I’m here to help inspire you to create a healthy home.

Hello! I’m Aimee Guess, and welcome to Homemaker On A Budget, where you’ll find fresh, clean, and inspiring recipes to help you create delicious meals at home, without breaking the bank. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly, non-toxic living tips or seeking hope and healing through natural wellness, this is a place to refresh your kitchen and life as the home economist.

Introducing my new Book

The Ultimate Kitchen Guide

to food storage, freezer rotation, & zero food waste

Take back your kitchen’s purpose and reformulate the way you manage your kitchen. If you have an unorganized pantry, food going bad in your refrigerator, and you have no idea what’s at the bottom of your freezer, then let me help you create unity and purpose when grocery shopping and planning. We want to fill your freezer with foods that will help on those busy nights, to keep you from eating out and overspending.

  • Comment AIR for the link!

I saw Bobby Parrish’s video about the COSORI Iconic and immediately wanted to try it for myself. The PFAS-free ceramic coating is what caught my attention, since the cooking surfaces I use for my family matter to me as a cancer survivor.

Mine arrived yesterday, and these homemade apple pies were its very first test! I unboxed it, made the pies with my son, and they came out warm and golden. His verdict: “These are SO GOOD!” 

If you’ve been curious about the COSORI Iconic air fryer too, check it out through my link and use Bobby Parrish’s code BOBBY10 to see how much you can save!

RECIPE:
1 (14.1oz) package of pre-made pie dough, or homemade pie dough, to make 2 pie crusts
3 apples, peeled, cored, and diced finely
1 Tbsp butter or coconut oil
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Dash of salt
2 Tbsp water mixed with 1 Tbsp cornstarch

*Take pie crust out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature.
*In a small skillet, add butter, diced apples, cinnamon, and salt. Cover with a lid and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
*Once apples are softened, add water/cornstarch slurry. Continue cooking until the apple mixture is thickened (1-2 minutes).
*Let the apple mixture cool.
*When ready to make pies, preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350 degrees.
*Take your pie dough and make 6 equal-sized portions. 
*Roll out each piece of dough into a rectangular shape, and use a knife to cut off the edges for a clean finish. 
*Add 2-3 Tbsp of apple filling to one side of the dough, then fold over. If the dough struggles to stay closed, add a little water to the inside border.
*Use a fork to create a perforated edge along the hand pie, cut slits in the top, and brush with an egg wash (optional) for a golden crust.
*Cook 2 pies in the air fryer at a time for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
*Repeat until all pies are cooked.

Comment AIR for the link or check out the link in my bio.

#airfryer #cosoriairfryer #cosoripartner @cosoricooks @bobbyparrish
  • RECIPE:
Cook 3 pounds of grass-fed/finished beef stew meat with 1 cup of water in the instant pot for 35 minutes or 45 minutes if partially frozen.

In a large skillet, cook onion, tomato, red bell pepper, and zucchini (about 1/2 cup each) for 5 to 10 minutes.

Add the cooked beef stew meat along with Siete brand pork Carnitas taco seasoning, it has a sweet citrus flavor that is so delicious!

If using corn tortillas, make sure that you heat them in a skillet with a little bit of oil to soften them before assembling the enchiladas just about 5 to 8 seconds per side.

Assemble each enchilada with the meat mixture and a little shredded cheese, and place in your baking dish along with the enchilada sauce. Bake in a 350° oven for about 30 minutes.

One way I show my husband that I love him is through cooking him homemade meals ❤️ Follow for more whole food recipe ideas!

Tortillas brand: Maria and Ricardo’s organic yellow corn tortillas
  • No matter how clean you raise your pigs, even pasture raised, they still carry toxins all through their tissue. As a cancer survivor, I refuse to eat meat that is toxic, knowing that I’m working so hard to create a non-toxic home.

There are so many alternatives to pork like beef bacon, but my favorite is ground turkey because it makes the best Italian sausage and meatballs!

Many Christians get hung up on the New Testament passage in the book of Acts saying that God made all meat clean, and that we are free from the Old Testament dietary laws, but that’s simply not true and that passage has been taken out of context. The biology of a pig did not change, they cannot eliminate the toxins, so I refuse to eat toxic meat.

🍝 Comment SAUSAGE for my Italian sausage recipe.
🥫Comment MEATBALLS for my melt-in-your-mouth meatballs recipe.

#nontoxicliving #healthylifestyle #cancersurvivor
  • Jarred pasta sauce gives me terrible heart burn! So I don’t buy it ever or canned tomatoes. Instead I roast fresh tomatoes and make the most flavorful sauce.

