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Premeditated Leftovers™

Prep-Ahead Meals, Cooking Tips, and Frugal Living


8 Frugal Ways to Use Dried Rice

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Not only is dried rice inexpensive, but it has a lot of practical uses as well. Here are 8 Frugal Ways to Use Dried Rice around your home. You already know that rice makes a quick and inexpensive meal, but did you know that dried rice has lots of other practical uses as well? TheRead More

What to Buy in December

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December is right around the corner, so it is time to start talking about What to Buy in December. Whether you are looking to stock your pantry, refill your stockpile, or just find some hot deals, take a look below at the items you need to keep your eyes peeled for. When you know whatRead More

7 Tips for Saving Perishables If Your Electricity Goes Out

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It’s important to keep food safe and avoid spoilage when you lose power. These 7 Tips for Saving Perishables If Your Electricity Goes Out will show you how. Winter storms and other severe weather conditions can bring your electricity to a screeching halt. When this happens, your first concern is most likely your food supplyRead More

15 Things You Should Buy After Christmas

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Cash in on big discounts that stores offer by shopping after the holidays. Here are 15 Things You Should Buy After Christmas in order to save money. Everyone thinks that buying during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales is the best time to buy Christmas items. However, the few days after Christmas is the timeRead More

Frugal Tips for Celebrating Christmas on a Budget

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Christmas is coming up way too fast again this year. If you are trying to save money this holiday season, you are probably looking for a variety of ways to cut your Christmas budget. Consider this your Frugal Christmas Celebration Guide! And make cure you check out this post on Tips to Making a HolidayRead More

Batch Cooking on a Budget

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These tips for Batch Cooking on a Budget are a great way to save time and money in the kitchen. Check them out and see how much money you can save! My budget for groceries seems to be shrinking these days. I think it’s because I have noticed an increase in the cost of food.Read More

5 Ways to Reduce the Stress of Christmas Shopping

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Does Christmas shopping cause you a lot of anxiety? If so, here are 5 Ways to Reduce the Stress of Christmas Shopping that can make the process easier. Christmas shopping is an essential part of the holiday season for most people. There are gifts to buy, food to purchase for dinners, and decorations to getRead More

Scented Cookie Cutter Christmas Candles

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Follow this easy tutorial for Scented Cookie Cutter Christmas Candles. These homemade soy candles make perfect gifts for friends and family! You can place a few around your home to decorate for the holidays as well! I love making fun things for the holidays that are both functional as well as great for gifting.  TheseRead More

Shopping for Christmas at a Dollar Store

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Shopping for Christmas at your local dollar store can save you a lot of money. Here are the best items you can buy at your local dollar store this Christmas. Believe it or not, shopping for Christmas at your local dollar store is worth every penny. You can find some of the best Christmas giftsRead More

Pinecone Place Card Holder

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Mark your guests’ seats with a DIY Pinecone Place Card Holder. This is a frugal fall or winter decoration you can make when you’re short on time and money. Making place settings can be super easy and you can use all kinds of things to do it. If you are having a fall or winterRead More

Tips for Creating a Holiday Budget and Sticking to It

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Avoid unnecessary debt and stress this Christmas season with these Tips for Creating a Holiday Budget and Sticking to It. A little planning can help a lot! When the holidays roll in many of us find ourselves tight on money. We experience the added stress of purchasing gifts, clothing for parties, and food for larger gatheringsRead More

8 Places to Find Great Christmas eCards

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Do you send Christmas cards every year? eCards are a frugal and eco-friendly option because there is no paper card or envelope! Here are 8 Places to find Great Christmas eCards online this year. Sending Christmas eCards is a great way to heighten the festivities of the holiday season. It’s just a nice little gesture toRead More

Wine Cork Christmas Tree

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Grab your saved wine corks for this easy Wine Cork Christmas Tree craft. It’s a fun and frugal way to decorate your home for the holidays. Don’t have any corks on hand? No problem, they are easy to find at your local craft store! If you love a good glass of wine, you may haveRead More

Eucalyptus Bath Bombs

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These homemade Eucalyptus Bath Bombs are perfect for when you’re feeling under the weather or need to unwind. They’re easy to make in batches for yourself or to gift to friends! Have you been dreaming of a few quiet minutes in your bathtub? Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just need to decompress fromRead More

What to Buy in November

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The season for shopping is here! November is one of the best times of year to shop, as many of the products that you use and love will be at their lowest prices of the year. Take a look at the list we have compiled here, filled with helpful suggestions on what to buy inRead 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.