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Money Saving Mom

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Saving Families Money Since 2007

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Shared Nov 3, 2019 comment

Our $70 Kroger Shopping Trip + What We Ate for Dinner This Past Week

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Our $70 Kroger Shopping Trip + What We Ate for Dinner This Past Week

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Want to see what we bought for this week’s $70 grocery budget? I’m currently challenging myself to stick with a $70 budget for our family of five. This includes almost all of our breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners + most household products (toiletries, laundry soap, etc.).

For live updates, be sure to follow my Instagram Stories. See all posts on my $70 Grocery Budget here.

I am so happy to be (mostly!) back to cooking and grocery shopping. I still have times during the day when I’m sick to my stomach, but I usually have at least a few times during the day when I’m feeling well enough to cook — which I am so excited about! It’s so good to be in the second trimester.

I’m also back to much healthier eating (and daily salads!) after a number of weeks of just eating whatever I thought I could keep down that had some sort of nutritional value. Man, I have missed salads.

I’ve been in the mood for all things pumpkin now that we are experiencing fall weather here in Nashville, so I’ve been eating a lot of these pumpkin waffles this week!

Kroger had some more great weekend deals this week! I was especially excited about the chicken deal.

The kids were excited about the ice cream and granola bars deal. 😉

Also, I was excited about this Friday Freebie. For some reason, this looked SO good to me! And it tasted really good, too! 🙂

Kroger Shopping Trip

  • Idahoan potatoes — free with Free Friday e-coupon
  • 2 tubs Private Selection Ice Cream — $2.49 each with Friday-Saturday deal
  • 5 bags of Kroger Frozen Chicken Breasts — $4.99 each with Friday-Saturday deal
  • Reese’s Minis — 70% off — $1.20
  • Hershey Kisses — 70% off — $1.20
  • M&M’s — 70% off — $1.17
  • 5 boxes Quaker Granola Bars — $0.99 each with Friday-Saturday deal
  • Lettuce — $1.79
  • Simple Truth yogurt — marked down to $0.49
  • Celery — $1.99
  • Carrots — $1.69
  • Can of Chili — $0.39
  • 2 packages blackberries — $1.66 each
  • Lemon Juice — $1.69
  • 2 packages raspberries — $1.66 each
  • 5 boxes of Kroger instant oatmeal — $0.99 per box with Kroger digital coupon
  • Onions — $1.61
  • 3 snack boxes — marked down to $1 each
  • Total with tax: $66.46

Jesse also ran to Publix earlier in the week and got some cheese and lettuce (not pictured) and spent around $4 for that for our taco salad night.

ButcherBox sent us a box of meat for me to unbox on Facebook and Instagram, so Jesse smoked the spare ribs on Friday night and they were SO good!

The meat from ButcherBox is a lot pricier than what we usually pay, but you can definitely tell the quality in how it tastes. It was SO good!

Dinners From This Past Week

Dinners:

  • Monday — Leftover Hamburger Vegetable Soup, World’s Best Honey Corn Bread
  • Tuesday — English Muffins (from the freezer), Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, Grapes/Oranges
  • Wednesday — Taco Salad
  • Thursday — Pumpkin Waffles, Sausage (from the freezer), Fruit Salad
  • Friday — Smoked Ribs, Peas, Corn, Roasted Potatoes
  • Saturday — Dinner out
  • Sunday — Fend for yourself
Shared Nov 2, 2019 comment

Brigette’s $92 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

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Brigette’s $92 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Aldi

2 64-oz carton Orange Juice – $3.28

1 64-oz carton Unsweetened Almond Milk – $1.49

1 gallon Whole Milk – $0.97

1 32-oz carton Half and Half – $1.55

1/2 gallon 1% Milk – $0.58

1 10-lb bag Russet Potatoes – $3.29

3 bags frozen Broccoli Florets – $2.65

1 pkg fresh Zucchini – $1.48

1 bag Mini Sweet Peppers – $1.59

1 pkg Romaine Hearts – $1.79

1 Pineapple – $1.39

1 Cauliflower – $1.79

1 pkg Grape Tomatoes – $1.09

1 pkg Mini Cucumbers – $1.59

1 large carton Organic Spring Mix – $3.49

1 carton Blackberries – $1.19

1 carton Strawberries – $1.39

1 bunch Bananas ($0.38/lb) – $1.28

2 pkgs Broccoli Crowns – $3.38

1 large bag Green Grapes ($0.89/lb) – $2.10

1 16-oz pkg Turkey Deli Meat – $2.85

1 10-lb bag fresh Chicken Quarters – $5.49

1 pkg (2.49lbs) 80/20 fresh Ground Beef, reduced – $3.94

1 pkg Pepperoni – $1.99

1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $1.59

1 pkg Sliced Colby-Jack Cheese – $1.59

1 2-lb bag Shredded Cheddar Cheese – $3.99

1 pkg String Cheese – $1.95

1 can Whipped Topping – $2.45

1 large canister Quick Oats – $2.16

1 4-lb bag Sugar – $1.44

1 5-lb bag Flour – $0.99

1 jar Paprika – $0.79

1 box Rice Squares – $1.39

2 boxes Honey Nut Oats – $2.38

1 jar Balsamic Vinegar – $1.59

2 dozen Eggs – $1.54

1 jar Honey – $4.79

1 loaf Sandwich Bread, reduced  – $0.25

Total: $80.52

Harris Teeter

1 pkg Tortillas – $0.89

1 box Krusteaz Pancake Mix – $1.49, used $0.25 printable (doubled), plus receive $0.75 Rebate from Ibotta – $0.25 after Coupon and Rebate

1 bag Red Grapes ($0.99/lb) – $2.08

1 bag Pillsbury Best Bread Flour – $3.39

Total:$6.62

The things in the above are from a trip I took to Harris Teeter this past weekend during a 3-day Double Dollar Coupon Event. It has already ended, so I won’t put the coupon links in for you since these prices are no longer available. I got all of the above for $6.10 after coupons and rebates!

Grocery Total for the Week: $93.24

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Everyone is responsible for making/cleaning up their own breakfast. Choices include:

Cereal, Oatmeal, Fruit, Yogurt, Smoothies, Fried/Scrambled/Boiled Eggs, Veggie Omelets, Toast

Lunches

Cheese Quesadillas, Grapes, Cucumbers x 2

Deli Meat/Cheese Sandwiches, Bananas, Carrots x 2

Baked Potatoes with Cheese/Cottage Cheese/Broccoli, Grapes, Mini Peppers

Leftovers x 2

Dinners

Pepperoni Pizza (using the flatbreads as crust), Tossed Salad, Green Beans

Chicken Noodle Soup, Roasted Broccoli, Butterhorns

Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Roasted Cauliflower

Freezer-Friendly Barbequed Meatballs, Butterhorns, Green Beans, Tossed Salad, Fruit Salad, Cheesy Hashbrown Potatoes, The Best Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies (making enough of this meal to take to some friends who just had a baby)

Classic Grilled Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli, Fruit

Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Green Beans, Creamy Milk Rice

Leftovers

Shared Nov 1, 2019 comment

How To Make Money Creating Printables

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How To Make Money Creating Printables

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Did you know you can make money creating printables and selling them online? This is such a great way to make some extra income from home!

