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Shared Sep 19, 2019 comment

Homemade Breakfast Pockets

Published: by Olivia on September 19, 2019 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

If you’re looking for a unique breakfast idea that you can make ahead of time, then be sure to try these freezer-friendly homemade hot pockets!

{Psst! If you’re looking for other easy breakfast ideas, check out these quick and healthy Back to School Breakfast Recipes — perfect for busy weekday mornings! Also, if you love individual freezer meals, be sure to try these Easy Individual Mini Lasagnas and these Easy Individual Chicken Pot Pies!}

Recipe Post by my sister, Olivia

These Breakfast Hot Pockets are SO Convenient!

I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of coming up with freezer-friendly recipes that can be reheated in a snap! Although I love preparing a fresh meal, the convenience of being able to pull something from the freezer at a moment’s notice can be a lifesaver!

Growing up, I liked to spoil my brothers by filling the freezer with healthy snacks, breads, and personal-sized main dishes just for them. They loved being able to grab something before work, before school, or whenever hungry; and I loved the opportunity to come up with new recipes!

Now that I am married, I find individual freezer meals even more beneficial – especially for breakfast! It is so nice to be able to have a hearty breakfast on the table for my husband in less than five minutes.

Hot Pockets Breakfast — Perfect for Busy Mornings!

I was super excited to recently come up with a new freezer-friendly breakfast recipe — these homemade hot pockets!

Breakfast pockets are the perfect solution for busy mornings, because they literally take just a few minutes to warm up in the microwave and can be eaten on the go.

Also, I love how versatile this recipe is. For instance, I often leave out the cheese (my husband is dairy-free), add extras to the filling (chopped spinach, sliced olives, green chiles, bacon, etc.), and use tortillas in place of the dough (like breakfast burritos). It can easily be adjusted to your liking!

These homemade hot pockets are best served with salsa or your favorite hot sauce. Scroll down to get the printable recipe!

Breakfast Hot Pocket Recipe Ingredients

Dough Ingredients:

2 cups warm water
4 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
6 cups flour

Filling Ingredients:

1 pound sausage
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch of ground cayenne pepper, optional
12 eggs
2+ cups cheddar cheese, shredded

homemade breakfast hot pockets ingredients

Breakfast Hot Pockets Recipe Variations

This recipe is so easy to mix up, depending on your family’s taste preferences or what you have in the house.

Ham and bacon are both great alternatives to sausage — or you could add a bunch of sauteed mushrooms and spinach for a vegetarian hot pocket.

Mix up the veggies and seasonings for new flavors.

And try a variety of cheeses to see which one you like best.

How to Make Homemade Breakfast Pockets

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and sugar using a fork.

2. Add the salt, oil, egg, and flour (start with 5 cups).

3. Form mixture into a dough and knead on a flour-dusted countertop for 5-10 minutes, adding more flour as necessary if the dough is too sticky.

4. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

5. While dough is rising, brown the sausage, onions, and peppers in a skillet over medium heat with chopped.

6. Drain off fat, then stir in seasonings and eggs.

7. Continue cooking until the eggs are set, stirring continuously to scramble eggs and prevent them from burning.

8. When the eggs are finished cooking, remove the skillet from the burner. Stir in the cheese and set it aside to cool.

9. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

10. While oven is preheating, punch down dough and divide it into 2 equal parts.

11. On a lightly floured surface, roll each part into a large rectangle, then cut both larger rectangles into eight smaller 5×8 inch rectangles.

12. Place about 1/2 cup filling on half of each rectangle. (Note: Be sure to place filling along the long edge so that the final hot pocket will be the shape of a hot dog instead of a hamburger).

13. (optional) Sprinkle with more cheese.

13. Fold the rectangle over to enclose the filling and pinch the dough shut. (I used a fork to seal the edges once they were on the pans.)

14. Place rectangles on greased or foil-lined baking sheets.

15. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly brown.

16. Glaze tops with melted butter.

Homemade Breakfast Hot Pockets on a plate

Tips for Making Homemade Breakfast Hot Pockets

Let the dough rise long enough so it’s light and fluffy — this will make a big difference in the texture of the finished hot pockets.

Also, make sure your filling is fully cooked through before you put it inside the dough and make sure the dough is tightly sealed so the filling doesn’t spill out during baking.

Storing Breakfast Hot Pockets

If you have leftovers, let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight freezer bag for up to 2-3 months.

