Don’t Waste What You Have, Eat your Leftovers
Welcome back!
Not to waste is not a new concept to America, just a forgotten one. Survivors to the first depression learned a very valuable lesson, don’t waste anything. Take for instance my grandfather, who is a survivor of the great depression, he saves everything. One day I was in my grandfather’s den, and I noticed that he had a stack of used carbon paper. I asked him why he was saving used carbon paper. He replied that it could always be used again.
Grandpa may be a bit on the extreme side of not wasting but, he’s got a point. Get the most out of what you do have. I am amazed at how much stuff we as a society throw away. It is true that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Instead of throwing things in the garbage, such as clothing or furniture, donate it if possible. There are plenty of needy people out there.
One of the best ways not to be super wasteful is to realize how much food you actually throw away. When I actually started to look at how much food that I was throwing away on a weekly basis I was shocked. My most common food that was thrown away was left-overs. I always put away dinner that went uneaten and took dinner home from restaurants that was uneaten as well. I always had the best intention of finishing my leftovers but, it never happened.
Then I got smart, looking at how much food was actually being thrown away was upsetting. I worked hard to pay for that food, not throw it away. I started to eat my leftovers in my fridge religiously. Not, only was I not wasting but, my grocery bill went down because my food was lasting longer.
My pledge to start eating my leftovers in my fridge, changed the way I did my monthly shopping. I realized that whatever I cooked, I was going to eat until it was gone. I started to cook food that kept well for a few days and was as tasty tomorrow as it would be when I cooked it. Chili, stew, soup, and casseroles are great leftovers.
You can even make leftovers fun. Have a leftover night. Leftover night is where you cook all of the leftovers at once. When other time can you eat Chinese, pizza and pasta at the same time. It can actually be really fun. We used to do this when I was a kid and I loved it.
I won’t say that I don’t throw any food away, I do, but it is a lot less. I hate to throw food away. I recognize how lucky I am to even have food. Really try to eat your leftovers. However, a word of caution, be careful how long you keep leftovers. Know the shelf live of things, and usually as a word of caution don’t eat leftovers that have been in the fridge for more than a week.
Why Confessions of a Shopaholic will Bomb
Hollywood has long been out of touch when it comes to the average American. The glitz and glam, are something that is reserved for that kind of life. We don’t see women in big elaborate gowns going to the grocery store everyday, nor do most of us have the dramatic elements in our lives that Hollywood would like to make so common. I like movies as much as the next person. I am not slamming all movies. I am however very critical of the new film Confessions of a Shopaholic.
These are some of the hardest economic times since the Great Depression. 62,000 jobs were cut on Monday. Foreclosures are rampant, and there are those out there who cannot afford to feed their families. Movies have long been a way for audiences to escape the realities of daily life, but this movie goes too far.
What person in their right mind would put out a movie about a woman whose whole live is made up of shopping? The book, which the film is based upon was written in a different time. A time when conspicuous, no questions asked consumption was perfectly acceptable to most people.
In the preview, the character played by Isla Fisher, she actually battles other characters over a sale for boots. I ask the question, how out of touch can Hollywood truly be with their general audience? Don’t get me wrong, I like a chick flick as much as the next girl, but this film makes me want to vomit. I have absolutely no desire to see some spoiled rich girl indulge herself in an unsustainable lifestyle, in front of audiences that cannot even afford to keep their homes!
I personally will be boycotting this film. I do not support a materialistic society at all; which is exactly why the economy is in its current state. The character seems to think that money is not a realistic, tangible object and has absolutely no thought of what she is actually spending it on, nor the damage that it is doing to her future.
The movie may actually be good and it may have a good lesson about honesty and living within your means. But that’s not how the marketing is portraying this movie. All the ads show is a woman (and other women) going crazy over purses and using credit cards.
I have heard from so many people who feel that the timing of this movie release is just in bad taste. I hope that this movie flops and shows Hollywood, that we as the American public do not want to see people have absolutely no regard for money and spending it like it grows on trees. When we are losing our homes and jobs.
