Jennifer Lambert

A Sacred Balance

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Gifting with Gratitude

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

January 23, 2023 By Jennifer Lambert 3 Comments

Way back when (in the early 2000s,) I loved Freecycle. It was fun and I felt so good not adding to waste. Then, we moved to Germany and I lost touch with it. Like Craig’s List, Freecycle forum doesn’t seem as popular anymore.

The “Buy Nothing Project” began in 2013 and local groups have gained popularity recently around the globe. People struggling financially or for lack of community have flocked to assist others in a gift economy. Not everything has to be a transactional relationship.

If we all bought less and shared more, we would save money and reduce the amount of waste going to landfills or washing up on our shores. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…and Refuse.

Liesl Clark, Buy Nothing Project

Since the original creators of the Buy Nothing movement recently have created an app with lots of paywalls and tricks to find a local group, my geographic group has split from them and renamed our Facebook group. Because the truth is, most of us are on Facebook and it’s just easier for us to comment, tag, and send messages through that program than to fight with an app that is less than user-friendly. And of course they wrote a book and have a podcast. But I get it. Everything grows and sometimes gets out of hand, too big for two people to maintain. The app is surely progress, but we have chosen to be unaffiliated.

The founders created some rules:

  1. No buying or selling.
  2. No trading or bartering.
  3. No strings attached.
  4. No hate speech.
  5. Nothing illegal. So no firearms, drugs, prescription medications, or expired goods, including car seats or cribs not up to current standards.
  6. No judgment. Every gift has equal value. Every giver and asker have equal value.
  7. No penalties. If you loan something, you have to be OK with the possibility that it might get damaged.
  8. No double-dipping. You can only join one group. To be admitted, you have to live in that community.

I love to see it. It’s beautiful. It’s not even a barter system. It’s just donating, lending, and sharing with neighbors. Gratitude in action.

I love how different the Buy Nothing concept is than Buy/Sell/Trade pages and groups.

I feel fortunate to be able to donate generously than having to sell items to make ends meet. Because I have certainly been there and it was stressful.

I respect anyone who needs to sell items, but we also can specify if items we are gifting can be resold or not. I do get irritated by resellers who jack up prices on secondhand items as their job or hobby. I don’t care much for Marketplace and all the scammers who prey on people selling and seeking.

Subgroups are awesome too! We also have a Community Chat group for our greater area that encompasses a much larger geographic area. This ensures we can reach a larger audience if we have attempted a gift or ask with no response or if we have a question or concern for the larger community. Sometimes, members post challenges to help us declutter or do something fun for each other. It’s endearing to see how the community comes together to help people whose homes are devastated by fire or offering to outfit a new mother whose partner suddenly left her. It’s so lovely to see people helping others.

What can you expect to find in a gift economy group?

Everything.

I have seen incredible items gifted and asked for. I am constantly amazed and surprised by what people so generously gift. And I never thought to ask for things that I know I might use once and never look at again.

BOOKS!

Home décor.

Pantry cleanouts.

Closet cleanouts.

Bathroom cleanouts.

Baking pans to borrow for a single occasion.

Crafting supplies.

Kids hand-me-downs. These are so expensive and I love to see them used and reused and loved!

SHOES!

Vitamins and supplements tried and disliked.

Foods opened and used for a single recipe. It’s lovely to offer to someone instead of throwing out or letting it sit in the fridge or pantry for months until it is indeed thrown away.

Sports paraphernalia.

Lawn equipment to borrow or keep.

FURNITURE!

Winter gear to borrow or keep.

Barn cleanouts.

Regifting gifts received that didn’t work or were received from holidays.

Incorrect orders of really nice brand new items that are a hassle to return.

Broken electronics or lawn equipment for fixing up or taking apart and learning about. This was so neat to see!

Pet items.

Homemade items.

Leftover alcohol from a party or a flavor they didn’t like. For safety and legal reasons, these are always handed to a person who shows ID.

Coupons and gift cards!

Last minute supplies for a school project.

Gardening items – even live plants! I have scored a ton of houseplants and hostas and lilies this way.

Our group does Round Robins for puzzles, books, purses, seeds, and more!

Gifting with Gratitude

Gifting

Take a clear photo of an item and post it.

Facebook algorithms cannot handle multiple photos in a post, so additional photos can be placed as comments to the original post.

Honest descriptions are important. I try to post the true description and how old an item is. I post that we have cats in case someone has an allergy. Posting sizes for clothing or an item beside a common thing like a water bottle is nice.

Some people make it fun and ask for a favorite recipe or funny story in the comments or what is the person going to use the item for?

Once choosing a recipient, only then may the chosen person private message about it. If the person doesn’t respond within 24 hours, then choosing another recipient is reasonable.

I’ve seen gifts of time or people offering to pickup items for neighbors, friends, and family members. I love the people who offer to take things off your hands if you want to gift it but don’t have time or energy to sort and post it.

It really is a community.

Receiving

If I see an item I want up for a gift, I comment that I would like the item for me, or one of my kids, or my husband, sometimes why, and when I might be able to pick up the item.

There is no guarantee that commenting first or being able to pickup anytime will get me the item.

Some very popular and generous gifts are raffled off randomly either with a spinner app or names/numbers in a hat.

We do tend to see the same names come up a lot. We’re a fairly small group and I love to recognize people whom I may not really know in real life. Because we homeschool, my kids don’t participate in anything and we stay home a lot.

Certain people seem to get a reputation as being the plant lover or dog rehabber or foster parent. Some people are pickers and gather items off the roadside to regift so as to keep things out of the landfill.

Once chosen for an item, only then may a recipient private message about it, and in a timely manner, or it might go to another recipient.

Asking

I love how people ask for help or for an item to try or borrow, or something specific they realize they want or need. I’m not comfortable with doing that, but I love that others are! It truly shows how we are growing in community and helping each other when we can feel safe to ask and receive help.

Tip Tuesdays

Each week, one of the moderators of our group posts a tip to help us be kind or informed, based on the original rules or issues that have arisen in our group or community.

Wishful Wednesdays

Each week, one of the moderators of our group posts an image for a thread of asks that we can look over and see if we can meet anyone’s requests. It’s lovely to see these needs being met every week!

Thankful Thursdays

Each week, one of the moderators of our group posts an image for a thread where we can express gratitude over a specific gift or situation that has helped us in any way. It’s just gorgeous to see all the blessings!

Helpful

Archiving chats: in Facebook Messenger, instead of deleting chats after gifting or receiving, ARCHIVING is a great way to maintain the communication without clogging up my Messenger app. I can go back into the chat window history for addresses and gifts/receipts. Super helpful for when I find the charging cord that went with the thing or the 3rd book in the series I gifted last week.

Including the item in a message is helpful. Sometimes I gift or ask for several items in a week, so it helps for everyone to keep things straight. Something simple, like “Thanks for the blue shirt, I can come anytime tomorrow.”

Communication is great! Things happen. Let people know if you are running late or have some conflict with pickup. Letting people know you got the item is helpful too.

We are still in a pandemic, and lots of people are trying very hard to stay well, so please be kind and let people know if you or someone in your household is sick or has been exposed to someone is sick.