Breakfast Hot Pockets Recipe Reheating Instructions

When you’re ready to eat a frozen hot pocket, simply remove the desired number of pockets from the freezer and warm them individually in the microwave for about two minutes or until heated through.

Alternatively, warm on a cookie sheet in a 350º oven for 20 minutes, or until heated through. (You may want to cover with foil to prevent over-browning).

Serve with salsa or hot sauce, if desired!

Recipe

Breakfast Hot Pockets Recipe

Author Olivia

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 30

Rise Time 1

Ingredients

Dough Ingredients:

2 cups warm water
4 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
6 cups flour

Filling Ingredients:

1 pound sausage
1/2 cup onion chopped
1 green pepper chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch of ground cayenne pepper optional
12 eggs
2 cups cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and sugar using a fork.
Add the salt, oil, egg, and flour (start with 5 cups).
Form mixture into a dough and knead on a flour-dusted countertop for 5-10 minutes, adding more flour as necessary if the dough is too sticky.
Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
While dough is rising, brown the sausage, onion, and peppers in a skillet over medium heat.
Drain off fat, then stir in seasonings and eggs.
Continue cooking until the eggs are set, stirring continuously to scramble eggs and prevent them from burning.
When the eggs are finished cooking, remove the skillet from the burner. Stir in the cheese and set it aside to cool.
Preheat oven to 350º.
While oven is preheating, punch down dough and divide it into 2 equal parts.
On a lightly floured surface, roll each part into a large rectangle, then cut both larger rectangles into eight smaller 5×8 inch rectangles.
Place about 1/2 cup filling on half of each rectangle. (Note: Be sure to place filling along the long edge so that the final hot pocket will be the shape of a hot dog instead of a hamburger).
(optional) Sprinkle with more cheese.
Fold the rectangle over to enclose the filling and pinch the dough shut. (I used a fork to seal the edges once they were on the pans.)
Place rectangles on greased or foil-lined baking sheets.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly brown.
Glaze tops with melted butter.

Notes

These freeze wonderfully and will last for 2-3 months in the freezer (if you don’t eat them all first!

When you’re ready to eat a frozen hot pocket, simply remove the desired number of pockets from the freezer and warm them individually in the microwave for about two minutes or until heated through.

Alternatively, warm on a cookie sheet in a 350º oven for 20 minutes, or until heated through. (You may want to cover with foil to prevent over-browning).

Serve with salsa or hot sauce, if desired!

Nutrition

Love this recipe?

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More Breakfast Ideas:

If you’re looking for even more breakfast ideas, try one of these!

Let us know if you try these homemade hot pockets! Also, what are some of your favorite breakfast recipes?

Shared Sep 17, 2019 comment

Our HUGE announcement!!

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 17, 2019 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

On today’s episode of the podcast, we get to announce the biggest surprise of our lives: I’M PREGNANT!!!!!!

The fertility specialist said we weren’t even a candidate for IVF, but y’all, our God is bigger than a specialist’s diagnosis or multiple tests that said it would never, ever be a possibility.

When we got the devastating new last year that we would never be able to conceive again — even with a lot of fertility help — we decided to grieve and find closure and then let the dream of expanding our family through pregnancy die. Instead, we felt God leading us to foster and we spent all summer working towards getting licensed.

Two days after we finished all the foster care licensing requirements, we found out we were expecting (through a crazy set of circumstances!)

It was the most hilarious and humbling gift from God ever. To say we were in complete shock would be an understatement.

I never thought I’d get to carry another life inside of me. Every day is a gift. The morning, noon, and night sickness is a gift. And instead of wanting to just get the first trimester over with, I’m seeking to savor each day as best as is possible.

If you want all the details on how we found out (I thought I was going through early menopause!) or how we told the kids, be sure to tune in to today’s episode of The Crystal Paine Show.

Oh and yes, we’re still moving forward with foster care (we found out two days after our home study was finished!) and I’m due April 30th — the same due date I had with Silas almost 11 years ago!!

Note: I know that many of you are struggling through the pain of infertility right now. My heart’s desire is that by me sharing this, it would in no way cause additional pain for you but would give you a glimmer of hope. God is still in the miracle-working business and He can do anything.

At the same time, please know that my heart has hurt for you as I thought about announcing our news today. You are seen. You are not forgotten. And I would be honored to pray for you — just send me a message or leave a comment and I’ll pray for you by name.

In This Episode:

[00:25] We have some HUGE news for you! It’s complete and unexpected miracle!

[02:53] Details on why going through infertility testing and procedures helped us realize the miracle we had in our three children.

