Just Shows You Can Save Some Money

This is an excerpt from an interesting article I saw a few days ago. Back in 2009 in the book Dining On A Dime, this graph was shown at their current prices. Below here I have it updated with the information from my local area I live in here. Read over it and prepare to be amazed. It actually is surprising just how much money, we as human beings manage to waste in our everyday family life.

Now not everybody uses all of these practices daily/weekly/monthly etc.. But just so you can figure out your own family's income and expenses (especially the next time you are faced with a major purchase and the money just is not there), give this chart some thought and it can and easily does show you just how you as a family can actually save some money for whatever you wanted it for.

Believe me... it is an eye-opener how we can waste so much money every year and not realize just how fast it adds up!

Save Your Family Over $15,000 per year just by eliminating one of each of these per use:

1. Eliminate 1 pc. one lb bag of potato chips/week at $4.99  and save $259.48
2. Eliminate 1 six-pack of soda ($3.99)/ week and save $207.48
3. Reduce your meat budget by only one and a half lbs per week (avg of $6.34/lb) and save $963.04
4. Eliminate 1 box of granola cereal/week ($4.59 per box)and save $238.68
5. Eliminate 1 cup of processed juice for a family of four/day ($2.50/carton) and save $912.50
6. Eliminate one box of fruit leathers/week ($2.50/box) and save $130.00

Convenience Store Staples
7. Eliminate 1 one liter soda per day ($1.89 each) and save $689.85
8. Eliminate one gourmet coffee (at $3.99) per day and save $1441.73
9. Eliminate one bottled water per day ($1.39/bottle) and save $507.35
10. Eliminate one snack pack cake or pie at $1.69 each and save $616.85

Dining Out Instead Of Cooking At Home
11. Eliminate eating out one dinner/week (at $40) and save $2080.00
12. Eliminate one fine dining experience per week (at $100 per meal) and save $5200.00
13. Do not spend $5 daily for twenty days for a lunchbreak and save yourself $1200.
14. Eliminate one pizza delivered at $20 per week and save $2080.

So by making these few simple and easy changes, by the end of the year you have saved yourself and the family $16,526.96. Now just think what you can do with that much money!

Valentine's Day - Making The Day Special

For many people, there is always obstacles attached to many different holidays, Valentine's is one of them. Whether the problem is allergies to certain ingredients or sometimes, just the simple lack of funds, the desire is there to make the day special, the promise though is not so possible. So to help make this holiday a little easier, try one of these:

• The budget can't handle a dozen long-stemmed red roses so opt for one perfect bloom, ask the florist to add a piece of greens and some baby breath's and then the most important part - hand-write a simple message why she/he is so important to you in your life. The addition of that simple message is 100 times more important than the other eleven flowers.
• A box of gourmet chocolates is off the charts in price for many so swap for something easier on the budget or safer for the allergic response. Pick up one small dish at the store (like a clear heart dish for a ring or jewelry dish, collect coins etc.), pick up one or two pieces of their favorite snack and wrap your entire gift in pretty clear plastic with a bunch of ribbons.
• I bet you never thought of buying Valentine's Day from a grocery store, did you? Head to the produce aisle and choose the nicest strawberries you can find. If either of you like them, add some biscotti, dried fruits -apricots are easy - pretzels or anything either of you like. Grab a couple of good quality dark chocolate candy bars (if you are a beginner) and do not know how to prepare chocolate. Take all of your supplies home, melt the chocolate in a plastic container and the microwave. Dip all of your selections and let them harden on waxed paper before you transfer them to a pretty plate. Surprise her/him tonight then with your treats as you take the time to feed each other seductively as you track back the loving special moments in your lives.

This is just three easy solutions to a widespread problem which occurs at least once every year. With a few improvisations, you can actually use these as a starting point to celebrate your anniversary, birthdays and almost any other important date for the two of you during the year.

Popcorn Fix-It

Popcorn has got to be close to the top number one snacktime treat ever invented but it does still have its problems. Especially if you are new to cooking it on the stovetop.

Many people are becoming more familiar with popcorn and the microwave dangers so they don't want to give it up, just change the way they fix it. But even the stovetop has its own list of concerns if you don't follow the directions (or maybe you don't even know) the best way to do it. So try some of these for a quick fix-it!

• Burnt Popcorn - the problem here is your burner was probably too high. Every pan heats at a different rate so the burner must be adjusted to create the ideal environment with every pot and pan you use. Secondly, stovetop popcorn MUST be shaken continuously after the popping starts. Keep that pan moving or the corn kernels directly over the burner will overheat and the upper layer of kernels is not even getting hot. Give both of these a try on your second batch and see if you can't find the ideal environment needed for your treat.
• Lots of Unpopped Kernels is a sign your kernels are probably old, therefore drying out. Even this can be remedied though usually. Grab a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Fill the jar approximately 3/4 full with kernels and then add one tablespoon of tap water. Place the lid on the jar and shake until you no longer see any water. Let the jar sit at room temperature for 2-3 days so it absorbs your water (keep it out of heat and light sources). Now try popping it again. If necessary, run through your water process one more time giving the kernels one more chance to absorb enough water and pop again. After the second time with lackluster results, throw it out and purchase some more fresh kernels
• Damp and Soggy Popcorn is usually just your cooking technique. When steam gets trapped inside your pan (usually because your lid is too tight or too heavy), all of that moisture settles back into your popcorn. Find a looser, lighter lid so the lid also shifts a little as you shake the pan. This prevents a steam build-up within your pan as you cook. 
• Another common problem resulting in Spongy Popcorn, always remove the lid on your pan as soon as you turn off the burner. Keeping the lid on to keep your popcorn warm also means you are trapping that steam inside the pan, therefore on your popcorn. The popped kernels act like little sponges and sop it all up.

Using these few simple tips will result in perfect popcorn each and every time you prepare it right from your own stove.