As you work on your monthly budget you have to begin with the basics and cover your expenses. Some basic expenses are simply not flexible such as housing and when the utility bill comes in, it is what it is (but you can always work on reducing it next month). So determining your food budget can be a little tricky.
If you are fortunate enough to be a receipt saver then it's time to sit down and add up just how much you have been spending on food. Don't forget to to include all those stops at Starbucks, chips from the vending machine at work, fast food impulses and eating out! If you put it in your mouth it was a food expense. Once you are over the shock you can begin to determine just where you can make some cuts if needed and begin to find a more realistic number for your food budget and extra cash to apply to all that debt or investments.
Not a receipt saver? My suggestion is that you try to make an educated guess and pad the number. Chances are you spend a lot more on food purchases than you might think. Next you have to review your budget and financial goals to determine a realistic food budget.
In some cases the demands of an incredibly tight budget with many "fixed" expenses will help you determine your food budget because there is simply nothing left. Don't panic! As a follower and fan of Dave Ramsey, let me refer you to his web site, radio program, Financial Peace University and many available publications. There is hope! And there is a proven plan that you can duplicate every time! In the meantime, hang in there and let's work with what you have.
Once you have a dollar amount give yourself a little extra if possible. After all like your budget, this food budget will take some time, practice and patience before it all falls into place. Stay on top of your food spending, keep your receipts or at least a detailed list of every food expense. Re-evaluate monthly and try to reduce your spending each month and in a very short period of time you should find a realistic average and begin to see some consistency.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Teach Your Children to Cook
Whether you are skilled in the kitchen or just getting started be sure to include your children. Children are eager to learn what you know and even happier to learn right beside you. Some of our best times have been in the kitchen celebrating a success or laughing over a disastrous failure. I have also found that the windows of a child's heart are wide open when working side by side. Distracted by the task of chopping carrots you will learn a great deal about your children's friends, fears, hopes and dreams. When preparing meals with your children, make sure you do plenty of listening!
Even the very youngest should be encouraged to lend a hand washing vegetables or plastic dishes, wiping down counters, stirring or mixing, or carrying items to the trash. Older children can be taught to prepare simple meals from beginning to end, including the clean up. Lunch meals are a great place start for children 5 to 7 years old. Slightly older children can be easily taught how to read a recipe, use a stove, oven and other kitchen appliances.
Pretend you are the chef on a cooking show and teach your children or allow them to interview you as you prepare the meal, don't forget to have a cameraman on hand, even if the camera is only pretend! A few days later switch roles, let one of the children be the chef and you be the guest or cameraman. Music in the kitchen can also lend itself to some very entertaining times in the kitchen as you work together to serve your family.
As their confidence grows and you become more confident in their abilities, take a seat at your kitchen table and check homework, pay bills, fold laundry or read a good book. Keep a wandering eye on their efforts and remain available but let them do the work. You will soon find yourself secretly smiling as your 10 year old serves the family a complete meal, prancing around the kitchen proud as a peacock!
Including your children in the daily meal preparation further increases family bonds, establishes tradition, gives you an opportunity to pass down treasured recipes from generations past and eases the burden of doing all the cooking and cleaning up yourself. With careful training and planning each family member can have their own night of the week on which to prepare the family meal. As the habit develops you will soon find yourself with plenty of extra hands in the kitchen and clean up will be a snap.
Now that your family is eating at home and cooking together, don't be surprised if the next time you eat out your children say "thank you" or comment about what a treat it has been. I noticed a greater degree of appreciation from all of my children and occasionally they have even offered to treat me for a meal out!
So round up the kids and head to the kitchen. Be prepared for laughter, frustrations, a few spills and many celebrations!
Even the very youngest should be encouraged to lend a hand washing vegetables or plastic dishes, wiping down counters, stirring or mixing, or carrying items to the trash. Older children can be taught to prepare simple meals from beginning to end, including the clean up. Lunch meals are a great place start for children 5 to 7 years old. Slightly older children can be easily taught how to read a recipe, use a stove, oven and other kitchen appliances.