We don’t need movies from Hollywood showing us an unattainable lifestyle when our economy is having the troubles that it’s having. Especially when it’s materialistic people like the main character of this movie, that have brought us down.
Trailer of this Travesty:
The Over Materialization of Parenthood
In these difficult economic times, everyone seems to be cutting back in one way or another. We as a society are really being pushed to ask, what do we really need. American society is materialistic to it’s core. For decades, people have been judged by many, by what they have not who they are. As this trend grew, so did the cost of “keeping up with the Jones.’”
I think that this upward trend of materialization is very prevalent in parenting culture here in the United States. Just like in the wedding industry, women and some men, are sold a dream of how things should be, and that dream is really expensive. However, many do not realize how expensive this dream is until reality hits them.
My husband and I have been discussing starting a family. We know that raising a child is not an inexpensive endeavor, but it does not have to be as expensive as society lets on. In realistically looking at what we would actually need to take care of a baby, their needs are relatively simple. I wondered what the basics would run, crib, bottles and other basics. I was shocked how expensive things were. My mom had my youngest sister when I was a teenager, and I did quite a bit of shopping with her. I was amazed at how much more expensive baby things are today.
Many couples are victims of up-selling, this is where the couple chooses an item and are talked into buying a more expensive item instead. Many are guilted into buying what they cannot afford. Every parent wants the very best for their child, but does that mean that one has to spend $2000. on a crib? Since when did the money that parents spent on a child, measure the degree of love that they have for their child? I know that there are certain items that are expensive, and there is no way around it. Some items must be bought new, due to safety regulations and hygiene issues.
I just do not understand why anyone would overpay for basic items, just as a status symbol. Why is the $600 stroller better than the $100. stroller? What does not make sense to me is that new parents are shelling out ridiculous amounts of money on items that could be bought more economically. With the prospect of raising a child for the next 18 years or more, why not try to be frugal from the beginning?
As for my husband and myself, we know that starting a family will be the most expensive thing we probably ever do. But, we will not be bullied by society that we do not care for our child because we do not have the newest designer clothing on them, or the hottest new car seat. I think it is too over complicated, as long as the product does the job that it is meant to do safely, then why over pay? To me it just does not make sense, why not save the money on the designer stroller and start a college fund for that child?
In this tough economy more and more couples are stepping back and really analyzing what they need to raise a baby. I have come across numerous youtube video on how to save money while raising a child. Having a baby does not have to be as expensive as society lets on. As long as a couple realistically look at what they will actually need, buying all of the needs for a baby does not have to bankrupt new parents.
Like all major purchases, do your homework before you go out and start shopping for your new bundle of joy, do your homework. Ask other new parents what they actually used. So many people over-buy stuff that they will newer even use. When you go into a store to make purchases, set a budget and stick to it. Do not let anyone guilt you into buying something more expensive, that you really don’t need. The prospect of raising a child is costly at best, but don’t let that scare you away, just know what you need and stick to it.
Austerity Guide to Menu Planning – Menu Planning 101
I’ve discussed how to save money at the grocery store before. One of my biggest tips is to plan meals BEFORE you go to the store. When you plan your meals, extras will not find their way into the cart as easily. There are some out there who are meal planning pros, and others who are not so hot at it. Menu planning is so essential to saving money, that I chose some of the best menu planning sites that I have come across. The sites range from expert advice, to directions of how to begin making a meal plan.
Learning How to Make a Meal Plan
Ehow has set up a page that gives step by step directions to setting up a menu ahead of time. The page is laid out very simply and the directions are very easy to follow. I think this is a great starter for those of you who are unsure of how to go about planning a menu.
Menu Planning Instructions From Ehow.com
How to Make a Few Items Work Throughout the Week
Mill Musings is a blog written by another budget conscious blogger. I chose this blog because it illustrates how a few items can last through out the week. In the sample menu that is shown, certain ingredients are used many times during the week, but they are done in a unique and tasty looking way. I also liked that this menu incorporated pictures of the made food.
