Hey! Where would we be without being able to get online and do any of a hundred things!? It is a fantastic source of information!
I came across these links the other day in our local newspaper's online "paper." While they have a distinct South Florida bent, they can be used by anyone to find bargains, free or cheap entertainment and other frugal ideas. The third link is particulary cool, as it contains a list of even MORE frugal links. Happy frugal fun hunting! K
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/time-money/bargains/?track=ss-mark-shirtail-BH-icecream
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/time-money/bargains/sfl-save-money-vasquez-c042009sbapr20,0,5496852.column
http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/consumerblog/ (like mentioned above, take special note of the “links we like” section near bottom of this page…opens a gateway of great frugal links!)
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Okay, First "Real" Post - Eating At Home
Hi! Yikes, how easy it is to let time get away. Well, here goes our first post related to our intent.
Rockin the Recession by eating at home more often. Seems like a pretty simple idea. But truth is, Americans LOVE to eat out! According to the Dept of Labor's Consumer Expenditure statistics, as of 2006, the average person spent almost 45% of their food dining out! Of course, because of this recession, that number has surely dropped some, and maybe even significantly. But my guess is folks still afford themselves that luxury.
The point of this post, and the blog in general, is not to say "No...you can't do that!" to eating out or any behavior for that matter. Rather, it is to encourage and inspire some alternatives. And eating at home more often turns out to be one of the best ways to Rock the Recession!
For instance, just last night we had what most folks would consider a restaurant quality meal for a mere fraction of what it would have cost us to get the same meal at a local restaurant. We bought some beautiful Scarlett Snapper [1 lb @ $8.99 per lb (Penn Dutch market - we love that place!)], a 1/2 lb of fresh asparagus ($1.99 per lb) and some spaghetti squash (2 lbs @ $1.39 per lb - but enough for two separate meals). We broiled the snapper in a dab of butter, lemon and spices (total cost probably less than .50), roasted the asparagus in olive oil, salt and pepper (maybe .10?) and microwaved the spaghetti squash and seasoned with some spices (again, maybe..."pushin it"...lol...a nickle). So, what we thought was a delicious, nutritious, custom (! seasoned to our specific tastes) meal for a total of about $12. And that is one of our "expensive" meals because the snapper is relatively "pricey" versus chicken breast, steak or other meats, other fish, etc. (Note to those with a keen business mind: I realize we do not include the cost of utilities used for cooking and cleaning up but we assume that is basically offset by the cost of traveling to & from the local restaurant)
For us, it is a joy because a) we truly enjoy cooking, b) we enjoy each other's company - so working together in the kitchen is an added bonus/experience c) we love to "Google" - so finding great recipes that we think we would like is exciting, fun and challenging, d) we like the satisfaction of "doing it ourselves" and, e) we know we can take the money we saved and put it to some other use we choose.
I am sure there are plenty of other reasons why eating at home is so cool...post a comment to this blog and let us know yours!
Well, happy "eating at home" as a way to Rockin the Recession! Til next time...
K
Rockin the Recession by eating at home more often. Seems like a pretty simple idea. But truth is, Americans LOVE to eat out! According to the Dept of Labor's Consumer Expenditure statistics, as of 2006, the average person spent almost 45% of their food dining out! Of course, because of this recession, that number has surely dropped some, and maybe even significantly. But my guess is folks still afford themselves that luxury.
The point of this post, and the blog in general, is not to say "No...you can't do that!" to eating out or any behavior for that matter. Rather, it is to encourage and inspire some alternatives. And eating at home more often turns out to be one of the best ways to Rock the Recession!
