Hey, Reader, Let's face it - meat is really expensive. Especially with today's inflated prices. But there's an easy way to skip the meat without eating green salads every night: lentils! Not only are lentils a great source of plant-based protein, they're also a fraction of the cost of ground beef and can be used in so many recipes you'd traditionally make with beef. Price comparison between 1 pound lentils and 1 pound beef at my local Walmart These 5 lentil recipes are ones I've shared with...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Grab your morning coffee or tea and settle in because it's week 2 of Budget Eats and Receipts! I'm overwhelmed by the positive feedback I got on last week's email announcing this new budgeting series. It makes me so happy to know this kind of content is helpful and inspires you to stay on track to save money. As much as I love sharing budget-friendly recipes, it's hard to illustrate how my recipes can actually save you money in the long run. But with this series, I'm able to show you how I'm...
5 days ago • 7 min read
Hey, Reader, As someone who’s all about making the most of every dollar in the kitchen, I’m pretty selective about the tools I invest in. But over the years, I’ve discovered a few key items that are truly worth every penny. I've rounded up 8 kitchen essentials I’d buy again in a heartbeat, even as a frugal person, because they’ve made cooking from scratch so much easier, faster, and more enjoyable. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned home cook, these tools have proven their value time and...
8 days ago • 2 min read
Introducing...Budget Eats and Receipts! I'm so excited to share that I'm going back to my roots and starting a weekly series where I share what I eat in a week, plus what I spent. This is something I used to do religiously back in 2016 when I was on my debt-free journey. At the time, I was sharing my weekly spending and cooking on Instagram to document what I ate while I paid off $70,000 of student loan debt in 27 months. It helped keep me accountable and was honestly a lot of fun to...
11 days ago • 5 min read
Hey, Reader, One of the best ways to save money on groceries is to make the most of the ingredients you already paid for. With just a little ingenuity, you can turn leftover taco meat into a fresh, brand new dinner! I've included 30 ideas to use as inspiration. All of them will work with any type of taco meat you have on hand, including my Cheaper Vegan Ground Beef Substitute! READ: 30 Ways to Use up Taco Meat Enjoy! Nicolette Wax | Home-Cooked Roots
15 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, Are you ready to start saving more money on groceries without eating ramen and toast every single day? In my latest post, I share 10 simple grocery shopping strategies that helped me cook wholesome meals AND pay off $70,000 of debt in just 27 months! From meal planning and shopping sales to using budget-friendly apps, these 10 actionable tips will help you lower your grocery bill while still enjoying delicious meals. Click below to read the full article and maximize your savings...
17 days ago • 1 min read
Hey, Reader, When you’re looking to save money on groceries, potatoes are an unbeatable kitchen staple. They’re one of the most affordable and versatile ingredients, available year-round, and can stretch into countless meals without breaking the bank. Whether mashed, oven-roasted, microwaved, or turned into soups and stews, potatoes deliver hearty, filling dishes that are both budget-friendly and satisfying. So today I've rounded up some of my favorite ways to enjoy potatoes. Keep these...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hey, Reader, I can't believe it's September 1 and the fall season is upon us! Over the last two months, I took an impromptu break from the blog to spend time decluttering my house, reading lots of books, enjoying summer with friends and family (and my dog of course!), and restocking my freezer with meals for fall. My dog and me hanging and reading outside this summer! It was the first time I had taken a good chunk of time off to enjoy summer in...as long as I can remember and I'm so grateful...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Happy Sunday, Reader! One of my favorite ways to save money on food is to reduce food waste. Feeding America states, “In the United States, people waste 92 billion pounds of food annually, equal to 145 billion meals. [We] throw away over $473 billion worth of food annually. Shockingly, [we] waste 38% of all the food in America.” That's a LOT of wasted food and money! Every week, I clean out the fridge, gather up all the leftovers, and put together an easy meal using leftovers. Think of it...
4 months ago • 1 min read