LITE Feed, Money Saving Mom®

15 “Weird” Ways to Save Money

Crystal Paine — Sat, 02 May 2026 21:02:04 +0000

Recently we asked this question on Facebook:

“What’s something you do to save money that others might find unusual?”

And wow, you all delivered. If you missed it, you can read through the full thread here (it’s gold!).

This post is a compilation of some of the BEST ideas shared. These slightly quirky, sometimes overlooked, but very effective strategies can help families stretch their budgets further.

Some of these might make your friends raise an eyebrow. But your bank account? It’ll thank you.

Let’s dive in.

Clever Ways to Save Money:

1. Cut Open Bottles to Get Every Last Drop

Is the toothpaste tube or lotion tube almost gone? Cut the end off with scissors and you can get quite a bit more out!

I do this for my face moisturizer and face wash and I can usually get a full extra week’s worth of uses just by this simple hack.

In addition to toothpaste and lotion, this works for sunscreen, foundation, and even ketchup or other sauces!

How to make it work:

Use sharp scissors and store the cut portion in a small container.
For toothpaste or creams, use a binder clip to seal it or simply store it in a ziptop baggie so it won’t dry out.
Make it a habit before throwing anything away.

It feels small, but doing this consistently across products can easily save $100+ per year.

2. Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap

Foaming hand soap is fun and convenient, but refills can get pricey… and, did you know it’s mostly water?

Instead of buying special refills, reuse the foaming pump:

Fill the bottle mostly with water.
Add a small squirt (about 1–2 teaspoons) of regular liquid soap.
Gently shake to combine.

That’s it. It takes literally less than 60 seconds to make and is so much less expensive than buying foaming hand soap or hand soap! One standard bottle of liquid soap can refill a foaming dispenser multiple times, cutting your cost per use significantly. Here are the super simple details on how to make foaming hand soap.

3. Add Water to Nearly-Empty Bottles

When a bottle of shampoo or body wash starts sputtering, add a little water, shake it up, and keep using it. There’s often quite a bit clinging to the sides that you can stretch out for several more washes.

This works well for:

Liquid hand soap
Dish soap
Laundry detergent
Body wash

Just don’t over-dilute. You still want it to work effectively.

It’s a small habit, but when you consistently use products fully instead of replacing them early, you reduce how often you need to buy replacements and accumulate savings.

4. Ask for a Discount (Yes, Really)

This might feel uncomfortable, but simply asking can save a surprising amount.

Vanessa commented: “I ask service providers (mechanics, plumber, air conditioner repair, etc.), ‘Is that the best you can do?’ Almost always, they knock some money off the bill.”

Before paying a bill or signing up for a service, try asking:

“Are there any promotions available?”
“Is there a loyalty discount?”
“Can you match this competitor’s price?”
“Is there a discount if I pay in full?”

This works particularly well for:

Internet and cable
Insurance policies
Medical bills
Subscription services

You’re not being difficult with this approach; you’re being proactive. And companies often have flexibility that isn’t advertised upfront.

5. Think in Terms of Hourly Wage

To determine what money-saving strategies are worth your time, it’s helpful to analyze how much money it will save per hour.

For instance, let’s say that by making my own foaming soap it takes one minute to make and it saves me $1 from buying a container of foaming soap. That’s like saving $1 per minute or $60 per hour — which is a really good hourly wage. Plus, it’s tax-free money! So, it’s totally worth my time.

But, on the other hand, let’s say there’s another money-saving tactic that would only save me $1.50 for 15 minutes of work. That’s like saving only $6 per hour — which, depending upon your season of life and bank account — may or may not be worth your time.

6. Make Your Own Cleaners

Most of us have a different cleaner for every surface — all doing the same thing, all adding up at the checkout. The good news is you can replace all of them for just a few dollars. A spray bottle filled with diluted white vinegar, some baking soda, and a bit of Castile soap can handle the vast majority of your household cleaning. Beyond that, there are homemade cleaners that are just as effective as the expensive branded ones but that only cost a couple minutes and a few pennies to make.

Jerica says: “Soap, vinegar, bar keepers friend, and bleach pretty much cover everything I need, and are all extremely cheap.” (Check out this post for some homemade cleaner recipes.)

7. Skip Paper Towels (Almost Entirely)

Several readers shared that they switched to reusable clothes, cut-up old t-shirts, or inexpensive washcloths instead.

We stopped buying paper tow e ls many years ago. It’s such a simple thing, but it does add up to a lot of savings — and we don’t really even notice that we don’t buy or use them! (Except when we have guests over and they ask for a paper towel!!)

I share more details here on what we use instead of paper towels.

How to transition without overwhelm:

Keep a small basket of clean cloths on the counter.
Use them for spills, wiping counters, and cleaning.
Toss used cloths into a small laundry bin.
Wash with regular towels.

You can still keep paper towels for truly messy jobs, but reducing everyday use alone can save $15–$25 per month. Over a year, that adds up to significant savings.

8. Don’t Use Dryer Sheets

Just like we don’t use paper towels, we also don’t use dryer sheets. If the thought of not buying dryer sheets just isn’t your thing, a simple way to save is by cutting them in half instead of using a full sheet per load. I’ve heard that it works just as well.

9. Stay Home More Often

One reader said her most unusual way to save money is simple: She stays home.

It sounds almost too basic, but it works. Not only does staying home save you time and decrease wear and tear on your car, but every outing has potential spending attached:

Gas
Coffee stops
“Since we’re here…” purchases
Impulse buys
Add-ons

Try designating intentional “home days” where:

You cook from scratch.
Tackle a home project.
Have a movie night.
Read or play board games.

Fewer unplanned trips usually equals fewer unplanned expenses.

(If online shopping is a temptation to you, set some good boundaries — like unsubscribing from emails or avoiding sites that tempt you to spend money you don’t have or haven’t budgeted for that purpose!)

10. Scan Your Receipts for Cash Back

If you’re already buying groceries and gas, you might as well get a little something back. Receipt- and grocery-scanning apps allow you to scan items in store or upload grocery receipts in order to earn points that convert into gift cards or cash back.

To learn more about these cash back sites check out my full review of each at these links:

With each of these apps, you’ll earn points when you scan a receipt and you can then cash in those points for gift cards!

To maximize this:

Scan receipts right away so you don’t forget.
Stack rewards with sales and coupons.
Redeem for stores you already shop at.

It won’t replace your income, but it can cover a few groceries, household items, or even a holiday gift over time.

Psst… if you want to learn even more about how to earn extra money with easy apps, check out this free printable!

11. Learn Basic Fixes on YouTube

Christy says: “YouTube is the real MVP though. I’ve saved thousands over the years by simply looking up the issue and learning if it’s within our skill set, rather than hiring a professional.”

Before calling for repairs, search first. YouTube is full of step-by-step tutorials for common household fixes like:

Replacing a toilet flapper.
Fixing a dripping faucet.
Installing a ceiling fan.
Cleaning appliance filters.

Not every repair is DIY-friendly, but even handling one or two simple fixes per year could save hundreds. Start small and build confidence.

12. Repurpose Old Clothes

Before throwing away worn-out clothing, ask: can this serve another purpose?

Ideas include:

Cleaning rags
Dust cloths
Garage towels
Craft materials
Reusable napkins

It’s not glamorous, but it extends the life of items you’ve already paid for and reduces the need to buy disposable alternatives.

13. Use Gift Card Promotions to Earn Extra Fuel Points

This one is strategic, and it can really pay off if you’re disciplined.

One reader shared that she buys gift cards (especially when Kroger runs 4x fuel point promotions), then uses those gift cards like cash for regular spending.

Here’s how it works:

Kroger fairly often offers 4x fuel points when you purchase gift cards including Visa gift cards. Since Visa gift cards can be used almost anywhere, you’re essentially pre-paying for expenses you were already going to have.

For example:

Buy a $100 Visa gift card during a 4x fuel promotion.
Earn 400 fuel points.
Use those points to get discounted gas.
Use the gift card to pay for groceries, bills, or everyday expenses.

On top of that, she uses a cash-back credit card to purchase the gift cards, then pays the full balance immediately.

That means no interest, cash back rewards, and fuel point savings. It’s stacking rewards on rewards.

14. Double-Check Medical Bills

Medical billing errors happen more often than many people realize.

Always request an itemized statement, and compare it to your Explanation of Benefits from your insurance company. You can also ask about prompt-pay discounts and inquire about financial assistance programs.

It may take a few phone calls, but correcting even one mistake can save significant money.

15. Eat from the Pantry

Challenge yourself once a month, or once every few months, to skip going to the grocery store for a few days longer than normal and eat up what you already have on hand instead. You might be surprised at how creative you can get with what you already have… and maybe you can make it longer than you think without going to the store!

Small Habits Can Lead to More Financial Breathing Room

Some of these ideas may feel “extra.”

But here’s the thing: building margin isn’t usually about one dramatic change. It’s about small, consistent habits that compound over time.

Unusual doesn’t mean extreme. It often just means intentional.

More Money-Saving Inspiration:

What’s something “weird” you do to save money? I’d love for you to add your ideas to my list in the comments!

Brigette’s $132 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 4!

Brigette — Sat, 02 May 2026 15:33:00 +0000

Aldi

1/2 gallon Orange Juice – $3.39

1/2 gallon Oat Milk – $3.99

1 pkg Turkey Bacon – $3.25

1 3-ct pkg Multi-Colored Peppers – $2.25

2 bags Fresh French Green Beans – $5.98

1 3-ct bag Multi-Colored Peppers – $2.25

1 bag Cilantro – $0.75

1 bunch Organic Bananas – $1.27

1 bag Red Grapes – $3.58

1 large box Applesauce Pouches – $6.49

1 bag Romaine Hearts – $2.99

2 bags Riced Cauliflower – $2.78

1 bag Mini Cucumbers – $1.69

2 jars Pasta Sauce – $2.98

1 4-ct box Greek Yogurts – $2.65

1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $2.85

1 5-lb bag Jasmine Rice – $6.39

1 large pkg Boneless Chicken Breasts – $12.80

1 5-lb bag Flour – $1.95

1-lb bag Brown Sugar – $1.85

1 4-lb bag Sugar – $2.79

1-lb bag Powdered Sugar – $1.85

2 boxes Butter – $5.78

1 pkg Chocolate Chips – $3.45

1 large box Turtle Crackers – $3.65

1 huge box Fruit Snacks – $7.19

2 boxes Organic Whole Wheat Pasta – $3.58

1 can Parmesan Cheese – $2.79

1 box Granola Bars – $1.75

2 8-oz blocks Cheddar Cheese – $3.30

1 jar Honey – $4.49

1 can Chili Beans – $0.85

Total: $113.60

Publix

2 Old El Paso Tortillas – $2.99, received $1/2 Old El Paso Ibotta Rebate plus 280 points from Fetch ($0.28) – $2.59 for 2 after Rebate – $1.71 for 2 after Rebates

2 Freschetta Pizzas – $7.28

1 box Egglife Pasta – $3.99, received $2/1 Egglife Pasta Ibotta Rebate plus received $2 Aisle Rebate – FREE after rebates

2 boxes Kellogg’s Cereal – $5.89, used $2/2 Kellogg’s Publix Digital Coupon – $3.89 for 2 after Coupon

2 bags Siete Potato Chips – $4.09, received $1.50/2 Siete Chips Ibotta Rebate – $2.59 for 2 after Rebate

1 Purple Carrot Frozen Bowl – $2.39, used $1.50/1 Purple Carrot Publix Digital Coupon – $0.89 after Coupon

2 boxes Good Humor – $6.49, received $1.50/2 Good Humor Ibotta Rebate plus 2400 points from Fetch ($2.40) – $2.59 for 2 after Rebate

Total after Coupons and Rebates: $18.95

Grocery Total for the Week: $132.55

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Cereal, Oatmeal, Granola, Yogurt Bowls, Smoothies

Lunches

Granola Bars/Breakfast Bars, Grapes/Applesauce Pouches, Cucumbers/Peppers, Chips, Fruit Snacks, Cheese, Crackers (Options for sack lunches for school) x 5

Leftovers x 2

Dinners

Spaghetti, Tossed Salad, Homemade French Bread

Grilled Chicken, Biscuits, Green Beans

Taco Bake, Mexican Cauliflower Rice

Breakfast Burritos with Turkey Bacon, Green Beans

Chicken Gravy over Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans

Pizza

Church Dinner – I’m bringing Chocolate Chip Cookies and Venison Roast

15+ Beauty Gift Ideas (Under $30!) {Perfect for Mother’s Day}

Gretchen — Sat, 02 May 2026 14:02:00 +0000

Looking for the best beauty gifts for her (or maybe Mother’s Day gifts)? We have you covered with this Beauty Gift Guide — and they’re all under $30 to help you stick to your gift budget!

(Looking for budget-friendly homemade gift ideas? Sign up for our FREE Homemade Gifts Guide!)

This Beauty Gift Guide was thoughtfully put together by Gretchen on the MoneySavingMom team — a lover of all things makeup, beauty, and fashion! Gretchen is married to her high school sweetheart and has three boys and one girl. She enjoys finding good deals (especially on beauty stuff!), decorating, coffee, and good books.

Our Top Picks for Beauty Gifts!

Have someone on your list who loves all things beauty? Or maybe you have a mom on your list who could use a little pampering? Check out this list of great ideas for beauty gifts — including gifts for mom and gifts for pre-teen girls!

Best Beauty Gifts for Pre-Teen & Teen Girls

1. Beauty Gift Sets

Have a daughter who’s just getting into skincare or makeup? These beauty gift sets are perfect for letting her have fun while trying out new products. There are tons of cute options to choose from, all under $30!

2. Boho Style Criss Cross Headbands, 4-Pack

These headbands make a messy bun look cute and stylish. Made from super soft cotton and breathable, they’re perfect for everyday use.

3. Love to Mask Kit

One of my favorite things to do with my pre-teen and teen nieces is face masks! This masking kit includes 12 masks, a buffer, and a headband.

4. Velvet Hair Scrunchies

Scrunchies are all the rage right now and this set includes 45 different colored scrunchies!

Beauty Gifts for Women

5. Conair Foot Spa with Soothing Vibration Massage

I was gifted one of these a few years ago and it has become one of my favorite gifts. I’ve even used it when having friends over for a spa night to do pedicures and relax! (This one goes up and down in price a bit, but it’s typically under $30.)

6. Makeup Brush 14-Piece Set

Every woman can use a new set of makeup brushes! This one includes 14 different sizes and has thousands of amazing reviews.

7. Women’s Fuzzy Memory Foam Slippers

These slippers look warm and cozy and have great reviews. Plus, there are several colors to choose from.

8. Bath & Body Works Body Wash and Shower Gel

You won’t go wrong gifting the women in your life body wash and/or shower gel from Bath & Body Works. They have SO many lovely scents to pick from and I love receiving these as gifts.

9. Gold Eye Treatment Masks

I asked for these on my last birthday and LOVE them! They are so rejuvenating and help with my puffy eyes after not getting much sleep.

Beauty Gifts for Mom

10. Glam Up Facial Sheet Mask Set

Moms need all the skin care they can get! This set is perfect to gift a mom and includes 12 masks – one for each month of the year.

11. Bath Bombs Gift Set

Bath Bombs make great gifts for mom. There’s nothing better as a mom than getting to soak in a relaxing, scented bath!

12. Mama and Baby Bear Necklace

I LOVE my mama bear jewelry! These necklaces are so pretty and there are many different types to choose from.

13. Cluci Crossbody Handbag Purse

A few years ago I switched to a crossbody purse and haven’t looked back. When I’m juggling three kids at the grocery store, it’s so nice to not have to worry about finding room in the cart for my purse or struggling to carry it on my shoulder with a toddler on my hip. I love the highly-rated Cluci bags and they often run deals, so you can get a really nice one for under $30 easily.

14. Bluetooth Sleeping Eye Mask

I’m not going to lie…this is going on my Christmas list. As a mom of littles, good sleep is a rare thing. But good sleep AND good music? I’m sold!

Small Gifts for Beauty Lovers

15. Nail Clippers and Beauty Tool Portable Set

Every girl needs a pocket-sized manicure set to fit in her purse. This one includes 5 tools and has great reviews. (You can also add these to a Homemade Pedicures in a Jar gift!)

16. Bath and Body Works Hand Sanitizers

These hand sanitizers are perfect to fit in your purse or backpack and come in handy so often. I make sure to always have one on me and love the scents that Bath & Body Works offers.

17. Natural Luxury Scented Soy Wax Candles

I love candles! And these soy candles are the best kind – perfect for a quiet, relaxing evening at home. Choose from many different scents and styles.

18. All-Natural Lip Balm Gift Set

It’s always nice to have lip balm. This set includes five Beeswax Chapsticks that are gluten free, free of parabens, and non-GMO.

Bonus: Beauty Product Gifts (Over $30)

Have a little extra wiggle room in your gift budget and willing to spend a bit more? Try these bonus recommendations:

19. Dip Powder Nail Kit

Dip powder is all the rage right now at the nail salons! If you know someone who loves doing their nails, consider getting her a dip powder starter kit like this one! Dip powder is much better for the nails and it lasts so long! Plus, it’s actually pretty easy to learn how to do on your own.

20. Kate Spade Outlet Handbags or Wristlet

Get a timeless look that never goes out of style with these Kate Spade Outlet handbags and wallets. Keep an eye out for extra savings stacked on top of sale prices! The wristlets also make a fun way to gift a gift card to her favorite store or coffee shop.

Looking for more gift ideas?

Looking for other budget-friendly gift guides? Don’t miss these:

Psst! Be sure to sign up for our hot deals newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any of the hottest deals each day this holiday season!

What other beauty gift ideas would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments!!

Easy Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

Brigette — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:06:00 +0000

This is one of my easiest, go-to family dinners! It is seriously so easy. And it’s a winner if your family loves macaroni and cheese! If you shop sales or use coupons, you can get both pasta and kielbasa for very cheap — which means this Cheesy Kielbasa Skillet meal is just about as frugal as it gets!

Have I mentioned how versatile this skillet meal is? You can change up the meat, the type of pasta, the seasonings and the cheese! You can mix your favorite cooked veggies straight into the pasta, or you can serve them on the side like I did (because I have a picky family!).

I served steamed peas and buttered toasted garlic buns (using buns I got off of the discount cart at the back of Walmart!) alongside this Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet, but there are so many sides that would pair well with this main dish!

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.

Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet Menu:

Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet
Steamed Peas
Buttered Toasted Garlic Buns

Ingredients for Cheesy Kielbasa Skillet and Sides:

1 14-oz package kielbasa (Publix – sales + coupons) — $1.30
1 16-oz box pasta (Aldi) — $1.89
4 cups chicken broth (I used 4 chicken bouillon cubes and 4 cups water) (Aldi – $1.79 for 25 cubes) — $0.29
1 cup milk (Aldi – $3.08 per gallon) — $0.19
1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (Aldi) — $2.47
4-6 day-old buns, split in half (Walmart – $0.99 for a big bag) — $0.30
1 stick butter, softened (Aldi – $2.99 for 1lb) — $0.75
Garlic powder, salt, and parsley or Italian seasoning
2 bags peas (Aldi) — $1.94

Total for Dinner: $9.13 (makes 6 servings)

How to Make Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Slice the kielbasa into bite-size pieces. Saute in a pan lightly sprayed with cooking oil until starting to brown.

