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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Is Nourish?

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

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

My Completely Honest (+ Very Vulnerable) Nourish Dietitian Review

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

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

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

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

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

What I’m Learning from My Nourish Dietician

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

My dietitian has helped me:

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

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

Finding Food Freedom

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

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

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

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

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

Taking My Wellness Even Further

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

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

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

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

Making the Most of Your Free Dietitian Online

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

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

How Much Does a Session Cost with a Nourish Dietitian?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s what you need to know:

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

Why I Recommend It

If you’re:

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

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

What Others Are Saying

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

Ready to try Nourish?

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

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

Nourish FAQ

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

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

More Links You’ll Love:

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

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

FREE Goal Setting Worksheets!

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

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When creating a budget, it’s difficult to anticipate all the expenses you’ll encounter, whether they’re annual expenses, unexpected ones, or even large one-time purchases you’ll want to plan for.

It’s easier to nail down the obvious categories: rent or mortgage, groceries, utilities, and car payments. But it’s those irregular or less obvious expenses that tend to sneak up on us and throw a perfectly good budget off track.

So I polled my Instagram followers about common items people might forget to budget for. And, wow, they came up with a HUGE list of great ideas!!

This isn’t a “read it and forget it” list. Save it, pin it, and come back to it next time you’re building or reviewing your budget. Chances are at least one of these will save you from an unpleasant surprise down the road.

45 Items You Might Forget to Budget for:

Health & Personal Care

1. Insurance co-pays
2. Prescriptions
3. Haircuts
4. Vitamins & supplements
5. Pet meds & vet visits
6. Dental & orthodontic work (this can really add up with a bunch of kids!)
7. At-home medical supplies (bandages, gauze, over-the-counter meds)

Vehicles

1. Irregular maintenance (new brakes, rotors, AC, etc.)
2. Oil changes
3. New tires
4. Car inspections
5. Taxes
6. License and registration fees
7. Car wash memberships
8. Saving up for a new-to-you vehicle purchase

Kids and Family

1. School supplies
2. Teacher gifts
3. Supplies or fees for hobbies
4. Sports fees & equipment
5. Music lessons and instruments
6. Tickets for sport/music events and concerts
7. Hot lunch and special snack money
8. Back-to-school shopping
9. Kids’ activities
10. Family fun
11. Family vacations
12. College funds

Holidays and Special Events

1. Christmas decor & wrapping supplies
2. Christmas gifts
3. Postage for Christmas cards
4. Family photo sessions
5. Hosting (in addition to your regular grocery budget)
6. Anniversary and birthday outings / special meals

Home

1. Home repairs
2. Replacing home appliances
3. New plants and flowers
4. Tree removal
5. Irrigation repair
6. Natural disasters
7. Pest control
8. Saving up for a big home purchase like a new roof, HVAC, or septic system

Other

1. Giving & tithing
2. Unpaid time off work for sickness or family needs
3. Annual subscriptions (Amazon Prime, Netflix, various software programs, online courses)
4. Inflation on things you are saving for (they will be more expensive by the time you’ve saved enough)

How to Account for These Budget Items

Whew — that’s a lot. Don’t panic though! Chances are, you won’t have all of these included in your budget, because everyone’s budget looks different depending on life circumstances, priorities, and goals. And if you use our FREE budgeting spreadsheet to set things up, most of these items fall under one of the fixed or variable expenses categories, so you’ll be set!

I would simply encourage you to nail down your financial goals and then set up a simple budget to track everything. Run through this list after you set up your budget to be sure you didn’t forget anything that’s important to you!

Reset Your Finances with My Money Reset Toolkit (FREE with preorder!)

One of the biggest mistakes I see women make is believing they have to fix everything about their finances all at once. We tell ourselves we’ll finally get serious about money when we have more time, earn more income, or can completely overhaul our budget.

But lasting financial health rarely happens that way. Instead it happens one wise decision at a time.

That’s why I created this Money Reset Toolkit, which includes two printable products, 10-Minute Money Reset worksheet + What to Do First With Your Money Roadmap, created to help you reset your finances, get clear on your priorities, and know exactly what to do next. 

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply unsure what to do next, this printable toolkit will help you stop spinning your wheels and focus on one simple, meaningful step at a time. And you’ll be able to use these simple, actionable tools again and again, anytime you need a financial reset or a clear next step.

Wondering how to get this toolkit? When you pre-order my newest book, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women, from any retailer, you are eligible to claim an incredible collection of exclusive pre-order bonuses — including this bonus: The Money Reset Toolkit. And your pre-order gives you access to all the bonuses released so far and every new bonus still to come before the book launches! There are so many practical resources included, and I don’t want you to miss them!

Pre-order your copy + claim your bonuses here!

Did we miss any items you might forget to budget for? What else would you add to this list?

Ready to finally stick to your budget once and for all?!

 Tracking your budget doesn’t have to be overwhelming or complicated! Use these FREE Budget Spreadsheets to easily plan and track your spending each month!

Send me my FREE budgeting spreadsheets!

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2026

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

Amazon says this about Prime Big Deal Days 2026:

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

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

Other retailers will likely join in, too!

Because of how popular Prime Big Deal Days is, other major retailers usually have HUGE sales that week, too. We will keep you posted as soon as we hear of any other major retailers joining this sale.

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

How to Get The Best Deals on Prime Big Deal Days

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

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

We’ll be here all day both days!

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

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

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

5 Tips For Preparing For Amazon Prime Days

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

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

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

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

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

2. Subscribe to our Hot Deals email newsletter.

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

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

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

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

Sign up for this newsletter here.

3. Follow us on Instagram.

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

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

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

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

4. Follow our Facebook Page

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

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

5. Make a List & Budget

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

How to Earn Free Gift Cards For Prime Days

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

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

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

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

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

Never miss a HOT deal again!

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

Yes, I want the HOT Deals!

This “recipe” can be customized according to what vegetables your family likes (which unfortunately rules out mushrooms and onions at our house — both of which are amazing in this stir fry if you ask me!), and you can make more or less of the sauce, depending on your taste preferences. I love that this is such a healthy way to get a large amount of vegetables into one meal without even feeling like you’re eating healthily!

It does take some prep work — washing and chopping vegetables — but once you’ve done that, the recipe practically makes itself. And the leftovers are possibly even better the next day! By the way, if you want to save time, just substitute a couple of bags of frozen vegetables for all of the fresh vegetables in this recipe.

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.

Chinese Chicken Stir Fry Menu:

• Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry
• Steamed Rice

Ingredients for Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies:

• 1-lb boneless chicken tenderloins or breasts, diced into small pieces (Aldi – $2.19/lb) — $2.19
• 4 Tablespoons olive oil, divided (Aldi – $7.25 for 33 tablespoons) — $0.88
• 3/4 lb broccoli, chopped into bite-size florets (Aldi – $2.09/lb) — $1.57
• Approximately 3 cups additional fresh vegetables, chopped (I used peppers and carrots) — $1
• 2 green onions, diced (Aldi – $0.99/bag) — $0.15
• 1 can water chestnuts (optional — I use because we love them!) (Publix) — $0.99

Ingredients for Sauce:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce (Aldi – $1.50 for 10oz) — $0.60
• 4 Tablespoons brown sugar (Aldi – $1.85 for 2 lbs) — $0.09
• Garlic cloves, minced, to taste (I used 5, divided)
• Fresh ginger, peeled and finely diced, to taste (I used 2 Tablespoons of fresh ginger, divided) — $0.50
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil (Walmart – $3.48 for 5 oz) — $0.34
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch (Aldi – $2.09 for 16 oz) — $0.07

Total for Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry: $8.38 (serves 6)

Ingredients for Steamed Rice:

• 3 cups dry rice (Aldi – $6.75 for 5 lbs) — $1.69
• Water
• Salt

Total for Rice: $1.69 (serves 6)

Total Cost for Dinner: $10.07 (makes 6 servings)

How to Make Chinese Chicken Stir Fry:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients, adding only half of the minced garlic and finely diced ginger. Set aside.

2. Cook the 3 cups of rice according to the directions on the package (or using your prefered method to cook rice).

3. Heat a wok or electric skillet to medium-high. Add 2 Tablespoons of olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Stir in the diced chicken and cook until done and starting to brown, stirring often (don’t overcook!). Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

4. Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet along with the chopped carrots and broccoli pieces. Cook and stir until the vegetables are just starting to turn tender. Add the remaining vegetables and continue to cook and stir an additional 1-2 minutes.

5. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Cook and stir until the sauce thickens.

6. Serve the stir fry over rice.

Note: You can garnish the stir fry with additional chopped green onions, sesame seeds and/or peanuts or cashews if desired.

Print

Chinese Chicken Stir Fry with Vegetables and Rice ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

This recipe is a throwback to some of the flavors we grew to love when we lived in Taiwan for 2 years! It’s definitely “Americanized” in the fact that you can buy all of these ingredients at any local grocery store, but it still reminds my husband and me of some of our favorite traditional dishes from Taiwan. I also love that this is such a healthy way to get a large amount of vegetables into one meal without even feeling like you’re eating healthily!

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Chinese

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

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 664kcal

Author Brigette

Cost $10.07

Ingredients

Ingredients for Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry:

• 1- lb boneless chicken tenderloins or breasts diced into small pieces (Aldi – $2.19/lb) — $2.19
• 4 Tablespoons olive oil divided (Aldi – $7.25 for 33 tablespoons) — $0.88
• 3/4 lb broccoli chopped into bite-size florets (Aldi – $2.09/lb) — $1.57
• 3 cups additional fresh vegetables chopped (I used peppers and carrots) — $1
• 2 green onions diced (Aldi – $0.99/bag) — $0.15
• 1 can water chestnuts optional — I use because we love them! (Publix) — $0.99

Ingredients for Sauce:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce Aldi – $1.50 for 10oz — $0.60
• 4 Tablespoons brown sugar Aldi – $1.85 for 2 lbs — $0.09
• 5 cloves garlic cloves minced, to taste, and divided
• 2 Tbsp Fresh ginger peeled and finely diced, to taste, and divided— $0.50
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil Walmart – $3.48 for 5 oz — $0.34
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch Aldi – $2.09 for 16 oz — $0.07

Ingredients for Steamed Rice:

• 3 cups dry rice Aldi – $6.75 for 5 lbs — $1.69
• Water
• Salt

Instructions

• In a small bowl, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients, adding only half of the minced garlic and finely diced ginger. Set aside.
• Cook the 3 cups of rice according to the directions on the package (or using your prefered method to cook rice).
• Heat a wok or electric skillet to medium-high. Add 2 Tablespoons of olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Stir in the diced chicken and cook until done and starting to brown, stirring often (don’t overcook!). Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
• Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet along with the chopped carrots and broccoli pieces. Cook and stir until the vegetables are just starting to turn tender. Add the remaining vegetables and continue to cook and stir an additional 1-2 minutes.
• Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Cook and stir until the sauce thickens.
• Serve the stir fry over rice.

Notes

This “recipe” can be customized according to what vegetables your family likes (which unfortunately rules out mushrooms and onions at our house — both of which are amazing in this stir fry if you ask me!), and you can make more or less of the sauce, depending on your taste preferences.

You can garnish the stir fry with additional chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and/or peanuts or cashews, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 664kcal | Carbohydrates: 110g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 1207mg | Potassium: 966mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 416IU | Vitamin C: 65mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 3mg

FAQs about Chinese Chicken Stir Fry:

More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10:

• Cheesy Baked Tortellini and Green Bean Fries
• Bubble Pizza
• Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet
• French Toast Casserole and Baked Scrambled Eggs
• Easy Baked Chicken
• Biscuits and Gravy
• Quick & Easy Mini Calzones
• Mexican Lasagna
• Easy Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet
• Chicken Alfredo Pizza
• Chicken Burgers and Baked Fries
• Spaghetti Pizza

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

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

FREE DOWNLOAD: 60 Meals To Help You Avoid Takeout!

Meal time just got so much easier!

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Last week I shared about day 1 of my trip to NYC with Kaitlynn to celebrate her recent graduation! If you missed it, last week’s post includes details about our fun first day and my advice for traveling to NYC on a budget. 

And now for day 2! Kaitlynn and I slept in after our late night at the show, had a leisurely morning, and then took the subway to the West Village.

First up, we visited Bagel Pub – they had an incredible array of fresh made bagels and a plethora of cream cheese options. Kaitlynn got an egg and cheese bagel sandwich and I got a protein bagel sandwich – turkey, Swiss cheese, egg white on a whole wheat bagel. They were fantastic!!

Next up, we walked to C.O. Bigelow — a famous Apothecary that has all sorts of unique brands, some that are rare to find in the US. Unlike so many other places we had been on the trip, everything felt very over-priced. So we didn’t end up buying anything. 

We capped off our time in the West Village with coffee at Blank Street Coffee @blankstreetcoffee — I mean, Kaitlynn totally matched the restaurant so we couldn’t help checking it out! But we were so impressed with it. I got a decaf latte but Kaitlynn got a Harvest Chai Latte — it had sweet potato jam in it! And she said it was SO good! It looked beautiful! I took a sip of it and it tasted like it was all made in-house with high quality ingredients! 

We sat at coffee and talked about life and her future and her new job and budgeting — and before we knew it, it was time to head back to the hotel to grab our suitcases and get to the airport.

I am so thankful that Kaitlynn and I got to have this special getaway! It was the perfect amount of time away to do so much but not feel rushed! And we made so many memories that we will carry with us for a long time!

Happy 46th birthday to the man I met at age 9 (he was 10 then!), fell in love with as a teen, married at age 21, have raised 6 babies with (+ cared for two more bonus babies with!), and have been the wife of for almost 24 years!!

Jesse, next to my salvation, saying yes to marry you was the best decision I ever made. We had no idea the adventures God had in store for our future — and the many challenges along the way — when we said “I do!”, but what a gift to be on this journey together! 

You are truly one of the most selfless people I’ve ever known. Like one of our kids said recently to me, “Dad would do anything for you!” And it’s true!

As I looked through pictures of this past year, I was struck by how they pretty much all involved you caring for someone, helping someone, or sacrificing for someone. You truly lay down your life for your family every single day!

Thank you for all the wonderful memories from this past year — including an overnight getaway in a domed yurt on the river, all the trips for baseball games and family events, the fun date nights, the middle-of-the-night conversations, the dreaming of our future together, the laughter and constant teasing, a colonoscopy, two graduations, watching you face your fears at the CrossFit competition, and getting to walk together with our older kids and care for our younger kids. 

I love you so much and am so thankful to be married to my very best friend. You are incredible and I’d marry you all over again. 

(One of the things Jesse wanted to do for his birthday was to go get the handicap placard for our car — something we had been wanting to get for when we are in really big parking lots or at a big event or if David is having a hard day.)

Here’s yet another way Jesse cares for me — last Sunday, I was feeling really overwhelmed. Launching my book, running the business and entering quarter 4, caring for 6 kids (sometimes 7!), and potentially moving sso getting my house ready to go on the market… phew! It’s all a lot. There was SO much in my head and I was telling Jesse that the weight of all the mental things that I feel like I should do, need to do, want to do… it was all feeling heavy. 

So Jesse suggested I write out everything in my head that was weighing me down, and he stood there with me as I did it — he’s such a good man! — and once I did that, he said, “Okay, I’m going to help you figure out some systems.” 

Being the researcher he is, he started researching what can help and asked me what I thought would help. I said I had researched some chore apps, the Skylight digital calendar, knock-off Skylights… I told him I’m just trying to find a system that can keep track of all the things, especially when it comes to our home, chores, kids’ chores, kids’ activities, and more. I just want some systems so it’s not just whatever feels most urgent and pressing, but helps me focus on what’s most important. And, I want a central place to collect all those random things that pop up — lightbulbs! laundry! toilet paper!

So he did all the research and came to me and said he really thought the best option was a Skylight calendar. (This is the one we got.) I couldn’t believe it — I thought they were so gimmicky and I was cynical about them for the last two years. But, y’all, I’m so excited!!! 

I’ll keep you posted as we set it up and use it! In the meantime, if you have one of these, send me all your best advice for making the most of it! 

Money can be one of the hardest things to talk about in a marriage — which is exactly why I’m so excited about this pre-order bonus for The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women!

When you pre-order from any retailer, you are eligible to claim an incredible collection of exclusive pre-order bonuses — including the Couples’ Guide to Healthy Money Conversations. 

Jesse and I have learned over the years just how important it is to talk openly and honestly about money even when those conversations aren’t always easy. Learning how to listen well, understand where the other person is coming from, and work toward shared goals has made such a difference for us.

This practical guide is designed to help you do the same, with simple prompts and tools to help you start meaningful conversations, better understand each other, and work together toward a healthier financial future.

And your pre-order makes you eligible to claim all the bonuses released so far and every new bonus still to come before the book launches! Check them out below!

Pre-order your copy + claim your bonuses here!

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days: Coming Soon!

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

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

This Week on The Crystal Paine Show: My Trip to Guatemala

Tune in this week as Jesse and I talk all about my recent trip to Guatemala! I have alluded to this trip to Guatemala in a few earlier episodes, but I am so excited to finally sit down with Jesse and share more of the story.

This was truly a bucket list trip for me. Ever since we adopted David, I have wanted to visit Guatemala to learn more about his culture and history and to better understand what his mom experienced growing up there. I never imagined the opportunity would just fall into my lap the way that it did.

In this episode, I am sharing some of the things that I learned on my trip, the people I met, and the moments that really stayed with me. I had the privilege of spending time with women from a remote village, many of whom work incredibly hard just to provide for their families.

We came with some ideas of what we would do together, but we quickly learned that we needed to be flexible and willing to listen. That sometimes meant playing games, coloring, making tamalitos, or simply sitting down and asking a woman about her day.

One of the most meaningful parts of the trip for me, though, was seeing how much these women had to share once they felt comfortable. We didn’t speak the same language, but we found that there were so many things we could communicate without words. We laughed together, prayed together, and heard stories of hardship, perseverance, and faith.

I also talk about the differences between the communities we visited, the challenges facing local schools, and some of the things that surprised me about Guatemala, including how beautiful and peaceful it was, and, of course, I have to tell you about the food!

This trip really gave me a much deeper appreciation for David’s birth mother and all that she has been through. I hope that you enjoy hearing about it as much as I enjoyed getting to experience it! As always, please feel free to reach out with your questions and/or thoughts!

Listen to the episode here.

What I’m Reading… 

This week, I finished reading Take My Hand and I would highly recommend it. Not only is it a well-written story, but you will likely learn some parts of history that you’ve not heard of and that will likely rend your heart in two, but it’s such an important thing for us to understand and be aware of.

What I’m currently reading: Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, Holy & Hormonal, Every Table an Altar, Calming Your Anxious Child, and This Moment Matters.

What I’m Watching…

This week, Jesse and I went to the theater and watched Runner (there’s a lot of action and intense scenes and a little language, but we enjoyed it – the perfect mix of action, humor, and depth!). Kaitlynn and I also started watching the newest season of Dancing With the Stars.

What I’m Listening to…

I finished listening to The Girl Behind the Wall and really enjoyed it. It made me think about a lot of things related to the Berlin wall that I’ve never thought of before and how hard and challenging it would have been for people.

I’m now halfway through The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Volume 2. I am enjoying this series!

In Case You Missed It — Links from Recent Weeks: 

• Cheesy Baked Tortellini with Green Bean Fries ($10 Family Dinner Idea) — If you love lasagna or spaghetti bakes, this Baked Tortellini is an easier twist on those recipes! Even better, including the baking time, it was finished in less than an hour.
  
• Ask Crystal: Which Budgeting App is Best? — If you’ve ever downloaded a budgeting app, poked around for 10 minutes, and felt overwhelmed… you’re definitely not alone. I hear this from readers all the time: “I know budgeting would help, but I don’t know which is the best budgeting app that is actually worth my time.” So in this post I’m breaking down how EveryDollar, YNAB, and RocketMoney compare, so you can choose the one that makes the most sense for your family. 
  
• Looking for the Best App for Weight Loss? Why Nourish Offers More Than Tracking — Most weight loss apps help you count calories, track macros, log workouts, or watch the number on the scale. Those tools can be helpful, but knowing what to do doesn’t always make it easier to actually do it, or to figure out what your body needs. That’s what makes Nourish different. This app combines helpful tracking tools with personalized, one-on-one support from a registered dietician to help you understand what your body needs and build habits you can actually sustain… and, it usually costs $0 with insurance! Read this post for all the details. 
  
• Habits of Financially Fit Women — What if getting better with money didn’t require a massive overhaul, but a few small, intentional habits? Listen to this podcast episode I recorded with Erin on the Simple, Purposeful Life as we discuss simple ways to become more intentional with your money, from creating rhythms around budgeting to finding contentment with what you already have. I think you’ll leave feeling empowered and encouraged! 
  
• Building Healthy Money Habits While Raising Kids — Money stress can shape the atmosphere of your home and the lessons your kids carry into adulthood. When parents feel overwhelmed financially, it’s easy to assume that more income is the only solution; however, relief often begins with small, intentional choices that lead to healthy money habits. On this episode of Faith & Finance, Rob West and I discuss managing money while raising kids.

I polled my audience and asked them this question. As you can imagine, I got a wide variety of responses — some from diehard Amazon Prime fans, some from those who think it is a complete waste of money, and some from people who are smack dab in the middle and think it can be a money-saving option or it could be something that’s not worth the expense.

