empty, but you still need something else to fill up hungry bellies. In fact, I can whip these muffins up from start to finish in about 30 minutes.

This is a great basic recipe to customize according to your preferences — add some chocolate chips, throw in some cinnamon or nuts, or whatever your heart desires! I personally love that it uses mayonnaise (don’t worry — you can’t taste it!) because I can regularly get mayonnaise for free (or almost free) with coupons, sales and rebates, and this recipe is a perfect way to use it up.

These muffins are especially wonderful straight out of the oven slathered with butter or peanut butter, but they might even be better the next day! I love sticking them in the freezer so my boys can quickly grab one to pack in their lunches on school days. They are great at breakfast — and they also pair beautifully with soups in the winter months. In conclusion…we eat these muffins pretty much any time and with any meal, haha!

Easiest Banana Wheat Muffin Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 mashed ripe bananas

How to Make These Easiest Banana Wheat Muffins

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.

2. In another bowl, mash the bananas. Add the mayonnaise and sugar.

3. Stir the wet ingredients into dry ingredients just until moistened.

4. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Print

Easiest Banana Wheat Muffins

This is the easiest, yummiest recipe that is the perfect way to use up ripe bananas! It only takes a few simple ingredients – and doesn’t use any eggs, milk, or oil! 

Course Bread, Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword bananas, bread, breakfast, brunch, easy breakfast, easy side dish, family favorite, freezer friendly, homemade, muffins, quick snack, snack

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 12 Muffins

Calories 263kcal

Author Brigette

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 mashed ripe bananas

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.
• In another bowl, mash the bananas. Add the mayonnaise and sugar.
• Stir the wet ingredients into dry ingredients just until moistened.
• Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Notes

These muffins are especially wonderful straight out of the oven slathered with butter or peanut butter, but they might even be better the next day! I love sticking them in the freezer so my boys can quickly grab one to pack in their lunches on school days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 307mg | Potassium: 137mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 31IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

FAQs About Banana Wheat Muffins:

More Recipes You’ll Enjoy:

• Easy Rice Pudding Recipe You’ll Love
• Cottage Cheese Pancakes Recipe
• Easy Lazy Monkey Bread Recipe (With Canned Biscuits!)
• Greek Yogurt Bowl with Protein Powder (Easiest High-Protein Snack That is Delish!)
• Biscuits and Sausage Gravy Recipe ($10 Family Dinner Idea)
• French Toast Casserole and Baked Scrambled Eggs
• Easy Protein Breakfast Muffins
• Peanut Butter Protein Pancakes
• Crustless Spinach Quiche and Whole Wheat Bread ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

Plus, check out this post on 25 Ways to Save Money on Groceries!

If you make this recipe for Easy Banana Wheat Muffins, we’d love to hear how they turn out! Leave a review or share your comments below.

FREE 50+ Easy and Cheap Breakfast Ideas!!

Mornings just got so much easier with this FREE list of 50+ Easy & Cheap Breakfast Ideas for Busy Weekday Mornings!

Yes, I Want Breakfast Ideas!

Publix

5 DiGiorno Stuffed Crust Pizzas – $29.47, received (5) $0.80/1 DiGiorno Stuffed Crust Ibotta Rebates plus received 4000 points from Fetch ($4) – $21.47 for 5 after Rebates

2 bags Coleslaw Mix – $2.98

2 3-ct bags Multi-Colored Peppers – $4.98

2 bags Baby Carrots – $3

1 English Cucumber – $1.50

1 pint Angel Sweet Tomatoes – $2.49

5 Oscar Meyer Deli Fresh Lunch Meat – $14.97, received (5) $1.50/1 Oscar Meyer Ibotta Rebates – $7.47 for 5 after Rebates

1 6-ct Klondike Bars – $2.80, used $1/1 Catalina Coupon – $1.80 after Coupon

1 4-cup package Kraft Mac and Cheese – $3.19

2 boxes Progresso Chicken Broth ($2.79) plus 2 cans Progresso Soup ($3.39) – $6.18, used $1/4 Progresso Publix Digital Coupon plus received $1/4 Progresso Ibotta Rebate and 2000 points from Fetch ($2) – $2.18 for 4 after Coupon and Rebates

2 cans Pitmaster Progresso Soup – $4.99, used $1/2 Pitmaster Publix Digital Coupon plus received (2) $0.50/1 Pitmaster Ibotta Rebate and 500 points from Fetch ($0.50) – $2.49 for 2 after Coupon and Rebates

4 can Tuttorosso Tomatoes – $5.18, used $1/4 Tuttorosso Publix Digital Coupon – $4.18 for 4 after Coupon

2 cans Pillsbury Biscuits – $3.73, used $1/2 Pillsbury Publix Digital Coupon plus received $1/2 Pillsbury Ibotta Rebate – $1.73 for 2 after Coupon and Rebate

1 box Mrs. Paul’s Fish Sticks – $3.84, used $1.50/1 Mrs. Paul’s Publix Digital Coupon – $2.34 after Coupon

1 carton Planet Oat Creamer – $2.24, used $1/1 Planet Oat Publix Digital Coupon – $1.24 after Coupon

1 Fresh Press Peach Vinegar – $2.49, used $1.50/1 Fresh Press Peach Vinegar Publix Digital Coupon – $0.99 after Coupon

~ Received (2) $5 Ibotta Bonuses

Total after Coupons and Rebates: $48.03

Walmart

1 large carton Egg Whites – $4.87

1/2 gallon Orange Juice – $4.27

1 2-ct pkg Cream Cheese – $2.97

3 cans Pumpkin – $4.41

1 pkg Bacon – $4.47

1 pkg Turkey Bacon – $3.92

7 cans Green Beans – $3.50

1 4-lb bag Sugar – $2.97

1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $2.94

1 5-lb bag Rice – $4.97

* Everything else pictured was given to us this week!

Total: $39.29

Grocery Total for the Week: $87.32

Weekly Menu Plan

This week is Mission’s Conference at our church, which means we have a lot of meals provided for us already!

Breakfasts

Cereal, Oatmeal, Grits, Omelets, Bagels, Smoothies, Eggs/Bacon, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Lunches

Deli Meat Sandwiches, Chips, Veggies with Dip

Soup, Crackers, Carrots x 2

Leftovers x 4

Dinners

Church Dinners x 3 – I’m bringing various things to each one, including Veggie Plates, Pumpkin Bars, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, Chips, Ridiculously Easy Slow Cooker Canned Green Beans

Pizza, Tossed Salad

Egg Roll in a Bowl, Rice

Fish Sticks, Green Beans, Oven Roasted Potato Wedges

Quiche, Biscuits, Broccoli

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2026

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2026 is back and will run from October 6-7, 2026! That means we get two whole days of deals! If this is anything like last year’s Prime Big Deal Days sale, we will see deals that are as good as or even better than Black Friday deals!

Amazon says this about Prime Big Deal Days 2026:

Starting October 6 at 12:01 a.m. PDT, Prime members can shop millions of deals on top brands, seasonal favorites, and everyday essentials—from fall entertaining and home décor to Halloween prep, beauty, and early holiday gifting. These savings build on Amazon’s everyday low prices, giving members even deeper discounts on products they’re already shopping for.

“Once fall arrives, there’s so much to get ready for—the hosting, the decorating, the holiday gifting—and Prime Big Deal Days makes it easy to check it all off while saving,” said Carmen Nestares, vice president of North America Marketing and Prime Tech.

Other retailers will likely join in, too!

Because of how popular Prime Big Deal Days is, other major retailers are planning on having HUGE sales this week, too. Walmart Deals Week started today, Target is back with their Circle Week deals, and Kohl’s is also having a huge sale.

And this is just the major retailers! We’ll see ALL kinds of great sales that week from online retailers — small and big!

How to Get The Best Deals on Prime Big Deal Days

We predict that starting October 6th (or even earlier — from other online retailers), we’ll see a flurry of deals similar to what we usually see on Black Friday week.

We love that so many other companies will be competing with the deals Amazon is offering because that means more deals and more savings! Because of this, we want to help you prepare accordingly so you can save the most money.

We’ll be here all day both days!

Our team will be hard at work all day long each day scouring the deals and posting the best ones we find!

So be sure to tune in here at MoneySavingMom.com for all the BEST discounts on Prime Big Deal Days 2026! We’ll be posting all of the best deals all day every day!

You can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram, join our Facebook group, Facebook Channel, and sign up for our HOT deals newsletter. Following us multiple ways gives you the best chance of catching all the deals as they pop up quickly!

5 Tips For Preparing For Amazon Prime Days

To help you prepare well to maximize your savings for Amazon Prime Days, here are 5 strategies we suggest:

1. Sign up for a free 30-day trial to Amazon Prime.

Not an Amazon Prime member? No worries, now is the perfect time to sign up for a FREE 30-day trial.

This way, you’ll get all of the benefits of Prime and be able to take advantage of the deals, but you won’t have to pay for a Prime subscription. At the end of the 30 days, just be sure to go into your account and cancel your subscription and you won’t be charged!

Psst! If you’re between the ages of 18-24, you can sign up for a FREE 6-month Amazon Prime trial!

2. Subscribe to our Hot Deals email newsletter.

Have you signed up for our Hot Deals Email Newsletter yet? If not, be sure to do so before Prime Days!

When you sign up, we’ll send you no more than 1-2 emails each day featuring the hottest and best deals hand-picked by us as soon as they become available.

This way, you won’t have to wait for the daily enewsletter to go out in the afternoon; you can jump on the hottest deals right away!

We’ll be sending out two email newsletters each day during Prime Days featuring only the BEST deals that are our top picks.

