This DIY Foaming Hand Soap smells so good and makes such a beautiful homemade gift idea! (Plus, get FREE printable gift tags to go with this gift when you download our FREE Homemade Christmas Gifts Guide!)
DIY tutorial by Olivia from the MoneySavingMom team. During the months of November and December, we’ll be highlighting some of our favorite homemade gifts! Download our FREE Homemade Gifts Guide to get recipes to 15+ easy-to-make gifts, plus printable gift tags to go with each gift!
This is the best Homemade Foaming Soap recipe!
I recently created this recipe for a girls’ fall party I hosted and it was a huge hit!
Not only does it smell amazing, but it also looks really festive too! It forms a white foam layer on the top that reminds me of whipped cream on top of a hot beverage — perfect for the colder months!
This foaming hand soap is extremely moisturizing, thanks to the MCT oil and glycerin. It’s perfect for the upcoming dry winter months.
As an added bonus, you can even use this lovely foaming soap for shaving cream and body wash! Just add a bit less water so the foam is extra thick and creamy.
Vanilla Cider Foaming Hand Soap ingredients
- 14 oz Foaming Hand Soap Dispenser Bottle
- 2 Tablespoons MCT Oil
- Essential Oils (I used 22 drops cinnamon, 6 drops clove bud, 5 drops ginger, and 1 drop nutmeg)
- 2 Tablespoons Vegetable Glycerin
- 6 Tablespoons Liquid Castile Soap
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
- Filtered Water
How to make Foaming Hand Soap
1. Add MCT oil and essential oils to the foaming hand soap dispenser bottle. Give it a good swirl to mix the oils together.
2. Add in all remaining ingredients except the water. Give it another swirl to mix everything together.
3. Fill the remainder of the jar with filtered water. Screw on the lid and shake it a few times.
This DIY Foaming Hand Soap makes a great gift!
This recipe makes enough for one 14-ounce bottle of foaming hand soap OR 4 mini foaming hand soap containers.
These tiny bottles make excellent gifts for teachers, coaches, friends, neighbors, or even as a party favor!
How to divide this recipe into 4 mini bottles:
Follow the first 2 steps above (mixing all ingredients, except the water).
Then divide the mixture (as evenly as possible) into 4 mini pump bottles.
Finally, add water to fill each one individually and swirl to combine.
Download your free printable labels!
Want to add on Christmas gift tags to gift this to someone this holiday season? Go HERE to download printable gift tags designed for this foaming hand soap!
You can also click here to download and print labels to stick on individual bottles. (Note: We recommend using this sticker paper!)
Foaming Hand Soap Recipe FAQs
Yes, basically! Foaming hand soap is a diluted version of liquid hand soap that goes through a special foaming pump that adds air into the mix to create an already-sudsy hand soap “lather” when it’s dispensed onto your hands.
Yes, but only put a few Tablespoons of regular soap in the dispenser, and then fill the rest (slowly) with water. Swirl after securing the pump.
It’s usually recommended that you use foaming hand soap within 30 days. If it’s been longer than that, you might need to swirl it a bit as the soap/water may separate.
Whipped Vanilla Cider Foaming Hand Soap Recipe
Materials
- 2 tbsp MCT Oil
- Essential Oils I used 22 drops cinnamon, 6 drops clove bud, 5 drops ginger, and 1 drop nutmeg
- 2 tbsp Vegetable Glycerin
- 6 tbsp Liquid Castile Soap
- 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
- Filtered Water enough to fill the container
Instructions
- Add MCT oil and essential oils to the foaming hand soap dispenser bottle. Give it a good swirl to mix the oils together.
- Add in all remaining ingredients except the water. Give it another swirl to mix everything together.
- Fill the remainder of the jar with filtered water. Screw on the lid and shake it a few times.
Notes
Love this craft?
Make sure to share and save it on your favorite platform below!
Get your FREE Homemade Christmas Gifts Guide!
If you’re looking for ways to simplify gift giving this year, we have just the solution for you! Download our brand new FREE Homemade Christmas Gifts Guide! When you sign up, you’ll get:
- 15+ DIY recipes for unforgettable gift ideas (we’ve included something for everyone on your list!)
- Step-by-step instructions for ridiculously easy homemade gifts that anyone can make!
- Customizable, ready-to-print gift tags to go with each homemade gift!
This FREE guide was designed to help you have a more peaceful, intentional holiday season. Our hope is that it reduces stress, helps you save more money and spend less on your gift budget, and simplifies things so you can focus on what matters most this season!
Click here to get your FREE Homemade Christmas Gifts Guide!
Crystal’s Kroger Pick-up Trips from the last 2 weeks
I did two Kroger pick-up trips over the past two weeks! Here were the deals I got:
Eggs were on a great price with the digital coupon, so I stocked up!
And so were granola bars, chocolate chips, and canned veggies!
I stuck the extra flour in the freezer for holiday baking!
My total for all of this was: $121.01
After three months of no sales tax on groceries in Tennessee, I’m sad that sales tax is back again. So that will definitely add to my grocery costs each month, but I’m grateful we had three months without it!
I stocked up on cereal, shampoo, canned goods, wipes, and tissues this past week.
Plus, I also stocked up on peanut butter and froze potatoes!
My total for all of these groceries was $122.40.