Guest post from Bridget of SunshineAndRainyDays.com

When my kids were young, I remember putting them to bed and just sobbing. I absolutely LOVED being a stay-at-home mom and didn’t want that to change, but I felt empty. I needed something more — something that would allow me to have my own identity.

As the kids got a little older, I poured myself into volunteer work. A friend and I started a MOPS group at our church, and I volunteered in my kids’ classrooms, with the PTA, and at church. At one point, I realized my volunteer hours had become a full time job. Counting Box Tops is no joke!

When the kids hit high school, the volunteer opportunities started drying up. I stepped away from my roles at church and decided it was time to pursue something just for me!

I followed a few bloggers, took one of Crystal’s blogging courses, and eventually started creating printables. That’s when everything started to click, and I realized I had found what I really, truly enjoy!

Printables made excellent opt-ins for my blog, but then I discovered you can also make money selling printables. Yay!

What Is A Printable?

A printable is a digital file suitable or fit to be printed or published. That’s a stuffy dictionary definition.

Are you ready for MY definition of printables?

Printables are digital files you can download to your own computer and print at home to make life easier, add fun to your life, keep you organized, or help save you money!

printables idea: Birthday Party In A Box

Examples Of Printables

The best printables to sell are the ones with everyday, practical uses. Think about what printables might make life easier or more fun, help someone stay organized or save money — the possibilities are endless!

Here are some examples below of printables I’ve created in the past…

Birthday Party In A Box — This one makes your life easier when you want to send a Birthday Surprise to someone you can’t celebrate with in person. You don’t have to come up with your own box decorations because we’ve done it for you!

Leprechaun’s Loot — Surprise your co-workers, friends, and family with Leprechaun’s Loot to make St. Patrick’s Day a bit more FUN!

Medical Binder — This one is a great example of one way to stay organized with printables.

Christmas Trivia Printables — These make Christmas party planning easier, the party more fun, you’ll impress your guests with your organized game, and you’ll save money because it’s a super inexpensive way to entertain!

How To Create Printables

In the beginning, I created printables using a combination of free programs like Canva, PicMonkey, Numbers, and Pages.

Then, I discovered Affinity Designer. I now create all of my printables in Affinity Designer and can make them look just the way I want with this one app. It’s so easy!

Here’s how to create a printable:

  1. Come up with a printable idea.
  2. Make a quick sketch of your design.
  3. Set up your page in your design software.
  4. Design your printable.
  5. Include your URL and copyright symbol.
  6. Print your design to try it out.
  7. Save as a PDF to share.

For more in depth instructions on creating printables, be sure to check out my guest post over at Your Blogging Mentor.

selling printables in Shopify

Where To Sell Printables

Are you excited to create printables, but you aren’t quite sure where to sell them? You actually have quite a few options!

Here are just a few ideas:

1. Gumroad — This is a marketplace for creators to sell their products. I like Gumroad because you can start selling printables without a monthly fee — which makes it a great way to test out your new products. At the time I wrote this article, they take $0.30 + 3.5% one-time fee per sale. You only pay the fee if your product sells, so there’s very little risk. And Gumroad collects the money for you and deposits it (minus fees) into your account. You can go here to see an example of a product I have listed on Gumroad.

2. Shopify — While I still have a few sales trickling in from Gumroad, I pretty much have exclusively switched over to a Shopify store. I love Shopify, because it allows me to create an entire store with different printable collections and they offer a great user experience for your customers. There is a monthly fee, so this is only a good option if you’re at a place where you’re selling printables on a regular basis.

3. Etsy — I have not personally ever sold anything on Etsy, but I know plenty of people who do and are very successful with it! The advantage of Etsy is the massive number of people who frequent the site looking for specific item. Buyers may stumble upon your printables in Etsy through a search on the platform.

4. Teachers Pay Teachers — If you plan to create a lot of educational printables, Teachers Pay Teachers is an excellent platform for you to sell on. Your very first product that you list has to be free, and then you can start charging after that.

5. Sell as a virtual assistant — If you aren’t interested in starting a blog or having your own online store, you have other options — one of which is to sell to bloggers! Most bloggers don’t have time to do everything, so they hire virtual assistants to create printables for them. A great way to find work with bloggers is by searching for Facebook groups where you can advertise your printables to bloggers. One example is this VA for Hire Facebook group. Once you make a sale, you can use a PayPal business account to invoice and collect payment.

6. Create printables for people you know — Another option is to create printables for people you know! Showcase your work on social media and get the word out that you are creating printables for others. As you do more and more work, the word will spread! It can be fun to create printables for customers, because you get to experiment with bringing their vision to life! Just be sure to correctly estimate how long the work will take you and decide on a fair hourly rate that’s worth your time.

Tip: When you create printables for others, be sure to look at it as a business transaction. They will likely have changes they would like you to make and that’s okay! That’s a part of the process and it’s important to not take it personally. Over time, you will learn the likes and dislikes of your customers. This will make future projects go quicker!

It’s nearly impossible to be on every platform, so I recommend that you just pick one to start with and dive in! Learn everything you can about the platform and try it out.

How To Advertise Printables

Once you’ve created a few printables, you need a way to point buyers to your product — which is where advertising comes into play!

If you’re looking for some easy ways to advertise, try one of these:

1. Advertise Through A Blog — The first printables I sold were through blog posts on Sunshine And Rainy Days. I used Gumroad to sell those printables and it worked quite well! (You can see one of my early months of sale from back in 2017 above.) And blog posts continue to be the primary way I advertise printables!

2. Create Pinterest Pins — Pinterest is considered a search engine and many people go to Pinterest to find ideas and solve problems. Create your Pinterest pin, highlight your printable, link it to the product, and pin away! Don’t forget to add keywords and hashtags in the description to help Pinterest users more easily stumble upon your pin in search!

3. Share On Social Media — You can also share your printables on social media with a link to your product. Share on your own page or in Facebook groups. (Just be sure to read group rules to make sure you’re allowed to share in the group.)

creating easy Christmas printables

Printables Have Huge Potential!

Last year, the kids wanted to throw a Christmas Party for their friends. I created three different printable Christmas games to play at the party and sold each of them in my Shopify store. Even though I didn’t create the games until toward the end of November, the sales were still decent.

One of those games was the Toilet Paper Snowman Game. In one month, I sold 31 digital copies of that game at $2 each. That’s $62 (minus fees) for a game that I made for my kids’ Christmas party and added to the shop.

Imagine if you had multiple products like the Toilet Paper Snowman Game!

Before I started a blog, I didn’t know this whole printables world even existed. Now, creating printables is one of my favorite things to do! The kicker is, I actually make money creating printables — the same printables that I create and use in my own home to make life easier, create more fun, stay more organized, and save more money!

In the near future, I hope to create printable bundles to sell at a higher price point and increase our income potential.

