This healthy homemade protein bar recipe is super delicious and SO easy to make!
{Looking for more healthy homemade treats? Check out this list of Delicious & Healthy Freezer-Friendly Snack Ideas — including Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Bars, Good For You Peanut Butter Fudge, Honey Sweetened Truffles, and Homemade Energy Bites!}
Stop Buying Protein Bars, Homemade is Better!
Almost a decade ago now, I decided to do the P90X program. I remember it being a really fun time of coming up with creative, nutritious recipes that I could make from scratch on a budget.
And this homemade protein bar recipe ended up being one of my favorite go-to snacks during that season of my life!
I actually found the inspiration for this recipe in the P90X forums, but (in my usual fashion!) I decided to tweak it to my tastes.
The result was these delicious homemade protein bars — which every single person in my family ended up loving! Scroll to the bottom of this post for the printable recipe!
Why You’ll Love this Homemade Protein Bars Recipe
- They are absolutely delicious!
- They are significantly less expensive than any store-bought alternative
- They are super easy to whip together with common ingredients
- They are freezer-friendly so you can make a huge batch at one time
- They are packed with protein that will keep you feeling fuller longer
- Did I mention they tasted amazing?! 🙂
Ingredients for Homemade Healthy Protein Bars
- 1 mashed banana
- 1.5 cups old fashioned oats
- 2 Tablespoons ground flax seed
- 2-4 scoops protein powder
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or butter
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 large chocolate bar (I used organic dark chocolate) or 1/2 cup chocolate chips
How to Make Homemade Protein Bars with Oats
1. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients except chocolate together well (mixture will be somewhat sticky).
2. Line an 8×8-inch pan with foil and spread the mixture evenly in the pan.
3. Melt chocolate on the stove or in the microwave and spread over the mixture in the pan.
4. Place the pan in the freezer for at least 2 hours.
5. Cut into 12 bars and wrap them individually in plastic wrap or foil and store in the freezer.
6. Thaw slightly before serving.
Enjoy your delicious healthy protein bars recipe!
Homemade Oatmeal Protein Bars Recipe Variations
You can really mix up the flavors in these bars — based on your personal preferences or whatever you have in the house.
Try a different type of nut butter or a flavored protein powder.
You could also use white chocolate instead of dark chocolate.
And trying different nuts, seeds, or dried fruit will really change the flavor without any extra effort.
Homemade Protein Bars Recipe Tips
- Make sure you use enough honey and peanut butter so the mixture sticks together well.
- Take a few extra minutes to make sure everything is well combined.
- Don’t try to eat them too quickly — let them set for the full 2 hours in the freezer so they are nice and firm.
How to Store Healthy Homemade Protein Bars
Keep these bars in a tightly-sealed container in the refrigerator or freezer.
Healthy Homemade Protein Bars with Oats FAQs
Yes. There might be rare circumstances where you can stack a sale with coupons and find a bargain price on store-bought protein bars, but any other time, it’s much less expensive to make your own.
Any type of corn syrup or artificial sweetener should not be added to protein bars. Also, avoid soy protein powders.
These bars are a great protein-packed snack. However, they are not intended to be a meal-replacement bar.
They should last a couple of weeks in the refrigerator, or easily up to 3 months in the freezer!
Don’t skimp on the honey or peanut butter as those are the “glue” that holds these bars together.
Homemade Healthy Protein Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 mashed banana
- 1.5 cups old-fashioned oats
- 2 Tablespoons ground flax seed
- 2-4 scoops protein powder
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup coconut oil or butter melted
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix all ingredients except chocolate together well (mixture will be somewhat sticky).
- Line an 8×8-inch pan with foil and spread the mixture evenly in the pan.
- Melt chocolate on the stove or in the microwave and spread over the mixture in the pan.
- Place the pan in the freezer for at least 2 hours.
- Cut into 12 bars and wrap them individually in plastic wrap or foil and store in the freezer.
- Thaw slightly before serving.
Nutrition
Love this recipe?
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More like these Healthy Homemade Protein Bars
- Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Bars
- Good For You Peanut Butter Freezer Fudge
- Healthy Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies
- Morning Glory Muffins
- Grain-Free Chocolate Cashew Cookies Made with Black Beans
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Trim Healthy Mama Chocolate Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Quick & Easy Honey-Sweetened Truffles
- Honey-Sweetened Energy Bars
- Homemade Freezer-Friendly Energy Bites
FREE One Week Menu Plan!
Done-For-You Dinner Recipes With Simple Ingredients and a Grocery Shopping List!
My Honest SmileDirectClub Review (first month)
Looking for an honest review of SmileDirectClub? In this post, I share my first month of wearing my aligners and my honest thoughts on the experience.
Note: This post is sponsored by SmileDirectClub and contains affiliate links. All opinions are 100% my own. Read our disclosure policy here.
Back in December, I posted an in-depth post about my honest experience with SmileDirectClub. In that post, I shared about how it works to get your teeth scanned, what the process is like, and what you can expect if you sign up with SmileDirectClub.
Psst! Missed my Completely Honest Review post? Read it here.
Why I Signed Up for SmileDirectClub
Many of you asked whether I had decided to go through with the SmileDirectClub treatment plan. I’m happy to report that I worked up the courage to move forward with getting the aligners. 🙂
As I mentioned in my first post, I didn’t have braces as a child. I often wish that I had when I am doing live videos and I notice my crooked teeth. So I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with SmileDirectClub and do an honest review of my experience.
My hope is that this honest review will help those of you who have considered trying SmileDirectClub make a very informed decision. In addition, I hope to help some of you who are considering getting braces be inspired to look into a less expensive alternatives.
By the way, my treatment plan is only supposed to be 5 months total, if all goes well. I should have a great new smile by my 38th birthday in October. I’m excited!
How SmileDirectClub Works
If you missed that post, you can read it here. Here’s a basic recap of how SmileDirectClub works:
- You go to a SmileShop to get a 3D scan of your smile (it’s FREE!) OR you use an at-home impression kit (use coupon code SMILE2022 to get it for just $15) to make an impression so they can build a 3D impression of your smile. (You can see what the at-home impression kit is below.)
- Your 3D smile is reviewed by a duly licensed dentist or orthodontist, who will guide your new smile from beginning to end.