Psst! I almost didn’t post this post as I know the sales are over (I’d planned to post these earlier when the sales were still live with lots more details so you could also grab these deals, but if you’ve been following on Instagram, you know we’ve had a lot of sickness and David had surgery and then complications from the surgery, so I had very little time to blog the past few weeks! Thank you for your patience as things have been pretty rough here for the last few weeks!)
I wanted to go ahead and post so that you could see what I bought… for those who love to see what I buy each week, even if the sales are already over. Hopefully I’ll be back to posting more details and posting earlier this coming week since we are finally all well and David is recovered from surgery! Be sure to follow along on Instagam where I’m sharing in real-time what I’m making each night for dinner!
1000 Hours Outside (with Ginny Yurich)
I try not to have favorite podcast episodes, but I just really, really loved this episode and can’t wait for you to hear it. I hope it inspires and warms your heart as much as it did mine!
This week, I got to sit down with Ginny Yurich, the founder of 1000 Hours Outside, to delve into her impactful work and discuss her latest book, Until the Streetlights Come On: How a Return to Play Brightens Our Present and Prepares Kids for an Uncertain Future!
Ginny has deeply inspired me through her work and I share more about how the concept of 1000 Hours Outside has changed my life this past year. I share a little about this during this conversation and then Ginny shares how this idea first came about for her. You will fall in love with Ginny (if you don’t already follow her online!) as she shares her heartfelt story and passion for families spending more time outdoors.
From practical tips for busy moms to anecdotes about navigating outdoor adventures with teenagers, we explore the multifaceted benefits of outdoor play and the positive impact it has on our mental and emotional well-being. I think you will be so inspired and blessed by listening to this episode!
Powered by RedCircle
In This Episode
[0:35] – I am thrilled to welcome Ginny Yurich to the podcast!
[3:18] – Ginny shares her transformative experience that first launched the idea of 1000 Hours Outside.
[6:24] – Hear how Ginny discovers the joys of unstructured outdoor time, realizing its profound impact on child development and emotional enrichment.
[11:12] – Ginny offers advice on spending more time outdoors, such as finding a friend, choosing a safe space, packing essentials, and starting with easy outings.
[14:04] – Spending a few hours per day outdoors doesn’t have to be as complicated to make happen as it might seem at first.
[15:35] – Ginny touches upon how incorporating outdoor rhythms transforms parenting.
[18:51] – Outdoor adventures foster lasting memories, boost cognition, and defy screen-centric teen stereotypes.
[21:23] – Ginny shares how encouraging teens in diverse activities fosters lifelong development.
[25:26] – Setting a 1000-hour outdoor goal ensures accountability, balancing learning with flexible and efficient educational opportunities.
[27:19] – Ginny points out that morning outdoor time boosts mood and energy and sets a healthy day-night cycle.
[29:27] – I, in closing, point out that the thousand hours outside concept invites a balance, not a strict choice; embracing nature is a gift for both parents and kids.
Links & Resources
- Crystal Paine
- 1000 Hours Outside
- Until the Streetlights Come On: How a Return to Play Brightens Our Present and Prepares Kids for an Uncertain Future by Ginny Yurich MEd
- 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
- Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
- MoneySavingMom.com
- My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
- Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com
Brigette’s $2.13 Walgreens Shopping Trip ($12 Money Maker after Rebates) and $0.24 CVS Shopping Trip!
Brigette’s $2.13 Walgreens Shopping Trip ($12 Money Maker after Rebates) and $0.24 CVS Shopping Trip!
Love drug store shopping each week? Don’t miss these GREAT deals Brigette grabbed this week at CVS and Walgreens!
Walgreens
All of my coupons are from the Walgreens app. I highly recommend downloading it if you haven’t already. You can clip both Manufacturer’s and Store coupons and stack them together on the same item.
What I Bought:
2 Walgreens 4-Ct Mega Roll Toilet Paper – $3.98
= $3.98 total out of pocket
2 Covergirl Mascara (B1G1 50%) – $10.18
Used $2/1 Walgreens digital manufacturer’s coupon
Received $2/1 Shopmium Rebate
Received (2) $3/1 Covergirl Eye Ibotta Rebates
= $8.18 for 2 total out of pocket ($0.18 for 2 after Rebates!)
2 Garnier Fructis – $8
Receive $3 Register Reward when you buy 2
Used $3/2 Garnier Fructis Walgreens digital manufacturer’s coupon
= $5 for 2 total out of pocket ($2 for 2 after Register Rewards!)
2 Oral-B Toothbrushes – $6
Receive $3 Register Reward when you buy 2
Used $3/2 Crest Walgreens digital manufacturer’s coupon
= $3 for 2 total out of pocket (FREE after Register Rewards!)
Totals:
Total: $20.16 plus tax
Used $20 Walgreens Cash
Total Paid Out Of Pocket: $2.13, plus I received $6 Register Rewards and $8 Rebates
CVS Shopping Trip
All of my coupons are from the CVS app. I highly recommend it if you don’t have it already! Just log in to your account and clip the coupons you want, and they automatically come off in the store. There are CVS store coupons and manufacturer coupons to clip on the app – and you can stack them on the same product.
What I Bought:
6 General Mills Cereals – $11.94
Used $1/2 General Mills CVS digital manufacturer’s coupon
Used $1/2 General Mills CVS digital manufacturer’s coupon
Received $1/2 General Mills Ibotta Rebate
= $9.94 for 6 total out of pocket ($8.94 for 6 after $1 Rebate!)