If you’re interested in creating printables, just start with one printable product and try it out. It takes time to create quality products and build up your store, but there’s no better time to start than right now!

It takes time to create your products and build your store. Start with one printable product. There’s no better time than right now!

Bridget is the wife of a super awesome principal and mom to two incredible teens! She spends her days cheerleading her songwriting son, plotting the next box to send the college student, and creating printables to share with YOU! DIY and Printables are her jam and it is her desire to inspire domestic engineers to make every day full of Sunshine and Happiness!

I stopped drinking coffee a couple years ago and it totally changed my life in unexpected ways!!
Shared Oct 30, 2019 comment

Why Stop Drinking Coffee? (My Personal Experience!)

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Why Stop Drinking Coffee? (My Personal Experience!)

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Have you ever wondered how to stop drinking coffee? This post and podcast episode is my journey of why and how I did it, plus the unexpected results of how it really changed my health and life!

{To see what I drink instead, check out my favorite Decaf Chai Latte recipe or this list of my favorite decaf teas to drink.}

how to stop drinking coffee

Any time I mention that I no longer drink coffee, I get so many questions on why and how I did this. I decided it was high time I write a post about my journey with quitting coffee!

Signs you should stop drinking coffee: Why I stopped

Let’s be clear. This is not something I ever wanted to do and I never ever dreamed I’d be a non-coffee drinker!

{So there’s still hope for all you coffee drinkers out there who would like to try giving up caffeine but can’t imagine a world without your coffee!}

I started working with a nutritionist in August 2016 in hopes of clearing up my eczema and acne, and one of the first things he told me was that I had to stop drinking coffee.

I immediately replied to him and said, “Hold up. I’ll do anything else that you say, but I can not give up my coffee.”

He told me to just give it a try, trust him, and see what happens. So I did (reluctantly).

Crystal Paine holding Give Me Jesus coffee mug

What happens when you stop drinking coffee: My experience

If you’ve ever wondered how to stop drinking coffee, I’m here to tell you that it was not easy.

Prior to that I had been drinking two BIG cups of coffee every single day for a really long time — and even three cups on the really rough days. And let me tell you, it was really, really hard to think of giving it up.

I ended up deciding to stop drinking coffee cold turkey, and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that method. I started drinking a gallon of water every day, and I was also doing a cleanse at the time — eating only greens and then slowly adding foods back in.

The first 8 days were awful. I had a horrible headache and I craved coffee like crazy. I missed it SO much.

Mostly, though, I missed the routine of my morning coffee. I had a ritual of getting up and pouring my cup of coffee, and I didn’t know what to do without that morning ritual. I really loved savoring my morning over a cup of coffee, and it was something that was really cathartic for me.

Because I couldn’t drink coffee, I had a horrible headache and was extremely lethargic. All I wanted to do was sleep nonstop! I was sleeping about 10 hours every night in the beginning. (And this is a lot more than normal for me. I typically only need about 7 hours for a really good night’s rest.)

But you know what was happening? My body was finally trying to get caught up on all the sleep I had missed! My body had become SO dependent on coffee for so many years.

I didn’t even realize this until I stopped drinking coffee, but I had been masking my exhaustion and lack of energy with caffeine.

Crystal Paine holding Get After It coffee mug

What happens if you stop drinking coffee? It’s life changing

I never imagined I’d learn how to stop drinking coffee, and it did take a few months for me to stop craving coffee.

(And honestly, every once in a while — even after two years — I still crave it! But it’s not worth the headache I immediately get even if I just have a few drops of caffeine!)

Over time, it got easier and easier, and I slowly started noticing significant health changes from not drinking coffee. And I learned I can actually survive without drinking coffee — something I never thought would be possible for me!

Giving up coffee was a radical choice for me, but the radical results and changes were totally worth it:

  • I finally felt rested. For the first time in months, I felt caught up on sleep. Because I was getting enough sleep every night, I wasn’t getting tired in the middle of the day!
  • I felt happier. I had SO much more energy and was way less irritable. All around, I was just in a much better mood every day.
  • It helped my anxiety. I didn’t realize giving up caffeine would help my anxiety, but this was a life-changing result I wasn’t expecting. I’ve now realized I am extremely sensitive to caffeine, and I can immediately feel the effects even if I have a tiny bit. Not drinking coffee has helped me feel calmer on a daily basis.
  • It improved my overall health. This — combined with drinking more water and eating better — really helped improve my overall physical health.

Also, it’s been really empowering for me to realize that I’m not dependent on coffee anymore and I have the energy to get through my days without it!

Crystal Paine drinking tea

What I drink instead

Since the morning ritual was what I missed most about coffee, I had to replace those habits so that I could still enjoy waking up and savoring a hot beverage first thing in the morning.

Because I’m highly sensitive to caffeine, I don’t drink caffeinated teas. So I’ve replaced my cup of coffee with a huge cup of strong herbal tea. I typically use two bags of tea so that it’s super strong, I add lots of cream (just like I did when I drank coffee), and I add honey to sweeten it.

This strong cup of herbal tea with lots of cream and honey has become a great alternative for me without sacrificing my morning ritual.

If you’re looking for some tea ideas, you can check out my favorite Decaf Chai Latte recipe or this list of my favorite decaf teas to drink.

Listen to the podcast on How to Stop Drinking Coffee

For more about how and why I stopped drinking coffee, listen to this week’s episode of The Crystal Paine Show.

In This Episode: 

[00:41] This is going to be a hot button episode – learn all about why I stopped drinking coffee!

[01:44] Jesse and I chat about the Spartan Race the family ran.

[05:54] Mint Majesty Tea is saving my life these last few weeks!

[07:09] Check out The Only Plane in the Sky. I finished it this week and it was captivating.

[10:10] So… why did I stop drinking coffee? 

[12:49] What did it feel like to even think of giving up coffee? 

[13:39] It was hard… awful… miserable… yep, all those things!

[16:56] But I stuck with it — and I’m so grateful that I did! 

[18:22] Jesse too has been focusing on drinking more water and it’s changed how his body reacts to caffeine.

[19:23] I had no idea how much caffeine was affecting my sleep and my overall health.

[23:11] Do I miss or crave coffee still? 

[26:02] If you’re feeling tired or sluggish, here are some others options for a pick-me-up.

[27:03] Learn more about my favorite coffee replacements!

Links and Resources:

How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show

The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player we’ll include in the show notes of each episode. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.)

Do you have any other tips on how to stop drinking coffee? I’d love for you to share them in the comments!

Shared Oct 29, 2019 comment

Could you use an extra $50? (time sensitive)

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Could you use an extra $50? (time sensitive)

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Could you use an extra $50 this week? What about every single week?

I believe wholeheartedly that the majority of families in America could make some simple changes in their menu and grocery purchases that could pretty easily reduce their grocery expenses by $50 or more each week!

This might seem like a strong statement, but after years of talking to and teaching thousands of families all across America how to lower their grocery bill, I truly stand behind it.

Think about it: what could you do with an extra $50 each week?

