These Healthy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries are a new family favorite. They are very simple to make (only two ingredients!), you basically can’t mess up the recipe, and they are packed with nutrition!
Sweet Potato Fries are the BEST!
As most of you know, I completely revamped my lifestyle and diet about 7 months ago. And it’s totally changed my life in some really profound ways.
I’ve tried a lot of new things as part of that — including vegetables for breakfast! — and have found some recipes and food combinations that I absolutely love… including these amazing sweet potato fries!
A word of warning, though: these are crazy addictive.
And when you know that they are healthy, it’s hard not to just keep eating and eating them until half the pan is gone. Ask me how I know! 😉
Ingredients for Sweet Potato Fries
- Sweet Potatoes
- Oil (I use grapeseed oil, but olive oil or any other oil would work too.)
How to Make Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
1. Preheat oven to 450ºF.
2. Wash and peel potatoes.
3. Slice potatoes into fries
4. Spread fries out onto a baking sheet.
5. Drizzle oil over.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 20-35 minutes, flipping them with a spatula 1 or 2 times during the cooking.
The baking time will depend upon how thin or thick your fries are sliced, how many fries you put on your baking sheet, and also how crispy you like your fries.
7. Let cool at least 5 minutes before serving.
8. Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container.
Health Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients
- sweet potatoes
- oil grapeseed, olive, vegetable, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450ºF.
- Wash and peel potatoes.
- Slice into fries
- Spread fries out onto a baking sheet.
- Drizzle oil over.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20-35 minutes, flipping them with a spatula 1 or 2 times during the cooking.
- Let cool at least 5 minutes before serving.
- Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container.
Notes
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Brigette’s $87 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Brigette’s $87 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Aldi
1 8-oz pkg Deli Sliced Muenster Cheese – $1.89
1 2-lb bag Shredded Mozarella Cheese – $5.89
1 2-lb bag Shredded Cheddar Cheese – $5.89
1 1-lb bag Oven Roasted Turkey Deli Meat – $3.19
1 box Honey Crunch Oats – $1.49
2 boxes Raisin Bran – $3.58
2 cans Green Beans – $0.98
1 can Baking Cocoa – $2.19
1 pkg Sliced Pepperoni – $2.19
1 gallon Whole Milk – $2.27
2 64-oz cartons Orange Juice – $3.38
1 bag Nacho Cheese Chips – $1.09
2 1-lb bags Fresh Asparagus – $2.98
1 pkg Romaine Hearts – $1.99
2 pkgs Broccoli Crowns – $2.38
1 bag Flat Leaf Spinach – $1.49
2 heads Cauliflower – $4.58
2 bags Mini Sweet Peppers – $3.98
1 bag Radishes – $0.99
1 16-oz jar Organic Olive Oil – $3.99
1 dozen Eggs – $0.89
1 pkg Zucchini – $2.49
1 2-ct pkg Tomatoes – $1.69
1 bunch Bananas (2.19lbs @ $0.39/lb) – $0.85
2 16-oz cartons Egg Whites – $3.98
1 Pineapple – $0.99
1 pint Grape Tomatoes – $1.89
Total: $69.19
Harris Teeter
3 15-oz bags Galbani String Cheese – $7.03, used 3 $1.00/1 printables from galbanicheese.com – $4.03/3 after coupons
1 4-lb bag Dixie Crystal Sugar – $2.50, used $0.55/1 Dixie Crystals Granulated, Poly Bag Brown or Powdered Sugar – 3-26-17 SS; Includes Granulated, 4 lb or Poly Bag, 2 lb Only; DND (exp. 04/30/17) (doubled) – $1.40
2 Quaker Real Medleys – $2.50, used $1.00/2 Quaker Real Medleys Oatmeal – 3-12-17 RP (exp. 04/23/17), plus receive $2.00 rebate back from Checkout 51 – $0.50 MM after coupon and rebates
3 boxes Kellogg’s Special K Nourish – $5.97, used 3 $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $2.97/3 after coupons
1 Atkins Harvest Bar – $1.00, receive $1.00 rebate from Checkout 51 – FREE after rebate
2 boxes Horizon’s Organic Fruit Snacks – $3.98, used 2 $0.55/1 printable (doubled) – $1.78/2 after coupons
10 Yoplait yogurts – $3.70, used 2 $0.50/5 printable (doubled) – $1.70/10 after coupons
3 pkgs Trident Gum – $2.08, used $1.59/3 printable, plus receive $1.50/3 back from Ibotta – $1.01 MM after coupon and rebate
Meal Deal:
1 pkg Hormel Bacon, used $0.50/1 Hormel Black Label Bacon Product – 3-12-17 SS (exp. 05/08/17) (doubled)
1 16-oz Half and Half
1 10-ct box Seattle’s Best Hazelnut K-cups, used $1.00/1 Seattle Best Coffee K Cups – 3-19-17 SS; Includes 10 or 16 ct (exp. 05/19/17)
1 pkg Thomas English Muffins
1 dozen Eggs
~$7.99 for all 5 items after coupons
Total after coupons and rebates: $18.36
Weekly Total for all Groceries: $87.55
Weekly Menu Plan
We have lots of fruit leftover from previous weeks that need to be used up!
Breakfasts
Cereal x 3
Toast, Smoothies x 2
Oatmeal with Apples x 2
Lunches
Veggie Omelets, Fruit x 2
Baked Potatoes with Broccoli and Cheese x 2
Leftovers x 3
Dinners
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwiches on English Muffins, Roasted Broccoli
Taco Salad (this is a weekly staple at our house since the children continue to beg for it – I can’t complain since it is SUPER simple to make! We use ground venison for taco meat), Fruit Salad
Chicken Gravy over Basmati Rice, Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower, Tossed Salad
Sub Sandwiches (I’ve been craving these for some unknown reason :)), Fresh Veggies with Ranch Dip
Grilled Chicken, Grilled Asparagus, Garlic Cheese Biscuits (I don’t have any Bisquick so will have to come up with a homemade concoction to substitute)
Upside Down Pizza (I’m going to use pepperoni instead of hamburger), Green Beans, Fruit Salad
Leftovers
I got all of this at Kroger for just $8.24!!
I went to Kroger a few days ago to take advantage of some freebie coupons I had and I was so excited with the deals that I found!
Only one coupon — the Gillette Razor coupon — was one I had signed up for online. The other freebie coupons were ones that Kroger sent to me in the mail.
For years, we stopped getting Kroger coupons in the mail. I think it was because we had forgotten to change our address on our account when we moved.
So we recently got a new card and put our new address on it. Well, would you know it? Within a few weeks, we got a packet full of amazing free coupons in the mail! And then we just got another packet of high-value coupons a few weeks later!