In this article, I’ll share some of the responses I heard over and over to help you decide whether or not Amazon Prime is worth the cost for you.

What is the Cost of Amazon Prime?

First off, let’s talk numbers. A regular Amazon Prime subscription is $14.99 per month (plus taxes) or $139 per year (plus taxes). Every once in a while, they have offered a discounted rate for a few days, but I’ve not seen a discount for a while.

Psst! Right now, you can get a FREE 30-day trial of Amazon Prime! This is a great time to jump on this before Prime Big Deal Days on October 6-7, 2026.

If you are a college student, you can get a Student Prime Membership which gives you the first 6 months for free and then it’s $7.49/month after that. If you are a qualifying government assistance recipient, you might also qualify for a reduced rate of $6.99 per month for Amazon Prime. (Foster families: If you have a child who is on WIC, you will qualify as well!)

What are the Benefits of Amazon Prime?

For a long time, many people thought of Amazon Prime as “free two-day shipping.” Which could be a great benefit if you order a lot from Amazon. However, in the past year, some items are no longer being shipped in two days or less (though some of that depends upon what you order and how close you live to an Amazon warehouse) BUT they offer so many other perks for those who are Amazon Prime members.

Are you interested in trying Amazon Prime? You can get a free 30-day trial here.

Here are some of the perks you all mentioned loving the most:

1. Amazon Prime Membership Fee – Under $12 a Month for Free Shipping

“Prime is only $139 for the year, which comes out to less than $12 per month for free shipping (no matter how much you spend, and most of the time it’s here the next day!), Amazon Prime TV, and Amazon music. Totally worth it!” -Vanessa

Speaking of free shipping, Joy says, “For our family, shipping alone makes Prime worth it. Plus sometimes they offer digital credits for slow shipping that we use to rent or buy movies.”

There is also the convenience factor to consider, as Erin wrote: “I live in the middle of nowhere and can get a ton of things I cannot get easily. I can do a big order of those things and also get Amazon online. Is it perfect? No, but for my family it works.”

2. Benefits of Amazon Prime: Easily Get Amazon Deals

Tracy said: “If I get a deal for something that is $5, I can take advantage of the free shipping and catch the deal and get free shipping and have it delivered in two days. This also cuts down on gas as I can order knowing right when my order will arrive! Amazon Prime pays for itself multiple times over annually!”

(Note: While this can be a plus, it could also be a downside — because Amazon makes it SO easy to spend money!)

An Amazon Prime membership also allows you to more easily use Subscribe & Save, which can save you even more on items you’ll buy regularly, since you won’t have to meet the $35 threshold for free shipping.

3. Prime Music

Katie says: “We like it for the free shipping, the Prime Music, and the Prime Video options. Prime Music gives you access to around 2 million songs that you can listen to ad-free, plus thousands of playlists and stations. I also use the prime reading options with my Kindle app. My kids love prime music. They all have a playlist of their favorite songs.”

(Note: You can also get lots of free streaming music on Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, or other places. Yes, you might have to deal with some commercials if you don’t have a paid account, but there are many ways to access free music online.)

4. Free Kindle Books

If you are a reader, access to free Kindle books could be a huge plus. As Sharon posted, “The big thing for me though is my Kindle books. I read 5-6 books a week and would run out of reading material if I didn’t have Prime.”

This is one of the most underrated perks, especially if you love books or have kids who devour chapter books. With Prime Reading, you get access to a rotating library of ebooks, magazines, short reads, and even some audiobooks at no extra cost. You don’t need a Kindle device to use it since you can read everything right in the free Kindle app on your phone or tablet. Many moms in our community say this helps them save money on books and keeps their kids stocked with fresh reading material during school breaks or long car rides.

(Note: You can get many of the Kindle books for free even without having a Prime membership. Also, check your local library to see if they offer ebooks and audiobooks for free from the Hoopla or Libby app.)

5. Unlimited Photo Storage

With an Amazon Prime subscription, you’ll get unlimited full-resolution photo storage and 5 GB for video. Jessica said this: “For us, it is worth it for the photo storage. It is a very economical way to store full-size photo files for backup purposes for someone who is into photography.”

6. Amazon Household

Amazon Household is one of the easiest ways to stretch the value of your Prime membership, especially if you share a home with a spouse, partner, or kids. It allows you to share many Prime benefits with one other adult and up to four teens (who were added before April 7, 2025) and four child profiles at no extra cost.

Each person keeps their own Amazon login, personal recommendations, and browsing history, but everyone gets access to Prime perks like free delivery, Prime Video, Prime Reading, and eligible digital content through the Family Library. This means you can share the benefits without sharing passwords or mixing up your shopping carts and watch lists.

7. It Could Save You Time

If you have a really full life, being able to easily order online could be really helpful! As Danae wrote in, “For me, it’s a quality of life thing… it saves me a huge amount of time to be able to order something small that I need and get it in a few days without making a trip to the store, which means I can use that time for my family or my house or work.”

8. Provides an Alternative to Cable

When you have an Amazon Prime account, you’ll have access to lots of movies and shows for free. (Many aren’t free, but there are a lot that are free with your Amazon Prime subscription.) Reader Jennifer said, “We don’t pay a monthly cable or satellite bill so we’re saving a ton of money on entertainment, even though we pay for subscriptions to Prime, Netflix, and Frndly.”

By the way, Prime Video is cheaper than Netflix. So if you have Netflix, it might be worth checking into whether switching to Amazon Prime might be a better option — since you get a lot more than just streaming!

Clare said: “Not sure it’s worth it just for shipping but Prime Video is cheaper than Netflix (and seems cleaner). As a homeschooling mom, I have found so many documentaries for my kids on that platform. It’s also fantastic for downloading movies onto phones or tablets for the toddler in the car.”

9. Ability to Download Shows and Movies to your Device

When you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you are able to download shows and movies off of Prime and watch them later. Deidre shared how this has been such a help to their family: “You can download shows and movies off Prime and watch them on a tablet or phone without having internet service. We use this for car rides, flights, when the power goes out and I have scared restless toddlers, and when I know we will have lots of waiting at the dentist, doctor, etc.”

Does Amazon Prime really save you money?

While there are many benefits to having an Amazon Prime subscription, a number of people told me that they felt it actually encouraged them to spend more money and that they found that they could easily wait until they had $35 in their cart to get free shipping.

Like Nicole says: “I had Prime for YEARS, and gave it up a couple of years ago. And go figure… I don’t miss it! Not worth the subscription to me. I can wait for $35 to get free shipping. I also don’t impulse buy tiny things. And I used to watch Prime videos all the time – don’t miss it at all. I easily fill that time with other things.”

Benefits of Amazon Prime FAQs

Related Links:

• Making the Most of Amazon Subscribe & Save: Tips and Tricks to Maximize Your Savings
• Amazon Prime Student | FREE 6-Month Trial for 18-24 Year Olds + New Perks!!
• Kindle Unlimited Trial Membership Deal: One Free Month!
• Amazon Music Unlimited Deal | One Free Month! (Includes A Free Audiobook Each Month!)
• Can a Warehouse Membership Save You Money?
• 25 Benefits of Costco Membership
• Benefits of a Walmart+ Membership (+ Free 30 Day Trial!)
• 25 Outside-the-Box Places to Buy Groceries for Less
• How to Use Target Circle (and Get the Most Value From It)

And check out our latest Amazon deals here!

I’d love to hear from you: Is Amazon Prime worth the cost? Why or why not?

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

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Aldi

1/2 gallon Orange Juice – $3.35

1 gallon Milk – $2.78

1 pkg Turkey Bacon – $3.49

1 pkg Boneless Chicken Breasts – $12.02

1 32-oz carton Egg Whites – $4.79

1 Cauliflower – $2.89

2 bags Spinach – $3.78

2 bags Green Beans – $4.70

1 bag Frozen Broccoli Florets – $1.09

1 can Whipped Topping – $2.49

1/2 gallon Oat Milk – $3.49

2 cans Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup – $1.98

1 bag Chocolate Chips – $3.65

Total: $50.50

Lidl

2 pkgs Mini Cucumbers – $3

1 Bakery Cookie – FREE with Lidl App

1 5-lb bag All Purpose Flour – $1.89

1 40-oz jar Honey – $8.99

1 large container Spreadable Butter – $2.95

Total: $16.83

Publix

2 boxes Mueller Pasta – $1.86, used $0.50/2 Muellers Publix Digital Coupon – $1.36 for 2 after Coupon

2 Old Spice Deodorant – $4.98, used $4/2 Old Spice Publix Digital Coupon – $0.98 for 2 after Coupon

1 Ensure Protein – $2.39, used $2/1 Ensure Publix Digital Coupon – $0.39 after Coupon (I’m hoping this tastes good enough to use as coffee creamer)

1 pkg Sargento Balanced Breaks Crunch – $2.09, used $1/1 Sargento Crunch Publix Digital Coupon – $1.09 after Coupon

1 pkg Sargento Balanced Breaks – $2.10, used $1.50/1 Sargento Publix Digital Coupon – $0.60 after Coupon

1 box No Yolks Protein Pasta – $1.64, used $1/1 No Yolks Publix Digital Coupon – $0.64 after Coupon

1 bag Cape Cod Chips – $2.64, used $1/1 Cape Cod Publix Digital Coupon – $1.64 after Coupon

2 bags Arm and Hammer Deep Clean Laundry Paks – $12.39, received (2) $2.70/1 Deep Clean Paks Ibotta Rebates plus 900 points from Swagbucks ($9) – $2.01 Money Maker after Rebates!

Total after Coupons and Rebates: $4.66

Grocery Total for the Week: $71.99

Weekly Menu Plan

It’s another week where we’ve ended up being gifted food (like fresh meat, fruit, and eggs) so I didn’t need to buy as much as I normally would. Also, I’m still trying to figure out how much food we actually eat now that my older two children are away at college!

Breakfasts

Cereal, Oatmeal, Grits, Granola, Yogurt, Smoothies, Eggs

Lunches

Leftovers, Sliced Cucumbers/Peppers, No Bake Energy Bites, Chips x 7

Dinners

Biscuits and Venison Sausage Gravy, Broccoli

Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Creamy Milk Rice, Cauliflower

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins

Pancakes, Turkey Bacon, Hard Boiled Eggs

Spaghetti (using ground venison sausage), Easy Homemade Breadsticks, Green Beans

Dinner Out (celebrating my son’s 18th birthday!)

Leftovers

FREE One Week Menu Plan!

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

Send me my FREE Menu Plan!

So today I’m answering one of the questions I get asked most often — What’s the best budgeting app? — and breaking down how EveryDollar, YNAB, and RocketMoney compare, so you can choose the one that makes the most sense for your family.

Because here’s the truth: the “best” budgeting app isn’t necessarily the one with the most features or the one that your friend likes best. It’s the one you’ll actually open again tomorrow.

Want to try zero-based budgeting without an app first? Grab my free budgeting worksheets here!

The Best Budgeting Apps:

EveryDollar, YNAB (You Need A Budget), and Rocket Money are three popular options, but they each have unique features depending on how hands-on you want to be with your budget and how much support you’re looking for.

Let’s break them down (in no particular order) to help you make the best decision for your family:

1. EveryDollar

EveryDollar is a simple and clean budgeting app developed by Dave Ramsey’s team, and it’s based on the concept of zero-based budgeting where you give every dollar a job before the month begins. This is one of the recommended budgeting apps for beginners who want something straightforward without a steep learning curve.

The free version lets you manually enter all your income and expenses, while the paid version connects to your bank accounts and automatically tracks transactions.

If you’re already familiar with the envelope method or like the idea of planning your spending before the month starts, you’ll probably love how organized EveryDollar makes you feel. However, to unlock helpful features like bank syncing and custom budget reports, you’ll need to upgrade to the paid version. Still, it’s a great entry point for anyone just getting started.

Pros:

• Simple, clean interface that’s great for beginners
• Based on zero-based budgeting (assign every dollar a job)
• Manual version is free
• Syncs with your bank account with the paid version

Cons:

• Limited features in the free budgeting app version
• Automated transaction importing only available with paid plan

Cost:

• Free (manual entry)
• $79.99/year for the premium version with bank sync and additional features

2. YNAB (You Need A Budget)

YNAB is a favorite among budgeters who really want to take a hands-on approach to managing their finances and for good reason. It’s incredibly intentional.

This app doesn’t just help you track spending; it helps you build new financial habits. YNAB operates on four key rules that encourage you to give every dollar a job, embrace your true expenses, roll with the punches, and age your money. In other words, this app teaches you how to stop living paycheck to paycheck.

YNAB is ideal if you’re looking for more than just an app and want a complete budgeting system. But you must be willing to spend a little time upfront learning how it works.

The interface syncs with your bank accounts in real time, and the support community and tutorials are top-notch. If you’re someone who loves spreadsheets or tracking things down to the penny, YNAB might be your new best friend.

That said, it does come at a higher price point and has a bit of a learning curve, so it may not be the best option if you’re looking for something super simple right away.

Pros:

• Excellent educational tools and tutorials
• Encourages long-term mindset shifts about money
• Real-time sync with bank accounts

Cons:

• Pricier than other options
• Learning curve can feel steep at first

If you need help budgeting when you have a fluctuating income, this post is a great place to start.

Cost:

• $14.99/month or $99/year
• 34-day free trial
• Free for college students for one year

3. Rocket Money (formerly Truebill)

If you want a more passive approach to managing your money, Rocket Money could be a great fit. This household budgeting app is designed to do a lot of the heavy lifting for you by tracking your spending, flagging subscriptions you might want to cancel, negotiating bills on your behalf, and even helping you set up automated savings. It’s especially helpful if your biggest budgeting struggle is not knowing where your money is going each month.

Rocket Money shines when it comes to identifying hidden expenses, especially monthly subscriptions that tend to sneak by unnoticed. The app does offer paid premium services that include budgeting insights and credit monitoring.

However, Rocket Money is less about hands-on planning and more about organizing what’s already happening with your money. If you want to be more intentional with your spending from the start of the month, a tool like EveryDollar or YNAB might be a better match. Still, for busy families who just want to keep tabs on their finances with minimal effort, Rocket Money has a lot to offer. It’s free version is one of the best free budgeting apps available.

Pros:

• Automatically finds subscriptions and bills you may want to cancel
• Tracks spending and helps you negotiate bills
• Offers credit score tracking
• Set savings goals directly in the app

Cons:

• Less emphasis on detailed budgeting and planning
• Some features are locked behind paid plans
• Negotiation services take a portion of the savings

Cost:

• Free version available
• Premium: Pay what you want, $3–$12/month

Bonus Budgeting App Option: Quicken Simplifi

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Quicken — once the mother of all personal-finance products. It’s been around for 40 years so almost everyone has heard of it or used it before. Quicken Simplifi (their personal budgeting software) is a not primarily a cloud-based software and was designed to be used via desktop. (Quicken Simplifi does now have a companion mobile app, but they still intend for you to primarily access your data from your desktop.)

Pros:

• Quicken is very good to use for an electronic register and is great at connecting with your bank and keeping bank accounts balanced.
• When we used it for a short time, we liked how easy it was to keep track of all of our assets (house, car, etc) updated with present values for tax and net worth calculations.

Cons:

• When we used it years ago, Quicken was pretty clunky, so we ended up using it only as a register and then budgeted on paper or Google Sheets. Based on current reviews, it seems like they may have fixed that issue. But just something to keep in mind!
• Reviews say Quicken Simplifi doesn’t have good tools for helping track or pay off debt. If this is one of your financial goals, you’d at least need a supplemental tool, or maybe want to go with one of the other options.
• Since this is designed primarily for a desktop, Quicken Simplifi won’t be a good fit for you if you prefer to manage your budget from your phone.

Cost:

• $5.99/month or $47.88/year

I hope this helps give you some additional insight as to which recommended budgeting app and budgeting method may be the best fit for your needs and goals. Remember, there’s no perfect app or system. It all comes down to what works best for you at the stage of life you’re in.

The good news is that many budgeting apps have a free trial so you can test out the features to see if it’s a good fit. And if you’re not ready to commit to an app yet or prefer to budget paper to pen, don’t forget you can start with my free printable budgeting worksheets to get into the habit of planning your money intentionally on paper first!

Apps Track the Numbers. This Bonus Helps You Talk about Them.

Here’s something even the best budgeting app for couples can’t do: make it easier to talk about money with your spouse. Budgeting gets a lot trickier when you’re not the only one making the decisions and, in my experience, money can be one of the hardest things to talk about in a marriage.

Jesse and I have learned over the years just how important it is to talk openly and honestly about money even when those conversations aren’t always easy. Learning how to listen well, understand where the other person is coming from, and work toward shared goals has made such a difference for us.

That’s exactly why I put together this free pre-order bonus: Couples’ Guide to Healthy Money Conversations — a practical guide to help you and your partner start meaningful conversations, understand each other better, and work together toward a healthier financial future.

And it’s not the only preorder bonus waiting for you. When you pre-order my newest book, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women, from any retailer, you are eligible to claim all the bonuses released so far and every new bonus still to come before the book launches.

Pre-order your copy + claim your bonuses here!

Have you used a budgeting app before? If so, which one have you used and would you recommend it?

Ready to finally stick to your budget once and for all?!

 Tracking your budget doesn’t have to be overwhelming or complicated! Use these FREE Budget Spreadsheets to easily plan and track your spending each month!

Send me my FREE budgeting spreadsheets!

The green bean fries are one of my favorite sides, and they pair so well with many meals. Even people who don’t love veggies will probably enjoy them! Feel free to be creative as far as seasonings go, but I usually stick with the tried-and-true basics since my family isn’t very adventurous when it comes to new flavors, haha.

This week’s $10 Family Dinner — including the baking time — was finished in less than an hour. I topped it with some fresh rosemary, since I just happened to have some growing on my back porch. Yum!

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 Tortellini Bake Dinner Menu:

• Cheesy Tortellini Bake
• Green Bean Fries

Ingredients for Baked Tortellini:

• 1-lb ground meat (I used ground chicken – Publix – $1/lb with coupon) — $1
• 4-5 garlic cloves, finely chopped (Aldi – $1.35/3 heads) — $0.15
• 2 12-oz bags tortellini (Publix – free with B1G1 sale and rebates) — $0
• 1 24-oz jar marinara sauce (Aldi) — $1.47
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• Salt, to taste
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (Aldi – $3.29/4 cups) — $2.47
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (Aldi – $2.99/16 oz) — $0.40

Total for Cheesy Tortellini Bake: $5.49 (serves 6-8)

Ingredients for Green Bean Fries:

• 2 1-lb bags green beans, washed, dried and ends snipped off (Aldi – $2.35/lb) — $4.70
• Drizzle of olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Sprinkle of Parmesan cheese

Total for Green Bean Fries: $10.45 (serves 6)

Total Cost for Dinner: $10.45 (plus cost of seasonings) (makes 8 servings)

How to Make Baked Tortellini:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a skillet, fry the ground meat and chopped garlic until meat is cooked through, stirring occasionally.

2. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt to taste.

3. While meat is frying, heat a large pot of boiling water and cook the tortellini al dente, according to the directions on the bag.

4. Add the cooked tortellini and 1/2 of the shredded mozzarella cheese to the meat/sauce mixture and stir. Pour into a 9×13 pan and top with remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.

5. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until starting to brown.

6. While the pasta is baking, spread the green beans on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and Parmesan cheese.

7. Put green beans into the oven and bake with the baked tortellini for approximately 30 minutes. When the pasta has finished cooking, take it out of the oven and turn the oven temperature up to 450. Continue baking the green beans until they are tender and starting to brown, an additional 10 or so minutes, depending on how “done” you like them. You can finish them off under the broiler if you prefer them more crispy.

Print

Cheesy Baked Tortellini with Green Bean Fries ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

If you love lasagna or spaghetti bakes, this cheesy tortellini bake is an easier twist on those recipes! It came together so easily, and is definitely a recipe I will make on repeat next time I get free or cheap tortellini. Even people who don’t love veggies will probably enjoy these delicious green bean fries. This entire meal — including the baking time — was finished in less than an hour, making it an excellent weeknight dinner!

Course dinner, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword easy dinner, easy side dish, weeknight dinner

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 628kcal

Author Brigette

Cost $10.45

Ingredients

Ingredients for Cheesy Baked Tortellini:

• 1- lb ground meat I used ground chicken – Publix – $1/lb with coupon — $1
• 4-5 cloves garlic finely chopped (Aldi – $1.35/3 heads) — $0.15
• 2 bags tortellini (12-oz each) Publix – free with B1G1 sale and rebates — $0
• 1 jar marinara sauce (24-oz) Aldi — $1.47
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• Salt to taste
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided (Aldi – $3.29/4 cups) — $2.47
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese Aldi – $2.99/16 oz — $0.40

Ingredients for Green Bean Fries:

• 2 lb green beans washed, dried and ends snipped off (Aldi – $2.35/lb) — $4.70
• Drizzle Olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Sprinkle Parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a skillet, fry the ground meat and chopped garlic until meat is cooked through, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt to taste.
• While meat is frying, heat a large pot of boiling water and cook the tortellini al dente, according to the directions on the bag.
• Add the cooked tortellini and 1/2 of the shredded mozzarella cheese to the meat/sauce mixture and stir. Pour into a 9×13 pan and top with remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
• Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until starting to brown.
• While the pasta is baking, spread the green beans on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and Parmesan cheese.
• Put green beans into the oven and bake with the tortellini bake for approximately 30 minutes. When the pasta has finished cooking, take it out of the oven and turn the oven temperature up to 450. Continue baking the green beans until they are tender and starting to brown, an additional 10 or so minutes, depending on how “done” you like them. You can finish them off under the broiler if you prefer them more crispy.