Menu Ideas for Everyone
Budget 101 is a wonderful website for many different types of services for those who want to get a good deal. I chose this website for the more experienced menu planners or those who want to give planning a try. I like this site because it gives many different types of menu options, whether it be vegetarian or simply feeding 2 people. This is a wonderful database for budget meal planning.
A Wonderful example of a Pro menu planner
The hillbillyhousewife is another great sight for planning meals. I was really impressed at how organized her meal plan was. I was also happy to see that her meal plan was extremely healthy and filling. I think that this is a wonderful example of how to plan a menu. I also like her use of a grid at towards the bottom of the page, which clearly lays out all meals and snacks. I use this technique myself.
Menu, tips and full layout of meal planning
Menu Planning Service
Dine without whine is a menu planning service. Some people out there are just not planners. I am not necessarily saying that this is a good option to save money, because this service does cost money. However, it could be a good start for beginners to see how menu planning is done, or for those who simply do not have the time.
Menu plan is essential to saving money in the grocery store. Sit down have yourself a cup of coffee, get yourself a pen and paper and start planning. I always like to include some of my favorite foods for the week. Don’t plan your menu so cheaply that you don’t like what you put on it. Buy food that you and whoever you are feeding likes. Once you know what you want to eat, start you list for the store. It is much harder for unneeded extras to work their way into your grocery cart when you have a list in hand. Happy Planning!
The Austere Dinner Party, Yes it can be done!
I love to entertain in my home, and since the recent economic depression, many people believe that the days of doing dinner parties are over. I say, quite the contrary. I have hosted more dinner parties in the past 6 months than in the past year. When my husband and I wanted to get together with friends and family, we used to meet them out at a restaurant. Those days are long gone. The prices in restaurants just keep going up. Now the get together spot is usually in someone’s home.
Many think that entertaining is too expensive, but it is not if it is done correctly. There are plenty of inexpensive meals to serve at a dinner party. The one-pot dishes seem to be the least expensive to make. These can range from chili. to lasagna, to chicken in a wine sauce. If you are going to be having a dinner party, watch the sales fliers after you have planned a menu. Get you ingredients on sale. The beauty of a one pot meal is that in most cases, a loaf of french or Italian bread makes a great side dish, and is very inexpensive.
Whenever I entertain, I always try to put out finger foods before the dinner. I have found that this part of the meal tends to be the most expensive. When it comes to appetizers, I shop at stores like Aldi, for crackers and cheese and other tidbits. Keep in mind when buying this part of the meal that this is not meant to fill your guest, but only wet their appetite.
I also feel that depending on the guests that are coming, it is okay to ask a guest to bring something. I would not recommend asking someone that has never been over to your home before. The pot-luck dinner is back in a big way. A pot-luck, for those of you who don’t know is when each guest brings something do the dinner. I often ask guests that I know will be big alcohol drinkers to please bring a bottle of their favorite drink. I find that I save a lot of time and money this way.
As for setting my table, I set it based on the occasion, obviously. I have invested in some neutral colored cloth dinner napkins, which I bought on sale. I love my dinner napkins because they go with everything and they add a really nice touch. I also went to my local resale shop and purchased some inexpensive table cloths. I always keep my eye out for candle sticks when I go as well. I picked up a lovely pair of silver candle sticks at my local resale shop about two years ago, I use them constantly to entertain.
When it comes to setting a table, it can be done on a austere budget, but it doesn’t have to look like it. Use your imagination. Take for instance, I held a Christmas dinner and I did not have anything to decorate my coffee table with, so I cut a large piece of leftover wrapping paper into a funky shape and put that on my table and then put my hors d’oeuvres on top of it. It looked great!
Keep your dinner parties fun and relaxed, and people will want to come back. Just remember that a dinner party does not have to be super expensive. Dinner parties allow you to do what you want when you want, and you are not rushed like you can be in a restaurant. So, relax and enjoy!
