Keeping Your Grocery Bills Down - Where they should be!

I started doing research on this because, as many of you, I have a budget. In this economy, I also find it necessary to put as much of our extra cash into savings. The less we spend, the more of that 'extra cash' we have to save.

What I have come up with is a list of things that you can use to spend less without consuming less. I also believe in healthy and enjoyable living. Many people would say that it's close to impossible to "have it all". Therefore, they go out and buy cheap, junkie food to help keep the cost down or they drop loads of cash buying expensive food from local health food stores. This isn't to say that I am in any way putting down health food stores. What I am saying is that there are less expensive options. Here are some of the ideas that I have come up with.

• Find out who your local farmers are and what they have to offer. Where I live in Utah, there are plenty of local farms who sell their crops through farmer's markets, roadside stands, and co-op shares. You can often find "organic" foods for less than you'd pay at a discount grocery store. 
• Buy your non-perishable foods at bulk food warehouses. Unless you have a large family, buying perishable food in bulk will often lead to wasted food and money. 
• Price shop. Keep in mind, there are popular discount food superstores who price match. Don't be so quick to toss local ads. Some price matching stores require a competitor's ad, some don't. 
• Buy basics and then spice them up. I have not found a situation to where buying processed food is less expensive than finding the basics and putting them together to create the same result. Also, processed foods are famous for having really unhealthy ingredients added to them. By buying the basics, you get to be in charge of what goes into your food and therefore, your body. 
• Spend more time on hobbies and playing with your children. (if you have them) It's true. The busier you are, the less time you have to be bored. It's common knowledge that a big reason for obesity is eating too much and/ or unnecessary snacking. Many people, me included, feel like snacking when there's nothing else to do.
• Take more time to cook. This is a great hobby of mine. I find that the more I cook, the more aware I am of what I'm eating. Also, I can make great use of the 'basic' foods that I bought and make them into delicious meals. If you have limited time, a crock-pot is my top choice. 
• Last, but not least, not all health food stores are expensive. Although I've not found many, they are definitely worth looking for. Anytime we can save money by being well informed, we can feel more in control of ourselves and our budget.

If anyone has any comments or additions that should be added to this list, I am all ears!

The Importance of Emergency Home Storage

This is a subject that is often overlooked for various reasons. The truth is, America is, as a whole, lazier than it used to be. We would all like to believe that our comfortable and carefree lives will always be as such. However, we can plainly see that dozens of circumstances can and will hunt us down at one point or another. Here are some great examples.

           *Natural Disaster
           *Terrorist Attack
           *Job Loss
           *Financial Trouble

I'm sure that most of us can easily imagine ourselves in one of these positions. The scary truth is, they can strike anywhere and anytime. The only and most important thing that we can do for our families is to be informed and prepared. I have been to many a site that promises a great list of 'must haves' for your own home emergency storage. After doing my research, I have come up with my own along with some thoughts I have yet to find elsewhere. I cannot promise that this information will be tailored to your specific situations but I hope that it can help you on your way to your own self-reliance.

Comfort/Shelter:

• Tent - if feasible and especially if staying indoors is an impossibility
• Sleeping Bags/Blankets
• at least 2 changes of clothing - appropriate for the current season
• Plastic Sheet - to lay down in unsanitary conditions
• Cloth Sheet - to lay over plastic sheet for comfort
• Games/Toys - a must have to keep children happy and stress low
• Scriptures - also a must have to keep stress low / not appropriate for everyone
• Poncho - 1 for each person

Personal Hygiene: This is important to keep from spreading germs, illnesses, etc.