- They send you a preview of your new smile showing how your smile will transform and begin production of your invisible aligners, as unique to you as a fingerprint.
- They send you aligners in the mail that you wear 24/7 (except for when you eat) during a 6-month process. You change these out every week or every other week during the process. (They send you texts to remind you when you need to change the aligners).
- You work with a licensed dentist or orthodontist the entire time and they ask you to send periodic photos to help them make sure you are on track.
- At the end of 6 months, you can purchase a set of retainers for $99 to help maintain your smile. You just wear them at night to keep your new smile in place.
What the First Month Has Been Like
I had prepared myself that the first month was going to be rough. Kathrynne currently has braces and I watched her suffer through a lot of mouth pain for the first few weeks after she got them.
To my great surprise, I’ve only experienced mild discomfort with the aligners. I’ve follow their instructions to put the new set on before I go to bed. My teeth have been somewhat sore, but nothing like what I expected.
When you first get your SmileDirectClub kit in the mail with all of your aligners, you go in to their website and set up your plan. You put in the day you started wearing them and then they send you email and text reminders when it’s time to change out aligners. This is perfect for someone like me who gets busy and might not always remember.
By the way, you are supposed to wear the first two sets for one week each and then the third set for two weeks. You repeat this every month.
I’m already about 12% done with my treatment plan — and I can already tell that my teeth have shifted and gotten straighter! YAY!
What I Love About SmileDirectClub
- I love that the price is less expensive than getting braces. While it depends upon your doctor and insurance, you’re typically going to pay at least $3500 for traditional braces. The SmileDirectClub treatment plan only costs $1895 to $2290 for the entire process! And they do work with some insurance companies, too.
- I love that I don’t have to go to appointments. Seriously, I know it’s silly, but it’s true. This was one big factor holding me back from moving forward with getting braces was the time involved going to so many orthodontist appointments.
- I love that they are so thorough in explaining the process and setting you up for success. They send you emails with lots of details, they provide links to in-depth articles, and there is a booklet in your kit that answers all the questions you could have.
- I love that you can take them out. Okay, call me weird, but the thought of having something semi-permanently stuck in my mouth that only an orthodontist can take out just makes me feel uncomfortable. I love that I can take these out a few times per day to eat and drink.
What I Don’t Like About SmileDirectClub
- I don’t like that you have to take them out to eat or drink. You can only drink clear cool water with the aligners in. It can be a bit of a hassle to have to take them out every time to you eat or drink.
- I don’t like that they seem to attract lipstick. I haven’t changed anything with my lipstick routine, but ever since I got the aligners, I have to be so careful about what lipstick I wear and how I put it on. Multiple times, I’ve discovered that
- I don’t like that they feel unsanitary sometimes. It feels kind of gross to be taking things in and out of your mouth multiple times per day — especially when I’m out and about or am eating with friends. I’ve gotten better at being able to quickly take them out and stick them in the case, but it feels a little gross to do it in front of people. (Hey, I’m just being honest!)
- I don’t like that my speech sounds and feels a little garbled. While it doesn’t sound too bad, I can’t talk as clearly as usual with the aligners in. Because of this, I’ve taken them out when I’ve recorded podcasts or spoken at a conference.
(Please note: The aligners are only going on your teeth. They aren’t doing anything with your jaw so they will not correct overbites or other really misaligned teeth issues. You can take a 30-second quiz on their site to see if you are a candidate for their services based upon how your teeth are. I’d recommend getting a second opinion from a local orthodontist if you aren’t sure. I also would highly, highly recommend going into a local shop. This way you can get a scan and make sure you feel comfortable with going through this process.)
Want to try SmileDirectClub?
If you can’t go into a local SmileShop to get a 3D Scan done, you can order an at-home Impression Kit (shown above). Again, I would personally recommend going into a SmileShop. It’s completely FREE to do so and they do such a great job of giving you such a high-quality scan.
But you if you do end up ordering an at-home Impression Kit, use coupon code SMILE2022 to get it for just $15 out of pocket — and then FREE after $15 rebate!
Have you used SmileDirectClub before? If so, I’d love to hear your honest opinions and experience with it. If you have any questions about the process, leave them in the comments. I’ll do my best to answer them for you or find out an answer for you!
What it’s like to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
Wonder what it’s like to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)? In this week’s podcast episode, Anne Bogel and I discuss what it’s like to be HSP, how it has changed our life to understand this, and why we are so passionate about this topic.
Missed previous episodes of The Crystal Paine show? You can listen to them here.
Last time we recorded an episode for The Crystal Paine Show, we had just gotten back from Kansas. And this time, we just got back from Destin, Florida!
It was our first time there (can you believe it?), and we had an amazing trip. We haven’t gone on a long road trip by ourselves since our honeymoon, and even though it was a little bit weird to be in the car for six hours by ourselves, I’m so thankful that we got to go!
Are You a Highly Sensitive Person?
Today’s guest on the show is the amazing Anne Bogel, who you may remember from an earlier episode! (She’s actually the first second-time guest on the show.)
We had such a fantastic conversation that Jesse and I didn’t want you to miss a single minute of it, so we skipped our usual segments of the show to make room for the whole interview.
Anne and I are both Highly Sensitive People (or HSPs). Now before you just think that means someone is overly sensitive or emotional, do yourself a favor and listen to the episode. At least 15-20% of people are HSP — many just don’t know it!
Even If You’re Not HSP, You Need to Listen!
I didn’t know this about myself until I learned it through reading Anne’s book Reading People. When I read her chapter on Highly Sensitive People and realized that she was exactly describing me, it changed my life! All of a sudden I understood why I big crowds drained me, loud noises over-stimulated me, certain fabrics of shirts were incredibly annoying, and why I can’t function well if my house is a mess.
We’ll start off by talking about how Anne came across this concept, and how it helped her regain a sense of control and improving her own life experience. We’ll also dig into the impact that being an HSP can have (some of the struggles as well as the perks!) and how to tell if you’re an HSP.
Even if you’re not a Highly Sensitive Person, don’t miss this amazing conversation! You’ll likely identify someone close to you who is and it will help you have a better understanding of how to love them and interact with them (and maybe not think they are just high maintenance or needy!)
