January Budget Recap: Wins, Lessons & Adjustments

Join me as I break down how our January budget went! I'll share what worked, what didn’t, and any adjustments we’re making for next month. Budgeting is all about learning and improving, so let’s chat about the wins, the challenges, and how to keep thriving in semi-retirement. Let me know in the comments how your January budget went!
#BudgetRecap #FrugalLiving #SmartSpending #ThriftyAndThriving #SemiRetirement #BudgetWins #SaveMoney

[@daphne9167]

Your plates are the same my Mother had when I was growing up! I love seeing tupperware, Corning ware and other kitchen goodies that my Mom used 😊. My family is “on board “ with a budget plan this year. Going with the snowball, 🙏🏻 it works!! So sorry about your dog 🥺, that is just the worst. ❤

[@pikecreekfarm]

They were my mother in law’s. I love them too.

[@makalapuamegs1056]

We called it Toad in the Hole which was the English terminology used in England. Been thriving in Canuary and didn’t do any food shopping! Taught me that I was spending Way more time and money needlessly. I also learned that when “things happen,” I’ll be okay!

[@pikecreekfarm]

I’m so glad to hear you are thriving in Canuary!

[@lynnes-over-it5887]

Darn it Renee, now I want this...LOL Our Mother made these for us growing up and I did as well for my boys. We called them "Bird in the Nest"

[@pikecreekfarm]

I have heard that name!! I forget it. It was a good breakfast

[@gayeoneill4239]

I did the pantry challenge too for the first time ever. I’ve been seriously building my pantry up since August of 24, but I had previously done a lot of “extreme “ couponing so things like shampoos, deodorant, toothpaste, laundry stuff, paper products, all that stuff was already plentiful. I spent a total of $16 and that’s only because I needed coffee creamer (I didn’t want to open my emergency backup powder creamer). Well I guess that’s not true because I did buy eggs and chicken today, but that’s because I don’t know how long they will be available with the bird flu, but I’m not counting that lol (extenuating circumstances). What I did come to realized that I definitely over bought, and that I need to stay out the grocery stores lol. This month I stayed on task, planned a month of meals, good nutritious meals that you can actually pronounce what’s in them, and still have plenty left. I made all our bread and buns, no take out, canned lots of things new to me including one of your recipes from Canuary! Moving forward I think I’m at the point where I can pretty much just shop the sales when I need to re-supply. I want to look into buying more bulk foods, and my garden is doubling in size this year so looking forward to that. Thank you for your contribution to Canuary, so many great canning recipes and new to me KZbinr’s❤

[@pikecreekfarm]

This is amazing!!! You have so much to be proud of. Wonderful job 😄

[@madmecyr]

January sped right through! I did cook out of my pantry/freezer quite a bit this month and I'm going to keep going. I have so much food stored up, I really doubt I could go through it all; I'm like a squirrel I guess lol! I called those eggs 'peek a boo' eggs for my kids. I made them up ad they gave me a cocked eye looking at them and just before they declared them yuck, I used the cut out round and did a peeka boo with the egg and they smiled and ate them up! I had one 30+ yr old daughter mention them this month although she healthied them up by using a green pepper ring instead of bread hah..the influence we have over our kids is incredible; use it wisely!

[@pikecreekfarm]

That is so funny! It’s amazing how much influence we have.

[@carole6779]

Awww, my mom and dad called this "egg in a nest". It was something they made for each other, when the other one was not feeling well. We kids did not get it as often (default = scrambled, with toast, lol). Congrats on the budget successes! 🥳🎉 Oooh, filing paperwork. That's a great goal for 2025 in general, which for me includes getting rid of outdated, unnecessary paperwork. I did spend some money in January on sale items, but they will allow me to save overall with my pantry planning. I feel pretty good about how things went. I truly appreciate your positivity. 🌞🌻 Mindfulness beats perfection any day. Thanks for continuing to inspire us! 😊💖

[@pikecreekfarm]

I’m glad you got some deals!!! It’s good to restock when the price is right!

[@melaniek9845]

Hi Renee! I call that"Eggs in a Nest". im from Ohio

[@pikecreekfarm]

Thanks for sharing! I love learning new food names from other regions.