If you could spend an extra 4-8 hours per month and save $200, is that worth it? If so, I strongly encourage you to check out my brand-new ebook called Slash Your Grocery Bill?

It’s a comprehensive guide with simple, realistic short-cuts and time-saving tips to lower your grocery bill. It’s for anyone who has ever wished they could figure out the secrets for how to eat well on a small budget.

If you follow even some of the tips in it, I can guarantee without a doubt that you WILL lower your grocery bill!

Get it for just $7 — through midnight tonight!

Slash Your Grocery Bill will usually be priced at $17, but to celebrate the launch, through midnight tonight, you can get it for just $7!

Yes, that’s right. Only $7. And I can almost promise you will save twice or three times that much on your very first shopping trip using the techniques I share. So it’s a really fantastic investment that could pay off over and over and over again!

Answering Your Questions

Now, I know that some of you have written in with questions about the eBook and wondering if it’s really for you. I love how you are carefully evaluating your purchases to make sure you’re not spending money on something that isn’t going to truly work for you or save you money.

Let me answer some of the most-asked questions…

Is this going to require a lot of time?

I believe that you should always see good return on your investment of time. I also know you probably don’t have hours of time to spend chasing deals and clipping coupons. This eBook is for busy women (and men!) who need to cut their grocery bill but don’t have a lot of extra time to do so!

We eat all organic. Will your strategies apply to us?

Not every strategy in this eBook will work for every family, but many of the strategies in this eBook can be implemented or adapted to work for you — no matter what type of food you eat or stores you shop at!

Will I have to clip coupons?

Nope! You are welcome to clip coupons if you’d like, but as I’ll show you in this eBook, there are SO many other ways to slash your grocery bill.

Are you going to say that we have to eat beans and rice?

Full disclosure: I am going to encourage you to consider creative ways to eat less meat or and save on meat costs in one of the chapters, but I promise that this is not just a 99 different ways to eat beans and rice!

What if we only have one grocery store in our town?

While there are definitely advantages to having more options when it comes to shopping, if you only have one store, I’ll still show you lots of ways you can save. Plus, there are benefits to only having one store: it keeps things simple and streamlined!

How long will I have access to this eBook?

When you purchase, you’ll have immediate access to the eBook via a link online and a link I’ll send you in your email. And best of all, you will have lifetime access to it!

Is there a money-back guarantee?

I want you to spend your money wisely and I do not want you to invest money in something that isn’t going to benefit your family and save you money. If you purchase this eBook and discover that you are already doing everything in it, please contact me for a full refund (also, way to go on being such a savvy saver!)

What I’ll Teach You…

In Slash Your Grocery Bill, you’ll learn:

  • How to strategically plan a menu in just minutes each week
  • Multiple menu-planning methods that have worked well for me
  • How to set up a realistic grocery budget
  • How to determine a grocery budget that actually will work for your family
  • Why you should consider rotating the stores you shop at
  • How practicing the Buy Ahead principle can save you hundreds of dollars each year
  • How to stock your pantry on a limited budget
  • DIY and homemade mix ideas, short-cuts, and time-saving tips
  • Inexpensive and yummy snack ideas
  • Our favorite budget-friendly pantry meal ideas
  • And so much more!

Yes! Please Help Me Cut My Grocery Bill!

“Slash Your Grocery Bill had something for everyone in their journey to joyful frugality–whether you’re just beginning, or a veteran budgeter. For me, a mom of six who already keeps a steadily low grocery budget, the ‘Aha!’ section was all the ways I could use technology to help. And even though I’ve been doing it on my own for years, Crystal’s printables and other resources are going to make my grocery bill slashing a whole lot easier.” -Faith

I promise the strategies in this eBook will work for you!

I wrote Slash Your Grocery Bill in the hopes that no matter where you live, who lives at your house, or what kind of food you eat, you will be able to cut your grocery bill.

I’ve taught hundreds of thousands of people in a myriad of different seasons and life situations how to save. So I promise that there will be many strategies in this eBook that will work for you.

I stand behind my promise – or you get your money back!

If you buy the eBook and are already doing every thing it suggests and/or the rest of the ideas won’t work for you, guess what? I will happily offer you your money back!

I do not want you to spend money on something that isn’t truly going to save you money and benefit your life! Truly, it’s a no risk purchase! There’s nothing to lose and you just might end up gaining an extra $50 each and every week!

What are you waiting for?

Go here to grab your copy of Slash Your Grocery Bill for just $7!

P.S. This $7 price is only good through tonight! Don’t miss out. After tonight, the price goes up to $17! Hurry and get your copy while it’s this low price!

WANT TO SAVE $100 FAST?!Join the FREE 14-Day Savings Challenge!

Click here to sign up!
Shared Oct 28, 2019 comment

Get my brand-new eBook (Slash Your Grocery Bill) for just $7!!

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Get my brand-new eBook (Slash Your Grocery Bill) for just $7!!

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Surprise!! After years of people asking me to put together a resource on how to save money on groceries, I finally DID IT!

Allow me to introduce you to my brand-new eBook, Slash Your Grocery Bill: 25 Tried and True Practices.

To celebrate the launch, through Tuesday at midnight, you can grab a copy for the low price of just $7! After Tuesday, the price goes up to $17. This will likely be the lowest price it will ever be!

What You Will Learn:

Slash Your Grocery Bill is a comprehensive guide with simple, realistic short-cuts and time-saving tips to lower your grocery bill. It’s for anyone who has ever wished they could figure out the secrets for how to eat well on a small budget.

In it, you’ll learn…

  • How to strategically plan a menu in just minutes each week
  • Multiple menu-planning methods that have worked well for me
  • How to set up a realistic grocery budget
  • How to determine a grocery budget that actually will work for your family
  • Why you should consider rotating the stores you shop at
  • How practicing the Buy Ahead principle can save you hundreds of dollars each year
  • How to stock your pantry on a limited budget
  • DIY and homemade mix ideas, short-cuts, and time-saving tips
  • Inexpensive and yummy snack ideas
  • Our favorite budget-friendly pantry meal ideas
  • And so much more!

“I don’t have time to clip coupons or shop at multiple stores!”

Right about now, you are probably wondering if this eBook is going to tell you how to save thousands of dollars per year by running all over town, clipping hundreds of coupons, and spending hours of time each week.

Take a deep breath… that is not at all what it’s about. I won’t suggest that you shop at 7 different stores each week, buy 31 bottles of something you probably won’t even use, or waste hours of time you don’t have tracking down deals and setting up a sophisticated coupon system.

“But, I don’t really think this will work for our situation…”

I get it. All of us have special circumstances and situations. There is no one-size fit all method for cutting your grocery bill!

You might have five teenage boys or live way out in the country or only eat organic or have four different food allergies or be in a high cost of living area… or you fill in the blank. Every single person’s situation is different.

I promise the strategies in this eBook will work for you!

I wrote this eBook in the hopes that no matter where you live, who lives at your house, or what kind of food you eat, you will be able to cut your grocery bill. I’ve taught hundreds of thousands of people in a myriad of different seasons and life situations how to save. So I promise that there will be many strategies in this book that will work for you.

