Living a Better Life™
Getting Back on Track – Budgeting for Those in Crisis
We often hear from families that are in financial crisis and this column was written especially for them.  (And anyone else who is struggling to get back on track!)  Some have signed up with a credit-counseling agency and a few have already filed bankruptcy.  However, even with additional assistance many still can’t seem to catch up and although their exact circumstances may be different, the general feelings are very much the same.  Frustration, despair, and fear.  Fear of possibly never being able to get back on track and live a better life... read more


Financial Journey
(featured column)
Life Takes a Dramatic Change
My life has been forever changed. This is not going to be an easy article to write. But, in order to carry on with BetterBudgeting.com, which I absolutely love, it is very necessary for me to do. I haven’t written for a few months because my husband, Bob, has been very ill. He had been suffering from Leukemia since 2000 and we were blessed with 9.5 years of life beyond that, given the life expectancy for the rare form that he had was... read more

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Credit Wise
(featured column)
Got the Debt Repayment Blues?

When you’re in debt, it is like an invisible ball and chain. Even though others may not know you’re living with debt, it’s something you can’t escape. It can affect every area of your life. You may find yourself afraid to answer the phone because it could be another nasty collector asking for money that you can’t pay. You may not want to open your mail... read more


Frugal Parenting
(featured column)
17 Ways to Reduce Your Food Budget Without Using Coupons or Rebates
For many years I loved using coupons, so much so that my family and friends called me a "coupon queen." Then our family moved across the ocean to the other side of the world as furlough replacement missionaries. I had to stretch the grocery budget, but without the advantage of sales ads, coupons, and rebates. I quickly learned how to become a smart shopper and discovered that even without the use of coupons and sales ads, any family can reduce its food budget without shopping multiple stores in one day... read more

"We are struggling to pay our bills and your site is a Godsend... Thank you for helping so many people in this crazy economy..." More Reader Feedback...

  Frugal Family Recipes Blog News!!!

Our new contest was announced in our August issue of Living a Better Life(TM)! The kids are back in school and schedules are mega hectic once again, so let's have a little fun! We shared the latest recipes that were selected to be featured on our dinner blog and asked our Better Budgeting members to vote for their favorite. The winning recipe will be featured here on our front page and the home chef who submitted it will receive a gift card of their choice at either Kroger, Publix, Food Depot, Target, Walmart or Walgreen's for $25 of FREE GROCERIES and a free ebook edition of our Frugal Family Recipes cookbook!

Note: To be considered for our next contest, please submit your yummiest frugal dinner recipe by the 10th of the month to editor@betterbudgeting.com. A selection of submitted recipes will be featured in our next issue of Living a Better Life (TM) and on our blog at frugalfamilyrecipes.blogspot.com Recipes received after the 10th of the month will be considered for the following issue.  

And Our BetterBudgeting.com

Winning Frugal Dinner Recipe Is...

Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

Submitted by Shauna H.

Hi Michelle, this recipe has become a regular in our house. Usually you have most of the ingredients on hand already.

1 lb chicken breasts (boneless, skinless work well) usually buy on super sale and freeze a bunch
1 or 2 cans black beans (depends on how "beany" you like it--I have also used cooked dried beans)
1 can corn (one time I used frozen corn and it was fine)
1 1/2 cups salsa (anything you need to get rid of works fine)

Place chicken on bottom, mix other ingredients and spread on top. Cook on low for 8 hours. After cooking, I shred the chicken and mix it all up! EASY to do. This generally serves 4-6, depending on how much folks eat.

Serve with tortillas and other taco-like toppings. I also like to eat this with chips the next day for lunch. I always have free sour cream and cheese available to serve with it.

Note: The last time I made this, I had extra leftovers and decided to make and freeze some burritos for my husband. Add the filling to flour tortillas with some leftover rice and extra beans--fold burrito style, wrap in wax paper and saran wrap and freeze. They were great when reheated and certainly cheaper than the 2.99 store bought burritos in the frozen section of the grocery store.

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Cheaper Creamy Mac 'n Cheese
by Shanley Allen

My family has always preferred the expensive store bought boxed macaroni and cheese.  You know, the kind with the creamy cheese pouch.  Well those are just too expensive.  However, I do like to have boxed mac 'n cheese on hand for those in-a-hurry nights.  So, I've found a way to duplicate them... read more

 

Homemade Gifts and Frugal Crafts
(featured column by BetterBudgeting's crafty readers)

 

Retro Gift Containers

by Kristen Porter

My theme for last year was "Homemade Christmas." I made a lot of small kitchen items (herb packets made from garden herbs, soaps made from lavender, etc.), and needed a way to package them.  I decided to make these gift containers out of empty coffee cans and a 1940's era cookbook I bought at a thrift store. You could put anything in them and the recipient can use them for storage too!...read more 

 

 

Craft Submissions...
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/craftsubmissions.htm 

Now Accepting Submissions for our 3rd Annual
2009 Homemade Christmas Ornament Contest!!!

Submit Your 2009 Ornament Here...

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EDITOR'S BOOK PICK OF THE MONTH

Organize Now!: A Week By Week Guide To Simplify Your Space And Your Life

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