The Austere Wedding: 10 Tips For a Cheap Wedding on a Budget
Photo from Flickr
Every little girl dreams of the most special day, her wedding day. For many women, their imagination has painted an unrealistic image of the day. Images of insanely expensive weddings are pushed on females of all ages. Books, magazines and movies show elaborate weddings, usually ignoring what the cost of these events actually is.
Just because it’s a tough economy doesn’t mean that you still can’t have a nice wedding. Tough times will require you to pare back your elaborate plans and create some realistic expectations.
I got married two years ago and managed to do it on the cheap. People still tell me that I had the nicest wedding that they had ever been to. I saved a lot of money and I have helped a lot of friends do so as well, and now I want to help all you brides out there that are looking to save a few thousand dollars. Here are my Top Ten Ways of Saving a Money on your Wedding Day.
Top Ten Ways to Have a Wedding on a Budget:
1. Lower Your Wedding Expectations
I know this may seem harsh, but this is a harsh lesson to learn. I had all of the wonderful images of the big white wedding, memories of beautiful movie weddings. I had never given much thought to what a wedding would actually cost. What a slap across the face, when the realization of what the type of wedding that I had grown up seeing in movies and magazines would actually cost. Now, in saying lower your expectations, I am not saying you’ll have cheap looking wedding, I am just saying be realistic about what things really cost.
2. Wedding Photographers Can Be a Huge Waste Of Money
This was the biggest sticking point in my wedding planning. I was shocked to see how much wedding photographers actually charged just to shoot the wedding, which is really only a cople hours worth of work. I shopped around, a lot. My first choice was extremely expensive, but once I lowered my expectations, I chose another wonderful photographer. I was able to negotiate a deal to shoot the wedding.
The pictures were great but I soon realized that the wedding pictures were so expensive that I couldn’t afford to buy any of them! This was when I realized what had really happened, the shooting fee was cheap so that the money would be made in picture sales. I wish I would have realized this before hand. Honestly, I feel that my photographer was a waste of money. Member of my family shot many great pictures themselves while the photographers shot mostly the same photos. I could not tell the difference between the two.
So ask yourself, do you really need a professional photographer? Is there a few family or friends that can shoot the day for free?
3. Wedding Flowers and Wedding Decor
Let’s face it, flowers make the decor to many brides, myself included. There are a few money saving options when it comes to flowers and decor. First of all, try to think rationally. I know it can be hard, being swept up in the spirit of it all, and the florist is counting on that. Know what you want before you go to a florist and be firm on what you had pre-decided. Also, if you tell the florist that you are having an event besides a wedding, you’ll save a ton of money. There is a wedding mark-up, it’s true. Many services hear the word wedding and they know they can charge more. Another tip is, think about doing the flowers and decor yourself. This can save a ton of money. If you’re not talented enough, see if there is a friend or family member who is. Flowers are insanely cheap from a wholesale florist.
4. Wedding Music
There are so many ways to save money here. My husband and I burned a CD with our ceremony music on it. We did not pay to have someone preform. Honestly, the music on the CD was wonderful. We made sure to bring a back up just in case the original CD did not work. The reception music can easily be done with an I-pod. Most DJ’s use I-pods these days. When searching for music for the reception, look for a deal. Watch out for that wedding mark-up. Make sure to ask around, ask other brides who they used and if the entertainment was a good value for the money.
5. Wedding Reception Venue
There are so many ways to save money when it comes to where to hold the event of your special day. First of all consider how many people you have to accommodate, and what will you be feeding them. The options range from all inclusive banquet halls to the local VFW post. My husband and I originally found a great deal by asking a locally owned eatery to host the reception. Just keep in mind, some facilities have kitchens on site and others do not. If you choose a venue that is not equipped to accommodate a dinner service, you may have to rent equipment and hire a caterer, so beware because that can add up quickly.
