November 2016 - I Heart Frugal

20 Frugal or Free Family Christmas Activities

Are you searching for frugal or free family Holiday activities? Check out the list of 20 below:

20 Frugal or Free Family Holiday Activities #christmas #christmasonabudget #holidayactivities — 20 Frugal or Free Family Holiday Activities

Frugal or Free Holiday Activities for Families

Are you looking for free things to do this Christmas Season? What can you do for Christmas at home or around town that doesn’t cost much?

The Holidays are such a wonderful time to show family you care but let’s face it, the Holiday Season is expensive too. And if you are trying to budget for Christmas shopping, finding money for family Christmas activities is difficult.

Nonetheless, there are many fun activities for families that are low-cost or free. So even if you are on a budget, you can get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy your time together as a family.

Think about it this way…Spending time with your kiddos is way better than any fleeting toy of the moment that your kid won’t even care about by next Christmas. Yet, the memories you make doing fun Christmas activities will last a lifetime, even after the toys are sold or donated next Holiday season. Nonetheless, one thing you will always remember are those fun family Christmas traditions you are starting now. (Even if they are frugal Christmas traditions.)

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Christmas activities will hold a spot in your hearts for years to come…And the great news is these activities do not have to cut into your budget!

So I’ve done all the work for you and compiled a list of amazing family-friendly activities that are very low-cost or free. Please use my list and enjoy!! Give your kids a toy or two, but give them the gift of time as well! Merry Christmas everyone!

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November 30, 2016 by Sarah | 2 Comments

Save Money

Target Savings Secrets & Target Circle

TARGET SAVINGS SECRETS & Target Circle (formerly Cartwheel)

How often do you shop at Target? It is one of my favorite stores because of the prices and quality. Of course, we all know it is hard shopping at Target because their items are so alluring, many end up spending more money than anticipated.

Yes, you run in for one thing and come out with ten, right? However, it is possible to save money at Target.

In fact, I do most of my grocery shopping at Target. I prefer their store brand products to other stores.

You can’t beat the prices and quality….and with coupon stacking and gift card deals, savings are a cinch!

And let’s not forget about my favorite app, Target Circle.

There are so many ways to save at Target. Yet, the average Target shopper doesn’t pay much attention to these deals. Hence the jokes about Target runs being a HUGE waste of money.

Yet, it is possible to save money shopping at Target with some willpower and coupons!

Target Circle – Formerly Cartwheel

The Target app. includes Target Circle which can save you tons of money! Most Target brands are always included in the app.

So if you check before you shop, you can score awesome deals on Target brands and many other name brands products as well! And by pairing this with manufacturer’s coupons and Target’s coupons, you can score three discounts on one item! Yes, you read that correctly, three discounts!! (Plus four if you use Ibotta – more on that later)

The best news is you can scan your own phone with the Target Circle app at the self-checkout! Just use the hand-held scanner! I love that!!

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November 29, 2016 by Sarah | Comments Off

Meal Planning, Save Money

What is a Split-Meat Meal? Eating on a Budget – Spaghetti & Tacos

SPLIT MEAT MEALS – Eating on a Budget

Split Meat meals – Spaghetti & Tacos

What is a split meal? Do you often cook dinners on a budget? If so, my split-meat meal idea is perfect for you! Make your spaghetti and tacos this week, using only one package of meat!

Split meat meals are great for families trying to save money on food and stay healthy. You are using half the meat for both meals and filling yourself up with other items such as vegetables or bread.

I started my split meals when my husband was buying our ground turkey from Costco. The packages of meat were bigger, so I would make two meals out of one meat pack! My two go-to meals for splitting are spaghetti and tacos! (Although you could do Chili and add extra veggies)

So my split meal is just that! I split the meat and drum up two meals with one meat package and meal prep.

This works best for a family of four with younger kids. My kids are ages six and four and do not mind if their spaghetti sauce or tacos don’t have as much meat. Plus if you start this when they are young, then they are used to eating their meals with less meat as they grow.

November 26, 2016 by Sarah | Comments Off

Save Money

Why I’m shopping at Target.com this Black Friday!

Black Friday! Oh how exciting! Oh how fun!