My Kroger Deals
In addition to some freebies I got, I also found some great markdowns at Kroger, too! Here are the deals I got:
- 2 loaves of Whole Wheat Bread — marked down to $1.49 per loaf
- Dole Salad Blend — originally $3.49, used FREE coupon
- Jif Peanut Butter — originally $2.69, used FREE coupon
- Silk Almond Milk — originally $2.69, used FREE coupon
- Suja juice — marked down to $0.79, used $1/1 Kroger coupon = FREE + overage!
- 1 package Private Selections Bacon — originally $4.29, used FREE coupon
- Gillette razor — originally $9.99, used FREE coupon
- 2 pounds of bananas — marked down to $0.78
- 3 bags of avocados — marked down to $0.99 per bag (there were 6-7 avocados in each bag!)
My total with tax ($1.72) was $8.24!! You can watch my video here where I share more about this grocery haul.
What are you going to do with all those avocados???
Yes, I know that that is a LOT of avocados. And many of you asked right away when I posted this on Instagram Stories, what on EARTH are you going to do with all those avocados.
I asked for suggestions from you all on how to use them and I ended up taking your advice and decided to try freezing them.
You can watch this video to see how I froze them. And then look for a post soon with more details and step-by-step instructions.
Gretchen’s $50 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan
1.03 lbs Asparagus – $1.32
2 Cantaloupes – $1 each
1.51 lbs Roma Tomatoes – $0.76
2 Cucumbers – $0.50 each
1 Celery Stalks – $0.88, used $0.10 Mobisave rebate – $0.78 after rebate
2.48 lb pkg Ground Beef – $6.19
Total: $12.15
Aldi
1 pkg Tilapia Fillets – $3.39
1 pkg Boneless Chicken Breasts – $5.99
1 pkg Chocolate Chips – $1.49
1 dozen Eggs – $0.58
1 pkg Flour Tortillas – $0.99
1 pkg Hamburger Buns – $0.85
1 Half & Half – $1.79
1 bag Pink Lady Apples – $1.99
1 pkg Rice Cakes – $1.29
1 pkg Baby Carrots – $0.99, used $0.25 Checkout 51 rebate – $0.74 after rebate
1 jar Pasta Sauce – $0.99
1 lb Butter – $2.69
Total after rebate: $22.78
Dillons
2 pkg Kroger Cheese – $1.88 each, used $0.65/2 e-coupon – $1.55 each after coupon
1 Noosa Yogurt – $1.99, used Free coupon I received in the mail (took off $3.49!) – Free plus overage after coupon
1 gallon Chocolate Milk – $1.88
1 gallon Milk – $1.88
1 Moms Best Cereal – $1.67
1.51 lbs Grapes – $1.48
3 Totino’s Frozen Pizza – $1 each, used $1/3 e-coupon – $0.67 each after coupon
1 Kroger American Sliced Cheese – $1.88
1 box Horizon Mac & Cheese – $1
1 Tostino’s Salsa – $3, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon
1 Romaine Lettuce – $1.49
2.07 lbs Bananas – $1.22
1 Hormel Natural Choice Snacks – $1.49, used $1/1 e-coupon AND $0.75 Mobisave rebate – Free plus overage after coupon and rebate
1 Luna Bar – $1, used $0.75/1 catalina coupon – $0.25 after coupon
Used $0.25 Ibotta rebate for any receipt
Total after coupons and rebates: $15.85
Total for all grocery items: $50.78
Menu Plan for This Week
Breakfasts
Eggs, Spinach, Banana Bread x 4
Cereal x 2
Breakfast out (My mother-in-law is taking us out to breakfast!)
Lunches
Cheese, Crackers, Fruit, Veggies x 2
Peanut Butter & Jelly Rice Cake Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks x 2
Lunch at my parent’s
Leftovers x 2
Dinners
Grilled Hamburgers and Tilapia, Sliced Apples
Turkey Sandwiches (with leftover turkey from last week), Chips, Carrots
Soft Tacos, Cantaloupe
Salad Bar with Grilled Chicken
Spaghetti, Biscuits, Steamed Asparagus
Pancakes, Eggs, Fruit Salad
Southwest Rollups, Homemade Applesauce, Green Beans
Why I Buy Almost All of My Jewelry at Kohl’s
I love jewelry! It’s such a fun and quick way to take a simple outfit and make it look much cuter or more professional. It’s also a way that I mix things up while still having a very simple wardrobe.
If you watch my Facebook Lives, you already know that my very favorite place in all the world to get great deals on jewelry is the Kohl’s clearance rack. I rarely wear jewelry that comes from anywhere else (unless it’s from my free Rocksbox jewelry!)
Here’s why I love shopping the Kohl’s clearance rack:
1. The Prices Are Fantastic
Seriously, where else can you find cute and durable earrings for as low as $2.80? I know! Kohl’s clearance is the best!
Don’t look at their sale prices; head straight to the clearance section — the one where the jewelry has bright yellow tags and is usually marked down by 80% to 90%. That’s where it’s basically a jewelry goldmine!
Hot Savings Tip: Download the Kohl’s app and log onto the Kohl’s wifi while in-store and check what coupons you have in your wallet on their app. There will usually be some great coupons — often one for 15% off that you can stack with the great clearance deals to make them even better.
2. The Selection is {Usually} Great
You might have to dig a little, but take your time and really start looking through the racks, and looking back behind the jewelry at the front of each rack. Because the more you dig, the more you’ll probably uncover some really great pieces at really great prices.
3. The Quality is Good
I’ve purchased a number of different pieces of jewelry from Kohl’s over the years that I have worn again and again and again. And I’ve never had an issue with quality or a piece of jewelry not holding up well!
Want to see all the details on the jewelry I got from the clearance rack last week? Watch my video here.
Where do YOU find great deals on jewelry? I’d love to hear!
A Peek Into My Life This Past Week
Welcome to my weekly Sunday post where we take a break from money-related posts and I share about what I’m loving right now and give you a little peek into our life from the past week.
What I’m Reading
I finished the Lilac Girls audiobook and I have to tell you (now that I’m finished with it!) that I loved it. I think the fact that it is so well narrated has made it such a good listen and I’d highly recommend it on audiobook. It’s a really compelling, tragic, and gripping story of the horrors of concentration camps.
(Note: I almost stopped listening to it because there was some edge-y stuff in the first part and I was afraid it was going to get worse as progressed. But it ended up getting quite a bit better as it progressed. Do note that it it is very much PG-13 and I would only recommend listening to it with headphones in if you have kids at your house!)
I’m also almost finished with Different by Sally & Nathan Clarkson and have found it to be pretty good. It’s been encouraging with fresh ideas to love my children and their individual unique personalities well.
This week, I’m reading: Thou Givest, They Gather (an old Christian reprint), Unashamed (a spiritually encouraging book), 10% Happier (a story-driven book), and The Big Leap (a book on life improvement).