• Toilet Paper - there is a good reason I put this first, you will need it if bathrooms are not available
• Baby Wipes - these are really great for keeping clean and you may not have access to excess water 
• Feminine Needs - as needed
• Hand Sanitizer - once again, water may not be accessible and you never know what situation you'll be in
• Soap - if you have access to water, this is a must have
• Toothbrush/Toothpaste - cavities are no great consolation prize 
• Plastic Bucket with tight fitting lid - you'll be thankful to have a place to put 'stinky' trash
• Plastic Bags - no, not the kind from the grocery store - find some small plastic bags that won't leak - you may need them when toilets aren't available
• Bucket Toilet - great for keeping sanitary conditions (use with plastic bags)
• Combs/Brush
• Towels/Washcloths - these have many uses
• Hair Ties - I don't know about you, but I find these important if I'm not in the mood for a loss of visibility (speaking to people with long hair - of course)

Safty: These are all 'must haves' in order to cover all bases of self sufficiency.

• Flashlights w/extra batteries
• Emergency Flares
• Candles
• Waterproof Matches 
• Pocket Knife or Utility Knife
• Whistle
• Fire Extinguisher
• Local Maps
• Wrench & Pliers to shut off utilities
• Garbage Bags
• Axe
• Rope
• Duct Tape
• First Aid Kit - make sure it's well equipped, don't skimp!
• Dust Masks
• Weather Radio w/tone alert - don't forget those extra batteries!
• Can Opener - if you have canned food
• Shovel
• Cash - if power is out, I can guarantee credit card machines won't be up and running (make sure you have a roll or two of quarters as well)
• Phone Cards - in case of cell phone failure
• Cell Phone Chargers - if power is out, solar chargers are great!
• Small sewing kit - for emergency repairs
• Paper & Pencil/Pen - you never know what you'll need to write down

Documents - It is necessary to have these in a secure but portable place in case the need arises to take them in short notice. A small, portable, waterproof/fireproof safe is a great place to keep them.

• Birth Certificates
• Social Security Cards
• Immunization Records
• Will
• Credit Cards
• Bank Statements w/account number
• Backup of family pictures
• Religious Documents 
• Insurance Documents 
• Genealogy Records  

Foods/Water - Well, the importance of this is pretty clear. However, this should be rotated regularly to keep from spoiling.

• Water - 1 gallon per day/person - this is minimal for drinking/cooking/hygiene
• At least 3 days of non-perishable food - make sure your hitting all of the major food groups
• Vitamins 

If you find anything missing or would like to comment, please do. I am always looking to update my lists where needed. 

                

The Happy Home Economist

Throughout my youth, I came to believe that being the manager of a happy home was going to be easy. As kids we fantasize about what we want to be when we 'grow up'. We dream of how much fun we'll have buying our own big house and driving a brand new car. I often watched old episodes of "Leave It To Beaver" and "The Brady Bunch". It seemed to me at the time that being a grown up is mostly a peaceful experience that comes with full control, money that grows on trees, and children who look up to their parents with great awe and a sense of humbleness. Boy, was I wrong!!!! If you grew up with decent parenting, I'm sure it was difficult to comprehend it any differently.
As many of you did, I grew up wondering what I would be. However, my greatest and most prominent dream was becoming a mother and home-maker. I never had any serious career goals. I just knew that I would be happiest in the home. I can tell you now that I am and I fully believe that it is the toughest career choice that I ever made. Society has shoved down our throats that we must have some big, money making career in order to be happy. Success is measured by how much more important you are than someone else. At times, I still have a lapse of insanity, wondering why I'm not one of those high-heel wearing, corporate leaders making six figures and feeling on top of the social world. I literally have to sit myself down and look around. When I do, I feel a calming warmth come over me as I see how healthy and happy my children are because I am there every day to give them the love and attention they deserve. I never miss a thing and I have no real regrets.
I am truly in the most important career there is. I am the reason for the health and happiness of my family. I have a wonderful business partner by my side and still, I overworked, overstimulated, and over hugged. I am the CEO of my own successful meal-making, laundry doing, scraped knee kissing, and potty training business. So I say, step aside corporate America, I have my very own, self-awarded, PhD, in the business of being a very Happy Home Economist.