6. The Wedding Guest List
This can be such a touchy issue for many brides. If you plan on having a reception where you will be feeding guests, it comes down to the simple question of, how many people can you afford to feed? I know this seems harsh but you must look at this issue practically. Also make sure to take into account how many people your venue can accommodate. Don’t go broke feeding people that you don’t even know! You’ll need to make some tough decisions about who needs to be there on your special day. You don’t need to invite your friend from second grade that you haven’t seen since, well, second grade.
7. Wedding Contracts… Always Leave a paper trail!
I cannot stress this enough! This is the most important money saver when planing a wedding! When I walked down the aisle, I was so naive. I did read about how to plan a wedding and thank God that every book said leave a paper trail. This piece of money saving advice came in handy twice for me during my planning. The first time, with the bridal shop where I bought my dress. and the second time when my reception venue pulled out 5 weeks before my big day. Remember signed contracts are legal documents, and in case you do have to go to court, you are going to need those. Make sure to keep all receipts and contracts organized and in one place. The more paperwork that shows that you held up your end of a contract, the better it is for you if something does go wrong.
8. Do Your Wedding Homework
Research your vendors. Get recommendations from other brides. Word of mouth is very important. I bought my wedding dress from a terrible dress shop, that was notorious for bad service. I had found out after the fact that everyone in the area knew not to do business with that particular shop. Luckily, I had my contract and a rather large paper trail to save my ass and my dress. I would also recommend reading up on saving money on weddings. There are some really great books out there, so start reading.
9. Saving money on the Wedding Dress
For many brides this is the most exciting and important part of the wedding, with the exception of marrying the spouse of your dreams. Again be so careful here. I hear constantly of brides that have been put through the ringer by the dress shop they chose. Check up on the practices of the dress shop that you choose. Make sure they aren’t letting others try on your dress (my personal experience). Also, look other places for alterations, but when looking else where make sure to get references. Also, some dress shops will discount dresses if the bridesmaids get their dresses there too, which can be a good deal.
10. Think With Your Head Not With Your Heart
I know this is so hard to do for the excited bride, but it is a necessity. Think about what you are really paying for. Really think about the decisions that you are making. Do not let people pressure you into decisions. Many vendors expect brides to be irrational, and that makes them easy to persuade and manipulate. Stand your ground, this will be your day after all. In retrospect, I was able to do this and it saved me thousands of dollars. Wedding planning can be a fun thing, just try to keep emotion out of it as much a possible.
Do you have any tips on holding an Austere Wedding? Please post them in the comments below!
Beware of Liquidation Sales
With the bad economy, major retailers are dropping like flies. Circuit City is the latest company to close it’s doors and liquidation sales are becoming a common sight in many communities. Usually, people think that this means that you can get a great deal.
You usually can’t. Here’s why.
When a store liquidates, it hires an outside company to close the store. The outside company pays the bankrupting company for the right to do this (this money goes to the creditors). In return, they close the store and sell off the remaining stock until it’s all gone. Sound good so far, right?
Well, it’s in the best interest of the liquidator to extract as much value as possible from the remaining stock. So how do they do this?
They raise all prices back up to Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price and THEN starting discounting for the liquidation. This means that some items can cost as much as 50% more than they did before the store was liquidating.
Generally, retail stores always have their goods on sale and occasionally cut prices a bit more to move stock. Also, very few retailers actually charge the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price for anything – the price is always too high.
So, while you may think your getting a deal when you go to a store in liquidation, especially when you see signs that say 20% to 50% off. Prices are actually around where they were initially.
Most people don’t know that they’re not getting a deal and think they are. So, they swamp to liquidation sales to ‘save money.’ Well, you’re not saving money. As a result of this kind of consumer thinking, all the good items get picked clean from the store and when the store finally actually lowers prices to ‘deal’ levels, all the good stuff is gone and you’re left with saving 75% on a roll of toilet paper.
An Office Depot opened up in my town about six months ago. Despite the fact that it had not even been open a year, Office Depot decided that they should close it down. So, there’s been a liquidation sale going on for the last month. Have there been any deals?
