Tips like these helped us pay off $127K in debt. You can read our story in Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.
Have you seen the Best Nine Instagram craze? It stacks your Best Nine Photos of 2015 all together in a fun graphic. Here’s mine (by the way, follow me on Instagram for plenty of fun and ways to save money):
It’s been a great year and so much fun to see where we’ve been and what God has done in our lives. You guys? I had a book come out in 2015 and actually saw it on the shelves. We went to Disney World. We did a whole lot of meal planning at ALDI and non-crafty me made a successful craft (see that wreath?!). Our Cream Boston Pie (har, har) didn’t result in a Super Bowl win for the Seahawks (Congrats Patriots!), but so many wonderful things have happened. I’m so grateful.
I thought it would be fun to see what posts were the Best Nine on Queen of Free in 2015, too. So without further ado . . .
9. $50 Crockpot ALDI Meal Plan
I put together several ALDI Meal Plans this year and the crockpot plan was probably my favorite of the year. For all of the details, check out $50 Crockpot ALDI Meal Plan. I put together 4 ALDI Meal plans this year and have a couple new ones ready to roll for 2016. Can you say Freezer Meals, friends?
8. 5 Things You Should Always Make for Yourself
I know you hate to waste money just as much as I do! Long ago, I began making these 5 things and never looked back. The time it takes is minimal and the money you save is all yours. Sweet! Check out: 5 Things You Should Always Make for Yourself to Save Money.
7. Free Printable Budget Forms
Budgeting doesn’t have to be difficult or the other “b” word. These free printable budget forms were designed with you in mind. Every category of spending and potential debt I could think of went on to the form, in the hopes that you can get a good handle on your financial organization. Print your FREE Printable Budget forms today. There are always plenty of great FREE printables on Queen of Free and Slaying the Debt Dragon to help you manage your money and life.
6. The Best Ways to Save Money at ALDI
It’s my favorite store and I’ve become and expert at rocking the aisles there. The bargain grocery retailer ALDI has taken the US by storm in the last year. Check out the strategies I use every time I walk through the door and 15 items I won’t purchase anywhere else. Read: The Best Ways to Save Money at ALDI. I wrote an entire series of posts with my favorite ways to save at a number of stores, including Sam’s Club, Earth Fare, Kohl’s, Starbucks, Walmart, Stein Mart, Kroger, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, Meijer, and Target.
5. How to Pay Off Debt $0.19 at a Time
It’s an epic story of battling the temptation to spend and the key to our ability to pay off $127,482.30 in debt in just under four years. Nearly every week, I have a reader comment or send me an e-mail about their $0.19 experiences, too. Don’t miss: How to Pay Off Debt $0.19 at a Time.
4. New ALDI Summer Meal Plan: 7 Dinners for $50
I followed up the original ALDI Meal plan with some quick and light meal ideas. Your family won’t even mind eating healthfully with these ideas. Check out: New ALDI Summer Meal Plan: 7 Dinners for $50.
3. ALDI Meal Plan: 7 Dinners for Less than $50
The original ALDI Meal plan has been shared over 37K times this year alone! It crashed my site more than once when I hit publish the first time. I had no idea people would be so interested in what we basically do every week to eat. 🙂 If you haven’t yet, check out: ALDI Meal Plan: 7 Dinners for Less than $50.
2. 5 Things to Do At the Beginning of Every Month
I can do all of these in a hour or two. Five simple tasks to stretch your time and money in a new month! This post has garnered 50K social media shares since 5 Things to Do At the Beginning of Every Month.
1. What I Really Wanted to Say to The Teacher
I won’t lie when I say both the call and this post caught me by surprise this year. Over 400,000 people read it and then it landed on the Today Show’s website for an extended period of time. While it’s a little off topic for me, I couldn’t resist sharing the story of my daughter’s teacher calling me in the middle of the day and pause to share a few words with teachers everywhere. Read What I Really Wanted to Say to The Teacher Who Called. And if you’re disappointed that a non-money saving post landed in #1, you can read How to Meal Plan Effectively which held down the 10th spot.
More than anything, I love encouraging people – to save money, to use their resources well, to pay off debt, and to live life to its fullest. It’s been such a fun year sharing posts that help spark creativity in others and keep them on the path of being great managers of all they’ve been given.
Did you have a favorite Queen of Free post this year? Share it in the comments.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!