[03:27] We found out two days after finishing our foster care home study (the last portion required to get licensed).

[04:30] I was feeling super anxious and irritable and stressed about the home study, which seemed out of character for me.

[05:27] All the details on the crazy way we ended up finding out and why I thought I was going through early menopause!

[11:00] My heart goes out to all the women who are struggling with infertility. My hope is that this announcement gives you hope not sadness.

[12:51] Want to know how the kids took the news?

Links and Resources:

Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon
CrystalPaine.com
MoneySavingMom.com
Crystal’s 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: [email protected]

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.

Shared Sep 17, 2019 comment

I got a free $30 Walmart gift card for an old car seat!

Published: by Gretchen on September 17, 2019 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Did you hear about the Walmart Car Seat Trade In Event? You can get a FREE $30 Walmart gift card when you bring in a used car seat!

Do you have an old car seat laying around? Or has your child outgrown their current car seat?

Gretchen from the Money Saving Mom Team here! Check out this deal I scored…

My toddler, Talon, has recently barely been fitting into his infant car seat but I hadn’t purchased him a new one yet because I didn’t want to pay the money. I was holding out hope I might find one on clearance somewhere. Yesterday, I saw that Walmart was holding a Car Seat Trade In Event where you bring in an old or used car seat and receive a $30 Walmart gift card in exchange.

Talon’s car seat was disgusting – you mamas know how those car seats get – with food and stains and probably some poop on it somewhere, too. I wasn’t sure if they would even accept it but I thought it was worth a try and headed to Walmart.

Sure enough, when I walked into Customer Service, I saw that there was a HUGE box full of car seats (and some were pretty dirty!). The nice lady behind the desk took the car seat and asked me to show her my driver’s license. Then she handed me a $30 Walmart gift card!!

I was able to purchase Talon a new, bigger car seat using the $30 gift card and ended up paying only $27 out of pocket! What a deal!!

Do you have a used or old car seat laying around your house? Be sure to bring it to Walmart before September 30, 2019 to score a FREE $30 gift card!

Please note that this does not work on booster seats and there is a limit of 2 car seats/gift cards per person. I recommend calling your location ahead of time to see if they’re participating.

Shared Sep 16, 2019 comment

Cheapest Places to Print Photos

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 16, 2019 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Looking for the best online photo printing deals or the cheapest place to print photos? If you love to order prints online but hate paying full price, check out these tips for getting cheap photo and picture prints!

{Looking for all the latest photo deals? Go HERE.}

Reader Kara wrote in with this great question:

“Hello, I was wondering what is the least expensive way to print pictures? I used to wait until Shutterfly did their free prints deals but last time I did that it seemed that their shipping fees had gone up. Any other suggestions?”

Places we love for Cheap Photo Prints

I know many of you are probably like Kara and on the hunt for the best online photo printing deals!

So I decided to take this question to the readers on our Facebook page to see what their best tips were (thank you to those of you who commented!). They came up with a lot of great suggestions, but these were the top companies!

Before you go to order prints online, be sure to check out these tips for getting cheap photo prints:

1. Shutterfly

While shipping costs have gone up slightly over the years, Shutterfly is still a go-to option for cheap photo prints because of the amount of coupon codes and deals they offer on a regular basis.

In fact, Shutterfly regularly offers free print deals to new and established customers where all you have to pay is shipping.

Also, if you have the Shutterfly app, you get FREE unlimited 4×6 and 4×4 prints — just pay shipping!

To keep shipping costs lower, try ordering 95 prints when a free print deal is going on. The shipping fees can be up to $4 less by simply decreasing your order by a few prints.

Or, consider doing in-store pickup instead. During the checkout process, click the “1-Hour Pick Up Available” link under eligible 4×6 prints to search for your preferred local Target, Walmart, or CVS store by zip code.

2. Cheapest Photo Prints: Snapfish

Snapfish offers standard 4×6 prints starting at 9 cents each, plus shipping. They regularly offer free and discounted print deals to new and established customers. This is probably one of the cheapest places you’ll find for photo prints.

Sometimes they even offer deals where you can get FREE prints with FREE shipping! You can also sign up for texts to get 50 FREE prints.

The Snapfish App gives you 100 free prints each month for the first year you sign up with the app. You only have to pay for shipping and one reader reported her shipping was only $2.95. Shipping costs may vary according to where you live. You can edit photos within the app and see how they will print.

