Sticking to a budget can be challenging as a young widow. There are many expenses that we have no control over, but the grocery budget is one area that I found I can bring my monthly expenses down. I have control over what I buy, and when meal planning is applied, it can make such a difference in this area. Today I am sharing three easy, versatile, kid friendly recipes that are easy on the budget.
Black Bean Soup
2 16 oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 ½ c. chicken broth
1 c. chunky salsa
1 tsp. ground cumin
Read more...Budgeting is not always the most exciting topic, but it’s and imporant part of how I was able to make ends meet as a widow with young kids.
Having been budgeting for several years, I had a pretty good feel for it. But after Jon passed, I got out of the habit and struggled with motivation to continue. I was tired, sad and overwhelmed by life, and budgeting just seemed like one more thing. I had reduced our living expenses quite a bit and didn’t think I needed to account for every purchase.
Something Had to Change
I became aware of how important a monthly budget was several months into my journey as a widow. We were halfway through the month, and I only had $50 left for the month to buy food, and the fridge was looking bare. While my kids were only 5 and 7, they had healthy appetites. I couldn’t continue to leave it to chance. I needed to make a change.
Read more...As a widow with small kids, finances were a big concern. There are so many things that go into running a household, as I am sure you are aware - the mortgage, utilities, food, gas, car maintenance, and the list goes on. I had never been fully responsible for any of this, and while I had worked in several different professions, I had been out of the work force since my kids were born.
Social Security Survivor Benefits
One of the first things I did after Jon passed was to contact my local Social Security office to see if the kids and I qualified for Survivor Benefits. This program is in place to help widows with young kids make ends meet. There are certain qualifications and income limits, so you’ll want to go to your local Social Security office to get more specifics.
Read more...The holiday season is a special time of year, filled with love, laughter, and the spirit of giving. And sometimes we need a little help with ideas that won’t break the bank. If you are needing some last minute gifts that are budget friendly, look no further. These thoughtful handmade gifts will be a favorite this year. They are effortless to make, and you probably already have most of the ingredients.
Here are three simple DIY gifts that you can easily make with only a few ingredients.
Read more...As a mom of two, I understand the challenge of simplifying and embracing a frugal lifestyle while also prioritizing the removal of toxins from our home. It would have been so much easier to stick to the familiar products I was used to, but deep down, I knew they weren't safe for my family. That's when I made the decision to take charge and make a change. I couldn't keep bringing harmful products into our home when I had the power to choose safer alternatives. Buying nontoxic cleaning products from the store would have been convenient, but it was also expensive, and as a widow, every penny counted. That's when I discovered the incredible versatility of white vinegar for cleaning. But I didn't stop there. I delved even further and found another amazing pantry staple that could also be used for cleaning.
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