When gifting items, I usually leave them in grocery bags on my front porch. If there’s wind or precipitation, I place them inside a Rubbermaid bin. I attach sticky notes or cards to the bags with the recipient’s name. For larger items, it’s easier to set up a time window or even interact and help them load it into their car.

I love our local gift economy group.

I have enjoyed being generous in donating some of our items we no longer need, want, or use – clothes, books, décor, plant starts, craft supplies, our old TV and surround sound system, a water dispenser when we got a whole house system.

I have been gifted some amazing things! Homemade afghan and pot holders, vintage décor, holiday items, Indiana glass bowl, clothes, plants, furniture. I even scored a treadmill!

It’s such a great way to keep things out of landfills and into the hands of members of our community who really want or need it.

Linking up: Eclectic Red Barn, Pinch of Joy, House on Silverado, Suburbia, Random Musings, April Harris, Ridge Haven, Pam’s Party, Mostly Blogging, Create with Joy, Grammy’s Grid, Growing Garden, Jenerally Informed, InstaEncouragements, LouLou Girls, Fluster Buster, Life Abundant, Penny’s Passion, Try it Like it, Soaring with Him, Slices of Life, Artful Mom, Modern on Monticello, Pam’s Party, Answer is Chocolate, Momfessionals, Lisa Notes, CWJ, Imparting Grace,

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: frugal, homemaking, minimizing

Poor or Broke

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

June 6, 2022 By Jennifer Lambert 9 Comments

We’re living in economic conditions worse than those during the Great Depression. The wealth gap is greater now than it was then. But it seems that many live in denial with rising gas and food prices. It surely soon will become untenable.

The middle class is shrinking. The wealth gap is widening.

People say “live within your means” like it’s not becoming almost impossible with rising costs for housing, food, and gas.

There’s a difference between being poor and being broke.

Many people are struggling and broken.

The availability of credit and the expectation of debt makes many people believe they’re just supposed to be broke all the time, and it’s accepted by almost everyone.

Financial hardship can come on suddenly – medical bills, student loans, divorce, children’s expenses, job loss, housing repairs, car trouble, vet bills.

My Story

My grandparents grew up during the Great Depression and those ideals and traditions trickled down to my parents and to me. I understand and respect those values even if I don’t always share them now that I am an adult and parent.

I never thought I grew up poor.

My needs were met. I didn’t grow up around a lot of wealth disparity. There was no Internet or comparison readily available so how could I even know other than watching Silver Spoons and Richie Rick. I lived and played and went to school and suffered the lot of a child in the 70s, 80s, 90s – mostly unseen, unheard, free range. As were all of my peers.

My father worked a steady full time job during the week and was in the Army Reserves. My mother left her job and stayed at home when I was born. Most mothers I knew stayed home. I’m an only child. They paid their mortgage and bills on time. I don’t know much about their debt levels, but I don’t think they took on too much and their credit was always good.

But there wasn’t ever anything extra.

My mother certainly didn’t seem to enjoy being a stay at home mom. She didn’t like cooking or cleaning or looking after me. She did enjoy socializing with friends, neighbors, family. Times were different then. Expectations were different. Most of my memories of my mom were of her smoking while on the kitchen wall phone. I was left to fend for myself, entertain myself, while staying quiet and out of her way.

There’s a big difference between being broke and being poor. I was poor for about 2 years. I was broke for the following decade.

Erynn Brook

My mother returned to work when I was in the third grade. She impressed me with her decision by saying we could eat often at Pizza Hut. I was 10, so…

We did take Florida vacations for a week in the summer after my mom started working. That was nicer than camping weekends.

There was still nothing extra for ballet or piano lessons or any extracurricular activities I asked for. I’m still devastated about the ballet and piano lessons I longed for. I have tried to offer lessons and classes to my kids and provide for all their passions, however fleeting.

But I don’t remember eating often at Pizza Hut until 8th grade when I managed to catch a ride with another cheerleader’s family after football games. My parents both worked and I don’t remember them ever come to see me cheer at afterschool games.

There still wasn’t ever much extra.

The end of 6th grade, my mom cut and permed my hair at home after I begged to get bangs and a style like the magazines, like my peers. I couldn’t get a salon spiral perm or feathered bangs like my schoolmates. My mother controlled my appearance.

I was 14 the first time I was able to get a shirt from The Gap. It was on clearance and I loved it so much. Dark blue sweatshirt with a mock neck striped green and white. I cherished that shirt.

We moved the spring I turned 16 and I had to switch schools that next year. Looking back, I realize my parents scrimped and saved and always said they had no money maybe because they wanted a better house in a better neighborhood. I didn’t appreciate moving or changing schools or their timing.

My dad bought me my first car: a 1974 Volkswagen Beetle for $600. The summer after I turned 16, I got a job at McDonald’s to fix it up.

I was so proud of that car but it was frozen one night when I got off work late and my mom was furious that I had to call her to come pick me up. I’m still pissed that my parents sold it and got me another (newer safer more reliable) car that I didn’t even want.

I didn’t have a lot of choices growing up. My clothes and food were chosen for me. Everything was chosen for me. I didn’t get to make any decisions. That’s not a great way to become a young adult or learn how to be responsible.

They told me there wasn’t any money for me to live away at college in a dorm. I didn’t ask questions because they just got mad at me. I commuted to a local community college, then a state university. I earned academic scholarships. I am the first girl in my family to get a college degree. I got a loan for my master’s degree. Thankfully, it is paid off. I am horrified how the college loan situation has escalated in recent years for so many people.

My maternal uncle passed when I was about 19 and there was some money left to my mom, but they didn’t use any of it to help me with my education. My paternal grandma died when I was 18 and the sale of her house went into their savings, eventually becoming the down payment for the even bigger newer house they bought when I was 28.

I don’t have a home to return to anymore.

So I never thought I grew up poor, but money was always such a stressful topic. My parents constantly complained they didn’t have any. I learned not to ask for things I wanted. They still complain!

They still complain about money now that they are retired. Their retirement income exceeds my husband’s salary by more than half. They are paralyzed by a scarcity mentality.

I still don’t ask for anything. Not for me, not for my kids.

When I met my first husband, I thought he was so sophisticated. He lived in a retro apartment in downtown Atlanta. I was dazzled by the thought of independence. I ignored all the red flags. When I left home and moved in with him and got married (because evangelicism), I realized the fantasy he was living. He had grown up quite poor but his family lived in denial, maxing out credit cards. His father didn’t work at all, but claimed he was “retired.” I wasn’t allowed to ask questions. I grew up quickly from my disillusionment.

My parents disowned me over that marriage and I found myself without a car and without health insurance, so I learned to take buses to and from my college classes. I got a job as a secretary and my husband and I juggled sharing his old pickup truck. I had never had to pay bills before and it became overwhelming. We fought over expenses, of course. He seemed like he didn’t understand how bank cards worked, that the money in the joint account was deducted immediately and wasn’t there for other expenses we had. I needed his receipts (this was way before internet banking or apps) to reconcile the checking account and he needed to adjust his lifestyle to be more frugal. It was a constant battle. Then I learned my new husband was dealing drugs. I was so naïve.

