One of my personal money saving tips is to make your own iced coffee drinks instead of buying them at a coffee shop. Simply brew a large double-strength pot of coffee (use 2x as much coffee as you would normally use), refrigerate it until chilled and you can then use the chilled coffee for iced coffee drinks over the next few days (store unused coffee in a covered container in refrigerator). To make your iced coffee beverage, simply fill a glass of ice, pour chilled coffee over ice, top with milk and stir in your favorite sweetener. When I’m feeling indulgent, I’ll make an iced mocha (cup of ice, 1/2 coffee, 1/2 milk, couple spoonfuls of chocolate syrup and topped with whipped cream). Feeling extra-indulgent? Blend a little chilled coffee with Baileys Irish Cream and a scoop or 2 of ice cream for a milkshake that will give you *wings*.

Marsha and I definitely enjoy eating on the cheap when we can, and you’re right that a lot of that is solved by planning and prepping some easy foods for the week. We’ve also been buying a lot of produce from Boggy Creek Farm, which is right next to where Marsha works, and is paradoxically cheaper (and better!) for us on average than buying from HEB or Fresh Plus. There are good deals to be had at the two or three weekly farmers’ markets in town, too, especially for veggies that are in season.

Non-vegetarians might want to check out this recent post on The Simple Dollar about making the most of a whole chicken purchased at the store (cheap! usually between $3 – $10, and can easily provide two people with four meals or more). Not sure that I approve of their beer can method of cooking, but hey maybe it’s good…