Sign up for this newsletter here.

3. Follow us on Instagram.

You can find us on two different Instagram accounts on Prime Days:

:: Crystal’s personal Instagram: Be sure to head over there and hit the follow button. She loves personally sharing the deals she’s most excited about on IG Stories. (Plus, you’ll see a lot of behind-the-scenes content including day-to-day life, grocery shopping hauls, and a lot of other fun stuff that doesn’t get shared anywhere else!)

:: Money Saving Mom Deals Instagram: You’ll also want to go follow our Instagram account that is solely dedicated to posting the top deals each day! If you follow us there, you’ll see deals pop up not only on IG Stories but also in your feed throughout the day.

On Prime Days, we’ll be hopping onto IG stories on both accounts multiple times throughout the day telling you about the best deals that we’re most excited about! So be sure to follow both accounts HERE and HERE so you don’t miss anything!

4. Follow our Facebook Page

We’ll be posting all the deals all day long on our Facebook Page, and it’s one of the easiest ways to make sure you don’t miss any HOT deals! Just bookmark this page and refresh it throughout both days to keep up to date with the latest and greatest deals.

Plus, you might see some live videos and FB Stories throughout the day from different team members talking about some of our favorite deals!

5. Make a List & Budget

If you haven’t done so already, be sure to make a list of the items you are most interested in buying, as well as the budget you have to spend. This way, you don’t just jump on a good deal because it’s “such a good deal”, when it’s not something you need or can afford.

How to Earn Free Gift Cards For Prime Days

Want to stretch your dollars even further? Now is the time to cash out your free Amazon gift cards or spend some time over the next couple weeks earning some extra Amazon gift cards.

Here are just a few ways to earn some extra cash to spend on Prime Day:

• Sign up for Swagbucks — It’s also easy to earn enough swagbucks to trade in for a $5 gift card! You have plenty of time before Prime Day, even without referrals. I just spent an hour or two this week doing a few activities and already have enough for a $10 gift card! Go here to get started with Swagbucks.
• Sign up for Fetch Rewards — It’s so simple to earn points for scanning your receipts with Fetch Rewards. (Gretchen here! I signed for Fetch years ago and I’ve now earned hundreds of dollars in gift cards. It’s super easy. Also, your first couple scans will be worth enough to quickly get you over the 5000 points mark to trade in for an Amazon $5 gift card!)

Psst! Find more ways to earn Amazon gift cards here.

Are you ready for Prime Big Deal Days? Let us know what deals you’re looking for in the comments!

Never miss a HOT deal again!

Sign up below and I’ll only email you when I find a really fantastic deal!

Yes, I want the HOT Deals!

I follow her recipe (although let’s be honest, I mostly dump and don’t really measure), except I use only cream of chicken soup (my husband would literally find and pick out the teeniest pieces of mushrooms if I used cream of mushroom, haha). If you’re working with leftover rice and leftover chicken, you can throw this casserole together and have it in the oven in less than 10 minutes (seriously!).

Tonight I served this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole with Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins, another oldie but goodie from this website. I buy blueberries in bulk at a reduced price from a warehouse by me, so I almost always have plenty of blueberries in my freezer.

This post is part of our $10 Dinner Ideas series, brought to you by Brigette on our team! Each week, she shares easy, delicious, and affordable family-friendly dinner ideas that cost less than $10 to make, use everyday ingredients, and are super quick meals.

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Dinner Menu:

• Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole (I made half of this recipe)
• Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients for Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole:

• 5 cups cooked rice (Aldi – $2.95 for 3-lbs) — $0.98
• 2 cups cooked, diced chicken (Aldi – $2.49/lb) — $2
• 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup (Aldi) — $1.98
• 1 10-oz bag broccoli florets, steamed and chopped (Aldi) — $1.09
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (Bargain City – $15 for 10lbs) — $0.75
• Salt and pepper to taste

Total for Chicken Broccoli Casserole: $6.80 (serves 6-8)

Ingredients for Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins:

• 2 eggs (I used 3 because they were super tiny eggs from our friend’s chickens) — $0
• 1/4 cup applesauce (I used 1 pouch – Bargain City – $1 for 20 pouches) — $0.05
• 1/4 cup oil (Aldi – $2.89 for 96 Tablespoons) — $0.12
• 3/4 cup sugar (Aldi – $2.86 for 4 lbs) — $0.23
• 4 cups whole wheat flour (Lidl – $2.99 for 5lbs) — $0.64
• 3 Tablespoons baking powder (Aldi – $2.05 for 8 ounces) — $0.38
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk (Aldi – $2.78 per gallon) — $0.30
• 3 cups blueberries (Bargain City) — $1.25

Total for Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins: $2.97 (makes 24+ muffins)

Total Cost for Dinner: $9.77 (makes 6+ servings)

How to Make Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Follow the directions here (or below) for making the casserole. I halved the original recipe (as shown on the recipe card below) and put it in a greased 9×13 pan. (My only substitution was to use 2 cans of cream of chicken soup instead of the original 1 can of cream of mushroom plus 1 can cream of chicken). Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until heated through and beginning to brown.

2. While casserole is cooking, follow the directions here (or below) for making Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins. I used regular oil in place of coconut oil and only 3 Tablespoons total of baking powder.

3. Pour into greased muffin tins, filling 3/4 full. Turn the oven to 400 degrees and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until done. (Note: It’s fine for the casserole to bake at 400 degrees while the muffins are in the oven).

4. If you’ve timed it right, the casserole and the muffins will both be finished baking at the same time, haha!

Print

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole with Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins ($10 Family Dinner)

This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole and these Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins have been a staple at my house for years. Pair them for an easy, affordable, and filling $10 Family Dinner!

Course dinner, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken, easy dinner, easy side dish, family favorite, freezer friendly, freezer meal, homemade, muffins, weeknight dinner

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 809kcal

Author Brigette

Cost $9.77

Ingredients

Ingredients for Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole:

• 5 cups cooked rice Aldi – $2.95 for 3-lbs — $0.98
• 2 cups cooked diced chicken (Aldi – $2.49/lb) — $2
• 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup Aldi — $1.98
• 1 10- oz bag broccoli florets steamed and chopped (Aldi) — $1.09
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Bargain City – $15 for 10lbs — $0.75
• Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients for Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins:

• 2 eggs I used 3 because they were super tiny eggs from our friend’s chickens — $0
• 1/4 cup applesauce I used 1 pouch – Bargain City – $1 for 20 pouches — $0.05
• 1/4 cup oil Aldi – $2.89 for 96 Tablespoons — $0.12
• 3/4 cup sugar Aldi – $2.86 for 4 lbs — $0.23
• 4 cups whole wheat flour Lidl – $2.99 for 5lbs — $0.64
• 3 Tablespoons baking powder Aldi – $2.05 for 8 ounces — $0.38
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk Aldi – $2.78 per gallon — $0.30
• 3 cups blueberries Bargain City — $1.25

Instructions

How to Make Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the casserole ingredients, reserving some cheese for the top.
• Put the mixture in a greased 9×13 pan. Top with additional shredded cheese, if desired.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until heated through and beginning to brown.

How to Make Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins:

• While the casserole is baking, make the muffins. First, grease two 12-cup muffin tins.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, applesauce, vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil), and sugar and mix well.
• Add a cup of flour, followed by baking powder and salt.
• Next, alternate adding milk and the remaining three cups of flour, being sure not to overload your mixer while mixing together on a low setting.
• Fold in the blueberries, taking care to not over-mix as you want to keep the blueberries intact.
• Pour into greased muffin tins, filling each about ¾ full.
• Turn the oven to 400 degrees and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until done. (Note: It’s fine for the casserole to bake at 400 degrees while the muffins are in the oven).
• If you’ve timed it right, the casserole and the muffins will both be finished baking at the same time, haha!

Nutrition

Calories: 809kcal | Carbohydrates: 111g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 1568mg | Potassium: 681mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 868IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 614mg | Iron: 5mg

FAQs about Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole:

More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10:

• Sloppy Joes and Simple Coleslaw
• Chinese Chicken Stir Fry with Vegetables
• Cheesy Baked Tortellini and Green Bean Fries
• Bubble Pizza
• Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet
• French Toast Casserole and Baked Scrambled Eggs
• Easy Baked Chicken
• Biscuits and Gravy
• Quick & Easy Mini Calzones
• Mexican Lasagna
• Easy Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet
• Chicken Alfredo Pizza

And, be sure to check out all our easy dinner recipes here!

If you make this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole and Whole Wheat Muffins family dinner, we’d love for you to leave a review and let us know how it turned out!

FREE One Week Menu Plan!

Done-For-You Dinner Recipes With Simple Ingredients and a Grocery Shopping List!

Send me my FREE Menu Plan!

My grandpa passed away this week. He was my last living grandparent — and he leaves such a powerful legacy behind him. In fact, I wrote about how his strong work ethic influenced me in my new book that comes out this month. And then just last week, when I flew to CO Springs to record the Focus on the Family radio show, I got to share a little about him on the show, too, having no idea he was so close to heaven! 

Many of you probably don’t know that my grandma (his wife) passed away very, very suddenly when I was 11. This was a massive loss for us all — but especially for him. He spent hours at our house in the following years as he grieved and rebuilt his life. My parents built a hangar and half-mile runway on our property and he kept his ultralight planes he had built there. We loved getting to watch him fly them — and he was often out there working on a project in his hangar.

He had the best stories to share and we got to hear SO many of them over the years. From his time in the army, to raising kids, to memories with his wife, to funny everyday things that happened, he had so many stories to share. 

I’m so grateful for all the time we got to spend with him growing up and also in the past almost two and half decades I’ve been married. 

