What Would You Give Up or Do Differently If You Had to Lower Monthly Expenses? (50 Ideas!)

Looking for creative ways to lower your monthly expenses? This list might give you some inspiration and ideas to try! (Find even more great ideas here! ) If you were forced to lower your monthly expenses with no way to increase your income, what would ... ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  View Online Here's what's new: What Would You Give Up or Do Differently If You Had to Lower Monthly Expenses? (50 Ideas!) What Would You Give Up or Do Differently If You Had to Lower Monthly Expenses? (50 Ideas!) Looking for creative ways to lower your monthly expenses? This list might give you some inspiration and ideas to try! (Find even more great ideas here!) If you were forced to lower your monthly expenses with no way to increase your income, what would you give up first? Here’s what many of our readers had to say when we posed the question on Facebook! 50 Ways to Easily Lower Your Monthly Expenses FOOD to GIVE UP: Restaurants and fast food! (NOTE: this was the top answer from hundreds of readers!) Hot lunch (pack lunches from home instead). Coffee runs (just make it at home). Starbucks. Ice Cream. Meat. Organic foods. (Or find ways to save on them.) Brand name foods — store bought is usually just as good. Grocery splurges & impulse purchases — get more intentional about menu planning. Grocery shopping (for a week or two by using up things in your pantry and freezer). Individually packaged items — buy in bulk to save instead. Individual drinks — canned soda, Gatorade, sparkling waters, lemonade, etc. Alcohol and soda — at the grocery store and restaurants. Junk food, desserts, and treats. Vending machine snacks. MONTHLY BILLS to ELIMINATE: Streaming services (try FREE Sling TV instead!) and digital subscriptions (NOTE: this was the next most popular answer!) Cell phone data usage. Cell phone company — switch to one with a lower rate. Gym membership. Amazon Prime. Magazine and newspaper subscriptions. Cable TV or Satellite Dish. Pet grooming — watch a YouTube video and do it at home. Manicures & Pedicures — Do it yourself at home. Delivery fees — only get things with free shipping. Insurance on household appliances — it’s usually not worth it. Utilities — intentionally lower your heating bill or call the companies to negotiate a lower rate. HABITS to CHANGE: Stop paying full price for anything! Try shopping for groceries at outside-the-box places. Stop traveling (at least for a year or so). Or check out these travel savings tips. Stop buying anything you don’t have room in your budget for (pay cash for everything). Color your own hair. Hang clothes on a clothesline to dry instead of using the dryer. Say no to impulse purchases. Switch to free/frugal entertainment like going for a walk with friends or having people over instead of going out. Stop online browsing that turns into shopping or impulse buys. Turn thermostat down/up and unplug devices when not in use. Hunt, fish, and grow a garden. Utilize free cycle sites for clothes and toys. Walk or ride your bike instead of driving everywhere. Give up some of the kids’ extracurricular activities and sports. Conserve gas by running all errands in one day instead of several times a week. Thrift and shop ahead. Learn to wait 24 hours before making a purchase. Scale back on ALL holiday spending (food, entertainment, gifts, clothing, decorations, etc.). Increase giving to those in worse need to help change your perspective. Focus more on needs versus wants. Make a budget and actually stick with it! Try cheap and free date night ideas. Recognize items you might not have to buy. Discover the joy of contentment. Looking for more ideas? Check out these tips: 55+ Simple Tips to Save Money at Home 35+ Ways to Save Money on Your Energy Bill What to Do When You’re Tired of Being Frugal 65+ Cheap & Free Date Night Ideas 25 Ways to Save On Pet Costs 35 Things You Don’t Need to Buy 30 Creative Ways to Save on Gas 25+ Cheap Ways to Travel The 5-Minute Weekly Budget Check-In That Might Change Your Finances Ask Crystal: How can I budget when I’m so far behind? Small Leaks, Big Impact: How Tiny Daily Spending Habits Can Quietly Drain (or Transform!) Your Budget Plus, you can read through the entire list of reader ideas over on our Facebook page! We’d love to know… what would YOU give up if you absolutely had to lower your monthly expenses? FREE DOWNLOAD: 60 Meals To Help You Avoid Takeout! Meal time just got so much easier!       Latest finds on Pinterest Looking for creative ways to lower your monthly expenses? This list might give you some inspiration and ideas to try! Trying to rein in your budget this year? Check out these budgeting mistakes to avoid! Want a budget that actually works? This step-by-step guide shows you exactly how to create a monthly budget — plus you’ll get a FREE budget spreadsheet to download and use. Safely Unsubscribe • Archives • Preferences • Contact • Subscribe • Privacy Email subscriptions powered by FeedBlitz® • 650 E. Palisade Avenue Ste 2, PO Box 173 • Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632

Week 1: A Peek Into This Past Week + What I'm Reading, Listening to, and Watching! and more...

