Day 3: Eating From the Pantry Challenge and more...

It’s Day 3 of the $100 Savings Challenge and I actually did today's challenge early, on sort of accident! You see, if you read my post yesterday, you know that we needed groceries but our grocery order wasn't scheduled to come until today. So ... ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  View Online Here's what's new: Day 3: Eating From the Pantry Challenge HUGE List of 100+ Best Military and Veteran Discounts Day 3: Eating From the Pantry Challenge It’s Day 3 of the $100 Savings Challenge and I actually did today’s challenge early, on sort of accident! You see, if you read my post yesterday, you know that we needed groceries but our grocery order wasn’t scheduled to come until today. So instead of running to the store for a few things like eggs, milk, and yogurt, we made do with what we had! More on everything we ate yesterday below… But first, if you haven’t signed up for the $100 Savings Challenge, be sure follow the directions to sign up (there are prizes!!): How To Participate in the $100 Savings Challenge Go sign up for the $100 Savings Challenge to get your free 14-day plan. Every week day of the challenge, I’ll be posting on Instagram, Facebook, and here on the blog as I work through the challenge myself. I will invite you to do the daily challenges with me and to share your successes! Every day that you complete the challenge and submit it, you’ll be entered to win one of 5 $100 Amazon gift cards we’re giving away randomly at the end. You can participate every day or just some of the days — whatever works for you! But every day that you participate and fill out the simple form, you are entered to win! Day 3 Challenge: Our fridge was quite bare, but I had fun getting creative and coming up with meal ideas. Here’s some of what we ate: Eating From the Pantry: Breakfast: Eggs (I found a carton of pre-beaten eggs I had forgotten I bought a few weeks back!), the last of the Cheerios, fruit, and toast. Lunch: Snacky odds and ends — I had mandarin oranges, a mini taco that was a free sample at the gym, plus some salmon and the very last bits of lettuce we had in the fridge. Snack: I remembered this candy stash I had stuck up at the top of the pantry and pulled it out and let the kids each pick something from it. They were thrilled!! I also had some crackers and a Quest bar for snack. Dinner: Browned ground beef and onions with rice on the side and burger sauce. After dinner snack: blueberries sprinkled with walnuts and chocolate chips We were pretty much entirely out of vegetables, but we made do and actually ate some pretty yummy food! I already counted the money we saved by not going to the store yesterday for our No Spend Day, so we’re going to stick with saying we’re at: $25.25 found/saved so far with the challenge. How much have you saved/found so far as part of the challenge? Enter to Win a $100 Amazon Gift Card (we’re giving 5 away!) Go sign up for the challenge here! And just for fun — and to motivate you to join us for the challenge — if you do today’s challenge and fill out the form linked here, you will be entered to win one of 5 $100 Amazon gift cards I’m giving away at the end of the challenge! Note: We may possibly share a few of the best entries over the course of the challenge, so by submitting the form, you are giving us permission to possibly post your entry. If you’d rather we don’t post it, please note that on your entry. Did you participate today? I’d love to hear how today went for you!       HUGE List of 100+ Best Military and Veteran Discounts Looking for the best military discounts list? Don’t miss these 100+ military and veteran discounts — including SO many sites & stores! If you or someone you love serves (or has served) in the military, you already know that every little bit of savings counts, especially when juggling family expenses, relocations, and all the surprises life throws at us. We’ve put together this personalized guide to help you uncover the best military discounts out there. Think of this as your living “military discounts list” that you can bookmark and revisit whenever you need a little extra wiggle room in the budget. Let’s dive in! Why Military Discounts Matter (and How to Use Them Smoothly) First off, thank you for your service, your family’s sacrifices, and all the ways you keep our communities strong. Military discounts are one small way retailers and service providers show appreciation, and for you, they can translate into meaningful savings on things you already need or want to buy. Here’s how to make the most of them: 1. Get Verified Ahead of Time Many companies use platforms like ID.me or SheerID (or they will check your military ID in person). Rather than waiting until checkout, set up your verification account when you have a few spare minutes. That way, when you’re ready to buy, you’ll be able to breeze through confirmation and avoid abandoned carts or last-minute stress. 