July Free or Nearly Free Books

Did you know you don't have to buy a kindle to read kindle books?  Amazon offers a free reader!  Just click this link and follow the instructions for your FREE reader.  https://amzn.to/2KODYfR


And onto the books!  Why do authors give books away?  Some give a few copies away hoping for reviews and others give away books hoping you will become a fan and buy their other books!  So if you see a book below that has a cost now, chances are it was a temporary give away.



This blog is NOT monetized.  I do not make money from you going to the page, or looking around.  IF you pay for a book, I make a small percentage (usually 1 or 2 cents).  That is NOT why I do this..I do this because I love books and reading but I am on a budget, so I am always looking for cheap reads! 




Books on Time Management/ House cleaning/ Minimalism.






Cooking/Diet



Great Reads:

Free Diet Books for May 2018

I love motivation, and free motivation is even better!  I listed below some free books from amazon. They are on kindle, but if you don't have a kindle, you can download the reader for free too.  The link for that is here:


Amazon.com - Read eBooks using the FREE Kindle Reading App on Most Devices

Once you have a reader, you simply click the "buy it now" button for $0.00.   Some of these may be limited edition free, so grab them while you can!

ps:  This blog is not monitized, the links are affiliate links, but a percentage of free is nothing.  I post them because I love the motivation and just want to share.

Low Carb/Keto







Lastly we have some general books like for instapot.

Free Motivation- Free Or Nearly Free Books On Decluttering

If you are a KonMarie fan, did you know you can already pre-order her next book? It's due out in June and if you pre-order, it comes in the mail. I got my last book on the release date and I didn't even have to put on shoes to go get it! I can't wait to read this one.



Join us on facebook for cooking and cleaning and other household stuff. https://www.facebook.com/groups/263214524048715/




Even if you dont have a kindle, you can get these free books. First go to the link below and download the free kindle reader for your computer. It's FREE!!! Amazon.com - Read eBooks using the FREE Kindle Reading App on Most Devices




Next check out the books below.  The books change often, so I will try to keep these updated, but If one stops being free, there are others you can buy.

When you want to buy a book for free, simply click the "buy now with 1 click" button and tell it to send it to your kindle or your kindle app, then you can open it and read it.  It does not require you to have kindle unlimited.

So why do people give their books away?  They would like you to review them.  They cannot require you to review them though, so they offer them for free hoping you will.  Some books are only free for a short time though, so grab it when you see it!


Here are some I found:

Weekly Meal Plan Week 9

My goal this year is to cook more for my family.   We are very busy and as a result, we eat out a LOT.  This year, I want to serve food at home that is fast, easy and nutritious.  No frozen dinners high in sodium, I want real food.

I would love for you to join us on our facebook group here:  FACEBOOK
The first 2 months, I looked online at blogs and found recipes.  I want to try something different though.  I want to try out different cookbooks.  Each month, I will cook recipes from a different cookbook.  It could be a side, main dish or dessert, but I will try to incorporate new dinners into our rotation.  So far the family is loving it.


This month, I am cooking out of this book:






This is in addition to our typical meal plans.    On Saturday nights, we have a family pizza night, and sometimes one other night per week we do not eat at home (usually at a friends house, we rotate).  This means 5 to 6 meals per week I need to plan.

Please note that some of my meals may seem a little heavy.  I am feeding three teen boys, so I cook to fill them up.  Some people may omit the starch from the meal and be just fine with the meal plan.

This week's meal plan:


Petite Baked Crab Cakes.   These are on page 115 of the cookbook and they look really good.  My family will eat salmon patties, so I figure this will be a light refreshing change that they will eat.  I plan on serving it with steamed green beans and rice on the side.


Bangin' Good Shrimp.  Page 116 of the cookbook.  My entire family loves bang bang shrimp, and I cant wait to try this lighter version.  I got some shrimp on sale this week, so it's time to try it!   I will add oven fried potatoes.

Baked Ribs, broccoli and carrot mix, baked potato halves.  You can find this recipe here:  Baked Ribs

Tostadas    In a rush this week, so I am buying premade tostada shells (they are sold near the tortillas in the grocery).  I am  making them with chicken, so I will add a little taco seasoning to the shredded chicken meat, top with cheese then place them under the broiler just long enough to melt the cheese (watch carefully they burn quickly).  I then serve them bar style with chopped tomato, peppers, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, extra cheese and beans in bowls.  The family tops them with their favorite toppings and dinner is done.