2. Add 4 cups of chicken broth, 1 cup milk, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and 16oz of uncooked pasta to the skillet. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then turn the heat down to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes or until the pasta is done (I partially cover the skillet with a vented lid while it’s cooking).

3. While the pasta is cooking, split the buns in half and put on a cookie sheet. Spread with softened butter and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and parsley flakes. Bake at 450 degrees until lightly browned.

4. Cook the peas using your favorite method (I used the microwave, haha!).

5. When the pasta is done, stir in the 3 cups of shredded cheese.

6. Continue to stir until the cheese is melted.

7. Serve the Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet with the toasted buns and the steamed peas!

Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet

This is one of my easiest, go-to family dinners! It is seriously so easy. And it’s a winner if your family loves macaroni and cheese! If you shop sales or use coupons, you can get both pasta and kielbasa for very cheap — which means this cheesy kielbasa skillet meal is just about as frugal as it gets!

Course Bread, dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword bread, easy dinner, family favorite, pasta, weeknight dinner

Servings

Calories 759kcal

Author Brigette

Cost $9.13

Ingredients

1 package kielbasa (14-oz) Publix – sales + coupons — $1.30
1 box pasta (16-ounce) Aldi — $1.89
4 cups chicken broth I used 4 chicken bouillon cubes and 4 cups water (Aldi – $1.79 for 25 cubes) — $0.29
1 cup milk Aldi – $3.08 per gallon — $0.19
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese Aldi — $2.47
4-6 day-old buns split in half (Walmart – $0.99 for a big bag) — $0.30
1 stick butter softened (Aldi – $2.99 for 1lb) — $0.75
Garlic powder, salt, and parsley or Italian seasoning
2 bags peas Aldi — $1.94

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Slice the kielbasa into bite-size pieces. Saute in a pan lightly sprayed with cooking oil until starting to brown.
Add 4 cups of chicken broth, 1 cup milk, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and 16oz of uncooked pasta to the skillet. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then turn the heat down to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes or until the pasta is done (I partially cover the skillet with a vented lid while it’s cooking).
While the pasta is cooking, split the buns in half and put on a cookie sheet. Spread with softened butter and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and parsley flakes. Bake at 450 degrees until lightly browned.
Cook the peas using your favorite method (I used the microwave, haha!).
When the pasta is done, stir in the 3 cups of shredded cheese.
Continue to stir until the cheese is melted.
Serve the Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet with the toasted buns and the steamed peas!

Notes

Nutrition

More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10:

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

If you make this Cheesy Pasta and Kielbasa Skillet, we’d love for you to leave a review and let us know how it turned out!

The Top 30+ Items to Buy at Sam’s Club

Crystal Paine — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 21:00:00 +0000

If you’ve ever stood in your kitchen, staring at an empty pantry, and wondered how on earth groceries got this expensive, you’re in good company. I hear from families all the time who are doing “all the right things” –whether its creating a budget and sticking to a list, utilizing digital coupons, or shopping all the sales — and still feel like their grocery budget is barely hanging on.

That’s why I asked over on Instagram: What are the can’t-miss, must-buy deals at Sam’s Club? The kind that actually beat regular grocery store prices and make the membership feel like a no-brainer.

And oh my goodness… you all delivered.

From everyday staples like eggs and toilet paper to hidden gems like aloe juice and bakery bread, here’s a crowd-sourced, smart-shopper-approved list of the top items people swear by at Sam’s Club. Plus a few tips to help you shop smarter and stretch your dollars even further.

The Top Items to Buy at Sam’s Club to Save Money

1. Rotisserie Chicken

This one came up again and again, and for good reason. A fully cooked, juicy rotisserie chicken for just a few bucks is basically a meal plan in disguise. There are so many options for using it, too: dinner tonight, chicken salad tomorrow, soup later in the week… If you’re trying to save time and money, this is a win.

Kristen shared: “We buy their pickles, decaf coffee pods, peanut butter, jelly, rotisserie, eggs, milk, Litehouse ranch (tastes like the restaurant), nuts, SO MUCH!”

2. Member’s Mark Toilet Paper

Let’s talk about the thing every family goes through faster than they expect. More than one mom admitted they were loyal to name brands… until they tried this.

Meggan said: “I swore to my husband that I would never buy generic toilet paper, but I must say the Members Mark toilet paper is the best.”

When you can buy in bulk and not sacrifice quality, that’s a household victory.

3. Paper Towels & Paper Goods

Paper towels, tissues, and paper plates All this boring-but-necessary stuff eats away at your budget. Buying these in bulk at Sam’s can mean fewer trips and a lower cost per item over time.

4. Eggs (Especially Pasture-Raised)

If your family goes through eggs like mine does, this one’s huge.

Aimee chimed in with: “Eggs! Pasture-raised eggs are such a good deal!”

High-quality eggs for less than grocery store prices? Yes, please.

5. Ground Beef (Including Grass-Fed)

Whether it’s for taco night, spaghetti, or freezer meal prep, ground beef is a staple in so many homes. Sam’s is a great place to stock up, portion it out, and freeze it for future meals.

6. Butter (Kerrygold & Member’s Mark)

Butter lovers, rejoice. Between baking, cooking, and spreading on toast, this is one of those items that adds up fast at regular grocery stores. Buying in bulk can save you a surprising amount over the year.

7. Gas

It’s easy to forget this one, but if you live near a Sam’s Club gas station, this perk alone can help offset the cost of membership. A few cents saved per gallon adds up quickly if you’re filling up regularly.

8. Trash Bags

Not glamorous, but absolutely necessary. Bulk trash bags often are a much lower price per bag than grocery store packs.

9. Coffee & Coffee Pods

Whether you’re a ground-coffee family or all about the pods, Sam’s Club is a favorite spot to stock up. Kristen mentioned Sam’s decaf pods are her go-to.

10. Produce (Berries, Lettuce, Spinach, Peppers, and More!)

If your family eats their fruits and veggies, buying produce in larger quantities can bring big savings. This is especially true for berries, which can be pricey at regular stores.

“They have organic carrots, 5lb bags for $3.99 at my store. It’s such a gift to load up on snacks in bulk and nowhere else comes close to this pricing.” – Kate

11. Meat Staples (Chicken Breasts, Turkey, Deli Meat)

Perfect for freezer stocking and easy lunches, buying deli meat in bulk is especially helpful if you’re packing school lunches every day. Sam’s Club also has great prices on chicken breasts and turkey!

12. Heavy Cream & Half-and-Half

For the coffee lovers and home cooks, this one came up a lot in the comments as a solid deal.

13. Cheese (Block, Shredded, String, Wedge)

A few readers gave Sam’s Club cheese a big thumbs up — for their prices and quality.

“We buy mozzarella cheese sticks there for a better price than at Kroger.” – Janelle

If your family likes to keep the cheese drawer stocked, this is one to check out.

14. Chicken Nuggets & Strips

For easy dinners, quick lunches, and after-school snacks, bulk bags of nuggets and strips are a favorite for busy families.

15. Snacks (Cookies, Chips, Protein Bars, Crackers)

Whether for school lunches, road trips, or soccer practice, snacks are basically their own budget category. Buying in bulk can really help here.

When available, instant savings on snacks give you even more bang for your buck as they make already-good deals even better.

16. Dishwasher Pods & Dish Soap

These are another of those boring-but-necessary purchases that feel extra good to save on.

Meggan shared a great tip: “I like to get the large jug of Dawn liquid dish soap, especially when they do instant savings. It’s a great deal.”

17. Peanut Butter & Jelly

Readers suggested this so many times! You can’t beat this great price on a classic pantry staple for families.

18. Maple Syrup & Honey

These are items that can be surprisingly expensive at regular stores, so buying in bulk can really pay off.

Daryl said it best: “Organic pure maple syrup! Cheapest price ANYWHERE!!!”

19. Salmon & Frozen Shrimp

If you’re trying to add more seafood to your meals without blowing the budget, Sam’s Club is a popular spot for both fresh and frozen options.

20. Milk & Dairy Staples

Milk, sour cream, and yogurt are all basics that disappear faster than you expect in a busy household. These items are also a great option to buy at Sam’s Club, especially if you need larger portions for a good price.

21. Bakery Items (Croissants, Bread)

These are often a great value for the quantity you get. The large quantities are perfect for bringing to a potluck brunch or teacher appreciation lunch, or you can easily freeze them for your family.

22. Yeast & Baking Staples

When it comes to flour, chocolate chips, yeast, and vanilla, if you bake at home, this section can be a goldmine.

23. Olive Oil & Coconut Oil

These were mentioned multiple times as great bulk buys for anyone who cooks regularly.

“Shredded cheese, butter, sour cream, olive oil, coconut oil, toilet paper, honey, maple syrup, all nuts.” – Shanna

24. Vitamins & Supplements

Vitamins and supplements are another category where Sam’s Club can save your family money over time, especially if you’re buying the same items month after month.

25. Frozen Fruit

Frozen fruit is one of those everyday wins at Sam’s Club that doesn’t always get the spotlight, but it absolutely deserves it. Whether you’re tossing berries into morning smoothies, stirring them into oatmeal, or keeping a bag on hand for quick desserts, buying frozen fruit in bulk can save you money and reduce food waste at the same time.

26. Flowers

If you like having fresh flowers around the house (or need a last-minute gift), Sam’s Club is a surprisingly good spot to check.

27. Clothing & Pajamas

Seasonal clothes, cozy pajamas, and basics for the family often pop up at great prices.

28. Aloe Juice (Hidden Gem!)

Christine shared a fun one: “The Aloe juice. It has aloe pieces in the juice. It’s delicious.”

Aloe juice is probably one of those things you might not expect to find, but now you’ll be looking for it.

29. Nuts (All Kinds)

Trail mix, baking nuts, and snack-size packages of nuts came up multiple times as a bulk buy people love.

30. Protein Drinks

If mornings are rushed or you’re trying to add a little extra protein to your day, Sam’s Club protein drinks can be a budget-friendly grab. Buying them in multi-packs usually brings the cost per bottle way down compared to grocery or convenience stores, making them an easy, affordable option for breakfasts on the go or post-workout refuels.

31. Diapers and Wipes

For families with little ones, this is one of those categories that can make the membership pay for itself. Bulk boxes of diapers and wipes often come in at a lower price per unit, and you won’t find yourself making last-minute store runs nearly as often.

32. Prescriptions

Sam’s Club’s pharmacy is another area where some members see meaningful savings. From prescription medications to over-the-counter staples, getting your medicines here can sometimes cost less than traditional pharmacies, especially if you’re managing multiple medications in your household. Plus, you can save time by getting your groceries and prescriptions in one stop!

33. Fleece Blankets

Amanda shared these cozy, seasonal gems: “Their big fleece blankets that are $10.88 and come in sooo many cute patterns that change seasonally.”

These make perfect throw blankets for the couch, extra layers for kids’ beds, or even easy, affordable gifts when the weather is cold.

34. Gift Cards

Glenda and Jodi both pointed out that the gift card section can feel like finding free money:

“We can get a $50 gift card for $35. Other great deals in gift cards too!” – Glenda
“Dominos gift cards!! $70 for $100. 30% off every pizza you order!!” – Jodi

From local restaurants to big-name chains, discounted gift cards are a smart way to save on things you already plan to buy, and they also make great last-minute gifts that don’t feel last-minute at all.

2 Bonus Reasons to Love Sam’s Club

The 30+ items above are reason enough to love Sam’s Club but the experience gets even better with two features your membership includes. (And, if you’re comparing Costco and Sam’s Club, only Sam’s Club offers these two bonus features.)

Bonus #1: Sam’s Club Scan & Go Feature

Sam’s Club’s Scan & Go lets you scan items as you shop, letting you skip the checkout line.

Kristen said: “The Scan & Go is my favorite feature of Sam’s!”

Being able to scan items as you shop and skip the checkout line? That’s a time-saver and a sanity-saver. Plus, it’s much easier to stick to your budget when you can easily calculate the total as you go.

Using the Scan & Go feature is as easy as 1-2-3:

In the Sam’s Club app, tap Scan & Go.
As you add each item to your cart, scan each item’s barcode.
When you’re done shopping, check out in the app and show your exit code as you leave the store.

You can also use the app to place an order at the cafe (I love their $1 pretzels!), to accelerate getting gas, and to place curbside pickup orders.

Bonus #2: Sam’s Club Curbside Pickup

When comparing Sam’s Club and Costco, one of Sam’s Club’s big advantages is their curbside pickup. Browse and order from the Sam’s Club app, choose your pickup time, and pull up to the store — your groceries come to you!

No wandering warehouse aisles, no navigating crowds, and no throwing an oversized tub of trail mix into your cart just because it was there.

For busy families and budget-conscious shoppers, curbside pickup is a feature worth the membership alone — and it doesn’t cost extra. You’ll stick to your list, skip the impulse buys that warehouse stores are designed to encourage, and get back to your day faster.

Tips for Your First Visit to Sam’s Club

If you’re new to warehouse shopping, my biggest advice is this: start with what your family already uses every week. Don’t get pulled into buying things just because they’re big and look like a deal. The real savings come from replacing your regular grocery store purchases with better-priced bulk options.

Want to Try Sam’s Club for $25?

Right now, you can get a Sam’s Club membership for only $25, which makes it way more affordable to try Sam’s Club! If you’ve been on the fence about trying Sam’s Club, this is a great way to see if it actually fits your family and your budget.

Week 17: A Peek Into This Past Week + What I’m Reading, Listening to, and Watching!

Crystal Paine — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 21:28:38 +0000

This is the face of a 44-year-old woman who ran her first 10k last Sunday – without stopping!!!!

I seriously and truthfully cannot believe this!

And I’m sharing my running journey with you all because I hope it inspires you to go try that thing you’ve always told yourself you can’t do.

Some things I did to prep: I ate 100 extra grams of carbs on Saturday. (I usually aim for 240 grams/day – I ate close to 340 grams on Saturday.)

I drank extra water/electrolytes on Saturday and took a complete rest day with no exercise and lots of down time.

I got a good night’s sleep on Saturday night. I ate half an English muffin with peanut butter 45 mins before my run. And then paved myself and ran 12-min miles for the first 4 miles. I gradually increased my speed with the last two miles. I felt great the whole run and afterwards, too!

Kierstyn and I went to Disney this week – something that has been a dream of hers for three years!!! It was absolutely everything she had hoped and dreamed and so much more – and we did it on a budget!

We didn’t watch TV or movies growing up, so I didn’t really get or understand the Disney enthusiasm. But going with @alliworthington as an adult changed that for me. There’s something that this place does for my soul and body – I feel like it helps you rediscover childlike wonder. And getting to experience it through the eyes of my child was really incredible!

Seeing her squeal with absolute and incredible delight at seeing the characters actually made me super emotional. She could not contain her excitement and joy and it was deeply moving to experience. I can’t help but think this is how my Heavenly Father feels towards me when He sees me delighting in something.

We didn’t spend any money on experiences or upsells outside of our ticket, but ended up getting to meet 5 princesses – which was a huge highlight! I think because we went on a Tuesday in April, it just wasn’t as crowded.

Highly, highly recommend the princess-meeting experience at Fairytale Hall. We waited for about 20 minutes two different times to meet two different processes at a time. They’d spend a few minutes with each person and it was very personalized feeling. The princesses were fantastic and so kind. And it was completely free!

You can bring your own food and drinks into the park. I always bring a backpack with snacks and a water bottle to refill. (Note: the water at the refill stations doesn’t taste great so I recommend bringing electrolytes or something to mix with it or asking for free cups of ice water at the food service stations.)

If you want to buy food, the best deal (I think) are to get the kid’s meals. Adults can get them and they have some healthy and yummy options – all under $10. Most come with a drink and two sides.

You can easily spend thousands on a Disney trip if you get a lot of upgrades, etc. But you can also easily do it for just a few hundred per person (or even less!) if you only buy the tickets, bring your own food/drink, don’t buy things at the parks, and stay in a budget hotel with a free shuttle to the parks.

The one thing Kierstyn had requested to do was to get her face painted, so I had told her we’d do that as a really special treat. It’s $28 (which is pricey) but they do offer free touch-ups all day long if your face paint gets messed up. There was a girl who came back because her face paint was almost completely gone and they redid the whole thing for free.

Thank you to my friend @adventureadvising for all the Disney tips and for helping to plan the trip and saving us $$ on our hotel! It was truly such a special experience that Kierstyn and I are going to treasure for years to come!

(Note: So many of you have asked on Instagram for me to share more about going to Disney on a budget, so I’m planning a full post with a lot more details this coming week!)

Thursday night, Kathrynne got inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma and got awarded a significant accounting scholarship (she’s an accounting major).

I watched her going around talking to so many, many different people last night and had to stand in awe of who she has become. To think that in 5th grade, she was too shy to even talk to anyone her age and struggled with extreme social anxiety. And here she is today leading so many things, juggling so many different responsibilities, chasing her dreams with gusto, so confident, and incredibly outgoing.

I’m so, so proud of her!

I also adore her friends – I got to hang out with her roommate and bestie, Emma, all night and we had the best time and may have whispered and giggled a little too much during the ceremony.

Beauty Brands is running their super popular Annual Spray Sale right now! Score Salon Hair Sprays, Texture Sprays, Leave-Ins, and Dry Shampoos for up to 62% off, making them as low as $12.48!

Plus, score extra savings on select sprays when you use code 22256 at checkout — making them as low as $11.61! Click through to see the eligible sprays on the website. These are AMAZING prices on professional hair care brands like these, so be sure to snag some before they’re all gone!

This CHI hairspray is one of my very favorite hairsprays and I highly recommend it!

Walmart is currently offering their Spring Beauty Favorite Box for just $8.98 shipped!

This box includes six to seven new beauty items just for you. It makes a great gift idea, too.

I just got my box and was so excited to see all the goodies it included!

Speaking of travel, one of my very favorite travel items is my foldable backpack! I got it last year in February and it has been on so many trips with me since and held up so well. It is perfect for sticking in your suitcase to use when you need a bag for a long day of walking around but don’t want to lug a heavier backpack.

This girl turned 6 this week! And she ran to the mirror the morning of her birthday and was so disappointed, “Mom! I don’t look any different! I was sure I would look different when I turned 6!”

Meanwhile, Kaitlynn did this amazing highlight this week. She is so talented with hair and I am SO proud of her going after her longtime dream of cosmetology school and how she’s just knocking it out of the park. She’s already building up a client base and I’m not surprised because she does such stunning work! (If you are looking for a new stylist and live in the Nashville, TN, area I’m kinda biased, but I think you should check her out. Details on how to book with her are at @curledbykait!)

David has been making SO much progress with interacting and communicating. He gives fist bumps now and gets so excited about it!

My secret to fitting a TON in a carry-on – these vacuum-sealed travel bags from Ekster!!

Highly, highly recommend these bags if you travel regularly! These would make such a great gift idea for anyone in your life who flies often!

They are up to 50% off right now + I got the company to give you all an additional 20% off any order with code CRYSTAL20

Micah is three and we’ve been working him on teaching him how to cook, how to clean up after himself, and how to let ladies go first and to open up doors for his sisters, other women, and me. He loves to do it and will often run ahead to open up the door.