2. Know Who Qualifies Active duty, reservists, National Guard, retirees, veterans, spouses, and often dependents are usually eligible, but each retailer may have its own rules. Sometimes even caregivers or extended family can access perks. Always peek at the fine print on the retailer’s “Military Discount” page or FAQ so you know exactly who’s covered. 3. Read the Details Discounts can come as a percentage off, a fixed-dollar savings, or freebies (think: free National Park annual pass!). Exclusions often include sale items, gift cards, or limited-time promotions, so check each offer’s terms. Also watch for seasonal windows, like Military Appreciation Month in May or Veterans Day specials, when extra perks pop up. The Ultimate List of Military & Veteran Discounts! Below are the most common categories where military discounts appear. Before purchasing, double-check the retailer’s site, since offers can shift. 1. Clothing & Apparel Adidas – Typically around 30% off regular-priced items online/in-store and 15% off at factory outlets after ID.me verification. Alpha Industries – All active duty, reserve, veterans, and retired members of the U.S. military can get 15% off your entire purchase. Verify your status on their website to get the deal. ASICS – Around 25% off qualifying footwear and 30% off apparel after verification via SheerID. Brides Across America – This non-profit gifts weddings and wedding gowns to military and first responders. Every July and November, they give away bridal gowns! Visit their site to see if you’re eligible and for more details. Buckle – Around 10% off entire purchase (regular and sale items) for military, spouses, and dependents after verification. Carhartt – Commonly 15% off workwear; verify status online or present ID in-store. Chaco –Verify your status with ID.me during your online checkout and receive 25% off orders of $49+. Clarks – While Clarks’ military discount varies, it can be as high as 50% off! You’ll verify your status as military member, spouse, or family member with ID.me as you checkout. Converse – Typically 15% off for active-duty, reservists, veterans, retirees, spouses, and dependents. Crocs – Often 25% off full-priced products after ID.me verification. Hey Dude – Provides 25% off regular price footwear and accessories for military with ID.me verification. Jared the Galleria of Jewelry – Verify your eligibility with ID.me and receive a code you can redeem at checkout for 10% off your purchase. Kay Jewelers – Offers a “special discount for your shining service” to all active duty, retired, and reserved military members. Verify your eligibility with ID.me and you’ll receive a 10% coupon code to use at checkout. Kohl’s – Kohl’s offers active military, veterans, retirees, and their immediate family members 15% off qualifying purchases on Mondays, in store only and with proper ID. Levi’s – Often 15% off apparel for active-duty, veterans, retirees, and immediate family via online verification or in-store ID. L.L. Bean – Verify your eligibility with SheerID to get 10% off your order, valid for military personnel and their families. Lululemon – Using SheerID, all active, reservist, veteran, and retired military personnel — and the spouses and dependents of active personnel from the same household — can get 15% off in-store or online. New Balance – Frequently 15% off after verification, with codes reusable per retailer rules. Nike – Offers a 10% discount off most items — online and in stores — to all active, reservist, veteran, and retired US military personnel, and to the spouses and dependents of active personnel. Simply show your military ID in store or, if shopping online, verify your status with SheerID to get a promo code to use during checkout. North Face – Once you verify your status with SheerID, you’ll be eligible for a 10% discount at North Face retail stores and online. (Note: this isn’t valid for the outlet or third party stores selling North Face products.) Quiksilver – Valid online only, you can score a 15% discount once you verify your eligibility with SheerID. Quince – Verify your eligibility with ID.me and receive 10% off your first purchase. Rack Room Shoes – Every Tuesday, service members and their spouses can receive 10% off your entire purchase, with military ID and in-store only. On Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day, you’ll receive 20% off. This can be combined with the BOGO 50% Off offers and applied to all sale prices. Saucony – Verify your eligibility with ID.me and receive 20% off. Sunglass Hut – Active Duty, Retirees, Veterans, Military Spouses, and Military Family Members can receive a 15% discount upon verifying eligibility with ID.me. Under Armour – Frequently offers 10–15% off for military through SheerID or similar platforms. 