Totals:
Total: $9.94 plus tax
Paid with $9.70 ECB’s from previous weeks
Total Paid Out Of Pocket: $0.24 plus I received $1 Rebate
Psst! Want to cut your grocery budget? Go here and sign up (it’s free!) I’ll send you my 10 Easy Ways to Cut Your Grocery Bill By $50.
One simple tweak that has made a big impact
Jesse and I did something we’ve never done before for this episode: we recorded it twice! Not because of technical issues, either. Listen in for why (and you can laugh!)
In this week’s podcast, we share a candid glimpse into some struggles we’ve experienced in recent months that prompted a conversation that led to a change in our daily lives. We talk about some of the hurdles that come with working from home and how these have impacted us recently.
We also talk about how to be honest when you feel stuck, how to assess and acknowledge your challenges, and how to move forward from stuck to solutions.
Throughout the conversation, listen in as we emphasize the importance of recognizing that you’re never truly stuck, and we encourage listeners to be open to new perspectives and approaches. Join us as we share our journey of embracing change, finding solutions, and discovering the transformative power of a fresh perspective!
Powered by RedCircle
In This Episode
[1:37] – RSV, stomach bugs, and surgery… it’s not been dull around here!
[10:37] – I just finished listening to a really fascinating novel!
[15:19] – What has been saving my life?
[16:10] – Car seat covers have been so helpful!
[20:24] – We are talking about a little tweak that has made a big difference in our lives!
[22:51] – Learn about the four As to tweak your life!
[24:57] – I felt resistance to Jesse’s idea at first.
[29:46] – I detail how this tweak brought unexpected benefits.
[34:56] – Jesse adds not to dismiss possibilities based on perceived impracticality.
[35:52] – I emphasize the importance of not believing that you’re stuck; there’s always a solution.
Links & Resources
- Car Seat Covers
- The Crystal Paine Show – 230. Why I’m Saying No
- A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen
- Crystal Paine
- 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
- Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
- MoneySavingMom.com
- My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
- Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com
Brigette’s $123 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Brigette’s $123 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
My older sister, Brigette, shares her shopping trips and menu plans every week! You can go HERE to see all of her weekly menu plans and you can go HERE to read all about her family!
Aldi
2 gallons Whole Milk – $5.06
1 gallon Orange Juice – $5.19
1 64-oz carton Unsweetened Almond Milk – $2.19
4 cans White Northern Beans – $3.00
1 jar Salsa – $2.09
1 carton Ice Cream – $2.49
1 family-size box Honey Nut Crisp Oats – $2.65
1 family-size box Frosty Flakes – $2.65
1 box Honey Crunch’n Oats – $2.39
1 family-size box Cinnamon Crunch Squares – $2.79
1 16-0z pkg Deli Meat – $4.19
1 pkg Chicken Drumsticks ($1.29/lb) – $6.46
1 pkg Pepperoni – $2.49
2 bags Romaine Hearts – $5.10
1 pkg Mushrooms – $0.99
1 3-lb bag Yellow Onions – $1.69
1 3-ct bag Green Peppers – $1.69
1 large tub Organic Spring Mix – $3.99
2 cans Green Beans – $0.98
1 bag frozen Corn – $0.66
1 bag Green Onions – $0.99
1 bunch Bananas – ($0.68/lb) – $0.68
1 Butternut Squash ($0.69/lb) – $2.62
1 10-lb bag Russet Potatoes – $3.49
1 3-head ct pkg Garlic – $1.15
1 jar Bouillon Cubes – $1.65
3 dozen Eggs – $3.57
5 single-serve cartons Greek Yogurt – $2.95
2 16-oz bags Shredded Cheddar Cheese – $5.96
1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $2.29
2 boxes Butter Quarters – $3.98 (this was an unadvertised price, and I didn’t realize it until just now! I need to go back for more!)
2 loaves Sandwich Bread – $1.00
1 can Condensed Tomato Soup – $0.65
1 bag Tortilla Chips – $1.85
Total: $91.57
Approximately 30lbs Pink Lady Apples from our favorite roadside stand (the ones in the white grocery sacks are “seconds”) – $16.00
Sawyer’s Produce
24 cartons Organic Blackberries – $16.00
Grocery Total for the Week – $123.57
Weekly Menu Plan
Breakfasts
Cereal, Toast, Eggs, Smoothies, Oatmeal, Blackberry Muffins, Pancakes, Fruit
Lunches
Deli Meat/Cheese Sandwiches, Blackberries, Peppers x 2
Baked Potatoes with Cheese, Carrots, Blackberries
Leftovers x 4
Dinners
Shepherd’s Pie, Ice Cream Pie (Birthday Dinner)
French Toast, Venison Sausage, Fried Eggs
Venison Meatloaf, Baked Potatoes, Green Beans
Chicken Taco Soup with Shredded Cheese and Chips
Spaghetti with Pepperoni, Tossed Salad
Grilled Chicken Drumsticks, Tossed Salad, Broccoli
Date Night Out (kids eat Macaroni and Cheese)
Psst! Want to cut your grocery budget? Go here and sign up (it’s free!) I’ll send you my 10 Easy Ways to Cut Your Grocery Bill By $50.
Did you do any grocery shopping this week? I’d love to hear what great deals you scored!