(And if you buy it and are already doing every thing it suggests, guess what? I will happily offer you your money back! I do not want you to spend money on something that isn’t truly going to save you money and benefit your life!)

Yes! Please Help Me Cut My Grocery Bill!

P.S. This $7 price is only good through Tuesday! Don’t miss out. After Tuesday, the price goes up to $17! Get your copy here.

Shared Oct 27, 2019 comment

Life Update: Pregnancy Update (Week 13) & the Spartan Race

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Life Update: Pregnancy Update (Week 13) & the Spartan Race

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Welcome to my weekly life update where I share about my pregnancy & give you a peek into our life this past week. If you want to follow a lot more behind-the-scenes and real-time updates every week, be sure to follow my stories and posts on Instagram.

13 weeks!!! And I had to have my picture taken in the kitchen because I COOKED DINNER three times this week!!!

HIGHLIGHTS

I feel like I came back to life this week and it is AMAZING to be functioning again at at least 50% of my normal pace compared to barely functioning the past 6 weeks. I forgot how good I used to feel! Also, I was able to start eating my daily salads again, which made me so happy!!

CRAVINGS

Um, should confess that my big craving this week was Taco Bell tacos again?!?

NOTABLE

Jesse’s dad (who owns a medical equipment servicing business) sent us a really fancy doppler that’s he’s letting us borrow for the pregnancy. It’s so amazing to get to hear the baby’s heartbeat at home!

Also of note: I’ve outgrown the majority of my wardrobe. The maternity clothes I have are still huge on me, but I’m going to have to get creative with outfits over the next few weeks until I can fit into my maternity clothes! The kids continue to be so shocked by my growing size and I keep telling them they haven’t seen nothing yet!

WEIGHT GAIN: 5.5 lbs.

P.S. Do you consider the second trimester to start in week 13 or week 14?! The internet seems very conflicted on this.

Jesse and Kathrynne ran the Spartan Race last week and had a blast doing it.

Kathrynne ended up finishing a few minutes before Jesse! 🙂

Silas and Kaitlynn ran the Spartan Kids’ race while Jesse and Kathrynne ran their race and had a great time doing so!

And the fun after the race… getting all cleaned up. 🙂

What I’m…

Reading right now: I Will Always Write Back (I finished this and really enjoyed it, especially since I’m so passionate about South Africa. Do note that it has a little bit of language and somewhat more mature themes in it in places so I’d read through it before handing it off to a child to read.)

Watching right now: Silas, Kaitlynn, and I have continued to enjoy watching The Masked Singer. We’ve also been watching Dancing with the Stars.

Listening to right now: I’ve been listening to recent episodes of The Sorta Awesome show this week.

Loving right now: Mint Majesty tea with cream and honey (someone sent this to me as a gift and it is SO good!)

In Case You Missed It:

Shared Oct 27, 2019 comment

I’m back to cooking & shopping! See what I bought & cooked this past week!

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I’m back to cooking & shopping! See what I bought & cooked this past week!

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I went to the grocery store twice this week — AND I actually made dinner three nights (which is a HUGE victory since I’ve been too sick to my stomach to cook for 6 weeks!) Hallelujah!

Since I’m feeling so much better this week, I feel like I’ll be able to be back to our normal $70 grocery budget and menu plan starting this coming week. I know so many of you have missed this, so I’m thrilled to be feeling well enough to bring it back for you!

In the mean time, here’s what I bought at the store this week:

I was so excited about this deal on these crackers at Kroger. By the way, the cheese crackers are SO good!

Kroger Shopping Trip #1:

  • 2 bags of Simple Truth Tortilla Chips — marked down to $0.99 each
  • Kettle Chips — marked down to $0.49 each
  • 4 cups of Mac & Cheese — marked down to $0.99
  • Kroger Brown Eggs — marked down to $1.29
  • 5 cups of Simple Truth yogurts — marked down to $0.49
  • Back to Nature Crackers — $0.99 when you buy 5 participating items
  • 3 Barbecue salmon fillets — $0.99 each
  • Multigrain bread — marked down to $1.49
  • Bush’s Beans — marked down to $0.49
  • Corn Starch — marked down to $0.79
  • Kroger Olives — marked down to $0.20
  • 5 cans Progresso Lasagna Soup — marked down to $0.39 each
  • Betty Crocker Brownies — marked down to $0.49
  • Bush’s Chili Beans — marked down to $0.45
  • Sweet Tea — marked down $0.99
  • 2 packages pasta — marked down to $0.79
  • Kroger brownies — marked down to $0.49
  • 4 cans Amy’s Lentil soup — marked down to $2.50
  • Oranges — marked down to $0.99
  • Onions — $2.49
  • Potatoes — $2.49
  • Kroger granola bars — marked down to $0.45
  • King Arthur All Purpose Flour — marked down to $0.79
  • Total with tax: $34.33

Kroger Shopping Trip #2:

  • 2 bunches Bananas — marked down — $1.56
  • 3 Green Giant Steamers — marked down to $0.79 each
  • 5 Simple Truth yogurts — marked down to $0.49 each
  • Kroger Half & Half — $1.49
  • 2 DiGiorno Pizzas — $2.99 with Friday-Saturday deals
  • 1 tub of greens — marked down to $1.69
  • 2 chopped salads — marked down to $1.29 each
  • 5 packages of Smithfield bacon — $2.99 with Friday-Saturday deals
  • Milk — $2.99
  • Total with tax: $38.31

Dinners This Week

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup, Grapes, Banana Muffins

Lasagna Soup (this was from cans of Progresso that I got marked down to $0.39 each!)

$0.45 Potato Soup with cheese and bacon (this was a winner recipe!)

Taco Bell Box of Tacos (hello, pregnancy cravings!)

Hamburger Vegetable Soup, Oranges, World’s Best Honey Cornbread

Chicken Fajitas (provided by the church because I was hosting a group of women for a Discipleship Retreat)

Shared Oct 26, 2019 comment

Target: Free Shipping On All Online Holiday Orders!

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Target: Free Shipping On All Online Holiday Orders!

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Woohoo! Target is once again offering FREE shipping this holiday season!

Target free shipping for holidays

Starting November 1st, you’ll be able to get FREE shipping on any Target online orders — no minimum purchase required! (Go HERE for the press release!)

No promo code is needed for this deal. Just buy anything online and you’ll get automatic FREE shipping — including Black Friday and holiday season purchases.

This is a great deal, because you usually have to make a $25 minimum purchase in order to get free shipping.

And not only that, many of the shipments will get to you as soon as the next day after your order is placed! Looks like lots of competition for Amazon again this holiday season.

Valid through December 21, 2019.