2. Grocery & Household Essentials Costco – Service members (and families) who are new to Costco may receive a bonus shop card (e.g., $20–$40) upon joining under a military promotion; verify online during sign-up. CVS – CVS offers WeSalute+ members 20% off their full-price CVS.com order, plus free shipping. Service members and their next of kin can join WeSalute+ free and get their ID card that unlocks even more discounts here. Fred Meyer (Kroger affiliate) – Typically offers an extra 10% off private-label groceries, apparel, home goods, electronics, and more on specified “military appreciation” days (e.g., every 3rd Thursday). Present military ID in-store or verify online. Omaha Steaks – Score $10 off a $100+ purchase for active-duty military, retirees, veterans, military spouses and dependents after verifying with ID.me. Sam’s Club – Occasionally offers joining bonuses or exclusive savings events for military members. Currently, new members get 60% off a new club membership with ID.me verification. Thrive Market – Offers a free one-year membership for veterans and active service members. This online grocery store helps you save up to 30% on quality products that are delivered to right to your door and a membership usually costs $12 a month or $60 a year, so this is an amazing deal! 3. Dining & Food Services Seasonal/Veterans Day Offers – Numerous chains run free or discounted meals on Veterans Day or around that date, according to Military.com. Examples (these vary each year, so be sure to verify the current year’s offerings): Applebee’s, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse, Cracker Barrel, Whataburger, Subway, Starbucks, Denny’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Peet’s Coffee, and many others. These typically require valid military ID or proof of service. Ongoing Military Discount Programs – Some restaurants offer year-round military discounts (e.g., 10–15% off food). Look for “military discount” info on the restaurant’s site or ask at checkout. Chains to check include Shoney’s, Whataburger, Houlihan’s, Outback Steakhouse, RA Sushi, Carrabba’s, and regional eateries that participate in Military.com roundups. Home Chef – When you sign up with Home Chef meal delivery service, you can verify with ID.me and get 50% off your first box, plus 10% off each recurring box! (You can go here to read my full review of Home Chef and find out about other discounts!) 4. Travel & Outdoor Recreation Airlines and Trains – Amtrak, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, and United Airlines offer military discounts. Car Rentals – Companies such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, Alamo, and Enterprise may offer special military pricing; verify eligibility online or present your ID at pickup. Cruises – Norwegian Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruises all offer military members discounted rates. Hotel Chains – Major brands like Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Best Western, and IHG often list military rates; look for a “military rate” filter on booking portals or call for reservations. Compare against any promotional rates to choose the best deal. National Park Service – Active-duty military (and in many cases their dependents) can obtain the “America the Beautiful” annual pass for free, granting entry to national parks and federal recreation lands. Check the official National Park Service or military benefits site for enrollment details. Callaway – Verify your status with ID.me and automatically receive 15% off your online purchase of golf clubs, balls, and more. Great Wolf Lodge – Through their Howlin’ Heroes offer and verified with ID.me, you can score up to 40% off your stay. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens theme parks – These parks often run military ticket offers or discounted admission windows through their Waves of Honor program. Sometimes you can even score free tickets for yourself and three dependents! Offers vary by park and throughout the year, so check out their website for the most up-to-date offers. Shades of Green – This Armed Forces Recreation Center near Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World offers special packages and deals for U.S. military members and their families. Six Flags – Offers discounted single day tickets and season passes to all active and retired military when you verify your status with ID.me. Walt Disney World Resort – Disney offers a generous discount on 4-day, 5-day, and 6-day Military Salute Tickets to the parks. Other Theme Parks – Universal Studios in Hollywood and in Orlando, Cedar Point, and Dollywood all offer discounted tickets to all active and retired U.S. military personnel and their spouses. Outdoor Gear Retailers – For camping/hiking equipment needed for park trips, retailers like Backcountry or REI occasionally extend military discounts; check their benefits pages or verification portals. PXG – Offers special