He’s watched his daddy model this from day one and he’s excited to follow in his steps! Watch this cute video here. Let’s normalize boys being gentlemen! And let’s start teaching our sons from an early age!

Yesterday was a bittersweet day. After five years of playing baseball with this school team, Silas played his last game with them.

As many of you know, Silas came to us in December asking to switch schools this coming year (he’ll be a Junior). He’s been at this school since 5th grade and we assumed he’d graduate high school there. But he had a long list list of very valid reasons and we prayed and agreed that we felt like it was a good move. So we’ve been in the process of praying and looking and applying the past four months and trusting God to give clear direction.

He has some very good friends and deep relationships with coaches and teachers that will be hard to leave behind. His baseball coach has poured so much into him and we are so grateful for the impact he has made on him.

Jesse has gotten to be an assistant coach for his school baseball team the past three years, so that makes it especially bittersweet to be ending this era. We are so grateful for the many memories they’ve made together the last few years – and it makes my heart so happy that Silas has wanted Jesse to be part of the coaching staff. What a gift to have teens who *want* you to be involved in their lives and the lives of their friends.

What I’m Reading

Mists Over the Channel Islands – My first Sarah Sundin novel and I’m really enjoying it.

The Body Teaches the Soul – Slowly working my way through this because it’s SO good!

Capable – I already know I am going to say every single parent and every one who works with kids needs to read this book! FANTASTIC!

Depth – This book has been so helpful for me as I’ve been walking with others through some deep grief.

What I’m Watching

I’m continuing to watch When Calls the Heart. I’m almost finished with Season 12 – can you believe it? I am hoping to finish the entire series in the next few weeks and then I’ll need a new series to start. Any recommendations?

What I’m Listening To

Lots of worship music on my runs! I love going out in nature and watching the sun rise and listening to music that points me to Jesus. It’s so soul-filling! One of my favorites right now is Though You Were Rich.

In Case You Missed It

My 25 Favorite Things to Buy at Aldi — If you want to stretch your grocery budget, knowing the best things to buy at ALDI is key. This is my personal comprehensive list of the best things to buy at ALDI — meaning these are all items that I can almost always find for the lowest price at ALDI compared to other grocery stores.

Chicken Alfredo Pizza Recipe ($10 Dinner Idea) — This $10 family dinner was inspired by leftovers but quickly became a family favorite! You’ll love how easy, quick, and frugal it is!

Brigette’s $114 Grocery Trip — Check out what Brigette bought this week and her upcoming meals for some meal-planning inspiration!

Misfits Market Discount Code — Do you struggle to afford fresh produce for your family? Check out this honest review of Misfits Market for a solution that might save you money on groceries! (And be sure to scroll to the bottom for a discount code that’ll get you 30% off your first four boxes!)

Easy Lazy Monkey Bread Recipe — This easy, pull-apart breakfast with canned biscuits, cinnamon, and sugar is perfect for holidays and family gatherings.

Easy Lazy Monkey Bread Recipe (With Canned Biscuits!)

Brigette — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 21:04:00 +0000

This is by far the most requested breakfast recipe from my children! They LOVE it. We save this Lazy Monkey Bread for special occasions — birthdays, Christmas, and other holidays — since it isn’t the most healthy recipe that ever existed, haha.

But it’s so yummy and it’s easier than traditional monkey bread or from-scratch cinnamon rolls (and, considering I always make this recipe on already-busy days, that’s a huge plus!).

You could absolutely make your own biscuit dough if you have extra time, but the canned biscuits make it so quick to throw together.

This recipe comes from my husband’s side of the family, and I think he’s been eating these pull-apart rolls his entire life. I already know for certain that it will be a recipe that my children make for their own children someday, which makes this a pretty special recipe to me.

I hope you enjoy easy Monkey Bread as much as our family does!

Lazy Monkey Bread Ingredients

1 stick butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 cup chopped pecans
2 large cans biscuits
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

How to Make Easy Monkey Bread

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large sauce pan, heat and stir the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup until the mixture comes to a boil.

2. Pour into a 9×13 pan and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

3. In a bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon.

4. Cut each biscuit in half. Dip each half into the cinnamon-sugar mixture (making sure that each side is coated) and place each biscuit cut-side down into the pan.

5. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Invert onto a cookie sheet or rectangular serving platter as soon as you take it out of the oven.

Makes a 9 x 13 pan.

Lazy Monkey Bread

This is by far the most requested breakfast recipe from my children! They LOVE it. We save it for special occasions — birthdays, Christmas, and other holidays — since it isn’t the most healthy recipe that ever existed, haha. But it’s so yummy and it’s easier than traditional monkey bread or from-scratch cinnamon rolls (and, considering I always make this recipe on already-busy days, that’s a huge plus!).

Course Bread, Breakfast, Dessert, Side Dish

Cuisine American

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

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Servings

Calories 386kcal

Author Brigette

Ingredients

1 stick butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 cup chopped pecans
2 large cans biscuits
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large sauce pan, heat and stir the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup until the mixture comes to a boil.
Pour into a 9×13 pan and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
In a bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon.
Cut each biscuit in half. Dip each half into the cinnamon-sugar mixture (making sure that each side is coated) and place each biscuit cut-side down into the pan.
Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Invert onto a cookie sheet or rectangular serving platter as soon as you take it out of the oven.

Notes

You could absolutely make your own biscuit dough if you have extra time, but the canned biscuits make it so quick to throw together.

Nutrition

More Recipes You’ll Love:

If you make this easy monkey bread recipe, please leave a review or comment below! We’d love to hear how it turns out!

Brigette’s $114 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 4!

Brigette — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 15:20:37 +0000

Aldi

1 gallon Milk – $2.98

1/2 gallon Orange Juice – $3.39

1/2 gallon Almond Milk – $2.19

1 32-oz carton Egg Whites – $4.79

2 pkgs Turkey Bacon – $6.50

1 3-ct pkg Multi-Colored Peppers – $2.25

2 bags Fresh French Green Beans – $5.98

1 Cauliflower – $2.65

1 bag Organic Apples, reduced – $1.49

1 3-lb bag Sweet Potatoes – $1.99

1 large box Applesauce Pouches – $6.49

1 3-lb bag Mandarins – $2.89

1 large tub Organic Spinach, reduced – $1.99

1 bag Riced Cauliflower – $1.39

2 bags Frozen Peas – $1.94

1 pkg Boneless Chicken Breasts – $13.69

1 bag Veggie Straws – $2.49

1 jar Bread and Butter Pickles – $2.29

2 jars Pasta Sauce – $2.98

1 box Honey Wheat Puffs – $2.29

1 box Crunchy Granola Raisin Bran – $2.75

1 box Rice Squares – $2.75

1 4-ct pkg Green Yogurts – $2.65

1 16-oz bag Spiral Pasta – $1.89

1 box Granola Bars – $2.19

1 bag Organic Corn Tortilla Chips – $2.69

Total: $87.57

Publix

2 tubs Cabot Greek Yogurt – $5.79, used $1/2 Cabot Publix Digital Coupon – $4.79 for 2 after Coupon

2 DiGiorno Pizzas – $6.53

2 boxes Fudgesicles – $6.06 received $2/2 Fudgesicles Ibotta Rebate plus 1600 points from Fetch ($1.60) – $2.46 for 2 after Rebate

2 pkgs Werther’s – $5.59, received 400 points from Swagbucks ($4) plus $0.80 from Checkout51 – $0.79 for 2 after Rebates

1 bag Finish Dishtabs – $5.49, used $3/1 Finish Publix Digital Coupon – $2.49 after Coupon (I’m not including this in my weekly total as it comes out of a different budget category – but I’m including this as it’s a good deal in my opinion and others may want to do the same thing!)

1 bag Milton Gluten-Free Crackers – $4.19, used $4.19/1 Miltons Publix Digital Coupon – FREE after Coupon

2 bags Truvia – $7.99, used $2/1 Truvia Publix Digital Coupon – and $1.75/1 Truvia Publix Digital Coupon – $4.24 for 2 after Coupons

2 bags Jade Leaf Matcha – $8.49, received (2) $1.50/1 Jade Leaf Ibotta Rebates – $5.49 for 2 after Rebates

2 OxiClean Odor Blasters – $8.99, received (2) $3/1 OxiClean Ibotta Rebates – $2.99 for 2 after Rebates (I’m not including this in my weekly total as it comes out of a different budget category – but I’m including this as it’s a good deal in my opinion and others may want to do the same thing!)

1 Arm and Hammer Dish Soap – $1.49 (I’m not including this in my weekly total as it comes out of a different budget category – but I’m including this as it’s a good deal in my opinion and others may want to do the same thing!)

5 boxes Dave’s Killer Bread Breakfast Bars – $14.48, received (5) $1.50/1 Dave’s Killer Bread Bars Ibotta Rebates – $6.98 for 5 boxes

1 Lactaid Creamer – $5, received $3/1 Lactaid Ibotta Rebate plus $1/1 from Checkout51 – $1 after Rebates

~ Received $5 Weekend Cash Dash Bonus from Ibotta

Total after Coupons and Rebates: $27.28

Grocery Total for the Week: $114.85

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Cereal, Oatmeal, Granola, Yogurt Bowls, Smoothies, Eggs (a friend gave us 2 dozen eggs from their chickens!)

Lunches

Granola Bars/Breakfast Bars, Oranges/Applesauce Pouches, Veggie Straws, Sliced Veggies with Dip x 3

Leftovers x 5

Dinners

Shredded Crockpot Venison on Buns, Tossed Spinach Salad, Baked Fries

Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet, Peas

Spaghetti, Peas, Homemade French Bread

Grilled Chicken, Biscuits, Green Beans

Pizza

Chicken Gravy over Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans

Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Turkey Bacon, Sliced Apples

Chicken Alfredo Pizza Recipe ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

Brigette — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Tonight’s $10 Family Dinner Idea was inspired by leftovers, haha! I served a Build-Your-Own-Pasta Bar to company a few nights ago, and ended up with leftover grilled chicken and Alfredo sauce. I also had some ham (deli meat) that was sitting in the fridge and wasn’t getting used up, so I combined all of them to make this Chicken Alfredo Pizza.

And guess what? My family suddenly gobbled it down, because it was no longer leftovers!

You could definitely use bacon instead of the ham (I used ham because mine needed to be used up), and add whatever additional toppings you love.

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.

If you are super short on time, you can always use store-bought pizza dough or a premade crust. But if you have 10 extra minutes, you have time to make Crystal’s super easy pizza dough from scratch (I highly recommend making a couple of batches of it to have on hand in your freezer!).

Homemade pizza can be such a filling, frugal, family-approved meal. In fact, I’m pretty sure you’ll be seeing more pizza recipes featured in these $10 Dinner Posts in the future!

Ingredients for Chicken Alfredo Pizza:

2 cups warm water
2 Tablespoons active dry yeast (Sams – $6.88 for 2 lbs) — $0.16
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
4 Tablespoons olive oil (Aldi – $7.25 for 33 tablespoons) — $0.88
5 cups flour (Harris Teeter — $1.99 for 5lbs) — $0.50
1 – 1½ cups Alfredo sauce (Aldi – $1.69 for 1 jar) — $0.85
1 16-ounce bag shredded mozzarella cheese (4 cups) (Aldi) — $3.29
1/2 red onion, sliced (Aldi) — $0.15
2-3 cups diced cooked chicken (Aldi – $2.49/lb) — $2.49
½ – 1 cup diced ham (I used deli meat – a few slices of crumbled cooked bacon would also be amazing!) (Aldi – $4.29 for 16oz) — $1
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (Aldi — $2.99 for 16-oz) — $0.37

Total for Dinner: $9.69 (Makes 2 large pizzas)

How to Make Chicken Alfredo Pizza:

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Follow the directions here (or below) for making Crystal’s Homemade Pizza Dough recipe.

2. Divide dough in half and roll to fit two greased pizza pans.

3. Spread preferred amount of alfredo sauce over crust (approximately 1/2 to 3/4 cup of sauce per crust) and top with toppings (shredded cheese, diced cooked chicken and ham, sliced onion, and parmesan cheese).

4. Bake at 500 degrees for around 10 minutes.

Chicken Alfredo Pizza

This $10 family dinner was inspired by leftovers but quickly became a family favorite! You'll love how easy, quick, and frugal it is! (By the way, if you have a few minutes to spare, I highly recommend you make easy pizza dough with this recipe, but if not, you can always buy the dough or crust.)

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword chicken, easy dinner, homemade, pizza, weeknight dinner

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Servings

Calories 742kcal

Author Brigette

Cost $9.69

Ingredients

2 cups warm water
2 Tablespoons active dry yeast Sams – $6.88 for 2 lbs — $0.16
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
4 Tablespoons olive oil Aldi – $7.25 for 33 tablespoons — $0.88
5 cups flour Harris Teeter — $1.99 for 5lbs — $0.50
1– 1½ cups Alfredo sauce Aldi – $1.69 for 1 jar — $0.85
16-ounce bag shredded mozzarella cheese 4 cups (Aldi) — $3.29
1/2 red onion sliced (Aldi) — $0.15
2-3 cups diced cooked chicken Aldi – $2.49/lb — $2.49
½ – 1 cup diced ham I used deli meat – a few slices of crumbled cooked bacon would also be amazing! (Aldi – $4.29 for 16oz) — $1
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese Aldi — $2.99 for 16-oz — $0.37

Instructions

How to Make Pizza Dough:

Pour warm water into a large bowl and sprinkle the yeast over it. Stir to dissolve.
Add the remaining ingredients and mix.
Dump onto a floured surface and knead dough for 3-5 minutes, or until smooth and no longer sticky.
Cut the lump of dough in half and roll out onto 2 greased pizza pans OR, put each half of dough into an airtight freezer bag and freeze for 4-6 weeks.
To Bake from Fresh: Add pizza toppings of your choice. Bake at 500ºF for around 10 minutes (until the crust looks crispy and lightly browned).

How to Make Chicken Alfredo Pizzas:

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Follow the directions here (or below) for making Crystal’s Homemade Pizza Dough recipe.
Divide dough in half and roll to fit two greased pizza pans.
Spread preferred amount of alfredo sauce over crust (approximately 1/2 to 3/4 cup of sauce per crust) and top with toppings (shredded cheese, diced cooked chicken and ham, sliced onion, and parmesan cheese).
Bake at 500 degrees for around 10 minutes.

Nutrition

More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10:

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

If you make this Chicken Alfredo Pizza, we’d love for you to leave a review and let us know how it turned out!

Misfits Market Discount Code (30% Off Your First Order)

Crystal Paine — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:30:00 +0000

Do you struggle to afford fresh produce for your family? Check out this honest review of Misfits Market for a possible solution that might save you money on groceries!

And be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for a Misfits Market discount code that will save you 30% off your first four boxes!

Guest post from Samantha Hatcher.

Several months ago, I discovered Misfits Market through a friend.

I had read many reviews and was curious, so I finally decided to give it a try… I was so pleased!

Everything was fresh and delivered right to my house in two days. Some of the produce was odd-shaped or sized, but I didn’t mind. And almost every item was something I would have purchased from the store anyway.

I was hooked after my first box as I knew I couldn’t get that much produce at the store for such a great price — especially since it was all organic.

I decided to keep my subscription going, knowing we could cancel at any time.

What is Misfits Market?

Misfits Market is an online grocery store that offers organic produce, high-quality meats and seafood, and other sustainably-sourced groceries for up to 40% less than grocery store prices.

They sell the items grocery stores won’t put on their shelves (usually because the produce items are too small, too big, or “ugly”) and deliver them directly to your door in a matter of days.

Misfits Market vs. Imperfect Foods

There are many similar companies popping up around the nation — two of the most popular are Misfits Market and Imperfect Foods.

Imperfect Foods has slightly more variety of items to choose from, but Misfits Market offers all organic produce (which is not the case with Imperfect Foods).

Both companies are free to sign up. Misfits Market has a $30 minimum order, Imperfect Foods has NO minimum order.

The cost of Misfits Market’s boxes are $35 or $40. Imperfect Foods has several box options from $15 – $40.

Misfits Market delivers to the lower 48 states with a $7 delivery charge, while Imperfect Foods delivers to “most big cities in the US” with a $6 delivery charge.

Both companies have excellent customer service and the mission behind both is so great — it really just comes down to your personal preference and maybe where you live!

Misfit Market Reviews: Is Misfits Market Worth It?

The Cost of Produce

Besides meat, produce is usually the most expensive item for most families.

When you are trying to make sure your family has a nice variety of fruits and vegetables, it can start to add up in cost. And when not everything is in-season, the prices of out-of-season imported produce are even higher!

My family has their favorite veggies and fruits that I almost always pick up at Aldi, and while they Aldi does have some of the best prices for organic produce, their out-of-season produce isn’t very flavorful.

Misfits Market Costs

Misfits Market currently offers 2 boxes:

an 11-14 item box for $35
a 12-15 item box for $40

Misfits Market has a $30 minimum order with a $6.99 flat-rate shipping fee.

(Want tosave 30% off? Just use code CACTUS30 to get 30% off your first order!!)

The Struggle with Buying Produce

Buying produce can be overwhelming.

Maybe you pick up the same exact produce each shopping trip, despite being sick of eating it. Why? Because you know these tried and true purchases will work for your family.

Or perhaps you stand there not knowing what to buy, overwhelmed by the rainbow of produce in front of you.

Or maybe you’re the mom who doesn’t have time to go to the store to buy real food between work, errands, and kids’ activities. You don’t care what they eat; you wish it would show up at your door like magic.

I have dealt with all these struggles during different seasons of my life. I know the stress and brainpower it takes to plan meals, shop, put the groceries away, and cook all the meals.

This past year I realized I desperately needed a solution — one that would take care of all these struggles and not break the bank.

Misfits Market Review: Changing up our New Favorite Produce

When my first Misfits Market box arrived, everything looked like something we would eat, except for eggplant.

I have only eaten eggplant a few times in my life. It was slimy and gross, but I was determined to give it a try. I found this great recipe for eggplant fries, and that changed everything. The first night we tried them, we ran out of eggplant fries instead of chicken, and my children were asking for more!

We had a hit on our hands.

The next box contained swiss chard and more eggplant. We made the fries again, and we roasted the swiss chard with gnocchi. Yum!

Once again, something new was a big hit for our family.

When our third box arrives, my six-year-old said, “Oh, goodie, I hope there is an eggplant.” To her disappointment, there wasn’t eggplant, but we discovered how much we loved pomegranates!

Misfits Market Review: Why we LOVE it!

Because of Misfits Market, I no longer make mid-paycheck trips to the grocery store, which saves our family so much money!

Misfits Market has not only saved me time and money at the grocery store, it has also pushed me to expand my culinary skills and our children’s taste buds.

Never did I imagine that any of my children would be excited for eggplant. Never did I imagine my kids would be so eager to try new foods.

But here we are! I have cut my grocery bill by $250 each month, my family is trying new things, and my children are learning to like new things that I would never have bought before.

Needless to say, I’ve become a faithful Misfits Market subscriber!

Misfits Market FAQs

Does Misfits Market accept EBT?

Misfits Market currently does not accept EPT or SNAP benefits.

Where does Misfits Market ship from?

