Today the thought struck me that being frugal is not just a necessity on my family’s budget, but an integral part of who I am.

Let’s walk through parts of a typical day as a frugal homeschooling mom!

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This morning started with me cooking a breakfast for the four of us who were at home (sausages and eggs) that totalled under $1.75 altogether.

After breakfast and chores, I got the kids started on homeschool work. The toddler wanted school,  so I gave her challenges in her coloring book and let her pick up things with jumbo tweezers.

Meanwhile,  I shredded chicken thighs leftover from hubby grilling night before last, boiled noodles and made ranch dressing for the sauce. Chopped part of a $1 marked down big bag of fresh spinach and got a bag of frozen peas heated to toss in. Dinner is coming in under $5 for 5 people,  probably with some left over.

The kids had a healthy a mid morning snack out of a handful of peas and a bunch of spinach leaves dipped in the dredges of ranch dip.

My kids and I are having sinus trouble.  I threw a couple of drops each of lemon, frankincense and copaiba essential oils  in the diffuser.  It left the house smelling yummy and us all breathing easier for very little expense, especially with Barefut Essential Oils.

I love Barefut Essential Oils and the Kid Friendly line! They  run some amazing specials on top of the usual super affordable prices! https://barefut.com/product-category/kid-friendly/?afmc=Kg

Lunch was sandwiches with fresh spinach dip I made with part of the dressing,  a bit of cream cheese and a bunch of shredded spinach.

After school,  we made each child necklaces from some themed candy filled ornaments similar to these we bought 8 for $1 after Christmas.

Later when we want a snack, spinach dip and crackers or apples will be on the menu.

I didn’t think much about all of this as I went,  but it is obvious that I constantly make many small choices which allow us to live life fully in a way that costs much less than average.

Is being thrifty natural for you,  or do you have to work at penny pinching? What are some things you wish you could save on? Here are some of my more strange tricks for saving money!