pricing on select golf clubs, apparel, and accessories via their PXG for Heroes Program. Operation Heal Our Patriots – This program from Samaritan’s Purse welcomes couples to Lake Clark National Park in Alaska for a week of healing and connection with Biblically-based marriage training and refreshing wilderness experiences. They serve married veterans and active-duty military members who were wounded after 9/11, and applications open February 1 each year. 5. Electronics & Technology Apple – Generally 10% off devices (Macs, iPads, accessories) for military members and immediate household. Verify via ID.me on Apple’s dedicated military store. Best Buy – May run periodic military appreciation promotions; check Best Buy’s deal pages or ask Geek Squad for any unadvertised savings. Dell – Variable discounts after ID.me verification. Promo codes apply to laptops, desktops, and accessories. Microsoft – Sometimes offers military pricing on software or hardware; check Microsoft’s education or military benefits pages. Samsung – Occasional military discounts on phones or appliances; verify on Samsung’s benefits portal if available. 6. Home Improvement & Furniture Lowe’s – Commonly offers 10% off select items (tools, appliances, décor) for active-duty, retirees, veterans, and spouses after ID.me verification online or presenting ID in-store. Home Depot – Occasionally runs military appreciation events with special offers; check Home Depot’s military benefits page or ask customer service. At Home – Present your military ID at checkout to get 10% off your in-store purchase. Puffy Mattress – Military personnel who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to receive $1,425 in savings when you buy any Puffy mattress. This offer includes 2 free luxury pillows and 2 sleep masks worth $390. Verify your eligibility on their website and you’ll receive a single-use discount code to enter at checkout. Ashley Furniture – Often offers 5% off merchandise after eligibility confirmation; verify details on their military discount page. Wayfair – Sometimes provides limited-time military discounts; look for promotions or inquire via their customer support. IKEA – Some regions may offer military discounts; check the local IKEA site or contact the store directly. Pelican — Offers 15% of all orders with ID.me. Moving Services – A few portable moving and storage unit companies offer discounts to military families on the move. PODS offers up to 25% off your move, SmartBox provides $20 off your order of a SmartBox, and 1-800-Pack-Rat’s offers vary, but they’re currently offering up to 50% off! Appliance Discounts – If you need new appliances, GE and Whirlpool offer special pricing to military members. Visit their websites for more details. Build-A-Sign – Since 2008, they’ve given away more than $10 million worth of Welcome Home signs and banners to military friends and families for their loved ones returning home from a deployment. Go here to get your free 3×6 banner! 7. Health & Wellness Eyewear Providers – Eyemart Express, LensCrafters, and other optical retailers frequently offer around 20–50% off eyewear and eye exams for military members and families after verification. Supplement Stores – GNC often provides 10% off vitamins and supplements for verified military. Fitness Services – Gyms or fitness studios (e.g., national chains like 24 Hour Fitness or local boutique studios) sometimes have military rates or waived initiation fees. Check local branches or corporate sites. Telehealth & Mental Health Apps – Some digital health platforms offer discounted subscriptions for veterans; verify via veteran benefits portals or the service’s site. 8. Automotive Services Tire & Service Chains – Companies like Discount Tire, Firestone, Pep Boys, or quick-lube centers often provide unspecified “military discounts” if you ask. Verify on their websites or by calling ahead. Car Dealerships – Some manufacturers run military rebate programs or special financing for eligible buyers (e.g., GM Military Discount, Ford Military Program, Toyota Military Rebate). Check manufacturer websites under “Military Incentives.” Auto Insurance Providers – Many insurers (e.g., USAA, Geico, State Farm) offer reduced premiums or special rates for military families; request a quote specifying military status. 