Misfits partners with various farms throughout the country (although they don’t currently list these farms on their website). They have a few different distribution centers across the United States, so your order would most likely ship from the closets distribution center.

Want to give Misfits Market a try without paying full price? You’re in luck!

Just sign up through this link and use code CACTUS30 to get 30% off your first box (up to $30+)!

Have you tried this service yet? I’d love to hear your Misfits Market reviews, if so!

Samantha is a SAHM of 7 children who has spent 25 years learning how to live on one income. She used the wisdom of her Grandma Lucile, who grew up during the depression, to learn how to get the best bang for her buck.

Hire a Registered Dietitian for Zero Out of Pocket + My Honest Review of Nourish

Crystal Paine — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:25:00 +0000

Looking for a free dietitian online or online nutritionist consultation covered by insurance? I have been LOVING my Nourish dietitian and this is my completely honest review! Truly — it’s been life-changing for me!

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

How much does a Nourish session cost?

94% of users pay $0 out of pocket when they use insurance!

Is Nourish really free with insurance?

Yep! Most insurance plans cover it 100% and you’ll pay nothing out of pocket!

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!

My 25 Favorite Things to Buy at ALDI

Crystal Paine — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:17:21 +0000

If you want to stretch your grocery budget, knowing the best things to buy at ALDI is key. This is my personal comprehensive list of the best things to buy at ALDI — meaning these are all items that I can almost always find for the lowest price at ALDI compared to other grocery stores.

And don’t miss my list of what NOT to buy at ALDI, too!

{Psst! Wondering why I love ALDI so much? Read this post on why I think everyone should shop at ALDI to save money!}

You all know how much I love ALDI. I mean, how could I not love the store that has saved us thousands of dollars over the years??

I often get questions from people asking what to buy at ALDI, so I thought it was high time I put together a post on my 25 favorite things to buy at ALDI. (Note: These are in no particular order!)

1. Salsa

While we love Pace Picante Sauce, we have bought countless jars of ALDI salsa throughout the years and find it to be good — especially for the regular price!

2. Tortilla Chips

We can’t tell one bit of difference between ALDI tortilla chips and any other store brand or even brand name of tortilla chips. Plus, we love the $1.95 regular price tag!

3. Chocolate Chips

We’ve purchased chocolate chips at ALDI for years and they are great! I can’t tell a difference between them and Nestle chocolate chips… well, except for the regular $3.75 price tag!

4. Coconut Oil

The fact that ALDI began carrying organic products a few years ago made me love them so much more! Their prices on coconut oil are so much better than what you’d pay many other places. (Note: TJ Maxx is also a great place to look for deals on organic coconut oil — only $4.99!)

5. Olive Oil

ALDI offers great prices on both organic olive oil and regular olive oil. (Note: TJ Maxx is also a great place to look for deals on olive oil!)

6. Sugar

We typically only buy cane sugar or raw sugar, but the regular ALDI prices on all sugar products usually beat out other grocery store prices by quite a bit. We’ve bought their white sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, and cane sugar for years and haven’t ever had issues with any of them. They’re also under $2, which is a great price!

7. Peanut Butter

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better deal on peanut butter than what you’ll regularly find at ALDI. We have tried all of their peanut butter, but we typically buy their natural peanut butter and it’s really yummy!

8. Cereal

My kids absolutely love cereal, but I do not love the prices you usually find at the grocery store. Which is why, if we buy cereal, we almost always buy it at ALDI. You want to make sure to get the Millville brand, not the name brand cereals, though, as the name brand cereals at ALDI are NOT less expensive.

But many of the Millville cereals are priced at $2.49 to $2.79 per box. The only kind we don’t like are the knock-off Cheerios. We have yet to find any knock-off plain Cheerios that actually taste great. However, we do buy their knock-off Honey Nut Cheerios and my kids like those.

9. Tortillas

Remember my post on why I don’t make my own tortillas? This is why… because I can buy a bag of them for just $2.09!!

10. Canned Tomatoes

We have purchased pretty much all of the ALDI tomato products many times over the years and have been happy with all of them. Plus, you can’t really beat the $0.89 price tag!

11. Canned Green Beans

The ALDI French-style green beans take me back to our law school days. We ate SO many cans of these! They were well under a dollar at the time and one can would feed the two of us.

For the record, I think that the ALDI brand of French-style green beans is better than any other brand I’ve tried!

12. Milk

We’ve purchased milk at ALDI for years and have had great success with it. I’m not sure that milk ever tastes differently if purchased from different places, but I’d recommend their milk and you can get a whole gallon for well under $3.

13. Bananas

Their bananas are regularly priced at $0.49 per pound — which is a pretty good price! Sometimes, the selection isn’t that great, but I usually try to buy them when they are not very ripe and then let them ripen at home on the countertop. (Also, take them out of the bag as soon as you get home as that seems to help them ripen better.)

14. Berries

I basically can’t stomach paying regular grocery store prices for berries after the berry deals I’ve gotten at ALDI. A few times per year, they’ll have them on sale, but the regular price is just $2.79! So you can still stock up and try to buy some extra to freeze.

(Note: Some stores have notoriously bad fruit. We’ve not had this experience at any of our ALDI stores in the different cities we’ve lived in. However, on occasion, they’ve been completely out of some produce item that was on sale or what’s left has very slim pickings. I suggest asking them when the produce gets restocked and trying to shop on that day. Also, really look through the produce. If you dig, you can usually find some great tubs of berries — but they might not be the ones that are right on top!)

15. Grapes

My kids love grapes and ALDI routinely sells them for $1.79 per 2-lb. bag. I find that these are one of their produce items that are usually the least picked over and often the longest lasting. It might just be that grapes hold up better, but regardless, I always buy grapes when they are on sale!

16. Melons

In the summer, ALDI often has great prices on melons — especially cantaloupe and watermelon. I love it when the cantaloupe goes on sale for $0.99! Yes, you do have to look carefully through the bins to find great watermelon and cantaloupe, but I can usually always find them if I search!

17. Butter

I love butter. Maybe I’m weird, but I do. It pretty much makes everything better!

So I also love that ALDI doesn’t charge you an arm and a leg for their butter. That way, I can slather it on my muffins and toast freely.

18. Bread

While the ALDI bread isn’t the best bread on the market, it works great for sandwiches. We usually buy the 100% whole wheat bread (only $1.95!) and all of our family likes it.

(Note: I also check Kroger’s day-old bread area and often find whole wheat bread there for about the same price as ALDI. When I do, I buy it and stick it in the freezer!)

19. Hummus

Hummus is another item I enjoy that I will sometimes splurge on. I like the Pine Nut variety the best.

20. Feta Cheese

I love feta cheese on my salads and it’s a special treat that I sometimes splurge on, thanks to the fantastic prices on it at ALDI!

21. Block, Sliced, and Shredded Cheeses

While the ALDI cheese prices have gone up in recent years (they used to be $1.39 per block back in the day!), their regular prices are still usually some of the best prices around. Blocks of cheese are only $1.69 currently, so the price didn’t increase by much. And, you can usually find packs of sliced cheese for $1.49. We sometimes splurge and buy the string cheese, too, because my kids love it!

22. Frozen Chicken Breasts

I don’t buy a lot of meat at ALDI, but one staple item we buy almost every time we go there is their frozen chicken breasts. You can get a full bag for just $8.79. I can’t tell any difference between them and the Kroger brand and they are usually at least $1 cheaper per bag.

23. Frozen Fruit

We love frozen fruit in our smoothies! If I can’t find some great deals on marked down fruit elsewhere, buying the bagged frozen fruit at ALDI will work — especially since the prices are pretty decent. Frozen blueberries are only $3.79 while frozen strawberries are $6.19 and you can get frozen mixed berries for $6.99.

24. Frozen Veggies

We usually buy all of our frozen vegetables at ALDI, unless there’s some really fantastic deal at Kroger. You can still get frozen bags of veggies for only $1.15 to $2.29.

25. Macaroni & Cheese

Their mac & cheese is not at all healthy and it’s one of the few pretty processed things we buy at ALDI, but for $0.58 a box, it makes for an occasional treat for my kids. And they love that they can make it themselves. I love that it doesn’t have any food coloring in it (something we try to avoid at our house).

In Jesse’s law school days, he and I ate many, many boxes of this stuff! So I’m very grateful for it — because it was a fallback meal anytime the grocery budget was especially lean!

P.S. New to shopping at ALDI? Read this post before you head to the store.

ALDI Shoppers: Do you agree with my list? Anything you would add or remove? What do you think are the best deals at ALDI? I’d love to hear!

Want to cut your grocery budget? Go here and sign up (it’s free!). I’ll send you my 10 Easy Ways to Cut Your Grocery Bill By $50.

Week 16: A Peek Into This Past Week + What I’m Reading, Listening to, and Watching!

Crystal Paine — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 21:29:22 +0000

In case you missed it this past week… I’ve been keeping a secret… and I got to share the news last week! For over a year and a half, I’ve been working on something very close to my heart…

I’m thrilled to introduce my 6th book: The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women: How to Stop Stressing, Begin Where You Are, and Build the Future You Want. Of all my books, it’s definitely the book I’ve poured the most time, effort, thought, and intention into.

You can read more about it here. THANK YOU to so many of you who pre-ordered this past week! I set what I felt was an audacious goal for pre-orders and we exceeded that by a LOT!

I just learned last week that how I breathe when I run really matters. Apparently only mouth-breathing and gasping for breath is not the best thing to do while running. 😲

After lots of googling to figure out why I had laryngitis and my chest hurt after two intense runs, I discovered it is possible to experience laryngitis-like symptoms—such as a hoarse voice, throat tightness, cough, and wheezing—from breathing incorrectly while running.

So, this week, I’ve been focusing on learning how to breathe. I’m trying mouth-taping at night (which I had thought was crazy but it’s actually making a huge difference for me!) plus I’m working on intentionally inhaling through my nose while running and while doing every day activities.

I’m also practicing slower runs and not pushing myself so hard — especially on longer runs.

I finished my first 5-mile run last week! I had to take two short walking breaks and it wasn’t very pretty, but I DID IT! You can watch a video of my running progress from this past week here.

I shared this on Instagram this week and I thought I’d share it here, too:

We have a 17-year age gap between our oldest and our youngest. People often ask me if that’s hard…

I’m going to shoot it straight to you today, because I get asked about this so often and I wish I had heard this more when I was shocked to find out I was pregnant at almost 40 years old…

Parenting is hard. Period. It’s a continual learning and growing and stretching experience. It’s needing Jesus in a whole new way.

It exposes our weaknesses. It shines a light on our dysfunctional believes. Our fear. Our pride. Our selfishness. All of it comes to the forefront when we have a person we are fully responsible to train and nurture and care for and raise.

The beautiful thing about parenting a wide age gap is that you get to bring experience to the table that you didn’t before. You have wisdom and insight and perspective that comes with doing something for a lot of years.

I was a really insecure, anxious parent for the first seven or so years. I felt so in over my head. I wanted to do everything right. And I stressed myself out constantly and beat myself up for failing regularly.

I look back at the woman I was in my 20’s when I was learning how to parent and have so much grace for that woman. She was doing her best and trying so hard.

But getting to parent young kids as an “older mom” has been so much easier. I’m so much calmer and less uptight. I know that we’ll have hard days and seasons and it won’t be the end of the world. We will make it through.

And I know Jesus is faithful. That’s not just a phrase I say; it’s a time-tested and proved fact. He’s carried me through so much as a parent and never once left me. He’s a good, good Father.

Yes, there are new challenges with age gap parenting. It can feel like whiplash to toggle constantly between ACT’s and ABC’s, nursing and new drivers, potty training and college applications, preschool enrollment and high school graduations… it pushes you to rely upon Jesus in a whole new way.

But it’s also incredibly beautiful! Watching your older kids laugh over the antics of the little ones. Having your college kid call home just because they miss the toddler. Your 16-year-old son who towers over you coming home to wrestle with his little brother first thing.

The best part is that there is so much love and laughter to go around. Our older kids get so many hugs and cuddles and I love you’s from their little siblings. And the younger kids get so much attention and interaction from all the big people in their life. Also, our family group chat is filled with pics and videos of the funny things the younger ones have done!

Life is never dull. It’s always full. It’s loud. It’s sometimes chaotic. But it’s so wonderful and wonder-filled.

And I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

Another huge milestone in our David’s feeding journey — being willing to touch food!! See the video here.

For the first five years of his life, David (our son who was born at 27 weeks and has Down syndrome, a cleft lip and palate, a feeding tube, and food trauma), was unwilling to even touch food. Any time it would get close to his hands, he would push it away and get upset.

Thanks to an amazing feeding therapist who has worked with him for years and thanks to lots and lots of exposure to watching other people interact with food, in the last few months, he started being willing to touch food! And now he’s picking it up and holding it and feeding us!!!!

This is a HUGE milestone in his journey of hopefully someday being able (and feeling confident) to feed himself independently instead of always being spoon fed or tube fed!!!!

We are so proud of this boy! He is such a wonder — always amazing us with new things he is learning, even if it takes him months or years to get it! And he teaches us to notice and appreciate so many milestones we didn’t with out other kids.

Friday was such a juxtaposition of emotions. I went to a funeral for the father/FIL of dear friends of ours and to the hospital to meet a friend’s brand-new baby.

Life and death. Sadness and joy.

The older I get, the more I realize that life is about learning to hold two very differing emotions at once.

Also? Show up for your friends. I remember how many people showed up for my parents when my grandma suddenly died. It’s the reason I try to always go to funerals when a loved one of a good friend has died — even if I didn’t know them.

Q&A’s From This Week:

Question: Things you are NOT doing in this season. And summer screen free ideas.

Answer: Oh! I love the question of what I’m NOT doing – so, so much!

It’s school ball season so Jesse is coaching (assistant coach of Varsity team) and that’s around 20 hours a week extra on his plate and it’s during the times when he’s often watching the kids. So a lot more on my plate, too, with either watching the kids instead of working then or at the games with the three younger kids.

So I’m basically rotating the same super easy dinners every night, I put the decluttering of the house on hold until May, I’m not committing to anything that is ongoing, and I’m saying no to most nonessential business opportunities (endorsing books, speaking, teaching online classes, coaching, etc). And I’m not launching anything but my book this year which is HUGE for me – since most years in the past I’ve launched at least 4-6 things (sometimes more!)

My executive assistant and my team also work hard to try to keep my workload manageable so that I’m not working much more than 40 hours a week most weeks – which has felt amazing this year!!

One of the biggest things that helps me be able to do what I do and have a lot less stress in my life is that our kids are very independent – we teach them to cook and make basic meals and put away laundry and get themselves ready in the morning and do their homework by themselves from an early age. If they have an issue at school, we teach them how to talk to a teacher on their own. They are fully in charge of their projects and it’s their responsibility to let me know if they need help or supplies.

So I get to spend time hanging out with my kids and enjoying them more instead of worrying whether they finished an assignment or took care of getting everything ready to head out the door. This has been amazing to see play out as they head into adulthood! ❤️

It also has downsides, like Kierstyn or Micah wanting to just get on Amazon and order something if we need to buy it. 🙃

Jesse and I went on a date on Friday morning to The Flower Kitchen and then to Costco. We’ve been trying to do a morning date every Friday morning that we can (we found a sweet girl who is helping with babysitting with David!) and it has been so good and fun!

For the first time this week, I got my hair highlighted by Kaitlynn! She gives me regular blowouts but this was my first time for her to highlight it and she did SUCH a great job!!

You can see more before and after pics of my hair over on Kaitlynn’s instagram account.

Books I Finished This Past Week

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center. This was a very light read compared to last week’s The Nightingale but it was engaging and kept me reading. It was fluffy in parts but had depth in other parts so overall I enjoyed it. It is definitely not a Christian novel and had some language in it, but there was nothing graphic in it.

I started this book this week – Mists Over the Channel Islands. Can you believe I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel by Sarah Sundin? (Also, I found out *after* I had started it that apparently it’s book 3 in a series — oops! So far, I’m enjoying it and it seems like it’s okay that I didn’t read the other books.)

What I’m Watching

I’ve been watching the CrossFit competition in Cookeville, TN this weekend — not only because I love watching CrossFit, but also because Kaitlynn’s boyfriend (RJ Mestre) is competing in the elite male division, at only 18 years old. He did so well for being so young!

What I’m Listening To

I listened to a great podcast episode on your future self and who you are becoming by Alli Worthington. Unfortunately, it’s only available for people in her membership group or I’d share the link!

What I’m Loving

I got this tank top recently and love it! It is so cute with skirts, shorts, or jeans.

Podcast Episode This Week: Discovering Your Communication Type with Jason VanRuler

This episode is one of my favorites that I’ve recorded in quite a long while and it felt like a therapy session for me. But I really hope that it gives you some great food for thought, too! I am talking with Jason VanRuler about his book Discovering Your Communication Type: The Five Paths to Deeper Connections and Stronger Relationships, and right from the start as I read it, I was hooked. I could see how the insights would help me with my husband, my kids, and my friendships because it’s practical, relatable, and so surprisingly accessible – like someone finally saying, “Here’s how this actually works,” without all the jargon!

Jason walks us through the five communication styles that make up his PATHS model – Peacemaker, Advocate, Thinker, Harbor, and Spark – and he explains how our words are driven by different motivations: maintaining peace, standing up for what’s right, being logically correct, protecting feelings, or bringing energy and momentum.

He and I get into how knowing your style (as well as the styles of those around you) can truly change your conversations, especially when conflict or stress shows up. I had one of those aha moments when I realized that I have been showing up in relationships in ways I think are expected of me, instead of who I am actually wired to be, and yes, that includes my husband and me missing each other mid-conversation more than I’d like to admit.

We also discuss how these patterns can also have strong impacts on parenting, friendships, and even self-care, and one story that hit me hard was realizing that holding out my “I got this, let me help you” sign often keeps people at arm’s length because vulnerability feels too risky.

Learning to express my needs without fear has been such a huge game-changer. Listen as Jason shares some practical tips for seeing differences as gifts, understanding where misunderstandings come from, and how intentional awareness can make every conversation more meaningful.

By the end, I felt so inspired to rethink how I show up, listen, and allow people in without expecting them to mirror me exactly. If you have ever wanted a roadmap for connecting more authentically with the people in your life (family, friends, colleagues, or even yourself), then this episode is full of insights that really stick, and be sure to grab a copy of Discovering Your Communication Type!

In Case You Missed It – Links From This Week

Cottage Cheese Pancakes Recipe — This recipe is SO easy to make and packed with protein. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to traditional pancakes, be sure to try these! (And, no, you can’t taste the cottage cheese!)

Our First Ever Glamping Adventure — Jesse and I went on our first ever glamping trip recently and had the BEST time! There’s nothing quite like sleeping under the stars while also having a beautiful bathroom and air conditioning. Read all the details here!

Chicken Burgers and Baked Fries ($10 Dinner Idea) — If you love burgers but want to eat less red meat, try Brigette’s chicken burgers! Add some easy oven-baked fries and you’ll have a quick, frugal meal the whole family will love.

Hire A Registered Dietitian for $0 Out of Pocket: My Honest Review of Nourish — Meeting with a Nourish dietitian these last few months has truly changed my life. I’m stronger, running more, feeling great, AND not stressing about food — and my appointments have been 100% covered by my insurance! Check out this post for all the details and to see if your insurance covers your appointments!