Gretchen’s $7.82 Walgreens Pickup Order
Looking to save money without actually shopping in-store? With several kids in tow, I can’t usually shop the drugstore deals in-store, but have come to love doing pickup orders. I always place my order online using my Walgreens app and within 10 minutes it is ready for pickup at my closest store. The best part? I don’t even have to get out of my car as they bring it out to me!
Here’s what I bought:
3 Purex Laundry Detergents – $2.99 each
3 Walgreens Complete Home Bags – $0.93 each
1 Dollar Shave Club Post Shave Cream – $3.49
Used $3/1 e-coupon3 M&M Candy Bags – $1 each
Used $0.99/3 e-coupon2 Vaseline Lip Therapy – $2.19 (On Sale Buy One, Get One 50% off)
Used $1.99/2 e-coupon2 Gillette Shave Cream – $3.49 (On Sale Buy One, Get One 50% off)
Used $3/2 e-couponUsed promo code SENIOR20 (took off $0.68)
And used $10 Walgreens Cash
Total after coupons, code, and cash: $7.82
12 Ways Moms Can Earn Money From Home
I asked on Instagram stories recently, for people to submit their best tried and true suggestions for making money from home. While I was specifically looking for ideas for things moms can do, the list below really can apply to anyone! (And if you have other tips for things you’ve done to earn money on the side, please leave a comment with the idea!)
1. Watch/walk pets
Many people are regularly in need of someone to either keep their pet at your house while they are out of town or to go over to their house once or twice a day to feed/care for their pet. I also know many people who would love to have someone regularly available to take their pet on a walk.
One of my followers on Instagram said, “I made $2500 in 2 1/2 months dog sitting as a side hustle on the occasional week or weekend that it worked for my schedule.” Another follower said, “This is such a great side hustle! I made 4K last year doing it very randomly when it fit into my schedule.”
You can find jobs for dog sitting on Rover.com.
2. Teach lessons
Years ago, I used to teach violin lessons. My sisters have taught other types of music lessons — harp, flute, and piano. I also taught creative writing lessons years ago when I was first married.
What are you good at? What skills do you have? Cooking, crafting, baking, music, writing… could you teach lessons? Advertise at the local music store or craft store or in a local paper or local Facebook groups.
This is something you can do from home during your kids’ nap times or at night or on the weekends while your spouse watches your kids.
3. Provide childcare
If you are already home with your kids, what about providing childcare for one or two other children? One of my followers said, “I have older kids so I keep a 2-year-old at my house 4 days a week.”
You could also take on a part-time nanny job or just occasional babysitting jobs if people were good with you bringing your kids with you (I know many people are!)
You can advertise your services on sites like Kingdom Care Sitters or Care.com.
4. Clean Airbnbs
Connect with people who own AirBnB’s and offer to provide cleaning any time they have guests leave. If you just have a few AirBnB’s you regularly clean, this could provide a steady stream of income. And you can usually bring your kids with you and the hours would be somewhat flexible.
You could also regularly clean houses for others or offices for small businesses.
5. Have a Farmstand
If you live where you could set up a farmstand in your driveway, this might be a fun option. You could sell veggies from your garden, baked goods (if that’s allowed in your area), flowers, eggs (if you have chickens), etc.
Or, you could have a stand at local farmer’s markets. I know many who have done this and sold baked goods and more and done very well!
You could also make baked goods and sell them to local coffee shops to sell or to sell to friends or others (again, if this is allowed in your area).
6. Sell on Etsy
If you are someone who is artistic, crafty, or can create digital products, definitely consider selling on Etsy. I know many who are making a part-time or full-time income from selling products on Etsy.
While this article is a little old, there is some really fantastic information in it to help you get started selling on Etsy.
7. Run Social Media for Small Businesses
Many small businesses need help with social media. They often don’t know how to run a social media account or want to mess with it, but they know that, in this day and age it’s something needed.
Fill this need by creating a business running social media for small businesses. You could offer a few different tiered packages to run social media for businesses (complete oversight, hands-on help, occasion help, etc.) and I think there would be huge interest in this!
8. Sell items Online
For years, my brothers have bought items at estate sales and thrift stores and resold them on eBay and made a really good income doing so. It’s taken them awhile to figure out what sells and what kinds of listings convert best, but they’ve learned with lots of trial and error and now have strong income streams doing this — and lots and lots of flexibility with the hours they choose to work.
You can also sell items on Poshmark or Facebook Marketplace!
9. Sub at a Local School
If your kids are school-aged, you can sign up to substitute teach at their school (or another local school). Many schools are in great need of good substitutes for when a teacher is out or sick. The great thing about this is that you’d only be working when your kids are in school. In addition, you can usually very much pick your days and hours and work as much or little as you’d like.
Another idea if you love teaching and have some experience: offer tutoring services! You could tutor individually on specific subjects or do things like ACT tutoring workshops for high schoolers.
10. Take professional photos
I know so many people who have taught themselves how to take great photos and edit them — and make hundreds or thousands of dollars each month by doing photo shoots for families, babies, weddings, events, and more. You could set it up so you only do a few evenings or one or two weekend events per month.
Another very needed area for photography is people to take pictures for businesses’ social media accounts or for social media influencers.
11. Become a Virtual Assistant
There are SO many online companies, small businesses, bloggers, and influencers who are needing good help with things like graphic design, editing, responding to emails and comments, data entry, customer service, social media, video editing, and podcast editing,
If you want to start doing virtual assistant work, I’d start by practicing, offering your services for free or very reduced rates for a bit to build you experience and portfolio, and then approaching people online that you love their work and who you might be able to help out with services you can provide. You can also find jobs at Upwork or RemoteTasks.
