I cook a lot of meals at home! I do eat out 3-5 times a week, depending on how busy things get or how much I want to treat myself. I'm trying to cut back on both my grocery spending and my restaurant spending though. This week, I have a 7-day meal plan all mapped out-- 7 quick breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. I'll be shopping on Sunday and eating delicious, cheap food all week!
I cook every meal at home, twice a day, seven days a week. My wife has been out of state for over a year now to care for her elderly parents, so I have to round up recipes and dive into preparing my own meals. So far so good.
How often do you cook at home?
A: I cook approximately 36 times per month. Dinners every night, breakfasts on weekends.
What are your go-to dishes when you don't have a lot of time or energy to prepare a meal?
A: Salmon burgers or Mac-n-cheese (Annie's) with canned salmon or other meat (usually game) & sauteed vegies
What tips do you have for someone who wants to start cooking more?
A: Each week develop a simple menu with meat, vegetables and starch. Then shop for those meals. It doesn't have to be fancy. Knowing what you are going to cook ahead of time and having the ingredients ready is hugely helpful. Always have pasta, rice, quinoa, etc, and potatoes on hand. Always have frozen chicken pieces and some frozen vegies on hand. I like having frozen chicken and fish on hand, thaw out night before. A lot of it can be cooked semi-frozen. Left overs are used for lunches.
I hope this is an ongoing conversation what with the relatively frequent changes in the banking industry.
I moved the family checking account to Pentagon Federal Credit Union about 4 years ago. At that time you could apply rewards to your monthly statement, dollar for dollar and that was the way we 'spent' our rewards. Unfortunately, within the last few years, Pen Fed has turned the 'Rewards' program over to a third party. Along with that came a 'tax' on rewards. A $50 prepaid rewards card costs you 5880 points (not the 5000 points you might have expected). This is a 17.6% charge for 'managing' the Rewards program and it seems pretty outrageous. Pen Fed will tell you that it pays such and such a percent reward on food purchases and different percent rewards for other types of purchases but they don't tell you that your 'Rewards' will be reduced by nearly 18% when it comes time to redeem points. I have written Pen Fed to complain about this but have not been provided with sufficient justification as to why they have decided that their owner members will receive less than the promised rewards and why they tolerate a nearly 18% 'tax' on rewards as appropriate for running the Rewards program.
In addition to resisting the lure of luxury homes and cars, I'm sure it's very difficult for newly affluent young men to say no to all their hangers-on from the old neighborhood. Good for Cromartie--players need sound financial mentoring.
I cook at home daily! Sometimes my hubby take us out for dinner on Saturdays or Fridays. (When the paycheck and our budget allows us to have that break). I'm currently saving for "emergency funds" and vacations so that's why I'm making that huge effort! I like getting variety at the grocery store so my family will have variety on the table everyday! I have a meal plan I changed every Sunday and I got everyone's ideas to make it more fun for them! Breakfast, Lunch (including the hub's) and Dinner are all by me on a daily basis except today that I'm sick and my husband cooked for me :)
Absolutely love these ideas! I'm actually going as Carmen Sandiego this year due to a limited budget, but I truly think it may be my best costume yet! I can't wait to wear it out, especially since it's going to be a cool night and I'll be nice and warm in my coat :) Thanks for sharing!
I totally agree, neither my credit union or bank will take change. My only option is to pay fees to Coinstar. I feel like this should be illegal. Pay money to deposit money? This is ridiculous. Kids giving up almost 10% of their piggy bank money, Why? It is legal tender and banks get money at extremely low rates from the Federal Reserve in order to provide these services.
We usually cook at home at least 5 nights a week. Actually, my boyfriend cooks about 5 nights a week~ We tend to eat out a couple of times on the weekend. Friday is our Pizza Date Night.
We cook at home almost everyday, breakfast, lunch and dinner. We average about 1 dinner out per month and my husband grabs lunch out 1-2 times per month.
We cook almost everynight and on weekends breakfast and lunch is cooked too. I pack my lunch everyday for work.
Dining out is about once a month, we like Thai food.
The author's analysis fails to take into consideration the reduced monthly payments resulting from additional principal payments. Mortgage interest is calculated on the outstanding balance. Most interest payments are made up front. As the principle is reduced, the amount of interest paid will also be reduced. Accordingly, this will shorten the amount of time required to pay the mortgage off completely.
I just reviewed Cummuta's program. I liked it and found it sound and helpful. I was also able to find his TDIW system on Amazon and e-Bay for around $20-$25.00. I think it is a great value at those prices. Thanks for your thoughts.
I cook a lot of meals at home! I do eat out 3-5 times a week, depending on how busy things get or how much I want to treat myself. I'm trying to cut back on both my grocery spending and my restaurant spending though. This week, I have a 7-day meal plan all mapped out-- 7 quick breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. I'll be shopping on Sunday and eating delicious, cheap food all week!
We cook at home everyday and also take our lunches. Occasionally, we will go for dinner with my in-laws when they want to try out a new place.
I cook every meal at home, twice a day, seven days a week. My wife has been out of state for over a year now to care for her elderly parents, so I have to round up recipes and dive into preparing my own meals. So far so good.