Powered by RedCircle
In This Podcast Episode:
[00:25] – Jesse and I discuss how weird (and fun) it was to go on our first road trip by ourselves (without kids) in years.
[04:10] – This episode will be a little bit different because I ended up having such a long conversation with Anne Bogel that we decided to make the interview the focus of the episode.
[04:56] – I (re)introduce Anne and ask her to share about her new podcast that just launched! Check it out at One Great Book.
[09:14] – When did Anne first learn about the concept of Highly Sensitive People (HSP)? She talks about when the light bulb went off for her and how discovering this idea changed things for her and helped her regain a sense of control.
[15:26] – Anne and I discuss our greatest struggles and greatest strengths as a Highly Sensitive Person.
[21:19] – I can’t watch certain movies or listen to certain kinds of news, because it will be too heavy and too much for me. Anne shares how she can’t write when there is music playing with words.
[22:17] – We talk about the best way to determine whether you’re HSP, or whether one of your kids or friends might be? (“When you know, you know,” Anne explains. “HSPs often don’t even need the test.”)
30:38] – What is Anne reading right now?
[32:16] – Anne talks about what’s saving her life right now: walking to work (even though she works at home!).
[34:39] – Did you enjoy that conversation as much as I did? Do you have any questions, comments, or feedback? Get in touch by email at [email protected]!
Links and Resources From Today’s Podcast:
- Anne Bogel
- Reading People by Anne Bogel
- I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel
- Modern Mrs. Darcy
- What Should I Read Next? with Anne Bogel (podcast)
- One Great Book with Anne Bogel (podcast)
- The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron
- Quiet by Susan Cain
- Are You Highly Sensitive? test from Elaine Aron
- Great E-book Deals on Modern Mrs. Darcy
- Cal Newport
- Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon
- CrystalPaine.com
- MoneySavingMom.com
- YourBloggingMentor.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.
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!
Gretchen’s $52 Grocery Shopping Trip and Menu Plan
Dillons
4 bags Kroger Frozen Veggies – $0.88 each
1 box Yoplait Go-Gurt – Marked down to $2.39
3.22 lbs Bananas – $1.58
1 Green Leaf Lettuce – $1.69
Total: $9.18
Aldi
2 dozen Eggs – $0.58 each
1 gallon Milk – $1.49
2 bags Frozen Chicken – $5.99 each
1 bag Sugar – $1.52
1 jar Pasta Sauce – $1.49
3 pkg Strawberries – $1.49 each
1 pkg Cheese Slices – $1.39
1 jar Pickles – $1.99
1 Half & Half – $1.59
2 Seedless Cucumbers – $0.99 each
1 pkg English Muffins – $0.99
1 bag Spinach – $1.39
1 bag Shredded Cheese – $3.29
1 box Granola Bars – $1.59
1 loaf Bread – $1.39
1 Pineapple – $1.29
1 lb Butter – $2.88
1 box Cheese Crackers – $1.49
Total: $43.37
Total for both stores: $52.55
Menu Plan for This Week
I was disappointed to find that Dillons didn’t have any marked down produce today so I’ll probably pop in there later on this week and check again.
Breakfasts
Cereal, Toasted English Muffins, Eggs, Baked Oatmeal, Cinnamon Rolls
Lunches
Tossed Salad, Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Cheese/Crackers/Fruit, Cheese Quesadillas, Leftovers
Dinners
Homemade Cheese Pizza, Breadsticks
Lasagna, Steamed Broccoli, Homemade Bread
Grilled Chicken, Biscuits, Steamed Peas
Meatloaf (from the freezer), Spinach Salad, Pumpkin Muffins
Pancakes, Eggs, Fruit Salad
Chicken Noodle Casserole, Steamed Broccoli
Hamburgers, Homemade French Fries, Steamed Cauliflower
Today is your last chance!
Have you seen me talking about the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle the past few days? Well, today is your last chance to grab it — because this special offer ends tonight.
After tonight, this goldmine of great resources (104 ebooks + ecourses + printables + bonuses) will not be available. So if you wake up in the morning and want to buy it, you won’t be able to because the sale will be over and you won’t be available to purchase anywhere.
Maybe you’ve been busy and haven’t really paid attention to the Homemaking Bundle Sale thinking it wasn’t for you or feeling like you didn’t really have time to investigate whether it was a good deal. Or, maybe you’ve been thinking about getting it but you’re on the fence as to whether it’s worth the investment.
(If you are not in a financial place to purchase the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle, will you do me a huge favor and just skip this post? The last thing I want to do is to encourage you to buy something that you can’t afford.)
However, if you’ve been considering getting it, I wanted to share 7 reasons why I love this year’s Ultimate Homemaking Bundle — and why I think it’s very worth the price ($29.97) (If you missed my Completely Honest Review, be sure to read it here.)
Reason #1: When you purchase, you’ll get a 4-month subscription to You Need a Budget.
This right here is almost worth buying the bundle for alone!
This is a $27 value and you get it FREE with your purchase of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle! Plus, it’s a great opportunity to really try out YNAB and see why we highly recommend it.
This offer is good for new customers as well as current customers. Current customers just need to email customer service ([email protected]) to get their 4 free months!
Reason #2: You’ll get 10 other cool bonuses — some that are physical products!
In addition to 4 months of YNAB for free, you also get:
- Printable postcards, printable calendar, and a $15 shop credit from Hope Ink. Emily Hope, the artist behind Hope Ink, loves creating inspirational hand-lettered art to brighten up homes and living spaces. (Value $119)
- Chapstick, relief salve, and soap bar from Puro Co. Puro Co is a small batch, body care company that uses high quality, safe ingredients to create their skincare products. (Value $22)
- $15 credit to Cultivate What Matters. Cultivate What Matters was created to help you live more intentionally. Use your $15 credit for their Write the Word Bible Journals, PowerSheets – the ultimate intentional goal planner, goal guides, or any of their other goal-oriented products. (Value $15)
- 10 Free Audios from Around the World Stories. Around the World Stories creates fun, memorable audio stories that teach children about the world’s countries and cultures while capturing their imagination and sparking their inner explorer. Each 30-minute story also comes with a parent guide full of activity ideas, recipes, printables and discussion topics. (Value $38)
Plus, there are 6 other bonuses from companies like Musik at Home, ListPlanit, Bookroo, Fit2B, Orglamix, and TriLight Health! And these are all included in the $29.97 price of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle! Some of these would make great gifts for upcoming occasions!