When I began student teaching, I couldn’t work anymore and we moved into a new apartment closer to my school. Then after a big fight and short separation, we moved into a rental house nearer to his family. I still couldn’t all our pay bills on time, having to pick and choose which one to pay a little late or even the next month. He worked a shift job at $11/hour. There just was never enough money. There was a time I filled out paperwork for Medicaid, but I was too ashamed to fulfill the application process.

After I graduated, I began teaching full-time. I got a summer job to pay for my maternity leave. We had a baby. We both got new vehicles. Then we bought a house near his family, even though my commute was about an hour. I thought all these things were typical, normal, expected, progress. Then he hit me the second time and I left with the baby. My parents paid for the divorce and cosigned for me to get an apartment near them. More strings.

Living on my own as a single mom was hard, but I eventually became more stable emotionally. My credit was destroyed during the divorce. The house foreclosed. Even though the divorce decree stated we had to both pay the credit card, house, and the new truck he kept, he never paid for anything. And even though the divorce decree stated he owed us $92/week in child support, he quit his job, worked randomly for cash, filed bankruptcy, and moved out of state to avoid paying anything or having wages garnished. His parents also filed for bankruptcy. I had to negotiate with the bank over the truck loan and it finally just was absorbed by the lender. My credit was ruined. Credit scores are a joke. I traded my car in for another that my dad had to cosign for to get my husband’s name unattached to mine. I knew my money priorities were rent, utilities, and my new car payment. It was so hard.

I lost five jobs in two years. It was hard finding where I fit in. I worked as an adjunct English professor and part time at a day spa. I didn’t have health insurance and I had to pay cash for a doctor’s visit and for antibiotics when I came down with strep. I tried going to church and praying for direction. Most church members prayed for me to be reconciled to my husband, but they didn’t understand my circumstances. Or they didn’t care. It was a very confusing time for me.

I didn’t think I was ever poor because I had a roof over my head and food. I paid my bills on time, mostly. Even though I struggled, it just didn’t cross my mind since I could see a little progress. But I was always just a tiny step away from homelessness and financial ruin. The circumstances that surrounded me and could’ve happened are terrifying.

Paying for childcare was a nightmare. I wanted my daughter to have the stability and consistency and I believed then that daycare and preschool was best for her. It ate away most of my income. I dreamed of a time when she could go to public school and the financial burden might be eased. With her October birthday, it seemed such a long way off. There was a lottery in our county for public 4K, but that was still a couple years in the future. We had to eat dinner with my parents every night in order for me to be able to pay my other bills. At least I didn’t have to worry about food.

It’s been a long road and I’ve learned a lot along the way – about myself and how I want to teach my kids about finances and social responsibility.

It’s taken us over seventeen years, but we’ve finally purchased a home and feel pretty comfortable financially, just in time for my husband’s retirement from the Air Force. We have investments and savings and plans for the future. I can’t say the same about many of our peers. I know the statistics for retirement funds and the prediction that many won’t ever see any social security payments.

I still struggle and it’s sometimes in weird little ways. Some things still seem like an extravagance to me. I open a bag of sugar over the canister to catch every little grain. I can’t imagine not using every little scrap of paper on the roll. I don’t like wasting food.

Many of the jobs we had as teens aren’t available anymore because adults are hustling with side jobs for yard maintenance, delivery services, errand helpers, babysitters, pet sitters, anything to make a dollar. No one I know is willing to pay a teen if they can get an adult to do the same job, as if adults are more qualified or mature. Kids are losing skills, milestones, and transitions into adulthood.

We joke about people who are obviously wasteful or careless and say they’re certainly in a different tax bracket. Many of our neighbors have weekly cleaners and yard maintenance crews, but I could never bring myself to pay for those services. It’s astonishing to me that people will pay money for services to clean their garbage cans or pick up dog waste in their yards. With wealth, comes a lack of time, and an attitude of entitlement.

The Church

I have have been conflicted for years with what The Church and Christians say and think and pray about people living in poverty. They view charity as good deeds, like some point system they earn with God. During a Sunday school class one time, there was argument about giving money to panhandlers or beggars. “What if they just use the money for drugs or alcohol?” they kept asking and it just didn’t set well with me. I didn’t have the words then that I do now. I wasn’t strong enough to speak out then.

I taught a Sunday School class to other single moms with Crown Ministries on financial lessons. Oh, the irony. My partner teacher had some very different financial outlooks. She received social security payments for three disabled children. Her new husband received social security payments for his two kids because their mom had died. If she worked, her kids wouldn’t receive their disability payments. They supported seven kids on his income as a cable installer. She was very into the prosperity gospel and that concerned and confused me. When their cell phones got turned off for nonpayment, they just went to a different company and got new ones. This was a different financial perspective for me. I don’t think that’s what Jesus is about.


But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 1 John 3:17

Don’t just give or buy a homeless person food. Just give them the money if you have it. You think you mean well but what you’re doing is taking away their autonomy and the ability to make choices for themselves. Don’t be performatist in your giving and brag about your charity. And don’t even get me started on the predatory practices of Dave Ramsey and his ilk.

The poor you will always have with you.

“What if they buy drugs and alcohol?” You buy drugs and alcohol with your money; what’s the difference? source

What they do isn’t your concern. Giving (freely and honoring their dignity) is your concern.

What can we do?

Society criminalizes the poor.

When I met my current husband, I was impressed by the stability being a military wife could offer. I also wanted my daughter rescued from her deadbeat dad. Moving out of state solved many of my personal and financial problems. My husband adopted my daughter and the child support and visitation rights were out of the picture. My credit improved with each cosigned purchase. We’ve dug ourselves in and out of debt several times with circumstances that seemed unavoidable – car repairs, vet services for our cats, trips home for dying parents. We’ve never made a late payment. The government has faced furlough several times, but we have always pulled through.

We are now as financially stable as I ever hoped to be.

I think our understanding of poverty is odd in Western society. I grew up having my needs met. I got things for Christmas and my birthday. I received good medical and dental care. There was constant upward mobility for my parents. I can see how far I have come with my own family in the last twenty years. I take for granted things now that I used to dream of having. That’s not poverty.

It took years for me to realize I have financial trauma and other trauma that affects how I make decisions.

I don’t think most people really grasp how low the federal minimum wage ($7.25) is. If you get charged $20 for a late fee, that’s almost three times the minimum wage. If you get an overdraft fee of $30, that’s over four hours (half a standard workday) of minimum wage labor.

Aidan Smith

Another interesting financial perspective was introduced to me at a Sunday school class when a young enlisted military family mentioned their WIC and Medicaid provisions were part of their income. I had never considered this idea before.

I think it’s quite upsetting that military service members don’t earn a living wage. Many families struggle and everyone deserves better pay for their jobs.

Poverty isn’t just being homeless. Poverty isn’t just being on welfare. Poverty can be a mindset.

If you pay your employees so little that they require food stamps and Medicaid, you’re not a job creator, you’re mooching off the public dime. (and yes, the majority of people on public assistance are employed).

Dan Price

I hate how poverty is seen as personal failure rather than a societal one.