Shop Target — Black Friday & Weekend Shopping

*** Sale Alert*** 11/27-11/28 15% off store-wide In-store and Target.com

We love deals at iheartfrugal and Black Friday means you can score many, many great deals; however, many people do not realize, most of these deals, with the exception of door busters, can be purchased online.

One of my favorite sites for this is Target.com! Why? Because I have a REDcard and I get 5% off all of my purchases, even sales! I also get free shipping on everything on the site, although, Target has free standard shipping and free returns until December 21st (some exclusions) right now as one of its promotions!

My Black Friday Scores!

I got a Graco booster seat for $29.20 and a nice pair of Boy’s Cat & Jack boots for $18!! I also scored two cute flannel shirts to use for our Christmas cards for $6.99 each! I’m hoping you find many great deals on Black Friday and all weekend long!!

Here are some other great Target Promotions: ( sale running 11/27-12/3)

This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link, I will be compensated; however, I never recommend anything I would not use and love myself. Thanks!!

November 26, 2016 by Sarah | Comments Off

Meal Planning

What Do I Do With All of This Leftover Turkey! Turkey Recipes

Are you cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving this year or hosting? You are bound to end up with leftover turkey. With recipes estimating over 1 pound per guest, there is always turkey left at the end of the Thanksgiving meal.

I have hosted Thanksgiving three times so far and I am sure I have more to come. Yet, I have to admit, I was super nervous cooking the turkey my first time. However, I later realized, cooking a turkey is super easy. You just need to prep your turkey and pay attention to the meat thermometer and timing. My first bird turned out juicy and succulent. My guests raved I even sent home leftover bags with several of my guests. However, I still ended up with piles of turkey I was left eating for days after and the plain turkey was getting old after Black Friday.

So what is a girl to do? Find some amazing recipes to use your turkey up! I love saving money and since Thanksgiving day turkey isn’t cheap, I hate wasting any bit of it!

And I am a turkey lover! My husband… Not so much! So I am left eating the majority of our leftovers. However, we are about to convert you with some of our leftovers, with my two boys.

Need a few ideas so that yummy, juicy bird does not go to waste? Here at I Heart Frugal we believe in using as much of the food as possible, in order to continue with our frugal living habits, which saves you money!!!

Left Over Turkey Recipes:

1. Turkey Sandwich – Load up your favorite bread (I love multi-grain), add a little mayo, tomato, lettuce, and cheese (I like provolone with turkey) and you’ve got lunch or dinner that is bound to be a winner!

Pro Tip: Taking leftovers for lunch is a HUGE money-saver!

2. Turkey Soup – Now that the weather is getting colder, everyone loves to warm up with a yummy bowl of soup. Use your bird to replace the meat in any chicken soup recipe or use the turkey bone to make your own broth and enjoy in any recipe that calls for broth!

3. Turkey Pot Pie- Sick of the regular old chicken pot pie? Why not use turkey? Make a basic dough or Pillsbury biscuits, add some veggies and cream of chicken soup and bake them up! Homemade pot pie doesn’t have to be difficult! Here is an amazing pie crust recipe from All Recipes to try with your pot pie!

4. Cold Turkey Salad – Add your turkey to lettuce, dried cranberries, walnuts, blue or feta cheese! Top with a little raspberry vinaigrette dressing and you will have a dish even the kids will love! (We will have to skip the dressing for my oldest son. He likes everything plain!)

5. Hot Turkey Salad – Yum! This is a recipe my Great-Grandma used to make!

Quick Recipe: Add 3 Cups diced turkey, 1 cup thinly sliced celery, 1 cup shredded cheese, 1/4 cup chopped black olives, 1 tablespoon chopped onion, 1 teaspoon salt, 2/3 cup Miracle Whip and stir! Sprinkle with shredded cheese and top with crushed potato chips.

6. Give Away Leftovers – than the gift of giving during the holiday season. Buy some freezer bags and send your guests home with some leftovers of their own! They will leave happy and you will cut down on wasted food! A win, win!

Leftover Turkey Recipes Conclusion

Whatever it is you do with your Turkey, this year, I’m wishing you a joyful, peaceful Holiday Season with good food, good family and good friends and love in your hearts! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

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November 24, 2016 by Sarah | Comments Off

Month: November 2016