12. Provide Alteration Services
Are you able to sew? Consider providing alteration services. We had a formal dress we needed to have hemmed not too long ago and all local alteration shops were quoting us crazy high prices. We ended up finding someone we knew who could do it and she charged us way less and did a fantastic job (we paid her twice what she asked because her work was so good and we thought she was undercharging compared to what the other places were!)
You could easily make $15-$20 or more per item hemming things or taking them in. And if this only takes you 10-15 minutes or less, that’s a great hourly wage!
What ideas would you add to this list? I’d love to hear your additional suggestions in the comments!
Related posts:
3 Books I Finished Recently
In 2023, I set a goal to finish one book per week. I’m aiming to listen to 30 minutes of an audiobook per day (while cooking, cleaning, and/or driving) and read 10 minutes of a book. By doing this, I hope to fairly easily be able to finish one book per week.
You can follow along on GoodReads to see what I’m reading, what books I finish, and the star rating I give each of them.
Here are the three books I finished recently:
Salt to the Sea
I absolutely loved this book. It was well-written, super engaging, and I learned a lot about an event in history (that took place during WWII) that I’d never even heard of before. I also loved that it was the same story written from multiple perspectives… which made it really fascinating.
It’s a sad story, but the author handled it in a way that it would be appropriate even for younger readers. Our teens read it with me over the summer and we all really enjoyed it.
One thing I will say is that since it’s told from multiple perspectives, it may take a bit to get your bearings on who is who and what is what… but keep reading for the first 30-40 pages and you’ll probably then not want to stop reading
Also, as a result of loving it so much, I went on and listened to all three of the author’s other YA books!
Verdict: 5 stars
Don’t Hold Back
If you don’t like getting your toes stepped on, don’t read this book. Because no matter where you stand politically, there is a good chance this book is going to convict you — and possibly make you feel really unsettled. But ultimately, I hope it challenges you to look to Jesus and for us to stop looking to a man or a political figure or a political party to “save us” or to change our world.
I also loved the emphasis on loving others and reaching out to those who may believe very differently than us. And the call to unite around God and His Word instead of secondary beliefs and convictions.
This book has gotten a lot of pushback and critique (at least based upon the number of messages I got while I mentioned reading this book on Instagram) and I found that every single thing people told me why they wouldn’t read the book missed what the book was about. So I’ll just say if you’ve heard things and haven’t read it, read it first before jumping to conclusions about it aligning with a certain political party.
Verdict: 4 stars
Friendish
Okay, so I struggled to figure out how to review this book. On the one hand, I thought it had a lot of really valuable thoughts on how to spot a dysfunctional friendship and the importance of finding our worth and value in Jesus instead of trying to find that in a relationship. If you have struggled in friendships and relationships in the past, especially when it comes to drama or misunderstandings and hurt in relationships, I think this book has a lot of insight into where some of that could be stemming from.
On the other hand, I felt like it left me wanting… as in, yes, you shared lots and lots of wise perspective on what unhealthy friendships look like and how to avoid and recognize that, but I didn’t feel empowered with ideas of practically what it looks like to pursue healthy, life-giving friends. It almost made me feel hesitant to pursue relationships lest I have wrong or unhealthy motives.
Also, it made it seem like healthy relationships will involve a lot of confrontation and hard conversations and calling out sin. Personally, I think this book could make people feel like they need to be confronting their friends a lot instead of loving and showing up and believing the best and then (very occasionally) needing to have a difficult conversation. I’m all about pointing our friends to Jesus and encouraging them to pursue holiness, but I think we need to be careful that we don’t feel like it’s our job to be their Holy Spirit.
I’d recommend reading this book in conjunction with Find Your People for some balance of overall — especially if you are wanting to build healthy, life-giving, deep relationships.