{See my Reading Goals for 2017. Also, see the 33 books I’ve read so far in 2017 here.}
https://www.facebook.com/lisajobaker/videos/10154482527877897/
What I’m Watching
In addition to watching some basketball games (and mourning the fact that all the Kansas teams are out of the tournament!), we also watched the latest episode of Designated Survivor.
I also enjoyed watching this clip of my friend, Lisa-Jo Baker, speaking on friendship at a conference this week.
What I’m Listening To
I have listened to this song on repeat this past week. I just love it. Such a powerful reminder. (I actually love the rendition on this album best. It’s available to listen to/download in Amazon Prime Music.)
I also loved the Cultivating the Lovely podcast with guest Mystie Winkler on Myers-Briggs. I have so much to learn about Myers-Briggs and just loved the insights that Mystie shared!
What I’m Loving
I know I’ve talked about it before, but humor me as I talk about my frother again. Because I just adore this appliance!
Who needs coffee when you can have a Rooibos Chai Latte made in just a few minutes at home? Go here for the recipe and a video of me showing you how to make it/use the frother.
It’s SO easy, so yummy, and I can’t even begin to tell you how much better I feel now that I drink this instead of coffee!
What I’m Celebrating
As of this past week, Kaitlynn is landing her Double Salchow!!!! This girl’s fierce determination inspires me so much.
Learning your jumps means you fall way more than you actually land a jump. And a lot of the falls are the kind of full-on falls that you can hear from the stands. OUCH!
If I fell like that once, I’d likely need to be taken off the ice on a stretcher. But this girl, she just gets right back up and tries again.
Watch a video here of her landing this jump.
What I’m Learning
I had one day this past week where I was just “off” all day. I felt like I was in a funk… unmotivated, uninspired, and undisciplined.
I felt like I was just productively procrastinating all day. And at 2:30 pm when Jesse texted me from the ice-skating rink to tell me the repairman was coming over, I still was in my sweaty workout clothes from the morning!!
After running in circles most of the day and wasting time on the internet, I started mentally beating myself up. I expressed my frustration over my lack of discipline to Jesse and he said, “You’re allowed to have one bad day every once in awhile. Look at the weeks and weeks of good days you’ve had recently and cut yourself some slack.”
He’s right. Not every day will be an amazing day. Otherwise, you wouldn’t know what an amazing day was because there would be no bad days to compare it to!
What I’m Pondering
“Mom, it just felt like you were trying to control things. That bothered me.” I was surprised and taken aback when one of my kids told me this matter-of-factly this week.
We had just gone to our first Escape Room as a family. (Where you get blind-folded and hand-cuffed and left in a dark room and you have to find clues and crack different codes to unlock various locks that lead to more clues that finally lead to the code you need to successfully escape the room before an hour is up.)
Truthfully, when we were there, I had felt sort of impatient with the kids all hollering out different numbers and ideas and trying to figure out clues. It seemed like they were just going around in circles and not really helping much. But I never expressed this aloud.
However, they sensed it. And after we had “broken out”, they told me they wished I had let them try to figure more things out themselves instead of me trying to “lead” the experience and get us out in time.
Honestly, I thought I was being helpful by doing so. But their words reminded me that I need to step back more and let my kids work on figuring things out without my micro-management. I need to give them space to try. Space to fail.
They aren’t babies and toddlers any more. They need to learn lessons through trial and error. They need to make some mistakes. They don’t need me to fix everything for them or solve everything for them.
I want to work on doing a better job of walking with them in this season. Holding their hand when they need a hand to hold. And letting go of their hand giving them the space they need when they need it.
I will be on the sidelines cheering, but, as they get older, it’s not my job to be in the race carrying them to the finish line. They need to learn to run themselves.
I want raise self-sufficient/God-sufficient adults to send into the world to make a difference, not children who constantly depend on me to fix or solve every problem for them.
Letting go is hard… but it’s one of the most loving things I can do for them as they grow older!
In Case You Missed It
My posts from this past week:
- 9 Freezer-Friendly Breakfast Recipes to Simplify Your Mornings
- 5 Freebies I Got In My Mailbox Recently
- I’m Giving Away a FREE Laptop! Enter to Win!
My YouTube videos from this past week:
7 Tips to Successfully Navigate Yard Sales
Guest post from Micah of Home Faith Family:
With the warmer weather approaching and neighborhoods coming back to life, there’s no doubt you’ll soon be seeing those bright pink and green signs on the street corners with arrows pointing in hundreds of directions.
Why should you care about other people’s stuff? I asked my husband this same question (I didn’t grow up yard selling and thought only junk was sold). I am so glad my sweetheart proved me wrong.
My family and I have literally saved thousands of dollars from yard sales each week. We were able to purchase the children’s clothes, new kitchen appliances, needed baby supplies that would have otherwise broken the bank, the kid’s Christmas presents, and so much more. And everything we have bought has been in great or new condition.
So, grab your local Friday and Saturday newspaper (online or print) and other social media outlets to map out your route and have fun!
Here are 7 tips to help you successfully navigate and save money at yard sales.
Tip 1: Wake Up Early
Most yard sales start at 8 a.m., however, I’ve known several to start at 7 a.m.! Set an alarm, go to bed early on Friday night, and be committed.
I will admit, I struggle with early morning wake-up time, but I promise that once you get going on your day (have a quick cup of hot chocolate to help wake you up), the money you will save is worth it.
Tip 2: Make it a Family Affair
Would you believe me if I told you we take our three children (all under the age of three) yard selling? Would you believe me if I told you it’s not as crazy, scary, or as inconvenient as it sounds?
By taking our children to the yard sales, we are teaching them basic financial principles and skills at a young age.
There was one home our family went to and our daughter saw something she really wanted. She had a certain dollar amount to spend (which she earned). If she’s able to make a decent argument for purchasing the item then we give her the money.
My husband is starting to work with her on negotiation skills, which brings us to our next tip.
Tip 3: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
Never be afraid to ask or suggest a lower price. My husband and I were at a home where there was an 8.5-quart crock pot (brand new, still in box) for sale. The people wanted $20, and I asked if they would be willing to consider $10.
They said “YES!”
When you ask for a lower price you are saving yourself more money. Plus, if they don’t want to sell the items at a lower price, they will say no.
If they DO say no, your next question should be, “how low are you willing to go?”
Never ask, “are you willing to go any lower?” This is a yes/no question and cuts off all negotiation.
The reason for asking the “how” question is to start a conversation about prices. Finally, you need to ask yourself “are you willing to pay ‘x’ amount of dollars for the item you are wanting?”
Tip 4: Bundle
When you arrive at a home that seems to have everything you’re looking for, be ready to negotiate and work out a lower price with the owner. A great way of doing this is to bundle items together and request a lower price for the whole lot.
For example, if you’re buying a bunch of items and the total is $18.75, you can be comfortable offering between $15-18.