Brigette’s $99 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 4!

Brigette — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:47:00 +0000

Aldi

1 gallon Milk – $2.98

1/2 gallon Orange Juice – $3.39

2 32-oz cartons Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt – $5.58

1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $2.85

1 32-oz carton Egg Whites – $4.79

2 4-ct boxes Greek Yogurt – $5.30

2 pkgs Turkey Bacon – $6.50

1 3-ct pkg Multi-Colored Peppers – $2.25

1 bag Sugar Snap Peas – $2.39

1 3-lb bag Red Onions – $1.89

1 carton Raspberries – $2.29

2 bags Fresh French Green Beans – $5.98

1 Cauliflower – $2.65

1 carton Gourmet Medley Tomatoes – $2.95

1 pkg Broccoli Crowns – $2.33

1 bunch Organic Bananas – $1.91

1 3-lb bag Red Onions – $1.79

1 bag Green Onions – $0.89

1 pkg Boneless Chicken Breasts – $12.55

1 bag Veggie Straws – $2.49

1 bag Pretzels – $1.79

1 16-oz bag Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – $3.29

1 bag Rice Cakes – $2.95

1 loaf Whole Wheat Bread – $2.39

Total: $84.17

Publix

1 carton Too Good Creamer – $2.99, used $2/1 Too Good Publix Digital Coupon- $0.99 after Coupon

1 bag Bear Naked Granola – $2.64, used $1.50/1 Bear Naked Publix Digital Coupon, plus received $0.50/1 Bear Naked Ibotta Rebate – $0.64 after Coupon and Rebate

2 bags Planter’s Trail Mix – $3.99, received $1.25/2 Planters Ibotta Rebate – $2.74 for 2 after Rebate

2 jars Ragu – $2.59, used received $0.25/2 Ragu Ibotta Rebate – $2.34 for 2 after Rebate

1 12-ct box Pop Tarts – $2

1 box Rice Krispy Treats – $1.49, used $0.50/1 Rice Krispy Treat printable – $0.99 after Coupon

1 bag Jones Turkey Sausage – $4.49

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

Total after Coupons and Rebates: $15.43

Grocery Total for the Week: $99.60

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Cereal, Oatmeal, Granola, Yogurt Bowls, Smoothies, Eggs (a friend gave us 2 dozen eggs from their chickens!)

Lunches

PB and J Sandwiches, Bananas, Veggie Straws, Sliced Veggies with Dip x 2

Leftovers x 5

Dinners

Chicken Alfredo Pizza

Chicken Gravy over Rice, Green Beans, Biscuits

Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Baked Potatoes, Roasted Cauliflower

Spaghetti Carbonara, Homemade French Bread, Broccoli

Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Turkey Sausage

Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon, Green Beans

Grilled Chicken, Rice, Tossed Salad

Chicken Burgers and Baked Fries ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

Brigette — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:02:00 +0000

We love hamburgers, but since my husband has been needing to eat lower fat/less red meat for health reasons, we’ve been exploring other options. Chicken burgers have been a yummy alternative! Another exciting plus of ground chicken is that I can regularly get it at Publix for approximately half of the price of ground beef (if you sign up here, they will email you a $1.50/1 printable coupon that can be printed twice per month).

The meat mixture is pretty soft and messy, so I normally cook the burgers on an electric skillet. If you have time to chill the meat mixture, though, these burgers can be cooked on the grill.

We top chicken burgers with all the same toppings we love on hamburgers, and I like to serve them with baked oven fries. It’s a simple, quick meal that everyone around here loves!

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 Burgers and Baked Fries Menu:

Chicken Burgers with Cheese, Lettuce and Tomato
Baked Fries

Ingredients for Chicken Burgers:

1 1/2 lbs ground chicken (Publix – $2.49/lb using printables) — $3.24
2 eggs (Aldi – $1.66/dozen) — $0.28
3 Tablespoons mayonnaise (I always wait for sales + coupons and rebates on mayonnaise and get it free)
3/4 cup oats, coarsely ground (you can sub bread crumbs) (Aldi – $3.85 for 42oz) — $0.19
2 cloves garlic (Aldi – $1.75 for 3-ct pkg) — $0.12
3 Tablespoons chopped onion (Aldi — $2.09 for 2 lbs) — $0.06
2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon parsley, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 head romaine lettuce (Aldi — $2.99 for 3) — $0.50
1/2 pkg sliced cheese (Publix – $1.50) — $0.75
1 tomato (Aldi) — $0.10
6 hamburger buns (Aldi – $1.25 for 8) — $0.94
Olive oil for frying

Total: $6.18 (makes 6 servings)

Ingredients for Baked Fries:

6 large potatoes (Aldi – $3.49 for 10-lbs) — $1.20
Olive oil for drizzling
Salt and whatever spices you prefer (I used salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika)

Total: $1.20 (makes 6 servings)

Grand Total for Dinner: $7.38 (plus cost of spices and olive oil)

How to Make Chicken Burgers and Baked Fries:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, eggs, ground oats or bread crumbs, mayonnaise, chopped onion, garlic, and spices. Mix together well. Put the bowl into the freezer while you prepare the potatoes.

3. Wash the potatoes and cut into sticks/fries. Dry well with paper towels. Place the potatoes on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and any other spices you prefer. (I used salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika — yum!)

4. Bake at 450 degrees until crispy, stirring occasionally. (This takes 25-35 minutes, depending on how thick your fries are.)

5. Heat a few Tablespoons of olive oil in an electric skillet. Remove the bowl from the freezer and form into patties using oiled hands (if the mixture is too wet/sticky, you can just plop it onto the skillet and spread it into a patty on the skillet using the back of a spoon). Cook on one side until browned and then flip and cook the other side until brown. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

6. Wash and slice the lettuce and tomato and serve with cheese on top of the burgers, with the hot fries (and lots of ketchup, of course!) on the side.

FAQs about Chicken Burgers with Oven Fries:

What is the best burger for high cholesterol?

Chicken or turkey burgers are healthy alternatives to traditional burgers because — unlike red meat — they’re low in saturated fat, a contributor to high cholesterol.

What is a good binder for chicken burgers?

To bind chicken burgers, I recommend eggs, mayonnaise, and oats or Panko breadcrumbs.

What cheese is best for chicken burgers?

My favorite is provolone because it melts well and has a gentle flavor that doesn’t overpower the chicken. You could also use Swiss, cheddar, or even pepper jack.

What toppings do you put on a chicken burger?

I use the same toppings I would for a regular burger — lettuce, tomato, cheese, and ketchup. You could also add mustard, red onion, pickles, or aioli.

Chicken Burgers with Oven Fries

Chicken burgers are a yummy alternative to red meat — and you can often get ground chicken for about half the price of ground beef! We top chicken burgers with all the same toppings we love on hamburgers, and I like to serve them with baked oven fries. It’s a simple, quick meal that everyone around here loves!

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken, easy dinner, easy side dish, family favorite, gluten free, homemade, potatoes, weeknight dinner

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 30

Servings

Calories 592kcal

Author Brigette

Cost $7.58

Ingredients

Ingredients for Chicken Burgers

1 1/2 lbs ground chicken Publix – $2.49/lb using printables — $3.24
2 eggs Aldi – $1.66/dozen — $0.28
3 Tablespoons mayonnaise I always wait for sales + coupons and rebates on mayonnaise and get it free
3/4 cup oats coarsely ground (you can sub bread crumbs) (Aldi – $3.85 for 42oz) — $0.19
2 cloves garlic Aldi – $1.75 for 3-ct pkg — $0.12
3 Tablespoons chopped onion Aldi — $2.09 for 2 lbs — $0.06
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon parsley
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 head romaine lettuce Aldi — $2.99 for 3 — $0.50
1/2 package sliced cheese Publix – $1.50 — $0.75
1 tomato Aldi — $0.30
6 hamburger buns Aldi – $1.25 for 8 — $0.94
Olive oil for frying

Ingredients for Baked Fries

6 large potatoes Aldi – $3.49 for 10-lbs — $1.20
Olive oil for drizzling
Salt and whatever spices you prefer

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, eggs, ground oats or bread crumbs, mayonnaise, chopped onion, garlic, and spices. Mix together well. Put the bowl into the freezer while you prepare the potatoes.
Wash the potatoes and cut into sticks/fries. Dry well with paper towels. Place the potatoes on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and any other spices you prefer.
Bake at 450 degrees until crispy, stirring occasionally. (This takes 25-35 minutes, depending on how thick your fries are.)
Heat a few Tablespoons of olive oil in an electric skillet. Remove the bowl from the freezer and form into patties using oiled hands (if the mixture is too wet/sticky, you can just plop it onto the skillet and spread it into a patty on the skillet using the back of a spoon). Cook on one side until browned and then flip and cook the other side until brown. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Wash and slice the lettuce and tomato and serve with cheese on top of the burgers, with the hot fries (and lots of ketchup, of course!) on the side.

Nutrition

More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10:

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

If you make these chicken burgers with baked fries, we’d love for you to leave a review and let us know how it turned out!

Our First Ever Glamping Adventure

Crystal Paine — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:11:22 +0000

In January, Jesse surprised me with an anniversary trip. He told me we were going somewhere very unique. I had no idea what that meant or what to expect, but I was excited to see what he had booked.

Well, Kierstyn and Micah ended up getting strep so we had to re-book. Jesse decided that he wouldn’t keep where we were staying a secret since he could barely wait to tell me… and I’m so happy he did because it meant that I got to spend the next two months looking forward to where we were going to stay.

And it was an EPIC choice!

We stayed in a Dome Tent on Center Hill Lake near Springville, TN. You can see a bunch of professional pics of where we stayed on their website. You can also see more pictures inside here.

We had the BEST time and I would highly recommend staying here! There’s nothing quite like sleeping under the stars while also having a beautiful bathroom and air conditioning!

When we got in, it was pretty hot and the dome was hot (it’s sort of like a greenhouse — especially with the sun beating down on it!). In fact, the thermostat read 99 degrees!

We texted the owners and asked if it was normal. They asked if they could come investigate. They brought a fan, helped turn on a second AC unit, and also turned on a sprinkler that watered down the outside of the dome for an hour. Within about 30 minutes, it was much cooler!

By evening, it was a little chilly and we wanted to put on cozy clothes and be under blankets — which was perfect!

One of the things I loved was that there was no TV and you just wanted to hang out at the fire pit or in the hot tub. It was perfect for encouraging lots of time in nature and lots of time together.

They had some games and puzzles and books and we had fun playing a rousing game of Scrabble – something I don’t know that we’ve ever played together.

The views were stunning! Getting to see the sun rise and the views of the lake and the stars at night… it was so cool. Jesse and I kept being like, “We are definitely fans of this glamping thing!”

We brought all our own food and were glad we did since the domes were fairly far from the town and we didn’t want to waste any time we had there driving into town!

The kitchen had everything we needed to cook and prep what what we had brought. I would recommend bringing your own water bottles. We didn’t try the water from the faucet and they didn’t have a water purifier that I saw.

Nothing like waking up to this view!!

There is a walking trail on the property that leads down to Center Hill Lake. We loved this short hike. It was absolutely beautiful!

I’m so grateful for the gift of this man and 23 years of marriage to him — even if we needed to celebrate our anniversary a few months late!

After we left the dome (we stayed until the very last minute because we wanted to soak it all up!), we drove to Springville, TN to check it out.

We had researched online for a local coffee shop and the internet recommended Buttonwillow General Store and Coffee shop. It was the perfect small town coffee shop and we loved visiting (though I was hungry for protein and all they had were carbs, sweets, and coffee!)

What a special 22-hour getaway! And now Jesse and I are on the hunt for other glamping experiences! If you know of any in Tennessee or within a 3-hour drive of Nashville, please let me know!

Cottage Cheese Pancakes Recipe

Brigette — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:03:00 +0000

This Cottage Cheese Pancakes recipe is so easy to make and packed with protein! These pancakes are more like crepes, making them perfect for a variety of fillings and toppings. They contain only six basic ingredients, all of which I keep on hand at all times.

My children love these pancakes. In fact, they are often their request for their birthday breakfast. They even eat these plain as a grab-and-go breakfast on their way out the door to school!

I love that they are super easy — just throw everything in the blender and that.is.it! Also, pouring the batter from the blender onto the griddle is genius. It’s so much easier than using a mixing bowl.

So if you’re trying to get more protein into your diet but still want to have the “feeling” of eating carbs, this recipe is perfect. It’s a standby, often-requested recipe at my house, and I hope you’ll love it as much as we do!

Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes Ingredients

9 eggs
3 cups cottage cheese
1 cup flour
6 Tablespoons oil
3/8 teaspoon salt
6 Tablespoons sugar

Makes 18 pancakes

How to Make High Protein Pancakes with Cottage Cheese

Grease an electric skillet or pancake griddle and heat on medium high.
In a blender, combine all of the ingredients.

3. Blend until well combined.

4. Pour the batter onto the hot griddle. When you see bubbles, flip and cook the other side.

5. Serve hot with butter and syrup or your favorite toppings.

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

If you’re trying to get more protein into your diet but still want to have the “feeling” of eating carbs, this recipe is perfect. It's so easy to make and packed with protein. It’s a standby, often-requested recipe at my house, and I hope you’ll love it as much as we do!

Course Breakfast, Main Course, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword breakfast, brunch, easy breakfast, family favorite, freezer friendly, high protein, homemade, quick snack

Prep Time 15

Servings pancakes

Calories 147kcal

Author Brigette

Ingredients

9 eggs
3 cups cottage cheese
1 cup flour
6 Tablespoons oil
3/8 teaspoon salt
6 Tablespoons sugar

Instructions

Grease an electric skillet or pancake griddle and heat on medium high.
In a blender, combine all of the ingredients.
Blend until well combined.
Pour the batter onto the hot griddle. When you see bubbles, flip and cook the other side.
Serve hot with butter and syrup or your favorite toppings.

Notes

These pancakes are more like crepes, making them perfect for a variety of fillings and toppings.

Nutrition

FAQs about Cottage Cheese Pancakes:

Can you add cottage cheese to pancake mix?

Yes! I recommend blending cottage cheese with the eggs before adding to the mix in order to avoid chunks of cottage cheese.

Are cottage cheese pancakes healthy?

Cottage cheese pancakes are protein-packed — each of these pancakes has 7 grams of protein! They’re a delicious, healthy alternative to traditional pancakes.

Can I freeze cottage cheese pancakes?

These are an excellent freezer meal! Cool completely before freezing on a baking sheet. Once frozen, put in an air-tight container and store up to 3 months.

What other flavors of cottage cheese pancakes can I make?

These pancakes are easy to customize with different mix-ins and flavors. Try adding pumpkin puree for a cozy fall version, or lemon zest, blueberries, or mashed banana for added sweetness. Ingredients like fruit or pumpkin can add extra liquid, so you may need a bit more flour.

More Recipes You’ll Love:

Check out all our easy breakfast ideas here!

If you make these cottage cheese pancakes, please leave a review or comment below. We’d love to hear how they turn out!

I’ve been keeping a secret!!

Crystal Paine — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:57:08 +0000

I’ve been working hard on something for the last year and a half and I finally get to share it with you!!

Are you ready for the big reveal??

Introducing my 6th book baby…

The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women: How to Stop Stressing, Begin Where You Are, and Build the Future You Want.

Of all my books, it’s definitely the book I’ve poured the most time, effort, thought, and intention into.

I wrote it knowing it was likely my last book so I wanted to end my publishing era well!

This book is something I wrote for each and every woman – whether in college, married, single, empty nester, kids or no kids.

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.

Can We Get The Book in the Top 1000 on Amazon??

As some of you know, pre-orders (especially from Amazon) are really, really important for a book. They signify to marketing teams at Amazon and other retailers how many books they should order, how much they should push a book, where they place it in the store, etc.

If there are a lot of pre-orders, retailers will push a book much more when it launches.

The book is currently at 4,004 sales rank over all books on Amazon. I would LOVE for us to get it into the top 1000 in the next 24 hours. That’s a really audacious goal, but I believe we can do it! Can you help me do that by pre-ordering??

A Special Invite For Those Who Pre-Order In the Next Few Days!

We have a lot of fun pre-order bonuses coming, but I’ve got something special for anyone who pre-orders this weekend!

If you pre-order by Friday, you’ll get an exclusive invite to a live Q&A call with me! We’ll hang out and chat and you can ask me anything + some of my family will be joining us for a bit to answer questions, too!

To pre-order and get your ticket to this exclusive live call with me, just go here and fill out this form! (Once you sign up, you’ll have an opportunity to submit questions you’d love for me to answer on the live call!)

Thank you for being excited with me about this really big news and for all your support. It means the world to me!

P.S. If you have any questions at all about the book, please comment or email me and I’m happy to answer them!

Week 15: A Peek Into This Past Week + What I’m Reading, Listening to, and Watching!

Crystal Paine — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:29:00 +0000

Never in my wildest imaginations did I expect to so quickly realize that I LOVE running since I started training for a 10k. It is crazy to be discovering that something I had told myself I couldn’t do for years is the very thing I’m just absolutely coming to adore??!!

I did three runs on the treadmill and two runs outdoors + Jesse and I took a short hike on my rest day!

My treadmill runs were all around 2 1/2 to 3 miles long. I was only planning to run a 5K for my long outdoor run on Sunday, but I was feeling so good, that I decided to just keep going and ended up running 4 miles without stopping at a 10:40 average pace — SAY WHAT??? And it felt so good!

I downloaded the Strava app this past week and love it! My hope this next week is to hit 5 miles on my long run. We will see!

I met with my dietitian earlier this week to go over how to best fuel my body for running – especially as I’m planning to start running 5+ mile stretches.

She gave me such good advice and encouragement and also said I must start eating some simple carbs 30 mins before my run. I’m so scared to eat before running (I’m afraid I’ll get cramps/upset stomach but I also know there’s no way I can do the longer runs well without fueling my body properly!)

Any runners out there have great suggestions for what you like to eat as a pre-run snack??

My dietitian ended the call going, “Crystal! I can’t believe how far you’ve come since we started working together!!”

And it’s so true! From a girl who was so afraid of eating enough calories and spent so much time worried about a number on the scale, to a strong woman who is loving running and weight training and fueling her body well and eating at least 500-600+ more calories a day and feeling GREAT!!

I don’t say it lightly – my dietitian has changed my life! And I still can’t believe I’ve paid $0 out of pocket!!

Click here to read my story and see if your insurance covers this program, too!

Kierstyn, Micah, David, and I went to the library on Monday — one of their favorite places to go! They discovered a new tub of free books and I wish you could have seen how excited they were. In fact, Kierstyn went around and told other people in the library about it because she didn’t want anyone to miss out!

Parenting tip: don’t stress over the small stuff like what your kids wear. If they want to wear a PJ top and a completely clashing pair of pants to the library, roll with it. If they pick out their clothes and it’s not inappropriate, go with it!

Also: never judge another mom by the outfit her child is wearing.

I shared this on Instagram and thought it might encourage some of you:

Time with life-giving friends is so important and so soul-filling.…but it’s rarely going to fall into your lap

If you’re lonely or longing for community, don’t wait for someone else to reach out first.

Ask yourself:
Who do I want to get to know just a little better? Then do the tiny brave thing and reach out.