[@wendeestafford]

My family always called it “hole-in-the-bread.” 😁 Moonstruck was a favorite of mine too and I haven’t heard anyone mention it in years. It had an innocence that was missing from movies of the time and I thought all the acting was great! Good cast, good story, and original…Grandpa with all the dogs always cracked me up! He had like, ten of them or something! 🤭

[@pikecreekfarm]

It was such a fun movie! I will still watch it.

[@robertamead3687]

Hello Renee. I’m so pleased for you with your progress! Life is truly a journey, cherishing and learning from all the ups and downs. I got a wonderful desk last year from a friend Not only was it a nice professional office set, it has a total of 6 filing drawers in the 3 pieces. What a blessing it was. The best part is I love working at it! Filing the paperwork at least once a week. What a game changer. When I’m always filing I find my budget stays in tact.(as much as possible) Congrats on your food budget! I’m now at the point as well , with my pantry, cleaning and organizing the freezers as well. My husband gifted me baskets for my freezers at Xmas and that was a game changer. He thought I was crazy for asking for them, but my frugal mind wouldn’t buy them. We are now easily grabbing things from there instead of the store. A win win Now on to inventory! I really enjoy you videos. Thank you

[@pikecreekfarm]

I’m so glad you are enjoying the videos! 😊. What a wonderful blessing the desk has been for you!!

[@marking-time-gardens]

Hi Renée! Yes... a new year with a fresh start! Doing well at the end of the first month... we are blessed! Here in NW Ohio we call your breakfast "toad-in-a-hole". Maybe because we live so close to Michigan lol! Blessings on your day Kiddo!🌿💚🙏💕👵

[@pikecreekfarm]

Wonderful!!!

[@laurahender2365]

The cupcake were adorable! I'm still working on my pantry, my goal is to organize it, and hopefully know where everything is. LOL!!

[@Gina-de8gb]

I fret all the time about my bills , they get paid but I still fret , I'm doing good , THANK YOU

[@pikecreekfarm]

Awesome. I understand the fretting! I wish I did less stressing

[@lindaotto-hl1cz]

I agree that perfection is not necessary to thrive. In fact I think it's much easier to thrive when we let go of chasing perfection.

[@pikecreekfarm]

That is a great attitude. Thank you

[@CDJMiniRanch]

We called them bird in a nest. My husband makes them for us periodically. Blessing to you and yours.

[@pikecreekfarm]

Thank you!

[@sharondore2792]

January is always been a big “ Monday “ for me. Like starting a new diet, lots of determined changes that start out with good planning and intentions. So far the health improvement plan is going good. Eating right for health restrictions and feeling better. Used a lot of home canned items that has us drowning in empty jars for a new garden season. Going to really try to only grow and can what we eat this year. Still working that budget thing. I always say as long as the bills are paid, the rest is gravy. Enjoy your channel and it looks like January was a success.

[@pikecreekfarm]

It is great to hear your plan is going so well! It’s a good feeling to see all the empty jars

[@renalarue6988]

A couple weekends ago, my granddaughter made me eggs in a basket. Basically the same as what you made but she used two slices of bread, no hole in the bottom one. She even had the eggs done perfectly!

[@pikecreekfarm]

That’s so sweet, I bet it was delicious!

[@randievans8803]

I love you perspective ❤ and you "mantra". Using these words of wisdom and encouragement for myself ❤

[@pikecreekfarm]

Thank you so much! ☺️

[@Ladybug-t3q]

Love the penguins.❤

[@pikecreekfarm]

Thank you!!

[@micheleturner2510]

Hi Renee. I’m a Michigan gal too and I love watching your videos. You always share great recipes, ideas and tips. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@pikecreekfarm]

Thank you for watching! I’m so glad you enjoy my videos!

[@maryschlueter1688]

Just wanted to say how much I enjoy your videos. Thank you!

[@pikecreekfarm]

I’m so glad you enjoy them! Thank you!

[@shandyk55]

I'm moving from January, into Frugal February. I like to keep trying to be thrifty. And we are thriving too. Good for you with all your efforts!