Nutrition

Calories: 628kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 138mg | Sodium: 1517mg | Potassium: 835mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1619IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 439mg | Iron: 4mg

FAQs about Cheesy Tortellini Bake:

More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10:

• Bubble Pizza
• Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet
• French Toast Casserole and Baked Scrambled Eggs
• Easy Baked Chicken
• Biscuits and Gravy
• Quick & Easy Mini Calzones
• Mexican Lasagna
• Easy Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet
• Chicken Alfredo Pizza
• Chicken Burgers and Baked Fries
• Spaghetti Pizza
• Cheesy Potato Soup and Bread Machine Dinner Rolls

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

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

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

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

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

What Is the Best App for Weight Loss?

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

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

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

What Is the Nourish App?

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

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

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

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

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

Why Nourish Is Different From a Traditional Weight Loss App

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

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

That’s where personalized support can make a difference.

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

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

My Honest Experience Using Nourish

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

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

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

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

How Nourish Helps You Track Progress

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

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

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

Can Nourish Support Weight Loss Without Restrictive Dieting?

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

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

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

How Much Does Nourish Cost?

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

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

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

Who Might Benefit From Nourish?

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

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

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

Is Nourish the Best App for Weight Loss?

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nourish a weight loss app?

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

Does the Nourish app include food tracking?

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

Is Nourish covered by insurance?

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

Can a dietitian help me lose weight?

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

Go here to sign up for a Nourish account.

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This book is packed with practical, encouraging strategies to help you stop stressing about money, build healthy habits that actually last, and create a personalized roadmap for a healthier financial future. It’s part personal story, part practical guide, and filled with realistic, actionable steps you can start using right away.

As a special thank-you for everyone who pre-orders, I’m putting together an incredible collection of exclusive bonuses — including this brand-new Couples’ Guide to Healthy Money Conversations, which I’m so excited to share with you!

When you pre-order from any retailer, you’ll become eligible to claim every bonus we’ve released so far (see them here), plus every new bonus we’ll be releasing before the book launches. We have so many more practical resources, printable tools, challenges, and surprises planned, and I don’t want you to miss a single one!

Introducing The Couples’ Guide to Healthy Money Conversations

Let’s be honest — talking about money isn’t always easy.

Whether you’re newly married or have been together for decades, money conversations can sometimes feel awkward, emotional, or overwhelming. Even couples who communicate well in other areas of their relationship often desire to communicate better about their finances.

That’s exactly why I created this bonus.

One of the themes you’ll find throughout my new book is that lasting financial health isn’t just about numbers — it’s about the habits and relationships that shape the way we handle money every day.

When couples learn to communicate openly, listen well, and work toward shared goals, money becomes less of a source of stress and more of a tool for building the life they want together. My hope is that this guide will help you have those first conversations with confidence and give you practical tools you’ll return to again and again.

Inside the Guide, You’ll Discover:

• Conversation starters that make talking about money feel less intimidating.
• Guided discussion prompts to help you better understand each other’s financial experiences, priorities, and goals.
• Practical exercises to help you create a shared vision for your money.
• Simple action steps you can take together to build healthier financial habits.

Whether you’re trying to create a budget, save for a big goal, pay off debt, or simply get on the same page financially, The Couples’ Guide to Healthy Money Conversations will help you have more productive conversations. Its practical prompts, thoughtful questions, and simple exercises will help you move beyond stressful money discussions and begin working together with greater confidence and unity.

How to Get This Exclusive Bonus

Simply pre-order The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women from any retailer and sign up through our pre-order bonus page.

When you do, you’ll receive the The Couples’ Guide to Money Conversations, plus every previously released bonus, and you’ll be eligible to claim every new bonus we’ll release before the book launches!

Pre-order your copy today and start building your complete bonus collection!

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

What is Fetch Rewards?

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

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

How does Fetch Rewards work?

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

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

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

How to use Fetch Rewards

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

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

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

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

Are Fetch reviews positive?

Here are a few PROS of Fetch:

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

And some CONS:

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

Reasons I Love the Fetch App

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

1. You Can Scan ANY Receipt

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

2. You Can Scan Up to 35 Receipts Per Week

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

3. You Earn Points On Every Receipt

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

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

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

5. You Earn Bonus Points for Referring People

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

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

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

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

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

How to Earn With The Fetch Rewards App

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fetch Rewards FAQs

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

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

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After 1500 hours of learning and practice and lots and lots of clients and highlights and color applications, Kaitlynn officially graduated from cosmetology school!!

Jesse and I were talking last night about how this dream started years and years ago when she was 5 years old and wanted to watch YouTube videos to learn how to do makeup and fancy braids. 

She started Dutch braiding my hair and practicing makeup looks on me shortly thereafter. It was not long before she had far exceeded my abilities!

It’s been amazing to watch her go after her dreams and build up a base of regular clients (so much so that I could rarely get on her books and I had to start having her highlight my hair at home!!).

She just got offered a job as an assistant at the salon she’s been hoping and praying she could start at!! She will be taking clients there soon so follow @curledbykait on Instagram to find out when!! (Although please don’t book all of her spots because I’d really like to be able to get in occasionally. 😆)

Kaitlynn, we are SO proud of you and can’t wait to see what this next chapter of your life holds!

In celebration of her graduation, she and I flew to NYC for two days. She picked out what she wanted to do and planned the itinerary with Jinni, my assistant. 

I’ve been to NYC quite a few times, but we did a number of things I’ve never done before, including:

Going to the FAO Schwarz toy store (we had to wait in a long line but it moved fast and it was worth it for such a fun experience — including the Jelly Cat diner!).

We also went to PIQ so she could get some Sonny Angels and she did an unboxing of those — and I filmed the behind the scenes (also Joe and the Juice is soo good, especially if you aren’t eating refined sugar!).

We took the subway to SoHo to go to the very famous coffee shop there, Caffé Paradiso. The line for it was down the entire block but it moved fast and the coffee and experience was fantastic! (I got a decaf espresso with tonic water and orange and it was delicious!!)

We then stopped at this little shop with a bunch of booths from different artisans and we got custom matching charm bracelets made! (Highly recommend checking out Admirable Jewels in The Collective SoHo!)

Kaitlynn wanted to try her hand at street haggling and she was SOO good at it!!

Check out this amazing view from our room — I still cannot believe we paid almost next to nothing for the hotel room thanks to a Priceline flight + hotel deal that Jinni found!!

We had a special dinner out at a restaurant Kaitlynn chose and then headed to go see Wicked on Broadway! (Keep reading for details on how to get Broadway tickets on the cheap + a bunch more cheap travel hacks!)

We had the BEST TIME — talking, laughing, shopping, trying out coffee shops, eating, haggling, walking miles and miles, sleeping in and having a leisurely morning, and more! 

Shout out to my amazing assistant Jinni who planned it all with Kaitlynn and found us crazy good deals on flights and a panoramic window hotel room in Times Square that we paid almost nothing for!!

Part 2 of our trip will be in next week’s email so let me know what questions you have and I’m happy to try to answer them next week!

But, for now, I’m going to share my best trips for traveling to NYC on a budget! This was maybe my 9th or 10th trip to the city, so here are the best tips that I’ve learned over the years (and I’d love to hear yours, too!):

First up, flights and hotels… we have taken a road trip to NYC before, but when we did that we stayed outside the city and took the subway in so we didn’t have to mess with driving downtown or parking.

To fly to the city, we like to look for cheap deals online. If you pair flight + hotel packages through a discounted travel site like Expedia or Priceline, that’s often how you’ll find the best deal!

NYC hotels can be pricey — especially downtown. However, if you get a package deal, you can often find some crazy prices. This time around, because Jinni found a package deal, our hotel (Tempo by Hilton) cost almost nothing!! She also called and asked for an upgrade and they gave her one for free — they upgraded us to a panoramic window corner room on the 36th floor at no additional cost!!

Check out this post for more advice on how to book cheap hotels!

Transportation: take the subway or walk! It’s much less expensive than getting an uber or taxi.

The subway is $3 per ride per person to basically anywhere it goes. Download the MTA app and type in where you want to go and it will tell you exactly where to get on and off.

Also, bring a person who is really good with navigation (ahem, Kaitlynn) and let them tell you where to go!

Note: you can take a train or bus from all three major airports to the subway. It’s a little more work but way less $$ than getting an uber (which is often $75 to $150 depending upon the airport and time of day and traffic!).

Let’s talk about food! It can be pricey in NYC if you go to sit down restaurants. I recommend picking one nice place (if you have it in the budget) per trip. And then bring your own food or buy inexpensive food at quick eat type places for the rest of the trip.

Kaitlynn and I went to two different coffee shops, Bagel Pub, and Joe & the Juice, in addition to one nice restaurant.

We got two entrees, a drink (nojito), a huge dessert, and hot tea for each of us at the nice restaurant and it was $123 including tax and tip. That’s similar to what we’d pay in our area for a nice restaurant, so I didn’t think it was crazy expensive and we’d budgeted for it.

However, if you got sides and alcohol and went out every meal, you could spend a LOT on food in NYC!!

This post has 5 specific ways to save money on food during family vacations!

Broadway tickets can be SO expensive!! But, it is possible to get cheap Broadway tickets — for as low as $10 sometimes! I’ve actually seen Wicked on Broadway 3 times and highly recommend these tips for how to get cheap Broadway tickets! 

There’s something so magical about a live performance — especially in this age of Al!! It was spectacular!!

For more tips on saving on travel in general, be sure to check out this post with 25+ budget travel tips!

So many of you have asked for a list of the refined-sugar-free treats I’ve been enjoying since I stopped eating sugar and white flour a few weeks ago. So I put together a blog post with the best ones — many that I have eaten and loved and others that you all highly recommended! Discover the best candy and sweet treats without refined sugar here! 

Speaking of snacks, there are a bunch of great snack deals on Amazon right now! 

Money can be one of the hardest things to talk about in a marriage — which is exactly why I’m so excited about this pre-order bonus for The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women!

When you pre-order from any retailer, you are eligible to claim an incredible collection of exclusive pre-order bonuses — including the Couples’ Guide to Healthy Money Conversations. 

Jesse and I have learned over the years just how important it is to talk openly and honestly about money even when those conversations aren’t always easy. Learning how to listen well, understand where the other person is coming from, and work toward shared goals has made such a difference for us.

This practical guide is designed to help you do the same, with simple prompts and tools to help you start meaningful conversations, better understand each other, and work together toward a healthier financial future.

And your pre-order makes you eligible to claim all the bonuses released so far and every new bonus still to come before the book launches! Check them out below!

Pre-order your copy + claim your bonuses here!

This Week on The Crystal Paine Show: More Than You Can Imagine (with Susie Larson)

For this episode of The Crystal Paine Show, I am joined by the author of the book More Than You Can Imagine: What Goes Does When You Trust Him — Susie Larson!

In our conversation, she shares some of the most powerful stories of trusting God through seasons when nothing seemed to make sense. Her aforementioned new book isn’t just something she wrote; it’s something she has lived.

She opens up about the years when serious health challenges, medical bills, financial pressure, and fear left her family wondering how they were going to make it. Yet, right in the middle of that wilderness, God taught Susie and her husband what it meant to genuinely depend on Him.

Listen in as we talk about what happens when we stop going through the motions of faith and actually engage our hearts with God. What does it look like to trust Him when the numbers don’t add up? How do we keep fear from making our decisions for us? What happens when God asks us to be generous even when we feel like we don’t have anything left to give?

Susie shares the incredible story of giving away a box of cereal when her own family was struggling financially and how that simple act became part of a much bigger lesson about living as a “flow-through account” of God’s provision.

We also talk about the miraculous ways that God provided for her family, the school that she and her husband were eventually able to help build in Rwanda, and the “impossible prayers” they now pray every year.

One of the episode’s biggest takeaways, though, is that dependence on God isn’t weakness. It can actually become our superpower. When we recognize that we don’t have everything we need but that God does, we get to watch Him do what only He can do.

What would happen if you trusted God a little more today? Open your hands, turn on your “noticer,” and start looking for His faithfulness. You may be surprised by what you see! I hope that you enjoy this conversation with Susie, and, as always, please feel free to reach out with your own thoughts!

Listen to the episode here. 

What I’m Reading… 

I finished reading More Than You Can Imagine this week and it was excellent! Highly recommended if you could use some encouragement to deepen your relationship with Jesus and see Him do great and mighty things in your life!

Currently, I’m reading: Take My Hand (it’s been heartrending but so good so far!), Making Peace With What I Can’t Control, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, Holy & Hormonal, Every Table an Altar, Calming Your Anxious Child, and This Moment Matters.

What I’m Watching…

This week, Jesse and I watched Mayday (funny and mostly clean, though it does have some language in it). I watched The Sound of Music with Kierstyn and Micah for the umpteenth time (it’s one of their favorites!)

What I’m Listening to…

I’m almost finished with The Girl Behind the Wall and have really enjoyed it. It has made me think about a lot of things related to the Berlin wall that I’ve never thought of before and how hard and challenging it would have been for people.

In Case You Missed It — Links from Recent Weeks: 

• How to Build Financial Confidence in Midlife — I had the joy of being a guest on Pamela Henkelman’s The Midlife Momma podcast to discuss how to take the stress and shame out of money and focus on  build simple habits that build confidence and financial health over time. If you’ve ever thought, “I should probably be better at this,” this conversation is for you and I hope you’ll check it out! 
  
• Bubble Pizza ($10 Family Dinner Idea) — This Bubble Pizza recipe is a fun and yummy twist on traditional pizza! It’s a sure crowd-pleaser, while being a little different than the same ol’ pizza. It’s also sooo easy — in fact, you can throw it together and pop it in the oven in about 10 minutes.
  
• Small Leaks, Big Impact: How Tiny Daily Spending Habits Can Drain (or Transform!) Your Budget — Have you ever wondered, “Why can’t I save money?” Do you ever get to the end of the month and realize that small purchases have sneakily diminished your bank account balance? Most of us have been there before, and if that’s you, be sure to check out this post for 5 simple, practical strategies to stop impulsive spending so you can confidently save more money each month. 
  
• The 5-Minute Weekly Budget Check-In That Might Change Your Finances — Instead of waiting for the end of the month to wonder where all the money went, I highly recommend doing a simple 5-minute budget check-in every week. That’s it. Five minutes. It just might completely change how you handle money… and it’s so simple! This post has all the details of how to transform your finances with this quick and easy check-in.

Aldi

1/2 gallon Orange Juice – $3.35

1 pkg Turkey Bacon – $3.49

1 32-oz carton Egg Whites – $4.79

1 Cauliflower – $2.89

2 pkg Broccoli Florets – $6.36

1 10-lb bag Russet Potatoes – $4.49

2 bags Spinach – $3.78

1 3-ct pkg Multi-Colored Peppers – $2.69

1 3-lb bag Sweet Potatoes – $2.29

2 cans Green Beans – $1.62

1-lb bag Brown Sugar – $1.65

2 jars Marinara Sauce – $3.30

1 pkg Chili Seasoning – $0.48

1 5-lb bag White Rice – $3.29

1 1-lb bag Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – $3.29

1 dozen Eggs – $1.65

1 can Parmesan Cheese – $2.75

1 box Butter Quarters – $2.49

1 can Whipped Topping – $2.49

1 bag Flour Tortillas – $1.65

1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $2.85

1 can Chili Powder – $0.98

1 bag Chocolate Chips – $3.65 (which, somehow, made it into the Publix picture instead)

Total: $66.27

Publix

5 bags Popcorners – $12.47, received (5) $0.75/1 Popcorners Ibotta Rebates – $8.72 for 5 after Rebates

2 bags Springer Mountain Farms Grilled Chicken Strips – $4.79, used (2) $1.50/1 Printables – $1.79 for 2 after coupons

1 box Lance Sandwich Crackers – $4, used $2/1 Lance Publix Digital Coupon – $2 after coupon

2 bags Fresh Organic Green Beans – $4.99

4 bags Bare Apple Chips – $12.98, received 9600 points from Merryfield ($9.60) – $3.38 for 4 after Rebates

2 bags Like Air Popcorn – $4.49, received $2.25 from Aisle – $2.24 for 2 after rebate

2 cartons Painterland Sisters Skyr Yogurt – $3, received $1.50 from Aisle – $1.50 for 2 after Rebate

1 Laughing Cow Cheese – $2.09, used $1.50/1 Laughing Cow Publix Digital Coupon – $0.69 after coupon

1 International Delight Coffee Creamer – $2.29, used $2/1 International Delight Publix Digital Coupon plus received $0.35/1 International Delight Ibotta Rebate – $0.06 Money Maker after coupon

1 bag Coleslaw Mix – $1.50

1 box Dave’s Killer Bread Organic Breakfast Bars – $2.89, used $2/1 Dave’s Killer Bread Publix Digital Coupon – $0.89 after Coupon

Total after Coupons and Rebate: $27.64

Grocery Total for the Week: $93.91

Weekly Menu Plan

Full disclosure – we’ve had a number of people in our church give us things this week, including milk, farm fresh eggs and various fresh meats!

Breakfasts

Cereal, Oatmeal, Grits, Granola, Yogurt, Smoothies, Eggs

Lunches

Cheese Quesadillas, Chips, Fruit, Peppers x 2

Sandwich Crackers, Apple Chips, Carrots x 2

Leftovers x 3

Dinners

Grilled Chicken, Green Beans, Biscuits, Coleslaw

Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Creamy Milk Rice, Cauliflower

Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet, Broccoli

Potato Crust Pizza, Green Beans

Spaghetti (using ground venison sausage), Easy Homemade Breadsticks, Broccoli

Graduation BBQ at a Friend’s House

Leftovers

Get a FREE One Week Menu Plan!

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

Yes, I Want It!

If you’ve been following on Instagram, you know that I recently stopped eating refined sugar. I’ve been trying out different no sugar desserts, candy, and sweet treat options that don’t have refined sugar and wanted to compile some of my favorites (so far) plus a few I haven’t tried that have come highly recommended.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More Links You’ll Love:

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

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

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

FREE Goal Setting Worksheets!

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

Send Me My FREE Worksheets!

So many people think budgeting is something you set once and leave alone. In actuality, budgeting is more like sourdough starter. You’ve got to check in, stir things up a little, and feed it regularly or it falls apart fast.

Instead of waiting for the end of the month to wonder where all the money went, I highly recommend doing a simple 5-minute budget check-in every week. That’s it. Five minutes. It just might completely change how you handle money… and it’s so simple!

If you’ve ever felt behind, unorganized, or just too overwhelmed to look at your bank account, this is for you.

The Five-Minute Budget Check-In:

Here are the six questions I recommend asking at the end of each week to keep your budget on track and your sanity intact (if you are married, I recommend reviewing these with your spouse, if possible):

1. What Worked This Week?

Let’s start with the good stuff. Did you stick to your grocery budget? Actually skip the drive-thru? Pack lunches three times instead of eating out at work?

Even if your big goal is to pay off debt or save $1,000, the little wins count. For me, this might be that we ate leftovers or I made a meal from what we had in the pantry. Or, I came up with a way to use something I already have on hand instead of buying new. Or, I found a really great deal on something I already needed to buy!

For whatever went right: notice it, name it, and acknowledge the win.

2. What Didn’t Work?

This part isn’t for shaming yourself. It’s for learning.

Did you blow the takeout budget on Wednesday because you forgot to meal prep? Did you “accidentally” walk into Target and unintentionally spend $67 on things you didn’t really need?

Maybe you reflect on this and realize that you spend extra money on snacks every Friday. As you think about it, perhaps you realize you are always out running errands with your kids after school on Fridays and everyone is hungry.

This awareness is key! Now, you can plan a fun snack stop in advance and budget for it OR bring snacks from home. Boom. Problem solved!

3. What Do I Want to Change?

This is where the magic happens. Maybe your Dining Out budget needs more wiggle room. Maybe you didn’t track things well this week because life felt crazy.

Ask yourself: What could I change next week to feel more prepared or in control? Sometimes the answer is simple like setting a phone reminder to log receipts. Sometimes it’s deeper, like realizing your budget doesn’t match your real life and needs a total refresh. Or that you are trying to buy happiness and need to fast from spending money to instead try to address the emotions that you’re masking by spending money.

Either way, there’s always something you can adjust.

By the way, if you need help resetting your budget, check out my FREE 5-Day Budget Makeover! In just 5 days, I’ll help you build a budget that you can actually stick with.

4. What Surprised Me?

Did something cost more than expected? Did you get a refund you forgot about? Was the electric bill way lower thanks to cooler weather?

Just this past week, I got a notification that we’d been charged $28 for a monthly fee for something. I didn’t recognize the company. Turns out, one of our teens had signed up for something (with our permission) thinking it was a one-time fee and it turned out to be an ongoing subscription. We had the teen go in and get that resolved and cancelled. And I was so glad I caught it because $28 a month would add up very quickly!

Surprises are little gifts of insight… even the frustrating ones.

5. Was I Over Budget Anywhere?

If you went over your budget, ask yourself: Was this a one-time thing, or is it happening often?