Try:
• “I’d love to grab coffee sometime!”
• “We’re headed to the park tomorrow; want to join us?”
• “I made extra soup tonight. Do you have dinner plans?”
• “Want to walk with me one morning this week?”

If someone doesn’t respond or isn’t interested… don’t take it personally. Just keep reaching out until you find your people… the ones who say yes.

And when they share? Listen. Ask good questions. Care about their life.

Check in. Remember important dates. Pray for them. Send a voice memo of encouragement. These tiny deposits build real friendship.

Don’t wait for community to magically drop into your lap. Show up. Initiate. Be the kind of friend you’re hoping to find. 🤍

Who is one person you could reach out to this week?

The rhythm of Friday Sabbath has been SO good for us! In fact, I’ve started extending it from not just being the 9 am to 12 pm time with Jesse in the morning but also taking a much slower afternoon, too.

Since our weekends are often full (and with 6 kids!) and I work at least 5-6 hours most Saturdays, this has been such a helpful thing to have one day a week that is more focused on fun and relaxing and life-giving things. (Sunday is usually just church and hanging out with family and friends, but with six kids and sometimes their friends here, it’s not really what I’d call “restful”! :))

Jesse and I went to Sam’s Club and I price compared a bunch of items and took pics for an upcoming post on the best things to buy there. And we found yeast – finally!!

This was less than $7 for 2 pounds!! Just store it in the freezer.

This is just in time because I got wheat and am pulling out my mill and I’m excited to get back to grinding my own fresh flour again!!

Watching my man pour into David makes me fall in love with him all over again. ❤️

David loves me but he adores Jesse obsessively.

Watching how much David loves his earthly Daddy and how safe and secure he feels with him is such a picture to me of what our relationship with our Heavenly Father should have. No worry, no stress, just peace in His arms knowing I’m loved and safe and secure.

I have some exciting news to share!!! I finished my 6th book and it comes out in September!!!

Want to know what it’s called???

The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women: How to Stop Stressing, Begin Where You Are, and Build the Future You Want.

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 doesn’t have kids, the empty nester, and anything and everything in between.

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.

A Special Invite For You if You Pre-Order This Weekend!

We have a lot of fun pre-order bonuses coming, but I’ve got something special for anyone who pre-orders this weekend!

If you pre-order this weekend, you’ll get an exclusive invite to a live Q&A call with me! We’ll hang out and chat and you can ask me anything + some of my family will be joining us for a bit to answer questions, too!

Books I Finished This Past Week

I finished The Nightingale! And yes, I cried multiple times – especially the part where she says goodbye to the boy that had become like her son (if you’ve read it, you know!)

I was reliving so many of the emotions I felt of when we said goodbye to C – putting him in his car seat and telling him how, how much I loved him, and sobbing wondering if I’d ever see him again. Knowing it was best for him to reunify with his mama but also not knowing if I could stand the hole in my heart with him not in our home anymore. It was a beautifully moving book with many heart-wrenching but also redeeming parts.

What I’m Watching

I’m continuing to watch When Calls the Heart. I finished Season 11 this week and started Season 12. Will I finish Season 12 and 13 this week? We’ll see!

And Jesse and I are hoping to start a new show to watch together. We have some ideas, but we’ll see what we land on! Feel free to send your suggestions our way!

What I’m Listening To

Lots of worship music while running! I know some people love to listen to podcasts or audiobooks while running, but I am just loving worship music! The kids have also been begging to listen to Holy Forever on repeat when we are driving recently and then belting out the words.

Podcast Episode This Week: Five Exciting Updates at Our House

Listen in this week as Jesse and I share five exciting updates from the Paine house on this week’s episode of the podcast! Some of our updates are more practical, some are deeply personal, and a few honestly caught me completely off guard… and Jesse comes into the conversation without knowing what I’m going to share, which makes it even more fun as we walk through what’s been happening behind-the-scenes in our world!

I start off with something that might sound minor but honestly felt pretty significant to me — a recent dentist visit that went surprisingly well after years of being told something was wrong with my teeth. After working with a functional medicine doctor and trying oil pulling (something that I was very skeptical about), I had a completely different experience at my last appointment. It made me think more about the connection between oral health and overall health and whether some of the small habits that I have added might actually be making a difference.

From there, we share an update about our son David as he prepares to start kindergarten this fall. If you have been following our story, then you know how remarkable that moment feels for our family. David’s team has been working closely with us to create a plan that supports his unique needs, and hearing the goals that they have set for him is both exciting and emotional. David continues to surprise everyone with his determination and personality, and we talk about some of the ways that he’s already showing just how capable he is!

Another unexpected development is that I agreed to run a 10K with our daughter. That decision has launched me into a whole new world of running, training, and learning far more about shoes and socks than I ever expected.

I also share how an unexpected invitation is taking me to Guatemala this summer, something that’s been on my heart since we adopted David, and finally, the biggest update of all: I finished writing my next book! I reveal the title, share the story behind how it came together, and explain why this project feels especially meaningful to me.

Listen to this episode here.

In Case You Missed It – Links From This Week

The Smartest Ways to Save at Starbucks — If you love Starbucks but not the prices, check out this post and discover the best ways to save right now.

Walgreens 101 — Walgreens is one of those stores that can become a gold mine for savings once you know what to look for. This in-depth guide will help you walk into Walgreens with a plan and walk out knowing you got a great deal.

Spaghetti Pizza ($10 Dinner Idea) — This recipe combines two classic favorites into one dish, so you can’t go wrong! The spaghetti serves as the crust and it has typical pizza toppings, and your family is sure to love it!

My First Time Shopping at Costco and What I Bought for $67 — I finally made it to Costco for the first time ever and walked away with some great finds for under $70 total! Read this post to see what I bought and what we thought — and don’t miss the comments section, filled with helpful tips from readers.

14 Smart (and Slightly Unusual) Ways Our Readers Save Money on Food

Crystal Paine — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 21:00:00 +0000

When it comes to saving money on food, these reader-shared ideas are simple, practical, and might just change the way you shop and cook! I love that these ideas don’t require extreme couponing or hours of prep work. They’re practical, everyday habits that cut grocery bills and reduce food waste.

Recently on Facebook, we asked:

“What’s something you do to save money that others might find unusual?”

The responses were incredible, especially when it came to food.

If you missed the conversation, you can read through it here.

This post is a compilation of some of the BEST food-related ideas shared in that thread. The cost of food has steadily increased over the past few years, and even small price jumps on everyday items like eggs, meat, produce, and pantry staples can easily add hundreds of dollars to a family’s monthly budget. It’s not just “treat” foods that cost more; it’s basics.

How to Save Money on Food

Here are some of the smartest (and slightly unusual!) food-saving strategies shared by our community:

1. Inventory First. Shop Second.

One of the most repeated tips was simple but powerful: Make a full inventory of your freezer, pantry, and fridge before you shop.

This does two things:

Prevents buying duplicates of what you already have.
Sparks meal ideas based on what’s already in your house.

Try this:

Keep a running freezer list on your phone.
Plan 2–3 meals using only pantry/freezer items each week.
Then shop only for what fills the gaps.

2. Use Grocery Pickup Services

Several readers also mentioned that using grocery pickup helps eliminate impulse purchases, because you’re not walking past end caps and seasonal displays.

It could be worth paying a small fee to avoid this temptation — and save yourself time! — but Kroger doesn’t even charge for grocery pickup.

Even better, you could have your groceries delivered to you with Kroger Boost (check out this post to see if Kroger Boost is worth it for you).

If you shop at Walmart, using online ordering (and Walmart+) can make it even easier to stick to your list and avoid temptation, whether you’re shopping for groceries or other household needs.

3. Pack At Least One Meal on Big Trips

Travel can wreck a food budget quickly. One reader shared that whenever they travel, they pack at least one meal per day and try to stay at hotels with kitchenettes.

Meals you could pack include:

Sandwich supplies
Yogurt and fruit
Breakfast items
Easy pasta dinners

Even replacing just one restaurant meal per day for a family can save $40–$80 daily while traveling. That adds up fast!

4. Reuse Glass Jars for Leftovers

This is such a smart (and sustainable!) idea. Whenever you use up pasta sauce, jelly, or salsa that comes in glass jars, wash the jars, remove the label, and reuse them.

Glass jars are perfect for storing:

Leftover tomato paste
Half-used cans of beans
Extra broth
Small portions of cooked grains

Instead of letting small amounts of food go to waste, you store them neatly and use them later. Free containers + less waste = double win.

5. Keep a Cooler in the Car

This tip is especially helpful for families with kids. One reader shared that when her kids were little, she always kept a cooler in the car stocked with:

Water
Juice boxes
Cheese sticks
Yogurt and granola
Snacks

That way, they avoided quick “let’s run in for snacks” trips that turned into $30 impulse purchases. The key takeaway? Plan ahead to prevent convenience spending.

6. Buy Clearance Meat (and Freeze It)

Clearance meat and apps like Flashfood were mentioned multiple times. If your store marks down meat early in the morning or on certain days:

Shop strategically
Package immediately
Label and freeze

One reader even shops multiple stores once a month early on Saturday mornings and stocks up for the entire month, saving around $50 each time. That’s $600 per year.

7. Garden and Freeze for Later

If you garden, maximize your harvest.

Readers shared that they:

Freeze whole tomatoes
Chop and flash freeze green peppers
Preserve extras for months of future meals

Even if you don’t garden extensively, growing just a few high-yield items (like tomatoes or herbs) can offset grocery costs.

8. Split Meals at Restaurants

This one is surprisingly effective. Some families split one entrée when dining out, and sometimes even have room for dessert afterward.

Others look for kids-eat-free nights. Even couples without kids shared they split meals regularly. Restaurant portions are often large enough for two, and cutting that bill in half makes dining out far more affordable.

9. Stretch Holiday Hams and Roasts Into Multiple Meals

One reader shared an incredibly smart strategy:

When bone-in hams are deeply discounted at Christmas or Easter, she buys several. She cubes and freezes portions, then grinds some for ham salad and uses leftovers in soups.

The same goes for whole turkeys and crockpot beef roasts. A single roast can become 3 to 4 meals when stretched intentionally.

10. Freeze Vegetable Scraps for Soup

Instead of tossing leftover vegetables, put them into a container in the freezer, even an old Cool Whip or cottage cheese container, or the glass jars mentioned above.

Add to it throughout the week, whether it’s extra carrots, onion scraps, corn, green beans, etc. Once it’s full, turn it into vegetable soup. It reduces waste and creates a nearly free meal.

11. Pack Bread, Peanut Butter, and Jam

This might sound simple, but it works. Packing a loaf of bread, peanut butter, and jam for trips or busy days can eliminate fast food stops entirely.

It’s not fancy, but it’s filling and it’s inexpensive.

12. Choose Casseroles Over Steaks

One reader shared that they stopped buying steaks and instead returned to inexpensive casseroles their mom used to make. Especially for retirees or smaller households, casseroles stretch across multiple days. They often involve lower-cost ingredients and you can get multiple servings.

This is an old-school frugality ‘trick’ that still works and having a ready-made meal will lead to less temptation to dine out.

13. Rarely Eat Out, and Use Rewards When You Do

Several readers mentioned ways to save on dining out, including:

Cut back on eating out significantly
Eat at home and drink coffee made at home before heading out so you’re not tempted to visit the drive-through
Use gift cards you’ve earned from Swagbucks or other earning apps when you do go out.

If you have a few minutes to spare for surveys and scanning receipts, you can easily earn gift cards and use them for occasional restaurant meals to keep the food budget in check.

14. Eat at Home and Bake at Home

One of the biggest savings areas mentioned? Simply eating at home, and making baked goods at home instead of buying them.

Inviting friends over for dinner instead of meeting at restaurants can cut costs and even build community. Make hosting affordable and remember it doesn’t have to be elaborate. Soup and bread counts!

Small Food Habits = Big Grocery Savings

None of these ideas are complicated. But they are intentional.

And food is often one of the biggest monthly expenses for families, which means small improvements here can make a big difference.

Focus on building your meal plan around what you already have. Many of us have partial bags of rice, random cans, frozen vegetables, or proteins that get forgotten. When you start with what you own, you reduce waste and buy less.

Even doing this intentionally once per month can trim $50–$100 off your grocery spending!

More Ideas to Save Money on Food:

And, be sure to check out our $10 Family Dinner Ideas and current grocery deals!

Which practical and proven hacks are you using to save money on food?

Brigette’s $105 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 4!

Brigette — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 14:52:00 +0000

Aldi

1 gallon Milk – $2.96

1 32-oz carton Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt – $2.79

1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $2.85

1 32-oz carton Egg Whites – $4.79

1 pkg Turkey Bacon – $3.25

1 dozen Eggs – $1.66

1 bag Frozen Blueberries – $3.69

1 bag Frozen Strawberries – $3.65

1 bag Cilantro – $0.75

1 Seedless Cucumber – $0.89

1 Cauliflower – $2.65

2 pkgs Broccoli Crowns – $4.65

1 10-lb bag Russet Potatoes – $3.99

2 Avocados – $0.98

1 3-lb bag Sweet Onions – $1.99

1 pkg Romaine Hearts – $2.99

1 Roma Tomato – $0.10

1 3-head pkg Garlic – $1.19

1 3-ct pkg Multi-Colored Peppers – $2.25

1 bag Italian Pasta – $1.89

1 box Raisin Bran – $1.99

1 box Crunchy Granola Raisin Bran – $2.75

1 pkg Boneless Chicken Breasts – $13.90

1 5-lb bag Jasmine Rice – $6.39

1 can Table Salt – $0.67

2 jars Gourmet Pasta Sauce – $3.58

2 jar Alfredo Sauce – $3.76

1 box Butter – $2.99

1 Canola Oil – $3.09

1 16-oz bag Shredded Cheddar Cheese – $3.29

1 box Instant Pudding – $0.98

1 pkg Hamburger Buns – $1.25

1 bag Organic Corn Tortilla Chips – $2.59

Total: $97.19

Publix

1 box Feel Good Blueberry Pancake Bites – $3.99, received $4 Aisle Rebate plus received 1200 points ($1.20) from Fetch – $1.21 Money Maker after Rebates

1 4-ct box Chobani Yogurts – $2.74

2 boxes Magnum Ice Cream Bars – $5.99, received $2/2 Magnum Ibotta Rebate – $3.99 for 2 after Rebate

1 carton Happy Egg – $2.99, used $1/1 Printable, plus received $0.75/1 Happy Egg Ibotta Rebate – $1.24 after Coupon and Rebate

1 Wild Tuna and Red Bean Salad – $5.59, used $2/1 Wild Planet Publix Digital Coupon, plus received $5.59 Rebate – $2 Money Maker after Coupon and Rebate

1 box Wonder Donut Sticks – $1.62, used $1.50/1 Wonder Publix Digital Coupon, plus received $0.50/1 Wonder Ibotta Rebate – $0.38 Money Maker after Coupon and Rebate

1 10-ct box Lance Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers – $2.34

1 bag Cape Cod Chips – $2.24, used $1/1 Cape Cod Publix Digital Coupon- $1.24 after Coupon

Total after Coupons and Rebates: $7.96

Grocery Total for the Week: $105.15

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Cereal, Oatmeal, Yogurt Bowls, Smoothies, Eggs, Pancake Balls

Lunches

Sandwich Crackers, Chips, Apples, Sliced Veggies with Dip x 2

Leftovers x 5

Dinners

Chicken Burgers, Baked Potato Fries

Build-Your-Own-Rice-Bowl (Seasoned Ground Venison, Shredded Romaine, Salsa, Shredded Cheese, Rice, Grilled Peppers and Onions, Sour Cream, Avocado, Cilantro, Chips)

Company for Dinner – Pasta Bar (Various Pastas, Alfredo Sauce, Marinara Sauce, Grilled Chicken, Venison Sausage), Homemade French Bread (one guest is bringing salad, another is bringing dessert)

Church Dinner (I’m bringing Crockpot Mac and Cheese and Chocolate Pudding Poke Cake)

Cheese Pizza, Broccoli

Venison Roast, Creamy Milk Rice, Roasted Cauliflower

Venison Sausage Gravy over Rice, Biscuits, Green Beans

Spaghetti Pizza Recipe ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

Brigette — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:08:00 +0000

This recipe combines two classic favorites — spaghetti and pizza — into one dish! So you can’t go wrong with this one! We’ve been eating this Spaghetti Pizza on repeat ever since my children were tiny, and it still hasn’t lost its appeal. I use turkey pepperoni since we prefer it less greasy and, as a bonus, turkey pepperoni is often cheaper than regular. You can add extra veggies and toppings to customize this recipe to your family’s tastes, but we like it as is — simple and basic. Spaghetti Pizza freezes well too!

I stock up on pasta when it is free or almost free (by combining sales plus rebates offers), and it’s such a frugal pantry staple to build a meal around!

I served this Spaghetti Pizza with some discounted French bread (from the reduced cart at the back of Walmart) since it was a baseball game night and I was short on time, but I often serve it with some type of tossed salad (Caesar is my favorite, but I can’t get my family on board with any type of dressing, unfortunately) or a steamed vegetable instead.

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.

Spaghetti Pizza Menu:

Pepperoni Spaghetti
Garlic Butter French Bread

Ingredients for Spaghetti Pizza:

8 – 12 ounces spaghetti noodles (Publix) – $0.65
3 eggs (Aldi — $1.66 per dozen) — $0.42
¼ cup milk (Aldi — $0.19 per cup) — $0.05
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (Aldi — $2.99 for 16-oz) — $0.37
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 ½ cups spaghetti sauce (one 23.5-ounce jar) (Aldi) — $1.38
8-12 ounces (2-3 cups) shredded cheese (all mozzarella, or a mixture of your favorite pizza-friendly cheeses) (Aldi – $1.69 for 8oz) — $2.54
3.5-ounce package of sliced pepperoni (I use turkey pepperoni) (Aldi) — $2.89

Total: $8.30

Ingredients for Garlic Butter French Bread:

1 loaf French bread (Walmart) — $1.12
3/4 stick of butter, softened (Aldi – $2.99 for 1-lb) — $0.56
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (or use fresh minced garlic)
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Total: $1.68

Total for Dinner: $9.98 (Serves 6-8)

How to Make Spaghetti Pizza with Garlic Butter French Bread:

1. Follow the directions for making Spaghetti Pizza. (It’s also on the recipe card below.) I used a 12-ounce box of pasta, which stretches the recipe a little further (the original recipe calls for 8-ounce).

2. While the Spaghetti Pizza is baking, slice the French bread (I don’t slice it all the way through as it makes it easier to wrap the loaf in foil). Mix the softened butter with 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning.

3. Spread butter on both sides of each slice of bread and wrap the loaf in aluminum foil. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is crispy (but the inside is still soft and yummy!). Let the Spaghetti Pizza sit for at least 5 minutes before cutting into it.

FAQs about Spaghetti Pizza:

What is spaghetti pizza?

This family-favorite recipe combines spaghetti and pizza for an easy weeknight dinner. The cooked spaghetti serves as a crust and it has typical pizza toppings.

What are some popular toppings for spaghetti pizza?

My favorites are mozzarella and pepperoni, but you could also add mushrooms, peppers, black olives, onions, sausage, or bacon.

