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Premeditated Leftovers™

Prep-Ahead Meals, Cooking Tips, and Frugal Living


DIY Pumpkin Preserving Wash

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Do you like to carve your pumpkins early? Use this DIY Pumpkin Preserving Wash to keep your jack o’ lanterns fresh all the way through Halloween! You put so much work into carving your fall pumpkins, why not see that they last a long time as well? After all, you want to enjoy them asRead More

How to Make Dried Orange Slices

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Dried orange slices can be used in a variety of ways. Learn how to make dried orange slices with these directions. Below, you will find everything you need to know about how to dry oranges slices. With a little experimentation, we have found the perfect process for drying oranges. Dried oranges can be used inRead More

How to Preserve Fall Leaves

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If you have ever taken a stroll on a fall day, you will notice the colorful leaves that surround you. This year, capture that color when you preserve your own fall leaves. Preserving fall leaves can be easy and fun, and it is a great way to enjoy the colors all year long whether youRead More

10 Frugal Uses for Toothpaste

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Toothpaste is one of those stockpile items that many bargain shoppers have on hand. And while it is great for keeping your smile clean and white, toothpaste is also great for many household uses too. Take a look below at 10 frugal uses for toothpaste that will knock your socks off! 10 Frugal Uses forRead More

10 Frugal uses for Aluminum Foil

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Aluminum foil is great for keeping your leftovers fresh, but did you know it can be used for so much more? Take a look below at 10 additional uses we found for aluminum foil that are sure to blow your mind. Who knew it could be used in so many different ways? Take a look!Read More

10 Amazing Uses for Cherries

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Did you go cherry picking this summer? If so, you may have a ton of cherries on hand to use. Take a look below at 10 ways to use cherries that you can try to make sure none go to waste. These methods are simple, inexpensive, and the perfect ways to use up those cherries.Read More

Easy DIY Herb Drying Rack

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  Now that the summer months are winding down, you will want to make sure you dry out as much of your herbs as possible for winter use. Drying herbs is a great way to preserve your herbs even longer, and enjoy them in your favorite soups, salads, and other dishes. You don’t need fancyRead More

DIY Color Coded Crayon Jars

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Kids LOVE to color. A box of crayons and some paper can provide hours of entertainment and are a great way to keep little minds occupied. When your kids color, keep their crayons organized and encourage classification skills with these easy DIY color coded crayon jars. These jars are a cinch to make and theyRead More

Easy DIY Catnip Cat Toy Tutorial

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Now that your herb garden is in full bloom, you may be wondering how to use all of those wonderful herbs! Take a look at this easy DIY catnip  cat toy that you can make using just a little scrap fabric and some catnip right from your own garden. A simple toy such as thisRead More

5 Fun Activities Using Toothpicks

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Toothpicks are for more than just picking at teeth. In fact, there are quite a few fun games and activities that can be enjoyed with them as well. Take a look below at 5 fun activities using toothpicks that you need to try. These activities are a great way to pass a rainy day orRead More

5 Fun Activities Using Paper Clips for Kids

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A handful of paperclips is great for keeping your papers organized, but did you know they can also provide kids hours of entertainment? Paper clips are perfect for all sorts of games and activities when the kiddos get bored. Take a look below at 5 fun activities using paper clips to get you started. YouRead More

Missing Sock Magic: DIY Sock Sorter

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Are you tired of losing socks? It may seem as though your washer and dryer are a black hole for socks to become forever lost in. Well when you create this easy and inexpensive DIY sock sorter, you can easily and effectively keep your mismatch socks organized! It only takes a few supplies, and theRead More

DIY Hanging Cullender Herb Planter

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Wouldn’t you love to have fresh herbs at your fingertips all season long? Well now you can easily and inexpensively. You don’t need a large plot of land or even fancy flower pots to grow your own fresh herbs. In fact, all you need is an old kitchen cullender. With it you can create aRead More

5 Vegetables You Can Grow Using Tomato Cages

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While we call them tomato cages, you can grow a variety of vegetables in tomato cages. Tomato cages seem to be a garden staple, and most gardeners have a cage or two on hand when the planting season begins. Tomato cages are a wonderful way to lend your tomato plants some support, and in turnRead More

Patriotic Pool Noodle Garland

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It is time to let your patriotic colors fly! This holiday season, do it for less when you make this patriotic pool noodle garland. Using a few inexpensive supplies, you can whip up a garland such as the one you see here for your next BBQ or gathering. It is a fun, frugal, and kidRead More

Welcome. I'm Alea!

On Premeditated Leftovers I share simple recipes made with whole foods, practical shopping tips, time saving techniques, and meal planning strategies. I also share tips for minimizing food waste, so more of the food that is purchased ends up on the table.

While volunteering as a budget counselor, I realized that food is the element of most people’s budgets where they have the greatest control. I set out to develop low-cost recipes from scratch to prove it’s possible to create delicious meals on a limited budget. Eating well while spending less is about more than just creating recipes using inexpensive ingredients; it’s about creatively combining ingredients so you don’t feel deprived and are inspired to stick to your budget.