Verdict: 3 stars
Brigette’s $137.48 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Brigette’s $137.48 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Aldi
2 gallons Whole Milk – $5.06
1 gallon Orange Juice – $5.79
1 large bag Organic Frozen Strawberries – $4.99
1 large bag Organic Frozen Blueberries – $4.99
1 10-lb bag Russet Potatoes – $3.49
2 bags frozen Broccoli Florets – $1.98
1 3-lb bag Sweet Potatoes – $1.69
3 Pomegranates – $2.58 (only two are showing on my receipt although I got 3)
2 Avocados – $1.18
1 bag Romaine Hearts – $2.69
1 Cabbage – $1.87
2 bags Baby Carrots – $1.90
1 large carton Organic Spring Mix – $3.99
2 pkgs Boneless Chicken Breasts ($2.49/lb) – $21.52
1 2-lb bag frozen Tilapia – $7.99
1 16-oz pkg Deli Meat – $3.99
2 dozen Eggs – $2.38
1 5-lb bag Flour – $1.79
1 4-lb bag Sugar – $1.95
1 bag Brown Sugar – $1.49
2 24-oz jars Pasta Sauce – $2.98
2 cans Organic Black Beans – $1.98
2 cans Garbanzo Beans – $1.66
1 box Clubhouse Crackers – $2.95
1 16-oz bag Shredded Cheddar – $2.99
1 2-lb bag Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – $6.99
1 family-size box Frosted Flakes – $3.09
1 box Rice Squares – $2.29
1 box Crunchy Granola Raisin Bran – $2.49
1 box Shredded Wheat – $2.09
1 box Honey Crunch’n Oat – $2.49
1 bag Organic Multi-Grain Tortilla Chips – $2.29
1 bag Organic Yellow Tortilla Chips – $2.79
1 bag Pretzels – $1.78
1 can Iodized Table Salt – $0.64
1-lb bag Dry Lentils – $1.29
1 jar Garlic Powder – $0.99
2 boxes Butter Quarters – $5.98
1 loaf Sandwich Bread – $1.29
2 pkgs Hot Dog Buns – $2.58
Total: $134.94
Publix
1 box Duncan Hines Dolly Parton Brownie Mix (B1G1) – $1.99, used $1/1 Publix e-coupon – $0.99 after coupon
2 boxes Welch’s Juicefuls (B1G1) – $3.89, received (2) $1/1 Ibotta rebates – $1.89 for 2 after rebates
2 bags Famous Amos Cookies (B1G1) – $4.39, received 500 points ($5) from Swagbucks – $0.61 Money Maker for 2 after Swagbucks points
5 boxes Pearl Milling Company Apple Cinnamon Pancake Mix (B1G1) – $9.77, received (5) $1.50/1 Ibotta rebates – $2.27 for 5 after rebates
Used $2/$10 Purchase Publix App Perks
Total after Coupons and Rebates – $2.54
Grocery Total for the Week: $137.48
Weekly Menu Plan
(A friend gave us a huge bags of all kinds of peppers that I didn’t take a picture of but we will be working on eating up this week. Also, my husband and son have provided us with approximately 120 pounds of venison in the past couple of weeks!)
Breakfasts
Cereal, Pancakes, Oatmeal, Smoothies, Fruit, Omelets
Lunches
Deli Meat/Cheese or PB and J Sandwiches, Peppers/Carrots, Chips, Apples x 2
Hot Dogs, Noodles with Cheese, Applesauce, Peppers/Carrots
Leftovers x 4
Dinners
Sausage Lentil Soup (made with venison sausage), Cornbread
Baked Tilapia, Broccoli, Baked Potatoes
3-Bean Chili with Cheese (I’ll adapt this recipe), Tortilla Chips
Baked Chicken, Tossed Salad, Green Beans
Dinner at Friend’s House (they insisted on not letting me bring anything!)
Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Fried Cabbage, Homemade Sourdough Bread (gift from a friend)
Chicken Gravy over Rice, Broccoli, Applesauce, Toasted Buttered Buns
Psst! Want to cut your grocery budget? Go here and sign up (it’s free!) I’ll send you my 10 Easy Ways to Cut Your Grocery Bill By $50.
Did you do any grocery shopping this week? I’d love to hear what great deals you scored!
OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!
Click here to download!
Grieving the Loss of What Your Life Used to Be
Do you miss a title you used to have, a role you used to have, or a person or thing that used to be a big part of your life? If so, today’s podcast episode will encourage your heart — especially if letting go of what your life used to look like has been hard. Chuck and Ashley Elliott joined me in-studio recently to talk about their brand new book I Used to Be ___ : How to Navigate Large and Small Losses in Life and Find Your Path Forward— a book that pretty much all of us can relate to!
Chuck and Ashley have been married for sixteen years and have served as marriage educators, in addition to Chuck being a pastor and Ashley being a therapist. They are also deeply familiar with grief and loss and they share some of what they’ve walked through in this episode.
In this episode, we discuss the process of grief, the dangers of belittling our pain or comparing it to others, how to determine if we have unprocessed grief, how anger can actually be such a valuable warning flag, and why so often what we think we are frustrated about isn’t actually what is frustrating us.
They also talk about the three A’s to change: awareness, assessment, and action and how we can use these as tools to move to a healthier, more wholehearted and healed place — so that we can live with more joy and less stress and anger.
Powered by RedCircle
In This Episode
[0:35] – Today’s show features Chuck and Ashley Elliott — marriage educators as well as a pastor and therapist.
[3:18] – Ashley shares some of the grief and losses that she and Chuck have experienced.
[4:56] – Where does the concept behind the title of the book come from?
[7:37] – Everyone likely feels that they’ve lost a part of what they once were.
[11:44] – How can we identify a loss that we aren’t properly processing?
[14:31] – Chuck shares how anger is sometimes a mask for other feelings.
[17:12] – Ashley discusses the three A’s to change.
[19:47] – What do you do if it feels like nothing is working and you’re just stuck?
[24:33] – Ashley shares openly about their miscarriages and speaks to parents who have walked through the grief of infertility or losing a baby.
[28:54] – We end this episode talking about the power of your presence and how sometimes that is the greatest gift we can give to another.
Links & Resources
- Crystal Paine
- ChuckandAshley.com
- I Used to Be ___ by Chuck Elliott & Ashley Elliott
- 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
- Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
- MoneySavingMom.com
- My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
- Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com
Brigette’s $14.58 CVS Shopping Trip ($10 Money Maker after ECB’s!) and $3.94 Walgreens Shopping Trip!
Brigette’s $14.58 CVS Shopping Trip ($10 Money Maker after ECB’s!) and $3.94 Walgreens Shopping Trip!
Love drug store shopping each week? Don’t miss these GREAT deals Brigette grabbed this week at CVS and Walgreens!