Comment SAUCE for the recipe!

Tomatoes are a phenomenal food for cancer prevention, according to leading functional doctors, eating them fresh is best!
  • #partner Comment COW and I’ll send you more details!

How much beef is a quarter cow? This is grass finished beef in Virginia.

With all the conversation around lab grown meat, I want to know exactly where our beef comes from. This is real beef from cattle raised by @chapelcreekfarms , a local Virginia farm. It’s pasture raised, grass finished, and now it’s stocked in our freezer for family meals.

Our quarter cow share for September 2026, gave us about 70 pounds of beef for under $1,000. We chose plenty of ground beef because we use it constantly, along with steaks, roasts, and stew meat.

If you’ve seen someone get more beef from a quarter, that’s completely possible. The animal’s frame determines how much meat is available, and your choice of cuts affects the final take home weight. This was the yield from our share.

For our family of 6, buying beef in bulk is an investment I’m happy to make. I know where it came from, I know the farmers who raised it, and I know what I’m serving my kids. ❤️

Next year, in April we plan to purchase a half cow share. 

Definitely get in contact with Chapel Creek Farms for pasture raised beef, and reserve yours today! You will absolutely love working with Melody, and make sure you let her know Aimee sent you!

📍 Montvale, Virginia

@chapelcreekfarms #virginiabeef #cancersurvivor #meatinthefreezer
  • When you search “kale” here on Instagram, you’ll see many carnivore enthusiasts claiming that greens are horrible for you, specifically kale.

But again, like I’ve said many times, I look at all of this differently. I see the arguments on both sides, but long standing traditions are our greatest asset for knowing how to eat.

The Japanese people are the longest living people group. They eat a diet high in greens, but I have noticed they are mostly (not always) cooked. So, I eat mostly cooked kale.

I will not fear kale, or any other green. I like lightly steamed greens in my breakfast eggs or in soups. I also eat cooked beets, and I’ve witnessed incredible results with my carrot, beet, and apple combo.

Don’t fear greens! Eat them often, and enjoy the health benefits ❤️ Also, follow the patterns from people who are passing down these traditions, not a modern day health craze.

#Kale #homemakeronabudget
  • Comment CREAMY and I’ll send you the recipe!

Creamy hamburger soup is the cozy fall dinner I’ll be making on repeat. 🍂🥣

Here’s what makes this ground beef soup different: I grate the vegetables instead of chopping them into cubes. They look like shredded cheese going into the pot, then soften into the creamy broth. Every spoonful has vegetables, ground beef, and all the comfort you want from a homemade soup.

#HamburgerSoup #CreamyHamburgerSoup #GroundBeefSoup #FallSoupRecipes #EasyFallDinners
  • Stepping outside around noon for 10-20 minutes gives your body something supplements can’t replicate:

✅ A surge of Vitamin D to strengthen immunity & bone health
✅ Circadian rhythm alignment, which supports hormone balance & better sleep
✅ Cellular repair + mitochondrial “fuel” to protect against disease
✅ A natural mood + energy boost (goodbye afternoon slump!)

Your body was designed by God to heal with the rhythms of creation. Sometimes the FREE things, like sunlight, are the most powerful. 

Want to be healthier? It really is easy! Start with light, fresh air, clean water, fasting, and eat the foods God created for us. 

*This is not meant to be medical advice. Please discuss this topic with your doctor. This is information I’ve learned through my healing of cancer, and a testimony of what I do.
  • For every load of laundry, I pour 1/4 cup vinegar into the fabric softener compartment. Feel free to get creative with the scents by adding 15 to 20 drops of essential oils or incorporating fresh ingredients like mint, citrus peels, or lavender.

Let these sit in a kitchen cabinet for a week or 2, then use the vinegar in your laundry. You will be so glad you did!

Want to know more? Comment SWAPS and I’ll send you a free article I wrote on your best non-toxic home guide. These are easy swaps we can all be doing to create a healthier home.

