Does it seem your money just doesn't go as far as it used? Well, it doesn't. Basic household costs are climbing faster than in the past 17 years! Check these numbers. Eggs are up 38%, milk is up 30%, whole wheat bread is up 12%, all up from one year ago.
Let's not even talk about heating oil and gas for the car. Then there is health insurance and other medical costs. Oy!
If you like me, you've already tightened the belt, but are there more ways to save out there? I think so.
The other day I got to thinking about snacks. Sometimes, when I get out of the studio after doing a number of interviews for the Frugal Yankee Radio Hour, I'm tired and hungry. I still have my commute to New Hampshire ahead of me. Boy, a soda and a sandwich sure sound good, but let's face it, if I swing by a fast food joint, I'm still going to plop down about six bucks for something that is none too healthy. Can you really say no to fries? Yet take that six bucks, multiply that by the number of times, you 'swing' by a fast food joint and it mounts up pretty darn quickly.
So the old grey matter started stirring. What could I bring with me that was easy to make, easy to transport and in keeping with trying to keep my slim boyish figure and youthful good looks, something healthy?
A good Frugal Yankee mulls things over and then makes decisions. That's what I did and I found three pretty good snacks which satisfy my requirements.
Number one is sweet potatoes. These little babies are one of the very best foods you can eat. They are full of vitamins, anti-oxidants and some other stuff I should know, but don't. Check out my recipe for ROASTED SWEET POTATOES After they have cooled off, toss them in a tupperware container. When I'm leaving in the morning, wrap a few up and toss into my briefcase. They're easy to eat while driving or just snacking. By the way, the kids I know love these guys.
My second snack item, is homemade trail mix. I go to Trader Joe's and pick up walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, raisins, dried cranberries and things like that. Once a week I'll mix all these things in a bowl and fill sandwich bags with it. Then I toss my homemade trail mix into a handy counter bow. When I need a snack there they are.
Number 3 on my list is citrus fruit - oranges, grapefruit or tangerines. Keep them in a bowl by the table and again, if they are there, you'll use them. I even peel my grapefruit like an orange. One note, even though you aren't eating the rind, it is recommended you should wash the fruit before eating. It may have been in contact with something nasty.
How about you? Do you have some easy to prepare, healthy snacks? I'd love to add to my collection.
Over the next few weeks, the Frugal Yankee will find more ways for us to stretch our money. Until then, enjoy life and spend less.
From traditional tips to savvy perspectives, the Frugal Yankee knows how to enjoy life and spend less. Find out more by going to FrugalYankee.com.
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Comments: 32
These are great ideas. I love sweet potatoes. I'm going to print off the recipe. I don't have an exact recipe, but I do something similar for trail mix - generally whatever I have in the house. Prepackaging snacks makes it easier to grab something healthy.
There is a popcorn that me and the kids love. It is kettle korn (partly sweet/partly salty) There have been times that I have popped a bag in the microwave and put it in the car for when we needed a snack. It tastes fine room temperature too. Those are only a couple dollars for 6 bags.
The sweet potato thing sounds great. I use them a lot here anyway. If I snack it's generally on dried or fresh fruit, and other things like that. I don't see the point on loading up on grease, refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup, transfats and a bazillion other chemicals and calling it food. If I cannot pronounce it, I try not to eat it.
I look forward to the next post!