If it’s a pattern (like groceries being $50 over every week), it might be time to either:

• Adjust the budget
• Adjust your spending habits
• Or both!

Either way, don’t beat yourself up. This is just helpful information. Think of your budget like a GPS: if you take a wrong turn, it just recalculates. It doesn’t call you irresponsible.

6. Any “Aha” Moments?

Sometimes during this check-in, you might discover something big about your money mindset. Like the week I was grieving the loss of something big in my life and realized I wanted to just buy something to try to fill the hole and take away some of the sadness. This was a good reminder for me to stop and give myself space to acknowledge my sadness and the depths of the loss I was feeling.

Or maybe you instead are noticing how calm you feel and you realized it’s because you’ve been planning ahead and saving for upcoming bills.

Those little lightbulb moments are powerful. They help you understand yourself and build better habits that actually stick.

Weekly Check-Ins = Real Budget Confidence

This simple practice just might help you go from “I have no idea what I’m doing” to “I’ve got this. I have a plan. And I’m living in a way that lines up with my values and priorities!”

So this weekend, grab your planner, a sticky note, or even just the Notes app on your phone. Set a 5-minute reminder and ask yourself these six questions. You don’t need a fancy app or a perfect plan. You just need a willingness to check in, learn from what has happened, make some small tweaks, and try again next week.

Because every little step matters.

Want More Help Managing Your Money?

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

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

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

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

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

Plus, if you pre-order my book, you’ll get access to exclusive bonus materials, including my Money Reset Toolkit. This exclusive product includes two printable resources you’ll want to come back to again and again: The 10-Minute Money Reset and What to Do First With Your Money Roadmap.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply unsure what to do next, this printable toolkit will help you stop spinning your wheels and focus on one simple, meaningful step at a time. Find out more and access the pre-order bonus Money Reset Toolkit here.

You Might Also Like:

• Ask Crystal: Which Budgeting App is Best?
• 7 Simple Rhythms That Bring Peace to Our Home
• How to Teach Kids About Money Management: An Age-By-Age Guide
• How Can I Budget When I’m So Far Behind?
• Ask Crystal: How Do I Get My Spouse on Board with Budgeting?
• 15 “Weird” Ways to Save Money
• 25 Ways to Save Money on Groceries
• The Best Apps to Make Money Reselling Your Stuff
• Small Leaks, Big Impact: How Tiny Daily Spending Habits Can Quietly Drain (or Transform!) Your Budget
• How to Start a Savings Plan That Works
• How to Get Out of Debt

If you try this 5-minute budget check-in, I’d love to hear what you discover in the comments below!

This week’s $10 Family Dinner was inspired by free Pillsbury biscuits that I got from Publix last week! You can always make your own biscuit dough if you prefer, especially if it happens to be a night that you have extra time. Since our family is right in the middle of after-school cross country practices and baseball practices/games right now, it’s nice to have a basic recipe like this to fall back on when I’m very short on time.

You can customize this with whatever pizza toppings your family loves! My family is extremely boring, so we stick with pepperoni, haha. I added a side of watermelon since it’s still in season and on sale right now. This is a perfect end-of-summer dinner!

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.

Bubble Pizza Dinner Menu:

• Bubble Pizza
• Watermelon

Ingredients for Bubble Pizza

• 2 16.3-ounce cans biscuits (Publix – free with coupons and Fetch and Ibotta Rebates) — $0
• 2 cups spaghetti sauce (Aldi – $1.67 for 3 cups) — $1.12
• 1 6-ounce package pepperoni (Bargain City – 12 lbs for $30) — $0.94
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, divided (Publix – 8 oz for $2.49) — $1.40
• 3 cups shredded cheese, divided (Bargain City – 5 lbs for $10) — $1.50
• Additional pizza toppings of choice, if desired

Total for Bubble Pizza: $4.96 (serves 6)

Ingredients for Sides:

• Watermelon (Aldi) — $4.49

Total for Sides: $4.49 (serves 6+)

Total Cost for Dinner: $9.45 (makes 6 servings)

How to Make Bubble Pizza:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut each piece of biscuit dough into 4 pieces using kitchen scissors.

2. In a large bowl, gently toss together the biscuit pieces, sauce, pepperoni (I cut each piece in half), 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup mozzarella cheese (along with any other desired toppings). Transfer to a well-greased 9 x13 pan.

3. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until biscuits seem done. Top with remaining cheeses and bake until cheese is melted. Broil until cheese starts to brown, if desired.

4. While the pizza is baking, cut the watermelon into bite-sized pieces and serve alongside the Bubble Pizza.

Print

Bubble Pizza ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

This recipe is a fun and yummy twist on traditional pizza! It’s a sure crowd-pleaser, while being a little different than the same ol’ pizza.

Course dinner, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword easy dinner, easy side dish, family favorite, pizza, weeknight dinner

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 887kcal

Author Brigette

Cost $9.45

Ingredients

Ingredients for Bubble Pizza

• 2 16.3- ounce cans biscuits Publix – free with coupons and Fetch and Ibotta Rebates — $0
• 2 cups spaghetti sauce Aldi – $1.67 for 3 cups — $1.12
• 1 6- ounce package pepperoni Bargain City – 12 lbs for $30 — $0.94
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese divided (Publix – 8 oz for $2.49) — $1.40
• 3 cups shredded cheese divided (Bargain City – 5 lbs for $10) — $1.50
• Additional pizza toppings of choice if desired

Ingredients for Sides:

• Watermelon Aldi — $4.49

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut each piece of biscuit dough into 4 pieces using kitchen scissors.
• In a large bowl, gently toss together the biscuit pieces, sauce, pepperoni (I cut each piece in half), 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup mozzarella cheese (along with any other desired toppings). Transfer to a well-greased 9 x13 pan.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until biscuits seem done. Top with remaining cheeses and bake until cheese is melted. Broil until cheese starts to brown, if desired.
• While the pizza is baking, cut the watermelon into bite-sized pieces and serve alongside the Bubble Pizza.

Nutrition

Calories: 887kcal | Carbohydrates: 103g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 2184mg | Potassium: 1172mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 3850IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 469mg | Iron: 6mg

More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10:

• Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet
• French Toast Casserole and Baked Scrambled Eggs
• Easy Baked Chicken
• Biscuits and Gravy
• Quick & Easy Mini Calzones
• Mexican Lasagna
• Easy Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet
• Chicken Alfredo Pizza
• Chicken Burgers and Baked Fries
• Spaghetti Pizza
• Cheesy Potato Soup and Bread Machine Dinner Rolls
• Homemade Chipotle Chicken Bowls

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

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

FREE One Week Menu Plan!

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

Send me my FREE Menu Plan!

For years, I was really good at pushing through. Pushing through tiredness, hunger, stress, and a full schedule.

At 44 with six kids and a full life, I’ve become much more intentional about taking care of myself and paying attention to what my body needs.

I’ve been learning that taking care of myself isn’t something I need to squeeze in after everything else is done.

These are five of the practices I’ve been prioritizing that help me have more energy:

1. Getting more sleep.
I try to be in bed for at least 7–7½ hours every night. Sleep is something I’m really intentional about prioritizing instead of treating it like the first thing I can sacrifice when life gets full.

2. Fueling my body well.
I aim for 120 grams of protein and 30+ grams of fiber each day, plus plenty of healthy carbs and fats. I’ve become much more intentional about making sure I’m actually nourishing my body well. (Check out this post to read more about what I eat in a day!)

3. Prioritizing movement.
Right now, I run 4 days a week and strength train 2 days a week. Consistent movement has become an important rhythm in my week.

4. Having life-giving rhythms.
I try to have at least 1–2 things every day that I’m genuinely looking forward to… things like reading fiction for 30 minutes, watching a show with Jesse, taking a walk with a friend, etc.

5. Looking to Jesus.
This is the foundation underneath everything else. I start my day with prayer, give everything to God, and invite Him to give me what I need to do what He’s called me to that day.

None of these are revolutionary. But I’m learning that the basics really matter — and that caring for myself well helps me have more energy for the life right in front of me.

What are some things that help you have more energy? I’d love for you to leave a comment and share what helps you! 

Speaking of being 44 years old, this blew my mind!! When I saw this I had to check and recheck it because, y’all, how is this true?! 

I did the math and was still like, “it can’t be right!” I finally had to google to verify that it was, indeed, correct!! 

I don’t really know what to say. Except, as someone born in 1981, I feel old now. 🫣

But one amazing thing about getting older is doing things my younger self never could have imagined me doing. For example, I never ever would have envisioned myself as a confident medical mama. All my life, I’d been squeamish about anything medical. 

But then… in the middle of a Tuesday night a few years ago, a DCS worker dropped David off with us and I knew immediately he was going to need serious medical attention. 

I quickly was thrust into being a medical mama — ready or not! And here’s the crazy thing: while I have felt squeamish at times with all the difference things his care has required, I’ve learned to rely on Jesus like never before! 

When something feels overwhelming, I cry out to Jesus and He is always faithful! 

David had a major surgery 3 1/2 weeks after he came to live with us — and he had complications after the surgery that were scary (we later found out his body struggles with anesthesia!). However, despite the unexpected and unsettling days after his surgery, I found that I actually loved being able to advocate for his care and that I felt so comfortable in the hospital setting!

It was shocking to me — someone who had avoided those types of situations all my life! (Now I’ve actually seriously considered going to nursing school because of all my experiences with such amazing medical teams who have gone above and beyond for us!)

In the early days, I was scared of messing with David’s feeding tube port.

In fact, the first time his internal g-tube port fell out, Jesse and I freaked out and took David to the ER to have them replace it for us!

Gradually, we got more and more accustomed to giving feeds, cleaning the port area, changing his gauze around the area (his leaks and bleeds often, and administering meds.

Then, I remember the day Jesse and I successfully changed his g-tube ourselves! You would have thought we had just performed brain surgery for how accomplished we felt! 

During David’s second major surgery, the hospital asked if they could bring in some medical students and I could teach them about David’s cleft lip and palate and feeding tube.

I absolutely loved getting to show them and answer their questions. And I kept thinking that 20-year-old Crystal would never ever have imagined that 40-year-old Crystal would be teaching medical students in a hospital!!

Yesterday, I was home with all three younger kids and David pulled his g-tube port out. I did slightly panic because usually it’s a two-person job to get it back in, thanks to David’s Houdini abilities!

But since Jesse and Silas were out of town and Kaitlynn was at school, it was just me and Jesus to get the job done. I prayed that David would lie still, prepped everything so I could move as fast as possible before David wriggled away. And…  did it – and got it back in on the first try! (Thank You, Jesus, for helping David stay calm!)

I was reflecting on how things that once felt daunting and overwhelming are now just a part of our daily life. I never ever imagined I’d be a medical mama, but it’s now a title I wear with honor. Getting to advocate for and care for our sweet boy is one of the greatest gifts of my life!

To all my fellow medical mamas: You are amazing and I want you to know that I see you and I celebrate the many sacrifices you are making to advocate for your child.

If you’ve been thinking about pre-ordering The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women, here’s another reason to grab your copy!

When you pre-order from any retailer, you are eligible to claim an incredible collection of exclusive pre-order bonuses — including this week’s bonus: The Money Reset Toolkit. This practical toolkit includes the 10-Minute Money Reset worksheet + What to Do First With Your Money Roadmap, created to help you reset your finances, get clear on your priorities, and know exactly what to do next.  These are simple, actionable tools you can use again and again anytime you need a financial reset or a clear next step.

And your pre-order gives you access to all the bonuses released so far and every new bonus still to come before the book launches! There are so many practical resources included, and I don’t want you to miss them!

Pre-order your copy + claim your bonuses here!

Did you hear the news?! I’m starting a book club!!! For years and years, people have been begging me to do a book club. I always felt like I wasn’t sure if enough people would actually be interested or if it was just adding another thing to my plate.

But then, my sister, Gretchen, had an idea a few weeks ago that was brilliant: Instead of trying to make it some big and complicated endeavor, why not just choose a book every month that I was going to read and invite you all to read it with me and then do a recap post at the end of the month.

I immediately loved the idea. It was so simple and doable — and it sounded FUN!

So, welcome to my brand-new book club: Read With Crystal.

Read all about it here — and hit reply to let me know if you will be joining us!

This Week on The Crystal Paine Show: Vomit-Inducing Fears (Jesse’s CrossFit Competition)

Join Jesse and me this week as we talk about something that scared Jesse: doing his first CrossFit competition! Hear about how, a few months before the competition, he told me that he wanted to compete and, while I could tell that he truly wanted to do it, I could also tell just how much fear was standing in his way. He had movements that he wasn’t sure he could do, weights that he had never lifted, and the very real possibility of doing all of this in front of a bunch of people. Honestly, I wasn’t convinced that he was actually going to make it to competition day.

However, he signed up, he trained, and he prepared, and then, six months later, we found ourselves watching him walk into that competition!

Listen in as we talk about what it was like in the weeks leading up to it, including that very specific, stomach-churning kind of fear that makes you wonder, “Why did I sign up for this?”

Jesse shares how his coach helped him reframe those jitters as his body preparing to do something difficult and how he learned to stop worrying about what everyone else was doing and simply run his own race.

We then get into the actual competition — the three workouts, the 53-pound kettlebells, the clean and jerks, the moments when Jesse surprised himself, and the incredible encouragement that he received from the other competitors. (One workout in particular became a moment I don’t think any of us will forget!)

One of the most meaningful parts for me was definitely watching our kids watch their dad do something that scared him. It was a powerful reminder that sometimes the lessons our children remember most are the ones we teach simply by being willing to try something hard. We also discuss what Jesse learned from the experience, why he’s already thinking about doing more competitions, and why putting something on the calendar can be such a powerful way to push yourself forward.

If there’s something you’ve been afraid to try, we really hope that this episode reminds you that you don’t have to feel fearless to take the first step! We hope that you enjoy this episode, and, as always, please reach out to us with your thoughts and questions! Maybe you have your own story to share that involves overcoming fear?

Listen to the episode here.

What I’m Reading… 

Currently, I’m reading: Capable (SOO good!), Take My Hand (it’s been heartrending but so good so far!), More Than You Can Imagine, Helping Kids Through Grief, 101 Secrets For Your Twenties, and Making Peace With What I Can’t Control.

What I’m Watching…

I watched the whole Death of a Pastor’s Wife docuseries… and I honestly don’t know what to say. It was one of those that it was like a train wreck you couldn’t look away from. But also, I felt like it was such an insightful treatise on how church authority can be abused and the need for oversight for everyone in authority, especially pastors. I don’t know that I would recommend it because it could be super unsettling and goes into some detail that is kind of yucky, but I would love to hear from anyone who has watched it. What did you learn from it? 

What I’m Listening to…

I finished listening to The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. People said that Volume 1 is very slow, but I actually really enjoyed it! I just got volume 2 on Libby from the library and can’t wait to start it once I finish my current audiobook, The Girl Behind the Wall (which I am really enjoying!)

In Case You Missed It — Links from Recent Weeks: 

• Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet — This creamy, cheesy skillet is comfort food at its finest. It’s a one-pot meal the whole family will enjoy and, not only is it yummy, it’s frugal and quick too! 
  
• How to Get Out of Debt — Paying down debt is challenging even in the best circumstances. Between rising grocery prices, higher rent or mortgage payments, and everyday expenses that seem to cost more than they used to, it can feel harder than ever to make progress. If you find yourself feeling defeated and want to get out of debt, I hope this post will encourage you and give you practical, doable steps to climb out of debt. It may not happen overnight, but with a plan and consistent steps forward, progress is absolutely possible.
  
• This Week’s $113 Kroger Markdown Trip — I’ve been having so much fun being back to deal-shopping at Kroger again! Check out this post to see all the deals I scored this week, plus 12 dinner ideas based off my purchases! 
  
• Small Leaks, Big Impact: How Tiny Daily Spending Habits Can Drain (or Transform!) Your Budget — Have you ever wondered, “Why can’t I save money?” Do you ever get to the end of the month and realize that small purchases have sneakily diminished your bank account balance? Most of us have been there before, and if that’s you, be sure to check out this post for 5 simple, practical strategies to stop impulsive spending so you can confidently save more money each month. 

If not, there’s still time to be among the first readers — and to take advantage of my pre-order bonuses! This book is packed with practical, encouraging strategies to help you stop stressing about money, build simple habits that last, and create a personalized plan for a healthier financial future. It’s part personal story, part practical guide, and filled with realistic, actionable steps you can start using right away.

And that’s not all…

As a special thank-you for everyone who pre-orders, I’m putting together an incredible collection of exclusive bonuses — including this brand-new Money Reset Toolkit!

When you pre-order from any retailer, you’ll unlock every bonus we’ve released so far, plus every new bonus we’ll be adding before the book launches. We have so many more practical resources, challenges, and surprises planned, and I don’t want you to miss a single one!

This exclusive Money Reset Toolkit includes two printable resources you’ll want to come back to again and again: The 10-Minute Money Reset and What to Do First With Your Money Roadmap.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply unsure what to do next, this printable toolkit will help you stop spinning your wheels and focus on one simple, meaningful step at a time.

Inside the Money Reset Toolkit, You’ll Discover:

• 10-Minute Money Reset Worksheet — A guided exercise to help you quickly reset your finances, gain clarity, and feel more in control of your money.
• What to Do First With Your Money Roadmap — A step-by-step action plan that shows you exactly where to start so you can move forward with confidence.
• A practical guide to help you build healthy money habits.
• Encouraging prompts that help you make your next wise financial decision instead of trying to do everything at once.

This toolkit was designed to bring the ideas from The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women to life with practical exercises you can use right away.

At the same time, it’s a helpful resource all by itself — perfect for those moments when you need to pause, refocus, and make one wise financial decision at a time.

Practical Tools for Real Life

One of the biggest mistakes I see women make is believing they have to fix everything about their finances all at once. We tell ourselves we’ll finally get serious about money when we have more time, earn more income, or can completely overhaul our budget.

But lasting financial health rarely happens that way. Instead it happens one wise decision at a time.

You can complete the 10-Minute Money Reset anytime you need a fresh start. Feeling stressed after an expensive month? Use the guide. Need to refocus after unexpected expenses? Pull it out again. Want a quick financial check-in before the weekend? It takes only ten minutes so you can start your weekend with peace and confidence.

The What to Do First With Your Money Roadmap complements the worksheet by giving you a simple process to work through to help you prioritize your next financial moves without feeling overwhelmed.

Together, these resources help you replace confusion with clarity and overwhelm with action.

How to Get This Exclusive Bonus

Simply pre-order The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women from any retailer and sign up through our pre-order bonus page.

When you do, you’ll receive this bonus plus every previous bonus we’ve released and every new bonus we’ll release before the book launches.

Pre-order your copy today and claim your complete bonus bundle!

Aldi

1/2 gallon Orange Juice – $3.35

1 32-oz carton Half and Half – $2.39

1/2 gallon Oatmilk – $3.49

1 gallon Whole Milk – $3.16

1 pkg Boneless Chicken Breasts ($2.19/lb) – $9.72

1 pkg Boneless Chicken Tenders ($2.29/lb) – $9.32

1 pkg Turkey Bacon – $3.49

1 32-oz carton Egg Whites – $4.79

1 Seedless Watermelon – $4.65

1 bunch Organic Bananas – $1.98

2 bags Green Beans – $4.70

1 Cauliflower – $2.89

1 pkg Broccoli Florets – $3.30

1 bag Spinach – $1.89

1 carton Gourmet Tomatoes – $2.99

1 3-ct pkg Multi-Colored Peppers – $2.69

1 carton Salt – $0.67

1-lb bag Shredded Cheddar Cheese – $3.29

1-lb bag Brown Sugar – $1.65

1 jar Marinara Sauce – $1.65

1 box Corn Starch – $1.89

1 canister Cinnamon – $0.99

1 bag String Cheese – $3.09

1 pkg Deli Sliced Cheese – $1.45

1 pkg Chili Seasoning – $0.48

1 can Organic Black Beans – $0.99

Total: $80.95

Publix

2 boxes Breyers Carb Smart ce Cream Bars – $5.49, received $3/2 Breyers Ibotta Rebate – $2.49 for 2 after Rebates

1 Salsa Floral Bouquet – FREE with Publix Perks Digital Coupon

2 Pillsbury Crescent Rolls – $3.49, used  $1/2 Pillsbury Publix Digital Coupon, plus received $1/2 Pillsbury Ibotta Rebate – $1.49 for 2 after Coupon and Rebate

1 Sesame Oil – $3.49

Total after Coupons and Rebate: $7.47

Grocery Total for the Week: $88.42

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Cereal, Oatmeal, Grits, Granola, Yogurt, Smoothies, Eggs, Brown Sugar Biscuit Twists

Lunches

Baked Potato Bar (Baked Potatoes, Bacon Pieces, Butter, Greek Yogurt, Shredded Cheese, Broccoli) x 2

Pizza

Leftovers x 4

Dinners

Chicken Gravy over Rice, Green Beans, Watermelon

Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Creamy Milk Rice, Cauliflower

Oven Fried Chicken, Broccoli, Biscuits, Watermelon

Chinese Chicken and Veggies Stir Fry, Seamed Rice

Build-Your-Own Taco Salad/Burrito (Seasoned Ground Venison, Chopped Romaine, Shredded Cheese, Cilantro, Chopped Green Onions, Salsa, Avocados, Chips, Rice, Greek Yogurt)

Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs (from our friend’s chickens) with Cheese

Leftovers

Most of us have been there before.