Reason #3: You’ll get access to some fantastic work at home resources.
If you’ve been wanting to start a blog, set up an Etsy shop, get better at Pinterest, pursue starting another entrepreneurial endeavor, or get more organized in a business you already have, you can get six really fantastic work-at-home resources as part of this bundle.
I’m especially excited about these three books:
- Begin Your Biz in 15 Minutes a Day — If you are thinking of starting a business or if you already have a business, you need to check it out. It gives you 15 minute daily projects to tackle to successfully set up your business. I found that it was so thorough and doable. In fact, I wanted to go through it for my businesses because I feel like I have some holes in my systems and processes and this would be a great refresher!
- Mom to Mompreneur –Want to start a blog? This well-done ebook walks you through the steps to take to get your blog successfully running in 30 days. I especially loved the strong emphasis on branding and colors and graphics. They are such an important part of successfully building a blog in this visually driven online world.
- Etsy Quickstart Guide — If you’ve ever consider opening an Etsy shop, be sure to read this book. I felt like it was a very valuable resource to get a basic overview of how to set up a successful Etsy shop. There were a lot of screenshots and step-by-step instructions that would be perfect for anyone who feels intimidated by what it takes to get started on Etsy!
These work-at-home resources may be some of the most valuable resources in the whole bundle. Why? Because they might teach you ways to earn 5-10 times what you spent on the bundle — every. single. month. Now that’s what I call a good return on your investment!
Reason #4: You’ll get a year’s worth of great outfit ideas!
One of the products I loved in the
was The Stay At Home Moms’ Year-Round Outfit Guide. If you need some outfit inspiration, don’t miss it.
This ebook helps you put together capsule wardrobes. Then, it gives you outfit formulas for creating adorable outfits from these — for every season! And the outfits were almost all really cute and totally my style!
Reason #5: You’ll learn how to make a lot of money hosting a garage sale.
Want to make some extra cash this summer? How about hosting a really profitable garage sale.
Think that’s not possible? Well then you need to read, How to Host a Crazy Profitable Garage Sale — one of the ebooks that you’ll get when you purchase the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle.
As someone who has held many garage sales and made thousands of dollars from them, I was interested to see what the advice in this ebook would be.
I was pleasantly surprised that almost all of the suggestions and tips were spot-on and I can vouch for the fact that they work! In fact, I bet that following just a few of the suggestions in this ebook would pay for the price of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle and then quite a bit more!
I did disagree with the pricing that the author suggested in the ebook (I thought it was too high, but maybe it would work for certain parts of the country?), but otherwise, I thought it was a very valuable read!
Reason #6: You’ll get some great ideas for having a wonderful summer.
Wishing you could have a really fabulous summer? Well, the resources in the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle have got you covered!
Here are 4 resources you’ll get when you purchase:
- Guilt Free Guide to Summer — The creator of these videos has so much energy and enthusiasm and is really relatable. Plus, the videos are high-quality. That said, the creator’s energy might feel a little over the top, but she has some very practical ideas for a way to set up your summer for success in this course. She covers routines, chores, intentional time as a family, goals for summer, meal times, having fun, and more.
- Command Center for Kids — If you are wanting to have a better chore system for the summer (or to start right now!), this would be great for younger kids (say maybe 4-8 years old)
- Chore Board Printable Pack — Have older kids? This would be perfect for ages 8+.
- 101 Screen Free Ideas — This is a simple ebook but it had a lot of great ideas and would be perfect for inspiration as we head into summer. It’s set up so you could print the ideas cards and put them on your fridge or on a little ring any time you need screen-free ideas
Reason #7: It’s a risk-free purchase with a money-back guarantee!
If you are still sitting on the fence right now wondering whether or not you should take the plunge and buy the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle, here’s why you should: it’s a risk-free purchase.
That’s right! There’s a 100% money-back guarantee on it for up to 30 days! So if you purchase it and then decide it’s not as helpful as you’d hoped or that it’s not worth the price you paid, you can get a full refund — no questions asked.
But Wait! That’s Not All!
In addition to all the resources listed above, when you purchase the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle, you’ll also get access to many other course and ebooks and membership sites on topics like time management, decluttering, marriage, parenting, home decor, self care, and more.
Now, I don’t expect you to go through anywhere near all of them. But, if you just pick 4-6 to go through over the next six months and they help you make more money and get more organized, not only will you be saving a lot of money because you’re getting these courses at such a discount, but it will be so worth the investment!
There is a Catch!
Yes, there is a catch and it’s this: This bundle is only available until midnight tonight on Monday night (May 6, 2019). After tonight, the bundle goes away and you will miss out on this deal.
What are you waiting for?
Through tonight at midnight only, you can get all of these items listed + much more (104 different ebooks, courses, and printables total + some cool bonuses) for just $29.97 total! This huge library of resources has something for pretty much everyone! It covers homemaking, mothering, DIY-ing, home decor, parenting, your marriage, organizing, making money from home, plus much more!
Ready to purchase? Just click below…
Yes! I Want to Get This Great Deal!
This special offer is only valid until midnight on Monday, May 6, 2019.
P.S. Want to see some of the other products in the bundle I’m really excited about? I went through all 104 products (yes, I did!) and I picked and reviewed my 20 favorites here.
Would you like 4 months of YNAB for free??
Want to get 4 months of YNAB for free? Read this post for all the details on how to get four months of You Need a Budget completely free!
If you are looking for a really fantastic program to help you set up and stick with a budget, Jesse and I highly recommend YouNeedaBudget.com (YNAB). We’ve been using it personally and for our business for a few years and we feel it is worth every penny!
What We Love About You Need a Budget
I asked Jesse to share what he loves about YNAB most. Here’s what he said:
- I love having mobile access to my budgets.
- I love being able to access all of my budgets on demand.
- YouNeedABudget makes budgeting easy by assigning each expense to a category and automatically takes it out of the budget when you record the transaction.
- If you record the transaction from your phone using the mobile app, YNAB will update the balance and display the new category balance once the transaction is entered.
- All budgets stay synced on all devices through Dropbox so you always look at the most recent numbers.
- You can easily import transactions at one time from your bank by importing a downloaded statement on your computer.