I have so many pictures with him but I chose these two to share — the first pic is from my last visit with him. When I traveled back to Kansas in February, my sister and I got to spend time with him. He had just moved into a nursing home and was really sad and missing his freedom of living in his own home. When I told him goodbye, I remember feeling in my heart it was likely the last time I’d see him on earth, and I’m grateful for the closure I was able to have then.

This second picture is from when I was a brand-new mom and just had Kathrynne. I’m so thankful our kids all got to spend time with their great grandpa and get to know him! What a gift! 

I have been picturing him in heaven and thinking how beautiful it is to know he is free from all the physical ailments and no longer sad or lonely. But his death leaves a big hole. Please especially pray for my mom and uncle as they grieve the loss of their dad. ❤️

I took Micah with me to the service in Kansas and I’m so glad I did. I brought him because he’s been showing signs that he needed some extra TLC from his mama. (I ended up being out of town for a few days every week this month and it was wearing on him.) 

Jesse and I felt like time away one-on-one with me might be exactly what his heart needed… and it was! I could see such a calmness come over him within the first hour of the trip.

We have a no screens when flying or on a road trip policy (because we’ve found it makes attitudes SO much better!) and I love seeing what creative things they come up with to do instead! 

(Micah’s favorite part was the outdoor space at the Denver airport! Highly recommend if you are flying with kids!)

I took some pictures when we were at the graveside service but they feel sacred and not something to be shared publicly. It was a beautiful service and really meaningful, and I’m so glad Micah and I got to go. He asked a few questions and I explained a few things simply, but he really seemed to absorb things well but also very matter-of-factly.

He also loved getting to see his cousins and my grandpa’s dog!

I can think of no better way to honor my grandpa’s legacy than to fully embrace life. He often would remind us to be grateful if you can still love your body. So, after the service, Micah and I spent a long time jumping on the trampoline together (something I rarely ever do). We laughed so hard! 

I also attempted to do a somersault while Micah videoed. Guys, I think it’s been YEARS since I did a somersault and it literally felt so weird and almost scary. But Micah’s face after I did it cracked me up so much! 

Also, go try to do a somersault if you’ve not done one for a while! 

By the way, want to know some of my best tips, tricks, and hacks for saving money on travel? Check out this post: How to Travel for Cheap — 25+ Budget Travel Tips! 

I turned 45 this week and to mark the occasion I’m reflecting on some of the big, little, silly, and serious lessons I learned this past year. I know there are others, but these were some of the ones that immediately came to mind.  Enjoy some of my fave pics from this past year, too!

So, here are 30 lessons I learned this past year: 

1. Jesus is so incredibly faithful. I experienced His goodness and love in new and fresh ways this past year and it humbles me.

2. Marriage can get richer with each passing year. I know this is not the story for many couples and I don’t take it for granted.

3. Watching your adult kids spread their wings and fly is incredibly exhilarating.

4. Watching your adult kids face tremendous loss is excruciating — especially when you can’t just take them home and tuck them into bed and make them feel better.

5. Progesterone really is the bomb dot com.

6. Apparently, I have become a runner.

7. You can run three miles on a tiny back patio concrete slab (sometimes, you do what you gotta do!)

8. Apparently, my body also does not like refined sugar and white flour. Never expected I would give those up this past year and be thriving!

9. I like puzzles. Also a statement I never expected to be saying. But I have to put a little twist on it so I kind of do competitive puzzling (meaning I challenge myself to see how many pieces I can do in a set time OR if I can beat Jesse in getting more pieces put in!)

10. Mouth taping is way easier than I thought — and it makes a big difference in my sleep!

11. Voice memos are the best thing ever. Shout out to my friends (you know who you are!) who get regular podcast episode length voice memos from me.

12. Olipop and Zevia are the perfect no-refined-sugar pick-me-up.

13. I am capable of not setting goals. I don’t know that I’d say that I love it, but not setting an goals for 2026 has been such a good exercise for my heart.

14. Red Raspberry Leaf tea can make a big difference in regulating cycles. 

15. Guatemala is absolutely gorgeous and the people are so warm and hospitable.

16. Taking one-on-one trips with your daughters is the BEST.

17. Gardening is actually really fulfilling!

18. I thought oil pulling was so weird and then I tried it and became a fan – especially after it made such a difference in my gingivitis.

19. I love recording audiobooks. (I didn’t really enjoy it until book #6 — which is probably my last book.)

20. Letting myself do things to take care of myself and nourish my soul without guilt feels luxurious but has been so healing. 

21. Local honey is SOO much better than storebought.

22. Birthing your own hair stylist is a pretty cool accomplishment.

23. I can survive a 3-week parasite and live to laugh about it. (The ER visit was so awful and hilarious we still cry tears laughing about it — if you missed the totally TMI podcast Jesse and I did on this, here’s the link!)

24. I can also survive our hardest business year to date (financially and team-wise) and come out of it so much stronger and emotionally healthier than I could have ever dreamed.

25. A slammed shut door after months of prayer is something to be grateful for. God answered, even though it wasn’t in the way I hoped (and that slammed door ended up being God’s protection! It just took a few months to recognize that.)

26. Homemade whole wheat bread slathered with butter and local honey is an amazing thing to eat at any time of the day. 

27. Carbs are my friend. Lots and lots of them!

28. I can work a lot fewer hours and the business can actually end up netting more profit (because I’m not stretched so thin so I’m much more strategic + I cut back a bunch of expenses in a big business audit and it freed up so much extra each month so that I don’t need to work as much!!).

29. A bionic curling iron and a good hair mask might not change my life but it can change how I feel about my hair.

30. Saying yes to walking with a single woman who started fostering – even though I didn’t know how it was going to all work out – ended up being one of the best yeses of this year. I got a new dear friend and our whole family has fallen in love with a sweet baby girl we get to watch three days a week.

The biggest lesson of all that I was reminded again and again of this past year is that, as my necklace and hat from @shopjenessawait says, “He still does miracles!”

I’ve witnessed the supernatural power and might of the Lord over and over and over this year. When things felt impossible. When things didn’t make sense. When I didn’t have answers. When I wanted to doubt. When I did doubt. 

I’m grateful that God’s power is not dependent upon whether I fully rest and believe in it… because some days I’ve really struggled. This year has been packed with challenges. But it’s also been packed with opportunities to exercise courage and trust wholeheartedly in the Lord. And, newsflash: He has always kept His Word. He has always been faithful. And I’ve gotten to watch Him move so many figurative mountains… why do I ever doubt Him?

That’s my hope for this new year of my life. That I would lean more fully and wholly on God and trust in Him instead of sometimes doubting and trying to take matters into my own hands. ❤️

Don’t Miss This Bonus: 5 Days to a Financially Healthier You

If you’ve been thinking about pre-ordering The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women, this bonus is one you won’t want to miss! I’m so excited to share this one with you!

When you pre-order from any retailer, you are eligible to claim an incredible collection of exclusive pre-order bonuses — including this week’s bonus: 5 Days to a Financially Healthier You. This is a practical 5-day video course that also includes a module to read and printable worksheets to help you put what you’re learning into action. 

In just a few minutes a day, you’ll work through simple, actionable steps designed to help you build healthier money habits and make meaningful progress with your finances.

And… your pre-order gives you access to all the bonuses released so far and every new bonus still to come before the book launches! We have some really fun giveaways coming too!

Pre-order your copy + claim your bonuses here!

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days: Coming This Week!! 

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days are happening this week — October 6th and 7th! Want to know how to get the best deals? In this post, we share our top tips for saving money and scoring great deals on Amazon Prime Big Deal Days!

If you aren’t a Prime member but considering becoming one, this post explores the question: “Is Amazon Prime worth it?”and has a link for a FREE 30-day trial, just in time for Prime Days! 

September’s “Read with Crystal” Recap + Announcing October’s Book!

Wow! September’s “Read with Crystal” book club pick, Lisa See’s  Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, made me feel frustrated, appalled, and grateful. Did you read it?! 

Check out this post to see my recap — along with some historical information I researched — and to share your thoughts in the comments. Also, do not miss my IG live with the author! It was incredible!

This post also has October’s book club pick — one I’ve had on my shelf for a while and that I’ve had recommended to me so many times. Plus, you can read it free!! 

Click here for all the book club details!

This Week on The Crystal Paine Show: My Trip to Focus on the Family (+ Crazy Travel Stories)

This episode of The Crystal Paine Show is honestly a little bit of everything – from chaotic travel stories to some really meaningful reflections from my recent trip to Focus on the Family, but I have to start off by telling you all about my travel adventures because I am apparently incapable of taking a trip without something happening.

My flight to Focus on the Family was surprisingly uneventful, but another recent trip involved traffic, completely full airport parking garages, a frantic search for a parking spot, a shuttle bus, and me running through the airport trying to make my flight. Then, of course, there was the rental car that I genuinely thought wasn’t starting, only to discover that I had apparently been driving a hybrid before I realized it was already on!

Underneath all those stories, however, there were some things happening in my heart that I really wanted to share. My time at Focus on the Family gave me a chance to reflect on what God was doing, some of the opportunities He was opening up, and the ways He was taking care of me in little moments when I felt overwhelmed.

I also got to do something that was outside my usual comfort zone: talk about marriage and money on a marriage podcast. That combination can bring up a LOT of baggage, and I open up about why I was nervous about having that conversation and why, once I got into it, I realized just how passionate I am about helping couples have healthier conversations about money.