You run into Target for one thing and walk out with five extra “little” items. You swing through the drive-thru for a quick coffee or grab a few snacks while filling up on gas.

$5 here.
$10 there.
Maybe $15 on something cute you found on sale.

It doesn’t feel like a big deal in the moment. In fact, it often feels like a well-deserved treat after a long day or a necessary purchase for your home or family.

But over time? These small, frequent splurges can quietly drain your budget without you even realizing it.

I’m going to teach you some simple, practical strategies to stop impulsive spending so you can confidently save more money each month.

Why Most Budgets Aren’t Busted by Big Splurges

We tend to think our budgets get blown when we make a major purchase like a new phone, fancy dinner, or vacation. But in reality, it’s our daily spending habits that cause expenses to add up quickly as well.

Let’s do a little math. If you spend:

• $5 on coffee 3 times a week = $60/month
• $10 on snacks or drive-thru trips twice a week = $80/month
• $15 on impulse buys at Target or Amazon once a week = $60/month

That’s $200/month, or $2,400 a year, just on small, forgettable things!

The Power of Awareness

Most of us plan our budgets around big expenses like rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries, and gas. And we notice when we splurge on something major, like a new phone or furniture.

But the reality is, we don’t usually go over budget because of one big purchase. Instead, we overspend because of little things that fly under the radar, which often happens because we don’t track them.

A $7 coffee and muffin combo might not even get logged. A $12 app subscription might be auto-deducted and forgotten. And, by the time your bank account feels tight, you can’t quite figure out why.

The problem isn’t your intentions. It’s your awareness.

Small Spending Habits That Lead to Big Wins

The good news is, if small expenses can quietly drain your finances, they can also be the starting point for massive change.

Here are a few simple swaps and shifts that don’t feel like deprivation — but can save you hundreds each month:

Brew at home

Instead of a $5 latte three times a week, invest in a quality at-home coffee setup. Add some flavored creamer, froth your milk, or sprinkle cinnamon on top. Make it a special moment (not a chore) to treat yourself right at home.

Shop with a list and a mission

Walking into Target or Costco without a plan is like walking into a bakery on an empty stomach. You’ll walk out with more than you intended! Make a list before you go and stick to it. Or try curbside pickup or even grocery delivery to avoid temptation entirely.

Unsubscribe from temptation

If “just browsing” Amazon is your favorite hobby, consider deleting the app or turning off push notifications. Likewise, unsubscribe from emails with daily deals or flash sales that aren’t aligned with your actual needs.

Create a car or purse snack stash.

Many impulse purchases happen when you’re hungry or your kids are melting down. Keep inexpensive snacks like granola bars, crackers, or fruit pouches and reusable water bottles handy so you’re not tempted by vending machines or convenience store stops.

Use the 24-hour rule

Before making a non-essential purchase, give yourself a full day to think about it. Most of the time, the desire fades. And if it doesn’t, at least you’ll know it’s something you truly value. These intentional habits can help you stop impulsive spending.

You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Make Progress

If you’ve been feeling frustrated by your spending, or wondering why you can’t save money, take heart. You’re not alone.

The truth is, most people don’t break their budgets with one big blowout purchase. It’s the small daily habits like the emotional spending, the rushed decisions, the “I deserve this” moments that add up quietly over time.

But those same spending habits can be reshaped, one choice at a time. You don’t have to stop enjoying life. You just have to enjoy it on purpose.

Take one step today. Brew your coffee. Pack your snack. Skip the scroll-triggered shopping trip. And if you need a cheerleader along the way? I’m right here, rooting for you.

Want More Help Managing Your Money?

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

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

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

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

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

Related Links:

• The 5-Minute Weekly Budget Check-In That Might Change Your Finances
• How to Get Out of Debt
• How to Start a Savings Plan That Works
• The Best Apps to Make Money Reselling Your Stuff
• 25 Ways to Save Money on Groceries
• 15 “Weird” Ways to Save Money
• Ask Crystal: Which budgeting app is best?
• Ask Crystal: How can I budget when I’m so far behind?
• 30 Easy Ways to Save Money
• Ask Crystal: What money-saving strategies are worth your time?
• Ask Crystal: How do I get my spouse on board with budgeting?

What helps you avoid impulse purchases and stick to your budget in the small things? Share your tips in the comments!

Ready to Save $100 FAST?!

Join this FREE 14-Day $100 Savings Challenge
to jumpstart your savings and discover just
how easy saving can be!

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I’ve been having so much fun being back to deal-shopping at Kroger again! (If you are new here, I love shopping the markdowns at Kroger! Here’s more details on that.)

Here’s what I got:

• 4 bags of frozen chicken
• 1 bag of potatoes
• 4 Kevin’s meals
• 1 box red beans & rice
• 1 roast
• 1 bag of onions
• 2 tubs of lettuce
• 1 bag of carrots
• 1 frozen pizza
• 1 tub whipped cream cheese
• 2 packages of turkey sausage
• 1 tub cheese tortellini
• 1 can pasta sauce
• Family size Hawaiian Rolls
• 2 bags Purely Elizabeth granola

I spent $113 on all of this and came up with 12 meals to make from this! I’d love to hear other ideas you have of what I can make from this:

12 Meal Ideas

• Roast with Potatoes & Carrots
• Marinated Chicken with Mashed Potatoes
• Easy Baked Chicken with Cheesy Hashbrowns (I have cheese on hand.)
• Sausage, Potatoes, Onions, Carrots (this will be for a night when it’s just Jesse and me and the younger kids)
• Red Beans & Rice (boxed mix) with Sausage (this will be for a night when it’s just Jesse and me and the younger kids)
• Kevin’s Meals — this will be enough for two meals (we serve these with rice)
• Cheesy Potato Soup and Rolls (I already have the ham and cheese on hand.)
• Pizza (we used this for dinner one night when it was just me and the younger kids)
• Tortellini Layered with Pasta Sauce and Cheese (I already have the cheese on hand.)
• Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole (I already have the other ingredients on hand.)
• Chicken Quesadillas (I already have tortillas and cheese on hand.)

What other ideas do you have for things I can make with these groceries? I’d love to hear!

For more ideas, check out my free list of 60 meals to make instead of getting takeout.

I originally got this recipe from here, but I doubled it and made some changes to the ratios to make it more frugal.  I almost always have all of these ingredients on hand, so this is a go-to meal when it’s 5pm and I’m feeling uninspired as far as what to serve for dinner.

Tonight I served it with a simple tossed salad, since I found some huge tubs of organic spring mix at Aldi that were reduced down to $2 each, but it pairs well with so many different sides  — and it can also stand alone as an entire meal in and of itself! 

We’re back from a summer break with this $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.

Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet Menu:

• Tossed Salad (Spring Mix, Carrot, and Grape Tomatoes)
• Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet

Ingredients for Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet:

• 2 yellow onions, diced (Aldi – $1.49 for 3 lbs) — $0.33
• 4 Tablespoons butter (Aldi – $2.79 for 1-lb) — $0.35
• 1-lb. boneless skinless chicken breast (or thighs), diced into small pieces (Aldi) — $2.49
• 2 cups white rice (Aldi – $2.95 for 3-lbs) — $0.98
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, pepper to taste
• 1 32-ounce carton chicken broth plus two cups of water (Aldi) — $1.39
• 1 bag frozen mixed vegetables (Aldi) — $0.98
• 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream (Aldi – $4.95 for 32oz) — $0.83
• 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (Aldi) — $1.49

Total for Baked Chicken: $8.84 (serves 6-8)

Ingredients for Tossed Salad:

• organic spring mix, reduced (Aldi) — $1
• 1 shredded carrot, handful of grape tomatoes (Aldi) — approximately $0.75

Total for Tossed Salad: $1.75 (serves 6)

Total Cost for Dinner: $10.09 (plus cost of seasonings) (makes 6+ servings)

How to Make Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet:

1. Add the diced onions and butter to an oven-safe deep skillet. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft.

2. Add the diced chicken and continue to stir and cook for a few minutes.

3. Add the rice, thyme, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chicken broth, and water, and stir to combine. Turn the heat up to medium high, place a lid on the skillet, and bring to a boil. Once it boils, turn the heat down to low and continue simmering for 15 minutes, covered, stirring occasionally.

4. Add the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for another 5 minutes, covered.

5. Add the heavy whipping cream and stir. Add more salt to taste, if desired.

6. Top with shredded cheese. Turn on the oven broiler and place the skillet under the broiler until cheese starts to brown.

7. Prepare the tossed salad (or another side of your choice) by adding the spring mix, shredded carrot, and grape tomatoes to a bowl. If desired, add a dressing you have on hand or drizzle some oil and vinegar and toss together.

Note: Recipe adapted from this recipe.

Print

Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

This creamy, cheesy skillet is comfort food at its finest. It’s a one-pot meal that my entire family enjoys. And, not only is it yummy, it’s frugal and quick too!  

Course dinner, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

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

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 683kcal

Author Brigette

Cost $10.09

Ingredients

Ingredients for Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet:

• 2 yellow onions diced (Aldi – $1.49 for 3 lbs) — $0.33
• 4 Tablespoons butter Aldi – $2.79 for 1-lb — $0.35
• 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced into small pieces (Aldi) — $2.49
• 2 cups white rice Aldi – $2.95 for 3-lbs — $0.98
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, pepper to taste
• 1 carton chicken broth (32 oz) plus two cups of water Aldi — $1.39
• 1 bag frozen mixed vegetables Aldi — $0.98
• 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream Aldi – $4.95 for 32oz — $0.83
• 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded (Aldi) — $1.49

Ingredients for Tossed Salad:

• 1 carton organic spring mix reduced (Aldi) — $1
• 1 shredded carrot
• 1 handful grape tomatoes Aldi — approximately $0.75

Instructions

• Add the diced onions and butter to an oven-safe deep skillet. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft.
• Add the diced chicken and continue to stir and cook for a few minutes.
• Add the rice, thyme, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chicken broth, and water, and stir to combine. Turn the heat up to medium high, place a lid on the skillet, and bring to a boil. Once it boils, turn the heat down to low and continue simmering for 15 minutes, covered, stirring occasionally.
• Add the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for another 5 minutes, covered.
• Add the heavy whipping cream and stir. Add more salt to taste, if desired.
• Top with shredded cheese. Turn on the oven broiler and place the skillet under the broiler until cheese starts to brown.
• Prepare the tossed salad (or another side of your choice) by adding the spring mix, shredded carrot, and grape tomatoes to a bowl. (If desired, add a dressing you have on hand or drizzle some oil and vinegar and toss together.)

Notes

Tonight I served this Chicken and Rice Skillet with a simple tossed salad, since I found some huge tubs of organic spring mix at Aldi that were reduced down to $2 each, but it pairs well with so many different sides  — and it can also stand alone as an entire meal in and of itself! 

Nutrition

Calories: 683kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 997mg | Potassium: 652mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 5233IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 342mg | Iron: 2mg

More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10:

• French Toast Casserole and Baked Scrambled Eggs
• Easy Baked Chicken
• Biscuits and Gravy
• Quick & Easy Mini Calzones
• Mexican Lasagna
• Easy Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet
• Chicken Alfredo Pizza
• Chicken Burgers and Baked Fries
• Spaghetti Pizza
• Cheesy Potato Soup and Bread Machine Dinner Rolls
• Homemade Chipotle Chicken Bowls
• Crustless Spinach Quiche and Whole Wheat Bread

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

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

FREE One Week Menu Plan!

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

Send me my FREE Menu Plan!

Okay, I’m going be honest: I had fallen into a bad habit of checking Instagram and TikTok right after I got up in the morning. I have had some posts that kind of blew up both places this past month and I got sucked into seeing the numbers on those climb. 

It was usually only 10 minutes of checking, but it wasn’t how I wanted to start my day. The pull just felt so strong to check for a bit every morning! 

I was convicted by a podcast I recorded this past week with Ashley Martin that I wasn’t prioritizing Jesus first thing in the morning. So I committed to return to my habit of not getting on my phone for the first 30 minutes of each day. It has been making such a difference in how I start my day! 

Instead of checking my phone, some of the ways I love to start my day are by watching the sun rise, moving my body, and reading books that are spiritually uplifting and challenging. (If you want some book ideas, check out this post of the Best Devotionals and Christian Books for Women!)

I got this message this week and am curious if you’ve ever felt like this. If so, I’d love to hear from you! 

Hi. I know you keep talking about budgeting and I’m sure you’re passionate about it, but I never thought it was necessary in our household. We are not big spenders, never get coffee at Starbucks or things like that, etc. Never was short at the end of the month etc. so I’m not sure how a budget would be beneficial. In our household bills are always paid in full first every month. So l don’t see how a budget would be beneficial. Never have. Also could never figure out how to forecast. Car payments and mortgages are exact, but things like water bills, electric bills, credit card bills, etc differ. Always confused me. There’s no way to guess. Sorry for rambling.

Here are my thoughts… 

I’m so grateful for this question because I think it gets at the heart of what makes consistent budgeting SO hard for people!

A budget isn’t just for people who are struggling financially; it can be an amazing tool for people who have some wiggle room in their budget, too. It allows you to set goals, work towards them, give more generously, save more aggressively, and not have to worry about whether or not you can spend money on things.

If you want help budgeting, I walk you through how to set up a budget and what to do about variable expenses in my FREE 5-Day Budget Makeover course. Having a budget has given us so much freedom — and it’s allowed us to never have debt and to be able to give generously!

Speaking of budgeting, did you know my 6th book is all about good money habits?? (Plus, it has so many fun stories from my childhood and early marriage!)

It comes out October 27 and you can get a free signed bookplate sticker from me if you preorder this week or have already pre-ordered!

This Week on The Crystal Paine Show: Reimagining Church as Family with Dr. JJ Jones

What does it really mean for the church to be a family? In this episode of The Crystal Paine Show, I am joined by my friend and one of our pastors, Dr. JJ Jones, co-author of Reimagining Church as Family, for a conversation about how to help others feels seen, welcomed, and truly included in our churches!

Listen in as JJ shares how years of research and ministry experience led him and his co-author, Rich Griffith, to rethink some of the traditional approaches to family ministry. Too often, as he discusses, our programs, language, and even the ways in which we structure church life assume a traditional nuclear family, and that can unintentionally leave single parents, divorced parents, single adults, foster and adoptive families, families raising children with disabilities, and others feeling like they don’t quite belong.

The two of us talk about what it looks like to move beyond simply supporting someone during a crisis and actually walking with them for the long haul. We discuss the importance of examining the words that we use, listening to people’s stories, and asking what the church can do differently so that people don’t feel like outsiders in God’s family.

We also get practical about what church members and leaders can do to enact change such as creating more intergenerational spaces, inviting someone to sit with you, sharing a meal, making accommodations, mentoring younger believers, and simply being willing to have the sometimes-awkward conversations that lead to real connection!

Maybe most importantly, we talk about following Jesus toward the people who may feel overlooked or pushed to the margins, and I truly hope this conversation encourages you to look around your own church community with fresh eyes and ask: Who might be here but still feel alone, and what could I do to change that?

Listen to the episode here.

What I’m Reading… 

I finished Reimagining Church as Family this week. If you are looking for a resource to e, 

Currently, I’m reading: Capable (SOO good!), Take My Hand (it’s been heartrending but so good so far!), House Hushing, More Than You Can Imagine, Moving with God, This Moment Matters, Lost No More, But I Prayed for This, Helping Kids Through Grief, and 101 Secrets For Your Twenties (been prepping for lots of podcast interviews — stay tuned for some amazing episodes dropping in the next few months!)

What I’m Watching…

We finished the second season of The Mole and enjoyed it. If you like reality shows that keep you guessing and Who Done It sort of mysteries, I think you might enjoy it. Note that it does have some language in it.

The younger kids and I watched Soul Surfer this week. They were fascinated by Bethany’s story and so we then started watching the season of Amazon Race she was on (Season 25).

What I’m Listening to…

I finished listening to Glad You’re Here: Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Breaking Fences this week and really loved it. A fascinating and convicting story of how to show up for others and have deep friendship.

And then — because it felt like almost every other person on the internet was recommending it — I started listening to The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. People said that Volume 1 is very slow, but I’m enjoying the story so far!

In Case You Missed It — Links from Recent Weeks: 

• How to Get Out of Debt — Paying down debt is challenging even in the best circumstances. Between rising grocery prices, higher rent or mortgage payments, and everyday expenses that seem to cost more than they used to, it can feel harder than ever to make progress. If you find yourself feeling defeated and want to get out of debt, I hope this post will encourage you and give you practical, doable steps to climb out of debt. It may not happen overnight, but with a plan and consistent steps forward, progress is absolutely possible.
  
• A Precious Video That’ll Make You Smile… And Remind You of the Impact of Adoption! — We found these two swinging on the back swing like this before school one morning this week. 🥰 We’ve heard over and over from people that their greatest fear in adopting a child with disabilities is how it would impact their bio kids. Listen, it definitely has impacted ours — in the most positive of ways. They are more caring, kind, loving, patient, compassionate, and empathetic people. David has changed us all for the better.
  
• For Those Who Never Want to Miss a Deal — My team sorts through hundreds of deals every day to find the very best ones! Then we send the top 10-15 straight to your inbox, usually once in the morning and once in the evening. If saving money is one of your goals, this is one of the simplest ways to stay on top of the best deals that tend to go fast.
  
• How to Start a Savings Plan that Works — As you know, I’m passionate about helping you save money in practical, everyday ways. But there’s another important piece of the puzzle that sometimes gets overlooked: having a plan for the money you save. When you intentionally direct those savings toward specific goals, that’s when your savings will start to actually give you breathing room and peace of mind. This post will help you get started! 

Okay, for years and years, people have been begging me to do a book club. I always felt like I wasn’t sure if enough people would actually be interested or if it was just adding another thing to my plate.

But then, my sister, Gretchen, had an idea a few weeks ago that was brilliant: Instead of trying to make it some big and complicated endeavor, why not just pick a book every month that I was going to read and invite you all to read it with me and then do a recap post at the end of the month.

I immediately loved the idea. It was so simple and doable — and it sounded FUN!

So, welcome to my brand-new book club: Read With Crystal.

How the Book Club Will Work

Here’s how it will work:

1. I’ll announce the book club pick for the month on the blog and on social media. You can buy the book online, from a local book store, get it from the library, or listen to the audiobook. You choose!

2. We’ll read through the book that month. I may mention it here and there on social media or on the blog. I may not. It just depends!

3. At the end of the month, I will post a post with my full review and thoughts of the book. I will invite you to share your thoughts in the comments on that blog post or in the post I share on social media.

4. That’s it! We’ll repeat this every month with a new book.

You can join us every month or just on the months that the book looks interesting to you. Whatever works for you — this is a no obligation book club!

September’s Book Club Pick

September’s book pick is Lady Tan’s Circle of Women. This is an historical fiction book that has been highly recommended to me.

Here’s the description from Amazon:

According to Confucius, “an educated woman is a worthless woman,” but Tan Yunxian—born into an elite family, yet haunted by death, separations, and loneliness—is being raised by her grandparents to be of use. Her grandmother is one of only a handful of female doctors in China, and she teaches Yunxian the pillars of Chinese medicine, the Four Examinations—looking, listening, touching, and asking—something a man can never do with a female patient.

From a young age, Yunxian learns about women’s illnesses, many of which relate to childbearing, alongside a young midwife-in-training, Meiling. The two girls find fast friendship and a mutual purpose—despite the prohibition that a doctor should never touch blood while a midwife comes in frequent contact with it—and they vow to be forever friends, sharing in each other’s joys and struggles. No mud, no lotus, they tell themselves: from adversity beauty can bloom.

But when Yunxian is sent into an arranged marriage, her mother-in-law forbids her from seeing Meiling and from helping the women and girls in the household. Yunxian is to act like a proper wife—embroider bound-foot slippers, recite poetry, give birth to sons, and stay forever within the walls of the family compound, the Garden of Fragrant Delights.

How might a woman like Yunxian break free of these traditions and lead a life of such importance that many of her remedies are still used five centuries later? How might the power of friendship support or complicate these efforts? A captivating story of women helping each other, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is a triumphant reimagining of the life of one person who was remarkable in the Ming dynasty and would be considered remarkable today.

I have not read any books before on this topic or time period, so I am very intrigued and excited to read it. If you are joining us in reading it, let us know in the comments below. If you’ve read the book before, feel free to share your honest opinion (no spoilers, please!)

Get a copy of Lady Tan’s Circle of Women here — or check your local library to get a copy (I was able to get a copy without a wait at my library!)

Any questions? Ask away in the comments! Also, if you have suggestions for future book club books, let me know! I will be compiling a list!

Note: I will do my best to pick books that are clean (no bedroom scenes) and don’t have a lot of cursing in them. However, since I won’t have read the book before I pick it, I am not endorsing a book just by picking it. But I will do my best to research it to try to make sure it’s no more than a PG or PG-13 type book.