How YNAB is Different Than Other Budgeting Programs
I asked the folks at YNAB to share what sets their Budgeting Software apart from others out there and here’s what they shared:
1) You only budget money you have right now.
2) It is flexible. Rule Three: Roll with the Punches – removes any shame in overspending in a particular category any given month. It will happen. All the time. That doesn’t make you a failure. Just adjust, address it and move on.
3) There is a manual component. We are asking you to be hands on, to be aware of every dollar, to be involved with your budget. This requires a little bit of time (although once you get used to it, it’s super quick and easy), but this is also why it works. Without awareness nothing will change.
4) We want you to live on last month’s inco
me. Yes, this takes some time to achieve for most people, but once you can do this you will be shocked at how little stress you have about money. Once you live on last month’s income, you’ll never go back!
5) A lot of people think of budgeting as restriction, but what YNAB will give you is control over your finances, and that control translates to freedom.
6) A lot of people come to YNAB because they are drowning in credit card debt or paying overdraft fees every month – and YNAB changes their lives.
7) YNAB has a killer support team and offers free, online daily budgeting classes.
Get 4 FREE Months of YNAB!
I’ve been talking about the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle the past few days, but what I didn’t tell you yet is that one of the best parts of the bundle is that there are some fun bonuses you get when you purchase.
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.png "The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle")
In addition to 4 months of YNAB for free, you also get:
- Printable postcards, printable calendar, and a $15 shop credit from Hope Ink. Emily Hope, the artist behind Hope Ink, loves creating inspirational hand-lettered art to brighten up homes and living spaces. (Value $119)
- Chapstick, relief salve, and soap bar from Puro Co. Puro Co is a small batch, body care company that uses high quality, safe ingredients to create their skincare products. (Value $22)
- $15 credit to Cultivate What Matters. Cultivate What Matters was created to help you live more intentionally. Use your $15 credit for their Write the Word Bible Journals, PowerSheets – the ultimate intentional goal planner, goal guides, or any of their other goal-oriented products. (Value $15)
- 10 Free Audios from Around the World Stories. Around the World Stories creates fun, memorable audio stories that teach children about the world’s countries and cultures while capturing their imagination and sparking their inner explorer. Each 30-minute story also comes with a parent guide full of activity ideas, recipes, printables and discussion topics. (Value $38)
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Psst! If you want to know more about the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle, be sure to check out my post on 20 of my favorite resources and my Completely Honest Review.
Ready to order the Bundle?
Ready to get 104 helpful homemaking resources + 4 months of YNAB for free + 10 other fun bonuses — all for just $29.97?? Remember, this bundle is only available through Monday, May 6, 2019.
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P.S. This bundle is backed by a 30-day happiness guarantee. Not sure whether this is a good fit for you? You can go ahead and purchase. If for any reason, the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle doesn’t live up to your expectations, you can request a full refund — no questions asked.
Brigette’s $74 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu for 6
My older sister, Brigette, shares her shopping trips and menu plans every week! You can go HERE to see all of her weekly menu plans and you can go HERE to read all about her family!
Aldi
1 box Cinnamon Crunch Squares – $1.09
1 box Honey Nut Oats – $1.15
1 pkg Fresh Chicken Thighs (4.90lbs @ $0.79/lb) – $3.87
1 pkg Uncured Turkey Franks – $1.99
2 cans Chicken Breasts – $3.10
1 pkg String Cheese – $1.95
2 12-oz bags Shredded Italian Cheese – $3.18
2 16-oz bags Shredded Cheddar Cheese – $4.30
2 64-oz cartons 1% Milk – $1.40
1 64-oz carton Orange Juice – $1.59
2 cans Garbanzo Beans – $0.96
1 container Baking Cocoa – $1.75
1 jar Organic Salsa – $1.89
1 32-oz carton Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt – $3.49
3 dozen Eggs – $2.37
1 can Table Salt – $0.35
2 bags frozen Riced Cauliflower – $3.78
1 3-lb bag Sweet Potatoes – $2.35
1 pkg Romaine Hearts – $1.79
1 large tub Organic Spring Mix – $3.99
2 4-ct boxes Unsweetened Applesauce Squeeze Pouches – $2.98
2 3-ct pkgs Multi-Colored Peppers – $3.98
1 bunch Bananas (2.84lbs @ $0.39/lb) – $1.11
3 Avocados -$1.47
1 bag Broccoli Crowns – $1.39
1 16-oz bag Mini Cucumbers – $2.15
1 3-lb bag Honey Crisp Apples – $3.69
1 carton Grape Tomatoes – $1.99
1 3-lb bag Jazz Apples – $3.69
1 bag Blue Corn Chips – $1.89
1 bag Gluten-Free Pretzels – $1.85
1 bag Plain Rice Cakes – $1.15
1 pkg Hamburgers Bun, reduced – $0.30
1 pkg Hot Dog Buns – $0.59
1 loaf Sandwich Bread, reduced – $0.30
Total: $74.80
Grocery Total for the Week: $74.80
Weekly Menu Plan
Breakfasts
Everyone is responsible for making/cleaning up their own breakfasts. Choices include:
Cereal, Oatmeal, Fried/Scrambled/Hard Boiled Eggs, Veggie Omelets, Smoothies, Yogurt, Fruit
Lunches
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches/Rice Cakes, Sliced Peppers, Apples x 2
Baked Sweet Potatoes, Applesauce Pouches, Cheese Sticks, Cucumbers
Build-Your-Own-Salad Bar (Romaine/Spring Mix, Chopped Veggies and Fruit, Chicken, Shredded Cheese, Nuts, Garbanzo Beans, Avocados, Craisins, Dressing), Pretzels x 2
Leftovers x 2
Dinners
Meat Potato Quiche (using ham from the freezer), Brown Sugar Biscuit Twists, Roasted Cauliflower
Hot Dogs on the Grill, Baked Potato Wedges, Tossed Salad, Green Beans
Taco Salad (using ground venison), Oranges
Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Broccoli, Mashed Potatoes
Baked Chicken Thighs, Milk Rice, Green Beans, Biscuits
Hamburgers on the Grill, Stir-Fried Cauliflower Rice, Cheese Hashbrown Potatoes
Leftovers
Goals for 2019: April Update
Did you set goals for 2019? Here’s an update on how I did on my 2019 goals in April.
