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Budget Meals-Oatmeal
As requested, I’m going to be be posting more budget meal recipes, and as they say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, let’s start with a favorite that won’t break the budget and that’s oatmeal. What you’ll need… 2¼ cups water Pinch of salt 1 cup old fashioned oats ½ tsp cinnamon ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries ¼ cup chopped walnuts or almonds Milk and sweetener of your choice In a small saucepan, combine the water and salt in a small and heat on medium high. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat to low and at the oats. Stir and cook until all the…
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Start off 2026 with Savings
A happy New Year to you. I hope it’s going to be a good one for you. There’s lots happening this month. Did you know it’s not only January but Canuary too? It’s basically a challenge to see how much canning you can get done. I’ve been too busy to follow along but I was thinking about a challenge of our own next month. The rush of the holidays is over, it’s a short month, so why not? What do you think about a pantry challenge or stock your pantry challenge? Leave a comment and let me know or even drop me an email at budgetsmartqueries@gmail.com. It’s also bread machine…
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Holiday Wishes
Another year is almost over. I hope it’s been a good one for you. Budget Smart Girl and its sister site, My Worthy Penny, has been gaining lots more views in the last few months so I’m guessing budgets and saving money are on people’s minds again. I hope to make both sites a priority focus in 2026. Is there anything in particular you’d like to see or learn about? I thought I’d get rid of the What’s On Sale monthly feature as the same things are actually on sale every year so it seems like I’m repeating myself. Would you prefer to see bargain buys…specific things that are on…
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December Good Buys
It’s the last month of the year and let’s see what’s a good buy for December… In the produce department look for good deals on Meyer lemons Kiwi Oranges Tangerines Beets Winter Squash Brussels sprouts Carrots Sweet potatoes Cranberries Pears Always check out deals on items that people need to make cookies and other holiday goodies such as flour, sugar, chocolate chips, cream cheese etc. Also, if you like candles, you can find some great deals this time of the year and after the holidays look for discounts on all things Christmas, wrapping paper, cards, gift bags, gift cards. Buy now and save money next holiday. Also, as we head…
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My Worthy Penny-Freebies
Have you checked out Budget Smart Girl’s sister site yet? It’s called My Worthy Penny and it, like, Budget Smart Girl is all about saving and making money to order to save for a rainy day and even get out of debt. There’s a subscriber list you can sign up to and you’ll receive an email from me at least once a week. It’s a great way for me to communicate with you, tell you about deals and offers, new products and what’s coming up soon…and yes, there’s lots of new things I have planned for 2026. I’m changing the platform that I use for email delivery so the freebies…
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November Good Buys
It’s hard to believe but on Saturday it’s November. Colder weather, Thanksgiving and yes, you can find bargains on many items as stores try to compete with one another for your hard-earned money. If you have some extra cash in your budget this month then it’s a good time to buy two of something and store it for use in 2026 and beyond. Things like flour…yes, it freezes great. Canned foods like greens beans. I always say as long as it’s something you use and something that you eat often, stocking up is never a waste of money. And of course, there are plenty of fresh items that will be…
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Debt Payoff with My Money as a Game
Many people are worried about debt and how to pay off the money they owe. There’s lots of advice out there and one thing I always look for is who’s sharing the tips. Yesterday, Angela Wills (check out previous interviews I’ve done with her) launched her latest product and it got my attention. I’ve taken lots of classes from Angela and what I like most about her approach is her tips are easy to follow and she’s a been there, done that, sort of person. She’s not afraid to share her mistakes with you. This new product is called My Money as a Game which is all about teaching you…
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Good Buys for October
Can you believe it’s October already. Here are produce items to look out for this month. Beets Broccoli Cabbage Brussel’s sprouts Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Swiss Chard Kale Parsnips Pumpkins Sweet Potatoes Squash Apples Cranberries Pears In the non-food item category, Look out for the very last of those summer sales, clothes, camping gear, patio furniture…yes, some stores have a few items still sitting around and good news is they’ll be eager to get rid of them so you might find a bargain or two. Some Halloween candy might be on sale prior to the 31st. Also check out deals on Jeans and mattresses usually go on sale around this time…
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Good Buys for September
It’s September and here are some things to look for… Groceries Fruits Apples Pears Grapes Blueberries Peaches and Nectarines Cantaloupe and Watermelon Vegetables & Fall Staples Squash Cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale – Cooler weather boosts their flavor and availability Bell peppers, eggplants, green beans, mushrooms Spinach and artichokes Back-to-School & Office Supplies Most retailers slash prices on school and office supplies after the school rush. Look for: Notebooks, pens, folders, backpacks at up to 70% off Laptops and tablets on clearance before holiday models arrive Printers and accessories (like ink and paper) Clothing & Fashion Retailers start switching from summer to fall inventory Summer apparel clearance: Shorts, swimsuits, sandals,…
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Best Buys For August
It’s August. Produce is abundant so be sure to stock up and turn these goodies into jams, canned and frozen fruit and vegetables. Don’t forget roadside stands and farmer’s market for bargain buys. Corn – Sweet corn is at its absolute peak in late summer Tomatoes – August tomatoes are incredibly flavorful, whether you’re buying heirloom varieties or standard slicing tomatoes Watermelon – Perfect for hot August days and typically very affordable Berries – Late summer berries like blackberries are still in season Bell peppers and hot peppers – Abundant and colorful Eggplant – Peak season for this versatile vegetable Zucchini and summer squash – Often very inexpensive due to…