I love meat. It tastes good, has easy to digest proteins, B vitamins, and iron. But it can be a killer to my grocery budget - even when I use all my tips to save on meat. To offset this, I serve a meatless main dish to help stretch our budget, like this slow cooker meatless lasagna. That doesn't mean we don't get protein though! ... Continue Reading
Which is Cheaper Costco or ALDI?
Costco is known for their great deals on real food because you're buying in bulk. ALDI is known for being for having incredibly low prices thanks to their private label and lack of variety. So which is cheaper Costco or Aldi? Readers have left comments saying they cancelled their Costco membership because they found better prices at ALDI. I've also heard other readers say the opposite, that Costco ... Continue Reading
Bend Soap Milk Scrub (homemade bathroom scrub)
I love having a homemade all-purpose cleaner readily available, but sometimes you need something with more oomph, you know what I mean? The house we're renting has white laminate counter tops. They're so porous that if a slice of beet falls off your cutting board, you must stop you're doing right that moment and clean it up, otherwise you'll have an unsightly red mark on the counter forever. Oddly ... Continue Reading
One Pan Buffalo Chicken Potatoes
Have you ever been so busy that you forgot to come up with a plan for dinner? Let me guess, silly question? Well it happened to me A LOT when we were living in our one-bedroom apartment this past winter. It’s a humbling thought too considering I make the time to create a hold-your-hand type of meal plan for YOU every month! ... Continue Reading
DIY Essential Oil Diffuser Necklace
Last fall my son woke up and greeted me with a nasal-y "morning Mom." In my experience, other upper respiratory issues aren't too far behind. Since we try to use natural remedies first whenever possible, I reached for my essential oils and applied R.C. topically and diffused Eucalyptus in the room before he left for school. That helped almost immediately, but I wanted him to be able to breathe easily ... Continue Reading
How to Make Money with Swagbucks
I’ve been using Swagbucks as a way to earn money at home since my son was born 8 years ago. It started as a way to offset the grocery budget. I would let videos run on the computer and at the end of the month I had earned $25! A lot has changed since then except for one important fact: I’m still earning money! ... Continue Reading
Why My Family of 4 Chose to Live in a One Bedroom Apartment
Four months ago we decided to move to Georgia. Three months ago we gave away almost everything we owned, set aside a few bare essentials to get us through 2-3 weeks of “minimal living” and packed up the rest into a moving truck. When it was time to leave California and drive across the country, those bare essentials were packed in the cars. ... Continue Reading
2015 Crumbs Family Christmas Letter
Merry Christmas Friends! Last year Mr. Crumbs started a tradition where we wrote you - our amazing readers - a Christmas letter. Twelve months ago I was neck deep in launching our meal plan membership. This year I'm treading water in a move across the country. Nonetheless, I'm excited to carry on the tradition and share what's been going on in our family this year on a more personal level. So let's get to ... Continue Reading
Cross-country Road Trip (part 2)
We've officially been in Georgia for one week and one day and I have a quiz for you. Which of the following statements are true: ... Continue Reading
Cross-Country Road Trip (part 1)
Last Saturday my kids and I packed up and started a 3000 mile road trip, from California to Georgia. It's not an everyday occurrence that you drive through 8 states in 6 days, so I made sure to take lots of pictures along the way!There's also something about being in a confined space with two elementary aged kids that will stretch you in ways you didn't think were possible. In some ways, this is good. In others, ... Continue Reading