Great article. The one thing I don't like are the fake BOGO. The one's that are buy one, get one 1/2 off. Well, that just translates to getting 25% off of each product and as great as that is, I'm sure I can find it cheaper elsewhere.
My experience is that locally grown food is way more expensive (maybe triple the price in the grocery store)—except at the peak of the season locally. At that time (maybe two or three weeks for each item) locally grown is often cheaper (and sometimes a lot cheaper).
One luxury I have is that my wife is great at looking in the pantry and coming up with a meal out of whatever we have. But even people who lack that luxury can learn how to cobble together a meal out of whatever's on hand, with a bit of practice and a bit of creativity.
I tend to agree with you that organic is not healthier. It probably is more sustainable: Fertilizer let's you get a larger harvest, at the cost of depleting the soil; pesticides engender resistance in the insect population, meaning that they only work so long.
But in general, I agree completely: the key is for people to eat food (rather than food-like industrial products). If they do that they'll be healthier and save money.
Roadside stands area great idea—thank you for mentioning them. They're just the sort of place where you're likely to find the occasional slam-dunk win.
And, yes, a lot of diets seem to be based on eliminating whole categories of food. It's hard to argue with that in general. Some people really can't eat gluten (or dairy or whatever) and other people have principled arguments against eating meat (or, at least, meat from industrial sources). But each new category that you reject makes it tougher to get the variety that's key to making a healthy diet.
I just found out I can't have eggs, gluten, soy, corn, or dairy. Could I substitute another gluten free mix that doesn't have any corn or soy products in it? Thanks!
I'd say living within one's means is the most important tip of all. People who live beyond their means end up paying interest and fees, and that's just a waste.
Hi Corinne -- A lot of peple got in trouble during the recession, so you're not alone. I'm impressed that you put together a budget and that you stick to it. Sounds like you're on your way to a good credit history.
Hi David -- You might be cautious, but you sound pretty darn savvy, too! I love it when I get free flights for signing up for a card that I actually need anyway. And you got three? Way to go!
Hi Liisa -- Kudos to you for paying down debt! I've been there and you describe the feeling perfectly! Sounds like you and your husband are a great financial team. :)
I feel like everyone needs life insurance, man or woman, and the statistics of how many women don't apply to have it is very surprising and disappointing! It isn't something that should be taken lightly and people should take it more seriously because it could come in handy someday.
My old roommate had a toaster oven that I used to use constantly and after I moved out and didn't have one, I realized what I was missing out on. It seems like a silly appliance but it is something definitely worth investing in, thanks for the reviews!
Great article! In my personal experience, locally grown produce is a lot cheaper than the supermarket and is super fresh. It must be just my area, but I've never run into that issue. And I agree that once your pantry is stocked with spices and other staples, it is easy to throw a meal together with some meat and produce! One thing that bothers me though is I have a ton of friends that always claim they have no food in their house but then I go there to find tons of it and they just aren't being creative enough, I like to tell them to take the challenge of just eating what is in their pantry and fridge until it is all gone so they make use out of what they have before it goes to waste!
This post is absolutely amazing. Never in a million years would I have thought of doing anything with oats other than boiling it as porridge or baking it in bread. I am definitely going to try breading my chicken with it.
I always make comparisons to things that i actually need to do with my money. I can easily go to the mall and spend a $100, but I say to myself, wait, that's my cable and Internet bill. works every time.
Periodically evaluate your daily/monthly/weekly habits. Do you need to wash your hair twice, or will one time do? Do you really need a handful of shampoo, or will a dime size dollop work? Must you stop for coffee, or could you make it at home? Do you automatically squirt a huge glob of toothpaste on the toothbrush then spit half of it out, or would a pea-size spot work? Rather than using a whole fabric softener sheet, will half of one work?
Expand out the savings. An example is the daily coffee. If you drop by a convenience store and spend $1/day on a cup of coffee, that adds up to $30 a month, and multiplied over a year is $360 a year. Stop doing that, and it's that much more back in your pocket.
These are but a few examples that, if you look closely at what you're doing, you'll find ways to cut back and save yourself money in the long run.
Organic food is NOT healthier than conventional food. Local food--NOT the same as organic--can taste better, but only if it's picked riper and is one of the tastier (versus more shippable) varieties. And even that has not been shown to be healthier than supermarket-type produce.
Women should stop being guilted into unnecessarily spending extra money on labels that make no difference to food quality in the belief that it's necessary to properly nourish our families. The irony of the organic food craze during the height of the obesity epidemic can hardly be overstated. Most people are worrying about the wrong thing--about buying the right label rather than the right type of food in the right amounts. And it's making the nation sick.
Great article. The one thing I don't like are the fake BOGO. The one's that are buy one, get one 1/2 off. Well, that just translates to getting 25% off of each product and as great as that is, I'm sure I can find it cheaper elsewhere.
Looks easy and deffinetly in my price range. I have two questions please. Pets no problem? And my well, no problems their either? Thanks
I have two - packing my own lunch for work and not eating out.
