-
Pantry Challenge-Make a Meal
How did you get on with the first challenge of taking stock of items you have on hand in your pantry, fridge, freezer? This week’s challenge focuses on using what you have. If you had to put together a meal only using things you have on hand, what would you make? Maybe you’ve got some canned chicken, some rice, a can of soup, a bag of frozen vegetables etc. Do some brainstorming and see what you come up with. Feel free to share what you made by leaving a comment. Sharing with others can also help people get ideas on what to stock and how to put together a quick…
-
Pantry Challenge-Using What You Have
I’ve always thought of food as a great investment. Having food on hand not only helps on days when you haven’t got time to cook but essential in times of emergencies like when the power goes out or even when you lose your job. Let’s use February as a way to take a pantry challenge. Maybe you have one item on the shelf or maybe you have cans stacked to the rafters. Let’s build a pantry, organize it, and yes, use it as a financial investment too. For this first step of the challenge, make a list of what you have on hand right now. For example, three cans of…
-
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…
-
Monday Money Saving Tips-Old Cookbooks
People have always tried to save money on food and some older cookbooks have great recipes for how to stretch your budget. This week see if you can find any at charity shops or online sellers.
-
Monday Money Saving Tips-Sprouts
One easy and cheap way to get lots of essential nutrients is to eat sprouts. They’re easy to grow and can be even grown in pots indoors giving you a fresh supply year round.
-
Monday Money Saving Tips-Cook It All At Once
A way to save money on energy bills is to cook all at once. A couple of things in the oven etc. Plan ahead and see how much you can cook in one afternoon. It not only saves money but saves time too.
-
Monday Money Saving Tips-Lentils
Have you tried cooking with lentils? Not only are they good for you, they’re budget friendly too. Try using them in tacos, chilis, and shepherd’s pies, also use them in half lentil, half meat combo to stretch your food budget.
-
July Best Buys
July It’s July and here’s what’s are good buys.. Seasonal Produce Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries Stone fruits: Peaches, nectarines, cherries, plums, apricots Melons: Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew Tomatoes: Heirloom, cherry, Roma — all at their peak Sweet corn: Perfect for grilling or boiling Zucchini and summer squash Cucumbers: Great for salads or pickling Peppers: Bell peppers, banana peppers, jalapeños Green beans Eggplant Herbs: Basil, mint, dill — usually more abundant and cheaper now Seasonal Sales & Promotions Furniture – Stores clear out old inventory before new collections arrive in August. Appliances – Independence Day sales (especially around July 4th) often include discounts on washers, dryers, fridges, etc. Mattresses – Mid-summer…
-
Monday Money Saving Tips-Make Your Own
Have you thought about making your own cleaning supplies? Things like vinegar window cleaner with some essential oils or baking soda for removing soap scum from the bathtub. It saves money and is better for you and the environment.
-
Monday Money Motivation-Spice It Up
Budget foods like beans and rice sometimes can taste bland so stock your pantry with some of your favorite spices.