I used to do a weekly post with a peek into the past week + lots of links. Many of you have missed this, so I'm bringing it back for 2026! I'll be sharing some pictures and highlights from the past week + what I'm reading, watching, and listening to. I ... ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  View Online Here's what's new: Week 1: A Peek Into This Past Week + What I’m Reading, Listening to, and Watching! Brigette’s $114.64 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6! Week 1: A Peek Into This Past Week + What I’m Reading, Listening to, and Watching! I used to do a weekly post with a peek into the past week + lots of links. Many of you have missed this, so I’m bringing it back for 2026! I’ll be sharing some pictures and highlights from the past week + what I’m reading, watching, and listening to. I will also share links to posts or other interesting things I don’t want you to miss. Jesse and I kicked off the new year with going to my favorite class at the gym together for the first time! (Can you spot David in this picture??) I’m loving getting back into sourdough after taking a bit of time off for the holidays! I finished this She Reads Truth study today! I love the She Reads Truth studies and used them all last year for my morning Bible Time. I’m planning to do the same this year! This was my Friday project — something that desperately needed to be done! Our closet in our bedroom (that we’ve been sharing with all three younger kids, too) had gotten out of control over December. It was time to whip it into shape and deep clean it (something I’d been meaning to do for months!) It took 3 hours, but it felt SO good when it was done. I moved a bunch of stuff upstairs to Kierstyn and Micah’s new room and closet (they are moving up to Kathrynne’s old room!) and some items to our attic storage. Every time I walk into the closet, I feel so happy!! I’m hoping to slowly work through the whole house this year and set up better systems that are maintainable. (Also, a few people on Facebook told me the carpet was disgusting. It definitely needs to be cleaned, but it’s also taken a huge beating the last five years with us using this closet for us + 4 little kids, so I think it likely is past being able to look really clean again!) Guess who got her ears pierced?? See a video of her experience here. Kaitlynn helped Kierstyn and Micah make homemade slime — something Kaitlynn used to love to make! Here’s her favorite recipe. I made a BIG batch of roasted veggies for salads and to serve with eggs at breakfast! I used parsnips, butternut squash, onions, sweet potatoes, carrots, and potatoes. Top Instagram Post of the Week This vulnerable video on why I sized up in jeans was our most-watched Instagram post of the week. I hope it encourages you — it’s about a lot more than the size of your jeans! Watch it here. Books I Finished This Week Advent – Book #1 finished in 2026! I loved this one by Sherri Gragg! We have a podcast episode coming on Tuesday that I think you are going to love! She brought the Christmas story to light in ways I’d never thought of by sharing so much of the historical and cultural content. Words Like Honey: How to Avoid Unintentional Harm, Model Kindness, and Nurture Your Child’s Faith Through What You Say – I was so challenged by how little phrases we say – even well-meaningly – could cause harm to our kids. I didn’t agree with everything in the book, but thought it was a very worthwhile read! Listen to the podcast I did with the author here. The Wilds – I really enjoyed all three books in this series! This one engaged me and I had no idea how it was going to end up until well into the book. However, I didn’t love the ending – it felt like it fell flat compared to the rest of the book. That said, this series is overall very clean. It has some language and deals with adult themes but did it in a way that I felt wasn’t super graphic. They are murder mysteries, though, so you might disagree with me on that! What I’m Listening To Breath as Prayer: Calm Your Anxiety, Focus Your Mind, and Renew Your Soul – I got this as a free download on Libby and it has been really encouraging. If you struggle to slow down, to release your burdens to the Lord, or struggle with worry or anxious thoughts, I think this book would encourage you. What I’m Watching We watched RIO, Night at the Museum, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb with the younger kids this week since they were off for Christmas break. We enjoyed them all and would recommend them. I’m also watching When Calls the Heart during some of my afternoon work time that I can easily do something else while working. I am maybe going to try to watch all 13 seasons this year since I find it to be kind of a fun and engaging “background show” — the kind you can have on in the background while you do something else. In Case You Missed It – Posts From This Week The 43 Books I