Not really. I saved a few bucks on some pens and blank DVD’s. I’ve been back several times as they’ve lowered prices. I’ve noticed they haven’t been lowering the prices on expensive things like computer monitors, hard drives and printers. They’ve been lowering the prices of the office supplies but not the stuff with any actual value. Even some office supplies are still overpriced. The goal is to make you THINK you’re getting a deal.
Sorry but $200 for a 19″ monitor I could get for $100 as Wal-Mart is not a deal.
There is one possibility for a good deal during a store liquidation and that’s buying store fixtures. The liquidation company has no need for the store fixtures (shelves, displays, registers etc…) so when the store is in it’s final days, you can usually pick up this stuff as great prices. So, if you’re opening your own retail store, head down to the local store going out of business.
5 Things to Keep in Mind about Store Liquidations:
1. Don’t expect staff to be friendly or helpful – they’re losing their jobs so at least be nice to them.
2. Use your store gift card before the store closes or else it’s worthless.
3. They won’t take checks. Cash or Credit only.
4. They won’t accept returns.
5. All Sales are Final.
6. What you see is what you get – don’t expect there to be items in the storage room.
My Latte Factor
Photo from Flickr
I am a latte junkie. They know me by name at my local Starbucks, which is sad, when I really consider it. They actually have my coffee pre-made and waiting for me. Yes this is true. But recently with the economic downturn, I started to really think about how much my latte addiction was costing me. When I added it up, the cold hard truth was there. I could not believe how much money I was spending at Starbucks. At the rate I was spending I might as well have bought stock in the company.
The realization of how much money I was actually spending was truly a wake up call. I thought of all of the things that I could do with the money that I was spending instead of drinking my money. I was so shocked by the realization of what I was spending per week, that I decided to quit Starbucks cold turkey. I told the girls to stop having my latte ready for me. I was done. At first I frequented Dunkin Donuts, because their coffee was much cheaper, but I was still stuck with that latte factor. I knew that I had to do better.
Quitting Starbucks was so hard, especially in the late afternoon, when I was ready for that second pick me up. I stayed strong and stayed away. Soon, I started to drink the coffee that my office provided, I never realized it before but they were brewing Starbucks coffee. Ah, that sweet, sweet taste of Starbucks. Soon I stopped buying coffee all together, what was the point? There was perfectly good coffee at the office, which was free. As an office of serious coffee drinkers, they bought good coffee.
After I left my job to go back to school, I had the dilemma of getting my morning Starbucks fix. I resisted temptation and I did not go back to that delicious trap. But I had to find a substitute. The school has a cafeteria, where if you buy a cup of coffee, you get free refills all day. That was a good deal, seeing that the original cup only costs $1.25. The only problem was that the coffee was awful. I realized that I was going to have to find some way of bringing my own coffee.
I invested in a coffee maker that I found on sale, and a good thermos as well. Soon, I was back in business. I would fill my thermos and be good for the day. I had never really bought coffee at the grocery store, why would I bother, that’s what Starbucks was for. I found that I could buy Starbucks coffee and grind it fresh right in the store for about $7.00! That’s the price of 2 lattes! The coffee was delicious and the pound lasts a really long time.
I went cold turkey about a year ago, and I am still going strong. I stopped by Starbucks a week ago because someone gave me a gift card. I ordered my usual latte and the price had gone up. I was shocked that I actually paid that price for a cup of coffee! I didn’t want to go back, even though I had a gift card.
When I think about it, there is little value for money, when you consider the alternative of just making your own coffee and taking it with you. I will use the rest of the card so that it does not go to waste, I have been shocked strait. I do miss the creamy taste of a mocha latte from time to time, but my waist does not. I have tried to recreate the taste but, I haven’t had any luck. I came across a video of a woman named Renee who runs another frugality blog, she came up with this recipe to substitute her latte factor. It looks pretty good, I have yet to try it, so if you do and it’s good let me know.
What’s your Latte Factor? What do you regularly spend money on that you can cut out of your life to save money. Add it all up over year and see how much your Latte Factor is really costing you.