Jesse and I also talk about my new book, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women, the preorder bonuses we’ve created, and why I wanted those resources to be genuinely practical rather than just another thing to consume and forget. And, finally, I get to share how meaningful it was to have my assistant, Jinni, travel with me for the first time! There was a lot packed into these few days, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring you along for all of it, so grab your coffee, settle in, and come hang out with us. As always, feel free to also reach out with your thoughts!

Listen to the episode here.

What I’m Reading…

This past week, I finished Holy & Hormonal. If you are looking for an in-depth resource on hormones from a Biblical perspective, this would be a fantastic book!

You can also read my review of Lady Tan’s Circle of Women here.

Currently reading: Every Table an Altar, Making Peace With What I Can’t Control, and The Inspired Homeschool.

What I’m Watching…

This week, the girls and I watched week 3 of Dancing with the Stars together. (It’s fun to have a show that Kierstyn, Kaitlynn, and I all enjoy together!)

Jesse and I watched The Breadwinner this week. A cheesy but funny comedy on parenting.

What I’m Listening to…

I just started listening to The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Volume 3.

More Links You’ll Love from This Week:

• Sloppy Joes and Simple Coleslaw ($10 Family Dinner Idea) —  This sloppy joe recipe is so quick and easy — and it uses lentils to stretch the ground beef even further and pack in some filling fiber! Pair it with the easiest coleslaw recipe ever for a delicious, healthy, and frugal dinner!
  
• How to Find Scholarships for College: 12 Places to Look for Free Money — There are so many ways to lower the cost of a college education and scholarships are a big piece of the puzzle! This post will help you find them!
  
• Looking for the Best App for Weight Loss? Why Nourish Offers More than Tracking — Most weight loss apps help you count calories, track macros, log workouts, or watch the number on the scale. Those tools can be helpful, but knowing what to do doesn’t always make it easier to actually do it, or to figure out what your body needs. That’s what makes Nourish different. This app combines helpful tracking tools with personalized, one-on-one support from a registered dietician to help you understand what your body needs and build habits you can actually sustain… and, it usually costs $0 with insurance! Read this post for all the details. 
  
• 20+ Ways to Afford Organic Food on a Tight Budget — I often get asked: Is it possible to afford organic foods on a tight budget? And I’m here to tell you: Yes! While “organic” and “budget” might feel like they’re opposites, it is possible to eat well on a budget, and this post will help you do it. 

Aldi

1/2 gallon Orange Juice – $3.35

1 gallon Milk – $2.77

1/2 gallon Unsweetened Almond Milk – $2.09

1 32-oz carton Half and Half – $2.39

1 large canister Quick Oats – $3.49

1 32-oz carton Egg Whites – $4.79

1 pkg Fresh Boneless Chicken Breasts – $11.16

1 pkg Broccoli Crowns – $3.03

1 Cauliflower – $2.95

3 bags Fresh Green Beans – $7.17

1 bag Romaine Hearts – $3.29

1 bag Green Onions – $1.29

1 bag Ginger Root – $1.99

2 bags Frozen Cauliflower Rice – $3.78

2 cans Green Beans – $1.62

1 pkg Turkey Bacon – $3.49

1 jar Italian Seasoning – $0.98

1 box Butter Quarters – $2.69

1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $2.85

2 8-oz blocks Mozzarella Cheese – $3.18

1 loaf Butter Bread – $1.99

1 pkg Hot Dog Buns – $1.29

1-lb Sausage – $2.89

Total: $74.52

Publix

5 Crunch Time Pizzas – $19.47, received (5) $3/1 Crunch Time Ibotta Rebates – $4.47 for 5 after Rebates

2 bags Fresh Express Caesar Salads – $5.49

2 4-ct bottles Muscle Milk – $11.89, used (2) $3/1 Printables – $5.89 for 2 after Coupons

2 boxes Morey’s Salmon – $11.99, used $3/2 Printable – $8.99 for 2 after Coupon

2 12-ct boxes Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts – $4, used $1/2 Printable – $3 for 2 after Coupon

1 box Lasagna Noodles – $2.29

1 50-ct bag Totino’s Pizza Rolls – $3.73, used $0.50/1 Totino’s Publix Digital Coupon plus received $0.50/1 Totino’s Pizza Rolls Ibotta Rebate and 400 points from Fetch ($0.40) – $2.33 after Coupon and Rebate

1 box Kellogg’s Rice Krispy Treats – $1.24, used $0.50/1 Printable Coupon – $0.74 after Coupon

1 bag Harvest Snaps – $2.99, received $2.99/1 Harvest Snaps Ibotta Rebate – FREE after Coupon

1 bag Mini Sweet Peppers – $1.99

~Used $3/$80 Publix Perks Digital Coupon

Total after Coupons and Rebates: $38.19

Walmart

1 can Cadence Electrolytes – $2.78, received $2.78 rebate from Aisle plus $1/1 Cadence Ibotta Rebate – $1 Money Maker after Rebates

1 bag Smart Sweets – $3.18, received $3.18 rebate from Aisle plus $0.75/1 Smart Sweets Ibotta Rebate – $0.75 Money Maker after Rebates

1 6-pk Instant Hydration Packets – $5, received $5 Rebate from Social Nature plus received $1.50/1 Instant Hydration Ibotta Rebate – $1.50 Money Maker after Rebates

Total after Rebates: $3.25 Money Maker!

Harris Teeter

5 pkgs Deli Fresh Oscar Meyer Lunch Meat – $17.50, received (5) $1.50/1 Deli Fresh Ibotta Rebates – $10 for 5 after Rebates

2 pkgs Sliced Cheese – $3

5 Chobani Flips – $4.85, used $1/5 after Harris Teeter Evic Coupon – $3.85 for 5 after Coupon

3 tubs Breyers Ice Cream – $10.48, received (2) $1.50/1 Breyers Ibotta Rebates and 1300 points from Fetch ($1.30) – $6.18 for 3 after Rebates

Total after Rebates: $23.03

Grocery Total for the Week: $132.46

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Cereal, Oatmeal, Grits, Granola, Yogurt, Smoothies, Pop Tarts, Eggs/Bacon, Cottage Cheese

Lunches

Deli Meat/Cheese Sandwiches, Chips, Veggies with Dip x 3

Leftovers x 4

Dinners

Salmon, Broccoli, Steamed Rice

Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Cauliflower

Lasagna, Butterhorns, Caesar Salad, Brownies and Ice Cream

Grilled Chicken, Biscuits, Green Beans

Pizza, Tossed Salad

Baked Nachos

Brats, Green Beans, Oven Roasted Potato Wedges

FREE One Week Menu Plan!

Done-For-You Dinner Recipes With Simple Ingredients and a Grocery Shopping List!

Send me my FREE Menu Plan!

While “organic” and “budget” might feel like they’re opposites, it is possible to eat well on a budget.

Sure, depending on where you live, this will be easier or more difficult, but in most areas, you can feed your family natural, unprocessed, even organic foods without spending a fortune — especially if you’re willing to get creative and think outside the box!

Keep reading for 20 ways to save money on organic food — allowing you to eat clean, even if you have a tight budget!

20+ Ways to Afford Organic Foods on a Budget

Here are several ways to afford organic food on a tight budget:

1. Plan your menu based on what’s in season and on sale.

If you want to feed your family on a budget, the first step is to have a plan for what you’ll eat. Regardless of your special diet or food preferences, meal planning will always save you money.

You’ll significantly reduce your grocery bill if you intentionally plan your menu around what’s on sale at the natural foods store, what’s in season at the Farmer’s Market, what organic foods are on sale at Aldi or your local grocery store, and/or what your garden is producing. (Read more about how I “reverse meal plan” like this here.)

As an added bonus, you’ll reap the benefits of a balanced diet as you’ll constantly be rotating your produce based on what’s in season!

2. Calculate the cost of your meals.

When you’re planning your menu, think about how much each recipe will cost. Cutting costs on a meal in general will create more wiggle room in your budget to prioritize organic items.

It doesn’t have to be a scientific, to-the-penny figure, but just having a good idea that there is a $10 difference between the price of making one meal as opposed to another meal can help with keeping your grocery budget down.

3. Practice the “buy ahead” principle.

If your budget allows, stock up whenever you find an incredible sale on organic items. This could be organic tomatoes at the Farmer’s Market, markdown deals on organic produce/bread/meat at Kroger, reduced-price organic frozen veggies at the health food store, a super weekend sale at Sprouts, if Aldi is offering a great deal on organic products, or any other amazing grocery deals, like the ones we share regularly.

Buying items you routinely use when they are at their lowest price is a surefire way to save more.

4. Buy in bulk.

It is usually much more cost-effective to purchase meat and staple ingredients in bulk.

Call around to local farmers and see what they would charge you for purchasing half a cow. In many cases, this meat is at least $1 cheaper per pound to purchase in bulk. And the meat is much higher quality.

Buying organic grains, beans, and other basic ingredients with long storage lives in large quantities will almost always save you at least 20%, if not more.

5. Focus on the worst offenders.

Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists are a great place to start when trying to prioritize organic purchases.

These lists will help you steer clear of the stuff with the most pesticides, and confidently save money buying conventional when it comes to the cleanest fruits and veggies.

6. Plant a garden.

Produce is typically only pennies per item from your own backyard, it’s tremendously fresh and you know exactly what you did or didn’t spray on it. Plus, if you can or freeze your extras, you’ll be able to enjoy “fresh-from-the-garden” produce for much of the year.

Have a brown thumb? Find a friend who loves gardening and trade services (babysitting, bread-baking, car maintenance) in exchange for their garden excess.

If organic produce is something you’d like to prioritize, you won’t find it at a better price than if you grow it on your own! It’s a fantastic option on a budget.