Best Beef Stew Ever.   Crock pot meal!  This is one of those busy days when we all arrive home at different times, but everyone arrives home hungry.  I've found the best result of keeping them out of mcdonalds is to know that they have food waiting in the crockpot.   I buy dinner rolls and place them beside the crockpot.  Everyone eats when they have time.  The recipe is here:  Best Beef Stew Ever


Hope you enjoy!  Here is to eating at home!

ps: If you cant see the book, turn off your ad blocker.  I've had many posts that they can't see the book until it's turned off.



Want to see other weeks?  Here is the index  Weekly Meal Plan Index

Instant Pot Cookbooks for Free or Nearly Free

Join us on facebook for cooking and cleaning and other household stuff. https://www.facebook.com/groups/263214524048715/





Even if you dont have a kindle, you can get these free books. First go to the link below and download the free kindle reader for your computer. It's FREE!!! Amazon.com - Read eBooks using the FREE Kindle Reading App on Most Devices




Next check out the books below.  The books change often, so I will try to keep these updated, but If one stops being free, there are others you can buy.

When you want to buy a book for free, simply click the "buy now with 1 click" button and tell it to send it to your kindle or your kindle app, then you can open it and read it.  It does not require you to have kindle unlimited.

So why do people give their books away?  They would like you to review them.  They cannot require you to review them though, so they offer them for free hoping you will.  Some books are only free for a short time though, so grab it when you see it!


Here are some I found:

My Christmas Bargain Find! Happy Frugal Christmas

First off I need to start by saying that there are no product affiliate links on this article.  I have links to the two teapots, but if you go visit one or the other, I do not make any money.  I wrote this because I could not believe the bargain I found.


I asked my daughter what she wanted for her birthday and she said she wanted a cast iron teapot.  She sent me a suggestion for what she wanted.  It was a purple pot, but she said if possible, she wanted blue or teal, not purple.  I nearly lost it when I saw the price tag of $149.99.  I am positive that this teapot is of the highest quality and will last a lifetime, but wow.

Here is a link to the teapot she wanted.
http://www.teavana.com/us/en/teaware/teapots-and-tea-sets/abundance-cast-iron-teapot-011036392.html?navid=teaware-cast-iron&start=1

I did not post a photo of the pot because I did not buy it.

I was out shopping one day and scooted into World Market to look at their wall art.  I walked past a display of teapots.  They had a cast iron teapot for $12.49 and it was teal, not purple.  I snapped it up and took it to the register and it rang up $10.99.  I leaned forward and told the cashier that the sign said $12.49 and it was already a bargain at that price.  She said, "Oh, they are extra off today only".

I could not believe the bargain.  They have a lot of other teapots.  She loves her teapot and when I confessed that I did not spend $149 on it, she was perfectly ok with it.  She said it was very pretty and she loves it.

Minimalism, Frugality and Capsule Wardrobes

If you are frugal or a minimalist, the thought of a capsule wardrobe seems like such a great idea.  A capsule wardrobe is where you buy a few key pieces and mix and match them for more variety.  The problem that I am noticing when I am reading other blogger posts is that they are sending the reader to stores with lower quality items.  To me, this goes against both Minimalism and Frugality.

Anyone can run into a store and purchase a top for $3, but that top is probably not going to last the entire season if worn as frequently as a person would wear them using a capsule wardrobe.  Most capsule wardrobes have the buyer purchasing 9 or less tops.  A few of these tops cannot be worn alone (as in tanks), which cuts down on their usage.

I have yet to get an entire season from any item purchased from many of the favorites for capsule wardrobe creators.  As a minimalist, I want a wardrobe to last me several seasons.  I want a wardrobe where I replace a few items a year, not every single top I own because they are worn out.

I decided to purchase a wardrobe, but  running  cheap fashion stores just didn't seem right.  The first year, I hired a stylist.  I paid for four hours of shopping and I learned so much.  She helped me determine what styles of clothes look good on me and which ones I needed to skip without ever trying on.  I have a very short neck and each year, I would try on turtle neck after turtle neck and waste so much time.  She told me that turtle necks will never work for me, to walk past them and look for something with a lower neckline.  She said the lower neckline would draw attention away from the short neck because other skin was showing, and that V neck styles will look best on my body type.  She told me to stay away from sweaters with a rounded neck and instead go for ones with a lower v neck style.  Even though it was a few years ago that I hired her, I still use the information she taught me.

When I started my capsule wardrobe,   I went to second hand shops, quality clothing stores and thrift shops.  While in the stores,  I looked for quality.  I was able to purchase a lot of basics such as black pants and gray pants second hand.  The items were high quality but did not blow my clothing budget. I added one trendy item per season, and that was the only item that I did not look for great quality.  I knew I would only be wearing it for one season, so it was ok if it started to show wear later in the season.