How often do you cook at home?
A: I cook approximately 36 times per month. Dinners every night, breakfasts on weekends.
What are your go-to dishes when you don't have a lot of time or energy to prepare a meal?
A: Salmon burgers or Mac-n-cheese (Annie's) with canned salmon or other meat (usually game) & sauteed vegies
What tips do you have for someone who wants to start cooking more?
A: Each week develop a simple menu with meat, vegetables and starch. Then shop for those meals. It doesn't have to be fancy. Knowing what you are going to cook ahead of time and having the ingredients ready is hugely helpful. Always have pasta, rice, quinoa, etc, and potatoes on hand. Always have frozen chicken pieces and some frozen vegies on hand. I like having frozen chicken and fish on hand, thaw out night before. A lot of it can be cooked semi-frozen. Left overs are used for lunches.
You're very welcome Jeannie! It's never too early to start saving for retirement.
I'll be there!
@ipickuppennies
I hope this is an ongoing conversation what with the relatively frequent changes in the banking industry.
I moved the family checking account to Pentagon Federal Credit Union about 4 years ago. At that time you could apply rewards to your monthly statement, dollar for dollar and that was the way we 'spent' our rewards. Unfortunately, within the last few years, Pen Fed has turned the 'Rewards' program over to a third party. Along with that came a 'tax' on rewards. A $50 prepaid rewards card costs you 5880 points (not the 5000 points you might have expected). This is a 17.6% charge for 'managing' the Rewards program and it seems pretty outrageous. Pen Fed will tell you that it pays such and such a percent reward on food purchases and different percent rewards for other types of purchases but they don't tell you that your 'Rewards' will be reduced by nearly 18% when it comes time to redeem points. I have written Pen Fed to complain about this but have not been provided with sufficient justification as to why they have decided that their owner members will receive less than the promised rewards and why they tolerate a nearly 18% 'tax' on rewards as appropriate for running the Rewards program.
In addition to resisting the lure of luxury homes and cars, I'm sure it's very difficult for newly affluent young men to say no to all their hangers-on from the old neighborhood. Good for Cromartie--players need sound financial mentoring.
Happy Thursday
I cook at home daily! Sometimes my hubby take us out for dinner on Saturdays or Fridays. (When the paycheck and our budget allows us to have that break). I'm currently saving for "emergency funds" and vacations so that's why I'm making that huge effort! I like getting variety at the grocery store so my family will have variety on the table everyday! I have a meal plan I changed every Sunday and I got everyone's ideas to make it more fun for them! Breakfast, Lunch (including the hub's) and Dinner are all by me on a daily basis except today that I'm sick and my husband cooked for me :)
Absolutely love these ideas! I'm actually going as Carmen Sandiego this year due to a limited budget, but I truly think it may be my best costume yet! I can't wait to wear it out, especially since it's going to be a cool night and I'll be nice and warm in my coat :) Thanks for sharing!
This is really refreshing to read that some top-rank Football players have their head securely screwed on right when it comes to money and lifestyle.
As for Aaron Rodger's house, wow! If THAT's what some people call an ugly house, blimey, I'd love to have a house as ugly as that!
I just had my kitchen remodeled so I cook almost every night. With extra counter space, it's a joy!
I'm a senior and retired. I love to cook and usually make our dinners every evening. We like to go out for breakfast or lunch once a week.
I totally agree, neither my credit union or bank will take change. My only option is to pay fees to Coinstar. I feel like this should be illegal. Pay money to deposit money? This is ridiculous. Kids giving up almost 10% of their piggy bank money, Why? It is legal tender and banks get money at extremely low rates from the Federal Reserve in order to provide these services.
We usually cook at home at least 5 nights a week. Actually, my boyfriend cooks about 5 nights a week~ We tend to eat out a couple of times on the weekend. Friday is our Pizza Date Night.
I was surprised when I learned that runners actually have fewer knee injuries than non-runners and that running strengthens your bones.
We cook at home almost everyday, breakfast, lunch and dinner. We average about 1 dinner out per month and my husband grabs lunch out 1-2 times per month.
we try to cook at home 5 weekdays a week
I cook almost every night. We are on a tight budget for food. So eating out with a family of 6 rarely happens for us!
3 or so times a week during the evening and usually breakfast at home every day.
This is a great article. I was not aware that even children can contribute to IRAs. Thank you for the helpful information!
We cook almost everynight and on weekends breakfast and lunch is cooked too. I pack my lunch everyday for work.
Dining out is about once a month, we like Thai food.
The author's analysis fails to take into consideration the reduced monthly payments resulting from additional principal payments. Mortgage interest is calculated on the outstanding balance. Most interest payments are made up front. As the principle is reduced, the amount of interest paid will also be reduced. Accordingly, this will shorten the amount of time required to pay the mortgage off completely.
I just reviewed Cummuta's program. I liked it and found it sound and helpful. I was also able to find his TDIW system on Amazon and e-Bay for around $20-$25.00. I think it is a great value at those prices. Thanks for your thoughts.
I cook every day, three meals a day with the exception of Saturday night.