I pretty much try and only eat fast food on road trips--i don't need the grease or the emptying of my wallet! I find it just as easy and wuick to make a turkey sandwich at home, saving money and calories.
Simply giving a smile and a "Hi, how are you?" to a person you pass on the street can brighten their day. You never know when someone needs another to restore a little faith in humanity, so when you're in a good mood why not try to put someone else in one too? I like that you included holding the door for someone- too many people just let it go without even glancing behind them.
I used to eat fast food quite often but, in trying to improve my health and finances, I've pretty much stopped. I would rather prepare something quick and easy at home. I've lost my taste for fast food. If I'm going to bother spending money at a restaurant I would rather make it a GOOD one, a relaxing sit-down affair.
Cutting back on these foods because of price increases may be good for the health of a lot of americans. If fruit and vegetable prices seem lower in comparison to other unhealthier foods, it could be a good thing. However, stocking up on meats is a good idea, closer to the end of the year.
Interesting article that brings up many good points on both sides except one Costco "con" theory that could be added. I have thought about this concept for some time...
My biggest issue with Costco/SamsClub etc. is the overall bulk buying mentality that I believe creates excess consumption and equal or even greater cost in the end which ultimately may negate any perceived savings from buying bulk. This is just a hunch I have developed but it's backed up by other web articles who share similar ideas on this subject. Try "Dark side of bulk buying" for example.
Open a huge box of Cheez-Its and what are you gonna do but eat a handful, and then some more, and then maybe just one more handful and... because it fosters a reduce sense of discipline on portion control given that the box seems SO "bottomless" and huge. Had it been a standard 13 oz. box of Cheez-Its the concept of portion is more obvious and the sense of leaving some for other people is more present. Excess supply possibly kicks in that primal survival mentality that informed our ancestors to eat well while the supply is good because they didn't know when the next meal might be. Obviously not an issue in the 21st century for most of us in the US, but a justifiable assertion that when there is a lot of something in our grasp we feel more comfortable taking more. So whatever the cost/serving saving there might have been could be lost when your eating portion has increased leaving you to run out possibly faster than had you just bought a smaller package on sale.
Another drawback to large packing is the thinking one better eat so much of one thing faster than normal as it may get stale or go bad too fast. Then there is the waste and throw away costs to factor in too if that happens. Again where's the saving? Ultimately bulk buying may encourage excess calorie consumption and could be a part of the obesity problem.
The psychology is complicated and it takes discipline. Think about it the next time you buy that big 'ol bulk bag of trail mix. One solution is to consider repackaging bulk items into smaller containers to reduce this effect especially if you are serving it to children. The concept of "enough" is important to have learned in those formative years.
FYI: I have the ability to shop at either but choose not to very often. Living in a house more than 3 times smaller than the national house size average is another major factor for us. The trade-off is that my utility bills are low! ;-)
I also find paying a membership fee to save money is somewhat absurd. Costco's "membership" gas price here in Prescott, AZ is seldom a penny or a few cents less than the bargain gas stations nearby. $60 a year is steep IMHO. Unless you have a family of 10 or run a restaurant or business, the savings at warehouse type stores seem modest at best. They have good brands at less price. Often a generic brand is satisfactorily cheaper though.
Yeah, there's really no way to calculate how membership fees affect price per unit because different memberships have different costs, and obviously, the more you buy at membership clubs, the more value you get per unit.
If the defining characteristic of fast food is having a drive-thru window, maybe once a week at most across the entire family. If it includes Panera, Chipotle, pizza or fast casual food, definitely at least once a week. When you're out, it's convenient and it generally tastes better than most things I can make.
I eat fast-food (mostly Subway) once a month or less. We've just gotten into the habit of cooking at home. Saves money, yields leftovers and most importantly, keeps us healthy.
I had the same thing happen -- a woman (at a JCP, like Andrea) cut one side of my hair shorter than the other, and I didn't notice until after I left. I cut my own hair for a few years after that, because I figured that if someone was going to make it look screwy and uneven, I shouldn't have to pay them to do it.
One thing important to remember about car A/C is that it must be used at least once per week or it will start to fail. The compressor has seals around the shaft that the belt drives. Also the hose joints are sealed by rubber O-rings. The A/C also contains an oil charge. When the A/C is running this oil is circulated through the system to keep the seals moist. Long periods of not running the A/C will allow these seals to dry out and the freon will leak out. Then the A/C will not work when you REALLY need it. The repairs will be quite expensive.