Aldi

1/2 gallon Orange Juice – $3.35

1 32-oz carton Half and Half – $2.38

1 gallon Whole Milk – $3.16

1 5-lb bag Flour – $1.89

1 5-lb bag Jasmine Rice – $6.09

1 box Butter Quarters – $2.69

1 plg Boneless Chicken Breasts ($2.19/lb) – $12.09

1 32-oz carton Egg Whites – $4.79

2 32-oz cartons Plain Greek Yogurt – $5.58

1 pkg Turkey Bacon – $3.49

1 pkg String Cheese – $3.09

1 1-lb bag Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – $3.29

1 bag Romaine Hearts – $3.29

1 bag Baby Carrots – $0.79

1 bag Green Onions – $0.89

1 carton Gourmet Tomatoes – $2.59

1 bag Cilantro – $0.75

2 bags Fresh Green Beans – $4.70

1 pkg Broccoli Crowns – $2.55

2 Avocados – $1.30

1 bag Mini Cucumbers – $1.89

1 can Baking Powder – $1.95

Total: $73.42

Publix

4 boxes Magnum Ice Cream Bars – $12.96, received (2) $3/2 Magnum Ibotta Rebates – $6.96 for 4 after Rebates

2 boxes Wonder Cakes – $3.95, used $1.50/1 Wonder Publix Digital Coupon, plus received $0.35/2 Wonder Ibotta Rebate – $2.10 for 2 after Coupon and Rebates

1 bag Ratio Granola – $4.24, used $1/1 General Mills Publix Digital Coupon, plus received $1/1 Ratio Ibotta Rebate and 250 points from Fetch ($0.25) – $1.99 after Coupon

2 boxes Veggies Made Great – $6.99, received $3.49/2 Aisle Rebate – $3.50 for 2 after Rebate

3 packages Mighty Spark Chicken Sticks – $11.38, received 6,958 points from Merryfield ($6.96) – $4.42 for 3 after Rebate (and yes, one stick is already missing by the time I made it home from the store, haha!)

2 boxes Banza Pasta – $3.99

1 bag Bob’s Red Mill Ground Flaxseed – $3.49

1 bag Extreme Wellness Gluten-Free Wraps – $3.19

1 tub Noosa Yogurt (We love this yogurt!) – $1.49, used $1.49/1 Noosa Publix Digital Coupon – $0.99 after Coupon

2 11.5oz bottles Hellman’s Mayonnaise – $4.94, used $2/1 Hellman’s Publix Digital Coupon, plus received 3670 points from Fetch ($3.67) – $0.73 Money Maker after Coupon and Rebate!

~ Paid with $10 Stocking Spree Gift Card

Total after Coupons, Gift Card and Rebates: $19.90

Grocery Total for the Week: $93.32

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Cereal, Oatmeal, Grits, Granola, Yogurt, Smoothies, Eggs 

Lunches

Meat Sticks, Cheese Sticks, Applesauce Pouches, Cucumbers, Peppers (from our friend’s garden), Wonder Cakes, Veggies Made Great Muffins x 3 (school lunches for my boys)

Leftovers x 4

Dinners

Chicken Gravy over Rice, Green Beans

Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs (from our friend’s chickens), Bacon

Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Creamy Milk Rice, Tossed Salad

Grilled Chicken, Broccoli, Biscuits

Cheesy Tortellini Bake, Green Bean Fries

Build-Your-Own Taco Salad/Burrito (Seasoned Ground Venison, Chopped Romaine, Shredded Cheese, Cilantro, Chopped Green Onions, Salsa, Avocados, Chips, Rice, Greek Yogurt)

Leftovers

Get a FREE One Week Menu Plan!

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

Yes, I Want It!

And if you’re already carrying credit card balances, medical bills, or other debt, those higher living costs can make the situation feel even heavier. But here’s the encouraging truth: many families have successfully worked their way to get out of debt one small step at a time.

While Jesse and I didn’t bring traditional debt into our marriage, we did spend years living on a tight budget while he was in law school and we were building our family. There were plenty of seasons where money felt stretched thin, and we had to learn how to be creative, disciplined, and intentional with every dollar.

The same principles that helped us stretch our income can also help families who are trying to climb out of debt. It may not happen overnight, but with a plan and consistent steps forward, progress is absolutely possible.

Practical Ways to Get Out of Debt:

If you’re wondering where to start when trying to get out of debt, here are some practical and encouraging steps that can help.

1. Start by Getting the Full Picture

It’s hard to solve a problem you can’t clearly see.

One of the most important first steps in getting out of debt is writing down exactly what you owe. This might feel intimidating at first, but having clarity gives you power to make a plan.

Make a simple list that includes:

• Each debt you owe
• The balance
• The minimum payment
• The interest rate

You may be surprised by what you discover when everything is written out in one place. Sometimes people realize their total is smaller than they feared. Other times, seeing the full number becomes the motivation they need to start making changes.

Either way, clarity is the first step toward progress.

2. Create a Simple Budget (Using Tools That Make It Easier)

If you want to get out of debt, it’s important to know exactly where your money is going each month. A budget doesn’t have to be complicated; it simply gives every dollar a job.

If you’re not sure where to start, one easy option is to use a simple budgeting worksheet or spreadsheet. Writing everything down can help you clearly see what you’re earning, what you’re spending, and where you might be able to redirect money toward paying down debt quickly.

I created free printable budgeting spreadsheets you can download and use, which makes the process much easier to set up. These pages walk you through organizing your income and expenses in a straightforward way so you can start making a plan.

You can download the budgeting sheets here.

Once you begin tracking your spending, you may notice areas where you can free up a little extra money, whether that’s cutting back on takeout, reducing impulse purchases, or adjusting grocery spending.

Even small changes can add up. Redirecting just $50–$100 per month toward debt payments can help you start building momentum.

By the way, if you want a more robust budgeting system — like one that links with your bank accounts — check out my reviews of the best budgeting apps here.

3. Focus on One Debt at a Time

Trying to tackle all your debts at once can feel overwhelming. Instead, many people find success by focusing on one balance at a time. Once that debt is paid off, they roll that payment amount into the next one.

This approach builds momentum because you start seeing progress sooner. Each time you eliminate a payment, you free up more room in your budget to keep going.

Those small wins matter more than you might think.

4. Look for Small Ways to Increase Your Income

Cutting expenses can help, but sometimes the fastest way to make progress is to bring in a little extra income.

This doesn’t have to mean taking on something huge. Even temporary or small opportunities can make a difference.

Some ideas include:

• Selling items you no longer use (Learn more about the best apps to make money reselling in this post.)
• Picking up a few freelance projects
• Babysitting or pet sitting
• Offering a skill like tutoring or yard work
• Taking on occasional overtime if available
• Pursuing another creative idea from my freebie: 10 Flexible Side Hustles for Women

When extra income goes directly toward debt instead of lifestyle upgrades, it can speed up your progress dramatically.

5. Track Your Progress to Stay Motivated

Paying off debt can take time, which is why having clear goals can make a big difference in staying motivated. Instead of just thinking, “I need to get out of debt,” it helps to break the journey into smaller milestones.

For example, you might aim to:

• Pay off your first credit card
• Reduce your total debt by $1,000
• Eliminate one monthly payment

I created free budgeting goal worksheets that can help you map out your financial goals and track your progress along the way.

You can download the worksheets here.

Seeing your progress on paper can be incredibly encouraging. Every payment you make and every balance you reduce is a step forward, and those steps eventually add up to becoming debt-free.

6. Adjust Your Plan When Life Happens

Life rarely goes exactly according to plan. Unexpected expenses, job changes, medical costs, or family needs can slow down your progress at times. If that happens, don’t view it as failure.

Instead, give yourself permission to adjust and keep moving forward. Financial progress is rarely a straight line. What matters most is staying committed to the goal… even when the journey takes longer than expected.

Remember Why You Started

Getting out of debt isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet.

It’s about freedom.

Freedom from financial stress.
Freedom to make choices without payments hanging over you.
Freedom to use your money to support your family and your goals.

Keeping that bigger picture in mind can make the sacrifices feel worthwhile.

Remember, Debt Freedom is Possible

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by debt right now, please know that change is possible.

You don’t need a perfect plan or a huge income to start making progress. What matters most is taking the first step and continuing to move forward one decision at a time.

Small changes add up. Small wins build momentum. And over time, those steady steps can lead to something incredibly powerful: a life where debt no longer controls your financial future.

Want to Become Financially Healthy?

For even more encouragement and ideas to pay off debt and become financially healthy, pre-order a copy of my new book, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women.

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

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

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

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

More Links to Help You Get Out of Debt:

• Small Leaks, Big Impact: How Tiny Daily Spending Habits Can Quietly Drain (or Transform!) Your Budget
• 60 Super-Quick Meal Ideas to Help You Avoid Takeout
• 25 Ways to Save Money on Groceries
• 15 “Weird” Ways to Save Money
• How to Save Money on Your Electric Bill
• How to Find the Cheapest Car Insurance + Smart Ways to Save Every Dollar
• 10 Genius Side Hustles for Women! (Free Printable List)
• Ask Crystal: How Can I Start Working From Home a Few Hours a Week With My Skills?
• 15 Ways to Make Money Online
• Gross vs. Net Income: Why It Matters (And How to Calculate It the Simple Way)
• What Would You Give Up or Do Differently If You Had to Lower Monthly Expenses? (50 Ideas!)
• The Best Apps to Make Money Reselling Your Stuff
• How to Start a Savings Plan
• How to Create a Budget Spreadsheet (Using Our Free Download!)
• 5-Day Budget Makeover Course (FREE!)

What’s your best advice for how to get out of debt? Share your wisdom in the comments below!

Want to make progress on your financial goals, but have no idea where to start?

 With these FREE Budget Goal Planning Worksheets, you’ll begin with the MOST IMPORTANT piece of goal-setting & then have space to track your steps!

Yes, I want to set financial goals with these FREE sheets!

When his team approached me early in Spring about moving him into Kindergarten after three years in the inclusive PreK program, I struggled a lot with reservations. Would it be too much? Would he be as safe and loved and cared for as he had been in PreK? Would he be made fun of or called names? Would he get the one-on-one attention he would need? Would he be disruptive in a classroom? Would a full day just be too long and too tiring for him?

We met with his whole team and his new team for Kindergarten and I was genuinely blown away at their thoughtfulness and intention and how much they listened to my concerns and sought to fully address them.

We made a plan together for how to make it happen and they were over-the-top accommodating so that David could be in a traditional classroom but would have all the extra supports he would need.

And WOW! We are just deeply touched by how much our boy is being loved and cared for but also gently pushed to learn and grow. And he is LOVING it!! He gets so excited to go to school and comes back soo happy.

Since he can’t communicate verbally, we look for cues in other ways and one of those is eating. He typically only lets people he knows, trusts, and feels very safe with feed him… and often it will take a few days or weeks to build that. But he ate two full pudding cups the very first day of school!!! When his aide told me that, I was like, “What???” I didn’t expect for him to eat anything the first few days in protest of a new environment. So I knew he felt so safe if he was eating like a champ! And that was exactly what my mama heart needed!!

Also: the second day of school, his teacher read a book on Down syndrome & inclusion to help all his classmates get to know David more and to be able to be a better friend to him.

Truly, we cannot express how much we are deeply touched by the way our boy is being loved and championed in his school!

Kierstyn has been having library assignments from school so we have been having a weekly library date. I’m teaching her how to search for books on the computer.

She loves reading and learning and it is so fun to watch her!

The last two Saturdays, I got to volunteer at the state fair with Kathrynne (she was in charge of staffing the booth for her boss!) It was SOOO fun!

I got to interview Ruth Chou Simons and Susie Larson for upcoming podcasts this past week. I cannot wait for you to hear these episodes!

“The more you learn to live into the most total, most genuine sense of who you are in Christ Jesus, the more miraculous your life will be.” – Susie Larson

The more that I understand how much I am loved by God, the more I rest in that love and love others freely and wholeheartedly.

The more I understand the goodness of God, the more my soul is so satisfied in Who He is and I don’t need to try to chase after filling up my heart with things that will never satisfy.

The more I understand the faithfulness of God, the less I walk in fear.

The more I understand the power of God and how I have His Spirit in me, the more I rely in total dependence upon Him and get to see Him do great and mighty things on my behalf!

Walking with Jesus means I get to go throughout my days eagerly anticipating how He is going to show up and do more than I can ever even ask or imagine on my behalf!

If this resonates with you and you want to know more how to experience this miraculous life, I highly recommend Susie Larson’s book, More Than You Can Imagine! I just interviewed her for an upcoming podcast episode this week and you do not want to miss it!!

I remember that first year of marriage when we struggled with infertility. We never thought we’d be able to have kids and doctors didn’t have many answers for us.

I remember those ten years of secondary infertility after we had our first three kids. Again, doctors didn’t have much help or hope for us.

And I look at our very full and often chaotic life with six kids now and think — this is such a gift! The challenges, the laundry, the dishes, the needs, the tiredness… this is a gift! It’s all a testament to answered prayer and I am so grateful!

Look around and see the gifts and goodness of God.

What a privilege to have a full plate or a full schedule or a full house or full arms or a full sink of dishes or a full laundry basket… it bears witness to the faithfulness of God.

This right here has been the catalyst for incredible change in relationships for me! If you want stronger relationships, less overanalyzing, and to love people more wholeheartedly, here’s exactly what you do…

Assume the best. Yep. Instead of making up a story or projecting onto a situation, give someone the benefit of the doubt rather than jumping immediately to being hurt or offended. 

Let me give you some examples of what this can look like. Let’s say you’re going through a difficult season and your friend doesn’t reach out. Instead of being hurt by it, choose to believe that maybe they don’t know you’re struggling, or they’re going through a rough time themselves, or they want to help but feel awkward and don’t know what to do.

You could also reach out and just be honest. You could say, “I’m struggling right now and would love to see you or hear your voice. It would mean so much.”

Or you’re at an event and your friend acts in a way that feels stand-offish
Instead of feeling hurt, assume the best. Maybe they re going through a rough time, or they had a bad headache, or they’d just gotten some unsettling news.

Stop yourself from making up stories and pulling back. Try to lean in and check on them: “I saw you last night and missed talking to you. How are you?”

Or they leave a comment on social media that feels a little like a jab at you,
Instead of feeling hurt, try to read it in a warm and gracious tone of voice. Maybe they just didn’t communicate their heart well through written text.

Reach out and say something like, “I saw your comment yesterday, and I’d love to talk more about that. Can you tell me more about what you were thinking?”

Give them the benefit of the doubt. Give them an opportunity to share more.

I’ve discovered that the more I understand how deeply I am loved by God, the less I feel offended by others.

The more I rest in who I am in Christ, the more I can see that what I used to take as critical or hurtful is actually my friend working out her own grief or hurt, or crying out for love and compassion.

And the more I understand and rest in God’s love for me, the less I need to chase after the approval and affirmation of others.

This frees me up to just focus on loving fully and wholeheartedly, instead of psychoanalyzing how I’m being perceived or stressing over saying and doing everything just right so that she’ll like me.

So the next time you feel hurt, offended, or tempted to make up a story about what someone meant… pause. Assume the best. You might be right. You might wrong. But you’ll almost always feel kinder for it.

Exciting News! The Podcast is Back!

After taking the summer off, Jesse and are back this week and I have a full schedule stacked for the fall!

This week’s episode is all about my first 10k and how I’m kind of apprehensive as to whether I can actually run a half marathon in October!

Earlier this year, my daughter Kathrynne asked if I wanted to run a 10K with her. There was just one problem: I wasn’t a runner. I had never run more than a couple of miles without stopping and had spent years believing I simply wasn’t capable of running. But I said yes — and less than ten weeks later, I crossed the finish line.

In this episode, Jesse and I talk about the training plan that helped me go from barely running two miles to completing a 10K, what surprised me most about race day, and why this experience ended up being about much more than running. 

Completing the 10K challenged those beliefs in a way I didn’t expect and gave me a newfound confidence that has spilled into other areas of my life, and believe it or not, now I am training for a half marathon!

Come listen in as I share what this experience taught me about preparation, persistence, our bodies, and being willing to discover that we’re capable of far more than we may realize!

Listen to the episode here.

What I’m Reading…

I’m currently reading: Reimagining Church as Family, Capable (SOO good!), Take My Hand (it’s been heartrending but so good so far!), House Hushing, More Than You Can Imagine, Moving with God, and This Moment Matters (I’m prepping for 4 different podcast episodes!)

What I’m Watching…

Jesse and I started the second season of The Mole and enjoyed it. If you like reality shows that keep you guessing and Who Done It sort of mysteries, I think you might enjoy it. Note that it does have some language in it.

I also watched Father of the Bride and Cheaper By the Dozen with Kierstyn and Micah and they really enjoyed it.

What I’m Listening to…

I started listening to Glad You’re Here: Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Breaking Fences this week and I am really loving it! Thank you to whoever recommended it!

How I Finally Found Food Freedom

After years of struggling with disordered eating/dysfunctional views of food, I finally found food freedom. 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. 

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.

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!

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

If you’re wanting to make a similar change or just learn how to fuel your body well, I highly, highly recommend meeting with a Nourish dietitian.

It’s been SO freeing and truly life-changing for me, and it’s totally FREE with most insurance plans! 

Read my full review here!

In Case You Missed It — Links from Recent Weeks: 

• For Those Who Never Want to Miss a Deal — My team sorts through hundreds of deals every day to find the very best ones! Then we send the top 10-15 straight to your inbox, usually once in the morning and once in the evening. If saving money is one of your goals, this is one of the simplest ways to stay on top of the best deals that tend to go fast.
  
• How to Start a Savings Plan that Works — As you know, I’m passionate about helping you save money in practical, everyday ways. But there’s another important piece of the puzzle that sometimes gets overlooked: having a plan for the money you save. When you intentionally direct those savings toward specific goals, that’s when your savings will start to actually give you breathing room and peace of mind. This post will help you get started! 
  
• I shared this quote on Instagram that made me laugh — It also made me think: Give people grace… maybe they’ve had a software update since the last time you saw them!

I did more shopping than my usual this past week – I stocked up on some snacks that my teen boy asked for as he’s heading back to college again. Because a dorm room always needs more snacks, haha! My grocery haul is pretty random this week as we still have lots of surplus from other weeks. Life should settle down shortly, though, and I’ll get back to a more typical shopping haul. (P.S. Ibotta and Publix CAME THROUGH for me this week with the monthly bonuses!)

Aldi

1/2 gallon Orange Juice – $3.35

1 gallon Whole Milk – $3.16

1 box Butter Quarters – $2.69

1 plg Boneless Chicken Breasts ($2.19/lb) – $11.10

2 dozen Eggs – $3.32

2 4-ct boxes Greek Yogurt – $5.30

1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $2.85

1 32-oz carton Plain Greek Yogurt – $2.79

1 pkg Turkey Bacon – $3.49

2 cans Organic Beans – $1.98

1 jar Tomato Sauce – $0.47

2 cans Green Beans – $1.50

1 bag Red Grapes – $3.07

2 bags Fresh Green Beans – $4.70

1 jar Spaghetti Sauce – $1.65

1 pkg Broccoli Crowns – $3.07

1 pkg Cauliflower – $2.89

1 pkg Taco Seasoning – $0.46

1 pkg String Cheese – $3.09

Total: $61.07

Bargain City

1 carton Egg Whites – $2

1 carton Heavy Whipping Cream – $2

1 22-ct box Fruit Snacks – $2

1 pkg Marshmallows – $0.75

20 single packs Goldfish Pretzels – $1

1 pkg Hamburger Buns and 1 loaf Pepperidge Farms Hearty White Bread – $2

1 box Mott’s Applesauce Pouches – $1

1 80-100-ct box single bags Flaming Hot Fritos – $10

Total: $20.75

Publix (Trip #1)

5 Crunch Time Pizzas – $19.47, received (5) $2.50/1 Crunch Time Ibotta Rebates – $6.97 for 5 after Rebates

3 pkgs Ritz Sandwich Crackers – $7.18, received (3) $0.75/1 Ritz Crackers Ibotta Rebates – $4.93 after Rebates

1 bag Lay’s Poppables – $2.14, used $1.79/1 Lays Publix Digital Coupon – $0.35 after Coupon

1 can Bush’s Sidekicks – $0.94, received $1/1 Bush’s Sidekick Ibotta Rebate – $0.06 Money Maker after Rebate

2 pkgs Springer Mountain Farms Ground Chicken – $5, used (2) $1.50/1 printables (you get these coupons monthly when you sign up for their emails) – $2 for 2 after Coupons

~ Received Cold Cash Sandwich Ibotta Bonus – $15

~ Received Midweek Money Drop Ibotta Bonus – $5

Total after Taxes, Coupons and Rebates: $5.81 Money Maker!

Publix (Trip #2)

4 boxes Cinnamon Pebbles (because the rebate reset, and we discovered that we really like these!) – $8.58, received (4) $1/1 Cinnamon Pebbles Ibotta Rebates – $4.58 for 4 after Rebates

2 Nutrail Granola – $8.99, received $4.49 Aisle rebate and (2) $0.35/1 Nutrail Ibotta Rebates – $3.80 for 2 after rebates

1 Starbucks Sweet Cream Creamer – $6.49, received $6.49 rebate – FREE after Rebate!

2 Old Spice Deodorant – $7.98, used $4/2 Old Spice Publix Digital Coupon – plus received $2/1 Old Spice Ibotta Rebate and $0.50/1 Old Spice Ibotta Rebate – $1.48 for 2 after Coupon and Rebates (these also qualify for Stocking Spree)

1 pouch Mahatma Ready to Eat Rice – $2.39, received $2.39 rebate – FREE after rebate!