It’s May 3, 2019. And it’s time to check in on our goals! How are you doing on the goals you set for 2019?
I spent some time today reviewing April and reflecting on the blessings of the past month and the lessons I learned. I also looked at my goals and how I was doing in each area. (If you missed My Goals for 2019 post, read it here.)
In order to keep myself accountable (and because I know some of you really enjoy these posts) I’m sharing a goals update post at the beginning of each month. I hope that this will not only motivate me to be focused and intentional this year, but I hope it might also inspire you in the goals you set for 2019.
So here’s my goals update for May, 2019:
Personal Goals
1. Read 40 books I already own. (I’m using GoodReads to track my reading this year!)
Update: I finished 5 books in April — 2 were books I already own. Look for a Book Update post in the next few days where I share more about my thoughts on the books I finished.
2. Slowly read through the New Testament using the She Reads Truth Bible reading plans at the beginning of each chapter.
Update: I finished Acts in April.
3. Listen to 2 audiobooks per month. (I use the Libby app to get these for free.)
Update: I finished to 3 audiobooks in April.
4. Complete all of the Organize in 5 Diary tasks to get our home more organized and set up better organizational systems. (Psst! Did you get yours? It’s just $9 right now.)
Update: I got behind on this in April, but I hope to catch up in May. (You can see two posts I did on some of my organizing projects in January and February: Cleaning Out the Cookbooks & Organizing My Purse & Bathroom.)
5. Stay offline for 4 hours per day, 5 days per week. (I share more about why I chose this goal here.)
Update: I worked a lot of extra hours in April and I didn’t have as good of boundaries as I would have liked to have. Jesse and I had a heart to heart talk this past weekend and we set some parameters for May that I am committed to sticking with. I’m hopeful that these changes will allow things to be more streamlined and will allow me to work less and be offline more.
6. Leave my phone in the basement every night. (I talk more about what inspired me to make this goal here.)
Update: I did this most every night in April except for the nights where I was traveling and the nights where Jesse was out of town.
7. Go to bed before 10:30 p.m. 5 days per week. (I’m using this little spreadsheet I made to track most of my personal goals)
Update: While I still had some later nights, I did do a better job of getting to bed earlier in April. Here’s to doing an even better job in May!
Marriage Goal
8. Go on an overnight trip with Jesse without the kids.
Update: We just got back from an incredibly fun trip to Destin, FL!! Jesse and I drove by ourselves to FL and then we met up with two other couples there. We stayed in an AirBNB and split the cost three ways. Since it was off season, it made for a very inexpensive trip and we had the BEST time!
Motherhood Goal
9. One-on-one time with each child at least 3 times per week. (I am planning to dedicate 40 minutes per child after dinner each evening at least three nights per week to hang out and spend time with each child individually.)
Update: I didn’t do as well with this in April, but I am still doing a pretty good job of prioritizing it. I’m hoping to hit this goal every week in May!
Family Goal
10. Take the kids to at least two continents and 4 states we haven’t traveled to. (We’re hoping to travel to Europe in the summer and South America at some other point during the year.)
Financial Goals
11. Pay cash to redo our room and renovate our bathroom (we have to pull out the shower and put in a new one because it was installed incorrectly and is leaking and ruining the floor/wall and we want to do a few renovations while we’re at it + we want to finally decorate our room — we left it really bare when we moved in and decided to wait to prioritize it in the budget).
Update: We picked a contractor and tile and are hoping to get this started soon!
12. Pay cash to paint the walls in the main floor of our home.
13. Fully fund our Emergency Fund (This is a carry-over from 2018 and we are hoping to have this done in the next few months).
Update: This is DONE! YAY!
Business Goals
14. Redo/set up a much more intentional customer acquisition experience for all three of our email newsletters.
Update: We’ve been hard at work behind the scenes working on this and made some BIG progress in March.
15. Finish launching the rest of our beginner Your Blogging University courses. (If you want to start a blog, be sure to check out my other site, Your Blogging Mentor.)
Update: I’m working on my next course, Monetize Your Blog, and it’s going to be a bigger/more comprehensive course than I’ve ever done but I’m continuing to make good progress.
16. Launch a Blog Coaching/Accountability Group membership. (I’ll be opening this up to a very limited number of people in January of 2019. Stay tuned!)
Update: We opened this up to new members in April and we have over 180 members who are part of this! Interested in being the first to find out when we open up to new members again? Be sure to join the waitlist!
How are YOU doing on your goals for 2019? I’d love to hear about your successes and struggles. Tell us in the comments!
Need some encouragement to manage your life better?
This year’s Ultimate Homemaking Bundle is jam-packed with a huge variety of resources — many that will help you get more organized, prioritize your marriage and family, use your time more efficiently, and follow through with goals and habits.
I highlighted 20 of my favorite resources from the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle in yesterday’s post, but I didn’t have space to talk about some of the amazing printables you’ll get when you purchase it.
If you want some help with getting more organized and using your time better, I highly recommend checking out Time Blocking 101, Purposeful Printable Pack, and The Habit Tracker Bundle.
Each of these resources has very helpful printables in them and step-by-step advice to get your life and priorities in better order.
Ready to order the Bundle?
You can these products mentioned above AND 101 other products more for just $29.97 through Monday! Plus, there are some AMAZING bonuses that you’ll get — which I haven’t told you about yet! (More coming on that tomorrow!)
Click below to purchase the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle for just $29.97!
P.S. This bundle is backed by a 30-day happiness guarantee. Not sure whether this is a good fit for you? You can go ahead and purchase. If for any reason, the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle doesn’t live up to your expectations, you can request a full refund — no questions asked.
The Best Things to Buy in May
Maximize your savings this month with this list of items that are best to buy during the month of May!
Did you know you can save quite a bit of money if you wait to buy certain items during certain months throughout the year? Check out this list of the Best Things to Buy in May!
How to Save Time in the Kitchen
Want to save time in the kitchen? In this podcast episode, Lisa Burns shares her tried and true tips for feeding your family yummy meals without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
Missed previous episodes of The Crystal Paine show? You can listen to them here.
(Listen to the episode for the story behind this photo!)