Spaghetti Pizza ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

This recipe combines two classic favorites – spaghetti and pizza – into one dish! The cooked spaghetti serves as a crust and it has typical pizza toppings. So you can’t go wrong with this one! We’ve been eating this on repeat ever since my children were tiny, and it still hasn’t lost its appeal.

Course Bread, dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword bread, butter, easy dinner, easy side dish, family favorite, freezer friendly, freezer meal, pasta, spaghetti, weeknight dinner

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

Servings

Calories 560kcal

Author Brigette

Cost $9.98

Ingredients

Ingredients for Spaghetti Pizza:

8-12 ounces spaghetti noodles Publix – $0.65
3 eggs Aldi — $1.66 per dozen — $0.42
¼ cup milk Aldi — $0.19 per cup — $0.05
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese Aldi — $2.99 for 16-oz — $0.37
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 ½ cups spaghetti sauce one 23.5-ounce jar (Aldi) — $1.38
8-12 ounces 2-3 cups shredded cheese (all mozzarella, or a mixture of your favorite pizza-friendly cheeses) (Aldi – $1.69 for 8oz) — $2.54
3.5 ounce package of sliced pepperoni I use turkey pepperoni (Aldi) — $2.89

Ingredients for Garlic Butter French Bread:

1 loaf French bread Walmart — $1.12
3/4 stick butter softened (Aldi – $2.99 for 1-lb) — $0.56
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or use fresh minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375ºF.
Generously grease a 9″ x 13″ pan and set aside.
In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package directions until al dente.
Immediately rinse cooked noodles in cold water until cool. Drain well.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk eggs, milk, parmesan cheese, and seasonings.
Toss cooked noodles into the egg mixture and transfer to a greased 9×13 pan.
Pour the spaghetti sauce on top of the noodles.
Place half of the pepperoni on top of the sauce followed by the shredded cheese and then the remaining pepperoni.
Sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese if desired.
Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
While the Spaghetti Pizza is baking, slice the French bread (I don’t slice it all the way through as it makes it easier to wrap the loaf in foil).
Mix the softened butter with 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
Spread the seasoned butter on both sides of each slice of bread and wrap the loaf in aluminum foil.
Bake the bread in the oven with the Spaghetti Pizza for the last 10-15 minutes, or until the bread’s crust is crispy (but the inside is still soft and yummy!).
Once the spaghetti pizza is golden brown, remove it from the oven and let it stand for at least 5 minutes before cutting it.

Notes

I use turkey pepperoni since we prefer it less greasy and, as a bonus, turkey pepperoni is often cheaper than regular. You can add extra veggies and toppings to customize this recipe to your family’s tastes, but we like it as is — simple and basic. Spaghetti Pizza freezes well too!

Nutrition

More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10:

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

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

My First Time Shopping at Costco and What I Bought for $67

Crystal Paine — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:55:46 +0000

We recently bought a Costco membership for the first time ever because there was this great deal available. When I announced to Instagram that we were getting a Costco membership, let’s just say they were pretty excited (be sure to watch this video!)

We were laughing so hard in this picture because I pulled my camera out to take a picture and then tripped and almost fell while I was taking the picture.

Also, we had to laugh because we had a hard time figuring out where to go to get our membership set up (we had purchased it online, but we still needed to get it activated in store). We ended up walking around the building pushing a shopping cart and looking like we were absolute Costco newbies! We finally figured out we had to go in the exit to get to customer service.

(Speaking of walking around the building, people were not wrong when they told me Costco is usually packed. We went on a Friday morning — which I thought would be pretty quiet since we’d gone to Sam’s Club then and it was quiet. Nope, the parking lot was buzzing with cars and it felt like a holiday weekend with how busy it was. I honestly can’t imagine what it’s like on an actual holiday weekend!! Lots of people have since said to get there within the first hour of opening or to go on a Monday through Wednesday.)

The customer service people were fantastic! They were so helpful and kind and it really felt like they love their jobs — which I was impressed with!

After we got our Costco cards, we started perusing the store. I’m going to be honest: it reminded us a LOT of Sam’s Club. We felt like the layout and offerings were very similar. (I’m so sorry to everyone who told me that Costco was going to change my life. I wasn’t disappointed; it just wasn’t this over-the-top WOW factor experience.)

That said, we did find some great deals! And we also felt like they had more options, more name brands, and more natural and organic products than Sam’s Club. Jesse said it felt like Sam’s Club is for restaurants and businesses and Costco is more for every day families.

We were excited that they carried Zevia at a really fantastic price as Sam’s doesn’t carry it and we go through a 12-pack every week as a family! We also picked up some strawberries for $1.49 per pound, oats for $7.89 for 10 pounds, butter for $2.23 a pound, milk for $2.38 a gallon, and I wanted to try the Kirkland Chicken Nuggets people have told us are as good as the Just Bare Chicken Nuggets and less expensive.

The checkout line was very busy and we probably waited 10 minutes… again, on a Friday morning! Sam’s Club definitely has Costco beat with their Scan & Go option — where you can scan items on the app as you put them in your cart and then just walk out!! But, once again, their employees were incredibly helpful and cheerful.

Here’s what we bought for $67! I was really happy with these purchases.

The one thing I was disappointed in was that they don’t stock yeast (right now? Some people are telling me it’s seasonal?) and Sam’s Club was out so I had to pay $4.19 at Kroger for a little thing of yeast. Hoping one of the stores gets it back in soon!

Oh and also? They don’t have $1 pretzels like Sam’s Club does. I know that sounds so silly, but I was looking forward to getting one as a treat after our shopping trip and was like, “What?? No pretzels??”

Overall, we had a great experience and are excited to go back and explore more! I don’t think it’s going to change our life, but it will be fun to have both Sam’s Club and Costco memberships this year and to compare and contrast them and see what we think at the end of a year of using both!

Do you have a Sam’s Club or Costco membership? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Walgreens 101: How to Save BIG at Walgreens Every Time You Shop

Crystal Paine — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Walgreens is one of those stores that can become a gold mine for savings once you know what to look for. From toothpaste and shampoo to household basics, beauty products, snacks, and even seasonal items, there are weekly opportunities to grab things your family already uses, often for a fraction of the regular price.

Shopping at Walgreens is a little different than other drugstores, but once you understand the basics, it can become one of your favorite places to score everyday essentials at great prices.

I created this in-depth guide to walk you through everything step by step from signing up for rewards, to stacking coupons, to using Register Rewards strategically. That way, you can walk into Walgreens with a plan and walk out knowing you got a great deal.

Before you head to the store, check out this week’s best Walgreens deals so you know exactly what to add to your list! (And, if you want to save even more by shopping at drugstores, be sure to check out this week’s CVS deals under $1 too.)

First Things First: Know Your Store (and How Walgreens Is Different)

Before you even think about coupons or rewards, it helps to understand how Walgreens operates.

Walgreens is a drugstore, which means their everyday shelf prices are often higher than what you’ll see at big-box stores or grocery stores. That’s intentional because the real value at Walgreens comes from sales, promotions, and rewards, not regular price shopping.

Here’s what that means for you:

You’ll almost always want to shop Walgreens with a deal in mind, not just wander the aisles.
The best savings come from weekly promotions, digital coupons, and rewards offers.
Walgreens is especially great for small, targeted trips like stocking up on toiletries, beauty, household basics, and seasonal items rather than full grocery hauls.

Think of Walgreens as a “deal store,” not an “everyday price store.” Once you shift into that mindset, the savings start to make a lot more sense.

If you’re brand new, don’t worry about mastering everything at once. Start small, try one or two deals, and build confidence from there.

Join myWalgreens Rewards (This Is Non-Negotiable!)

If you want to save at Walgreens, the myWalgreens rewards program is your foundation. It’s completely free, and without it, you’ll miss out on most of the best deals and discounts.

When you sign up, you unlock three major benefits:

Earn rewards on qualifying purchases
Access exclusive digital coupons and offers
Track and use your rewards directly from your account

How to Get Set Up with myWalgreens

Sign up at Walgreens.com or through the Walgreens app.
Add your phone number to your account. This is how Walgreens tracks your purchases and applies your digital coupons.
Download the Walgreens app if you haven’t already. It’s one of the easiest ways to manage your savings.

How Walgreens Rewards Work

When you earn Walgreens rewards, they’re added to your account as Walgreens Cash (points that convert into dollars). You can then use that Walgreens Cash like store credit on a future purchase.

For example:

Earn $5 in Walgreens Cash.
On your next transaction, you can apply that $5 toward your total and pay $5 less out of pocket.

This is how a lot of Walgreens savings “snowball”. You use rewards from one deal to help pay for the next deal.

Understanding Walgreens Deals: The Three Big Money-Savers

Walgreens savings usually come from a combination of sales, coupons, and rewards promotions. Once you see how these pieces fit together, the whole system becomes much less intimidating.

Register Rewards: The Walgreens “Secret Weapon”

Register Rewards are coupons that print at the register when you buy certain qualifying products. These are usually tied to weekly promotions, such as: “Buy 2, get $5 Register Reward”

What Makes Register Rewards Special

They print automatically after your transaction (if you meet the deal requirements).
You can use them like cash on your next purchase.
They often stack with both store and manufacturer coupons.

Example in Real Life

Let’s say:

Shampoo is on sale: Buy 2 for $8
The deal gives you a $5 Register Reward
You use a $2 manufacturer coupon

Your out-of-pocket cost is $6, but you get $5 back in Register Rewards which means you effectively paid just $1 for two bottles of shampoo.

This is how people build “rolling” savings at Walgreens by using one reward to help fund the next deal.

Weekly Sales & Store Coupons: Where Planning Pays Off

Every week, Walgreens releases a new ad and new promotions. This is where you’ll find:

Buy-one-get-one deals
Spend-based rewards offers (like “Spend $20, get $5 Walgreens Cash”)
Product-specific Register Rewards
Regular promos for a free 8×10 photo

In addition to sales, Walgreens offers store coupons, which are different from manufacturer coupons.

Why Store Coupons Are Powerful

Store coupons can often be stacked with manufacturer coupons on the same item.

So in one transaction, you might use:

A Walgreens store coupon
A manufacturer’s coupon
Plus earn Register Rewards or Walgreens Cash

That’s how one product can drop from full price to nearly free.

You’ll find store coupons in the Walgreens app, on the website, and sometimes even in weekly booklets in-store.

Digital Coupons & the App: Your Best Savings Tool

If there is one tool that will make your Walgreens shopping easier and more rewarding, it is the Walgreens app. The app acts as your digital coupon wallet, rewards tracker, and weekly ad all in one place, which means you can plan your entire trip before you ever walk through the doors.

Inside the app, you can browse available digital coupons and “clip” the ones you want to use. Once a coupon is clipped, it is saved to your account and will automatically apply at checkout when you enter your phone number or scan your barcode in the app. This eliminates the need to keep track of paper coupons and makes it much easier to take advantage of last-minute deals you spot while you are in the store.

The app also shows you your current Walgreens Cash balance, so you always know how much you have available to use toward your next purchase.

How to Use Digital Coupons Correctly

Open the Walgreens app and “clip” the coupons you want.
Shop in-store or online.
At checkout, enter your phone number or scan your app barcode.
Your coupons should automatically apply.

One important tip: clip coupons before you shop. Once you’re at checkout, it’s often too late for them to apply.

Smart Strategies for Bigger Savings at Walgreens

Saving at Walgreens becomes much easier when you approach each trip with a simple strategy instead of trying to chase every deal in the store. Even a little planning can go a long way toward lowering your out-of-pocket costs.

Stack Savings Whenever Possible

Stacking savings is one of the most effective strategies. It means looking for opportunities to combine a sale price with a digital or paper manufacturer coupon and a Walgreens store coupon, while also qualifying for a rewards offer. When two or three of these overlap, the final price of an item can drop dramatically.

Break Up Your Transactions

If one purchase earns you Walgreens Cash or a Register Reward, you can use that reward on a second transaction instead of applying it to the same one. This allows you to “roll” your rewards forward and stretch your savings across multiple deals in a single trip.

Focus on What Walgreens Does Best

Personal care products, beauty items, household basics, and seasonal merchandise frequently come with strong promotions and rewards offers, making them some of the easiest categories for beginners to practice on.

Let Us Do the Work for You

There’s no need to spend hours hunting through apps and weekly ads — we’ve already done the work for you! Each week, we hand-pick the best Walgreens deals and stack them with the right coupons and rewards strategies so you can walk in the store knowing exactly what to grab and how much you’ll save. Check out this week’s Walgreens deals under $2 — and be sure to save the post because we update it weekly!

Don’t Rush

You do not need to master every Walgreens couponing trick in one week. Each trip is an opportunity to learn something new, whether it is how a reward prints, how a digital coupon applies, or how a store coupon stacks. Over time, these small wins add up and make Walgreens one of the most satisfying places to save.

Start Small and Build Confidence

Saving at Walgreens can look complicated on the surface, but at its core, it’s really about three things: rewards, coupons, and timing.

Ready to save? Check out this week’s best Walgreens deals and start scoring amazing deals. Before long, you’ll be one of those shoppers walking out with a bag of essentials and a receipt that makes you smile.

Be sure to check out all our Walgreens deals, including recent Walgreens free photo coupons.

I’d love to hear how your Walgreens trip goes. Did you try your first deal? Did something surprise you at checkout? Your story might be exactly what someone else needs to read before they head to the store.

Week 14: A Peek Into This Past Week + What I’m Reading, Listening to, and Watching!

Crystal Paine — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:32:00 +0000

Our older three don’t usually go to church with us (they each have their own church communities they are involved in) so it was a special treat when they told me they were all going to go to church with us for Easter yesterday and then that we got to get a family picture!

Our church gave out donuts — which our younger kids were quite excited about.

David was more excited about the weeds! 🙂

And there were chicks at church, too, which David thought was AMAZING – though we discovered he needed to be watched very carefully so he didn’t squeeze the chick too hard!

Our older three planned an Easter Egg hunt for the younger three!

We had an Easter Brunch after church – Breakfast Casserole, Hashbrown Casserole (this recipe is a winner!!), and Homemade Cinnamon Rolls. I made them all on Saturday night and then stuck them in the fridge to bake in the morning.

After brunch, we played a number of rousing rounds of Bananagrams.

Jesse and I were supposed to go away on an overnight trip for our anniversary in January, but the younger kids got strep so we ended up staying home. The AirBNB was so gracious to bump our reservation to Easter Weekend and so Friday and Saturday, we had the BEST time staying at a dome at Center Hill Lake.

It was SO good to get away! We planned the next few months, we ate yummy food (we brought all our food, we hiked, we sat by the fire, we read, we hung out in the hot tub, and we had a rousing game of Scrabble – that I almost lost because Jesse came up with the word Lyceum but then I came up with the word quelm on a double word square and got 62 points for it!! (Quelm is no longer in use but Jesse said I could use an obsolete word when I asked – and then regretted it after I cleaned up with all those points.

Have you been following along with my 10 Weeks to a 10K journey? I never ever expected to be doing this this year, but Kathrynne (my 21-year-old) asked me if I’d join her for a 10k on May 30 — and when your 21 year old asks you to do something, you say yes!

So I did — and here we are! I have 10 weeks to train. I started by seeing if I could actually still run 2 miles without stopping… I was so excited that I could actually do that!!

Next, I went to Fleet Feet Nashville and got my feet scanned and got a whole education on running shoes, socks, and insoles (please do yourself a favorite and sign up for a free appointment if you are considering running and haven’t done so — it was incredibly helpful!). I bought a pair of ASICS, Feetures socks, and insoles.

After that, I made a training plan based upon lots of feedback you all gave me on Instagram stories. I decided to run 4 days a week, strength train 2 days, and have one rest day. I may tweak that down the road, but we’ll see!

And finally, I changed my macros to 50% carbs and upped my calorie intake to make sure I’m fueling my body well!

I finished off last week with running 2.4 miles outside in 27:47. My goal is to hit 3 miles without stopping this next week!

See a video recapping week one of running here.

I’m excited to be doing the Function Health testing again this year! This week I went in for my first round of lab tests of the year.

Function Health is a program that provides 160+ lab tests (from heart to hormones to cancer signals) and gives you a whole body picture of your health.

I’ve found Function Health to be so insightful and it’s WAY less expensive than if you paid out of pocket for these tests!

If you are interested in lot more details, click here for my podcast with my full review of my experience.

We planted our two raised beds this past week – and now I want to buy another because we didn’t have room for flowers!! This is our first time in our marriage to plant a garden!

We planted strawberries, three kinds of lettuce, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes. The kids were SO excited and it makes me feel badly we didn’t do this with our older kids! But then I remember that I can’t live in guilt and there are many wonderful memories with them!

And yes, please don’t look closely — we probably made all sorts of mistakes, but this is a learning experience!

So many of you loved my Can I Feed 7 People for $10? series — and I’ve had so many requests for more ideas like that! If you are interested, I have a list of 60 simple meals to help you skip takeout and still keep things easy.

This past week, I came up with this super easy build-your-own bowl recipe — and it’s been such a win on busy week nights!

You can grab my free cheatsheet with 60 meal ideas for nights when you’re tempted to grab takeout!

I shared this on Instagram this past week and I thought it might encourage some of you:

We never planned to adopt a child with significant disabilities. In fact, the idea really scared me…

When the case worker dropped David off in the middle of the night five years ago, we assumed we would just foster him for a few months. But God had other plans…

Another family had been planning to adopt him and we were just caring for him in the interim until everything was worked out for him to move to their home. However, we didn’t know God was actually preparing our hearts to be his forever family.

When the other family came to us and said they were having a lot of doubts and reservations about adopting, I was utterly heartbroken at first. They seemed like the perfect home and family for him and it was everything we had hoped for him and his future. I was so scared for David’s future…

It was then that I realized just how deeply attached and madly in love I was with this boy. When the other family told us, “We see how you interact with David and we really feel like you are supposed to adopt him” I couldn’t even imagine that reality — but I also couldn’t imagine a world where we weren’t in his life.

We prayed that every single member of our immediate family would be on board if we were supposed to say yes (and God moved some mountains for that to happen!) and then…

We thought and talked about what this would look like realistically in 10, 20, 30, and 40 years from now.

I wanted everyone to understand what we were saying yes to and to really think about what that meant longterm.

There was a short grieving of what we thought our lives would look like and a receiving of the gift of the story God was writing. We have zero doubts today but we definitely had to wrestle through things to get to that place.

I think that God rarely calls us to things that are easy. If life was easy, we wouldn’t need Him.

Saying yes to David radically upended my neat little world and forced me to rely upon Jesus in a whole new way.

I am a completely different person with a completely different faith in God’s goodness because of our sweet unexpected gift of a son.

Stepping out in faith and saying yes to scary and overwhelming things gives us the opportunity to get to experience His faithfulness in really profound ways.

It changes us when we start to understand that we don’t have to step into the unknown in our own strength. That God is immensely faithful – even in the hard – and that He is still in the business of working miracles and He delights in doing the impossible.

I don’t know what God is calling you to do today that might feel super scary and overwhelming, but I can say with all the fervency in the world: don’t let fear hold you back from stepping out in faith.

It won’t be easy, but it just might be the hardest best thing you ever do in your life!