CVS Shopping Trip
All of my coupons are from the CVS app. I highly recommend it if you don’t have it already! Just log in to your account and clip the coupons you want, and they automatically come off in the store. There are CVS store coupons and manufacturer coupons to clip on the app – and you can stack them on the same product.
What I Bought:
2 Burt’s Bees Face Masks – $6.38
Receive $5 ECB’s when you buy 2
= $6.38 for 2 total out of pocket ($1.38 for 2 after $5 ECB’s!)
1 Softsoap Body Wash ($6.59) plus 1 Irish Spring Body Wash ($6.79) – $13.38
Receive $4 ECB’s when you buy 2
Used $2.50/1 Irish Spring CVS digital manufacturer’s coupon
Used $2.50/1 Softsoap CVS digital manufacturer’s coupon
= $8.38 for 2 total out of pocket ($4.38 for 2 after $4 ECB’s!)
1 Raw Sugar Hand Wash – $4.99
Receive $3 ECB’s when you buy 1
= $4.99 total out of pocket ($1.99 after $3 ECB’s!)
6 Wet & Wild Lip Gloss – $12.49
Receive $6 ECB’s when you spend $12
= $12.49 for 6 total out of pocket ($6.49 for 6 after $6 ECB’s!)
2 Essence Mascaras ($9.98) plus 1 Essence Eyeliner ($1.99) – $11.97
Receive $6 ECB’s when you spend $12
Used $3/$10 Cosmetics CVS digital coupon
= $8.97 for 3 total out of pocket ($2.97 for 3 after $6 ECB’s!)
2 Vitafusions Women’s Multi Vitamins (B1G1 50%) – $22.49
Used $10/2 Vitafusion CVS digital manufacturer’s coupon
= $12.49 for 2 total out of pocket
Totals:
Total: $53.70 plus tax
Used $10/$70 Any Purchase CVS digital coupon
Paid with $20.07 ECB’s from previous weeks and $10 Monthly Care Pass
Total Paid Out Of Pocket: $14.58 plus I received $24 ECB’s
Walgreens Pick-Up Order
All of my coupons are from the Walgreens app. I highly recommend downloading it if you haven’t already. You can clip both Manufacturer’s and Store coupons and stack them together on the same item.
What I Bought:
1 12-ct roll Scott Toilet Paper – $5
Used $1.25/1 Scott Walgreens digital coupon
= $3.75 total out of pocket
2 L’Oreal Bambi Mascara (B1G1 50%) – $10.41
Used $10/2 L’Oreal Walgreens digital manufacturer’s coupon
= $0.41 for 2 total out of pocket
2 Gold Bond Lotion – $7.98
Used $4/2 Gold Bond Walgreens digital manufacturer’s coupon
= $3.98 for 2 total out of pocket (I thought these were going to qualify for an Ibotta rebate, but I didn’t read the fine print well enough)
2 Old Spice Deodorant (B1G1 50%) – $7.83
Used $4/2 Old Spice Walgreens digital manufacturer’s coupon
= $4.83 for 2 total out of pocket (Again, I thought these were going to qualify for an Ibotta rebate, but I didn’t read the fine print well enough. However, these are one of only two brands of deodorant my husband will use, so it’s not the end of the world!)
3 Oral-B Floss Picks – $3
Used $5/3 Oral-B Walgreens digital manufacturer’s coupon
= FREE (note: this will not work in-store, only on a pick-up order)
1 Neutrogena Acne Fae Soap Bar – $3.42
Used $3/1 Neutrogena Acne Walgreens digital manufacturer’s coupon
= $0.42 total out of pocket
Totals:
Total: $13.39 plus tax
Used Code “OCT15” – took off $2
Used $10 Walgreens Cash from previous weeks
Total Paid Out Of Pocket: $3.94
Psst! Want to cut your grocery budget? Go here and sign up (it’s free!) I’ll send you my 10 Easy Ways to Cut Your Grocery Bill By $50.
Did you do any drug store shopping this week? I’d love to hear what great deals you scored!
Crystal’s Kroger Pick-Up Trips from the Last Two Weeks
I did two Kroger pick-up trips over the past two weeks! Here were the deals I got:
Two Weeks Ago: $103.27 (used $10 off $100 mailer coupon Kroger sent to me)
Pasta was $0.99 so I was excited to stock up some!
Pears and plus were $0.99/lb. My kids (and Jesse and I!) love pears, so I’m always excited when there’s a deal!
I’ve been buying more snack-y and convenience foods recently, as you’ve probably noticed. It’s just the season for being grateful that people are getting fed and that there are good sales on convenience foods and trying not to feel guilt that I’m choosing to prioritize people and relationships over cooking from scratch. I know there will come a day soon when I’ll likely be able to cook from scratch more again and I’m looking forward to that. But for now, I’m just doing the best I can do with the time and energy I have!
Here’s everything I got for $103!
Last Week: $118
Bacon was $3.99, bags of Tyson chicken were $4.99, and Kit-Kat and Nestle cones were $3.99.
Strawberries were $1.99, Red Baron pizza was $3.99, and Pace salsa was $1.79.
Butter was $2.49, chocolate milk was $1.69, and apple cider was $1.99.
All totaled it was $118 for all these groceries.