Today’s episode of The Crystal Paine show not only includes details on our whirlwind trip to Kansas, my thoughts on buying markdowns, a book I loved recently, a new book Jesse is reading, but it also includes a very practical interview with Lisa Burns from This Pilgrim Life.
I first connected with today’s guest, Lisa Burns, when she signed up for my four-week blog coaching class. It’s been so fun to watch her blog and social media take off since that class — and she’s now known as an Instant Pot expert and she has a cookbook coming out in May!
As she admits in our conversation, she didn’t know how to cook until after she got married (and didn’t even eat vegetables as a child). As a busy mom of five herself, she’s full of wisdom and tips for getting delicious meals on the table even when your schedule is packed.
We talk about menu-planning, why an Instant Pot might change your life, her favorite quick and easy recipes, some fascinating behind-the-scenes details of her cookbook photo shoot (including how she make 76 recipes in a few days in her Instant Pots!!) Plus, of course, two books she’s reading and what’s saving her life.
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In This Podcast Episode:
[03:20] – Jesse and I are in the middle of a kind of packed travel season. We just got back from a quick trip to visit family in Kansas for Easter. While we were in Kansas, we took the kids to Spangles.
[06:01] – This episode might have a LOT of food talk… maybe it was because Jesse and I were both hungry when we recorded it! We talk about how Kroger markdowns save us so much money and provide an endless stream of variety in our diet.
[08:58] – Jesse finished his book and started a new one!! Tune in to listen to what he started reading + a book I finished last week.
[13:14] – Lisa talks about her family and her journey through learning to cook from scratch and how she didn’t even know how to cook when she got married.
[17:19] – I ask Lisa to share some of her best strategies for menu-planning and cooking from scratch when her schedule is packed.
[21:51] – Lisa chats about why she’s so passionate about the Instant Pot, even though she calls herself a “kitchen minimalist.” She also tells us about some of her favorite recipes from her cookbook and blog — yum! (By the way, if you think the Instant Pot is just for cooking soup or rice or main dishes, guess again. Lisa makes cake, bread dough, yogurt and more in her Instant Pot!)
[26:22] – How many Instant Pots does Lisa have, and how many did she use when making 76 recipes in just a few days for the photo shoot for her cookbook?
[27:37] – Lisa shares about two books she’s reading and finding insightful + she shares what’s saving her life right now.
Podcast Links and Resources:
- Spangles
- Kroger
- How to Find Great Markdowns at Kroger
- Point of View by Elisabeth Hasselbeck
- The Terminal List by Jack Carr
- Family Meals from Scratch in Your Instant Pot by Lisa Burns
- This Pilgrim Life
- Lisa’s Facebook Page
- Kitchen Staples
- Shepherd’s Pie in the Instant Pot
- How to Make Chicken Cacciatore in the Instant Pot
- Creamiest Instant Pot Ranch Mac’n’Cheese
- Instant Pot Meatloaf Family Dinner
- The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile
- Educated by Tara Westover
- Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon
- CrystalPaine.com
- MoneySavingMom.com
- YourBloggingMentor.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.
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!
OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!
Click here to download!
Generous Giving on a Tight Budget
Do you have a heart for generous giving but you’re on a really tight budget? These are some really creative ways to give generously — even when you’re barely squeaking by financially!
{Looking for more ways to give generously? Check out these Five Ways to Give on a Budget, How to Give Generously Through Couponing, and our 31 Days of Giving series!}
The following reader tip was submitted from Krystal of Rebel With A Good Cause
Generous giving is a value my husband and I are intentional about making a priority — but sometimes our budget feels like the biggest road block to embracing this value.
We’ve had to get creative about giving within the restraints of our budget. If you can relate to this struggle, here are 3 tips that allow us to give generously without breaking the bank.
1. Take an extra dish to a potluck.
I learned this from an elderly lady in our church as a fun way to be anonymously generous.
It’s always nice when there are extra dishes to choose from at potluck dinners. And if you want to reach out and invite someone else to join your meal, you can easily show that you have them covered. It can be as easy as a small box of brownies.
2. Share a meal.
It always cost less to make a little more food than to go out to eat.
This has been a great option with my parents as they have helped us in many ways over the years but they would not consider excepting any payment.
3. Hand Me Down Clothes.
Having been a recipient of this gift, I can not tell you how grateful I was to receive these clothes for my kids. These freebie clothes helped us save money and time.
Hand-me-down clothing are a great way to give to others without spending anything extra.
There are so many ways to be generous. These are just a few of the ways we can give a little bit more without noticing any extra strain on our budget.
What are YOUR favorite ways to give more on a tight budget?
Krystal is a mother, wife, nurse and blogger at Rebel With A Good Cause.
Gretchen’s $73 Grocery Shopping Trip and Menu Plan
Dillons #1
1 box Baby Rice Rusks – Marked down to $1.69
1 bag YumEarth Organic Pops – Marked down to $1.49
1 box Simple Truth Cheddar Kangaroos – Marked down to $1.89
3 boxes Kellogg’s Fruit Snacks – $1.99 each, used 3 $1/1 e-coupons AND 3 $0.50/1 Ibotta rebates – $0.49 each after coupons and rebates
2 Kroger Peanut Butter – $1.49 each, used 2 $0.50/1 e-coupons – $0.99 each after e-coupons
1 box Yoplait Go-Gurt – Marked down to $2.39
Total after rebates: $10.91
Dillons #2
1 tub Raisins – Marked down to $1.49
1 Kroger Ice Cream – $2.50
5 pkg Kroger Cheese – $0.99 each with e-coupon (no longer available)
1 pkg Psst Crackers – $0.79
1 Romaine Lettuce – $1.69
1 pkg Flour – $1.59
1 pkg Red Grapes – $1.75
3 bags Produce – Marked down to $0.99 each
2.11 lbs Bananas – $1.03
Total: $18.76
Aldi
2 Half & Half – $1.59 each
1 pkg Monterey Jack Cheese – $1.99
2 pkg Flour Tortillas – $1.19 each
3 pkg Frozen Veggies – $0.79 each
1 gallon Milk – $1.49
1 pkg Frozen Chicken Breasts – $5.99
1 Cantaloupe – $0.99
1 pint Grape Tomatoes – $1.29
1 BBQ Sauce – $0.95
1 Ketchup – $1.25
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup – $0.49
1 Applesauce – $1.89
1 lb Butter – $2.88
1 lb Oven Roasted Turkey Breast – $3.99
1 bag Tortilla Chips – $1.69
2 Cucumbers – $0.99 each
1 bag Baby Carrots – $0.99
1 pkg Crackers – $1.49
1 Yeast Packets – $0.89
1 pkg Cream Cheese – $1.29
1 box Granola Bars – $1.59
2 dozen Eggs – $0.58 each
Total: $43.60
Not pictured: My mom also gave us several pounds of ground beef and steak.