A parking space in downtown cities makes $27/hour. I, a real person with thoughts and feelings, capable of suffering, make less than a damn parking space.

posted multiple times on Twitter

My daughter left our home a year ago. She quit college. She got a full-time job as a caregiver to disabled adults. She seems happy with her independence. I’m proud of her. I’m also frightened that she is one little emergency or circumstance away from poverty, homelessness, financial disaster. She doesn’t make enough to save anything. If she gets sick and can’t work, she doesn’t get paid. I’ve helped her several times with car repairs and buying her groceries, gas, and medicine. I paid cash for her therapy the last couple months. I put her up in an extended stay when her roommates got COVID. She lost her dependent status and insurance when she turned 21. We are trying to help her figure out open enrollment insurance options. I worry all the time.

I realize this is a controversial take but maybe being one blown tire, one broken bone, or one paycheck away from homelessness & financial ruin at all times isn’t actually “freedom” the way we were raised to believe it is.

Libby Bakalar

Those in power aren’t really concerned about children or their schooling. It’s become obvious that school is just childcare so parents can be available to work.

When COVID-19 hit, so many couldn’t work or lost jobs and it was a desperate time for many who relied on steady income and never imagined struggling. Many faced eviction. Our country and world is in crisis.

Too many just want to “go back to normal” because they have never been affected negatively by social circumstances. They just want their restaurant food or fancy coffee concoction for their morning commute and their kids back in school so they don’t have to worry about childcare. I try to understand this. But I also feel that our society should shift priorities. There are answers if we just try a little harder. We can look to other successful countries for how they manage social needs.

We’re educating generations of children to lack empathy.

What kind of world are we creating, maintaining, leaving for future generations? Where is there hope if we’re just retaining the status quo and not striving for improvements?

when we say poverty is violent we don’t mean because we can’t afford luxury things, we mean watching our loved ones suffer from treatable diseases, not being able to properly care for ourselves without risking bankruptcy, having to work in the midst of life altering trauma.

L on Twitter

I see the boats, RVs, and SUVs in my neighbors’ driveways. I certainly don’t know their financial situations, but I wonder if they are just a couple paychecks away from disaster.

You are closer to being homeless than being a billionaire.

It’s surely the sign of a sick society when basic needs are seen as extravagance. We treat our youngest and oldest and the disabled as disposable.

People are getting complacent instead of angry. Gas prices are soaring. Rent is ridiculous and rising. Food costs are high and I’m seeing many independent restaurants closing.

I’m angry. Are you?

What seems like an extravagance to you?

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Linking up: Pinch of Joy, Eclectic Red Barn, Silverado, April Harris, Mostly Blogging, Jenerally Informed, Shelbee on the Edge, OMHG, God’s Growing Garden, LouLou Girls, Suburbia, InstaEncouragements, Ridge Haven, Ducks in a Row, Fluster Buster, Penny’s Passion, Joanne Viola, Slices of Life, Simply Coffee, Randomosity, Try it Like it, Artful Mom, Bijou Life, Momfessionals, Bijou Life, Answer is Chocolate, Create with Joy,

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: finance, frugal, money

Easy Lunch Storage

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

January 18, 2022 By Jennifer Lambert 11 Comments

My husband recently retired from the Air Force after twenty years. He’s the lab manager at a local hospital now.

Suddenly, he wants to carry lunches to work and he needs all sorts of lunch containers.

My daughter also started a part time job and carries lunches to work.

It helps to have access to a break room with all the typical break room amenities.

Taking meals to work saves time and money while being healthier, since we know the ingredients rather than getting greasy fast food.

For lunch, we often have dinner leftovers or purchase organic healthy quick meals.

We like to use fun colorful containers to keep foods separate for field trips and road trips too.

I love containers with little compartments to keep everything fresh and separate. Bonus if they stack in our cooler or lunch bag to make it easy to carry.

Easy Lunch Storage

Bentgo® Glass Stackable Salad

These are great to keep salad items fresh! I love that it’s glass and doesn’t hold onto stains, scents, or flavors. It also comes in plastic if you prefer. Bentgo has lots of fun travel options for the whole family!

OXO Good Grips Lunch and Salad Set

Sistema To Go

My kids upgraded to these bento boxes last summer for art camp. They love the compartments for all their little snacks and different things to eat. There are lots of configurations.

Bentgo® Kids Children’s Lunch Box

Yumbox 

Super cute bento for younger kids.

Sandwich boxes

We like our sandwiches to stay fresh and fluffy instead of crushed in a baggie at the bottom of the lunch sack.

EasyLunchboxes®

We have used these for years and years – for co-op, picnics, field trips, day trips. They’re so easy and convenient and color coded! They’ve held up so well for us.

Thermos

Great for drinks or soups and stews.

Snapware

We use this for all our leftovers. I love how stackable they are in my fridge. We can take them from the refrigerator to the oven or microwave to the dishwasher. They’re portable and easy!

Reusable Food Storage Bags

Cute Ice Packs

ECOLunchboxes

See my review here.

Give green gifts with ECOlunchbox

Wildkin lunch boxes

Great insulated lunch bags with lots of room and fun prints for all ages.

MAZFORCE Original Lunch Box

Extra tough and modern lunch bag for all ages.

Bamboo Travel Utensils

Easy and safe eating utensils for all ages. Reusable!

Portable Flatware Set with Case

A great set with options for older kids and adults. I love the little case. Dishwasher safe!

What’s your favorite lunch to pack from home?

You might also like:

  • Tea Sandwiches
  • Creative Leftovers
  • Easy Quesadillas
  • Kitchen Tools for Kids
  • My Kitchen Essentials
  • What We Eat Every Week

Linking up: Eclectic Red Barn, Pinch of Joy, House on Silverado, Stroll Thru Life, OMHG, Jenerally Informed, Shelbee on the Edge, Grammy’s Grid, Across the Blvd, Random Musings, Anita Ojeda, April Harris, Penny’s Passion, Try it Like it, Artful Mom, Bijou Life, Slices of Life, Imparting Grace, Mostly Blogging, Create with Joy, LouLou Girls, Thistle Key Lane, Ridge Haven, Ducks in a Row, Fluster Buster, Ginger Snap, Cottage Market, Simply Beautiful, Modern Monticello, Hubbard Home, Answer is Choco, Momfessionals, CWJ, Being a Wordsmith, Suburbia,

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Filed Under: Frugal Tagged With: frugal, homemaking, travel

Creative Leftovers

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

December 23, 2019 By Jennifer Lambert 6 Comments

As the kids get bigger and older, we don’t often have as many leftovers as we used to have, but occasionally, there is a serving or two left that gets shoved to the back of the fridge shelf.

I try to do a fridge cleanout a couple times a week for lunches and maybe a dinner if there’s a lot.

Using up leftovers is a necessity for a frugal waste-free lifestyle.

Having a good pantry and freezer system is key to using up leftovers. I have to plan to have certain items to make this successful and tasty.

I keep chicken and beef stock in the freezer and have some boxes of storebought organic stock in the pantry.

I have a huge assortment of spices and sauces.

I stock up on canned beans when they’re on sale. I just don’t have the freezer room to batch them from dried. Bags of frozen veggies when they go on sale for $1 or less.