I'm a strict vegetarian (nearly vegan), and Trader Joe's is a godsend for me. They have cheese and other things I "can" eat and not everything is loaded with sugar like at the supermarket. I live kind of in between two TJ's and neither are particularly "convenient", so I go only about every 3-4 weeks and load up.
I don't have insurance so I do go to Costco to get my prescriptions filled (w/o a membership); they are the cheapest after much comparing. I can't understand paying money to save money (for groceries), and that wasn't figured into the chart in the post.
Costco and Sam's are madhouses, and just opportunities to spend money on unnecessary things. When I went to Costco last week to get a prescription, they had Dolce & Gabbana watches in the jewelry case when one first enters the warehouse. Seriously?? No one goes and gets just groceries, and that's warehouse stores' plan.
Bartering is a great alternative to having to pay for service. I've seen it in action at is surprisingly effective.
Also, I did recently have a hairdresser literally cut one side burn about 1/4 inch shorter than the other, which I didn't notice until I was sitting in my car about to leave. I've had several really bad ones too.
I think Seattle-ites consider it a sort of crime against humanity not to have a Trader Joe's within a two-mile radius of one's home. :)
There aren't any TJ's where my parents live, so when they visit me in the Seattle area, they usually buy several cases of Charles Shaw to take with them. You can tell that the employees believe us to be raging alcoholics.
"Once a lady cut my ear open with a pair of scissors. Totally not making this up — and if I leave the place bloody, I shouldn't be expected to pay."
Years ago, I had a stylist at a JCPenney salon cut the back of my neck open with her scissors. I jumped about ten feet, and she scolded me for jumping. It was only when the blood started gushing that she believed anything could have possibly happened - it took a good ten seconds to start bleeding for some reason.
I try NEVER to eat fast food. The situation has to be dire for me to put that junk in my belly. I have to eat gluten-free, so a lot of it is off-limits anyway.
This is strange. I just did it and the first thing I wrote was ''I want to be famous''. I have never wanted that! There are also other strange things I wrote. Actually my list has only 40 points, I couldn't think of more and some of the points are similar. I'll see what will happen now. Thanks for posting this article.
I pretty much try and only eat fast food on road trips--i don't need the grease or the emptying of my wallet! I find it just as easy and wuick to make a turkey sandwich at home, saving money and calories.
Simply giving a smile and a "Hi, how are you?" to a person you pass on the street can brighten their day. You never know when someone needs another to restore a little faith in humanity, so when you're in a good mood why not try to put someone else in one too? I like that you included holding the door for someone- too many people just let it go without even glancing behind them.
Tweeted reply:
https://twitter.com/KelRo1/status/235803056418209792
Like you on FB.
I used to eat fast food quite often but, in trying to improve my health and finances, I've pretty much stopped. I would rather prepare something quick and easy at home. I've lost my taste for fast food. If I'm going to bother spending money at a restaurant I would rather make it a GOOD one, a relaxing sit-down affair.
craigslist and ebay for anything with a value of over $10, freecycle for the rest and what must go now.
Cutting back on these foods because of price increases may be good for the health of a lot of americans. If fruit and vegetable prices seem lower in comparison to other unhealthier foods, it could be a good thing. However, stocking up on meats is a good idea, closer to the end of the year.
I'd love to be able to shop at Trader Joe's. Sadly, we don't have one.
Interesting article that brings up many good points on both sides except one Costco "con" theory that could be added. I have thought about this concept for some time...
My biggest issue with Costco/SamsClub etc. is the overall bulk buying mentality that I believe creates excess consumption and equal or even greater cost in the end which ultimately may negate any perceived savings from buying bulk. This is just a hunch I have developed but it's backed up by other web articles who share similar ideas on this subject. Try "Dark side of bulk buying" for example.
Open a huge box of Cheez-Its and what are you gonna do but eat a handful, and then some more, and then maybe just one more handful and... because it fosters a reduce sense of discipline on portion control given that the box seems SO "bottomless" and huge. Had it been a standard 13 oz. box of Cheez-Its the concept of portion is more obvious and the sense of leaving some for other people is more present. Excess supply possibly kicks in that primal survival mentality that informed our ancestors to eat well while the supply is good because they didn't know when the next meal might be. Obviously not an issue in the 21st century for most of us in the US, but a justifiable assertion that when there is a lot of something in our grasp we feel more comfortable taking more. So whatever the cost/serving saving there might have been could be lost when your eating portion has increased leaving you to run out possibly faster than had you just bought a smaller package on sale.