2 boxes General Mills Cereal – $4.89, used $1/2 General Mills Publix Digital Coupon, plus received $1/2 General Mills Ibotta Rebate and 2500 points from Fetch ($2.50) – $0.39 for 2 after Coupon and Rebates

1 pkg Beyond Burgers – $3.99, received $3.75/1 Beyond Burger Ibotta Rebate – $0.24 after Rebate

~ Received $10 Rebate from Stocking Spree

Total after Taxes, Coupons and Rebates: $0.49

Grocery Total for the Week: $76.50

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Cereal, Oatmeal, Grits, Granola, Yogurt, Smoothies, Eggs 

Lunches

Leftovers 

Dinners

Pizza, Green Beans

Turkey Burgers, Broccoli, Roasted Potato Wedges

Taco Braid, Tossed Salad

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Roasted Carrots

Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Baked Potatoes, Bluberry Muffins, Roasted Cauliflower

Chicken Gravy over Rice, Breadsticks, Green Beans

Grilled Chicken, Biscuits, Broccoli, Grapes

FREE One Week Menu Plan!

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

Send me my FREE Menu Plan!

That’s why I love sharing legitimate ways to score freebies, and TopBox Circle is one that’s worth knowing about.

If you’ve been wondering whether TopBox Circle is legit, how it works, and whether it’s really possible to get free products delivered to your door, here’s everything you need to know.

What Is TopBox Circle?

TopBox Circle is a free product testing community that connects everyday consumers with brands looking for honest feedback. Instead of paying you cash, participating brands send you complimentary products to test in exchange for your reviews and opinions.

The best part? You don’t have to be an influencer with thousands of followers to participate. Many product testing opportunities are open to regular consumers, and some campaigns don’t require any social media at all.

Is TopBox Circle Legit?

Yes! TopBox Circle is a legitimate product testing platform.

The company partners with well-known brands that want real customer feedback before or during product launches. Members who qualify receive products for free, test them at home, and complete the requested reviews or surveys afterward.

Like many product testing programs, not everyone qualifies for every campaign. Brands are often looking for people who match certain demographics, lifestyles, or shopping habits.

That means you may receive several products in a short period, or you may go a while without being selected. That’s completely normal.

How Does TopBox Circle Work?

Getting started is pretty simple.

Step 1: Create a Free Account

Visit TopBox Circle and create your free account using your email address. Membership is completely free, and you never have to purchase anything to participate.

Step 2: Complete Your Profile

This is one step you don’t want to skip.

The more complete your profile is, the easier it is for brands to match you with products that fit your lifestyle. You’ll answer questions about things like:

• Your age and household
• Beauty and skincare preferences
• Shopping habits
• Lifestyle interests

TopBox Circle recommends completing your profile to 100% to improve your chances of being matched with future campaigns.

Step 3: Watch for Surveys and Missions

Once your account is set up, you’ll begin seeing qualification surveys (called “Missions”) in your dashboard or receive notifications by email.

These short surveys help determine whether you’re a good fit for a specific product campaign. Completing them doesn’t guarantee you’ll receive the product, but it does put your name in consideration.

Step 4: Receive Your Free Product

If you’re selected, your product arrives in the mail at no cost to you.

Depending on the campaign, you might receive:

• Full-size skincare
• Makeup
• Hair care products
• Household cleaning products
• Personal care items
• Snacks or beverages
• Lifestyle products

Many members report receiving full-size products, although some campaigns include deluxe or travel-size items.

Step 5: Share Your Honest Review

After testing the product, you’ll complete the required tasks for your Mission.

This may include:

• Writing a review on the brand’s website
• Posting feedback on a retailer’s website
• Completing a short survey
• Occasionally sharing on social media

Every campaign is a little different, so be sure to read the instructions carefully.

What Can You Get From TopBox Circle?

One of the reasons people enjoy TopBox Circle is the variety.

Recent campaigns have included products from brands in categories like:

• Beauty
• Skincare
• Hair care
• Personal care
• Home cleaning
• Wellness
• Household essentials

Some members have received products from brands like Dove, Olay, Old Spice, M.A.C Cosmetics, e.l.f., YSL Beauty, SheaMoisture, Giorgio Armani, and Estée Lauder. Of course, available campaigns change throughout the year.

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting Selected

There’s no guaranteed way to receive more products, but these habits can help:

• Complete your profile fully.
• Check your dashboard regularly for new surveys.
• Respond to qualification surveys quickly.
• Complete every review on time.
• Keep your mailing address updated.

The more active you are, the more opportunities you’ll be considered for over time.

Are There Any Downsides?

As with any free product testing program, it’s helpful to have realistic expectations.

A few things to keep in mind:

• You won’t qualify for every campaign.
• There can be weeks, or even months, between product offers.
• Some campaigns require multiple reviews.
• Products vary in size and value.

Still, if you enjoy trying new products and don’t mind sharing honest feedback, it can be a fun (and completely free) hobby.

Is TopBox Circle Worth It?

If you already enjoy writing reviews after trying products, I’d say yes! Signing up is free, there’s no obligation to purchase anything, and you may discover products you genuinely love without spending a dime.

Just remember that patience is key. Product testing isn’t a steady stream of freebies, but many members find it’s a fun surprise when a package shows up at their door.

If you’re looking for another simple way to stretch your budget while discovering new products, TopBox Circle is definitely worth adding to your list.

The week before school started, we had our 25th year of our annual family vacation at Bull Shoals Lake! We missed @kathrynnepaine and @realwillhump and @kaitlynn.paine and @rjmestre07 but we made the most of our time even if it was really different without them.

A few highlights:

• Silas became very proficient in slaloming and wakeboarding.
• Kierstyn learned how to ski on two skis and to kneeboard!!
• Micah was so much more independent this year, loved tubing, and decided he wanted to wait to attempt skiing until he’s older, but LOVED swimming in the lake!
• David was so much more engaged with everything this year and we were amazed to realize how much progress he’s made with his understanding and communication since last year. He didn’t want to swim in the pool but did go on the tube.
• I loved challenging myself to run on all the hills — I decided 3 miles on hills feels like 5 miles on much flatter roads! 😂 I also attempted slaloming after not trying for over 20 yesrs. And well, I ended up getting the wind knocked out of me and having a panic attack (first time I’ve had one in years and it was super scary to have it happen in the water while I was waiting for the boat to come back. I couldn’t figure out how to breathe for almost a full minute! I don’t really know what that was about but clearly have some things to process through there.)
• Jesse doesn’t love water sports but he loved watching our kids attempt things and also swam with the kids a lot. We also enjoyed just having a quieter week together away from our usual life!

All in all, it was a great way to cap off our very full summer! The kids start school this next week and after weeks of traveling almost every single week, we are ready to get back to a consistent rhythm!

It was back to school week at our house and this year feels really monumental in so many ways!

Silas switched to a new school this year after being at the school he had been at since 5th grade. He came to us in December with a list of reasons why he felt God was nudging him to make the change.

We spent a number of months praying and touring and filling out applications and praying some more. We really, really felt like he was supposed to be at one specific school but they didn’t have any openings.

So, we spent a number of weeks unsure about where he would land since we’d already cancelled his contract at his current school and all the secondary options had closed. We were considering just homeschooling and having him do dual credit at the community college. But then, on the very last day before summer break, a spot opened up at the one specific school and he got in!

There were so many, many faith-building lessons learned in this journey and God made it so clear repeatedly that this is the school he’s supposed to be at… so we are thrilled for him and excited to see what the next two years hold.

He’s also very excited as they have a fantastic baseball team! (When we met with the coach when we were touring, Jesse and I both felt so strongly, “This is a man of character that we want our son to be mentored and coached by!”)

Kierstyn is SO excited about first grade! She came home her first day and was all ecstatic that their schedule said they had a language block on it. She said, “I wonder what language we are going to learn??” When I told her it was likely English-related things, she looked at me with confusion, “Mom! We all already know English!”

Yesterday she came home and said disappointedly, “You were right. Language is phonics.” 

Micah is doing 5 half days at the tiny Classical Christian school he was at last year where Kierstyn also attends.

David is starting full-day kindergarten, too!! He attended half days last week and started full days next week. When I attended his classroom orientation the night before school started, I was so touched by another parent that I cried over on Instagram!

This mom approached me and asked about David. She wanted to know what he likes, what his favorite things are, and how she could prepare her son to be a friend to David. ❤️ 

This is just a reminder that it means the world to those of us who have kids or family members with disabilities when you show interest and care. I know it can be awkward and uncomfortable. I know it can mean stepping outside your comfort zone.

But it deeply, deeply touches us.

That mom might never know what a gift she gave to me. I had showed up feeling sort of sad because I know that David is so, so far behind every other child in his class. (So much of what they shared wouldn’t even apply to him because he’s so delayed.)

But I left feeling so grateful for the gift of him being in a classroom where he will be welcomed and loved and seen. And I truly believe that those who invest time with him are going to be so blessed in return, just as we are every day!

When I picked David up after his first day of school, he was SO happy! His teachers said he had been laughing all day! At circle time, he took his spot on the carpet, criss cross applesauce. He has two aides, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and he ate TWO full puddings with one of them! He will only allow people to feed him if he really trusts them and I am just so thankful for them and the heart they have for him.

Kathrynne also starts college later this month — it will be her senior year!! And then Kaitlynn graduates from cosmetology school in September! So we’ll have two graduations this coming year!

It might seem like a weird combo, but I am loving this delicious protein bowl! It’s just plain non-fat Greek yogurt mixed with protein powder, topped with some type of fruit and honey. It gives me 40+ grams of protein + great carbs and fiber!

I shared last week about the changes I am making in the way I eat. In case you missed it, you can read here and watch here about why I am making this change and how it’s going!

I really surprised the internet this week when I shared that Jesse and I don’t sleep on the same side of the bed every night. We just sleep wherever we feel like and on whichever pillow is there. 

So many of you were shocked that I would sleep on the same pillow as my husband has slept on before! I couldn’t believe it — y’all shocked ME! We’re married… I just don’t get it! Can someone please explain what is so crazy about this? 🙂 

A reader sent in a great question this week:

“Hi Crystal. I was wondering how you manage to be so positive about back to school. My boys go back in 2 weeks and I am so sad, feeling like we didn’t do much this summer and it completely flew by.

I’ve been having some health issues and feel like that ruined summer for me. I get kind of panicked thinking about school and I don’t want them to pick up on my negative attitude about it, because they’re already not excited for summer to end. I know that they learn so much, academically and socially, at school from their teachers and friends but I hate not having them around all the time!”

These are the words I shared with her. I hope they are an encouragement to you, too.

I am sorry you had health issues that made summer hard. Instead of thinking that it “ruined” summer, though, I would challenge you to reframe it. What unexpected blessings were there in the midst of the health challenges?

So often, my plans get upended and, when they do, I have a choice: 1 can either pivot and trust God that His plans look different than mine or I can get frustrated about it.

I believe that God is sovereign. As such, I can trust that He is good and He is working – even when I can’t see it or things don’t make sense.

So I choose my attitude. I choose to look for the blessings. I choose to wake up and hand over my day and my plans to Jesus and then eagerly anticipate how I’m going to see His faithfulness in my life.

FREE 5-Day Budget Makeover!

I’m so excited to share my brand-new FREE 5-Day Budget Makeover email course! Inspired by my upcoming book, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women, this short email series will help you reset your budget, reduce money stress, and build a simple plan that actually works for your real life.

Each day, you’ll receive one practical lesson and one small action step that you can complete in just a few minutes.

As a fun bonus, everyone who joins will also be entered to win a $500 Amazon gift card (no purchase necessary)! I’d love for you to join us!

Click here to join the challenge! 

What I’m Reading…

I’m currently reading: Reimagining Church as Family, Capable (SOO good!), Take My Hand (it’s been heartrending but so good so far!), House Hushing, More Than You Can Imagine, Moving with God, and This Moment Matters (I’m prepping for 4 different podcast episodes!)

What I’m Watching…

Jesse and I finished the first season of The Mole and enjoyed it. If you like reality shows that keep you guessing and Who Done It sort of mysteries, I think you might enjoy it. Note that it does have some language in it. I also watched Herbie: Fully Loaded with the Kierstyn and Micah and they really enjoyed it. And Kathrynne and Kaitlynn and I went to see the new Spider-Man movie and loved it (note that there is quite a bit of language in it).

What I’m Listening to…

I started listening to Glad You’re Here: Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Breaking Fences this week and I am really loving it! Thank you to whoever recommended it!

I shared on Instagram this week that you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to have the most magical day at Disney! 

Kierstyn dreamed about going to Disney for three years… and for her 6th birthday in April we finally made it happen!!

We bought one-day tickets to Magic Kingdom and didn’t buy a single upsell. No Lightning Lanes, no food plans, nothing extra. And it was honestly one of the best days we’ve ever had — princesses, parades, fireworks, all of it.

A few things that made the biggest difference:
1. We went on a Tuesday during a quiet time of year – the longest line we waited in all day was 25 minutes
2. The Princess Fairytale Hall is completely FREE – Kierstyn met 5 princesses!!
3. We brought our own snacks and water bottles into the park.

You can read more about all of my best tips in this post!

In Case You Missed It — Links from Recent Weeks: 

• 50 Free Breakfast Ideas — Busy school mornings are here! Grab our list of 50 simple breakfast ideas and recipes to take the stress out of breakfast and make mornings run a little smoother.  
  
• How to Start a Savings Plan that Works — As you know, I’m passionate about helping you save money in practical, everyday ways. But there’s another important piece of the puzzle that sometimes gets overlooked: having a plan for the money you save. When you intentionally direct those savings toward specific goals, that’s when your savings will start to actually give you breathing room and peace of mind. This post will help you get started! 
  
• The Best Apps to Make Money Reselling Your Stuff — Between clothes your kids outgrow in six months, home decor you no longer use, impulse purchases, and random items sitting in closets, there’s often money hiding in plain sight. This post highlights some of the best apps to make money reselling, plus details for selling successfully on these sites.
  
• People keep telling me that I look so happy and rested! — This genuinely surprises me every time…because the last 12 months have been anything but easy. Read more about this on my Instagram post from this week!

In this 5-day series, I’ll walk with you through one simple lesson each day to help you build a budget you can actually stick with — without guilt, overwhelm, or unrealistic expectations.

Plus, when you sign up, you’ll automatically be entered to win a $500 Amazon gift card! No purchase is necessary to enter, and it’s just one more fun way we’re celebrating this challenge.

Why I Created the 5-Day Budget Makeover

Some women have tried budgeting before and given up after a few weeks. Others worry they aren’t disciplined enough or simply don’t know where to begin. Others don’t want to spend hours staring at spreadsheets or feeling guilty about their spending.

I created this free 5-Day Budget Makeover because I want you to know budgeting doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need a finance degree, a high income, or to never struggle with spending. What you need is a plan that works for your real life.

My hope is that these five days will help you take small, manageable steps that build lasting confidence with your money.

A Budget That Fits Real Life

This isn’t about creating a spreadsheet you’ll never look at again. It’s about learning how to give every dollar a purpose, understanding where your money is going, and building simple habits that make managing your finances feel less stressful.

Each lesson takes just a few minutes to read and includes one practical action step, making it easy to fit into even the busiest schedule.

Budgeting shouldn’t leave you feeling defeated — it should leave you feeling hopeful and empowered!

When you join me for this 5-Day Budget Makeover, you’ll learn:

• How to discover your personal “why” behind budgeting
• Simple ways to track your spending without feeling overwhelmed
• How to build a realistic budget that works in everyday life
• Easy systems that help you stay consistent
• How to adjust your budget with confidence when life changes

If you’ve been putting off budgeting because it feels intimidating or you just don’t know where to start, this challenge is for you! In only five days, you’ll have practical tools, greater confidence, and a simple budget you can actually use.

And who knows? You might even be our $500 Amazon gift card winner!

Click here to join the FREE 5-Day Budget Makeover and get your automatic giveaway entry!

Stitch Fix recently sent a box to both me and Gretchen on our team. But as always, these are my completely honest thoughts after using the service for over a decade! (And right now, they’re offering 20% of your first Fix!)

For those of you who have been following me for a really long time, you’ll probably remember parts of my Stitch Fix journey throughout the years and how I slowly went from not being impressed with the service to loving it. I figured an updated Stitch Fix review post was long overdue since I’ve been using it on and off for over 11 years! And I’ve learned a lot in that timeframe as to what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to this service.

For those of you who haven’t been following me for very long or are reading about my Stitch Fix experience for the very first time, you should know that I am always brutally honest with my product reviews. I will never endorse a product that I don’t truly love. I will also never lie about loving a product that I don’t. So if you’re looking for really honest Stitch Fix reviews, this is the one to read!

In this post I’ll cover how Stitch Fix works, how much it costs, the pros & cons of the service, my honest Stitch Fix review, whether it’s worth it, and how to best make Stitch Fix work for you.

What is Stitch Fix?

Stitch Fix has been around long enough now that you’ve most likely at least heard about it in passing. But just in case you’re not familiar with it, I want to first briefly cover what Stitch Fix is and how it works.

Stitch Fix is an online clothing shop designed to provide personal styling services for women at an affordable cost. It was specifically created for women who need to wear nicer clothes for events/work but who don’t want to spend hours and hours combing through clothing stores to put together outfits.

Originally, it was only for women, but they recently opened up a line for men and a line for kids. They carry women’s sizes 0-24W and XS-3X, maternity and petite options, men’s sizes XS-XXL, and kids’ sizes 2T-14.

When you sign up, you’ll receive a box of clothing (called a “Fix”) on your doorstep at the frequency you choose (no subscription required). Each box is custom picked just for you by a Stitch Fix stylist based on your size and style preferences!

Reviews of Stitch Fix: How Does it Work?

If you’re interested in getting started with Stitch Fix, here’s how it works…

1. Sign up for a Stitch Fix account. (Psst! Right now they are offering 20% of your first Fix + styling fee waived!)

2. Fill out your style profile. You’ll give very specific details on sizes you wear, styles you like, colors you like, types of clothes you like, and what types of clothing you are specifically looking for (more casual, all business, a mix of both, etc.) You can be very detailed in your descriptions and even share a Pinterest board with them to give Stitch Fix some ideas of your tastes in clothing.

3. Go to checkout and pay a $20 styling fee (this fee is currently being waived on your first fix). This is reimbursed if you choose to keep any of the clothes.

4. A Stitch Fix stylist will look at your style profile and put together a box of clothing just for you. It will be based upon what they think you’ll like, according to all your size, color, and style preferences.

5. They’ll send you this box in the mail. You’ll have a few days to go through the box, try on the clothes, and then choose to keep any that you liked and ship back any that didn’t work (they provide a postage-paid envelope for you to use).

That’s it — that’s how Stitch Fix works and it’s super simple, actually!

They also now have a feature where you can shop for one-off items based on your past kept items from boxes! It’s really convenient!

Is Stitch Fix Worth It? How Much Is it?

You only pay a $20 styling fee out of pocket to have the box shipped to you.

If you choose to keep any of the clothing in your box, that $20 will be put towards your order as a discount. If you choose not to keep any clothing at all, you’ll lose the $20 you paid for the styling.

When you sign up, you get the opportunity to specify your budget range. There is a really nice variety of different brands at different costs for all budgets.

If you decide to keep all the items in your box, you’ll receive an additional 25% off your entire order!

(And don’t forget — you can currently get 20% off your first Fix + your style fee waived!)

Stitch Fix Reviews from My First Fix Experience

Back when Stitch Fix first launched, a few of my friends signed up for it and loved it. Based upon their rave reviews and my husband’s encouragement, I decided it was finally worth it to try Stitch Fix.

I wasn’t thrilled with what I got in my first box. 

In fact, I sent half of it back, and I wish I wouldn’t have kept two of the items I did. As much as I thought I could convince myself to love them, I just couldn’t.

I did get a pair of earrings in the box that I love and have worn countless times since then. So that was the one redeeming part of my very first Stitch Fix experience.

But I kind of just decided that Stitch Fix probably wasn’t for me and was happy to leave it at that.

Stitch Fix Review: My (Second) Disappointing Stitch Fix Box

However, a year later, a friend here invited me to go with her to a Stitch Fix Influencer’s Dinner here in Nashville. I decided to go — mostly because I was honored to be asked and I was hopeful that I’d meet some other local bloggers at the event.

While at the Stitch Fix event, I had a long talk with the Stitch Fix folks. I was quite cynical about things, and they patiently answered all my questions and encouraged me to give Stitch Fix another try. They gave me some pointers on how to get a box that better matches your style. They told me to be really, really specific in what I asked for and also encouraged me to set up a Pinterest board with wardrobe ideas.

And then, they gave me a $20 Stitch Fix credit coupon so I could try the service without having to pay the $20 stylist fee. I debated whether or not I was brave enough to try again. I finally decided that it was worth it to give Stitch Fix another shot since it was so risk-free. Even if I sent everything back, I wouldn’t be out any money out of pocket.

So I really put some time and effort into making sure my profile had very specific directives on it and I set up a Pinterest board with some outfit ideas. I was SO excited to get my box in the mail.

…But I sent every single item back due to the pieces either being not my style or not the right fit. I really wanted to love Stitch Fix (maybe because I really dislike actual in-person shopping and this seemed like such an amazing option to just have clothing arrive at my doorstep that was picked out for me?!).