If you choose to pick up your prints in-store from participating CVS or Walgreens stores, you can see the cost difference on the order screen. For instance, you can get up to 49 prints from CVS at 29 cents each. If you get 50 or more prints, the price goes down to 19 cents apiece. It might end up being cheaper to choose this option instead of paying for the 9 cent prints plus shipping.

3. Amazon Prime Photos

An easy and budget-friendly way to order prints online is Amazon Photos — where they offer 4×6 prints for 17 cents each with free shipping.

Members receive 5 GB of storage free but after that, you’ll need to choose a digital storage plan. If you’re a Prime member, you get unlimited storage for free!

They do occasionally offer free prints and photo deals, too.

Note: If you’re not a Prime member, you can sign up for a FREE 30-day trial!

4. Cheapest Place to Print Photos: FreePrints App

Another great way to save when you order prints online is to use the FreePrints app!

This is without a doubt probably the cheapest place to print photos. Customers receive 85 free 4×6 prints per month and only need to pay for shipping. You can get up to 1000 free prints in a year! If you need more than 85 prints, you can pay for those.

Shipping starts at $1.99 and is never more than $9.99 no matter how many prints you order. There’s also a FreePrints Photobooks app, which will give you one free photo book per month.

There are no subscriptions and no commitments.

5. Walmart

You can order 12 cent 4×6 photo prints online at Walmart for home delivery or one-hour pickup. They offer free shipping on orders over $35, otherwise you’ll have to pay shipping fees for delivery to your home.

This may not be the best quality photos around, but it’s a great affordable option!

6. Printique (Formally Known As Adoramapix)

Readers really loved Printique’s photo quality, especially for photo albums. Their 4×6 photos are currently 32 cents each + shipping. They also offer a full range of photo sizes, so they’re a great option if you need a non-standard print.

You can sign up for special deals on their website. And they offer coupon codes at the top of the page on their website.

7. Mpix

People who prioritize photo quality will also want to take a look at Mpix, a service even photographers recommend! Readers are impressed with the quality, as well as the care they take in packaging your products. Their 4×6 prints are 36 cents each. Shipping is free on orders over $35.

They have a Reward Program where you can earn points towards discounts and special offers with every purchase you make. You can earn 100 points just for signing up for a Mpix account. When you reach 500 points, you’ll get free shipping or a $5 coupon.

8. Costco Cheap Print Photos

A lot of readers said Costco was a great inexpensive option for photo prints.

Their 4×6 prints start at just 11 cents with free shipping, which is a great price!

9. Sam’s Club Cheap Picture Prints

At Sam’s Club, 4×6 photos are 10 cents each with free shipping.

They regularly offer special deals and you can upload your photos on their app. New customers get 50 free prints when they sign up for an account.

10. Photo Print Cheap with Walgreens

Walgreens offers your first 74 4×6 prints for 38 cents each. If you order 75 or more, you’ll pay 28 cents each. The price is the same for in-store pickup or mail delivery. Standard shipping costs start at $1.99 and go up to $11.99.

Many readers report they’ll place their order through the app or website and pick it up at the store an hour later or at their convenience instead of having it shipped. The Walgreens app allows you to print the photo directly from your phone.

Customers can also sign up to receive special deals by email. And Walgreens regularly sends out free print and coupon deals to make their print prices even better. (You can also earn Balance Rewards points!)

One reader went so far as to say she’s saved more money than she’s spent on prints at Walgreens!

Is Walgreens or Walmart better for photos?

If you’re going based on simply the price, you’ll want to choose Walmart every time, since you can’t beat their 12 cent prints online! The print quality at Walmart doesn’t tend to be quite as sharp as Walgreens, though.

Of course, if you’re going for super high quality print, you’ll probably choose one of the other online services over retailers, anyway. It’s all a personal preference, honestly!

11. CVS

As a competitor of Walgreens, they have a very similar pricing structure. The first 74 4×6 prints from Walgreens are 39 cents each and 75 or more prints are just 29 cents each.

And just like Walgreens, you can place your order through the app or website and pick it up at the store an hour later (or at your convenience) to avoid paying shipping fees.

12. Local Photo Shop

Bonus Tip: You might also try your locally owned photography shop as a creative way to get cheap picture prints, because they typically offer coupons and have some of the best quality around! While this will vary by location, it’s definitely an option to look into!

Do you have a favorite cheapest place to print photos? What are your best suggestions for getting cheap photo and picture prints — either online or in-stores?