For instance, just last night we had what most folks would consider a restaurant quality meal for a mere fraction of what it would have cost us to get the same meal at a local restaurant. We bought some beautiful Scarlett Snapper [1 lb @ $8.99 per lb (Penn Dutch market - we love that place!)], a 1/2 lb of fresh asparagus ($1.99 per lb) and some spaghetti squash (2 lbs @ $1.39 per lb - but enough for two separate meals). We broiled the snapper in a dab of butter, lemon and spices (total cost probably less than .50), roasted the asparagus in olive oil, salt and pepper (maybe .10?) and microwaved the spaghetti squash and seasoned with some spices (again, maybe..."pushin it"...lol...a nickle). So, what we thought was a delicious, nutritious, custom (! seasoned to our specific tastes) meal for a total of about $12. And that is one of our "expensive" meals because the snapper is relatively "pricey" versus chicken breast, steak or other meats, other fish, etc. (Note to those with a keen business mind: I realize we do not include the cost of utilities used for cooking and cleaning up but we assume that is basically offset by the cost of traveling to & from the local restaurant)
For us, it is a joy because a) we truly enjoy cooking, b) we enjoy each other's company - so working together in the kitchen is an added bonus/experience c) we love to "Google" - so finding great recipes that we think we would like is exciting, fun and challenging, d) we like the satisfaction of "doing it ourselves" and, e) we know we can take the money we saved and put it to some other use we choose.
I am sure there are plenty of other reasons why eating at home is so cool...post a comment to this blog and let us know yours!
Well, happy "eating at home" as a way to Rockin the Recession! Til next time...
K
Friday, April 10, 2009
Rockin The Recession - What This Is About
Hi! Just wanted to explain the purpose for this little blog. Ken and I simply want to encourage us all to "Rock The Recession!" - not let it rock us!
What we mean by is, we have all faced adversity, overcame problems, and dealt with obstacles. Well, obviously this is one of those times. Probably one of the toughest we've seen. But we are a resilient people and can get through this together.
We hope to provide small encouragements and practical ideas to help make life a little better...a little easier, until we get back to more sound fiscal times.
Our premise is based on the basic business/profit model: Raise revenue. Lower expenses. We think that is a sound strategy for this recession. We would also add: Raise your emotional and spiritual well-being as well!
AND, this is a forum! We are certain you have great ideas as well! PLEASE, please...share them! Simply post them to comments and join in this endeavor to....Rock The Recession!
Ideally, we will post once or twice a week and hope that there will be many comments added by you and others in between those posts. See ya soon! T and K
What we mean by is, we have all faced adversity, overcame problems, and dealt with obstacles. Well, obviously this is one of those times. Probably one of the toughest we've seen. But we are a resilient people and can get through this together.
We hope to provide small encouragements and practical ideas to help make life a little better...a little easier, until we get back to more sound fiscal times.
Our premise is based on the basic business/profit model: Raise revenue. Lower expenses. We think that is a sound strategy for this recession. We would also add: Raise your emotional and spiritual well-being as well!
AND, this is a forum! We are certain you have great ideas as well! PLEASE, please...share them! Simply post them to comments and join in this endeavor to....Rock The Recession!
Ideally, we will post once or twice a week and hope that there will be many comments added by you and others in between those posts. See ya soon! T and K
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Rockin The Recession - Intial Post
My lovely daughter called me from her home in NJ a few weeks ago and told me she was
"...stayin in and doing my own nails mom! - I'm rockin the recession!" After a much needed laugh, it dawned on me that with all the dour news (and reality!) that even though so many people and businesses (small and large) are suffering through these tough times - we have options, opportunities and opinions.
SO, I decided to create my little corner of the blog world to voice how I (and my boyfriend Ken - the Best Boyfriend in the World!) would combat this recession in both practical and inspirational ways.
Thanks to my daughter for coining the term (for me at least) "Rockin The Recession". Thanks to Ken for creating this blog and sharing in posting the blogs. And, as always, thanks to my Lord for giving me the heart to care about others and the mind to do something about it.
I hope you enjoy the blogs to come! T
"...stayin in and doing my own nails mom! - I'm rockin the recession!" After a much needed laugh, it dawned on me that with all the dour news (and reality!) that even though so many people and businesses (small and large) are suffering through these tough times - we have options, opportunities and opinions.
SO, I decided to create my little corner of the blog world to voice how I (and my boyfriend Ken - the Best Boyfriend in the World!) would combat this recession in both practical and inspirational ways.
Thanks to my daughter for coining the term (for me at least) "Rockin The Recession". Thanks to Ken for creating this blog and sharing in posting the blogs. And, as always, thanks to my Lord for giving me the heart to care about others and the mind to do something about it.
I hope you enjoy the blogs to come! T
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