​Living on a budget is the key to financial freedom, but getting started can be frustrating. When we look at our expenses and see all of those bills we're paying every month, it's easy to throw our hands up in disgust. But what about all those little expenses we incur? You might be surprised to find out just how much they amount to.

It's easy to dismiss cutting back on little things. A few dollars a month won't make a significant difference in the big picture. But a few dollars here and a few dollars there adds up to a few more dollars. When you cut back in a lot of small ways, you could end up with a lot more money at the end of the month.

From Debt Free, Cashed Up and Laughing

While many families are conscious of the fact that stretching their meal-planning budget to the maximum is essential, many of those very same families are becoming more and more aware of how easy and cost-effective baking on a budget can be.
   
Here are a few baking recipes, tips, and strategies to bake and save money at the same time.
   
One of the best things about fruit that has become a bit overripe is that you can utilize it in many creative baking recipes. Overripe bananas can be used for banana bread or even banana nut muffins for breakfast. Strawberries can be made into jam and leftover rice can be used for rice pudding. Even extra noodles from last night’s spaghetti can be used to make a noodle pudding.

When baking, try to bulk bake. Utilizing a gas or electric stove costs money, so why not batch bake and freeze the leftovers. Cooking in bulk can save you time as well as money. Being able to reach into the freezer and defrost a batch of muffins can be a tremendous time-saver as well as money-saver. Not having to stop at your local cake or bread shop when you are on the run saves money, time and energy. Not to mention that home baked goods have only the natural ingredients that you put into them.

Shopping in bulk and shopping in season will save you quite a bit of money as well. Buying out of season items during off-season periods will cost you more, so pay attention to the fruits, nuts and other baking ingredients of the season on your bulk buying trips.
Some great baking recipes can be rather simple as well.
   
Peanut butter cookies (if there are no peanut allergies) are simple to make and delicious too.

Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup of peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoonful of vanilla is all you need
   
Method:
Combine all the ingredients and drop onto an ungreased cookie sheet, flatten and bake for 15 minutes on 160 degrees Celsius.
   
Banana Bread is inexpensive and easy to make. Another bonus is that banana bread can be used for a dessert or even for an on-the-run breakfast treat.

Banana Bread
Ingredients:
2 large mashed bananas
2/3 cup of sugar
¼ cup milk
3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
½ teaspoon of vanilla
3 eggs
2-2/3 cups of MOO Bisquick mix
   
Method:
Mix all ingredients; pour into a greased loaf pan. Cook for one hour at 160 degrees Celsius.
   
Baking does not have to be just for dessert. Broccoli and bacon quiche is another amazing breakfast bake, but it goes down equally as well for a light lunch or dinner.

Broccoli and Bacon Quiche Ingredients:
½ cup frozen broccoli florets, thawed and drained
½ cup grated cheese
1 strip of cooked and crumbled bacon
3 eggs,beaten
½ cup cream
salt to taste
a dash of garlic powder.
   
Method:
Place the broccoli, cheese and the bacon in a pie plate that has been coated with cooking spray. Pour over the mixed egg substitute, cream, salt and garlic powder on top. Bake at 170 degrees Celsius for 15 to 20 minutes.
   
With today’s economy in the state that it is in, going back to baking is a delicious and cost-effective way to feed your family. 

Shared from Debt Free, Cashed Up and Laughing