I had heard that it takes a few times of really honest feedback before your stylist really learns your style well and starting sending the right kind of clothing for you, but I was starting to feel frustrated…

The Box That Completely Changed My Mind

Truthfully, if I hadn’t had a little bit of referral credit built up in my account, I probably would have walked away at this point. But I decided to give it one more try, since I basically had free money in my account and I hated for it to go to waste!

So I tried another box. This time, when I sent the previous box back, I was super forthright in my feedback of the items they sent to me in hopes that my critique would help them do a better job of nailing my style in this third box.

All of the items were much more my style than the first two boxes. Yay! In fact, I really liked every piece. I did send 4 out of the 5 pieces back simply because of fit and price.

But when I pulled out these Jimmy Ankle Length Skinny Jeans, everything changed for me.

I LOVED these jeans!!! It’s so hard to find jeans that fit my short frame well. These were PERFECT and I was SO excited that they fit me so well! Honestly, I wanted to buy multiple pairs of these exact same jeans because they were exactly everything I’d ever wanted in a pair of jeans.

The jeans were $88, and I know that’s A LOT to pay for a pair of jeans. In fact, it’s quite a bit more than I’d ever paid for jeans prior to this. However, I realized that I would probably wear these jeans hundreds of times over the next few years (and I definitely did!). In that case, I decided it was worth it for me — especially to get a style and fit I love.

And over the years, Stitch Fix jeans have continued to be my absolute favorite jeans. They always fit me perfectly and are such high quality. (Gretchen here! I’m jumping in here to say that I agree with Crystal! I love my Stitch Fix jeans and always get compliments on them.)

{Another favorite pair of jeans from Stitch Fix!}

{Sweater and Jeans from Stitch Fix!}

The Secret to Making Stitch Fix Work for You

After lots of trial and error with receiving many boxes and being patient, I’ve learned that it’s all about getting a stylist that learns your tastes and preferences well. It might take a few boxes for this to happen, but for me it has been well worth it to be patience and give Stitch Fix a chance!

Here are my best tips to make Stitch Fix work for you…

Make Sure You Fill Out Your Style Profile Carefully — Be really, really honest in your style profile. Make sure all your sizing and preferences are absolutely accurate and that you are very specific about colors, patterns, and styles you don’t want.

Request a Stylist — If you know someone who has gotten fixes that you especially love, you can ask them who their stylist is and you can request that they assign the same stylist to you. No guarantees, but I’ve heard of this working for people. You can also request to have the same stylist you had last time (if you liked them) or a different stylist (if you didn’t like what they chose).

Leave a Note For Your Stylist — Please do this. Tell your stylist exactly what you are looking for and what you aren’t looking for. They do read these notes and try to honor them. You can even ask for very specific items for an upcoming special event — like a dress to wear to a wedding or special event!

Give Incredibly Honest Feedback — Seriously, don’t shy away here. I’m brutally honest and I’ve seen that it makes a huge difference when I leave 100% honest feedback. Don’t hold back! It might seem mean-spirited, but it’s not. They really want you to be honest so that they can get it right for you next time. (By the way, a number of times, if I left feedback about how I really didn’t like what they sent, they either refunded me the stylist fee or gave me a free $20 stylist credit to use the next time.)

{Shoes from a Stitch Fix box! Aren’t these SO cute?! I wear them all the time!}

Stick With it For a Few Fixes — It took several fixes for my stylist to really learn what I liked. I’m very picky on the clothes I keep. Since I have more of a simple wardrobe, I have to really love a piece of clothing to keep it. As the stylists learn your fashion tastes and what you don’t like, they will do a better job choosing for you. After I had done several fixes with them, they started sending me fixes much more in line with my style.

Request Multiples of An Item You Liked — If you liked a specific dress, shirt, or pair of shorts, you can ask if they have it in any other colors. I’m the kind of person who loves to get multiples of the same style (it simplifies things!), so this has worked well for me! (For instance, I got multiples of this dress and these pair of shorts — just in different colors.) And now you can even buy one-off items based on your past kept items. Just log in and look under the “buy it again” tab under “shop.”

Check out this review from reader Julie who used these tips and had great success:

“Wow, your Stitch Fix suggestions for getting a Fix that you like are spot on! I have been considering trying it and finally got around to it. I tried to be very specific as far as what I like and don’t like and how things fit, just like you recommend. I received my Fix today and was excited to open it but tried not to let my expectations get too high. Well, my stylist nailed 4 of the 5 items! I am keeping jeans, a jacket, and boots. I loved the clutch but realized I should have mentioned that I need a larger purse to hold my stuff. I loved having someone else pick clothing for me and I love surprises, so this was a super fun experience. The prices are higher than I would typically spend, but clearly I decided they’re worth it! for these items that I cannot wait to wear I will definitely be doing it again! And my 20-year-old daughter is sitting across from me working on filling out for her first Fix!” — Julie

{I love this dress that came in my last box!! It’s so comfortable and I love how it fits!}

Let’s Talk Stitch Fix Prices (The Elephant in the Room)

The biggest drawback to Stitch Fix is obviously the pricing, and trust me — I totally get it!

Here’s the thing — Stitch Fix won’t be the right choice for everyone. But if it’s within your budget to try it out even just once and see how you like it, it might be worth it to experiment with Stitch Fix. (And right now, you can get 20% off your first fix + the styling fee waived!)

Yes, Stitch Fix can be more expensive, especially if you’re used to thrifting for most of your clothing. BUT the clothing is really high quality and can last a lot longer — making your spent money stretch a lot further.

Also, you can specify your budget when you sign up! You get to choose your budget range for all the different clothing pieces, which is really nice! For example, I’m willing to spend more on a quality pair of jeans than I am a top, so I set my jeans budget a bit higher.

{This dress came in one box and I love it! I’ve already worn it countless times and it’s become a staple in my wardrobe!}

Is Stitch Fix Worth It? Pros & Cons

Are you the kind of person who needs a simple pros & cons list?

These are my overall positive and negative reviews of Stitch Fix, after having used it for over a decade now. I’ve found Stitch Fix to totally be worth it for me, but you have to decide for yourself!

Pros

• Filling out your style profile is fun! It kind of helps you figure out your true style and discover what you actually love and don’t love when it comes to fashion. Since I’m not a fashionista, this isn’t something I’ve spent much time considering. So I thought that was a very valuable exercise.
• I love the anticipation of getting a box in the mail. It adds to the excitement that you don’t know what will be in it. It’s fairly rare that I get to open and go through a mystery box. Looking forward to the box makes the experience more fun!
• It’s SO much easier than shopping! Since I don’t enjoy shopping in-store, I find it so much easier and more fun to receive a Stitch Fix box on my doorstep! Plus, it’s nice to be able to try clothing on in the privacy of your own home and compare/match them to items already in your closet. It makes it really easy to decide whether or not to keep an item.
• It challenges you to try new things. It’s fun to try new and different styles that you normally wouldn’t pick off the rack in a store. It helps you further define your style and experiment some!
• You get to set your budget for what they send. Although the prices at Stitch Fix are going to be much more than what you’d find at thrift stores or on the clearance rack at Target, I love that they give you the option to set your price preferences for certain clothing items and they also offer you the option to set a budget for the entire cost of your box.

• The outfit card online through Stitch Fix makes styling simple by showing you complete outfit ideas. While these cards used to be sent in your box, you can now access them by scanning the QR code (or via the Fix tab in your online account). Each card gives helps you easily visualize how items pair together and provides styling inspiration for different occasions.
• The stylists are very helpful and try really hard to listen to your honest feedback and notes
• You don’t end up buying things you don’t love. I find that I am more apt to only buy what I really love when I get to try things on at home and have a few days to decide versus having to decide when I’m in the dressing room at a store. Plus, it’s easier to tell if a clothing item fits into your wardrobe well and matches other pieces.
• You can change your profile at any time. Update your profile if your spending preferences, sizing, or likes change. You can do this whenever and however many times you want.
• Returns are incredibly easy and free. You just send whatever you don’t want to keep back in a pre-paid envelope. So simple!
• No subscription is required. You can get a box any time you want. Either on-demand or regularly — every few weeks, once a month, or every season.
• There are discounts! If you keep your whole box, you get 25% off your entire order. Plus, your $20 styling fee always goes back towards your order if you decide to keep even one item.

Note: They also now have an entirely new way to shop called “Stitch Fix Freestyle” where you can shop their store without getting a scheduled Fix. You can browse and buy specific items based on personalized recommendations from your style profile. You can shop “trending for you” items, “complete looks” to find pieces that go with items you already have, or “buy it again” to find an item you love in a different pattern/color/size! As always, shipping and returns are free — just like with a regular Fix!

{Dress and shoes from Stitch Fix!}

Cons

• You might need to be patient. Like I mentioned previously, it will probably take a few times for your stylist to get it right.
• Prices are higher. If you’re used to shopping at thrift stores or from sales racks, the prices you’ll find at Stitch Fix are definitely higher. Stitch Fix curates their collection from high quality name brands, and that comes with a bit of a price hike compared to what you might be used to normally.
• You never know what you’re going to get. While it’s fun to not know what you’ll get, it can sometimes be a bit disappointing. A few times, I’ve loved almost every piece in my fix. Other times, I’ve loathed most of what I received. It’s a risk you’re taking — and you’re out $20 if none of the items work for you.
• Sometimes, it seems like they don’t look at your style profile carefully. This usually doesn’t happen, but I have had a few times where I wondered if the stylist even so much as glanced at my profile because what she sent was so far off from my style profile and preferences. Like I said, this isn’t super common, but I did think it was worth mentioning. If you’re on a tight budget, it might not be worth the risk of the $20 styling fee.

{Blouse and skirt from Stitch Fix. I love some of their dressier shirts!}

Honestly, Stitch Fix has been a real gift to someone like me who dislikes shopping and finds it exhausting and time-consuming to go to a store, search endlessly through racks and racks of clothing, and then try things on, only to discover that most of the items don’t fix or won’t work!

Overall, I think I’ve come to realize that I really do love Stitch Fix after all these years!! In fact, some of my very favorite items in my closet are from Stitch Fix!

Though it can be a bit pricey, I’ve personally found that the things I’ve kept from my boxes have held up well and I’ve worn many items over and over and over again for years. This is especially true of their jeans and shorts. And it’s really nice that you can set your budget when you sign up.

If you like wearing quality pieces, you don’t enjoy shopping, and you’re not on an extremely tight budget, this styling service can be a lifesaver for busy women — and it can be a fun way to branch out and try new styles!

So there you have it after my over-11-year journey — my very long and extremely in-depth (and brutally honest) Stitch Fix review!

{Dress from my last Stitch Fix box}

A Second Opinion: Gretchen’s Reviews of Stitch Fix

Gretchen here! I tried Stitch Fix years ago and wasn’t super impressed. The past year though, I’ve used it multiple times and I have had the most amazing experiences! Stitch Fix made it super easy and fun to fill out my profile and pick styles that I most preferred.

I get so excited to get my boxes every few months! I am always pleasantly surprised at the items they send. I especially have loved the jeans. It is super difficult for me to find jeans that fit in all the right places and aren’t too short.

This last month, they sent me some super cute summer items, including this shorts that fit me so well. I love these pink striped shorts and have gotten so many compliments on them.

This bright green tank is really comfortable and will on repeat this summer. I love the color! It’s not a color I would normally pick to wear but I actually think it’s perfect.

I also thought this pink blouse paired great with these comfy black shorts. It’s a fun summer looking outfit.

Overall, I had the best experience with Stitch Fix! I ended up keeping several items and am very excited about them. 

Get 20% Off Your First Stitch Fix Order + Styling Fee Waived!

Right now, Stitch Fix is offering first timers 20% off your first Stitch Fix order + get your styling fee waived! This is a really rare discount (it’s been a long time since we’ve seen this big of a discount!), so it’s a great time to try Stitch Fix.

Just go here, take your style quiz, and schedule your fix to get this discount. Hurry – this likely won’t last long.

Teachers: Get $40 Off Your First Stitch Fix Order!

As a special back to school discount, Stitch Fix is offering teachers $40 off their first order! This is a pretty rare Stitch Fix discount, so you don’t want to miss out!

It’s a great chance to grab some clothing for the new school year!

Just go HERE and click on sign up to get started. You’ll verify your teacher status with ID.me to get your 20% discount after signing up. It’s super simple! This teacher discount is only available for a limited time, so hurry and take advantage of it while you still can!

You Might Also Like:

• My Completely Honest thredUP Review
• The Outfit Formulas That Changed My Life
• How I’ve Simplified My Wardrobe
• Why I Stopped Saying I Wasn’t a Fashionista
• More Honest Product Reviews from Crystal

I’d love to hear all of your Stitch Fix reviews and whether you’ve found it to be worth it! Let me know about your experience in the comments!

More Favorites From Money Saving Mom

Looking for ways to earn extra income?

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

Send me my FREE list of Side Hustles for Women!

I spent last weekend in Orlando, Florida on a Client Getaway with my business coach, Alli Worthington, and her other clients, who have become dear friends as we’ve learned, laughed, and grown together! 

We went to Volcano Bay the first day (where I was so proud of myself for doing the trapdoor water slide twice — you had to walk up 200 steps to get to it!!) and then Discovery Cove the second day.

When I share about friendship and relationships online, I always hear from people who say things like, “I wish I had community like that but I don’t know how to build it. I’m so lonely but I’m scared of trying to reach out and make friends…”

Want to know what changed everything for me when it came to building community and real, deep friendships?

It might really surprise you…

I stopped expecting people to meet needs that only Jesus could truly satisfy.

I so desperately wanted to be seen, loved, and chosen by others that I would chase after them and try to earn & win their approval. And then I’d be disappointed & let down & hurt when they didn’t love me in the way I longed to be loved.

The more I began to understand how much I was loved by God, the less I chased after love from others in an unhealthy way.

Also, I stopped expecting more of people than they were capable of giving and started appreciating them for who they already are.

I wanted so badly to find one or two besties. But in my quest for this, I put undue expectations on people. It’s like I set them up on a pedestal and heaped all sorts of expectations of who they were supposed to be. Then, when they didn’t live up to that, I’d be sad and discouraged.

I learned to appreciate people for who they already are, instead of trying to expect them to be someone they are not.

Most of the time, no one single person will be able to be all the things you are looking for in a friend. But they can provide certain aspects of friendship or encouragement or a blessing in your life — and I want to see that and be so grateful for that!

So many of you have asked me what I’m eating now that I’m trying to cut sugar and processed foods out of my diet (In case you missed it, I shared last week about why I’m making this change and how the first few days went!). Over on Instagram I shared a sample day of meals. This day was a travel day, flying from Nashville to Orlando — including a delayed flight! — but I hope it’ll inspire you that it IS possible, whether you’re home or away, and even when unexpected things happen! 

(By the way, I cannot believe how much I am enjoying eating this way! I have totally surprised myself in that it hasn’t been hard at all and I am enjoying the food I am eating! Plus, I am feeling SOO good!)

Note: a few of you asked for my definition of “processed foods” so here’s what it means for me: I decided I’m okay with a few each day so long as I can pronounce all the ingredients and know what they are, but I am mostly eating whole/homemade foods. 

When I do eat processed foods, I’m trying to eat minimally processed and highly nutritious meals that make me feel good, rather than highly processed ones. But, I’m also giving myself flexibility and aiming for progress, not perfection. 

I get to make the rules and so I decided to go with minimal processed as my goal instead of no processed! Don’t forget you get to set your own rules and do what works best for you too! ❤️

For breakfast, I had an Orgain shake, chocolate protein waffles, Greek nonfat yogurt, berries and honey, and iced tea (sweetened with local honey!). 

I used to often skip breakfast or eat a really light breakfast, but now that I’ve completely changed the way I approach food and eating, my body craves a big breakfast full of protein! If I don’t eat by 9 am, my body will be hollering at me about how hungry it is!

These waffles are homemade and don’t have added sugar, and the protein shake is one of the processed foods I’m allowing for myself since I usually drink one most lunchtimes and they have pretty clean ingredients and no sugar!

After breakfast, it was time to head to the airport! 

I usually try to bring most of my food when I fly. But I do usually buy water because I’m not a fan of using water fountains or dispensers if I can avoid them. I almost always have one electrolyte packet in my water each day because it keeps away ocular migraines for me.

String cheese and mandarins are some of my fave airplane snacks to bring!

I wasn’t planning to buy any food at the airport, but my flight ended up getting cancelled and I had to wait a few extra hours to get on another flight, so with the long delay, I decided to grab a green protein smoothie because I wanted to get in some veggies and protein. It had bananas, peanut butter, spinach, protein powder, and almond milk in it. And it was delicious!!

I made peanut butter and honey sandwiches to bring on the trip so ate one of those plus 2 mandarins on the flight. The bread is 9-grain bread from a local bakery. I am going to get back to grinding my own wheat and bread baking once school starts in two weeks. I can’t wait! Because I am all about eating carbs now that I’m a runner and training for a half marathon!

You might be wondering how I decide what to eat each day… I aim for 120 grams of protein a day, 30+ grams of fiber, and at least 215 grams of carbs.

I took screenshots of a bunch of recipes I found online and then asked ChatGPT to turn them into a menu plan + grocery list for this week. Chat made me a full PDF in just a few minutes and formatted all the recipes + gave me a grocery list and prep tips!

If you are anti-AI (and listen, I have a lot of beef and concerns with a lot of things with AI), I think there are helpful ways to use it — like for menu planning and grocery list making!!

As I eat each day, I track with MyFitnessPal now that I’m able to do so in a healthy way and it’s about nourishing my body well, not starving my body for a number on the scale.

Once I arrived in Orlando and met up with my group, Alli ordered Chipotle and we built our bowls. I was low on my fat macros for the day so loaded up on guacamole!

My after-dinner snack was walnuts and Hu chocolate (I discovered it has coconut sugar in it and they set some out so I absolutely ate it!). It was fantastic!!

And then I was still hungry when I got to my room and hadn’t hit my carb goal for the day so I had a homemade whole wheat banana blueberry muffin I had brought.

I hit 35 grams of fiber + over 130 grams of protein! Yay! And I ate delicious, nourishing food while traveling and while spending hardly any time thinking about it!

If you’re wanting to make a similar change or just learn how to fuel your body well, I highly, highly recommend meeting with a Nourish dietician. It’s been SO freeing and truly life-changing for me, and it’s totally FREE with most insurance! Read my full review here!

In order to meet my protein goals, I try to eat meals like these easy protein meals, and usually drink 1 Orgain shake a day. They are delicious plus have high quality ingredients, are only 160 calories, and have 30 grams of protein!

And right now, Orgain is currently offering my audience an additional 20% off my very favorite 30G Protein Shakes. Plus, there is an Amazon Subscribe & Save deal, so right now they’re only around $17.57 for a 12-pack, instead of the usual $29.94! Of course I bought it this week! 

Click here for all the details and to score this deal!

Feeling like your budget could use a fresh start?

I’m so excited to share my brand-new FREE 5-Day Budget Makeover email course! Inspired by my upcoming book, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women, this short email series will help you reset your budget, reduce money stress, and build a simple plan that actually works for your real life.

Each day, you’ll receive one practical lesson and one small action step that you can complete in just a few minutes.

As a fun bonus, everyone who joins will also be entered to win a $500 Amazon gift card (no purchase necessary)! I’d love for you to join us!

Click here to sign up before the challenge begins! 

Whether you’re trying to overhaul your diet, deepen friendships, revamp your finances, or anything else you dream of doing, it all begins with one tiny change. 

What I’m Reading…

This week, I finished Rooted in Wonder. If you are looking for some encouragement to get your kids in nature and help inspire a deeper relationship with Jesus, I think you’ll like this book!

I’m also reading: Reimagining Church as Family, Capable (SOO good!), and I just started Take My Hand (which I’ve heard is really good).

What I’m Watching…

Jesse and I just started watching The Mole and are enjoying it so far. If you like reality shows that keep you guessing and Who Done It sort of mysteries, I think you might enjoy it.

I also watched Shipwrecked – a documentary on a ship that crashed into rocks and sank. It had to potential to be really interesting, but I thought the storytelling was lacking and it didn’t hold my attention as much as I expected it to.

What I’m Listening to…

I just started listening to Glad You’re Here: Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Breaking Fences.

In Case You Missed It — Links from Recent Weeks: 

• How to Start a Savings Plan that Works — As you know, I’m passionate about helping you save money in practical, everyday ways. But there’s another important piece of the puzzle that sometimes gets overlooked: having a plan for the money you save. When you intentionally direct those savings toward specific goals, that’s when your savings will start to actually give you breathing room and peace of mind. This post will help you get started! 
  
• Save Money Eating Out: 10 Family Meal Hacks at Popular Restaurants — Eating out doesn’t have to wreck your grocery budget! Discover 10 budget-friendly restaurants and simple ordering hacks that can help your family save money eating out. From sharing meals and family bundles to rewards programs and weekly specials, these practical tips make restaurant meals much more affordable.
  
• The Best Apps to Make Money Reselling Your Stuff — Between clothes your kids outgrow in six months, home decor you no longer use, impulse purchases, and random items sitting in closets, there’s often money hiding in plain sight. This post highlights some of the best apps to make money reselling, plus details for selling successfully on these sites.
  
• 40 Frugal and Filling Lunchbox Ideas — It’s almost time to start packing school lunches again! (Or maybe you already are?!) If you want some frugal, filling, and kid-friendly lunch ideas, be sure to check out this post.