The One Question that will get you through the New Depression
What do I really NEED?
This should be the new attitude that will get people through the modern day depression. Americans are coming out of a time of enormous prosperity, and great waste. Sure the credit boom was fun, while you were on top, but at the bottom, it is no fun. Those plastic little cards are sneaky, its easier to spend money when you do not see the actual cash coming out of your hand.
Want is a four-letter word.
It’s a dangerous word that needs to be used sparingly. It is okay to want for things, but one must be thankful for what you do have. In our materialistic society it is ingrained in all of us from childhood. Those Saturday morning toy commercials are made to make children want. This disease of want continues into adulthood, but now a $10 toy does not satisfy the want, soon it’s cars and electronics or expensive designer clothing and accessories.
Want and the concept of reason do not coexist for many people. Often when want takes over, rationality flees in the opposite direction.
Now I am not saying that I do not want items that are not basic necessities at times, but I do not run out to the store to purchase that want. It is possible to have rationale in this matter. I must say that this was a long and hard lived trait.
If I really want something, I think long and hard about that purchase. I ask myself, will I really use that? How often will I use the product? What purpose does it really have in my life? Do I think the price is actually representative of the value of the item? Will it go on sale? After I take into account these questions, I discuss it with my husband. I am capable of making rational decisions on my own, but having someone to bounce ideas and thoughts off of is helpful.
When a big purchase comes along that my husband and want to make, it is always a joint decision. We save for what we want, and we pay cash. Recently, my husband said that he would like to upgrade our television to a new HD one. Our current television is old, buttons are broken on it, but the picture is still good. The remote has been lost for centuries.
After much debate, my husband and I decided that if we really wanted a new television, then we would save for it. A little money from each paycheck will go towards that television, into a specially designated savings account. We are grateful for the television we do have and we realize that we do not actually need a new one. But that doesn’t mean a new one wouldn’t be nice, after we’ve earned it.
NEED is the most important word in the English language. So many purchases are made with little to no regard of need. Most purchases are merely based on want. This idea of want is a dangerous one and it’s why the economy is in such trouble. There are many reasons why people shop, some actually need to, some use it as entertainment, therapy, or just a fun way to pass an afternoon.
Shopping is not an entertainment outlet, it is to get what you actually need. Need is a very basic concept, which is confused with want to many. There are 4 basic needs, water, clothing, shelter, and food.
That’s it.
An HD television is not a need, nor is the newest model of car or a designer pair of sunglasses. These basic needs do not have to be the best and most expensive, they have to sustain life, that’s all. I know that sounds harsh but, when you really think about it, it’s true.
Overall, I encourage all of you out there to think about purchases with your head, use rationale, don’t use your heart or emotion. I have to say that like any new way of thinking, this takes practice and time to learn. It took me a couple of years, and at first, I was miserable. I am guilty of being a shopper who enjoyed the entertainment of it. But I must say that I wish I would have been taught early on the difference between wants and needs. The sooner you start to separate these two words, the better and happier you’ll be.
10 Ways to Feed Your Family For Less – Shopping for Groceries with Austerity
It seems to many that feeding a family is becoming increasingly more expensive. However, all is not lost. With a little tweaking and habit change, a good deal of money can be saved. I have seen these tip work in my own life. I spend less on food than I did five years ago and my family dynamic has not changed.
The biggest thing to remember is, the store is not your friend, they are there to extract as much money out of you as possible. This does not mean one needs to be unfriendly but keep in mind, you are in charge when it comes to shopping. Never be embarrassed to put items back, keep a running tally of the cost of the grocery bill, or buy generic. The grocery store is in business because you are a paying customer.
I want to share my best ways for grocery shopping on a budget. I want to stress that I eat well and that I do not go without when it comes to food. Food is a need, not a want. And although I stick to these ten tips I do occasionally break them, every once and a while a small splurge is allowed.