Shared Sep 16, 2019 comment

Brigette’s $80 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

Published: by Brigette on September 16, 2019 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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 64-oz cartons Orange Juice – $3.28

1 64-oz carton 1% Milk – $0.70

2 64-oz cartons Whole Milk – $1.40

1 64-oz carton Unsweetened Almond Milk – $1.79

1 32-oz carton Half and Half – $1.55

1 bag Mini Sweet Peppers – $2.65

2 pgs Broccoli Crowns – $1.90

2 pgs Frozen Riced Cauliflower – $3.78

1 pkg Romaine Hearts – $2.09

2 cans Green Beans – $0.76

1 pkg Zucchini – $1.17

1 pkg Mini Cucumbers – $1.99

2 pkgs Baby Carrots – $1.70

1 bag Green Grapes ($0.89/lb) – $2.30

1 large tub Organic Spring Mix – $3.49

1 3-lb bag Gala Apples – $3.19

1 Cauliflower – $2.09

1 bunch Bananas – $1.09

1 24-oz carton Lowfat Cottage Cheese – $1.45

1 pkg String Cheese – $1.99

1 8-oz pkg Deli Sliced Cheese – $1.79

1 16-oz bag Shredded Mozzarella – $2.19

2 16-oz bags Shredded Cheddar Cheese – $4.38

1 32-oz Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt – $3.45

4 individual-sized cartons Pumpkin Spice Yogurt – $3.13

1 can Whipped Topping – $2.65

1 16-oz carton Heavy Whipping Cream – $1.65

1 pkg Pumpkin Spice Coffee – $3.79

1 pkg Taco Seasoning – $0.29

1 jar Spaghetti Sauce – $0.85

1 canister Quick Oats – $2.29

1 16-oz pkg Deli Meat – $2.85

1 pkg Plain Rice Cakes – $1.19

1 bag Nacho Cheese Chips – $0.75

1 loaf Sandwich Bread – $0.65

3 dozen Eggs – $2.34

1 pkg (3.24lbs) 85/15 Ground Beef, reduced – $6.30

Grocery Total for the Week: $80.90

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

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

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

Lunches

Rice Cakes with Peanut Butter and Honey, Apples, Carrots, Cheese Sticks x 2

Deli Meat/Sliced Cheese Sandwiches, Grapes/Bananas, Cucumbers x 2

Leftovers x 3

Dinners

Taco Salad, Cauliflower Fried Rice (I don’t use an actual recipe, but something similar to this)

Hubby Lovin’ Chicken (recipe from “Trim Healthy Table” cookbook), Roasted Broccoli, Perfect Baked Potatoes

Hamburgers, Baked French Fries, Grilled Zucchini

Spaghetti Carbonara (I had this on my menu plan for last week, but we didn’t end up needing it as we had more leftovers than I had planned on), Crusty French Bread, Tossed Salad

Coffee Pot Roast (using venison roast in a slow cooker – I don’t have an Insta Pot yet! ;))), Green Beans, Cooked Carrots, Bread Machine Buttery Rolls

Chicken Pot Pie, Tossed Salad, Grapes

Leftovers

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

Click here to sign up!

Shared Sep 16, 2019 comment

Gretchen’s $47 Grocery Shopping Trip and Menu Plan for 5

Published: by Gretchen on September 16, 2019 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Aldi

1 Half & Half – $1.55

4 lbs Sugar – $1.73

1 bag Navel Oranges – $2.19

1 loaf Bread – $0.99

1 dozen Eggs – $0.58

2 Cantaloupe – $0.99 each

1 lb Butter – $2.89

1 pkg Flour Tortillas – $0.99

1 bag Brown Sugar – $1.29

1 bag Plums – $0.99

1 pkg Deli Sliced Cheese – $1.79

1 pkg Thin Wheat Crackers – $0.99

1 bag Oyster Crackers – $0.79

1 bag Peaches – $2.19

1 pasta Sauce – $0.85

1 bag Corn Chips – $0.79

1 pkg Bagels – $1.49

1 can Pumpkin – $0.79

1 Unsweetened Applesauce – $1.95

1 can Pineapple Chunks – $0.89

1 bag Chocolate Chips – $1.69

2 pkg Frozen Broccoli – $0.95 each

1 box Fruit Squeezies – $1.49

Total: $32.78

Dillons

1 bag Frozen Chicken Breasts – $6.99 (Aldi was out of this so I had to buy it at Dillons.)