My experience is that locally grown food is way more expensive (maybe triple the price in the grocery store)—except at the peak of the season locally. At that time (maybe two or three weeks for each item) locally grown is often cheaper (and sometimes a lot cheaper).
One luxury I have is that my wife is great at looking in the pantry and coming up with a meal out of whatever we have. But even people who lack that luxury can learn how to cobble together a meal out of whatever's on hand, with a bit of practice and a bit of creativity.
I tend to agree with you that organic is not healthier. It probably is more sustainable: Fertilizer let's you get a larger harvest, at the cost of depleting the soil; pesticides engender resistance in the insect population, meaning that they only work so long.
But in general, I agree completely: the key is for people to eat food (rather than food-like industrial products). If they do that they'll be healthier and save money.
Roadside stands area great idea—thank you for mentioning them. They're just the sort of place where you're likely to find the occasional slam-dunk win.
And, yes, a lot of diets seem to be based on eliminating whole categories of food. It's hard to argue with that in general. Some people really can't eat gluten (or dairy or whatever) and other people have principled arguments against eating meat (or, at least, meat from industrial sources). But each new category that you reject makes it tougher to get the variety that's key to making a healthy diet.
I just found out I can't have eggs, gluten, soy, corn, or dairy. Could I substitute another gluten free mix that doesn't have any corn or soy products in it? Thanks!
I'd say living within one's means is the most important tip of all. People who live beyond their means end up paying interest and fees, and that's just a waste.
Hi Morgan -- Glad you enjoyed it! And yes, you're definitely a savvy spender. :)
Hi Rose -- Way to go!
Hi Corinne -- A lot of peple got in trouble during the recession, so you're not alone. I'm impressed that you put together a budget and that you stick to it. Sounds like you're on your way to a good credit history.
Hi David -- You might be cautious, but you sound pretty darn savvy, too! I love it when I get free flights for signing up for a card that I actually need anyway. And you got three? Way to go!
Hi Liisa -- Kudos to you for paying down debt! I've been there and you describe the feeling perfectly! Sounds like you and your husband are a great financial team. :)
Hi Jenny -- Same here! I'm after the miles so it pays for my travel.
how often can you use this tonic on your lawn. I'm in Long Island N>Y> and help please?
I feel like everyone needs life insurance, man or woman, and the statistics of how many women don't apply to have it is very surprising and disappointing! It isn't something that should be taken lightly and people should take it more seriously because it could come in handy someday.
My old roommate had a toaster oven that I used to use constantly and after I moved out and didn't have one, I realized what I was missing out on. It seems like a silly appliance but it is something definitely worth investing in, thanks for the reviews!
Wow the TFSA sounds like a really great program, I've never heard of it before thanks for sharing. Go Canada!
Great article! In my personal experience, locally grown produce is a lot cheaper than the supermarket and is super fresh. It must be just my area, but I've never run into that issue. And I agree that once your pantry is stocked with spices and other staples, it is easy to throw a meal together with some meat and produce! One thing that bothers me though is I have a ton of friends that always claim they have no food in their house but then I go there to find tons of it and they just aren't being creative enough, I like to tell them to take the challenge of just eating what is in their pantry and fridge until it is all gone so they make use out of what they have before it goes to waste!
I'm single.... guess I could leave it to my cat? He would just founder himself on cat treats.
This post is absolutely amazing. Never in a million years would I have thought of doing anything with oats other than boiling it as porridge or baking it in bread. I am definitely going to try breading my chicken with it.
I always make comparisons to things that i actually need to do with my money. I can easily go to the mall and spend a $100, but I say to myself, wait, that's my cable and Internet bill. works every time.
Periodically evaluate your daily/monthly/weekly habits. Do you need to wash your hair twice, or will one time do? Do you really need a handful of shampoo, or will a dime size dollop work? Must you stop for coffee, or could you make it at home? Do you automatically squirt a huge glob of toothpaste on the toothbrush then spit half of it out, or would a pea-size spot work? Rather than using a whole fabric softener sheet, will half of one work?
Expand out the savings. An example is the daily coffee. If you drop by a convenience store and spend $1/day on a cup of coffee, that adds up to $30 a month, and multiplied over a year is $360 a year. Stop doing that, and it's that much more back in your pocket.
These are but a few examples that, if you look closely at what you're doing, you'll find ways to cut back and save yourself money in the long run.
Save time and money by cutting your own hair. You can save well over $200 a year, not to mention the saved time and travel expense.
Organic food is NOT healthier than conventional food. Local food--NOT the same as organic--can taste better, but only if it's picked riper and is one of the tastier (versus more shippable) varieties. And even that has not been shown to be healthier than supermarket-type produce.
Women should stop being guilted into unnecessarily spending extra money on labels that make no difference to food quality in the belief that it's necessary to properly nourish our families. The irony of the organic food craze during the height of the obesity epidemic can hardly be overstated. Most people are worrying about the wrong thing--about buying the right label rather than the right type of food in the right amounts. And it's making the nation sick.