Take Some Time And Save Some Money
So much of what we get today…we are used to getting very quickly. Dinners are made microwave-ready so we can pop them in and out…with very little work or effort. Clothes are hurriedly tossed into a gas or electric dryer rather than the time it takes to hang them out on the line. Gas stations that are also convenience stores stock their shelves with food at twice the price…because it is easier to grab it from the same place you’re buying your gasoline rather than make the extra stop to the grocery store.
Time is often taken up with work, school, sports activities…all of these things are good. However, taking an hour or two each day to prepare for quick dinners or convenience items that can be packaged at home will go a long way in saving your family money. Buying meat in bulk and separating it into individually wrapped packaging doesn’t take long at all, and will make it easy to grab for quick defrosting and preparation. You can also take a couple or three days a month and prepare individual or “TV” dinners to be frozen for later use.
Other household duties can benefit from taking a little extra time as well. Rather than throw all the clothes that are washed into the laundry…try hanging some out on a clothesline when the weather permits. It will save on your weekly gas or electric consumption, and I’m sure most will agree that nothing smells better than clothes dried by the sun!
Taking some time can do more than save you money. It can bring more focus and perspective back to what you are working so hard for in the first place…which is time with the family. Make it something that is done together. Back in the “old days”, a lot of bonding between children and parents took place during daily chores. A lot of that stopped being necessary in the age of modern conveniences, and bringing at least a little of that back could have more than just financial benefits.
By Angela Sangster copyright SaveMoneySpot 2010
Possibly Related Posts:
- Saving Money At Thanksgiving
- Save Money with an Insulated Cooler
- It Pays For Itself…And Then Some!
- Having A Wedding On A Budget
- Babies and Budgets…They Can Coexist!
Hold The Soda!
Even in today’s economy, we all need to stop and grab a bite to eat out with the family now and then. While high priced restaurants might be out of the question, a trip to a fast food drive-thru can be quick and convenient. It can also be pretty expensive.
However, one way to save a few dollars on that next trip to a hamburger spot is to bring your own soda. If you are not going to be going inside (since most restaurants don’t allow you to bring in your own drinks) simply bring some cold cans of soda to have with your meal.
Most fast food places sell fountain drinks with their meals. These drinks are a mixture of the soda syrup and carbonated water..emphasis on the water. On top of that, lots of ice is added. Sure, when you first get it…it’s a nice refreshing treat. However, let it sit for longer than a few minutes, and you have a cup of melted ice and slightly flavored water.
Considering the price of a soda fountain drink in these places..you would be doing much better to just bring your own. That way, you are actually spending the money on the food that you will enjoy. You can either stop by a pop machine on the way there or better yet…have some from home that you bought in a grocery store. Those are even less expensive than the pop machines, and will add more money to your family outing.
Grab some sodas and head to that drive thru! While you’re telling them to add pickles to Jimmy’s sandwich or take the onions off of Susie’s…be sure and tell them to “Hold the soda!”
By Angela Sangster Copyright SaveMoneySpot 2010
Possibly Related Posts:
Categories: Entertainment Tags: budget, Entertainment, Family, food