#homemaker #homemakerlife #budgetfriendly #giftideas #livingonabudget budgetmom springtime springday
Comment AIR for the link! I saw Bobby Parrish’s video about the COSORI Iconic and immediately wanted to try it for myself. The PFAS-free ceramic coating is what caught my attention, since the cooking surfaces I use for my family matter to me as a cancer survivor. Mine arrived yesterday, and these homemade apple pies were its very first test! I unboxed it, made the pies with my son, and they came out warm and golden. His verdict: “These are SO GOOD!” If you’ve been curious about the COSORI Iconic air fryer too, check it out through my link and use Bobby Parrish’s code BOBBY10 to see how much you can save! RECIPE: 1 (14.1oz) package of pre-made pie dough, or homemade pie dough, to make 2 pie crusts 3 apples, peeled, cored, and diced finely 1 Tbsp butter or coconut oil 1/2 tsp cinnamon Dash of salt 2 Tbsp water mixed with 1 Tbsp cornstarch *Take pie crust out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. *In a small skillet, add butter, diced apples, cinnamon, and salt. Cover with a lid and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. *Once apples are softened, add water/cornstarch slurry. Continue cooking until the apple mixture is thickened (1-2 minutes). *Let the apple mixture cool. *When ready to make pies, preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350 degrees. *Take your pie dough and make 6 equal-sized portions. *Roll out each piece of dough into a rectangular shape, and use a knife to cut off the edges for a clean finish. *Add 2-3 Tbsp of apple filling to one side of the dough, then fold over. If the dough struggles to stay closed, add a little water to the inside border. *Use a fork to create a perforated edge along the hand pie, cut slits in the top, and brush with an egg wash (optional) for a golden crust. *Cook 2 pies in the air fryer at a time for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. *Repeat until all pies are cooked. Comment AIR for the link or check out the link in my bio. #airfryer #cosoriairfryer #cosoripartner @cosoricooks @bobbyparrish
9 hours ago
28499
View on Instagram |
1/9
RECIPE: Cook 3 pounds of grass-fed/finished beef stew meat with 1 cup of water in the instant pot for 35 minutes or 45 minutes if partially frozen. In a large skillet, cook onion, tomato, red bell pepper, and zucchini (about 1/2 cup each) for 5 to 10 minutes. Add the cooked beef stew meat along with Siete brand pork Carnitas taco seasoning, it has a sweet citrus flavor that is so delicious! If using corn tortillas, make sure that you heat them in a skillet with a little bit of oil to soften them before assembling the enchiladas just about 5 to 8 seconds per side. Assemble each enchilada with the meat mixture and a little shredded cheese, and place in your baking dish along with the enchilada sauce. Bake in a 350° oven for about 30 minutes. One way I show my husband that I love him is through cooking him homemade meals ❤️ Follow for more whole food recipe ideas! Tortillas brand: Maria and Ricardo’s organic yellow corn tortillas
1 day ago
18611
View on Instagram |
2/9
No matter how clean you raise your pigs, even pasture raised, they still carry toxins all through their tissue. As a cancer survivor, I refuse to eat meat that is toxic, knowing that I’m working so hard to create a non-toxic home. There are so many alternatives to pork like beef bacon, but my favorite is ground turkey because it makes the best Italian sausage and meatballs! Many Christians get hung up on the New Testament passage in the book of Acts saying that God made all meat clean, and that we are free from the Old Testament dietary laws, but that’s simply not true and that passage has been taken out of context. The biology of a pig did not change, they cannot eliminate the toxins, so I refuse to eat toxic meat. 🍝 Comment SAUSAGE for my Italian sausage recipe. 🥫Comment MEATBALLS for my melt-in-your-mouth meatballs recipe. #nontoxicliving #healthylifestyle #cancersurvivor
2 days ago
547509
View on Instagram |
3/9
Jarred pasta sauce gives me terrible heart burn! So I don’t buy it ever or canned tomatoes. Instead I roast fresh tomatoes and make the most flavorful sauce. Comment SAUCE for the recipe! Tomatoes are a phenomenal food for cancer prevention, according to leading functional doctors, eating them fresh is best!
4 days ago
7401,289
View on Instagram |
4/9
#partner Comment COW and I’ll send you more details! How much beef is a quarter cow? This is grass finished beef in Virginia. With all the conversation around lab grown meat, I want to know exactly where our beef comes from. This is real beef from cattle raised by @chapelcreekfarms , a local Virginia farm. It’s pasture raised, grass finished, and now it’s stocked in our freezer for family meals. Our quarter cow share for September 2026, gave us about 70 pounds of beef for under $1,000. We chose plenty of ground beef because we use it constantly, along with steaks, roasts, and stew meat. If you’ve seen someone get more beef from a quarter, that’s completely possible. The animal’s frame determines how much meat is available, and your choice of cuts affects the final take home weight. This was the yield from our share. For our family of 6, buying beef in bulk is an investment I’m happy to make. I know where it came from, I know the farmers who raised it, and I know what I’m serving my kids. ❤️ Next year, in April we plan to purchase a half cow share. Definitely get in contact with Chapel Creek Farms for pasture raised beef, and reserve yours today! You will absolutely love working with Melody, and make sure you let her know Aimee sent you! 📍 Montvale, Virginia @chapelcreekfarms #virginiabeef #cancersurvivor #meatinthefreezer
5 days ago
47878
View on Instagram |
5/9
When you search “kale” here on Instagram, you’ll see many carnivore enthusiasts claiming that greens are horrible for you, specifically kale. But again, like I’ve said many times, I look at all of this differently. I see the arguments on both sides, but long standing traditions are our greatest asset for knowing how to eat. The Japanese people are the longest living people group. They eat a diet high in greens, but I have noticed they are mostly (not always) cooked. So, I eat mostly cooked kale. I will not fear kale, or any other green. I like lightly steamed greens in my breakfast eggs or in soups. I also eat cooked beets, and I’ve witnessed incredible results with my carrot, beet, and apple combo. Don’t fear greens! Eat them often, and enjoy the health benefits ❤️ Also, follow the patterns from people who are passing down these traditions, not a modern day health craze. #Kale #homemakeronabudget
1 week ago
1418
View on Instagram |
6/9
Comment CREAMY and I’ll send you the recipe! Creamy hamburger soup is the cozy fall dinner I’ll be making on repeat. 🍂🥣 Here’s what makes this ground beef soup different: I grate the vegetables instead of chopping them into cubes. They look like shredded cheese going into the pot, then soften into the creamy broth. Every spoonful has vegetables, ground beef, and all the comfort you want from a homemade soup. #HamburgerSoup #CreamyHamburgerSoup #GroundBeefSoup #FallSoupRecipes #EasyFallDinners
1 week ago
7471,110
View on Instagram |
7/9
Stepping outside around noon for 10-20 minutes gives your body something supplements can’t replicate: ✅ A surge of Vitamin D to strengthen immunity & bone health ✅ Circadian rhythm alignment, which supports hormone balance & better sleep ✅ Cellular repair + mitochondrial “fuel” to protect against disease ✅ A natural mood + energy boost (goodbye afternoon slump!) Your body was designed by God to heal with the rhythms of creation. Sometimes the FREE things, like sunlight, are the most powerful. Want to be healthier? It really is easy! Start with light, fresh air, clean water, fasting, and eat the foods God created for us. *This is not meant to be medical advice. Please discuss this topic with your doctor. This is information I’ve learned through my healing of cancer, and a testimony of what I do.
1 week ago
4885
View on Instagram |
8/9
For every load of laundry, I pour 1/4 cup vinegar into the fabric softener compartment. Feel free to get creative with the scents by adding 15 to 20 drops of essential oils or incorporating fresh ingredients like mint, citrus peels, or lavender. Let these sit in a kitchen cabinet for a week or 2, then use the vinegar in your laundry. You will be so glad you did! Want to know more? Comment SWAPS and I’ll send you a free article I wrote on your best non-toxic home guide. These are easy swaps we can all be doing to create a healthier home. #homemaker #homemakerlife #budgetfriendly #giftideas #livingonabudget budgetmom springtime springday
2 weeks ago
1,784225
View on Instagram |
9/9
Aimee Guess holding bowl of sourdough starter