[@pikecreekfarm]

I love that!! I like to try and be frugal too.

[@deannakunz3257]

I have been doing Canuary AND living this month off our Pantry too! It is such a great way to secure food for the family….that’s why I commented on all Canuary videos…hoping (I’m not lucky usually)…but more canning supplies are needed…can’t afford a steamer right now…even with a budget…but with tariff talks, I’m scared how we in 🇨🇦are going to be. I’m a Young Senior lol…I find your videos so calming and enjoy them so much. Thank you and take care!

[@pikecreekfarm]

Thank you!!! I hope the tariffs don’t hit too hard. I love Canada. Three Canadian grandparents. I spent a lot of time there growing up

[@helenswanson1403]

After i came back from spending time with family for Christmas and new years, I took inventory. Found half bucket of pinto beans so that is my first project, putting beans on the shelf.

[@pikecreekfarm]

Beans are always a good choice! I have a variety of partial bags I need to can up. Plus some dried peas. My husband loves canned peas lol

[@BerniPerrong]

Your penguin cupcakes are adorable! I’m so glad to join your monthly recap. I’ve done the same thing! I missed fresh lettuce at the end of the month, too, but my canned peaches tasted amazing! I’m looking forward to growing broccoli and spinach in the garden this year! I ran out of cheese, too, so that’s something I’m determined to learn how to make this year! Thanks for the memory of toad in the hole. Haven’t had that in a very long time. 😊

[@pikecreekfarm]

Canned peaches for the win!!

[@sweetpeaGraff]

Oh my, I'm so sorry for the lossof your loved one, poor baby

[@pikecreekfarm]

She was so sweet. But we had a wonderful 12 years

[@lorilumax6850]

I fell in December and bashed my knee and broke my right collar bone.. so I was off from caring fir my 97 year old mother.. but I am back taking care of her again.. so my January was slow.. quiet.. and healing.. wish I would have had a holiday/respite rather than recuperation.. but we are planning a trip to the west coast soon.. and that will be a great holiday

[@pikecreekfarm]

That will be a wonderful trip! A broken collarbone sounds so painful. I am glad you have recovered

[@WillowsGarden]

Hi Renee! We had to put our boxer Juliet down this evening. I hope you have a very blessed night!

[@pikecreekfarm]

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. 🙏. It’s so hard. We still miss her and so does Missy

[@jackienegron5199]

I enjoy your videos and recipes. I use to live in the thumb when I was growing up. My thing this year was to start journaling. My sister made me a journal last year. So far I'm doing good.

[@pikecreekfarm]

Journaling is a great idea!

[@theresagoodwin6518]

I love thrifty and thrive!!I am so sorry to hear about your fur baby and my husband is having dental issues as well. He had a back tooth that ended up terribly bad 500 just to get it pulled!!! Of course we have had a car issue that had to be put in a shop and of course that was 2500. Thank goodness for my pantry!! You all are in my prayers

[@pikecreekfarm]

It is always something it seems! Thank you

[@DebfromVa]

No spend January was a success and we were happy

[@pikecreekfarm]

Awesome!!

[@nancywest1926]

January os usually hard due to winter, but this was the first year following Canuary completely. Sure made it fun! Im new to your channel, so glad to be here ❤

[@pikecreekfarm]

I am glad you are here! I love Canuary too!

[@lynnes-over-it5887]

All my goals out the window. First Grandbaby born the 10th and everything else on hold. I am just now getting on track and want to be debt free by April....Fingers crossed

[@pikecreekfarm]

Debt free is amazing. I would love for that to happen.

[@lynnes-over-it5887]

@@pikecreekfarm That is my goal but not sure it will happen by April anyway

[@DebfromVa]

I love your positive attitude

[@pikecreekfarm]

Thank you

[@citygirlhomestead]

sucks when we get curveballs but if we can still achieve that is a good thing

[@pikecreekfarm]

Definitely!!!

[@shannonbreazeale8889]

I'm so sorry about your Corgi.

[@pikecreekfarm]

Thank you. She was a sweetheart

[@aprilmcleish8319]

I call them egg in the holes! How boring!!! 😂

[@pikecreekfarm]

But good!! 😄