Happy New Year!!

New Year's Resolutions for Living Frugally #sponsored

With the holidays over and a new year on the horizon, it's time to make a fresh start and think about getting back on track with spending. Making New Year's resolutions and keeping them doesn't have to be stressful. It can be fun, especially when you include the kids. It's a good time to reinforce your resolve to be a frugal family. Here are five New Year's resolutions for living frugally that you can make together as a family.
5 New Year's Resolutions for Living Frugally:

1. Spend Less-
Shop smart so you can spend less. Pay attention to what you're buying and where you're buying it. Routine trips to the discount store can help you spend less on everyday staples, school supplies, party supplies and craft projects. Resist the urge to buy what you need on a whim, especially when you're at stores where things are priced a little higher in exchange for their convenience.

2. Plan Ahead-
There are fun family activities you'll want to do with your children in the upcoming months, from birthday parties and indoor crafts to outdoor projects and family trips. Plan ahead for them. Mark them on a calendar. Work them into your monthly budget, and don't forget to budget in some fun. Pick up craft supplies and inexpensive party decorations when your budget allows, and make a conscious decision to buy them for less.

3. Get Organized-
Take an inventory of what you have at home, and organize your stash. Maybe it's time to buy a storage cabinet or put up some shelves in your laundry room. Whether it's cartons of cleaning supplies, a pile of notebooks for school or the extra paper products you bought last summer, put them in a distinct place and take stock of what you have. Use them up before you buy more.

A Winter Dinner, Pumpkin Chicken Chili

I know that pumpkin may sound like an odd ingredient to put into a chili recipe. But this chili is perfect for a cold winter's night dinner, and certainly makes use of the stray can of pumpkin left over in the pantry.

No worries of your chili tasting like pumpkin pie, it won't, it will be unusual though, and I mean that in the best way.

This is the first time I have made Pumpkin Chicken Chili, but it certainly won't be the last. My family loved it, and the next time I make it, I'll make a double batch, and freeze half for another dinner.

I used chicken thigh meat instead of chicken breasts because I like the more flavorful dark meat. And it's less expensive, too.

Merry Christmas!!



We are already for Christmas, and the kids are waiting for Santa to arrive tonight.

We would like to wish all of our readers and friends a very Merry Christmas. Thank you all for coming here to Frugal Family Tree.


                                                       Best Wishes for a Happy Holiday,

                                                          Laura, Samantha, and Patricia





*Image via Pinterest

Eggnog Fudge

We are still busy whipping things up in the kitchen around here. Last week I made lots of pans of chocolate fudge, and got it in the mail to Laura, and my son, Mike.
I have made my fudge for 34 years I think, and it just wouldn't be Christmas without it.

But it's definitely fun to change things up, and try something new. Samantha made this Eggnog Fudge yesterday, and it is just fabulous.
It is really creamy, and the eggnog flavor is delicious. This recipe will be added to our yearly must-make list, for sure.

I know we are getting short on time here, but this fudge is so worth whipping up at the last minute for friends and family to enjoy. And of course, it would be great at New Years, too.


Recipe for Eggnog Fudge:

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup salted butter
3/4 cup eggnog
10.5 ounces white chocolate bar, chopped into small pieces
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, plus a little more for dusting top of fudge
1 7-ounce jar marshmallow creme
1 teaspoon rum extract