9. Entertainment & Recreation Movie Theaters – Chains like AMC, Cinemark, or Regal may offer discounted tickets for military on certain days. Check theater websites or ask at the box office. Local Museums & Attractions – Many museums, zoos, and aquariums have year-round military rates. You can find out more about participating Blue Star Museums, visit your local attractions’ official sites, or call their member services. Streaming Services – Occasionally platforms like Paramount+, Peacock, or Hulu provide promotional military pricing. Subscribe to deal newsletters or check their discount pages. GameStop – Active members of the military are eligible to receive 10% off in-store purchases of toys, collectibles, and pre-owned items. Note: this has quite a few limitations on what you can purchase, so be sure to verify before you checkout. Michaels – Register through your Michaels Rewards account, verify your military status, and receive a 15% discount on your entire purchase (including sale items!) in store or online every day. Our Military Kids – Children and teens (ages 1-18) of deployed or combat-injured parents can apply for this 501(c)(3)’s $300 extracurricular activity grant! According to their site, “Our Military Kids provides grants for all kinds of sports, fine and performing arts, camps, tutoring, driver’s education, high school band trips, STEM programs, and more!” 10. Financial Services & Insurance Banks & Credit Unions – Institutions like Navy Federal Credit Union, USAA, PenFed, and some retail banks waive fees or offer favorable account terms for service members. Review each institution’s military benefits page. Insurance – Auto and home insurers often provide military discounts. When obtaining quotes, explicitly mention your status to ensure applicable savings. Investment Platforms – Some brokers or robo-advisors offer reduced fees or special offers for veterans. Check provider sites for veteran account perks. 11. Education & Professional Development Online Course Platforms – Sites like Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning sometimes provide veteran discounts or free access to certain content. Check their veteran-specific pages or verify via VA education benefits. Tutor.com – This service, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, offers U.S. Military members and their families free online tutoring and homework help, 24/7. Certification Bodies – Professional exam providers (e.g., project management, IT certifications) may offer reduced exam fees for veterans; check each organization’s website under veteran benefits. Colleges & Universities – Many institutions offer tuition discounts or scholarships for veterans and military spouses. Consult the school’s veteran affairs office or financial aid pages. 12. Online Subscriptions & Software Productivity & Creative Tools – Companies like Adobe, Microsoft, and antivirus providers occasionally run military promotions. Monitor their official sites or subscribe to newsletters for alerts. News & Media Subscriptions – Some news outlets offer discounted digital subscriptions for veterans. Check their subscription pages or look for “military discount” banners. VPN & Security Services – Certain VPN providers or cybersecurity tools may extend military savings. Verify on their sites or via deal-aggregation portals. 13. Seasonal & Special Occasion Offers Veterans Day / Memorial Day – Many retailers and restaurants offer freebies or extra discounts on these dates. Examples include free meals at chains (Applebee’s, Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, etc.) and retail promotions at stores like Kohl’s or Michaels. Watch deal roundups on sites like Military.com during early November and late May for up-to-date listings. Military Appreciation Month (May) – Retailers across categories (clothing, home improvement, electronics) often launch extra savings. Keep an eye on your favorite brands’ newsletters or deal blogs for announcements each May. Bookmark this guide because we’ll update it as offers evolve. By checking these specific retailers and following the general suggestions above, you’ll be well-equipped to find and use the best military discounts available. You Might Also Like: 50 Top Freebies The Best Items to Buy Each Month of the Year The Ultimate Birthday Freebie List 10 Ways to Save on Visiting National Parks Our Latest Free Food Deals Where have you found the best military deals? Please share in the comments below! Never miss a HOT deal again! Sign up below and I’ll only email you when I find a really fantastic deal!       Latest finds on Pinterest Need lazy dinners that don’t break the bank? This roundup of 15 quick, cheap, & easy dinner ideas is perfect for busy nights! Whether you're rushing after work or just tired of overthinking weekday meals, this list has you covered. These quick easy dinner options are perfect for menu planning on a family budget. Save this post for your go-to weekday dinner inspiration! #CheapDinners #WeeknightRecipeInspo #EasyDinners 3 Steps to Ditch the Soda Pop Habit -- save money, cut calories, and feel more energetic! Not a fan of brussel sprouts? You may change your mind after you try this recipe! The honey and cranberries combined with roasting the brussel sprouts make these a winner! So much so, your kids won't complain when you serve them! This is the perfect vegetable side dish where everyone will be pleasantly surprised by the flavor! 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