The important thing to remember is the majority of people are willing to work with their customers and generally want their “stuff” gone. They are willing to sell at any decent asking price.
Tip 5: Don’t Offend
When negotiating prices, don’t point out the faults in the item. It’s dirty, it has holes in it, stains, scratches, etc. This will not help you win the seller over, in fact, it’ll usually make them mad.
Tip 6: Look Anyways
There have been so many yard sales that look like they have nothing, but after stopping, we find many wonderful treasures.
This was the case for my husband. We went to a home and all I saw was tables and tables and tables of clothes. He still had us pull over anyway and he found a brand new CB radio (one he’s had his eyes on for months now). The CB radio retails for a little over $100 but the seller was only asking for $20. This hasn’t been the first time something like this has happened to us. Always look!
Tip 7: Have Fun!
It’s important to have fun, otherwise you won’t enjoy going to yard sales.
As you wake up early, invite your family to come along, learn to ask for a lower price, and have fun, you will be saving your family money all while finding great deals.
Please leave a comment and let us know more about your favorite yard sale finds.
Micah Klug, author of “50 Freezer Meals: Easy Dinners for the Busy Family” runs the Home Faith Family blog to help people strengthen their home, faith, and family by living simple without losing quality or sanity.
9 Freezer-Friendly Breakfast Recipes to Simplify Your Mornings
9 Freezer-Friendly Breakfast Recipes to Simplify Your Mornings
Prepping breakfasts ahead of time is one of my tried and true ways of simplifying my weekday mornings. I love being able to wake up to healthful breakfast foods that I can pull from the freezer, heat up in a matter of seconds, and feed to my family.
These have been some of my go-to freezer-friendly breakfast recipes for years…
1. Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets — This one is extremely easy to prep ahead of time, and the kids love helping out with this one!
2. Baked Oatmeal — My husband and children rave about this recipe! It’s ridiculously easy to make and it freezes beautifully.
3. Whole Wheat Chocolate Pancakes — Our family loves pancakes, and this recipe is always a hit in our house!
4. Breakfast Burritos — I originally started making these after trying to come up with a homemade alternative to my husband’s favorite McDonald’s breakfast burritos. They are perfect for breakfast-on-the-go, and they are probably loads healthier than the McDonald’s burritos. One thing is for sure, they are significantly less expensive!
Psst! You can also try these Homemade Hot Pockets — a great variation on the breakfast burrito!
5. Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Pancakes — This recipe is a family favorite that we’ve used countless times over the years. And when I can find a really healthful recipe that still tastes amazing — it’s a HUGE win in my book!
6. Carrot Cake Waffles — In all honesty, I wasn’t sure that I would be impressed with this recipe. When I originally first tried it, I really only made it because we had some carrots that needed to be used up. But it turned out to be a winner recipe. Jesse especially loved them and kept raving about how good they were.
7. Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Waffles — These are a little lighter and crispier than typical waffles, but they are delicious and definitely a winner gluten-free, dairy-free recipe!
8. Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls — I have made these over and over again throughout the years. I don’t think my husband would mind at all if I made these every single day. But seeing as I doubt we really need that many calories, we typically save these as a special Saturday breakfast.
9. Homemade Granola — This recipe comes from my sister, Brigette. It’s not the healthiest granola out there, but it’s definitely a winner in the taste category! It’s crunchy and chunky and sweet and everything you could possibly want in a bowl of granola.
What are some of your favorite make-ahead breakfast ideas? I’d love to hear!
FREE 50+ Easy and Cheap Breakfast Ideas!!
Mornings just got so much easier with this FREE list of 50+ Easy & Cheap Breakfast Ideas for Busy Weekday Mornings!
Brigette’s $79 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Brigette’s $79 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Aldi
2 gallons Whole Milk – $4.54
1 Value Pack Tilapia – $4.99
1 Cantaloupe – $1.19
1 Cauliflower – $2.29
1 Pineapple – $1.89
1 24-oz lowfat Cottage Cheese – $2.29
1 3-lb bag Mandarin Oranges – $3.99
2 pkgs Rice Cakes – $2.58
1 bunch Bananas (3.44lbs @ $0.44/lb) – $1.48
1 Feta Crumbles – $1.79
2 pkgs Romaine Hearts – $3.98
2 1-lb bags Fresh Green Beans – $1.98
1 5-lb bag Flour – $1.25
1 pkg Baby Artisan Lettuce – $1.99
1 pkg Zucchini – $2.49
1 2-lb bag Red Onions – $1.69
2 64-oz cartons Orange Juice – $3.38
1 10-lb bag Russet Potatoes – $3.49
1 bag Pecan Halves – $5.99
1 bag Chocolate Chips – $1.49
2 dozen Eggs – $1.18
1 24-oz jar Pasta Sauce – $0.99
1 pkg Strawberries – $1.99
1 2-lb bag Green Grapes – $3.79
1 2-lb bag Red Grapes – $3.79
Total: $70.49
Harris Teeter
2 gallons Coconut Milk – $5.00, used $1.00/2 printable – $4.00/2 after coupon
2 dozen Eggs (unfortunately, I bought these at Harris Teeter – and thought they were a good price until I got to Aldi – where they were an unadvertised special and priced even lower) – $1.54
2 pkgs Go-Gurt – $3.34, used $0.75/2 printable (doubled) – $1.84/2 after coupons
1 pkg Mariani Dried Cranberries – $1.65, used $1.00/1 Mariani Premium Dried Fruit – 2-12-17 SS; Includes 3 oz or larger only (exp. 04/16/17) – $0.65
3 boxes Frosted Flakes – $5.67, used 3 $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $1.17/3 after coupons
Total: $9.20
Grocery Total for the Week: $79.69
Weekly Menu Plan
Breakfasts
Cereal or Smoothies x 3
Oatmeal and Fruit x 2
Eggs and Toast x 2
Lunches
Baked Potatoes with Cheese, Grapes, Carrots x 2
Rice Cakes with Peanut Butter, Yogurt, Pineapple, Carrots x 2
Leftovers x 3
Dinners
Grilled Chicken, Cranberry Pecan Salad, Butterhorns, Steamed Green Beans, Fruit Salad, Cheesy Hash Brown Potatoes (Company for Dinner)
Taco Salad, Mexican Rice, Fresh Fruit
Pan Fried Tilapia, Roasted Cauliflower, Pecan Pie Muffins
Hamburgers, Tossed Salad, Oven Roasted Parmesan Potatoes
Fluffy Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Parmesan Zucchini, Fruit Salad
Three-Cheese Baked Spaghetti, Homemade French Bread, Peas
Leftovers
Gretchen’s $51 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan
Dillons
1 pkg Kroger Frozen Chicken Breasts – $6.99, used $1.50/1 e-coupon – $5.49 after coupon
2 pkg Kroger Flour – $1.79 each, used 2 $0.40/1 e-coupons – $1.39 each after coupons
5 Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurts – Marked down to $0.69 each, used $0.25 Ibotta rebate
1.96 lbs Bananas – $1.16
1 bag Apples – Marked down to $0.99
1 Nissin Cup Noodles – $0.39, used Free e-coupon (no longer available)- Free after coupon