Jesse and I took Micah and Kierstyn to see the new Mario movie on Friday. They had a BLAST and it was a cute movie!

By the way, if movie tickets are super expensive where you live (like they are here!) check out this deal!

Q&A’s From This Week

Question: What did you prayerfully consider when you adopted David? In a similar-ish situation

Answer: We prayed that every single member of our immediate family would be on board if we were supposed to say yes (and God moved some mountains for that to happen!) and then we thought and talked about what this would look like realistically in 10, 20, 30, and 40 years from now.

I wanted everyone to understand what we were saying yes to and to really think about what that would mean longterm.

Question: How did you know it is time to change your kids’ school situations? My kids are doing ok

Answer: We re-evaluate schooling for each of our kids every year. (Praying. Talking with our kids. Evaluating whether they are in a situation that is helping them thrive.) This means that each child has taken a different path. We are in the process of making big schooling decisions for David (he’s starting Kindergarten in the fall!!) and Silas (he will be changing schools in the fall but we’re still waiting and praying for clear direction as to what that looks like!)

We pray. We have really honest conversations with our kids. We your schools. We talk to teachers and administration. We ask friends who have experience with the schools. We think outside the box (is homeschool or a hybrid a better option? Etc.) and we keep praying.

Books I Finished This Past Week

I had really hoped to finish The Nightingale this past week, but I ended up not having a lot of time to read fiction. I’m holding out hope I’ll have a lot of fiction updates for this coming week!

I finished How to Love Your Morning by Jennifer Dukes Lee and loved the book. It’s packed with so much deep heartfelt encouragement + practical insight. I’m just sad the book is finished because I didn’t want it to end! with the book!

What I’m Watching

I’m continuing to watch When Calls the Heart — hoping to finish Season 11 this week! And Jesse and I are hoping to start a new show to watch together. We have some ideas, but we’ll see what we land on!

What I’m Listening To

I’ve been listening to a lot of worship music on my runs — and that’s about it! You can find my favorite worship playlist here.

Podcast Episode This Week: How to Love Your Morning Even If You’re Not a Morning Person with Jennifer Dukes Lee

I am so thrilled to have today’s guest on the show because not only does she have brilliant insights to share, she is also a very dear friend as well as my acquisitions editor! Jennifer Dukes Lee is the author of the book How to Love Your Morning: Faith-Filled Habits to Build a Life of Joy and Purpose One Day at a Time, and she joins me for this episode to talk about just that – how to love your morning!

Jennifer offers a refreshing perspective that mornings aren’t about the time on the clock but are rather about the mindset that you bring into the day. You don’t have to wake up at 5 a.m. or have two hours of quiet to start well. It’s about the little intentional choices that you make such as greeting God in prayer, practicing gratitude, or reflecting on Scripture. She reframes mornings as sacred opportunities even on the hardest days and gives practical ways to create rhythms that fit your life, whether you’re caring for kids, grieving, exhausted from night shifts, or just overwhelmed.

We talk about how small, realistic habits such as setting out clothes the night before, keeping a prayer list by the espresso maker, or even just stepping outside for a moment of sunlight can truly change your day by setting it on the right track. Listen in as Jennifer shares stories from women across different life stages, as well as historical and everyday figures, showing that there’s no one “perfect” morning routine. I especially love how her book makes it so accessible; it’s permission-giving, practical, and so encouraging!

We also discuss the accompanying six-session Bible study that helps you explore mornings in scripture, offering a chance to go deeper, alone or with friends. Jennifer’s insights reminded me why approaching the day with intention, hope, and God at the center can reshape not just your mornings but your overall life! If you have ever wished that mornings felt less stressful, more meaningful, or simply more joyful, then this episode is definitely for you!

Listen to this episode here.

In Case You Missed It – Links From This Week

My episode on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast— I was honored to get to return to The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast this week for a conversation about what it takes to move from constantly behind and worn out to a life marked by peace, purpose, and intention. In this episode, Ginny and I talk about motherhood, margin, money, home rhythms, digital distraction, raising capable kids, learning from failure, and the long view that changes everything when your days feel full and frayed. My hopes is that this episode will leave listeners believing that small shifts really can change the atmosphere of a home.

Easiest Homemade Easter Candy Recipe (Easter Basket Idea!) — This homemade Easter candy is such a simple and delicious option for a fun treat to add to Easter baskets this year. It only takes a few ingredients, comes together quickly, and makes a festive Easter bark that kids and adults both love!

Cheesy Potato Soup and Bread Machine Dinner Rolls ($10 Family Dinner Idea) — 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.

Want to build a stronger relationship with your teen daughter? Here are 10 more ideas to add to the 10 other ideas I shared a few weeks ago.

Easy Rice Pudding Recipe You’ll Love — This traditional rice pudding is such a yummy, comforting, inexpensive dessert! You can eat it year-round and some of prefer it warm, while others of us eat it cold — but we can all agree that this recipe is a winner!

Easy Rice Pudding Recipe You’ll Love

Brigette — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 21:02:00 +0000

This traditional rice pudding is such a yummy, comforting, inexpensive dessert! My family eats it year-round and some of us prefer it warm, while others of us eat it cold — but we can all agree that this recipe is a winner! I got the recipe from my mother-in-law, who often made it for her children when they were growing up (and she still makes it for us when we come to visit!).

It requires only a few simple ingredients, all of which are staples at our house, meaning this is a recipe I can always throw together quickly. It’s an easy, budget-friendly, crowd-pleasing recipe to bring to get-togethers (plus it’s gluten-free!), and I often get asked for the recipe. You can’t go wrong with this one!

Rice Pudding Ingredients

4 cups whole milk plus 4 cups water
1 cup rice
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 Tablespoon butter
Cinnamon for sprinkling, if desired

How to Make Easy Rice Pudding

1. In a large pot, bring rice, milk, water and salt to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low (I leave the lid cracked open to avoid it spilling over). Simmer until thick, stirring occasionally.

2. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Add the sugar and evaporated milk to the eggs and beat well.

3. Beat a little of the hot rice mixture into the egg mixture. Slowly pour the egg mixture into the rice, stirring constantly until combined well.

4. Continue cooking and stirring over low heat until bubbly.

5. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla.

6. Pour the classic rice pudding into a 9×13 pan or casserole dish and sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired. This can be enjoyed either warm or cold!

Rice Pudding

Rice pudding is such a yummy, comforting, inexpensive dessert! My family eats it year-round and some of us prefer it warm, while others of us eat it cold — but we can all agree that this recipe is a winner!

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American, Indian

Keyword dessert, family favorite, gluten free, homemade, no-bake, quick snack, snack

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Servings

Calories 325kcal

Author Brigette

Ingredients

4 cups whole milk
4 cups water
1 cup rice
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 Tablespoons butter
Cinnamon for sprinkling if desired

Instructions

In a large pot, bring rice, milk, water and salt to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low (I leave the lid cracked open to avoid it spilling over). Simmer until thick, stirring occasionally.
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Add the sugar and evaporated milk to the eggs and beat well.
Beat a little of the hot rice mixture into the egg mixture. Slowly pour the egg mixture into the rice, stirring constantly until combined well.
Continue cooking and stirring over low heat until bubbly.
Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla.
Pour into a 9×13 pan or casserole dish and sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired. This can be enjoyed either warm or cold!

Nutrition

Rice Pudding FAQs:

Is rice pudding healthy?

Rice pudding has calcium, protein, and rice, making it a healthier dessert, but it also has a high sugar content so enjoy in moderation.

Can dogs eat rice pudding?

Rice pudding isn’t toxic for dogs (as long as it doesn’t have raisins added!), but due to the high sugar content and dairy it’s not a healthy treat for them.

Can you freeze rice pudding?

Yes! Cool it completely and freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

What rice to use for rice pudding?

I recommend using white rice. The length of rice you use will determine how creamy it is — shorter rice like Arborio will yield an extra creamy texture.

What does rice pudding taste like?

Rice pudding is creamy and custardy with flavors of vanilla, cinnamon, and milk.

Where did rice pudding originate?

Rice pudding has been enjoyed around the world for centuries and is thought to have originated in India and China.

More Recipes You’ll Love:

Also be sure to check out all our easy dessert recipes!

If you make this easy rice pudding recipe, I’d love for you to leave a review and let us know how it turned out!

Brigette’s $46 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 4!

Brigette — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 15:39:09 +0000

After taking inventory of our pantry and refrigerators and freezers, I decided to buy as little as possible this week and work on eating up some of the surplus and leftovers we already have in the house. I’ve overbought several of the last few weeks (there have been two different weeks of having my two college kids home for spring break, and I’ve wanted them to come home to every single one of their favorite homemade foods and snacks, haha), so this week will help balance that out.

Aldi

1 gallon Milk – $2.96

1 large canister Oats – $3.49

2 32-oz cartons Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt – $5.58

1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $2.85

1 32-oz carton Egg Whites – $9.58

1 32-oz bag Organic Rice – $4.89

1 bag Frozen Strawberries – $3.49

1 3-ct pkg Multi-Colored Peppers – $2.25

2 8-oz blocks Mozzarella Cheese – $3.38

1 pkg Turkey Pepperoni – $2.89

1 pkg Turkey Bacon – $3.25

2 cans Garbanzo Beans – $1.70

Grocery Total for the Week: $46.31

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Cereal, Oatmeal, Yogurt Bowls, Smoothies, Eggs

Lunches

Leftovers

Dinners

Meat and Potato Crust Quiche, Broccoli, Biscuits

Venison Roast, Baked Potato Wedges, Cauliflower

Spaghetti Pizza, French Bread

Chicken Gravy over Rice, Tossed Salad

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks, Peas, Creamy Milk Rice

Ham Steaks, Mashed Potatoes, Make-Ahead Butterhorns, Green Beans

Pancakes, Bacon, Scrambled Eggs

Cheesy Potato Soup and Bread Machine Dinner Rolls ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

Brigette — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:00:00 +0000

There’s nothing better than a big pot of homemade soup and a pan of freshly baked rolls for dinner! We’ve had some unseasonably cool days here in the Carolinas (mixed in with some unseasonably hot days, haha), and today was the perfect day for Cheesy Potato Soup. As a bonus, my 17-yr old is home for spring break, and his favorite dinner is soup. Any kind of soup.

We had some leftover ham in the freezer from discounted ham I bought after Thanksgiving, so I substituted diced ham for the ground beef the recipe calls for. Every single person in our family loves this soup! It’s not as rich as traditional potato soup, which makes it filling but not heavy.

I served the Cheesy Potato Soup with Crystal’s super easy Bread Machine Dinner Rolls, but feel free to throw in a different side. The soup also pairs well with a tossed salad or a fruit salad or, if you’re short on a time, just serve it with crackers!

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.

Cheesy Potato Soup and Dinner Rolls Menu:

Ingredients for Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup:

2 cups diced ham (used in place of 1-lb ground beef) (Aldi) — $1.49
1 onion, peeled and diced (Aldi — $2.09 for 2 lbs) — $0.30
2 carrots, peeled and diced (Aldi – $0.99 for 2lbs) — $0.35
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced (Aldi – $1.75 for 3-ct pkg) — $0.18
8 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed (Aldi – $3.49 for 10-lbs) — $1.40
1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning (substituted for basil and parsley) (Aldi) — $0.20
4 cups chicken broth (I used 4 chicken bouillon cubes and 4 cups water) (Aldi) — $0.30
2 cups milk (Aldi – $3.05 for 1 gallon) — $0.38
1/3 cup flour (Harris Teeter – $1.99 for 5-lbs) – $0.04
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (Aldi — $3.29 for 4 cups) — $0.82
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (Aldi — $2.99 for 16-oz) — $0.37
Salt and pepper to taste, if needed (using ham adds extra salt, so I didn’t need any)

Total: $6.13 (makes 6 servings)

Ingredients for Bread Machine Dinner Rolls:

1 cup warm milk (Aldi – $3.05 for 1 gallon) — $0.19
1/2 cup butter, softened (Aldi – $3.49 for 4 sticks) — $0.87
1/4 cup sugar (Aldi – $2.86 for 9 1/2 cups) — $0.08
2 eggs (Aldi – $1.66 for 12) — $0.28
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups flour (Harris Teeter – $1.97 for 19 cups) — $0.40
1 Tablespoon instant (or rapid-rise) yeast (Sam’s Club – 2lbs for $6.88) — $0.08

Total: $1.90 (makes 20 rolls)

Grand Total for Dinner: $8.03

How to Make Easy Cheesy Potato Soup and Bread Machine Dinner Rolls:

1. Make the rolls in the bread machine, following the instructions here (or on the recipe card below).

2. While the dough cycle is running, prep all of the vegetables for the soup. Peel and dice the onion and garlic. Peel and cut the carrots into chunks. Peel and cube the potatoes.

3. Follow the instructions for making Cheesy Potato Soup (on the recipe card below). Since I substituted ham for the ground beef, I added a drizzle of olive oil while frying the vegetables (because I didn’t have fat in the pan from frying the ground beef).

4. Follow both recipes as written otherwise, and you’ll have an amazing homemade family dinner for less than $10!

5. Enjoy the finished Cheesy Potato Soup with the homemade rolls fresh out of the oven! We eat this soup as is, but you could get creative and add toppings such as chives, chopped green onions, sour cream, etc.

Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup with Bread Machine Rolls

There’s nothing better than a big pot of homemade soup and a pan of freshly baked rolls for dinner! This soup is not as rich as traditional potato soup, which makes it filling but not heavy. It also pairs well with a tossed salad or a fruit salad or, if you’re short on a time, just serve it with crackers!

Course Bread, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American

Keyword bread machine, brunch, easy dinner, family favorite, homemade, potatoes, rolls, soup, weeknight dinner

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 45

Bread Machine Run Time 1 30

Servings

Calories 743kcal

Author Brigette

Cost $8.03

Ingredients

Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup Ingredients:

2 cups diced ham used in place of 1-lb ground beef (Aldi) — $1.49
1 onion peeled and diced (Aldi — $2.09 for 2 lbs) — $0.30
2 carrots peeled and diced (Aldi – $0.99 for 2lbs) — $0.35
3 cloves garlic peeled and minced (Aldi – $1.75 for 3-ct pkg) — $0.18
8 medium potatoes peeled and cubed (Aldi – $3.49 for 10-lbs) — $1.40
1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning substituted for basil and parsley (Aldi) — $0.20
4 cups chicken broth I used 4 chicken bouillon cubes and 4 cups water (Aldi) — $0.30
2 cups milk Aldi – $3.05 for 1 gallon — $0.38
1/3 cup flour Harris Teeter – $1.99 for 5-lbs – $0.04
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese Aldi — $3.29 for 4 cups — $0.82
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese Aldi — $2.99 for 16-oz — $0.37
Salt and pepper to taste if needed (using ham adds extra salt, so I didn’t need any)

Bread Machine Dinner Rolls Ingredients:

1 cup warm milk Aldi – $3.05 for 1 gallon — $0.19
1/2 cup butter softened (Aldi – $3.49 for 4 sticks) — $0.87
1/4 cup sugar Aldi – $2.86 for 9 1/2 cups — $0.08
2 eggs Aldi – $1.66 for 12 — $0.28
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups flour Harris Teeter – $1.97 for 19 cups — $0.40
1 Tablespoon instant or rapid-rise yeast (Sam’s Club – 2lbs for $6.88) — $0.08

Instructions

Add dinner roll ingredients to your bread machine in the order listed. Run on dough cycle.
While the dough cycle is running, prep all of the vegetables for the soup. Peel and dice the onion and garlic. Peel and cut the carrots into chunks. Peel and cube the potatoes.
When the dough is complete, divide the dough into 20-24 equal portions and shape each into balls.
Place dough balls on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375º.
In a medium-sized pot, combine a drizzle of olive oil with the onion, carrot, and garlic. Cook and stir until vegetables are softened.
Once the vegetables soften, add the potatoes, Italian seasoning, and broth, and bring to a rolling boil.
Reduce the soup’s heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
While the soup simmers, bake the risen rolls in preheated oven for 13-16 minutes, or until golden brown.
Combine milk and flour for the soup until smooth (this only takes a few seconds in my Vita-Mix). Gradually pour the mixture into the soup, stirring constantly.
Cook and stir until the soup is thickened and starting to boil.
Add cheeses and continue cooking until cheese is melted (another minute or so).
As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush them with melted butter.
Add salt and pepper to the soup to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle with additional cheese if desired. Serve alongside warm rolls, fresh out of the oven!

Notes

We eat this soup as is, but you could get creative and add toppings such as chives, chopped green onions, sour cream, etc.

Nutrition

FAQs about Cheesy Potato Soup and Homemade Dinner Rolls:

Can you freeze cheesy potato soup?

I don’t recommend freezing this soup because the potatoes will probably become grainy when thawed and the dairy might separate.

Can you freeze bread machine dinner rolls?

These easy dinner rolls do freeze nicely for several months. Simply cool them completely and store them in an air-tight container or freezer bag.

What are some common toppings for cheesy potato soup?

We eat this soup as is, but you could get creative and add toppings such as chives, chopped green onions, sour cream, etc.

What will thicken my potato soup?

My recipe’s flour thickens the soup (mix with milk first to prevent clumps). If it needs further thickening, mix a bit more flour with a splash of milk and add.

How can I make this cheesy broccoli and potato soup?

Once the potatoes are nearly tender and before adding the milk, flour, and cheese, add chopped broccoli and cook for another 5-7 minutes.

How long does it take to make bread machine dinner rolls?

These rolls take about 2 hours: The dough cycle is usually 90 minutes, plus 10 minutes to roll, 15 minutes to rise, and 15 minutes to bake.

More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10:

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

LITE Feed, Money Saving Mom®

15 “Weird” Ways to Save Money

Clever Ways to Save Money:

1. Cut Open Bottles to Get Every Last Drop

2. Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap

3. Add Water to Nearly-Empty Bottles

4. Ask for a Discount (Yes, Really)

5. Think in Terms of Hourly Wage

6. Make Your Own Cleaners

7. Skip Paper Towels (Almost Entirely)

8. Don’t Use Dryer Sheets

9. Stay Home More Often

10. Scan Your Receipts for Cash Back

11. Learn Basic Fixes on YouTube

12. Repurpose Old Clothes

13. Use Gift Card Promotions to Earn Extra Fuel Points

14. Double-Check Medical Bills

15. Eat from the Pantry

Small Habits Can Lead to More Financial Breathing Room

More Money-Saving Inspiration:

What’s something “weird” you do to save money? I’d love for you to add your ideas to my list in the comments!

Ready to finally stick to your budget once and for all?!

Brigette’s $132 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 4!

Aldi

Publix

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Lunches

Dinners

FREE One Week Menu Plan!

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10. Glam Up Facial Sheet Mask Set

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12. Mama and Baby Bear Necklace

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15. Nail Clippers and Beauty Tool Portable Set

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Easy Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet Menu:

Ingredients for Cheesy Kielbasa Skillet and Sides:

How to Make Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet:

Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10:

If you make this Cheesy Pasta and Kielbasa Skillet, we’d love for you to leave a review and let us know how it turned out!

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1. Rotisserie Chicken

2. Member’s Mark Toilet Paper

3. Paper Towels & Paper Goods

4. Eggs (Especially Pasture-Raised)

5. Ground Beef (Including Grass-Fed)