Pretend you are the chef on a cooking show and teach your children or allow them to interview you as you prepare the meal, don't forget to have a cameraman on hand, even if the camera is only pretend! A few days later switch roles, let one of the children be the chef and you be the guest or cameraman. Music in the kitchen can also lend itself to some very entertaining times in the kitchen as you work together to serve your family.
As their confidence grows and you become more confident in their abilities, take a seat at your kitchen table and check homework, pay bills, fold laundry or read a good book. Keep a wandering eye on their efforts and remain available but let them do the work. You will soon find yourself secretly smiling as your 10 year old serves the family a complete meal, prancing around the kitchen proud as a peacock!
Including your children in the daily meal preparation further increases family bonds, establishes tradition, gives you an opportunity to pass down treasured recipes from generations past and eases the burden of doing all the cooking and cleaning up yourself. With careful training and planning each family member can have their own night of the week on which to prepare the family meal. As the habit develops you will soon find yourself with plenty of extra hands in the kitchen and clean up will be a snap.
Now that your family is eating at home and cooking together, don't be surprised if the next time you eat out your children say "thank you" or comment about what a treat it has been. I noticed a greater degree of appreciation from all of my children and occasionally they have even offered to treat me for a meal out!
So round up the kids and head to the kitchen. Be prepared for laughter, frustrations, a few spills and many celebrations!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Learn To Cook
In order to eat at home and save on the grocery bill, it is going to be necessary to cook. Don't get discouraged, it doesn't have to be a dreaded chore.
First and foremost, cooking at home must become a priority. It takes a little time management and advance planning but it doesn't have to change your whole schedule or cramp your lifestyle.
If you have not been blessed with talent in the kitchen, now is the time to step up learn to cook. Assess your skills, discover your talents and weaknesses. If you are unsure ... ask your family. Be prepared, family, especially children, can be brutally honest. Take an inventory of meals you prepare on a regular basis and write them down. Chances are you can expand on your skills and variety.
If you have discovered a few weaknesses in your kitchen skills it's time to humble yourself and make a visit to Mom's, your favorite aunt's or your best friend's. Consider hosting a cooking get together at your home. You know a few people who can whip up something out of nothing at a moments notice and you look forward to sitting down to partake. Ask that woman at church to teach you how to make that dish she is famous for at every potluck event. Get a list of the necessary ingredients and invite her over for dinner.
Maybe you have discovered that you manage fairly well in the kitchen, if you only have to make the same twelve dishes. It's time to expand your horizons. Exchange recipes with friends and family. The next time you find yourself at a potluck or cookout and going back for seconds, ask around and find out who prepared that fabulous dish and get the recipe or at least a name and phone number. Don't be shy, they will be flattered! Visit your local library and pick up any cookbook that makes your mouth water or peaks your interest. Don't forget about your budget! Depression Era and Country Living type cookbooks are wonderful resources for budget friendly recipes. Take some time to check out the internet, recipes abound there!
And don't be afraid to fail, we have all suffered through a few flops and charcoal seasoned efforts. Just pick yourself up and head back to the kitchen, you'll get it if you make the effort.
First and foremost, cooking at home must become a priority. It takes a little time management and advance planning but it doesn't have to change your whole schedule or cramp your lifestyle.
If you have not been blessed with talent in the kitchen, now is the time to step up learn to cook. Assess your skills, discover your talents and weaknesses. If you are unsure ... ask your family. Be prepared, family, especially children, can be brutally honest. Take an inventory of meals you prepare on a regular basis and write them down. Chances are you can expand on your skills and variety.
If you have discovered a few weaknesses in your kitchen skills it's time to humble yourself and make a visit to Mom's, your favorite aunt's or your best friend's. Consider hosting a cooking get together at your home. You know a few people who can whip up something out of nothing at a moments notice and you look forward to sitting down to partake. Ask that woman at church to teach you how to make that dish she is famous for at every potluck event. Get a list of the necessary ingredients and invite her over for dinner.