Read in 2025 – I finished 43 books in 2025. I have been keeping all of the books on a shelf and it’s been fun to watch them accumulate over the year! See the full list here. My Top 4 Favorite Reads From 2025 – As I looked through all the books I read in 2025, these four books stood out to me most as ones that impacted me They challenged me, encouraged me, and were the ones I kept coming back to in conversation and recommendations. I share more why I chose each one in the reviews below. How to Create a Budget Spreadsheet (Using Our Free Download!) – Making a budget doesn’t have to be overwhelming — this step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to take control of your money, plus I’ll show you how to create a budget spreadsheet with a free download to make it easy. 25 Things I’m So Glad I Said Yes to in 2025 – Over the past few weeks, I spent some time reflecting on decisions and choices I made in 2025 that I’m so happy I did! I came up with a list of 25 things I said yes to that ended up being impactful decisions that I look back on the year and realize made a positive difference. How I Found Food Freedom This Year! – In the summer of 2025, I made a decision that I honestly didn’t expect to have such a big impact. I signed up to meet with a Nourish dietitian because it was covered by insurance! I had no idea how much it was going to change my life! Why I’m Not Setting Any Goals This Year – Over the past few weeks, I keep getting messages from people saying, “I can’t wait to see your goals list for 2026! It’s one of my favorite things you post!” And I had to sort of chuckle and then also realize that I’m possibly going to shock some people with a decision I made in November with the encouragement of my husband and my business coach: I’m not setting any goals for 2026! Our 50% Sale Ends on Monday – Prices as low as $3.50! Through tomorrow, every digital product in our store is 50% off, making this the perfect opportunity to grab something you’ve had your eye on… or pick up a resource you know could really help your family in the year ahead. Prices start as low as $3.50!! You can browse everything that’s included in the End-of-Year Sale right here, with 50% off all digital products from January 5: Thank you so much for being here, for reading, for sharing, and for allowing me to be a small part of your journey. I am so grateful for each and every one of you and hope that this sale blesses you in the way you’ve blessed me over the years! Tell me about your week! Anything interesting happen? Did you read any good books, watch any good shows, or tackle any project?       Brigette’s $114.64 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6! Aldi 2 gallons Whole Milk – $5.92 1/2 gallon Orange Juice – $3.19 1 32-oz carton Half and Half – $2.45 1 bag Shredded Hashbrowns – $3.69 1 pkg Boneless Chicken Thighs – $9.96 1 pkg Boneless Chicken Breasts – $12.03 1 5-lb bag Jasmine Rice – $6.39 1 box Butter Quarters – $3.29 2 bags Romaine Hearts – $5.98 1 3-lb bag Red Onions – $1.75 3 pkgs Fresh Green Beans – $7.17 1 pkg Broccoli Crowns – $2.72 1 bag Red Grapes – $4.73 1 3-ct bag Multi-Colored Peppers – $2.39 1 3-lb bag Gala Apples – $1.99 2 cans Organic Black Beans – $1.90 1 jar Pasta Sauce – $1.39 1 16-oz pkg Deli Meat – $3.99 1 pkg Sliced Cheese – $1.49 1 2-lb bag Shredded Cheddar Cheese – $6.85 2 8-oz blocks Cheddar Cheese – $3.58 3 dozen Eggs – $5.88 2 jars Cantina Salsa – $4.58 1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $2.85 2 4-ct pkgs Greek Yogurt – $5.30 2 bags Tortilla Chips – $3.18 Total: $114.64 Grocery Total for the Week: $114.64 Weekly Menu Plan Breakfasts Cereal, Oatmeal, Smoothies, Veggie Omelets, Pancakes Lunches Deli Meat/Cheese Sandwiches, Sliced Peppers, Apples/Grapes x 3 Leftovers x 4 Dinners Venison Meatloaf, Tossed Salad, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes Quiche, Oatmeal Spice Muffins Grilled Chicken, Parmesan Cauliflower, Biscuits Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Breadsticks in the Bread Machine, Tossed Salad, Green Beans Build-Your-Own-Chipotle Bowls (Seasoned Chicken Strips, Shredded Cheese, Chopped Romaine, Salsa, Chopped Green Onions, Avocado, Corn Chips, Sauteed Onions and Peppers, Cilantro, Rice) BBQ Meatballs, Broccoli, Roasted Potato Wedges Leftovers Leftovers       Latest finds on Pinterest Looking for creative ways to lower your monthly expenses? This list might give you some inspiration and ideas to try! Trying to rein in your budget this year? Check out these budgeting mistakes to avoid! Want a budget that actually works? This step-by-step guide shows you exactly how to create a monthly budget — plus you’ll get a FREE budget spreadsheet to download and use. Safely Unsubscribe • Archives • Preferences • Contact • Subscribe • Privacy Email subscriptions powered by FeedBlitz® • 650 E. Palisade Avenue Ste 2, PO Box 173 • Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632