Total for all groceries: $73.27
Menu Plan for This Week
Breakfasts
Cereal, Eggs, Toast, Fruit
Lunches
Turkey Sandwiches, Cheese Quesadillas, Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Fruit/Cheese/Crackers, Tossed Salad, Leftovers
Dinners
Grilled Steaks (from my mom), Bread, Steamed Peas
Company for dinner (They are bringing Sanchos & Rice and I’m providing chips and salsa and also making an Apple Crisp.)
Pancakes, Eggs, Fruit Salad
Lifegroup potluck dinner (I’m bringing Chicken Taquitos and Chocolate Chip Cookies.)
Chicken & Veggies in the Crockpot, Rolls
Taco Bar
Cheese Pizza, Breaksticks, Tossed Salad
$70 Budget: What We Ate & What We Bought This Week
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.
Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and we will be compensated if you click through and sign up. Read our disclosure policy here.
I Found a Great Deal on Ground Beef!
I was so excited to get a good deal on higher quality ground beef this week as part of our $70 budget.
We don’t use a lot of beef since it’s more expensive than many other meats and I don’t often find good markdowns on it, so I’m always excited when I find a deal! We used one pound this week and put the rest in the freezer.
Kroger Shopping Trip #1
- Eggs — marked down to $0.99
- 4-pack Greek yogurt — marked down to $1.49
- Sausage — marked down to $1.99 + get $0.95 back from iBotta
- 2 boxes powdered sugar — marked down to $0.39 each
- Enchilada sauce — marked down to $0.59
- Kinder Joy egg — marked down to $0.39
- 5 pounds Simple Truth ground beef — marked down to $3.79 each
- Bag of Brussels Sprouts — marked down to $0.99
- Tomatoes and avocados — marked down to $0.99
- Bag of pears — marked down to $0.99
- Clementines — marked down to $0.99
- Apples — marked down to $0.99
- Oranges and pears — marked down to $0.99
- Bagged Salad — marked down to $1.99
- Romaine salad — marked down to $1.39 + get $0.25 back from ibotta
- Carrots — $0.99
- Sweet potatoes — $0.79/lb. = $2.35
- Milk — marked down to $1.99 (I was super excited to find Whole Milk marked down!)
- Total with tax: $42.34
Stocking Up on Oatmeal & Cheese & Peanut Butter
I was excited, because the Kroger weekend deals this weekend were great stock up deals on some of our favorite foods: Cheese, peanut butter, and oatmeal!
Kroger Shopping Trip #2
- 5 packages of Kroger cheese — $0.99 with Kroger Weekend Digital deals
- Half & Half — $1.49
- Vitamin D milk — $2.69
- 5 boxes of Kroger oatmeal — $1.49 each, used $0.50/1 Kroger Digital Coupon (limit 5) = $0.99 each
- 5 jars Kroger Natural peanut butter — $1.79 each, used $0.50/1 Kroger Digital Coupon (limit 5) = $1.29 each
- Total with tax: $21.81
What We Ate This Past Week
Note: When you see the meals below, please remember this: I buy ahead often. Which means that when I find a great deal on something I know we’ll use, I buy as much as I can afford in our budget to have on hand.
This means that you aren’t going to see all of the groceries my shopping trip that I used to make all of the meals we ate.
Please also remember that I’m putting this out there and it’s not a perfectly balanced menu. This is just really what we ate — and I hope that it encourages you to see the real-ness and lack of perfection here.
Our Menu Plan
Breakfasts:
- Cereal, Oatmeal, Scrambled Eggs
Lunches:
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Carrots, Oranges, Salads, Leftovers, Cookies
Snacks:
- Fruit, Cookies, Popcorn, Ice Cream, Crackers & Cheese, Carrots & Hummus
Dinners:
- Sunday — Fend for yourself
- Monday — Meatballs, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Roasted Potatoes, Mangos
- Tuesday — Salsa Chicken, Rice, Fruit
- Wednesday — Leftover Meatballs, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Roasted Potatoes, Mangos
- Thursday — Chicken Fajitas, Fruit
- Friday — Dinner out
- Saturday — Salads topped with leftover meatballs & roasted Brussel Sprouts, Toast (Jesse and I brought food and ate it on the road while we drove to Destin, FL. The kids stayed home with Jesse’s dad this weekend and they told me that he took them out to dinner.)
Grocery Budget Totals
Total spent on groceries: $64.15
Cashback earned this week: 50 points for submitting my receipts to Fetch rewards + $1.35 for submitting my receipt to iBotta rewards.
Amazon: FREE One-Day Shipping for Prime Members!
Whoa!! If you’re an Amazon Prime member, this is HUGE news! You’ll now be getting FREE one-day Prime shipping!
Amazon just announced that Prime members will now get free one-day shipping. Their two-day shipping has been shortened to one-day shipping — no extra charge.
This new perk is available in many regions already, with continuous expansion into more areas. Is this available in your area yet? I’d love to hear in the comments! I recently noticed all of my packages are arriving in one day, so that must be why! 🙂
Psst! Did you see that you can also now pick your delivery day as a Prime member?
Not a Prime member? Sign up for a free 30-day trial to see what it’s all about and take advantage of free one-day or two-day shipping!
Kohl’s will Accept Amazon Returns in All Locations Starting in July 2019
Kohl’s will Accept Amazon Returns in All Locations Starting in July 2019
If you live near a Kohl’s, this is fantastic news! Kohl’s will now be accepting Amazon returns!
Starting in July 2019, Kohl’s will begin accepting Amazon returns in all locations! Stores will accept “eligible Amazon items,” without a box or label, regardless of the reason, and ship them to Amazon for free.
You can read more about this here.
Thanks, Freebie Shark!