7. Consider joining a CSA or Co-Op.

If gardening isn’t for you, you might look for a co-op or CSA in your area. They do usually have a fee to join the group, but it still might be a money-saving option on organic produce for your family.

And if you can’t find an affordable co-op in your area, you could consider starting your own co-op.

8. Order from Misfits Market

If you’re willing to eat fruits and vegetables that are odd shapes or sizes, you could save a lot of money by ordering from Misfits Market! This company sells produce that isn’t attractive enough to sell in a typical grocery store but is still perfectly edible, allowing you to save on fresh produce while reducing food waste. Read our full Misfits Market review and get a discount code here.

9. Serve meat as a condiment.

Serving meat in soup, on a salad, or as a pizza topping is going to be a lot less expensive than serving it as the main dish, especially if you’re buying high-quality organic and grass-fed meat.

10. Make homemade snacks.

Pre-packaged snacks are significantly more expensive than homemade snacks.

As a bonus, homemade snacks are often more nutritious since you can control exactly what ingredients you use.

11. Skip organic “junk food”.

It’s probably a better use of your cash to spend it on organic produce versus organic candy, fruit snacks, or other sweet treats that you don’t technically need to buy anyway!

12. Swap out expensive ingredients.

You probably don’t really need Gruyere cheese… Swiss will do just fine!

And you likely don’t need that fancy (a.k.a. expensive) chocolate when store-brand chocolate chips will work.

If you’re using a recipe that requires a specialty ingredient you don’t already have in the house, do a quick Google search to see what you could substitute instead.

13. Eat your leftovers.

Repurposing leftover meals into lunches is a great way to save money on groceries and time in the kitchen. Not having to buy a lot of extras for additional meals can help save money — especially if you’re prioritizing organic items.

14. Use coupons.

Although they are harder to come by, there are organic-based coupons available online. Also, take time to email your favorite companies, because they just might send you coupons by mail!

15. Use coupons on non-food items.

If you can’t find coupons for the organic food items you purchase, you can still use coupons to save on toilet paper, toothbrushes, and other non-food items — lowering your overall grocery costs. (Make sure to check out our weekly drugstore deals posts for deals under $2 at Walgreens and deals under $1 at CVS to save big on these household items.)

16. Avoid specialty stores.

Although they have great selections of unique items, you typically pay a lot more across the board.

17. Opt for frozen produce.

Fruit and veggie smoothies are a great way to get your greens all year round. However, buying these ingredients organic 12 months a year isn’t always realistic.

Before abandoning organic produce all together, take a look in the frozen section and you may be surprised to find that organic, frozen alternatives can mean fantastic savings.

And most frozen foods are frozen immediately after harvesting so they are packed with vitamins and nutrients that can sometimes be lost in fruits that sit on store shelves for a week.

18. Find a local Amish community.

They often sell lots of produce, breads, and cheese at reasonable prices — and they are almost always organic and homemade (and delicious!).

19. Buy the store brand.

Most stores have their own brand of organic foods these days — saving you quite a bit on your overall bill without much difference in taste or quality.

20. Don’t forget about Farmer’s Markets.

Your local farmer’s market is a valuable resource! There are SO many local farmers who grow delicious, organic food for much lower prices than you’ll find at any store.

21. Shop at Costco, Aldi, or Trader Joe’s

You can often find great deals on organic items at Costco, Aldi, or Trader Joe’s for great prices! You might also try Thrive Market for specific organic items you’re looking for.

Would You Like to Become Financially Healthier, Too?

If you’ve been thinking about pre-ordering The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women, this week’s pre-order bonus is will help you start getting financially healthier in just 5 days!

5 Days to a Financially Healthier You is a practical 5-day video course that also includes a module to read and printable worksheets to help you put what you’re learning into action. In just a few minutes a day, you’ll work through simple, actionable steps designed to help you build healthier money habits and make meaningful progress with your finances.

When you pre-order my book from any retailer, you are eligible to claim an incredible collection of exclusive pre-order bonuses — including this 5-day course, all the bonuses released so far, and every new bonus still to come before the book launches! We have some really fun giveaways coming too!

Pre-order your copy + claim your bonuses here!

Tips for Saving on Specialty Diets

If your family has allergies or sticks to specialty diets, you might find some of these articles helpful:

• Buying Specialty Diet Foods on a Budget
• Five Ways to Save with Dietary Restrictions
• How to Survive on an Allergy-Free Diet
• How I Feed My Family of 4 on an Organic, Gluten-Free Diet
• Ask Crystal: Is it possible to eat healthfully on a budget?
• My 25 Favorite Things to Buy at ALDI
• How to Use Target Circle (and Get the Most Value From It)
• The Top 30+ Items to Buy at Sam’s Club
• 25 Benefits of Costco Membership
• The Best Candy and Sweet Treats Without Refined Sugar

Do you have any other ideas or tips for how to save on organic foods?

FREE DOWNLOAD: 60 Meals To Help You Avoid Takeout!

Meal time just got so much easier!

Send me my FREE list of meal ideas!

I recently asked my Instagram community to share their best tips for finding college scholarships, and you all came through with some fantastic ideas and personal experiences. One thing that really stood out to me? You usually have to be willing to dig.

The biggest scholarships aren’t necessarily the only ones worth pursuing. A $500 local scholarship, a departmental award, an employer scholarship, and a few smaller essay contests can start adding up surprisingly quickly.

And sometimes the less obvious opportunities have far fewer applicants!

How to Find Scholarships for College:

If you’re trying to figure out how to pay for college without taking on mountains of student loan debt, here are some ideas to find college scholarships:

1. Start With the College’s Financial Aid Office

Several readers emphasized this, and I think it’s one of the most important tips on this list: Talk to the financial aid office!

Don’t assume the initial financial aid package is the only money available. Ask about institutional scholarships, departmental scholarships, grants, endowed scholarships funded by alumni, work-study opportunities, and scholarships that become available to current students after their freshman year.

One reader shared that her three daughters attend Colorado Christian University and have received a combination of academic scholarships, major-specific scholarships, grants, and even an endowed global studies scholarship.

Another important thing to know: If your family’s financial circumstances have changed significantly, ask the financial aid office whether you can request an aid adjustment through what’s known as professional judgment. Federal Student Aid says schools may consider certain special circumstances, such as a loss of employment or significant uncovered medical expenses, when reviewing financial aid eligibility.

It never hurts to ask, “Are there any other scholarships or financial aid opportunities we should apply for?”

2. Look For Scholarships Connected To Your Major

Don’t stop at university-wide scholarships. Once you’ve chosen a major, or at least narrowed down your interests, investigate the individual college or department.

One reader told me that the agriculture and engineering colleges at the University of Arkansas award a large number of scholarships and that her kids have received multiple scholarships that can stack together. Depending on your field, there may be scholarships specifically for future nurses, teachers, engineers, accountants, journalists, social workers, or other professionals.

Search phrases such as “[major] scholarships,” “[major] scholarships in [your state],” or “[university] [department] scholarships.”

Also ask your academic department directly and investigate funding through your academic program, in addition to the university’s main financial aid office.

3. Don’t Overlook Local Scholarships

This tip came up again and again: Start local.

National scholarships can attract thousands of applicants. Your local scholarship from a credit union, civic organization, business, church, nonprofit, or community foundation might have a much smaller applicant pool.

Check with your:

• High school guidance office
• Local community foundation
• Credit unions and banks
• Chamber of commerce
• Rotary, Kiwanis, and other civic organizations
• Churches and religious organizations
• Local businesses
• Parents’ employers
• Professional associations

One reader specifically recommended checking local credit unions because many offer scholarships to members.

Even if an award is “only” $500 or $1,000, remember that several smaller scholarships can add up to thousands of dollars.

4. Treat Applying For Scholarships Like a Numbers Game

This might be one of my favorite pieces of reader advice.

One mom told me:

“My daughter applied and received $80,000 in scholarships for college and was able to go to private college debt free. She applied to just about every scholarship that she met the requirements for. The guidance office should have lots of resources or try Googling. Something else that helped is my daughter took dual credit classes in high school, so then she was able to graduate college in 3 years. She also worked extremely hard and got wonderful grades and when she applied they gave her a very generous academic credit.”

$80,000!!

I love this example because there wasn’t one magical scholarship that made college affordable. They combined multiple strategies: scholarships, strong academics, dual-credit courses, and graduating early.

Don’t apply for three scholarships and give up when you don’t hear back.

Consider setting a goal of applying for a certain number each week or month. Keep a spreadsheet with the scholarship name, amount, deadline, requirements, application status, and notification date.

The more qualified opportunities you pursue, the more chances you give yourself to win.

5. Search For Scholarships That Require a Little More Effort

It can be tempting to focus exclusively on “no essay” scholarships because they’re so easy to enter.

But easy applications can also mean more competition.

One reader recommended The Scholarship System, which teaches families how to search for scholarships and put together competitive applications. One of her biggest takeaways was to pay particular attention to essay-based scholarships and learn how to write a strong scholarship essay.

I’d encourage your student to create a folder containing a strong general essay, transcript, activity list, volunteer experience, work history, awards, recommendation letters, and other commonly requested materials.

You shouldn’t submit the exact same essay everywhere, but having a solid starting point can make applying for multiple scholarships much less overwhelming.

6. Use Google Strategically

Don’t just search “college scholarships.” Get specific! Combine words that describe the student with terms such as “scholarship,” “grant,” or “award.”

For instance, search for scholarships based on:

• Major or career goal
• State or hometown
• Volunteer activities
• Hobbies
• Sports
• Academic achievements
• Employer
• Community involvement
• Clubs and organizations

You can also combine categories: “Tennessee engineering scholarships,” “scholarships for high school musicians,” or “education major scholarships.”