1 Breyer’s Vanilla Ice Cream – $3.49
1 Romaine Lettuce – $0.99
1 Annie’s Mac & Cheese – $1
2 Kraft Italian Dressing – $2.49 each, used Buy One Get One Free e-coupon – $1.25 each after coupon
1 Kraft BBQ Sauce – $1.79
1 V8 Energy Drink – $1.25, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon
1 Kroger Cinnamon Rolls – $1, used $0.50/1 e-coupon – $0.50 after coupon
Used $0.25 Ibotta rebate (for scanning receipt)
Total after coupons and rebates: $24.13
Aldi
2 cans Cream of Chicken/Mushroom Soup – $0.49 each
1 pkg Green Peppers – $1.29
2 dozen Eggs – $0.67 each
1 jar Pasta Sauce – $0.99
1 pkg Spinach – $1.49
1 Unsweetened Applesauce – $1.89
1 pkg Rice Cakes – $1.29
2 lbs Ground Beef – $2.69 each
1 pkg Roma Tomatoes – $1.49
2 Cucumbers – $0.49 each
1 pkg Fruit & Grain Cereal Bars – $1.39
1 pkg Cinnamon Raisin Bread – $1.49
1 pkg Flour Tortillas – $0.99
1 pkg Cheddar Cheese – $1.89
1 pkg Turkey Deli Meat – $2.39
1 Grape Jelly – $1.39, used $0.10 Mobisave rebate – $1.29 after rebate
1 loaf Bread – $0.99
Total after rebate: $27.55
Total for all groceries: $51.68
Menu Plan for This Week
Breakfasts
Toast, Eggs & Spinach x 4
Cereal x 2
Cinnamon Rolls & Eggs
Lunches
Macaroni & Cheese, Sliced Green Peppers, Carrot Sticks
Turkey Sandwiches, Sliced Cucumbers, Bananas
Peanut Butter & Jelly Rice Cake Sandwiches, Veggies
Sliced Apples & Peanut Butter, Crackers
Leftovers x 3
Dinners
Chicken Noodle Casserole, Fruit
Italian Chicken, Biscuits, Green Beans
Barbecue Meatballs, Tossed Salad, Mashed Potatoes
Spaghetti, Steamed Peas, Toast
Venison Roast, Potatoes, Carrots, Spinach Salad
Chicken Fajitas, Rice, Tossed Salad
Out to eat
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A Peek Into My Life This Past Week
Welcome to my weekly Sunday post where we take a break from money-related posts and I share about what I’m loving right now and give you a little peek into our life from the past week.
What I’m Reading
I am almost finished with listening to the Lilac Girls audiobook and have really loved it. I think the fact that it is so well narrated has made it such a good listen. It’s a really compelling, tragic, and gripping story of the horrors of concentration camps.
(Note: I almost stopped listening to it because there was some edge-y stuff in the first part and I was afraid it was going to get worse as progressed. But it ended up getting quite a bit better as it progressed. Do note that it it is very much PG-13 and I would only recommend listening to it with headphones in if you have kids at your house!)
I also started reading Different by Sally & Nathan Clarkson — at the raving recommendation of many of you.
What I’m Celebrating
At the beginning of this year, I made the commitment to develop the habit of compartmentalizing work and family more and to be completely offline for at least 5 hours every day.
You guys, I can’t even begin to tell you what a difference this has made! I’m able to be so much more fully present with work during work hours and with my family during my offline hours.
The other night, I was sitting on the couch while Kaitlynn spent 45 minutes playing with my hair (something she loves to do) and Silas was sitting beside me at my feet and we were just together. With no agenda. With no to do list. And I didn’t have a laptop or a phone — or even a book! I was just there… fully present soaking up the everyday-ness of our ordinary, but beautiful life.
Me being completely offline for a big block of time every day means I say “Hurry up!” a lot less. It means I can fully engage with my family without constantly checking the time. It means that — more and more — this slower, relaxed just being together with no agenda thing that used to be so foreign to me is becoming the norm.
Here’s the interesting thing: I thought that working more hours = getting more done. In reality, I’m learning that working fewer hours means I’m a lot more productive, focused, and efficient during those hours. And I’m getting a lot better at prioritizing what is really important and what can just be skipped or saved to do later.
What I’m Trying
I told you last week how I was trying to assign specific chores to specific days of the week. I’m super excited about my new Home Management Binder that I’ve been working on for the past two weeks, inspired by the Home Management How To Course.
Each day of the week is assigned a specific chore/task area and then I put together lists for that chore area. I’m also putting a sticky note on each page for me to add other ideas/tasks for that area that I think of throughout the week.
I’ve been gently easing into this system for the past week — despite initially thinking it would never work for us! — and I’ve been shocked at the difference it is making and how well it is working!
You can watch my video here where I explain about the binder in greater detail and share how I’m using it to keep our home and life in better order
What I’m Watching
We watched the latest episode of Designated Survivor this week and we’re continuing to really enjoy this show!
We’re also watching a lot of basketball around here as we cheer on our favorite teams in the NCAA tournament. We all filled out brackets this year, and so we’re all a lot more invested in who wins! 🙂
Unfortunately, I picked Villanova to win the championship on my bracket… so, as Silas told me yesterday, my bracket is busted! 😉 {And if you want to read a funny story about me and how I have a lot to learn when it comes to being a sports moms, go here to read my Instagram post.}
But regardless of the fact that my bracket picks weren’t that great, I’m loving getting to share this with Silas and to be excited with him about something he’s really excited about!
What I’m Learning
For years, I was a huge proponent of the whole “Get up before your kids get up so you can start the day with some quiet.” I wrote blog posts about it. I talked about it in my book. I spoke about it at conferences. And I practiced it religiously.
I still think it can be a great practice — especially for homeschooling moms and moms with babies and toddlers. However, it’s a practice I’ve almost completely given up this year. Which might surprise and shock some of you. But it’s been such a good change for our current season.
You see, I’m making sleep more of a priority and sleeping in until 6:30 or 7 am most mornings. Plus, our kids need to be up by 7 am to be out the door to school by 7:50 am 4 mornings a week.
It wasn’t working for me to get enough sleep, get up and get some quiet, and get the kids out the door by 7:50 am.
So instead of trying for all three things, I changed my approach and made my new mantra: “Get up and devote the first hour of the day to my kids.”
You know how much I love this first hour of the day now? It’s when I get to really talk with my kids, help them with whatever they need help with, make sure they have their lunches packed, help the girls with their hair, sit and snuggle with a child who needs a little extra TLC, and just be fully present and available for the kids.