3 Totino’s Frozen Pizzas – $1 each, used $1/3 e-coupon – $0.67 each after coupon

2 cans Bush’s Beans – $1 each, used 2 $1/1 Checkout 51 rebates – Free after rebate

1 box Halo Top Pops – $4.99, used $1.50/1 e-coupon AND $1.50 Ibotta rebate AND $1.50 Kroger cash back rebate – $0.49 after coupon and rebates

1 box Zataran Rice – $1.29, used $0.50/1 e-coupon – $0.79 after coupon

1 dozen Eggs – $0.59

2 Annie’s Mac & Cheese – $1.59 each, used $2.09/2 e-coupon – $0.54 each after coupon

1 gallon Milk – $1.59 (Aldi was also out of milk!)

2 Cucumbers – $0.50 each

Total after coupons and rebates: $14.53

Total for both stores: $47.31

Menu Plan for This Week

Breakfasts

Cereal, Oatmeal, Bagels, Eggs, Fruit

Lunches

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Turkey Sandwiches, Tossed Salad Bar, Cheese/Crackers/Fruit, Frozen Pizza, Cheese Quesadillas, Leftovers

Dinners

French Toast, Eggs

Chicken & Rice with Pineapple

Grilled Chicken, Biscuits, Steamed Broccoli

Bean Quesadillas, Chips, Fruit Salad

Date Night (The kids will eat mac & cheese.)

Spaghetti, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, Fruit Salad

Homemade Cheese Pizza, Breadsticks, Tossed Salad

Shared Sep 14, 2019 comment

15 Ways to Eat Out on the Cheap

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 14, 2019 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Want some tips on how to eat out on the cheap? Here are 15 tried and true ideas to help you enjoy restaurant food — on a budget.

How to Eat Out on the Cheap

Love eating out? Don’t love how much it can cost? Here are 15 ideas to save money on eating out:

1. Go out to lunch instead of dinner.

2. Always use restaurant coupons.

3. Order water instead of beverages that cost.

4. Split an entree with someone else when possible.

5. Sign up for Birthday Freebies and use those when you eat out.

6. Go out for dessert instead of a full meal.

7. Use restaurant gift cards that you bought discounted.

8. Sign up for restaurant apps and email lists to be notified of great coupons and specials — or even freebies!

9. Earn free restaurant gift cards from Fetch and Swagbucks.

10. Go on Kids’ Eat Free nights.

11. Eat a snack before you leave the house so you’re not as hungry.

12. Don’t order appetizers or desserts.

13. Eat out at Costco or IKEA instead of a restaurant.

14. Apply to be a mystery shopper and you could get paid to eat out! (I have done this many times in the past!)

15. Go to a fast food restaurant with a dollar menu and let everyone choose 1-3 items off the dollar menu!

What are your favorite tips for saving money on eating out? Share them in the comments!

P.S. For more ideas, check out this post on How to Save Money on Eating Out.

Shared Sep 10, 2019 comment

4 Rhythms You Need In Your Life

Published: by Crystal Paine on September 10, 2019 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

“We don’t need to hustle to prove something God already says is true.”

I can’t stop thinking about this quote, ever since I read it in Rebekah Lyon’s book, Rhythms of Renewal.

If we’re gut honest, how often are we working so hard in an effort to try to impress someone else, earn someone’s approval, or prove something to ourselves or others?

Jesus came so we can stop striving and instead rest in the beautiful truth that we are enough in Him. We don’t have to do more, be more, try harder, do better, and hustle like crazy to win His favor. In Christ, we are pre-approved. There’s rest and freedom at the foot of the Cross!

I was so honored to get to sit down and record a podcast episode with Rebekah Lyons recently on what it looks like to live from a place of renewal and rest instead of from a place of stress. We talked about the 4 rhythms everyone needs to have in their life, how easy it can be to incorporate them, and how much of a difference they can make.

She also shared about their recent adoption and how this “holy interruption” has beautiful impacted their life in ways she couldn’t dream or imagine.

If you struggle with feeling overwhelmed, constantly stressed, and/or always needing to try to rightly control every situation in your life, don’t miss this week’s podcast episode.

In This Episode:

[01:18] Rebekah shares a bit about herself, her story, and how her new daughter has dramatically changed her life and work.

[04:21] Listen as Rebekah and I share the books we’re reading.

[07:54] Hear why Joy, Rebekah’s new daughter, is saving her life.

[14:13] What’s saving my life? My gratitude journal!

[15:36] Rebekah and I dive into what inspired her to write her newest book.

[21:17] Learn the four rhythms we should focus on in our lives and in what order.

[25:12] View this book as an “undo” type of book. It’s not meant to add to your plate but to clear it.

[26:45] Practice the rhythms by doing small things every day. Rebekah gives great starting points and ideas!