We can our own marinara sauce.

I occasionally buy rotisserie chickens if I have a coupon or they’re on a really great sale. They’re awesome to use in many different recipes and I make stock from the bones.

I try to keep potatoes and onions on hand at all times. Also fresh carrots and celery.

These are our favorite ways to use up leftovers creatively:

Soup

I love making soups with various leftovers. This is a great way to clean out the fridge after a busy week!

Creamed vegetable is a favorite at our house to use up old veggies in the drawer.

I can always make soup with leftover chicken like this lovely lemony dill chicken soup.

Vegetable soup is my go-to to throw everything together, especially with leftover beef. I like to add beans and noodles to make it like minestrone.

Beans, lentils, or split peas are great in soup with a ham bone or smoked turkey.

Leftover ham is great for soup like ham and bean soup.

We like to make stock from turkey, chicken, and beef bones. Nothing goes to waste!

Split pea soup with leftover ham and poultry stock is a winner.

Casseroles

Noodles and rice with a cheesy sauce and leftover meat with some veggies makes a great casserole.

Turkey Divan is a great way to use up poultry leftovers.

Pot pie is another favorite with gravy, meat, and vegetables. Refrigerated or frozen dough, or drop herb biscuits on top make it quick and easy!

Salad

Leftover grilled meats and all sorts of veggies can be served cold over lettuce greens. I sometimes sneak a bit of bacon to save for later in a salad. This is a great lunch idea.

See our favorite salads.

Remix

I love making fried rice for my family. It’s a simple, frugal, easy way to use up leftovers. I often make extra rice just to have leftover for this meal.

My girls like ramen, and I love making it healthier with an egg, leftover meats and veggies, and homemade teriyaki sauce.

Stuffing canned biscuits or crescent rolls with cheese and chopped meats is a fun instant snack or lunch.

What’s your favorite way to use up leftovers?

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Filed Under: Frugal Tagged With: frugal, homemaking, recipe

Teaching Kids About Money

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

July 1, 2019 By Jennifer Lambert 9 Comments

I’ve always talked openly to my children about money.

It never occurred to me to be any other way. My parents were open with me and I learned so much as a teenager, sitting in on their meetings with financial advisors, housing brokers, and bankers.

My husband’s family did not discuss finances and it shows.

It’s important that I actively teach my kids about finances.

State and federal salaries are public knowledge, so I’ve always been open with my kids about what we have, how we save, investing, and spending.

While I don’t necessarily expect them to maintain all my values explicitly, I want them to have the knowledge to make wise money decisions.

How I Teach My Kids About Money

Value

From as early as they express interest or show readiness, I teach about value.

Value isn’t just monetary worth. It’s the regard it is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.

I hold certain things with very high value that others do not. It’s about priorities.

When my kids accompany me while shopping, I constantly point out value to them, why we buy this item instead of that item. I’m not brand loyal, except for a very few items that have proven quality.

It’s important the kids assist me while shopping and conversations often come up about our purchases and shopping trends.

When our toaster went belly-up, I researched a good replacement instead of just ordering one or rushing out to the store to purchase what was in stock.

We also discuss waste and limits. We eat leftovers. We prefer sustainability practices.

As my kids grow, they will develop their own priorities and set their own value to goods and services.

Quality is better than quantity.

Saving

My parents opened savings accounts for each of our children when they were born.

We encourage our children to contribute to their savings when they’re older and start working part-time jobs.

We explain the importance of having some liquid emergency savings for contingency.

We teach about investments. We teach about insurance.

We have 529s for our children for higher education. We have IRAs and mutual funds for retirement.

Pay yourself first.

Giving

Philanthropy is important.

I believe being generous should be a life goal.

While we are not wealthy by any standard, we donate often to charities with our funds and handmedowns.

We look for needs to fulfill. We don’t expect recognition or thanks.

Giving is more than just offering money. It’s a way of life, an attitude. Generosity of spirit.

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” ― John Bunyan

Spending

Many think spending is the easy part of money management.

After monthly bills are paid, investments funded, savings bumped, what is left over?

Sometimes, it’s not much.

I have a spending plan instead of a strict budget. We shop for groceries every week and clothing and miscellaneous as needed.

As my children get older and acquire their own money from gifts or small jobs, they learn how to spend it on items they want. They also learn about sales tax.

When teens get their first part time job, they learn first-hand about taxes and other deductions.

I recently had to have a conversation with my eldest about what she termed “our money troubles.” When I was confused, she explained she didn’t want to burden us financially. I was still confused. She asked why I always said we didn’t have any money.

When I say I don’t have the money, I mean that we have prioritized saving and investing over instant gratification.

I can afford almost anything.

I have the ability to accept risk of credit and debt, but I choose not to, so to me, that means I don’t have the cash money to buy something I consider frivolous or valueless.

I choose to make different financial decisions based on what I value. And I choose not to incur further debt.

Instead of buying another car, we are choosing to share vehicles right now.

Instead of choosing to travel or vacation, we are staying close to home and occasionally go on day trips nearby.

Opportunity Cost

It’s important to learn and teach the loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen.

For instance, if my son wants to buy YuGioh cards with his birthday money, he can’t buy the BeyBlades. He has to make a choice.

I make harder choices all the time.

We batten down the hatches and get very frugal if an emergency comes up, like a car repair or pet surgery. We like to pay cash and not use credit cards whenever possible.

If I choose to get takeout for dinner one busy night, we have to eat home-cooked meals and clean out the freezer and pantry the rest of the pay period. It sometimes requires creativity.

We often wait for the hit movie to go to online streaming (even if we pay $5 to rent it) instead of paying so much for 6 of us to see it in the theater.

If my daughter needs new shoes, I wait to buy myself something, even if I “need” it.

It’s really important to learn the difference between needs and wants in our consumer post-capitalism society.

We discuss propaganda, marketing, and advertising. We discuss ads on social media and games.

I’m always last. I go without so they can have abundance.

Allowance or Commission

I don’t give my kids an allowance.

No one gives me an allowance.

We all complete chores that makes our household run smoothly.

Allowances aren’t natural. Commissions for small jobs work better and teach financial lessons.

My kids often ask if there’s some special task they can complete for some spending money and I almost always oblige.

Many banks offer teen debit cards that help them to learn how banking works. My kids all had savings accounts from birth and they added checking accounts when they began working part-time.

Often, I create little jobs they can do for a few dollars so they learn the value of working for pay. If they don’t do a good job, they don’t get paid. Sometimes, they have to go back over their work to do it well.

Debt

Living as a middle class American, we grew up thinking and believing that debt is just a part of life.

We live in an instant gratification disposable society. Advertisements are everywhere, affecting our emotions by telling us we aren’t good if we don’t have the newest smartphone, car, clothes, or toys.

Debt is a risk many accept as being a normal and expected part of our society.

Debt can also be slavery and devastating during financial downturns.

I actively teach my children that debt is typically bad in most, if not all, circumstances.

I know few people who are able to pay cash for cars or houses.

But we know many people who would be bankrupt or even homeless within a month if all their debt was called in or they lost their jobs.

I don’t believe in using credit cards except in emergencies.