It allows the mornings to be calm, non-stressed, non-rushed, and often is when I have some of the best conversations with the kids. I love starting the day with making sure their love tanks are filled up — and I’m pretty sure it means that their day starts on a good foot, too!
And yes, I still get in some quiet time — it just doesn’t happen first thing in the morning anymore. And I’m okay with that!
What I’m Pondering
Recently, I’ve noticed many comments from women who are feeling weighed down with guilt that they just aren’t doing a good enough job at life.
That they should do more, get up earlier, be more disciplined, or just plain “get it together”. I can guarantee you this: if you think another woman has unlocked the secret to a perfectly happy life with no issues or struggles or failures, you are believing a lie.
Because we all have our areas we struggle in.
For instance, those of you who have said you wished you could be more like me. Well, here’s some reality for you…
I had a heated argument with my husband earlier this week that took 24 hours to resolve. And it was started by me about something utterly ridiculous. (#wifefail)
I forgot to feed my son before his baseball game on Thursday. Yes, as in, it didn’t hit me that he hadn’t eaten until we were in the car, on the way to the game — and we were running late. Jesse had to go pick up food during the game and have him eat while he had a chance in the dugout. (#momfail)
And one of my dear friends texted me really, really upset about a situation on Wednesday afternoon and I didn’t get a chance to text her back until Thursday night. (#friendfail)
And those are just a few situations from this week.
You guys. I don’t have my act all together here. And neither does anyone else.
So let’s stop comparing ourselves to impossible fantasies we’ve created in our heads about the perfect lives of other women
Comparison will steal your momentum, kill your contentment, and strangle your joy.
Embrace your strengths. Accept your weaknesses. Celebrate your successes. Give yourself grace when you fail. And, for Pete’s sake, stop beating yourself up for stuff. It’s really okay to go against the grain or be different or make choices that maybe other people don’t get.
Do what is best for you and your own family — and don’t ever feel like you need to apologize for it!
In Case You Missed It
My posts from this past week:
- Hard-Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot
- When It Feels Like You’ll Never Get Out of Debt
- 5 Ways You Can Make a Difference — Even on a Budget
My YouTube video from this past week:
Congratulations to Donna who won the stack of books I gave away last week. You should have received an email from me with details on claiming your prize.
Hard-Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot
Hardboiled eggs are super quick and easy in the Instant Pot — only 5 minutes! Let me hold your hand and show you exactly how to do it, step-by-step!
I bought a 7-in1 Instant Pot when it was marked down during a Black Friday sale but when I saw all of the buttons, I got scared.
People had told me that this was a MUST HAVE appliance and after enough people told me I really needed to buy it, I finally caved.
But then I regretted the decision. Because it felt overwhelming.
You see, I’d never used a Pressure Cooker before… ever. And I was completely unfamiliar with Pressure Cooking.
So I worried that I would blow something up trying to use it.
The Instant Pot sat in the box until a few weeks ago, when I got brave and decided if I didn’t ever get it out of the box, I would never actually find out whether it was worth using or not.
Many people had suggested starting with Hard Boiled Eggs because they are so easy to make and “almost impossible to mess up”, or so I was told.
I’ve made hard boiled eggs at least a thousand times in my lifetime, so I figured they were a good recipe to start with.
I found instructions online and read over them at least 5 times. I had pretty much memorized them and felt like, “I got this!”
However, because I knew that I needed all the hand-holding I could get, I decided to hop on Facebook Live while I was attempting the recipe.
Oh my! I am SO glad I did because, without all the help from my Facebook followers, I may have blown something up or burned myself… or at least have ruined the batch of eggs!
The first time of using it was quite the adventure. But once I had done it, I felt so empowered. And it was a LOT easier the next time around.
I am quickly falling in love with my Instant Pot. I love that I can cook so many different things in it so quickly. I love that I can put the ingredients in it and set the timer and then just leave it — instead of having to watch the stove, wait for the water to boil, and/or make sure the water doesn’t boil over.
I’ve just barely scratched the surface of the world of Instant Pots and I am starting to clearly understand why people are such raving fans of this appliance! There’s so much it can do — and it makes eating at home and getting dinner on the table so much easier!
There are many, many bloggers out there who are sharing incredible Instant Pot recipes. However, I knew there are some of you who haven’t yet gotten your Instant Pot out of the box and you are feeling scared, just like I was.
So I thought it would be fun to share some very beginning Instant Pot recipes on my blog over the next few months as I learn how to use my Instant Pot. My hope is that these will inspire you to not let your Instant Pot sit in the box any longer! Get it out and start using it — you’ll be so glad you did!
Ingredients for Eggs in the Instant Pot
- eggs
- 1 cup tap water
- ice
How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot
1. Get out your Instant Pot. (You can wash it and try the water test first. I didn’t… shh! Don’t tell anyone!)
2. Pour one cup water into the removable pot (that’s the metal pot shown in the photo above).
3. Put the wire rack (shown in the photo below) into the removable pot.
4. Put the number of eggs you want to boil on the wire rack.
5. Plug your Instant Pot in. Turn it on and press MANUAL.
6. Adjust the + button to 5 (for 5 minutes).
7. Line up the arrows on the lid and turn the lid until it locks (and sings music to you!)
8. Make sure the lid is closed and turn the vent lock to closed (turn it to sealing).
This vent lock is loose — or at least it is on mine. Just make sure it is turned to sealing not venting. (See a photo here with more details on this. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.)
It will take about 5 minutes for the Instant Pot to heat up. It will start making hissing noises. Don’t be alarmed.
9. Once it is heated up, it will start counting down from 5 minutes down to zero.
10. Once it is at zero on the countdown, wait 5 minutes to let the pressure naturally release.
11. Then, use an oven mitt to turn the vent lock to venting (so that it’s open).
VERY IMPORTANT: This will shoot out steam. A lot of hot steam. This is releasing the pressure. Make sure you have on an oven mitt. Make sure there isn’t a cupboard or anything above your Instant Pot that all the steam is going to shoot up to. And KEEP YOUR FACE AND HANDS AWAY FROM THE VENT when you are turning it. It is HOT!
Let the steam fully release (the floating valve will drop down when it’s released).
12. Remove the eggs with tongs and put them in an ice bath for a few minutes. Or, you can put them in a strainer and run some cold water over them and let them cool.
13. Peel the eggs and enjoy! The peel will fall right off and the eggs will be beautifully cooked.
Okay, I know that sounds like a lot of steps. But trust me on this, after you’ve used your Instant Pot one time, it will be so much easier. I promise!
{Need some hand holding to make this recipe? Watch my video here.}
So get brave, get it out of the box, and make some amazing Hard Boiled Eggs!