Shared Oct 26, 2019 comment

Brigette’s $89 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

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Brigette’s $89 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

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Aldi

1 gallon Whole Milk – $0.97

1 gallon 1% Milk – $0.97

1/2 gallon Orange Juice – $1.49

1 16-oz carton Whipping Cream – $1.55

1 32-oz carton Half and Half – $1.65

3 dozen Eggs – $2.37

1 can Parmesan Cheese – $1.49

2 boxes Crispy Oats Cereal – $2.18

1 pkg Fresh Boneless Chicken Thighs – $4.70

1 can Salmon – $2.49

1 bag Sunflower Seeds – $2.49

1 48-oz bag Frozen Chicken Breasts – $5.18

3 pkgs Sandwich Crackers, reduced – $1.50

1 jar Vegetable Oil – $1.49

2 pkgs Frozen Mixed Vegetables – $1.98

2 pkgs Frozen Broccoli Florets – $2.18

1 Cauliflower – $1.49

1 bag Baby Carrots – $0.79

1 bag Fresh Zucchini – $1.79

1 bag Fresh Broccoli Crowns – $1.09

1 bag Fresh Spinach – $0.99

1 bunch Bananas ($0.38/lb) – $1.11

1 bag Fresh Asparagus – $1.20

1 3-lb bag Mandarin Oranges – $2.99

1 3-lb bag Pink Lady Apples – $3.29

1 large tub Organic Spring Mix – $3.49

1 pkg Romaine Hearts – $1.99

1 Cabbage – $1.19

1 3-lb bag Sweet Potatoes – $1.19

1 3-ct bag Avocados – $0.99

1 bag Green Grapes ($0.79/lb) – $2.09

1 large carton Blackberries – $1.99

1 bag Sweet Mini Peppers – $1.99

1 10-lb bag Russet Potatoes – $3.49

4 individual-size Greek Yogurts – $2.40

1 32-oz carton Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt – $3.29

1 245-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $1.59

1 16-oz bag Shredded Cheddar Cheese – $2.15

1 16-oz bag Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – $2.15

3 cans Diced Tomates – $1.05

1 pkg Tortillas – $0.65

1 loaf Sandwich Bread – $0.65

1 bag Plain Rice Cakes – $1.49

1 pkg Gluten-Free Bagels – $3.99

1 bag Quick Cook Brown Rice – $1.49

1 bag Nacho Chips – $0.79

Grocery Total for the Week: $89.52

Not pictured: My son shot a deer (his first ever!) this week, so we packaged up about 30lbs of ground venison for our freezer. Yes, the deer are small in South Carolina. 🙂 We eat a LOT of venison at our house as my husband is an avid hunter.

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Everyone is responsible for making/cleaning up their own breakfasts. Choices include:

Oatmeal, Cereal, Fruit, Toast, Smoothies, Fried/Boiled/Scrambled Eggs, Veggie Omelets, Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, Bagels

Lunches

Baked Sweet Potatoes, Grapes, Cottage Cheese

Sandwich Crackers, Apples, Carrots x 2

Build-Your-Own Salad Bar (Romaine/Spring Mix, Salmon, Hard Boiled Eggs, Sunflower Seeds, Shredded Cheese, Dressing, Avocados, Chopped Veggies and Fruits)

Leftovers x 3

Dinners

Venison Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli, Grapes

Chicken Gravy over Rice, Asparagus, Biscuits

Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs, Tossed Salad, Mixed Vegetables, Best Baked Potatoes with Shredded Cheese

Build-Your-Own Burrito or Taco Salad Bar (Seasoned Ground Venison, Shredded Cheese, Plain Greek Yogurt, Crushed Nacho Cheese Chips, Shredded Romaine, Salsa, Avocados, Tortillas), Brown Rice, Oranges

Hamburger Vegetable Soup, Bread Machine Buttery Rolls

Date Night Out (Grilled Cheese Sandwiches at home for the kids)

Leftovers

OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!

Click here to download!
Shared Oct 25, 2019 comment

4 Reasons Why You Can’t Save Money on Groceries

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4 Reasons Why You Can’t Save Money on Groceries

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Why You Can't Stick to Your Grocery Budget

On Monday, I am launching a brand-new eBook called Slash Your Grocery Bill: 25 Tried and True Strategies. In it, I’m going to share my best tricks and secrets for sticking with a low grocery bill. (Psst! You won’t want to miss out on the really special launch price! Be sure to check my blog on Monday for all the details!)

In the mean time, I wanted to make sure that my eBook really covered your greatest budgeting struggles and stresses, so I polled all of my Facebook followers and Instagram followers to share their number one struggle when it comes to saving money on groceries.

I picked the top 4 struggles that were shared over and over again and I want to address each of these and give you some creative ideas and encouragement. You probably won’t be able to relate to all of these, but hopefully some of the tips I share will help you in your unique situation.

Struggle #1: I find it hard to menu plan consistently. This leads to extra trips to the store and overspending.

A few of my tips & suggestions:

  • I’d start by asking yourself what your biggest hang up is to menu-planning. Is it that you can’t find the time, don’t enjoy it, don’t like sticking with a plan? Or is it something else? Often when we ask why and try to get to the root of the issue, it allows us to come up with creative alternatives.
  • One simple solution might be coming up with four or six weeks’ worth of menu plans with grocery lists. Yes, this would take some time to put together, but then all you’d need to do would be to rotate through these lists again and again! One time effort could lead to months or years of benefit! (Need some inspiration? Read this post on creating an Annual Menu Plan.)
  • Have you tried a menu-planning service? Check out my FREE one-week menu plan! (If you like it, you can upgrade to the full 10 weeks of money-saving menus afterwards!)


Struggle #2: I feel like I never have enough time to shop strategically or cook much food from scratch.

A few of my tips & suggestions:

  • I’m going to stick my neck out here a little bit (and risk stepping on a few toes!), but the truth is: if you tell yourself you can’t do something, you probably won’t be able to do it. Start by deciding to change your language around this. We almost always have somewhat of a choice in how we spend our time. Instead of saying, “I don’t have time,” try saying, “I’m choosing to spend my time differently.” This simple switch reminds you that calendar is not the boss of you!
  • Instead of trying to shop at a bunch of different stores or use coupons or cook everything from scratch, I recommend starting out by just sticking with a budget and menu plan. Those two simple practices might be all you need to cut your grocery bill down to a realistic and doable figure.
  • If you are consistently sticking with a grocery budget and a menu plan and it’s not feeling overwhelming, then try challenging yourself to change one small thing to shave 1-3% off your grocery budget that month. That’s all. If that one small thing works, stick with it. When it becomes a habit and feels easy, then add on another small thing. And so on. This is a slow but surefire way to steadily begin to overhaul your grocery budget.

Struggle #3: We don’t have many grocery store options where we live. It’s frustrating to see all the good deals other people get.

A few of my tips & suggestions:

  • If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, I bet you can guess what I’m going to say: stop comparing. Seriously, just stop! It does no good and it only serves to steal your joy and make you feel frustrated and/or inadequate.
  • Instead, focus on what you CAN do. Can you have a budget? Yes, you can. Can you create a menu plan? Yes, you can! Can you stick with simple and inexpensive meals? Yes, you can!
  • Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. And be content with that! In addition, look for creative ways to save. Maybe that’s through a company like Azure Standard, or ordering online, or a local farm, or starting a garden, or cooking more things from scratch. When there is a will, there is usually a way!

