We use washable dishes/utensils -- a little more work but less $ and nicer, and real tablecloths/decorations that I already have. Any splurging we do is on the food, but we try to keep it economical with the types of things we serve. Hospitality is really important to us, so it is one area where I don't want to be TOO cheap. ;)
I love making my own chicken stock and canning it so I always have it on hand. When I cook a whole chicken for a meal or buy a rotisserie chicken, I take the leftover whole chicken and freeze. When I get two or three, I make my stock. Love adding my fresh herbs as well as carrots,onion,celery, and lots of peppercorns. Thanks for some great ideas to get me going.
If I am paying/hosting the entire affair, I like to do "Bars". A Pasta bar with 3 or more sauces, A Rice bar with savory and Indian flavors, A Baked potato bar with everything from beef & broc, to sweet & sour chicken, along with cheese, onion, butter, sour cream, etc.. goes over really well. I've even done a Hot Cookie bar with oatmeal for a breakfast/ lunch! I had everything from chocolate chips & whipped cream to fresh fruits like sliced strawberries, to butter & brown sugar. If your base food is frugal and your toppings like spiced beef is offered as a garnish, the whole dinner will be quite easy on your wallet, yet everyone will be so impressed at your creativeness .
Remember, President Reagan said "trust but verify", that may work in politics but not in the car buying process. Reverse that, I say verify then trust. If you can't verify, then don't buy. Verify that mileage, service history, title and condition with a pre- purchase inspection. Finally, be sure to get owners manual, service records and check that spare tire and jack are present. Some dealers only offer one key. Be sure to get both keys and test each one before you drive off the lot. Usually one of the keys don't fit and wont work but you won't find out that second key is a dud until it's too late.
I got a secured Capital One card to rebuild my credit. Three years later I called and was going to cancel my card, but they refunded my deposit and change it to an unsecured card....there's still that nagging annual fee though.
Did you really cite 'Dr.' Oz?? You know he is a major pusher I pseudo-science. Sure, these specific points may have been accurate, but there are many better places to cite than Oz.
You can stick a dryer sheet in your back pocket and don't even have to rub it on your body! I get bit ALL THE TIME....every time I put one in my pocket, I never got bit. One time I put one in, went outside and was eat up. When I came back in the house, I found it laying on the floor, so just be sure ya don't drop it!
To avoid "destroying your finances in retirement" work on staying healthy by making it a priority. Be physically active, stay mentally sharp, remain socially engaged and follow a good diet. Staying healthy can help reduce illness and injury and also reduce medical costs. The site Retirement And Good Living has many pages and posts about health, fitness and nutrition. The site also provides several exercise videos.
I received one of their debit cards by mail. I also am not using this card. I didn't apply for it. Its just to many scams and I dont just trust anyone with my hard earned money.
A huge pot of spaghetti, Italian salad and homemade rolls are a crowd pleaser every time. Dessert is homemade cookies, various kinds and a chocolate cake. Beverages are coffee, tea, water and lemonade. Some guests bring wine or other spirits to share but I can cook and bake a nice meal for very little cash.
Entertainment includes card playing, charades or Scrabble after dinner depending on what the guests vote to play! My parties are always fun and enjoyable!
I had a credit card with merrick bank and the interest was terrible, plus they took 6 dollars a month for the annual fee. I finally ended up cancelling the card bit I probably paid them like 4 or 5 hundred in fees and interest while I had the card.
I shop sales early. Have a pitcher of one themed drink so you don't have to buy a bunch of booze. At work we have very large parties, but call for a pot luck. They are usually the best.
Pot lucks are a great idea! I've also discovered the new cheese counter at Kroger - they often have a lot of selections under $5 that make a nice cheese plate. Pair that with wine from Costco and you can have a pretty reasonable party!
It's really not as much planning as you'd think. Our young adult church group does it twice a month and it means don't end up with TONS of leftover food. If you are having tacos, one person bring tomatoes, one person brings taco shells, another brings shredded cheese, etc. Folks who like to cook can if they like. Two or three people bring desserts. Someone gets drinks, someone brings napkins. It works out surprisingly well.
Not only did I pay it off early, I paid it all. I have been debt free for 4 years and have seen my wealth grow exponentially. Since I don't payments, I can invest and save for purchases. There is no way I would ever go back to using credit cards or any debt of any kind.
Brunch! Breakfast food is cheap (homemade pancakes, bagels, orange juice), and it's great for people who have kids (no late nights). Alcohol not required, and we use the plates, silverware, and cups that we have, no disposable stuff except maybe napkins.
We also do cake and coffee parties, where we only serve one dinner dish (big pot of vegatarian chili with homemade bread) and a homemade cake and coffee. We brew our own beer, which cuts the price of purchasing beer by 75%, and we buy champagne across the year using coupons and deals and store the bottles for when they're needed.
One thing I like to do is make hummus a little creamier with plain Greek yogurt. But in general, yogurt is pretty great in savory Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking when you want things a little creamier
We use washable dishes/utensils -- a little more work but less $ and nicer, and real tablecloths/decorations that I already have. Any splurging we do is on the food, but we try to keep it economical with the types of things we serve. Hospitality is really important to us, so it is one area where I don't want to be TOO cheap. ;)
I like number seven. There is nothing better than having a night on the town with your pals after you have had a hard, cold reality check.