Credit cards are ways to help teens and young adults gain credit, but they must be monitored well and paid off each month.

I don’t believe in student loans for college.

We have one car loan and one credit card. We are paying off a consolidation loan.

I teach my kids that by using loans and credit cards, you are paying twice.

You can’t pray debt away. I don’t buy into the prosperity gospel at all.

Personal Financial Goals

Everyone develops his or her own financial goals based on priorities, past history, income, and interests.

We choose to invest for our future.

We limit our instant gratification. It’s easier sometimes since we move around so frequently and can’t justify buying things just to sell them if we can’t take them with us.

We choose to travel rather than buy frivolous gifts, usually.

I choose to buy cut flowers every week to brighten my dining room. It’s something that makes me happy and I value that.

My kids seldom ask for things when we go shopping. When they do, it’s something super practical or for all of us. They understand the difference between needs and wants. They seldom ask to eat out.

I choose to buy the best quality food and cook most things from scratch because I enjoy it and it’s healthier for us. Yes, it costs more than beans, rice, ground meat. But we seldom eat out – which does cost a whole lot for a family of 6.

An acquaintance lives in a house valued at a $half million. Then I learned they haven’t invested anything for their kids’ college or for retirement. They just spend everything.

How do you teach your kids about value?

What are your financial goals?

You might also like:
How We Save Money
How to Set a Budget
5 Money Tips
5 Frugal Tips for Buying Kids Clothes
Losing Control
A Frugal Birthday
Shopping in Germany
Obstacles to Being Frugal During the Holidays
How to Have a Debt-Free Christmas

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Filed Under: Frugal Tagged With: finance, frugal, homeschool

Tips for Teachers With Low Budgets

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

April 15, 2019 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

With school budgets growing tighter, the modern teacher needs to be resourceful in securing supplies for the classroom. Teaching is a demanding job and creating a lasting impact on students is difficult without the proper resources. Luckily, there are a few tricks for getting around high-cost items, and still give your kids the best experience possible. 

Printables

If your school won’t give you the budget to buy non-standard paper items, there are ways to produce them yourself. There are templates for printing graph paper, various lined paper or coloring sheets online. You will only be printing the amount you actually need, so this is also a good way to reduce waste. There are also plenty of worksheets and workbooks available online for free, or a fraction of the cost, of physically published ones. You can even find fun craft time ideas to engage your students. Just make sure you’ve got the ink and the budget for high-volume printing!

DIY Smartboard

Smartboards are one of the technological staples of the 21st-century classroom. They make introducing concepts to your students more visually appealing, interactive and internet-friendly. Unfortunately, they cost a fortune. If you want to provide your young minds with this dynamic teaching device but your school can’t afford it, there’s a surprisingly easy way to make it yourself! This is probably a good idea even if your school can afford a real one. All you need is Bluetooth, a Wii controller, an infrared pen and the correct software. Depending on what grade level you teach, you could include your students in the process as a lesson in itself.

Donations

The future is crowdfunding! Many people are sympathetic to the plight of the teacher and the lack of funding, parents especially. Everyone wants what is best for the children, right? There are many platforms like GoFundMe and Kickstarter that allow you to reach out to the public and accept donations online. You can create a wishlist on sites like Amazon that allow people from anywhere in the world to send you what you need. You may be amazed at the support you receive. This generosity and community spirit can be motivational for you and your students, as well. Coming together is one of the strengths of humanity.

Electronic Alternatives

It may seem counter-intuitive, but investing in electronic alternatives to traditional teaching supplies could save you money long-term. Rather than buying more paper, writing utensils and books every single year, a one-time investment in tablets or laptops for your little learners could replace all of these outdated expenses at once. They could also save your students from future back problems- no more huge backpacks filled with heavy books and supplies! Books become PDF files, essays are typed and submitted online and even those bulky, expensive calculators are replaced. There are many applications for in-classroom educational games that students participate in together, as well. This flexible technology makes the possibilities for learning endless.

As the times get tough, the tough get creative. Children are the future, so their education is imperative. Please consider these options when planning for your next school year!

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: budget, finance, frugal, money

Online Yard Sale Tips

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

March 18, 2019 By Jennifer Lambert 7 Comments

It’s that time of year again.

Spring cleaning.

Purging.

Minimizing.

Everyone who got guilt trips from Marie Kondo’s Netflix series.

My kids are growing up and outgrowing toys and homeschool curriculum.

We donate most of our used stuff to thrift stores. One year, we had a huge yard sale. Now, I try to sell nice items online for a little extra cash.

Typically, these online yard sale transactions are done in a public space with cash in hand. Big furniture items are usually viewed in home. I like to have someone with me for exchanges. Always be safe!

Occasionally, items are shipped with shipping extra. Money can be exchanged through Facebook or Paypal. I seldom go this route because it’s extra stressful to pack and ship and I haven’t received the money twice.

Some items are banned for resale, such as firearms, mattresses, car seats, baby formula.

Some groups or sites don’t allow handmade items.

Also, these online sale sites are not the place to promote your personal MLM or home business. I’m tired of all the clutter and ads for actual and online stores now.

Online Yard Sale Tips

Know the lingo. Be kind. Be on time.

Be the seller/buyer you would want to work with.

Online Yard Sale Terms

P/U = Pick-Up. This is usually followed by the location and/or time to meet to sell an item.

PPU = Pending Pick-Up. The item has been agreed to a time and place for pick-up. This may change if someone cancels, changes their mind, or doesn’t show.

Cross-Posted = lets potential buyers know that the item has been posted in more than one place

Bump = Sellers use this term to comment in their own listing and “bump” the item back up to the top of the feed, to give it more exposure. There is usually a rule about how often an item can be “bumped” – typically once a day.

ISO = In Search Of. People often ask for specific items in groups.

OBO = Or Best Offer. The buyer would consider other reasonable offers.

Next = People use this to let the seller know they are interested in the item if someone has already shown interest before them.

NWT = The item is new with tags.

NWOT = The item is new without tags.

Interested = What potential buyers typically write in the comments of your post if they want to buy your item.

Sending PM = Sending Private Message. This is how a potential buyer communicates with you as a seller. Typically, since these people will not be your actual Facebook friends, any messages from them will be filtered into your “other folder.” This is found at the top of your Facebook website, under your message folder. You can make adjustments in your privacy settings to view new messages immediately. This is helpful.

Porch pick-up = Usually, the seller leaves the item on their porch and the buyer places the money in an envelope in a hidden spot. Or vice versa. I don’t like doing this! What happens if they money gets lost or stolen?

Online Yard Sale Etiquette

Know the group or page rules. Follow the rules.

Lately, people don’t even comment on the post, but immediately private message to “get in line.” It sometimes becomes difficult to keep track of message order on a popular item. I often just reply to messages with a number to help keep things straight. I’ve had some people get frustrated with this, but it only seems fair. Occasionally, I have someone who wants to rush the process and claims they will pick up the item right this second.

It’s important to post if you have pets, smoke, or have other circumstances that could cause allergic reactions in sensitive people.

Be prompt in communication. Answer questions in a timely manner or you’ll lose the item to the next commenter or messenger!

