DIY Gifts on a Budget

So, don't panic, buuuuuut....

Have you started thinking about Christmas gifts? Well, I made a list of some of my favorites and I'm sharing them with you!

Father's Day Gift Guide (for under $40)

Father's Day is right around the corner. If you're stumped as to what to get, you've come to the right place! I've put together a list of personal gifts for that special dad in your life! And they are all under $40!

For the fisherman: a personalized fishing lure

Meal Prepping and Planning

In order to stay on track with my eating, make healthier choices and meet my goals, I started planning and prepping parts our meals. This has been a huge help to me, so I thought I'd share a few simple recipes and things you can do to make your meals easier to manage. Just because it's healthy, doesn't mean it can't taste good!

Saving time & money in each area of the home

Since we are a one-income family, I am always looking for ways to save money. And as a busy mama, time is precious and I'm always trying to manage it just the right way.

Guest Room Elements

I didn't mean to be gone for so long, but I've been busy working on our guest room. Since we moved in (almost a year and a half ago), it has been a catch-all.

With friends coming to stay in a few weeks and the kids at camp this week, it was the perfect opportunity to make our guest room a pretty and functional space.

I didn't really have a plan going into this, but I started with curtains...

Then I painted some existing tables we already had...

made some pillows...

and spray painted some thrift store lamps.

I scored these lamps for $3.50 a piece!

Hoping to share some more photos of the whole room next week. 

I was really inspired by Lysa TerKeurst's series on Turning a House into a Home on a Thrift-Store Budget and it came at the perfect time. 

What are some money-saving decorating tips?

Citrus Vanilla Sugar Scrub {with printable}

For Christmas, my niece gave me this scrub and it is amazing!

I loved it so much that I needed to get the recipe so I could make more. She gave me the recipe from here.

While it is edible, I highly recommend it as a hand scrub ;) I don't know about you, but this time of year my hands are dry and cracked. This scrub is so nourishing and moisturizing.

The recipe is super easy and only has a few ingredients.

Citrus Vanilla Sugar Scrub
From Saved by Grace
Makes 5 half pints or 10 quarter pints

5 c. granulated sugar
1 c. coconut oil, melted
2 lemons, zested and juiced
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. orange extract

Mix all ingredients together. Spoon it into jars. Add double-sided label {printable here}. I used this punch.

I think this is the best type of gift to give and get!

$10 Meals: Taco Casserole

I'm extending my budget-friendly dinner posts into December, since there are still some that I want to share.

A few weeks ago, I posted my lasagna soup and today I'm sharing my Taco Casserole recipe, which I call "Lazy Taco Tuesday". This is a recipe that I've posted before, but it deserves a repost, because it is definitely budget-friendly and is a popular dish with our family. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 c. crushed tortilla chips (.50)
1 lb. ground beef or turkey (average of $4)
1 envelope taco seasoning (.50)
1 (16 oz.) can refried beans ($1)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ($1)
Toppings: shredded lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, guacamole, sour cream, salsa (prices vary)

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Pour crushed tortilla chips in the bottom of an 8x8 dish. Set aside.
Brown ground beef until no longer pink; drain.
Add taco seasoning and amount of water required by package directions.
Add refried beans to seasoned meat and mix over medium heat.
Once the meat and bean mixture is heated through, removed from heat and spoon over the tortilla chips.
Top with cheese.
Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Serve with your favorite toppings.

So the main casserole, without toppings, comes in around $7. That leaves about $3 for your toppings, which is totally do-able. 

Happy Tuesday friends!

Lasagna Soup

Happy Friday! Last week, I mentioned I was going to share some budget friendly dinners this month. Today I am sharing the first recipe...Lasagna Soup. 

You can make this for under $10 and it makes enough for dinner, plus leftovers!

It's easy to throw together and has great flavor! 

I've put prices next to the ingredients. Some things I didn't put a price on because they are hard to calculate and would be pennies on the dollar. Also, some pricing might different around the country, but nevertheless, this is a family favorite that is easy on your pocket book. WIN WIN!

LASAGNA SOUP
adapted from Paula Deen


Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped (.25)
1 pound ground Italian sausage ($3.99)
3 cloves garlic, chopped 
1 teaspoon dried oregano
4 cups (32 oz) low-sodium chicken broth ($1.79)
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes (1.09)
1/2 pkg. lasagna noodles, broken into pieces (about 7-8 noodles) (.50)
1 zucchini, sliced (.50)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (.69)
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese (plus more for sprinkling) (.85)


Directions
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. 
Add the sausage, garlic and oregano and cook, stirring and breaking up the sausage with a wooden spoon, until the sausage is browned, about 3-5 minutes. 
Add the chicken broth, zucchini, tomatoes and noodles; cover and bring to a simmer. 
Uncover and cook until slightly reduced, about 10 minutes. Stir in basil and parmesan; simmer 2 more minutes.
Divide the soup among bowls. Top with parmesan.

Serve with a salad and some crusty bread and you've got yourself a filling and fabulous meal! YUM!