Four years into my capsule wardrobe experiment, I've had to replace some clothing, but it has never been a strain on my budget.  I still have all the pants I purchased.  Mostly the blazers have gone out of style, but some of that is to be expected.

I love the idea of opening my closet and knowing that even though there aren't a ton of clothes in there, that I can easily find an outfit for the occasion.  













Want to create your own capsule wardrobe?  Here are a few blogs that can help you do that:
http://earth911.com/living-well-being/capsule-wardrobe
http://theblissfulmind.com/2015/01/25/capsule-wardrobe-winter-office-edition/
http://www.fastfoodandfastfashion.com/2016/04/the-ultimate-capsule-wardrobe-work.html

Sunday- Menu and Grocery for Feed Your Family for $70 a Week

So as you may have noticed, I have not been posting as much lately.  I am in the process of flipping a house, being a mom and working part time, so I have not had as much time lately to post.  I have also simplified my meal plans so that I have more time.

This week Kroger had roast on sale for $2.99 a pound and some chicken thighs.  Pork spare ribs are also on sale for 1.69, so I will buy 2 of those.  Hot dogs are also on sale 4 for $5, we dont eat them often, so I am only buying one pack.  For us, hot dogs are eaten only about twice a year.  I bought the Pork a few weeks ago and split it up, so this week I plan on using some of it.  Last week pineapples were on sale for 1.99.  I bought 2 and I cut one up and froze it right away.  The other is waiting to be used, so I may move the teriyaki bowls up to early in the week so that the pineapple does not go bad. I use both zucchini and yellow squash in the bowls along with onion.  I bought onion last week, and the squash are on sale for .99 a pound this week.


General Tso Chicken (we add carrots for veg), rice
Shredded beef on noodles, green beans
Crock pot Ribs, baked potato,
Waldorf Chicken Salad on croissants, chips (I work this day and will make it ahead)
cookout with hot dogs (for the day we are at the flip house working), corn on the cob
 Hawaiian Teriyaki Bowls Rice
On the 7th day, we are working in the flip house all day and I work the next day so we are getting takeout pizza.







Shopping list:
2 roast beef packs
2 chicken thigh packs
2 packs ribs
green beans (l lb)
carrots
rice
milk
bbq sauce
potatoes
apples
grapes
mayo
potato chips
croissant rolls
corn on the cob 5 of them
Pineapple
soy sauce
garlic
oats
sandwich bread
cheese slices
zucchini and yellow squash
beef stock

Cleaning, Recipes and Such

Just started my new facebook group.

This group is for any food/household blogger that wants to grow their audience.

 Please join me!        Facebook Group

How to feed your family on $70 a week (including teen boys) Week 3

Whole pork loins were on sale for less than 1.99 per lb.  I bought a $28 one which took a lot of my budget, but when I got home, I cut it into four chunks.  I am cooking one right now and will freeze the other three.  How will I use them?

One chunk is in the slow cooker now turning into bbq pork sandwiches. It will make enough for dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow plus I will have a little leftover to freeze for another lunch or two. 

One chunk will be made into pork taco or pork carnitas.  This will provide way more than one meal's worth.  It will be served and the rest frozen for later use. 

The third chunk will be cut up and made into skewers.

The fourth will be cut up and made into stirfry.  I have enough for two stirfry dinners with this, so I froze it into 2 separate bags. 

They also had ground beef for 3.99 per lb.  This is a pretty good price here, so I bought 2 lbs.  I will make spaghetti sauce with one pound.  My kids love enchilada stacks and I will use part of another pound for that.  I will freeze the rest for later use.   Here is a link to my enchilada stack recipe:  Enchilada stacks

Chicken thighs were .89/lb so I bought 5 lbs.


My menu for this week is:
bbq pork sandwiches, corn on the cob and green beans
chicken thigh stir fry with broccoli, carrots and rice
spaghetti with meat sauce, salad and homemade bread
Salmon patties (made from salmon I purchased on sale a few weeks ago and need to use)
potato soup and sandwiches (we will have a busy day this day, so the soup is made ahead and reheated).
Top your own pizza.  I buy sauce and cheese along with their favorite toppings which are pineapple and pepperoni.



Grocery list:
bbq sauce
pork
corn on the cob
green beans
lettuce
carrots
broccoli
chicken thighs
spaghetti
tomato sauce
tomato paste
onion
diced tomatoes in a can with Italian seasoning
flour
potatos
turkey and ham lunchmeat (1/2 lb of each)
tomato for slices on sandwich
milk
bread
pineapple
pepperoni
pizza sauce
mozzarella cheese block


I went over just a bit this week because the meat was so cheap that I bought a lot of it.  It will help me keep the next few weeks of groceries down in cost...woot.