Please don’t ask stupid questions and waste everyone’s time. If you’re not familiar with a product, do your own research. Don’t ask the seller to give you the rundown on the item’s pop culture, history, or random trivia.

Unless it’s a big furniture item or a pricey collectible or antique, you just have to take your chances. Don’t ask to come “see the item” without bringing money or intending to purchase. It’s just rude.

Park in an area that’s not very crowded for meet-ups. Tell the color and make of your vehicle in a message so the seller can find you.

Show up on time to purchase or sell an item. My son will never let me live it down that we once waited 45 minutes for a buyer who never showed. He kept messaging that he was stuck in traffic, but apparently, he was just a troll who never wanted the item anyway.

Have exact amount of money that is requested.

Posting Items for Sale

When posting your item for sale, be honest about its history and the condition.

Be prompt replying to messages.

Be available to meet up to sell.

Include:

  • good images, with proper lighting and all angles
  • condition of item
  • dimensions, if relevant
  • reasonable price

I am continually amazed by how many items people try to sell that are very damaged, really dirty, or otherwise a poor product to resell. Some of these items I wouldn’t even donate and these people are setting high prices on items that are just rubbish!

Have fun! It’s kind of exciting getting some cash for items no longer needed or wanted. And it’s really great finding a good deal for something you want!

Do you have any tips for online yard sales?

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Filed Under: Frugal Tagged With: frugal, minimizing, organizing

How to Save Money while Shopping

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

June 4, 2018 By Jennifer Lambert 11 Comments

Our grocery budget is higher than anyone’s I know.

We have different priorities for sure and food is high on the list. We don’t cut corners. We like all-natural and homemade. We like to cook and eat together. I’m home with the kids seven days a week and we all eat three meals a day together. Aaron joins us after work each night for weekday dinners and helps cook meals on weekends. My kids are turning into great bakers and cooks!

See what we eat every week.

See an example of our grocery expense a few years ago.

I’m not realy into couponing and most of the items I regularly buy aren’t in regular mailed coupon circulars anyway.

I want to be a good steward of our financial resources and I want to teach my kids about budgeting and being good stewards as well. It’s a constant balance between spending more on the better quality and healthier options and trying to save money where it counts.

I primarily shop at Kroger since that’s our closest grocery store. I really like Meijer, but there are only a few in our area that I occasionally shop at because it’s not really convenient. I buy several things at our base commissary each month, like bacon, sausage, and cat litter – because they’re remarkably cheaper and tax-free. We buy most of our meats at a local butcher shop. I occasionally shop at our local Walmart, mostly for birdseed. I shop at Costco every few months to stock up on a few items that are only found there. I buy cat food at Chewy because it saves me time and money.

I shop online for lots so I don’t interact with too many people. I also like self-checkout when I can! The site to store shipping option is my fave.

Shopping isn’t entertainment for me. I don’t like browsing or window shopping.

I usually check these FREE apps on Thursdays when they update.

Apps to Save Money while Shopping:

Fetch

Shop anywhere. Snap every receipt. Earn FREE gift cards! It’s so easy!

Shop anywhere. Snap every receipt. Earn FREE gift cards! 🎉 Sign up for Fetch with my code “1KW6Y5” and get 2,000 points when you snap your first receipt!

Sign up for Fetch and get 2,000 points when you snap your first receipt.

Shopkick

I’ve been using the Shopkick app for years. Get all kinds of rewards for just walking into stores or scanning products and uploading receipts.

We’ll both get points toward a free gift card when you try Shopkick.

Ibotta

This is my favorite service where you upload your receipts for 287 participating stores and receive instant rebates.

It’s most convenient on mobile where you can you access the camera to take pics and upload the receipt.

For Walmart and some other stores, you just scan the QR code on the receipt and it’s smart and does the rest for you!

You choose your store and the items you’ve purchased each week to receive cash back on those purchases.

Sometimes, there are offers on “any item” or “any brand” and those are wonderful.

There are bonuses each month or so that you can earn more.

You can use this app to earn even more when you shop online.

Some of the deals are combos, like you buy a certain brand of crackers and any kind of cheese.

There are great rebates on baby items.

I love love LOVE that it offers deals at military commissaries.

iBotta has communities with threads of deals, like a message board.

I’ve earned over $70 this year with iBotta. You can cash out once you’ve earned $20. When you’re ready to get your cash, use the app and withdraw directly to your bank or PayPal account. Easy money.

Sign up for Ibotta now!

Checkout 51

This is another service where you upload your receipts for participating stores and receive instant rebates.

This app has improved a great deal in the last few years. They are consistent with a few brands but offer great deals on those. You can link brand accounts to save even more. I love that they offer Back to Nature and Bob’s Red Mill and other more natural organic product deals.

You can add loyalty cards to the app for a few participating stores. Sometimes, you can earn on several items at once.

It’s also most convenient on mobile where you can you access the camera to take pics to upload your receipt.

You choose the items you’ve purchased, upload your receipt, and receive cash back on those purchases.

You can cash out once you’ve earned $20.

I’ve earned over $40 this year with Checkout 51. They only mail checks, which I don’t really like.

Sign up for Checkout 51 now!

Rakuten

Click here

I’ve earned over $300 shopping online with Rakuten (formerly eBates) for things I would buy anyway.

I use Rakuten when I buy floral arrangements for my mom or friends.

I use it when I’m buying needed items at Kohl’s or Lowe’s or Walmart and use the free ship to store option. It saves me time and earns me money!

It’s free and even has a nifty little Chrome plugin so it manages coupon codes and alerts you if there’s a better deal at a competing store.

You can link a credit or debit card to earn cash back when you shop in-store!

There are frequent sales with Rakuten when you can earn extra cash back.

They used to mail a “Big Fat Check” and I love getting the cash back via Paypal now.

Join Rakuten now!

Honey

Honey is a great price checker online so I can get the best deal.

I can save items I want to purchase in a droplist for up to 60 days, then I can renew the item in my droplist if the price isn’t right. They will alert me when there’s a price drop!

I can view the price history for 120 days, so I can plan to wait for a sale.

This is super handy around the holidays.

Earn gift cards just for shopping. You’re already shopping. Rack up Honey Gold rewards while you’re at it.

I have earned so many gift cards for Amazon and other favorite stores with Honey Gold.

Join Honey now!

Coupons

I don’t do many coupons and I don’t follow my favorite brands on social media or subscribe to newsletters to get updates and deals. I know that there are some good options out there on some items. I find that the little savings they offer isn’t worth the stress and clutter of my inbox and mailbox. I actually hate shopping!

I like the Kroger app for in-store coupons for things I’m going to buy anyway. Kroger also mails me coupons periodically for items I’ve bought in the past. Meijer has app coupons too. I’m not very brand conscious or loyal, so most of the big coupon sites don’t have much to offer for me.

I have apps for Joann and Michael’s for their amazing weekly coupons.

I check the Kohl’s app for coupon codes before buying. This is pretty much the only clothing store I use.

And my husband uses the Chick-fil-A app to earn free items!

We almost never dine out, so restaurant apps are a hassle so I don’t bother with them.