Try several versions of each search and repeat the process periodically because new opportunities and deadlines are constantly popping up.

7. Use AI to Brainstorm Scholarship Searches…But Verify Everything

Several readers mentioned using ChatGPT to help uncover ideas, and I think this can be a great starting point.

You could provide details such as your student’s state, intended major, academic interests, extracurricular activities, volunteer experience, hobbies, career goals, and other relevant information and ask for categories of scholarships they might qualify for.

You could also ask AI to generate specific Google search phrases you might not have thought of. But here’s the important part: Don’t blindly trust an AI-generated scholarship listing.

Scholarships change, deadlines pass, and information online can become outdated. Always go directly to the organization offering the scholarship to verify the eligibility requirements, deadline, award amount, and application instructions before spending time on an application.

8. Prepare For the PSAT/NMSQT

If you have a high school student, don’t dismiss the PSAT as just another practice test. The PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifying test used to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program.

One reader told me her daughter received offers from schools that included free tuition after earning National Merit recognition.

Not every student will qualify, of course, but if your child is a strong test-taker, it may be worth preparing seriously for the PSAT/NMSQT and researching colleges that offer merit aid connected with strong academic performance or National Merit recognition.

9. Look For Employers That Help Pay For College

If your teenager or college student plans to work anyway, why not investigate employers that can help pay for school?

Many companies offer some type of tuition assistance, reimbursement, or scholarship program to eligible employees. Requirements vary widely, including how long you need to work there, which schools or programs qualify, and how much the company will contribute.

Before accepting a part-time job, compare the total benefits rather than just the hourly wage. An employer paying slightly less per hour but providing thousands of dollars toward tuition could potentially be the better financial choice.

And don’t just look at the student’s employer. Check whether a parent’s or guardian’s company offers scholarships to employees’ dependents, too.

10. Explore Scholarship Newsletters, Groups, and Databases

You don’t have to find every opportunity yourself.

One reader recommended the JLV College Counseling Scholarship Saturday newsletter, which regularly shares scholarship opportunities.

Another recommended the Facebook group Scholarship Help and College Talk for Parents as a source of free information and resources.

Candid can also be a starting point for researching student funding. It recommends that students complete the FAFSA, investigate state aid, contact college financial aid offices, explore scholarship directories, and look for assistance through academic departments and community or professional organizations. Candid also provides information about finding foundation grants and scholarships for individuals.

The goal here is to build a system where scholarship opportunities come to you instead of relying entirely on remembering to search.

11. Complete the FAFSA (Even If You Don’t Think You’ll Qualify)

Don’t assume your family’s income automatically means your student won’t receive help. Completing the FAFSA is the first step toward qualifying for federal student aid, including grants, work-study, and federal student loans. Some scholarships may also use FAFSA information when determining eligibility.

Federal Work-Study can be particularly useful because eligible students can earn money through part-time jobs while attending school. However, receiving a work-study award doesn’t automatically give you the money. Students still need to find and work an eligible job.

Even if you don’t expect need-based federal grants, I wouldn’t automatically rule yourself out before filling out the FAFSA and seeing what options are available.

12. Remember: Scholarships Aren’t the Only Way To Reduce College Costs

Finding more scholarship money is fantastic. But another strategy is simply finding ways to need less money in the first place.

• Dual-enrollment and Advanced Placement classes during high school could allow a student to enter college with credits already completed.
• Community college can dramatically reduce the cost of completing general education requirements.
• Living at home, working during school, choosing an affordable in-state college, and graduating early can all potentially lower the total bill.

That’s why I encourage families to look at the total cost of getting the degree, not just the amount of scholarship money offered.

A private school offering $30,000 per year in scholarships isn’t necessarily cheaper than a public university offering $5,000. Compare what you’ll actually need to pay after grants and scholarships including tuition, fees, housing, meals, transportation, and other expenses.

We’ve shared many more ideas in our posts on Going to College Debt-Free: Our Best Tips & Strategies and How to Graduate College Debt-Free.

Don’t Assume the Sticker Price is What You’ll Pay

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from hearing other families’ stories, it’s that paying for college often requires creativity, persistence, and a willingness to ask questions.

Apply for the $500 scholarship. Email the financial aid office. Search your intended major. Check the local credit union. Fill out the FAFSA. Apply for another scholarship even after you’ve been rejected from five others.

And don’t assume a private college will automatically cost more than a public university. As one reader’s experience showed, a combination of academic, departmental, and endowed scholarships and grants can sometimes make a seemingly expensive school surprisingly affordable.

Most importantly, involve your student in this process. Searching for scholarships, writing essays, meeting deadlines, and communicating with financial aid offices are valuable skills. And when students have some ownership over figuring out how to pay for college, they may appreciate the opportunity even more.

What are your best tips for finding college scholarships? Have you or your student found scholarships in an unexpected place? I’d love to hear what’s worked for your family!

If you didn’t know about the book club or you need a refresher, here are details before I share my review of September’s book and announce October’s book club pick!

How the Book Club Works

Here’s how it works:

1. I announce the book club pick for the month on the blog and on social media. You can buy the book online, from a local book store, get it from the library, or listen to the audiobook. You choose!

2. We read through the book that month. I may mention it here and there on social media or on the blog. I may not. It just depends!

3. At the end of the month, I post a post with my full review and thoughts of the book. I will invite you to share your thoughts in the comments on that blog post or in the post I share on social media.

4. That’s it! We’ll repeat this every month with a new book.

You can join us every month or just on the months that the book looks interesting to you. Whatever works for you — this is a no obligation book club!

What I Thought of September’s Book Club Pick

September’s book pick was Lady Tan’s Circle of Women. And I have SOO many thoughts on this book. It made me frustrated. It made me grateful. It made me sad. But I also loved the stories of women caring deeply for one another, at great risk to themselves to do so sometimes.

Why It Made Me Frustrated

I knew that women were oppressed and devalued in other cultures, but to read about how it really worked out in the day-to-day was so appalling! Like, I wanted to shake some of the book characters and be like, “Just stop it already! Treat her with respect. She is not any less worth of respect than you are!”

I also felt frustrated because the medical care was so terrible for women. The thought of being diagnosed by a doctor who would only talk to you through a screen and wouldn’t even talk directly to you but would have someone else be a go-between!!

Also, I could not believe how women were kept basically chained to their houses and rarely ever – if ever – saw outside the walls of their house! That was shocking to me and hard to comprehend.

In addition, I struggled with the parts that talked about how marriage basically meant you were completely cut off from your family and were now, in essence, the property of your husband’s family.

Why It Made Me Sad

Okay, I had heard of foot-binding before but I genuinely had never thought of what the process was actually like or how it would actually be crippling to a woman. And they did it just to look “beautiful” for their husbands — even though he never would actually see their feet because they always kept them in booties (I’m guessing because they actually looked awful!)

To think of the pain and discomfort this would put women through every single moment of every single day. It was so sad to me.

But not only that, the saddest part to me was reading about how the mothers were the ones who would do the foot binding to their girls and how hard this would be for them because of the pain they were putting their daughters through to basically break the bones and then wrap the feet to make them really tiny.

I researched online and here’s more on foot-binding (you can also find pictures but be prepared to be aghast!):

Foot binding was a historical Chinese custom of tightly wrapping young girls’ feet with cloth to break bones and create small, highly arched Lotus Feet. The practice lasted for nearly a thousand years before it was finally stopped in the 20th century. [1, 2, 3]

How the Process Worked

• Age: The process usually started when a girl was between four and six years old. [1]
• Soaking: Relatives soaked the girl’s feet in warm water or herbal mixtures to soften the skin. [1, 2]
• Bending: They bent all the toes except the big toe underneath the sole of the foot. [1]
• Wrapping: They used long cloth bandages to wrap the foot tightly, which broke the small bones and forced the foot into a high arch. [1, 2]
• Goal: The ideal target size was about three inches long, known as a “golden lotus” foot. You can learn more about the mechanics and history of this custom on Britannica. [1, 2]

Why It Made Me Grateful

I read the book thinking how grateful I am to live in a country and time period and marriage where I have so much worth, value, dignity, and respect. I think we can take these things for granted sometimes and studying different cultures and historical times can give us fresh perspective on how much we have to be thankful for.

I also thought there were so many beautiful parts of the book where other women were caring so deeply for one another, where men would buck the norm to take care of women and care about their needs, and where women would risk their lives for other women.

What did you think of Lady Tan’s Circle of Women? I’d love to hear! Tell us in the comments!

My IG Live With Lisa See

Psst! Do not miss my IG live with the author! It was incredible! Lisa See is a wealth of historical wisdom and her insights and perspective added such depth to this month’s book club!

Lisa has spent years of her life researching for her books and her passion for her characters is completely contagious! In fact, when we finished this live, I immediately wanted to go read all 12 of her other books!

A few of the topics we covered:

-How the practice of foot-binding was actually seen as something that would really elevate their daughter’s position and protect her in the long run.

-Why she spent 40 hours of research for one single sentence in her book.

-What it was like to try to write a book in the middle of a pandemic when so many options for research were not available.

-The level of isolation women felt in China during this time period but how they would build relationships with women and make the most of a life lived in an enclosed compound.

-How to more deeply appreciate our own circles of women.

Watch the full IG live interview here. I have a feeling you will want to read all of Lisa’s books after watching it.

October’s Book Club Pick

I’m excited to announce this month’s book club pick is Beneath a Scarlet Sky. This book is one I have had on my shelf for years, has been highly recommended to me over and over again, and one I have planned to read so many times.