These are my top ten ways for saving money at the grocery store:
Where to Shop
Choose where you shop. Believe it or not price does differ depending on the the store. Aldi is a great place to start, it’s no frills approach does pass down to the consumer. I personally have shopped there. Their food is good quality and is considerably less than your average grocery store. Another place to save is Wal-Mart. Yes, I am not a huge fan of them but when it comes to sticking to a budget, that’s the place to go.
Coupons
Coupons, yeah they seem like a pain, but they do actually save you some money. Wait to see if the local store has double-coupon days, where you coupon now counts for double savings. Don’t cut coupons for food you don’t eat. Just because the coupon came in the Sunday newspaper, does not mean that you have to purchase that item. Also read the fine print on coupons, some are sneaky, by requiring you to buy a larger size, or double of that product.
Sales Flyers
Watch the sales ads, if the item can be frozen and the price is great, get a few and freeze them till you need them. Meat is a great example of this. I wait till chicken breast goes on sale, I look for the bag that has 6 or 7 breasts in them. I don’t eat it all at once and the bag lasts for about a month. This can also be done with vegetables and fruit. I have heard that this can also be done with milk, but I have not tried it.
Store Brand Generics
Generic does not always mean low quality. I am brand loyal on certain items, Oreos, Jiff Peanut Butter… but overall most generic brands are made in the same factories as name brands. Be brave try it. There are differences in some cases, if you don’t like the generic brand try adding some spices to it, really give it a shot if you don’t like it. In the long run you will be amazed how much money could be saved this way. Also, a word to the wise, no one will know the difference when you put it on the dinner table.
Make a List
Make a list. I cannot stress this enough. Go in with the mindset that the only things that go on in the basket are things that are on the list, no exceptions. Leave a pad of paper on the refrigerator, when you run out of something, write it down. Make sure to include household items on you list as well, like toilet paper, and cleaners. In not taking a list to the store, something is always forgotten. This forgetfulness will prompt another trip to the store, which stores are counting on. How many people actually go back to get an item they forgot and only buy that item?
Set a Budget
Set a budget, and stick to it! Keep track of what you are spending while you are shopping, bring a pocket calculator or use one on you cell phone if it has one. Don’t be embarrassed this is a tuff economy, never be ashamed of looking out for yourself and your family. If the calculator is not your thing, try rounding up on prices to the nearest dollar and keep a running tally in your head. I find that this works for me and I always come in under budget.
Plan Your Meals
When making your list think ahead and plan meals, every meal. In doing this, nothing is forgotten at the store and you don’t overspend on things that won’t get eaten. I plan all of my meals when I go. I also plan lunches to take with me during the work week. If you do the math, in most cases it is so much cheaper to bring a planned lunch from home than to eat out. I also know how to allot the food for the week, I know not to eat all of a favorite food when I first get it, it has to last through the week.
Don’t Go Hungry
I know this seems obvious, but it’s true, eat before you go to the store. Hungry people alway buy more, myself included.
Grocery Shopping Only
If you shop at a super-center type grocery store, stick to the food section. Stores with this type of set up depend on you walking through the store, resist the urge. There is a reason the shampoo is on the opposite side of the store.
Don’t be Afraid to Say No
If you are over budget at the check out, don’t be embarrassed to put items back. You are the consumer, you have a choice. It is not a done deal once things are in the grocery sac. I have done this many times. I have come across the rude, nasty and angry doing this, but remember, YOU ARE THE CUSTOMER! The person behind the checkout does not have a job without customers like you shopping. I must honestly say, I see a negative reaction less frequently as the economy worsens. I also find that if you are up front with the cashier and tell them what your budget is and to let you know when the hit it, the checkout seems to go more smoothly. Overall, don’t be embarrassed, you have a right.
Final Thoughts on Saving at the Grocery Store:
I have learned these tricks over time and I have visibly seen my grocery bill go down. My husband and I can get everything we need to eat for the week for about $60. We both eat very well. We do not starve. Clever shopping will fill your cupboards and your tummy. Go out and look for a deal, remain in control of your shopping experience, and plan ahead. Happy Shopping!