If you want to see an index of all my recipes, click here:  Recipe Index

Feed your family on $70 a week (teenagers included) Week 1

My rules:

No ramen/no premade mac n cheese and no hamburger helper
Fresh when possible

Hawaiian chicken skewers, rice, green beans

Spaghetti with homemade sauce, homemade garlic bread, salad of cucumber and tomato

Chicken soft Tacos, salsa chips or Rice

Hamburgers (turkey burgers or veg burgers) potato salad, green salad

Grilled bbq chicken, mashed potatoes 

Ham steak, carrots,  corn

Grilled chicken, potato wedges, mixed green beans, broccoli and carrots

Lunches:

Make your own salad

leftovers

Fajita Chicken Salad

Peanut butter sandwiches

Make your own pizza with tortilla as crust

Subs, homemade fries

Breakfasts

Cereal rice crispies

toast and eggs

pancakes with strawberry

smoothie or smoothie bowl

peanut butter on toast

I dont make desserts nightly, but I do make them a once or twice a week.  

Desserts:

brownies

rice crispie treats

Ice cream

What could I do to make it cheaper?  Click over to my shopping list with prices and a list of ideas I could have used to make this week cheaper.

Continue on here:  FREE COPY of my Shopping list with prices are here:   Shopping list with prices.

Feed your family on $70 a week Week 2

My recipe index:  Recipe Index

public domain photo from pixabay.com

Feed Your Family on $70 Week 2 (With Teens)

Feeding your family, especially when you have teen boys can be pretty difficult.  Costs can skyrocket, but with a little planning, you can feed your family for $70 a week.  This week, I shopped at Aldi and Kroger.

One thing you can do to help your budget is to buy a month's worth of the meat special.  You may not be able to do this from the start, but if you can pick up 2 weeks worth it will help you in the long run to manage your costs.

My rules are:  as few prepackaged foods as possible (no ramen, no hamburger helper and no kraft mac n cheese)  If you want to make your budget lower, you could include those, but I prefer healthy foods to premade ones.

Menu:

Chicken drumsticks/macaroni and cheese/broccoli

Hamburger/cheeseburger on bun/corn on cob/salad

Bbq pork/tomato grilled corn salad/potato wedges

Spaghetti with meat sauce (and lentils)/green salad or green beans

Mahogany chicken made with turkey breast/mango and pineapple salsa

Turkey stew with leftover turkey (carrots and potatoes) biscuits

Breakfast for dinner- bacon, eggs pancakes

Here are some of the prices I paid for this week's food:

Kroger:

Boneless pork loin 1.79/lb (I bought a whole one which is huge)

Milk 1.99

Turkey breast .99/lb ( I bought 2- one for now, one for later)

Kroger cheese 1.88

Peaches  .99/lb

Corn 6/$2

Potatoes                     

Green beans 99cents/lb

 canned tuna

peanut butter

bread

bananas

mozz cheese 1.89

pizza sauce 1.00

Aldi:

Hamburger 1.89/lb

Salad greens .69 and 1.49

Chicken drumsticks .69 a lb

Pineapple 1.19

Mango .49 each

Onion .78/2 lbs

Tomatoes .99/lb

flour 

eggs

carrots

For breakfast, we eat oatmeal or eggs and toast.  Sometimes we have cereal but the kids are tired of it right now, so I didnt buy any.  We have some leftover cereal from last week. 

Lunches:  Sandwiches, leftovers, tuna,  we have bananas and peaches and pineapple for fruit snacks this week as well as some leftover apples (there may be a mango leftover).  Homemade pizza

When I make homemade pizza, the costliest ingredient is the yeast.  I try to buy that in bulk.  I buy a jar of premade pizza sauce and freeze what I dont use.   I get 2 to 3 pizza's out of a jar of sauce, and 2 to 3 from the block of mozz cheese.  We like our pizza with pineapple.  When I buy one, any we dont eat right away gets frozen and used for things like this. 

The key is to use everything.  Do not waste food.  I rarely throw food out.  I try to buy a different fruit each week depending on what is on sale.  I freeze anything we dont eat and if we get enough, I make smoothies for breakfast.  

If we have leftover veggies, I either serve them again, or make broth out of them.  I also make and freeze chicken broth (or turkey).  

I bought a turkey breast this week. I will cut the meat from it, cube it and freeze it and use it in recipes that call for chicken breast.  I will boil the bones for the turkey stew and use any leftover meat from that I can salvage.  I may add some additional meat if needed.  

What foods help you stay in budget?