Another drawback to large packing is the thinking one better eat so much of one thing faster than normal as it may get stale or go bad too fast. Then there is the waste and throw away costs to factor in too if that happens. Again where's the saving? Ultimately bulk buying may encourage excess calorie consumption and could be a part of the obesity problem.
The psychology is complicated and it takes discipline. Think about it the next time you buy that big 'ol bulk bag of trail mix. One solution is to consider repackaging bulk items into smaller containers to reduce this effect especially if you are serving it to children. The concept of "enough" is important to have learned in those formative years.
FYI: I have the ability to shop at either but choose not to very often. Living in a house more than 3 times smaller than the national house size average is another major factor for us. The trade-off is that my utility bills are low! ;-)
I also find paying a membership fee to save money is somewhat absurd. Costco's "membership" gas price here in Prescott, AZ is seldom a penny or a few cents less than the bargain gas stations nearby. $60 a year is steep IMHO. Unless you have a family of 10 or run a restaurant or business, the savings at warehouse type stores seem modest at best. They have good brands at less price. Often a generic brand is satisfactorily cheaper though.
Cheers!
Yeah, there's really no way to calculate how membership fees affect price per unit because different memberships have different costs, and obviously, the more you buy at membership clubs, the more value you get per unit.
If the defining characteristic of fast food is having a drive-thru window, maybe once a week at most across the entire family. If it includes Panera, Chipotle, pizza or fast casual food, definitely at least once a week. When you're out, it's convenient and it generally tastes better than most things I can make.
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/stretchjean/statuses/235779260185448449
I like Wise Bread on Facebook!
I eat fast-food (mostly Subway) once a month or less. We've just gotten into the habit of cooking at home. Saves money, yields leftovers and most importantly, keeps us healthy.
I had the same thing happen -- a woman (at a JCP, like Andrea) cut one side of my hair shorter than the other, and I didn't notice until after I left. I cut my own hair for a few years after that, because I figured that if someone was going to make it look screwy and uneven, I shouldn't have to pay them to do it.
One thing important to remember about car A/C is that it must be used at least once per week or it will start to fail. The compressor has seals around the shaft that the belt drives. Also the hose joints are sealed by rubber O-rings. The A/C also contains an oil charge. When the A/C is running this oil is circulated through the system to keep the seals moist. Long periods of not running the A/C will allow these seals to dry out and the freon will leak out. Then the A/C will not work when you REALLY need it. The repairs will be quite expensive.
Once a month when I am craving it!
I'm a strict vegetarian (nearly vegan), and Trader Joe's is a godsend for me. They have cheese and other things I "can" eat and not everything is loaded with sugar like at the supermarket. I live kind of in between two TJ's and neither are particularly "convenient", so I go only about every 3-4 weeks and load up.
I don't have insurance so I do go to Costco to get my prescriptions filled (w/o a membership); they are the cheapest after much comparing. I can't understand paying money to save money (for groceries), and that wasn't figured into the chart in the post.
Costco and Sam's are madhouses, and just opportunities to spend money on unnecessary things. When I went to Costco last week to get a prescription, they had Dolce & Gabbana watches in the jewelry case when one first enters the warehouse. Seriously?? No one goes and gets just groceries, and that's warehouse stores' plan.
Free haircuts for all!
Bartering is a great alternative to having to pay for service. I've seen it in action at is surprisingly effective.
Also, I did recently have a hairdresser literally cut one side burn about 1/4 inch shorter than the other, which I didn't notice until I was sitting in my car about to leave. I've had several really bad ones too.
I think Seattle-ites consider it a sort of crime against humanity not to have a Trader Joe's within a two-mile radius of one's home. :)
There aren't any TJ's where my parents live, so when they visit me in the Seattle area, they usually buy several cases of Charles Shaw to take with them. You can tell that the employees believe us to be raging alcoholics.
"Once a lady cut my ear open with a pair of scissors. Totally not making this up — and if I leave the place bloody, I shouldn't be expected to pay."
Years ago, I had a stylist at a JCPenney salon cut the back of my neck open with her scissors. I jumped about ten feet, and she scolded me for jumping. It was only when the blood started gushing that she believed anything could have possibly happened - it took a good ten seconds to start bleeding for some reason.
I try NEVER to eat fast food. The situation has to be dire for me to put that junk in my belly. I have to eat gluten-free, so a lot of it is off-limits anyway.
This is strange. I just did it and the first thing I wrote was ''I want to be famous''. I have never wanted that! There are also other strange things I wrote. Actually my list has only 40 points, I couldn't think of more and some of the points are similar. I'll see what will happen now. Thanks for posting this article.
Would love to see pictures of your apartment! Thank you for the tips.