Loyalty Cards

These irritate me to no end, but I try to remember to use them. It seems that every store has a loyalty card these days but some of the perks are barely worth it. I like the Kroger card to save on gas and store brand items. If the store has an app that I can link the loyalty card to, I am much happier. I do love how Kroger has in-app pay now! Now, if they could just let me use that at their gas stations.

We move so frequently and the cards aren’t always transferrable in a new state or the store isn’t in our new city or state. Then we have to start all over again.

What unique ways do you save money?

You might also like:
How We Save Money
How to Set a Budget
5 Money Tips
5 Frugal Tips for Buying Kids Clothes
Losing Control
A Frugal Birthday
Shopping in Germany
Obstacles to Being Frugal During the Holidays
How to Have a Debt-Free Christmas

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Filed Under: Frugal Tagged With: finance, frugal

What We Eat Every Week

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

April 30, 2018 By Jennifer Lambert 13 Comments

We actually eat almost the same things every week.

It helps with planning and grocery shopping.

I use Checkout 51 and Ibotta apps along with Kroger sales and coupons to plan our week.

We buy most of our fruits and veggies and other items at Kroger. I occasionally buy organic. I plan to buy more from local farmers markets and perhaps growing some of our own this year.

We buy almost all our meats from a local butcher shop. I like knowing our meat is local and without hormones and other additives. They live happier lives and we’re happier not consuming mass-produced feedlot meat.

What We Eat Every Week:

Breakfasts

My husband usually makes breakfast for the kids on weekends and lets me sleep in. They love egg hash with sausage and potatoes, pancakes, waffles…all the things I seldom make. Tori’s favorite is eggs Benedict.

My typical weekday breakfasts for the kids are a combo of scrambled eggs, Oscar Mayer natural bacon, Jones sausage links or patties, steel-cut oatmeal, 10-grain porridge, cheesy grits, Annie’s canned biscuits with jelly, occasionally homemade muffins or scones.

Katie sometimes makes a lovely breakfast cake or muffins.

The girls sometimes get up late and have the yummy new protein Cheerios.

I have coffee and sometimes what the kids are having, but usually a mango-spinach or berry smoothie. Sometimes yogurt with fruit and homemade granola.

Lunches

Katie loves to make these little tortilla pizzas. Quesadillas are an easy lunch that kids can make.

We often have sandwiches or charcuterie platters.

Sometimes, we have leftovers, but we’re getting to the point there aren’t many! Sometimes, we have a fancy tea time with cute little sandwiches. When the kids were little, we did Muffin Tin Monday.

Dinners…

Sunday

We usually have leftovers or something quick prepped from the freezer.

Twice a month, the girls participate in church activities in the evening, so we don’t bother making a big fancy meal most Sundays. Sometimes, we even get some takeout.

Monday

I’m usually rested after the weekend, so I go all out and prepare something special.

I’ll go to the store and get fish to try or something a little different than our norm or that takes more time.

Sometimes, we have huge salads with grilled or leftover meat.

We like chicken Marsala.

Tuesday

Tacos, duh.

I make our own taco seasoning and use it in lots of dishes. Sometimes, I make a taco noodle casserole or baked chicken enchiladas.

Sometimes, we mix it up and have Asian tacos.

Wednesday

Usually something in the slow cooker, like a stew or roast. Sometimes something that’s quick and easy that can be thrown together last minute.

Swiss steak is delicious with lots of veggies.

Pork tenderloin is super easy and flavorful.

Everyone loves these Asian slow cooker pork ribs.

Our favorite soups: cream of vegetable, dill chicken, ham and bean.

Thursday

Usually something easy like pasta, potatoes, or rice and a grilled meat and steamed veggies. The kids have an architecture class at the library and it’s about a 30 minute drive, so we’re home about 7 and my husband finishes up what I’ve prepped.

Cashew chicken is a go-to that’s really easy to make.

I marinate meat in bags and it grills up super nice! These are great for camping, busy weeks, or grabbing a bag from the freezer when I’m out of ideas.

We reviewed eMeals one year and got some fun new meal ideas.

Friday

Homemade pizza. With a movie.

I usually have sliced tomatoes, sliced mozzarella, oregano basil garlic, with a few dollops of pizza sauce.

My husband and two kids like sausage and/or pepperoni. Two girls like sausage, pepperoni, onions, and red bell peppers.

Saturday

We often grill steaks or hamburgers.

When my husband travels out of town or works late, I make the things he doesn’t like – like tuna casserole or turkey divan, and lots of bell pepper dishes.

I’m also incorporating more vegetarian dishes into our family’s recipe repertoire.

We seldom dine out. I am usually disappointed at the quality for the price. I don’t like not knowing where my food comes from or what’s in it.

And I like that I can eat dinner in my loungewear.

There isn’t much that I can’t make myself at home – better and cheaper.


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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: food, frugal, homemaking, meal plan, recipe

6 Steps Toward Financial Security

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February 27, 2018 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

Between the staggering statistics on average household debt and the difficult economic climate, there is a lot of discussion about family finances. If you struggle with budgeting, thinking about managing your money better can seem overwhelming. However, even small steps can make a big difference, especially in the long term.

Here some simple ways to start taking control of your financial independence.

1. Analyze Your Debt

If you are spending money every month paying off debt, you know how big of an impact it can have on your overall finances. You may have a goal of paying off all your loans, but that process can take several years. Before you start making bigger payments toward your debt, you may want to figure out the most efficient way to pay it off. You could start with the credit card with the highest interest. Maybe you want to refinance to consolidate your debt. Try to find the plan that works best with your income and goals.

2. Make Savings Automatic

You may find it much easier to allocate money to your savings account if you don’t have to think about it. There are several ways to make saving automatic. You can request to have part of your paycheck deposited in a savings account or set up an automatic transfer at your bank. You can also use a savings app to move money into savings automatically.

3. Recycle and Reuse

If a lot of your budget goes toward disposable items, you may want to think about changing to reusable alternatives. Switching to cloth napkins and ditching the paper plates can save you money and reduce your environmental impact as well.

4. Lower Energy Consumption

Utility bills can be expensive, but you can make a few simple changes to lower your usage and your monthly costs. Consider switching to energy-efficient light bulbs and low-flow showerheads. You can also use a programmable thermostat to reduce the load on your home’s HVAC system when you are out of the house.

5. Use the Library

For most families, entertainment takes a large percentage of the discretionary spending. Whether your family loves books, movies, or music, you can drastically reduce your spending by taking advantage of your local library. Most libraries have large selections of CDs and DVDs along with magazines and books. You can also check to see if your library offers eBooks through an online service.

6. Take It Slow

When you decide to take control of your family finances, it can be discouraging if you don’t see big changes in your bank account right away. However, changing your financial habits can take time. Be patient with yourself and your family, and find encouragement in small changes.

Financial management can take a long time to master, especially if you are overseeing all the income and expenditures for your entire household. If you are trying to save more money or pay off debt, there are several small things you can do to start moving in the right direction without dramatically changing your entire lifestyle. Reducing your home’s energy consumption, making savings automatic, and using the library are just a few ways to reduce your expenses and grow your savings.

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Filed Under: Frugal Tagged With: finance, frugal, money

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