Hi! I’m Aimee!

Homemaking on a budget allows you to create a warm, nourishing home filled with simple joys, proving that a beautiful life isn’t about how much you spend, but how intentionally you live. By embracing clean living and home-cooked meals, you can gain the freedom to prioritize what truly matters: health, family, and peace that comes from a well-loved home. As the home economist, you can do just that!

A Homemakers Guide

To Simple & Intentional Living

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Inside The Inspired Notebook, you’ll find nourishing recipes, simple wellness habits, encouragement for moms, non-toxic living inspiration, kitchen tips, and grocery-saving ideas. Just 1 newsletter sent to your inbox per month!

With over 900 copies sold!

Sourdough Cookbook

40 EVERYDAY SOURDOUGH RECIPES FROM MY KITCHEN TO YOURS!

Learn the fundamentals of sourdough, how to create a sourdough starter, make my easy sourdough bread recipe (with no stretch and folds), and make many different breakfast, savory, and sweet creations. This eBook is chock-full of valuable sourdough content that can help you, whether you’re a sourdough rookie or master pro, this is for you.

Aimee from Homemaker on a Budget shares a beautiful new recipe keeper, available for purchase.

Recipe Keeper!

Take your favorite family recipes and make a treasured keepsake to pass down through the family. Nobody will look at your Pinterest boards someday, but they will love pouring themselves over your Recipe Keeper as they reminisce about the meals you created.