Struggle #4: We have food allergies so I have to buy certain brands. There are not a lot of sales and coupons on the brands I have to buy.

A few of my tips & suggestions:

  • First off, read my suggestions above in response to the other struggles. I think some of those will encourage you.
  • Secondly, look for outside-the-box ways to save. Sometimes, Amazon will have great prices on allergen-friendly foods (you can set up price alerts on CamelCamelCamel.com!) What about asking your local stores if they will give you a discount if you buy in bulk? Does Azure Standard deliver to your area? If so, check on the prices they offer.
  • In addition, if there are brands you regularly use, try contacting them and letting them know how much you love their brand. They will often send you coupons! And be sure to sign up for their emails and social media to be alerted of special deals and coupons, too!
  • Lastly, you might not be able to lower your grocery bill as much as some can. That is entirely okay! I bet you can find other ways to save in your budget in order to free up the extra money you need to spend more on groceries!

What are YOUR greatest struggles when it comes to saving money on groceries? Tell me in the comments!

Cut your grocery bill!

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.

Shared Oct 23, 2019 comment

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup

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Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Looking for a yummy and easy slow cooker soup recipe? This Slow Cooker Tortellini Soup Recipe is one you should definitely try!

easy chicken tortellini soup recipe

I cooked dinner for the first time in six weeks on Monday! And it felt SO good to be back in the kitchen after weeks of not being able to stand doing any food prep because of morning, noon, and night sickness.

prep for slow cooker tortellini soup

Since the weather has cooled down here, I thought an easy soup recipe would be perfect.

And boy oh boy did this one hit the spot!

delicious slow cooker tortellini soup

You will love this Crock Pot Chicken Tortellini Soup

This recipe is so simple to make and it’s a fun twist on traditional chicken noodle soup.

Plus, it can be made ahead in the crock pot!

My only regret is not making a double batch as we ate it all in about 15 minutes!

emptied slow cooker after making soup

Chicken Tortellini Soup Crock Pot ingredients

  • 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used three frozen breasts)
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 18 oz. refrigerated cheese tortellini
ingredients for chicken tortellini soup

Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe substitutions

There are many ways you can make this recipe your own — based on your family’s taste preferences, in-season veggies, or simply what foods you already have in the house.

Here are a few easy substitutions:

  • Use turkey in place of chicken
  • Add in a diced onion and some garlic for a little extra flavor
  • Swap out the seasonings based on your taste preferences (try a few bay leaves!)
  • Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth
  • Add in peas, corn, diced tomatoes, or any of your other favorite veggies
  • Try ground sausage and beef broth instead of chicken and chicken broth
  • Use different noodles (egg noodles or mini cheese ravioli work well)
  • Stir in a 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese

This recipe is very versatile, so feel free to play around with it!

easy chicken tortellini soup

How to make Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup

1. Place chicken, carrots, and celery in a slow cooker.

chicken and veggies for this easy soup recipe

2. Pour chicken broth over meat and veggies and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

add broth and spices to the soup

3. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.

4. Take chicken out and shred/chop.

5. Add chicken back in to slow cooker along with tortellini.

easy chicken tortellini soup

6. Cook until the tortellini is tender (about 30 minutes longer) adding a bit more water or broth if the soup gets too thick.

easy chicken tortellini soup

How to serve Crock Pot Chicken Tortellini Soup

We keep it simple at our house — serving it up in a bowl with some bread or crackers.

You could also pair it with a salad and go a little fancier with these delicious breadsticks.

How to store Crockpot Chicken Tortellini Soup

If you have any left (and that’s a big “if”) simply store it in an air-tight food storage container in the refrigerator… or freeze it for later.

You could also portion it out into individual servings to take to work later in the week (it reheats really well!)

How long does chicken tortellini soup last in the fridge?

This soup should last for 5-7 days in the fridge. You can also freeze it for longer storage.

chicken tortellini soup recipe

Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe FAQs

How do you keep tortellini from getting mushy in soup?

The key is to not overcook the tortellini. We recommend adding the tortellini for just 30 minutes at the end of your cooking time and then serving immediately. However, tortellini actually tastes really great even when it’s a bit over-cooked so you don’t need to stress too much about the exact timing!

How long to cook tortellini?

We recommend around 30 minutes in a slow cooker or roughly 7 minutes in boiling water. However, the best test is to taste one tortellini noodle to make sure it’s done before serving the soup.

What is tortellini filled with?

This depends on the type of tortellini you buy. We prefer cheese-filled tortellini, but you can also buy mushroom-filled, or sausage-filled.

How is tortellini different from ravioli?

Tortellini noodles are smaller than ravioli and easier to eat in one bite. They also fit on a spoon much better than ravioli, which is why they are perfect for soup recipes!

More Yummy Soup Recipes You’ll Love

Recipe

Crockpot Chicken Tortellini Soup


Author Crystal Paine
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours 30 minutes
Servings 6
Looking for a yummy and easy slow cooker soup recipe? This Slow Cooker Tortellini Soup Recipe is one you should definitely try!

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts I used 3 frozen breasts
  • 2 carrots peeled and sliced
  • 2 stalks of celery diced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 18 oz. cheese tortellini

Instructions

  • Place chicken, carrots, and celery in a slow cooker.
  • Pour chicken broth over meat and veggies and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
  • Take chicken out and shred/chop.
  • Add chicken back in to slow cooker along with tortellini.
  • Cook until the tortellini is tender (about 30 minutes longer) adding a bit more water or broth if the soup gets too thick.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5c | Calories: 361kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 860mg | Potassium: 355mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3432IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 3mg

Love this recipe?

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Shared Oct 22, 2019 comment

Why Jesse and Kathrynne Went to South Africa

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Why Jesse and Kathrynne Went to South Africa

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

As a mom, there’s not much that warms your heart more than seeing your child find such fulfillment in loving on others.

We usually go to South Africa every year to spend time with our friends there and to see the progress and work being done by Take Action Ministry — the ministry that is near and dear to our hearts and the one we are very involved with there. (If you’re interested in reading about previous trips, you can read more and see lots of pictures here.)

I couldn’t go this year because of my pregnancy, but I got to send Jesse and Kathrynne instead and they had the absolute BEST time!
I just couldn’t stop smiling as Jesse sent me pictures when they were there. To see my 14-year-old so happy and at home in the country that has stolen my heart made me beyond thrilled and proud as a parent.

There’s a lot of things we’ve gotten wrong and are getting wrong as parents, but we will never regret the priority we’ve placed on travel and experiencing other countries and cultures. It has so profoundly impacted all of us for so much good.

In this week’s episode of the podcast, I sat down with Jesse and Kathrynne and asked them to share about their trip. I loved getting to hear their perspective, what they experienced, and what they have learned from our time spent in South Africa.

Powered by RedCircle

In This Episode: 

[01:19] Jesse and Kathrynne share why they went to go to South Africa.

[02:33] We all talk about what the flights to South Africa are like and the anxiety that sometimes has surrounded these long international flights.

