Budgeting Tips for September 2025 & Navigating Radioactive Shrimp Pt.1

Well, It looks like those inflation rates have hit us here in Maryland. Meat prices are off the charts! In addition, this is the continuation month of radioactive shrimp recalls. Haven't heard of this? You might want to!

Check you FDA recalls today:

FDA Advises Public Not to Eat, Sell, or Serve Certain Imported Frozen Shrimp from an Indonesian Firm | FDA

Food Lion Shrimp - August 2025

What can we do this month to stay ahead of the game and ON BUDGET?

1. Check and coupon multiple stores. I will put my findings for the week of 9/7 below.

   1. Need Help doing so? Get yourself a planner.

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1. Change up the meal plan, as much as we love a specific meat... looks like we need to be creative. Pork butts and Chicken legs seem to be popular and trending, thus drastically cheaper than beef. Happy Fall!

2. Dig deep into your freezer to find older meats or frozen meals that maybe you forgot about!

3. Dig in your pantry for tuna, salmon, canned meals, soups.

   

   

   

4. Find random scraps and leftovers in the fridge to pull together some meals.

   1. Leftovers turned into a stew for example. Lonely carrots, stalks of celery.

5. Scavenge for herbs in your garden or a neighbors (of course ask)

   

   Dried Herbs from Garden

6. Canned Chili? Crockpot Chili? Chicken Chili?

   
   

7. Ravage your backyard garden for any left-over tomatoes, beans, potatoes, carrots, lettuce and onions. If anyone spotted the horseradish, don't worry it is contained in an above ground container.

   

   Garden Remnants August 2025

   1. This is the time to plant lettuces like Kale & Spinach if you have not already!

   2. 

      Lettuces to Plant September 2025

   3. Have you canned everything you can? Jams, Jellies, Beans, Pasta Sauce?

      Make some and sell the extra!

      

      Homemade Grape Jam Jellies

      
      

8. Exhausted all those options? Check your local church or food pantry. Check Facebook marketplace!

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My meal planning this month: Keep it simple! Spread the same ingredients through all meals so you don't waste anything :)!

Coupons - Maryland (Week of 9/7): Don't forget to get memberships with them all if you have not already.

Food Lion (9/3-9/9)

Mandarin Oranges 2.99 ea

Chicken Breast 1.99/lb

Salad Kits 2/ $6

BOGO Pork Tenderloins

Shrimp 6.99/lb

Martin's

Chicken Breasts 2.49/lb

Beef 3.49/lb

Shredded Cheese 1.77 ea

Chicken legs 97 cents/lb

BOGO on white bread - Maier's

Raw Shrimp 6.99/lb

Save A Lot (Aug 27th- Sep 9th)

Whole Butt Pork Roast 1.79/lb

Country Style Spare Ribs 1.99/lb

Boneless Pork Tenderloins 2.99/lb

Turkey Breast 1.29 / lb

Blueberries 2/4$

Cabbage .49 cents / lb

Hot Dogs - 1.00 / pk

Sausage Roll 3.99/lb

Aldi's (9/3-9/9)

Peaches 1.49/lb

Sliced mushrooms 1.29 / lb

Strawberries 2.29 / lb

Cheddar bratz 2.59 / ea

Happy Farms Sliced Cheese 1.75 / ea

Chelsea's Meal Plan:

Main Meals:

Air Fryer Chickens - These have two breasts included bone-in (From local butcher in my freezer)

BBQ Pork Butt - Crock Pot

Chili & Noodles

Pasta Sauce & Noodles

Sauerkraut / Kielbasa

Tofu

Azumaya Tofu

Breakfast:

Spinach Ham & Eggs

Spinach & Hominy

Greek Yogurt / Oatmeal

Sausage Links

Side Dishes:

Cheesy Baked Hominy (spinach optional)

Spinach / Kale Salad

Baked Potato

Winter Squash (definitely in-season) - Check your local farmers markets!

Acorn Squash

Spaghetti Squash

Butternut Squash

Cabbage

wrapped cabbage

White Rice

Deserts:

Brown Sugar Spam? Don't Kick it til you try it!

Dehydrated Brown Sugar Coated Spam

~ DIY With Chelsea

9.7.2025