Here’s the description from Amazon:

Based on the true story of a forgotten hero, the USA Today and #1 Amazon Charts bestseller Beneath a Scarlet Sky is the triumphant, epic tale of one young man’s incredible courage and resilience during one of history’s darkest hours.

Pino Lella wants nothing to do with the war or the Nazis. He’s a normal Italian teenager—obsessed with music, food, and girls—but his days of innocence are numbered. When his family home in Milan is destroyed by Allied bombs, Pino joins an underground railroad helping Jews escape over the Alps, and falls for Anna, a beautiful widow six years his senior.

In an attempt to protect him, Pino’s parents force him to enlist as a German soldier—a move they think will keep him out of combat. But after Pino is injured, he is recruited at the tender age of eighteen to become the personal driver for Adolf Hitler’s left hand in Italy, General Hans Leyers, one of the Third Reich’s most mysterious and powerful commanders.

Now, with the opportunity to spy for the Allies inside the German High Command, Pino endures the horrors of the war and the Nazi occupation by fighting in secret, his courage bolstered by his love for Anna and for the life he dreams they will one day share.

Fans of All the Light We Cannot See, The Nightingale, and Unbroken will enjoy this riveting saga of history, suspense, and love.

I figured I could selfishly pick it for book club this month so I would actually get it read! Get a copy of Beneath a Scarlet Sky here — or check your local library to get a copy.

How to Read Beneath a Scarlet Sky for Free

If you are someone who likes to read ebooks, you can get the Kindle version of Beneath a Scarlet Sky completely FREE right now through Kindle Unlimited!! (They are offering a free 3-month subscription to Prime Members and it’s FREE on Kindle Unlimited!)

Or, you can get the audiobook of Beneath a Scarlet Sky for free through Amazon Music (they are currently offering 3-4 months free and you get a free audiobook each month!)

Any questions? Ask away in the comments! Also, if you have suggestions for future book club books, let me know! I will be compiling a list!

Note: I will do my best to pick books that are clean (no bedroom scenes) and don’t have a lot of cursing in them. However, since I won’t have read the book before I pick it, I am not endorsing a book just by picking it. But I will do my best to research it to try to make sure it’s no more than a PG or PG-13 type book.

I serve these sloppy joes with the easiest coleslaw ever! It starts with a bagged mix (which regularly goes on sale at Publix for $1.50 or less) to make things super quick. I love using marked down buns that I find on the discount rack at Walmart for this recipe.

And maybe we’re the only family that does this — but we love sloppy joes all year long (anyone else?!?). We only eat hamburgers in the summer months, but sloppy joes are not the same thing as hamburgers at all, haha. They can also be a great meal to serve to company, especially using this recipe with lentils which lowers the cost compared to using straight ground beef.

This post is part of our $10 Dinner Ideas series, brought to you by Brigette on our team! Each week, she shares easy, delicious, and affordable family-friendly dinner ideas that cost less than $10 to make, use everyday ingredients, and are super quick meals.

Sloppy Joes Dinner Menu:

• Sloppy Joes with Lentils
• Buns
• Simple Coleslaw

Ingredients for Sloppy Joes:

• 1 lb ground beef (Aldi) — $4.99
• 1 small onion, finely diced (Aldi – $1.99 for 3lbs) — $0.30
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced (Aldi – $1.75 for 3-ct pkg) — $0.12
• 2 cups water
• 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce (Aldi) — $0.55
• 1/2 cup uncooked lentils, rinsed (Aldi – $1.55 for 16 ounces) — $0.34
• 1/2 cup ketchup (Publix – $1.14 for 13.5 ounces) — $0.37
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 bag hamburger buns (Walmart – reduced rack) — $0.99

Total: $7.66 (makes 6 servings)

Ingredients for Simple Coleslaw:

• 1 14-ounce bag shredded coleslaw mix (Publix) — $1.50
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (Publix – free with coupons and rebates) — $0
• 2 Tablespoons sugar (Aldi – $2.86 for 4-lbs) – $0.08
• 1 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice (Aldi – $3.19 for 1-lb of lemons) — $0.25
• 1 Tablespoon vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste

Total for Coleslaw: $1.83 (serves 6)

Total Cost for Dinner: $9.49 (makes 6 servings)

How to Make Sloppy Joes and Simple Coleslaw:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing for the coleslaw: 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 Tablespoons sugar, 1 1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice, 1 Tablespoon vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.

2. Mix the coleslaw mix and the dressing together until well mixed. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving.

3. In a skillet, combine the ground beef, chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until meat is no longer pink. Drain off grease.

4. Add the 2 cups water, tomato sauce, rinsed lentils, ketchup, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and pepper and bring to a boil over medium heat.

5. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for an hour, or until the lentils are cooked and the mixture is thick.

6. Serve the sloppy joe meat on buns with coleslaw on the side.

Print

Sloppy Joes with Lentils and Simple Coleslaw ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

This sloppy joe recipe is so quick and easy — and it uses lentils to stretch the ground beef even further and pack in some filling fiber! Pair it with the easiest coleslaw recipe ever for a delicious, healthy, and frugal dinner!

Course dinner, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword easy dinner, easy side dish, family favorite, high protein, homemade, weeknight dinner

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Servings 6

Calories 392kcal

Author Brigette

Cost $9.49

Ingredients

Ingredients for Sloppy Joes with Lentils:

• 1 lb ground beef Aldi — $4.99
• 1 small onion finely diced (Aldi – $1.99 for 3lbs) — $0.30
• 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced (Aldi – $1.75 for 3-ct pkg) — $0.12
• 2 cups water
• 1 8- ounce can tomato sauce Aldi — $0.55
• 1/2 cup uncooked lentils rinsed (Aldi – $1.55 for 16 ounces) — $0.34
• 1/2 cup ketchup Publix – $1.14 for 13.5 ounces — $0.37
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 bag hamburger buns Walmart – reduced rack — $0.99

Ingredients for Simple Coleslaw:

• 1 14- ounce bag shredded coleslaw mix Publix — $1.50
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise Publix – free with coupons and rebates — $0
• 2 Tablespoons sugar Aldi – $2.86 for 4-lbs – $0.08
• 1 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice Aldi – $3.19 for 1-lb of lemons — $0.25
• 1 Tablespoon vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing for the coleslaw: 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 Tablespoons sugar, 1 1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice, 1 Tablespoon vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Mix the coleslaw mix and the dressing together until well mixed. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving.
• In a skillet, combine the ground beef, chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until meat is no longer pink. Drain off grease.
• Add the 2 cups water, tomato sauce, rinsed lentils, ketchup, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and pepper and bring to a boil over medium heat.
• Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for an hour, or until the lentils are cooked and the mixture is thick.
• Serve the sloppy joe meat on buns with coleslaw on the side.

Notes

You do need to start this $10 Dinner about an hour and a half before dinner time. The prep work only takes a few minutes, but the coleslaw needs time to marinate and the lentils take time to cook.

Nutrition

Calories: 392kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 585mg | Potassium: 741mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 377IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 4mg

FAQs about Sloppy Joes with Lentils:

More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10:

• Chinese Chicken Stir Fry with Vegetables
• Cheesy Baked Tortellini and Green Bean Fries
• Bubble Pizza
• Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet
• French Toast Casserole and Baked Scrambled Eggs
• Easy Baked Chicken
• Biscuits and Gravy
• Quick & Easy Mini Calzones
• Mexican Lasagna
• Easy Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet
• Chicken Alfredo Pizza
• Chicken Burgers and Baked Fries

And, be sure to check out all our easy dinner recipes here!

If you make this Sloppy Joes with Lentils and Simple Coleslaw family dinner, we’d love for you to leave a review and let us know how it turned out!

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

That’s just one of the lies I had to fight through before my interview with Focus on the Family.

It was such an honor to be back with them — this was my 4th time recording with them, and they’ve been such champions of my books over the years.

But this time was different.

They’d asked me to record a whole podcast episode on marriage and money (in addition to doing the radio show taping + some other filming). To my knowledge, I’ve never recorded an episode specifically about marriage and money on any podcast. It’s a topic I’ve tried to avoid because it’s so loaded and nuanced. So, I was nervous.

In fact, in a very uncharacteristic manner, I prepped three pages of notes, just in case I was struggling with answers or content.

That wasn’t the only lie running through my head. I also was thinking:

“You don’t have anything to offer.”

“People will be able to tell you shouldn’t be talking about this.”

People probably assume I don’t get nervous about this stuff after 20 years. In fact, I still had to pray a lot and pep talk myself a lot in preparation for this.

But, here was the thing that surprised me…

Once the cameras started rolling, I had so much to say that I had to keep reminding myself to keep my answers short and succinct. And I quickly realized: I guess this is a topic I actually do have things to say about!!

At the end, the hosts (both have doctorates — one’s a therapist, one’s a psychologist) said, “Wow! It’s clear you’ve talked about this a lot. You have such wisdom and insight! You should write a book on marriage and money!” 

I just laughed. “Actually,” I told them, “this is my first time doing a podcast on it. It’s kind of a topic I’ve avoided.”

Even after 20 years of doing this, I still can let negative narratives and lies hold me back from stepping out of my comfort zone and sharing things God has called me to.

And I miss out on the joy and the opportunity to see God’s faithfulness and to encourage others when I do.

Maybe I will start getting brave and talking more about marriage and money.

For starters… I did something I’ve never done before and put together a guide for couples to communicate better about finances.

Click here for all the details — it’s free when you pre-order my new book!

Kierstyn was so excited about getting to give a presentation at school this past week on Kansas for Geography Day. (You can watch part of her presentation here.)

She dressed up like Laura and Mary Ingalls from Little House because they lived in Kansas for awhile.