[08:03] Jesse chats about some of the highlights of this year’s trip and how the area has changed so much.

[08:51] What does Take Action Ministry do at the centers and what is the purpose of these centers? 

[13:06] Kathrynne shares her experience with the food prepared and served at the centers.

[15:09] Hear about Kathrynne’s trip highlights.

[18:14] What was different about this trip from the ones taken in the past?

[20:32] We could just give them money, but going and being there is so much more impactful. 

[22:50] How have these trips impacted Kathrynne’s and Jesse’s lives? 

[27:45] Kathrynne ends the conversation with how appreciative she is for all of the opportunities she has in her life.

Links and Resources:

How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show

The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player we’ll include in the show notes of each episode. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.)

Ready to dive in and listen? Hit the player above or search for “The Crystal Paine Show” on your favorite podcast app.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Shared Oct 21, 2019 comment

5 Questions to Ask Before You Tweak Your Budget

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5 Questions to Ask Before You Tweak Your Budget

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I would love to see a post on adjusting your budget. How do you know when you need to increase your budget or when you need to decrease your spending? I LOVE your posts that give us questions to consider when making decisions. I would love to see questions to help me know if I should increase the budget amount for groceries or auto repairs whatever it is, or when we should cut back our spending. Thank you so much. -Melissa

This is such a great question, Melissa! I don’t think there are any 100% cut and dry answers or one-size-fits-all systems when it comes to when to raise or lower your budget. But I do think there are some general questions to ask before you overhaul your budget.

Here are five questions I recommend asking before you tweak your budget:

Questions to Ask Before You Tweak Your Budget

1) Are we struggling to make ends meet every month?

This is one of the most important questions to ask. If you are barely making ends meet every month (or they are not meeting every month) then it’s time to do a serious look at your budget.

Where is every dollar going every month? (If you don’t know the answer to this question, I highly recommend you check out Total Money Makeover from the library and follow the steps outlined to set up a budget. We’ve found that using software to track all of our expenses and income is so helpful to know exactly where we stand at any given moment of the month.)

If you do know where every dollar is going and you are struggling to make ends meet, it’s time to look carefully at whether there is anything you can cut, cut back on, or shave off. Don’t see anything you can change? What about looking into ways you can increase your income?

If you do know where every dollar is going and you aren’t struggling to make ends meet, then move on to the following questions.

2) Is it a causing stress and contention to stick to our budget in this category?

If you are finding that you are feeling stressed by a budget category every month, it’s time to take a hard look at that category, what you are spending, and why you’re feeling stressed about it.

For those of you who are married or who have other people who are involved in your budgeting, is this contributing to the stress? If so, why? Can you have an honest conversation about it without being frustrated or accusatory?

3) Why did we choose this budget amount in the first place?

Truth be told, I think this is possibly the most important question to ask.

Did you just pick a number out of the sky? Is this number the number you spent 5 years ago when you only had one child and now you have three but you feel like you shouldn’t change your budget because it’s what you’ve always had it set at? Did you choose this number because a friend (or someone online!) spends this on groceries or eating out and you wanted to prove that you could?

Take a hard look at the why behind your budget categories. Is the why in line with your priorities?

4) What does my spouse think?

If you are married, please do not be making budget changes without having a heart-to-heart conversation with your spouse. Budgeting is a team effort! It requires communication and compromise.

The less you can point fingers and instead lock arms and get on the same page, the stronger your budgeting success will be!

5) Could we find an easy way to spend less?

Do you need to be spending as much as you are spending in this category? Is there something simple you could change or tweak that would allow you to spend less? If you are thinking of raising your budget in one area, is there another area where you could lower it? (Check out this post for 30 Super Easy Ways to Save Money.)

As always, I think it’s important to remember that the goal of a budget is to serve you, not the other way around. A budget is a tool to benefit your life, not a slave master to make you miserable! (Psst! For more encouragement, read my post on We Need to Have an Honest Conversation About Budgeting.)

What questions do you ask before you change your budget? I’d love to hear!

Shared Oct 19, 2019 comment

Life Update: Pregnancy update (week 12), my book stack, & football

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Life Update: Pregnancy update (week 12), my book stack, & football

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Welcome to my weekly life update where I share about my pregnancy & give you a peek into our life this past week. If you want to follow a lot more behind-the-scenes and real-time updates every week, be sure to follow my stories and posts on Instagram.

12 weeks! And our big news is that we found out the gender this week!!!* Knowing has made it so much more real to me, even though this whole pregnancy still feels crazy surreal and like a dream.

HIGHLIGHTS

I think we actually all may have agreed on a name!! It’s very different having older kids who have very strong opinions about these things! Also, the NIPT test came back perfect. And I had a little more energy and a little less nausea this week.

NOTABLE

I’m pretty sure I’m starting to feel those first few flutters. I didn’t for sure feel movement until 15 weeks with Silas, but I’m almost 99% sure that’s what I’m feeling.

Also, my appetite has increased big time — which has been weird and I’m still trying to adjust. I’m usually the type of person who eats when I’m hungry and then eats until I’m satisfied. But right now, I feel hungry almost 90% of the time — even right after eating!!

I’m so grateful to have the desire to eat, though, because it definitely has been super hit or miss for the last 6 weeks and most of the time I was just making myself eat so I wouldn’t feel worse because my stomach was empty. It’s so nice to actually *want* to eat much of the time now!

CRAVINGS

Oh goodness, have the cravings been intense this week. I feel like all I do is talk about and think about food. (This is SO unlike me! My kids keep saying, “Mom, you are so WEIRD when you are pregnant!”)

Speaking of weird, yesterday and today I wanted a taco from Taco Bell. Y’all, I can’t remember the last time I’ve even eaten at Taco Bell!! But, thanks to Jesse, I had a taco for dinner AND breakfast (he was smart and just went and got a whole BAG of six tacos last night!!)

WEGHT GAIN

4.5 pounds (I usually always gain around 30 lbs. and at the rate I’m going, I don’t think I’m going to have any issue doing that again.)

*At this point, we don’t plan to share the gender before the birth. That could always change, but we kept it a family secret last time and it made it so special so we are thinking we’ll likely do that again.

In other news, I bought this sweatshirt this week and can’t wait for it to come in the mail!

And I was thrilled to once again feel well enough to go to the grocery store for a quick shopping trip!

Silas played both baseball and flag football this season. His first playoff game was Friday night and their team won, just barely! So they move on to the next playoff bracket next week.

What I’m…

Reading right now: I Will Always Write Back and Come Matter Here (My book stack in my room is getting way too high — and then I have three shelves in the library full of books waiting to be read ASAP. I guess it’s a good problem!)

Watching right now: Silas, Kaitlynn, and I have been watching The Masked Singer.

Listening to right now: I finally came up first in line for Atomic Habits on the Libby app again, so I’ve been listening to the last hour and half of it (that I didn’t get to finish the last time I had it “checked out” on the Libby app).

Loving right now: The fact that it was cool enough weather this past week to wear my favorite booties (shown above). (These are from Amazon, but they are a Payless brand so they are almost sold out.)

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