I love making my own chicken stock and canning it so I always have it on hand. When I cook a whole chicken for a meal or buy a rotisserie chicken, I take the leftover whole chicken and freeze. When I get two or three, I make my stock. Love adding my fresh herbs as well as carrots,onion,celery, and lots of peppercorns. Thanks for some great ideas to get me going.
If I am paying/hosting the entire affair, I like to do "Bars". A Pasta bar with 3 or more sauces, A Rice bar with savory and Indian flavors, A Baked potato bar with everything from beef & broc, to sweet & sour chicken, along with cheese, onion, butter, sour cream, etc.. goes over really well. I've even done a Hot Cookie bar with oatmeal for a breakfast/ lunch! I had everything from chocolate chips & whipped cream to fresh fruits like sliced strawberries, to butter & brown sugar. If your base food is frugal and your toppings like spiced beef is offered as a garnish, the whole dinner will be quite easy on your wallet, yet everyone will be so impressed at your creativeness .
Remember, President Reagan said "trust but verify", that may work in politics but not in the car buying process. Reverse that, I say verify then trust. If you can't verify, then don't buy. Verify that mileage, service history, title and condition with a pre- purchase inspection. Finally, be sure to get owners manual, service records and check that spare tire and jack are present. Some dealers only offer one key. Be sure to get both keys and test each one before you drive off the lot. Usually one of the keys don't fit and wont work but you won't find out that second key is a dud until it's too late.
I got a secured Capital One card to rebuild my credit. Three years later I called and was going to cancel my card, but they refunded my deposit and change it to an unsecured card....there's still that nagging annual fee though.
Did you really cite 'Dr.' Oz?? You know he is a major pusher I pseudo-science. Sure, these specific points may have been accurate, but there are many better places to cite than Oz.
You can stick a dryer sheet in your back pocket and don't even have to rub it on your body! I get bit ALL THE TIME....every time I put one in my pocket, I never got bit. One time I put one in, went outside and was eat up. When I came back in the house, I found it laying on the floor, so just be sure ya don't drop it!
To avoid "destroying your finances in retirement" work on staying healthy by making it a priority. Be physically active, stay mentally sharp, remain socially engaged and follow a good diet. Staying healthy can help reduce illness and injury and also reduce medical costs. The site Retirement And Good Living has many pages and posts about health, fitness and nutrition. The site also provides several exercise videos.
I received one of their debit cards by mail. I also am not using this card. I didn't apply for it. Its just to many scams and I dont just trust anyone with my hard earned money.
Well it was about time I woke up and started to see getting older has its benefits. Great article!
A huge pot of spaghetti, Italian salad and homemade rolls are a crowd pleaser every time. Dessert is homemade cookies, various kinds and a chocolate cake. Beverages are coffee, tea, water and lemonade. Some guests bring wine or other spirits to share but I can cook and bake a nice meal for very little cash.
Entertainment includes card playing, charades or Scrabble after dinner depending on what the guests vote to play! My parties are always fun and enjoyable!
Where is Castalure, Texas on this list?
I host a party on a budget by having it be potluck so everyone would bring food
Potluck, baby!!!
Hi Robert!
Thanks for your inspirational comment. Do you have any tips on how you managed to pay down all your debt early? That's a super achievement.
I had a credit card with merrick bank and the interest was terrible, plus they took 6 dollars a month for the annual fee. I finally ended up cancelling the card bit I probably paid them like 4 or 5 hundred in fees and interest while I had the card.
I shop sales early. Have a pitcher of one themed drink so you don't have to buy a bunch of booze. At work we have very large parties, but call for a pot luck. They are usually the best.
Pot lucks are a great idea! I've also discovered the new cheese counter at Kroger - they often have a lot of selections under $5 that make a nice cheese plate. Pair that with wine from Costco and you can have a pretty reasonable party!
A pot luck twist:
Everyone brings an ingredient.
It's really not as much planning as you'd think. Our young adult church group does it twice a month and it means don't end up with TONS of leftover food. If you are having tacos, one person bring tomatoes, one person brings taco shells, another brings shredded cheese, etc. Folks who like to cook can if they like. Two or three people bring desserts. Someone gets drinks, someone brings napkins. It works out surprisingly well.
Bring on the fun!
Not only did I pay it off early, I paid it all. I have been debt free for 4 years and have seen my wealth grow exponentially. Since I don't payments, I can invest and save for purchases. There is no way I would ever go back to using credit cards or any debt of any kind.
I like to buy my food in Bulk! Go to dollar store for decoration ideas. I shop around in clearance sections.
Penny auctions are just plain scary, thanks for letting people know more about them!
Brunch! Breakfast food is cheap (homemade pancakes, bagels, orange juice), and it's great for people who have kids (no late nights). Alcohol not required, and we use the plates, silverware, and cups that we have, no disposable stuff except maybe napkins.
We also do cake and coffee parties, where we only serve one dinner dish (big pot of vegatarian chili with homemade bread) and a homemade cake and coffee. We brew our own beer, which cuts the price of purchasing beer by 75%, and we buy champagne across the year using coupons and deals and store the bottles for when they're needed.
One thing I like to do is make hummus a little creamier with plain Greek yogurt. But in general, yogurt is pretty great in savory Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking when you want things a little creamier