Maybe you have discovered that you manage fairly well in the kitchen, if you only have to make the same twelve dishes. It's time to expand your horizons. Exchange recipes with friends and family. The next time you find yourself at a potluck or cookout and going back for seconds, ask around and find out who prepared that fabulous dish and get the recipe or at least a name and phone number. Don't be shy, they will be flattered! Visit your local library and pick up any cookbook that makes your mouth water or peaks your interest. Don't forget about your budget! Depression Era and Country Living type cookbooks are wonderful resources for budget friendly recipes. Take some time to check out the internet, recipes abound there!
And don't be afraid to fail, we have all suffered through a few flops and charcoal seasoned efforts. Just pick yourself up and head back to the kitchen, you'll get it if you make the effort.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Eat At Home
Without question eating out is expensive and can account for a large portion of your monthly food budget. I understand the ease and convenience of eating out but when weighed against the bills that can't be paid and debt collection phone calls which are avoided, it should seem like a small sacrifice.
Eating at home can have hidden benefits as well. When our family began to make this a regular, consistent habit we noticed some immediate changes such as weight loss and family bonding.
Evidently the statistics are accurate: fast food is junk food. Without making any conscious decision to eat healthier or diet, the types and quantities of food we consumed changed and the effects quickly became evident. We all experienced moderate weight loss and increased energy.
In addition, we soon found that we were looking forward to our meal times. Mealtime has become an opportunity to sit down together, relax and share. Not to say we don't have times when we are rushed to eat and head out the door or off to bed, but in general, mealtime has become treasured family time when we connect. Over time we have included a few other meal time rules such as turn off the TV, don't answer the phone and no technology at the table. Frequently the meals are followed by card games, board games or the read-aloud of really good book. We never even considered that simply eating at home would connect our family in this way, reduce stress and dramatically impact the amount of time spent in front of the television!
Consider giving it a try. Maybe your budget could be helped by eliminating fad diet products and foods, extra fitness expenses, and dare I suggest that the cable options could be reduced or even eliminated. Go ahead, sit at the table, introduce yourself and meet your family!
Eating at home can have hidden benefits as well. When our family began to make this a regular, consistent habit we noticed some immediate changes such as weight loss and family bonding.
Evidently the statistics are accurate: fast food is junk food. Without making any conscious decision to eat healthier or diet, the types and quantities of food we consumed changed and the effects quickly became evident. We all experienced moderate weight loss and increased energy.
In addition, we soon found that we were looking forward to our meal times. Mealtime has become an opportunity to sit down together, relax and share. Not to say we don't have times when we are rushed to eat and head out the door or off to bed, but in general, mealtime has become treasured family time when we connect. Over time we have included a few other meal time rules such as turn off the TV, don't answer the phone and no technology at the table. Frequently the meals are followed by card games, board games or the read-aloud of really good book. We never even considered that simply eating at home would connect our family in this way, reduce stress and dramatically impact the amount of time spent in front of the television!
Consider giving it a try. Maybe your budget could be helped by eliminating fad diet products and foods, extra fitness expenses, and dare I suggest that the cable options could be reduced or even eliminated. Go ahead, sit at the table, introduce yourself and meet your family!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Here I Am!
"Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"" (Matthew 4:4, NIV)
Per the many requests of the Financial Peace University classes hosted by First Christian Church Ministries' Kernersville and High Point campuses and in honor of Ed and Marsha Siperek, this is an attempt to share with you weekly menus and recipes, tips for thrifty grocery shopping, practical suggestions for stocking your pantry, creative ways of earning a little extra cash and other cost-saving tips I've learned along the way.
I ask for your patience; this blog is a work in progress! Suggestions, comments and contributions are not only welcome but needed! I will write more soon. Oh to be as blessed as Job!
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