Brigette’s $134.66 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Brigette’s $134.66 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Aldi
1 tub Organic Spring Mix – $4.89
2 cans Green Beans – $1.28
1 carton Mushrooms – $1.29
2 24-oz bags Organic Yellow Potatoes – $5.98
1 Cauliflower – $2.98
1 bag Mini Sweet Peppers – $3.19
1 bunch Bananas – $0.66
1 bag Organic Carrots – $1.49
1 pkg Sliced Pepperoni – $2.49
2 pkgs Hot Dogs – $2.58
1 16-oz pkg Deli Meat – $4.19
1 3-lb roll 73/27 Ground Beef – $11.95
3 dozen Eggs – $3.57
1 32-oz carton Egg Whites – $3.99
7 single-serve cartons Greek Yogurt – $5.97
1 box Pudding Mix – $0.75
1 can Whipping Cream – $3.29
2 16-oz bags Shredded Cheese – $7.18
2 gallons Whole Milk – $5.06
1/2 gallon Unsweetened Almond Milk – $2.29
1 gallon Orange Juice – $4.99
2 loaves Sandwich Bread – $2.58
1 pkg Tortillas – $1.69
1 bag Tortilla Chips – $1.99
1 pkg Hot Dog Buns – $1.29
1 jar Pickles – $1.29
1 bag Potato Chips – $1.79
1 32-oz box Elbow Macaroni Noodles – $1.58
1 bag Gluten Free Pasta – $3.29
2 jars Spaghetti Sauce – $2.98
2 cans Garbanzo Beans – $1.98
1 jar Peanut Butter – $1.99
1 48-oz carton Vegetable Oil – $3.29
1 box Rice Cereal – $1.99
1 box Crispy Oats – $1.99
1 box Cocoa Peanut Butter Puffs – $2.39
1 box Honey Wheat Puffs – $2.49
Total: $114.66
20lbs of Pink Lady Apples from our favorite roadside stand – $20.00
Grocery Total for the Week: $134.66
Weekly Menu Plan
My husband got two deer this past week – so we now have about 80lbs of venison in our freezer!
Breakfasts
Cereal, Oatmeal, Toast, Fruit, Applesauce, Smoothies, Eggs, Yogurt
Lunches
Deli Meat/Cheese Sandwiches, Apples, Carrots x 2
Build-Your-Own-Salad Bar x 2
Leftovers x 3
Dinners
Hot Dogs, Boiled Potatoes, Broccoli
Chicken Gravy over Rice, Green Beans, Macaroni and Cheese
Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Biscuits
Spaghetti, Tossed Salad, Homemade Breadsticks
Homemade Pizza, Roasted Cauliflower
Build-Your-Own-Burrito/Taco Salad (Seasoned Ground Venison, Shredded Cheese, Salsa, Onions, Rice, Chips Tortillas, Chopped Romaine)
Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Homemade Apple Bread (gift from a friend), Creamy Milk Rice, Mixed Vegetables
Psst! Want to cut your grocery budget? Go here and sign up (it’s free!) I’ll send you my 10 Easy Ways to Cut Your Grocery Bill By $50.
Did you do any grocery shopping this week? I’d love to hear what great deals you scored!
When An Unexpected Phone Call Turns Your Life Upside Down
This podcast episode is one I’d been looking forward to recording — because it is always so special to get to talk to a mom who also has a child with Down syndrome. Author of The Gift of the Unexpected: Discovering Who You Were Meant to Be When Life Goes Off Plan, Jillian Benfield joins me today to share her heartfelt story of getting the very unexpected diagnosis of Down syndrome for her second child, Anderson.
In this conversation, Jillian and I dive into the depths of her experience, beginning with the earth-shattering phone call that changed her life’s trajectory. Jillian recounts the initial shock, the fear, and the grief she felt upon learning about her son’s diagnosis. What follows is a candid conversation about the unlearning and re-earning process she underwent, navigating the unexpected, and the beautiful, inspirational transformation that emerged.
Jillian also shares powerful insights about worthiness and the societal pressures that define what it means to be successful. We explore the misconceptions surrounding Down Syndrome and how her son, Anderson, reshaped her perspective. Jillian’s advocacy for inclusive education shines through as she discusses the importance of embracing differences in both schools and churches, and together, we reflect on the beauty of embracing the unexpected, finding hope in the midst of despair, and discovering the gifts that emerge from life’s unexpected turns.
Powered by RedCircle
In This Episode
[0:35] – I have Jillian Benfield, author of The Gift of the Unexpected, on the show today!
[3:09] – Jillian shares how a surprising move to Alamogordo and then a pregnancy test completely disrupted her plans for her life.
[5:47] – In the face of a Down syndrome diagnosis, she re-examined life’s meaning.
[10:40] – Jillian reflects on how society usually links worth to success.
[13:46] – Learn how the unexpected deeply connected Jillian to a vulnerable, suffering Jesus.
[17:23] – Jillian and I discuss how acceptance transforms perceptions; disabilities don’t define worth.
[20:29] – Anderson is thriving in inclusive school, embracing happiness and sibling love.
[21:59] – How her other children have grown with empathy, learning from their brother’s unique journey.
[24:09] – Inclusive education is vital for fully embracing people with disabilities.
[26:45] – We talk about church inclusion, highlighting mutual benefits for all members.
[28:31] – Jillian reflects on the white sands behind her house in New Mexico, emphasizing that new life can emerge from unexpected challenges.
Links & Resources
- Crystal Paine
- The Gift of the Unexpected: Discovering Who You Were Meant to Be When Life Goes Off Plan by Jillian Benfield
- Jillian Benfield
- 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
- Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
- MoneySavingMom.com
- My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
- Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com