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Equipment
Ingredients
- eggs
- 1 cup tap water
- ice
Instructions
- Get out your Instant Pot.
- Pour one cup water into the removable pot.
- Put the wire rack into the removable pot.
- Put the number of eggs you want to boil on the wire rack.
- Plug your Instant Pot in. Turn it on and press MANUAL.
- Adjust the + button to 5 (for 5 minutes).
- Line up the arrows on the lid and turn the lid until it locks.
- Make sure the lid is closed and turn the vent lock to closed (turn it to sealing).
- Once it is heated up, it will start counting down from 5 minutes down to zero.
- Once it is at zero on the countdown, wait 5 minutes to let the pressure naturally release.
- Then, use an oven mitt to turn the vent lock to venting (so that it’s open).
- Remove the eggs with tongs and put them in an ice bath for a few minutes.
- Peel the eggs and enjoy!
Love this recipe?
Make sure to share and save it on your favorite platform below!
What are YOUR favorite things to make in the Instant Pot? I’d love to hear!
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Brigette’s $53 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Brigette’s $53 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Aldi
2 boxes Raisin Bran – $3.58
2 cartons Egg Whites – $3.78
3 dozen Eggs – $2.67
1 bag Frozen Blueberries – $2.29
2 gallons Whole Milk – $4.56
1 can Tomato Sauce – $0.25
1 bag Frozen Peas – $0.95
1 pint Grape Tomatoes – $1.89
1 bag Lemons – $2.48
2 2-lb bag bags Carrots – $1.38, plus receive $0.25 back from Checkout 51
1 1-lb bag Baby Carrots – $0.99
2 cans Green Beans – $0.98
2 cans Diced Tomatoes – $0.98
1 bag Broccoli Crowns – $1.39
2 1-lb bags Fresh Asparagus – $3.98
1 bunch Bananas (2.11lbs @ 0.44/lb) – $0.93
1 8-oz carton Heavy Whipping Cream – $1.89
1 3-ct package Green Peppers – $1.19
2 24-oz jars Pasta Sauce – $1.98
2 heads Cabbage – $1.38
1 bag Radishes – $0.99
1 bag Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips – $1.09
1 pkg Romaine Hearts – $1.99
1 pkg Hamburger Buns – $0.85
1 pkg Fresh Zucchini – $1.99
Total: $46.12
Harris Teeter
1 Gatorade Fuel Bar – $1.27, used free catalina coupon – FREE after coupon
3 boxes Barilla Collezione Pasta – $5.00, used 3 $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $0.50/3 boxes after coupons
3 Naan Pita Bread – $4.50, used 3 $1.00/1 printable – $1.50/3 after coupons
3 loaves Arnold Premium Italian Bread – $4.48, used 3 $0.55/1 Arnold Bread Product – 1-1-17 SS; DND (exp. 04/01/17) (doubled) – $1.18/3 after coupons
2 boxes Zatarains Frozen Entrée – $3.98, used 2 $0.75/1 Zatarain’s frozen entree, RP 03/05 (doubled) -$1.98/2 after coupons (my husband will take these as lunches to work)
2 bags Frozen Okra – $2.00
Total after coupons: $7.16
Grocery Total for the Week: $53.28
Weekly Menu Plan
Breakfasts
Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal x 2 (we still have a few bags of apples to use up from my bulk purchase a few weeks ago)
Cereal x 3
Eggs, Toast x 2
Lunches
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Carrots, Apples x 2
Leftovers x 5
Dinners
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (recipe from my husband’s family), Mashed Potatoes, Blueberry Streusel Muffins
Hamburgers on the Grill, Grilled Broccoli and Zucchini, Baked Homemade French Fries
Cheese Pizza (using the Naan bread as crust), Tossed Salad
Grilled Chicken, Asparagus, Tossed Salad, Biscuits
Hamburger Vegetable Soup with Shredded Cheese, Easy Whole Wheat Bread
Hobo Packets, Homemade Applesauce, Easy Whole Wheat Bread
Leftovers
Snacks
Apples with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Apple Dip, Homemade Oatmeal Cookies (I will be using the okra to try a new recipe or two – snacks for me – from the Trim Healthy Mama cookbook)
When It Feels Like You’ll Never Get Out of Debt
We are trying to get out of debt and after going over numbers again today it never seems like it’s gonna happen, and after spending time crying today, I just need to get up and make it happen one step at a time. -Amber
Amber left this comment on my Instagram back in December and it’s one of those comments I’ve thought about a lot since reading it. I think many of you can probably relate.
Maybe it feels like you’re working so hard to make progress on paying off debt and for all your hard work, you have little or nothing to show for it.
You’re tired.
You’re worn out.
You’re sick of having to say no to extras in the budget.
You’re exhausted from working extra hours or having a spouse who is working extra hours.
Maybe you just got one credit card paid off and then you had a medical emergency and now you have the same amount of debt — or more! — to pay off.
It feels like you are fighting a losing battle.
You just can’t ever seem to really get ahead.
You’re frustrated that your husband didn’t get that raise he thought he was going to.
You’re tired of living in a less-than-desirable apartment that is too small for your family.
You’re overwhelmed by all the bills coming in, the rising costs of living, and just trying to make ends meet.
You just want to give up and give in… and maybe go shopping without having a bud
get, for once.
Can I just encourage you today? You are not alone.
There are many, many others out there who get what you are feeling. I read their comments and emails every week. And my heart hurts for you and the financial struggles that so many of you are going through.
Here’s what I want to encourage you with: Don’t give up. Don’t throw up your hands and give up on your budget.
You might feel like you are stuck, like there’s not a lot that you can do to fix or change your situation. But there is always something you can do!
What You CAN Do
- You can choose to make the most of today, exactly where you are. (“Bloom where you are planted!”)
- You can choose to look for the blessings and be grateful for them. (The more you look for something, the more you’ll usually see it!)
- You can choose to approach saving money as a game or a challenge. (“Let’s see how little we can live on today! Let’s see how far we can stretch this meat to last this week. Let’s see how creative we can be with what we have in our pantry!”)
- You can choose to celebrate any win, no matter how small. Because a win is a win! (You stayed within your small grocery budget this week? Totally a win! You put $5 extra toward your debt? Absolutely a win! You found a way to make do with what you had? 100% a win!)
- You can choose to focus on the next right thing you need to do — instead of being overwhelmed by everything you need to do, want to do, or feel like you should do. (When you start feeling completely overwhelmed, ask yourself: “What’s the next right thing for me to do?” And then just focus on doing that.)
- You can choose to set small goals — for today, for this week, for this month. (Stop focusing on big picture of how much debt you still have to pay off. Just focus on paying off the debt you can this week and this month.)
- You can choose to make the right decisions to help you make progress today. (How do you replace bad habits with good habits? By making one right decision at a time! You can do this!)