The next day, both Micah and Kierstyn had a presentation at school with their class and Kathrynne got to come with me to watch it! They were SO excited to get to introduce her to their friends and teachers.

This convicted me so much! I’d change this to, “The devil wants you to worry. Period.”

If he can get you stuck in worry, you take your eyes off Jesus. Then, you focus on your surroundings, and you walk in fear. Which then results in you not being able to experience the joy and peace that come from wholeheartedly trusting that Your Heavenly Father will give you everything you need when you need it, and you can rest in that and walk by faith. ❤️

When you feel worry creeping in, take that as a warning sign to stop and pray, to release your fears and stress to the Lord, and to remind yourself of the truth of Who God is. 

(I love to listen to worship music on repeat and have Scripture posted in different places around me to serve as constant reminders of the goodness and trustworthiness of God.)

Thank you to @_she_rises_ on Instagram for this convicting word! 

Guess what?? This deal is BACK – and it’s cheaper than before!!! Get these biker shorts for as low as $2.99 per pair.

I have three pairs of these and wear them multiple times per week under my summer or shorter dresses!

Amazon has this Lunakai PRO USA Made Women’s Hair Growth & Restore Vitamins, 90 Count, for only $16.97 shipped when you clip the 40% off coupon and check out through Subscribe & Save (regularly $39.95)!

I have been taking these the last month to help with hair regrowth.

Do You Want to See What Came in My Walmart Beauty Box?!

I cannot believe this was only $8.98 shipped! Here’s what I got: 

• Pimple patches and acne cleanser to go along with it
• Cerave Oil-Control Balancing Conditioner for normal to oily scalps
• Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum — perfect for deep moisturizing as the weather turns colder and dryer
• Lowkey Daise Rose and Sandalwood Fragrance Body Mist — this is really fun and smells so good
• Not Your Mother’s Instant Defrizz All Eyes on Me spray (can’t wait to use this!)
• And what I’m most excited about… Guru Nanda post-oil-pulling toothpaste. I oil pull everyday and use this brand for that, so I’m super excited about this!! I didn’t even know this toothpaste existed — and one tube of it is more expensive than the price of the entire Walmart beauty box!! 

If you’re interested, check out my full post about these beauty boxes and find out how to get one here!

If you’ve been thinking about pre-ordering The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women, this week’s bonus is one you won’t want to miss! I’m so excited to share this one with you!

When you pre-order from any retailer, you are eligible to claim an incredible collection of exclusive pre-order bonuses — including this week’s bonus: 5 Days to a Financially Healthier You. This is a practical 5-day video course that also includes a module to read and printable worksheets to help you put what you’re learning into action. 

In just a few minutes a day, you’ll work through simple, actionable steps designed to help you build healthier money habits and make meaningful progress with your finances.

And… your pre-order gives you access to all the bonuses released so far (including the Couples’ Conversation Guide I mentioned above) and every new bonus still to come before the book launches! We have some really fun giveaways coming too!

Pre-order your copy + claim your bonuses here!

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days has officially been announced for October 6th and 7th! Want to know how to get the best deals? In this post, we share our top tips for saving money and scoring great deals on Amazon Prime Big Deal Days!

If you aren’t a Prime member but considering becoming one, this post explores the question: “Is Amazon Prime worth it?”and has a link for a FREE 30-day trial, just in time for Prime Days! 

This Week on The Crystal Paine Show: How to Cultivate a Grace-Laced Life (with Ruth Chou Simons)

This week, author of the brand new book This Moment Matters: 100 Ways to Cultivate a Grace-Laced Life, Ruth Chou Simons comes back on the podcast, and I am so excited to have her back! The last time that we tried to record together, I was such a hot mess that we ended up doing an Instagram story and Facebook Live instead, so when she agreed to come back, I was thrilled, and this time, we actually have a podcast episode!

I truly love Ruth’s new book. There is so much practical wisdom in its pages and so many moments when I found myself saying, “Yes!” while also getting my toes stepped on a little bit.

In this episode, we talk about what it means to cultivate beauty and grace in the middle of our very ordinary, very full lives.

Ruth is a mom of six boys, and I could not stop asking her how she has managed to create such a beautiful home, but what I especially love about her approach is that it’s not about having more money, buying more things, or waiting until life is less chaotic. It’s about stewarding what God has already given us and learning to notice the beauty that’s right in front of us.

We talk about creating rhythms that help us start our days well, making space for God’s Word, and even setting up a little scripture memory station. Ruth shares why small acts of faithfulness matter more than big accomplishments and how making room for inefficiency can lead to the conversations and relationships that we might otherwise miss.

We also talk about motherhood, enjoying our kids, and the importance of leaving room in our calendars for nothing because, after all, sometimes the most meaningful moments happen when we’re not rushing off to the next thing.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or like you need to get your life together before you can enjoy it, then this conversation with Ruth is definitely for you. Ruth reminds us that we don’t have to wait for a better season to live a grace-laced life, that we can start right where we are, with what we have, today. Enjoy my conversation with Ruth Chou Simons, and, as always, please feel free to reach out to me with your thoughts!

Listen to the episode here.

What I’m Reading…

This past week, I finished reading This Moment Matters — it’s packed with beautiful illustrations and words of encouragement to live a grace-filled life. It would make a great gift idea or coffee table book!

What I’m currently reading: Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, Holy & Hormonal, Every Table an Altar, Calming Your Anxious Child, and Wholehearted Enneagram.

What I’m Watching…

This week, the girls and I watched week 3 of Dancing with the Stars together. (It’s fun to have a show that Kierstyn, Kaitlynn, and I all enjoy together!) And I watched Toy Story 5 with Kathrynne, Kierstyn and Micah on Friday night because Jesse, Silas, and Kaitlynn were out of town and Kathrynne came to hang out.

On Saturday night, Kaitlynn was back in town so we had a move night with Kierstyn and Micah and watched Spiderman: Far From Home (it has some intense scenes and some language — so I wouldn’t recommend it for younger kids but Kierstyn and Micah weren’t scared and actually enjoyed it.)

What I’m Listening to…

This past week, I finished listening to The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Volume 2. I am enjoying this series and agree with the people who said it gets better with each book!

I also started listening to The German Midwife.

More Links You’ll Love from This Week:

• Chinese Chicken & Stir Fry Veggies ($10 Family Dinner Idea) — You’ll love this recipe from my sister Brigette who says, “This recipe is a throwback to some of the flavors we grew to love when we lived in Taiwan for 2 years! It’s definitely ‘Americanized’ in the fact that you can buy all of these ingredients at any local grocery store, but it still reminds my husband and me of some of our favorite traditional dishes from Taiwan. I also love that this is such a healthy way to get a large amount of vegetables into one meal without even feeling like you’re eating healthily!”
  
• How to Lose Money — Want to know 3 quick ways to lose money?! 🤣 Check out this video I made on Instagram! 
  
• Becoming Financially Healthy Women — Listen in as Jennifer Pepito from Restoration Home and I discuss how to live within your means, find a heart of contentment, and kick the consumeristic culture of social media to the curb.
  
• 45+ Things You Might Forget to Budget For — You’ve budgeted for groceries, utilities, and your mortgage — but what about all those expenses that only pop up occasionally? This list of things you might forget to budget for will help you plan ahead and experience more peace of mind!
  
• Financially Healthy Habits and Wins for Wallet — Do you stress about money? Do you find you’re constantly concerned about your finances? If so, this episode is for you! I joined Channel Mom podcast this week to discuss my new book, as well as some easy wins for your wallet… including 1 new habit that’ll help you easily save up to $26,000 over time! 

There’s still time to be among the first readers — and to take advantage of my pre-order bonuses! This book is packed with practical, encouraging strategies to help you stop stressing about money, build simple habits that last, and create a personalized plan for a healthier financial future.

As a special thank-you for everyone who pre-orders, I’m putting together an incredible collection of exclusive bonuses — including this 5 Days to a Financially Healthier You video course!

This five-day experience was created to help you take the principles in The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women and start putting them into practice right away.

Each day, you’ll get a module to read, beautiful PDF printables to help you apply what you’re learning, and a bite-sized video so I can walk you through that day’s topic.

Inside 5 Days to a Financially Healthier You, We’ll Cover:

• Day 1: Start With What You Have – Stop waiting for perfect circumstances and learn how to begin making wise financial choices with what you have right now.
• Day 2: Spend With Purpose – Learn to spend more intentionally so your money reflects what matters most to you.
• Day 3: Save Proactively and Prepare for the Unexpected – Build habits that create more breathing room and help you feel better prepared when unexpected expenses arise.
• Day 4: Avoid Debt Wisely and Prepare for Your Future – Make thoughtful decisions about debt while taking practical steps toward your longer-term financial goals.
• Day 5: Give Generously and Live With Legacy in Mind – Look beyond your bank account and consider how generosity and the way you use your money can impact others for years to come.

Practical Tools for Real Life

One of the biggest mistakes I see women make is believing they need to fix everything about their finances at once.

But lasting financial health rarely happens that way. It happens one wise decision at a time.

That’s what I want these five days to help you do. Each day combines practical teaching with tools you can actually use: a module, a short video with some real-life examples from me, and beautiful printable resources you can fill out, keep, and come back to again.

You don’t need to overhaul your entire financial life in five days. I just encourage you to start where you are and take the next wise step.

How to Get This Exclusive Bonus

Simply pre-order The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women from any retailer and sign up through our pre-order bonus page.

When you do, you’ll receive 5 Days to a Financially Healthier You plus every previous bonus we’ve released and every new bonus we’ll release before the book launches!

Pre-order your copy today and claim your complete bonus bundle!