Take baby steps. Live fully present today. Do the next right thing. Don’t give up!
What encouragement do you have for Amber or others in her situation? Share in the comments!
5 Ways You Can Make a Difference — Even on a Tight Budget
Want to make a difference, but feel like that might not be possible since you are on a tight budget? Here are some ideas for ways to make a difference — even if you don’t have a lot of extra money or time!
1. Give Something Away
Look around your house. Do you own items you aren’t really using anymore that could bless someone else?
Maybe you have a book on your shelf that would really encourage a friend. Perhaps you have some baby clothes you no longer need that could help a new mom on a tight budget. Do you have exercise equipment you aren’t using that a friend could borrow or even just have?
I look around our home often and ask myself, “Is there anything here that we could give to someone else to bless them?” There’s so much joy that comes from sharing with others and I’d much rather give a book to a friend who would love to read it than just have it sitting on my shelf doing no good to no one.
If you don’t need it, don’t love it, or aren’t using it, look around to see if there’s someone who could be blessed by it.
I also pay attention to when someone says, “Oh! I love your shirt!” or “I’ve been wanting to read that book!” or “My son is growing out of his clothes so quickly!” If there’s some way that I can help someone or bless someone based upon these remarks (give them that shirt because I don’t really like it, loan them the book, or pass on some of my son’s clothes), I jump at the opportunity to do so!
It’s fun to surprise people in this way, too, because it shows that you care and that you were listening to what they were saying.
In addition, you can also share great deals you find with others. For instance, if you are a coupon queen and have built a stockpile of toiletries, household products, or cleaning items, donate some of them to a family in need in your neighborhood or to a local shelter.
You can also shop sales and clearance racks for significantly marked down merchandise you can donate to local families or organizations. Or, take some of these items you’ve gotten practically free and make bags of food and hygiene products for the homeless.
One of the Best Things You Can Give Away: A Smile!
A smile is a free gift you can give away to everyone you meet. And it’s a gift that everyone can use. Look around you and look for people to smile at. It costs nothing, it doesn’t really take any extra time, and it will make you feel great, too!
2. Volunteer Your Time & Talents
What gifts, skills, and talents do you have? What are you good at or have experience or special training in?
For me, I love to volunteer my time in helping other people develop their business, find creative ways to increase their income, or get their blog up and running. I can’t do this for everyone, but I love being able to help people and organizations as often as I can with this.
I also love being able to volunteer my time serving in the Kids’ Ministry at church, helping out in our kids’ classes at school, and looking for ways to reach out and encourage/help other friends and people in our life.
There are so many, many opportunities to volunteer and there’s no way you can do them all. But look around you and see what needs are most pressing and if there’s a way you can help out. Maybe that’s in the local soup kitchen, at a hospital, at church, at school, or in an online or local charitable organization.
If you’re not sure what the possibilities are in your area, you can visit VolunteerMatch.org to find opportunities near you.
A few other ideas:
- Pick up prescriptions for elderly neighbors or ask them if they need someone to drive them to doctor’s appointment or help with errands.
- Mow the lawn/weed the yard of a neighbor working multiple jobs.
- Donate your talents. For instance, if your hobby is photography, offer a free photo shoot for a family who is struggling financially
- If you have a passion to sew or knit, make sweaters or scarves for a local shelter or hospital. (My sister volunteers with Bridget’s Cradles — an organization that provides hand-made knitted and crocheted cradles to hospitals to give to families who experience second trimester loss. If you are interested in more details on this opportunity, check out their website here.)
- Clean the house or do laundry for someone who is sick or for a family who is in the middle of a difficult crisis.
3. Bake or Cook Something Delicious
Yummy food is such a great way to brighten another person’s day! And there are so many options that are really inexpensive.
If you don’t have the extra money to make an entire meal for someone, you can always just bake them a loaf of bread or some rolls. Who doesn’t love fresh-made bread??
Look at what’s on sale at the store or what you already have on hand and see if there are ingredients you can work with while staying within your grocery budget to be able to bless someone who just had a baby or a family who lost a loved one or for a neighbor who is sick.
When Jesse was in law school and our budget was incredibly tight, one thing I made a lot of when we had people over or I took a meal to someone was homemade pizza. I could usually find a great deal on cheese and pepperoni and I’d stock up and stick it in the freezer. Then, I’d just buy some peppers and spaghetti sauce at Aldi, make a homemade pizza crust, and we had a very filling and yummy meal to take to someone or to serve for dinner to guests.
If you have a really tight budget, serving breakfast for dinner is another great option for having guests over. Pancakes or waffles and scrambled eggs, along with some fruit on the side is always an inexpensive crowd-pleaser!
Or, you can also just invite friends over for coffee and dessert. It’s simpler and less expensive, but it will bless others just as much as a full dinner at your house would.
4. Send a Note or Text
One of the least expensive ways to reach out and bless someone is to send them a quick note — either by email, by text, or even a handwritten card in the mail.
I can tell you of specific instance after specific instance where my entire day or week was turned around by a simple note that someone took the time to send to me — either by mail, email, or text.
Just sending someone a simple text to say, “I was thinking of you and wanted you to know!” or “Thank you so much for being YOU!” can mean the world to someone.
If a friend is going through a hard time or just received difficult news, DO reach out to them. You don’t have to have amazing insight or incredibly comforting thoughts… they probably aren’t in a place to want to hear advice or suggestions or counsel. They just need to know that you care and that you are thinking of them.
Oftentimes, when I’m not sure what to say to someone, I’ll just text or write and say, “I’m thinking of you today and wanted you to know.” Or, “I’m so sorry that you’re going through such a hard time. Know that I’m thinking of you.” Or, “I just stopped and prayed for you. I just wanted you to know.”
It’s simple. It’s not questioning decisions, giving advice, or requiring them to respond. It’s just saying to them: I’m sorry and I care. Which is what most people need to know most.
5. Listen with Genuine Interest
People are desperate for community. They want people to really care about them at a deep level.
When you take the time to look into someone’s eyes and listen, it can mean so much to someone. Show people you care by giving them your full attention, asking good questions, and fully engaging in conversation.
I like to ask questions like:
“What are you most excited about right now?”
“What’s the best thing that happened this past week?”
“What are you celebrating right now?”
One thing I like to ask people when I meet them but know very little about them is to say, “Tell me about yourself.” It’s an open-ended question that usually provides enough springboard for me to ask follow-up questions and then really get to know someone.
When you ask questions, it opens up the door for people to share with you because it shows you’re interested. And the most important part is to listen after you ask the question. Wait for a response, and ask a follow-up question.
I’ve learned about tragedies, triumphs, health issues, a person’s dreams and hopes, been able to better pray for someone and encourage them, and have developed close relationships with people as a result of asking questions and being genuinely interested in what someone else has to say.
What are YOUR favorite ways to make a difference — even on a tight budget?