cost

Tuesday’s Tip: Renewal Screwal

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In an effort to save some money, my husband and I are very picky about our magazine subscriptions. We only get those that cater to our specific interests, and we decided that, if they no longer serve their purpose, we let the subscription expire. As it is, we only get three: scientific for him, running for me, and one for the whole family that focuses on current events. We used to have four, but I was getting a little tired of the same thing month after month and got bored. I mean, how many times can I make myself over, overhaul my happiness quotient, and un-clutter my life in one year?

Anyway, one day, my husband got a postcard in the mail from the current events magazine. We were in the kitchen – I was making dinner and he was going through the mail – when I heard him chuckle. Not the kind of chuckle he makes when he thinks something is amusing, but a kind of cynical chuckle. Like an “unfunny” kind of chuckle.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“Hmm,” he began. He flipped the card over, then back again. Then he quoted, “This is just a reminder that your subscription is about to expire. But no need to worry! Because you have opted for our convenient auto-renewal program, no action is required. We’ll simply charge your credit card $45 and delivery will continue as usual, with no interruptions. Should you have any questions about your subscription, please visit blah, blah, blah dot com, or call 1-800-blah and our team will be happy to assist you.”

I paused, mid-stir, and frowned. “Ok,” I said, not quite understanding what the exact nature of the problem was. So I asked, “I don’t understand. Is that not good?”

“Um, no,” he replied. “Especially since I only paid $20 for the subscription in the first place. Now they want to charge us $45 for another year?”

“Oh my,” I said. (Not really, but this is a tasteful blog.) “That’s more than double. That’s . . . that’s . . .”

“Stupid,” he finished my sentence. He proceeded to disappear to the computer room, then returned just a few minutes later and told me that the magazine’s website is offering the same exact subscription for $30. “Why should I let them charge me $45 when their website is offering it for $30?” he asked. I shrugged. I couldn’t think of a reason. Then he disappeared again, this time taking the phone with him. He returned a few minutes later, with that disgusted look on his face, put the phone on its cradle rather forcefully, and informed me that we were no longer going to get the magazine. Ok.

“Ok,” I said. “Why?”

“Because the guy I talked to said he couldn’t just lower the price for me. In order for us to get it for $30, we’d have to cancel our current subscription, then go online and sign up for it again, which means entering all our information again even though we already have a subscription.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “It’s not worth the hassle.”

So I guess we’re down to two magazines now.

Moral of the story? It’s twofold, actually. First, if you have magazine subscriptions, make sure you pay close attention to how much you paid, initially, for the subscription and how much your renewal will cost you. I’m not against paying for goods and services. Hey, people work hard and should be paid for their efforts, but don’t screw me over by charging me double (or more) for the next round! Charge me a fair price, treat me well, and I’ll be loyal. Secondly, automatic renewal is incredibly convenient – something I secretly love – however it’s also a marketing gimmick. Companies are counting on consumers to either forget how much they paid for the initial deal, or be so grateful that they don’t have to send something in by a certain date to continue service that they don’t pay attention to how much they’re being charged, or they’ll forget that they need to cancel by a certain date in order to not get charged. Or all three!!!

So do yourself a favor and be a savvy consumer. Pay attention to what you pay for things. Check the prices. Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to say ‘no’ to something you don’t think is fair. (But be reasonable, too!) Chances are companies will work with you to get you a good deal so you’ll stay. It’s win-win.

Tuesday’s Tip: Mix and Match

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I recently accepted a new job . . . one in which I need to dress very professionally. Granted, it’s part-time, however I still need to wear appropriate clothing. And that gave me a bit of anxiety. Being a mom, camper/hiker, runner, and outdoor education guide, my dress code has been, to say the least, incredibly casual. So, I ventured into my closet to find out what suitable clothes I had that still fit me. (Ugh.)

As anal retentive as I am, I began organizing everything by item, i.e. pants, skirts, blouses, etc., and evaluating each, asking myself a few key questions: Was it old? Did it look old? When was the last time I wore it? Did I like it anymore? If the item survived that round, I tried it on. If it didn’t fit, I got rid of it. If it did, I put it back on the hanger and put it with the rest. What resulted was this: a few dress pants in black, brown, navy, and one gray . . . a couple of blouses, both long and short-sleeved . . . some nice sweaters . . . a couple of blazers . . . and a few dresses and skirts. The good news was that I had enough shoes to match whatever I wore, so that was a plus. But my dressy wardrobe was, admittedly, a little on the thin side. I sighed.

That’s when my hubby walked in. He saw me, hands on my hips, examining my clothes and asked what the heck I was doing. “Trying to find out how much I have for my new job,” I replied.

He nodded his understanding, stood next to me for a few seconds, also evaluating my wardrobe, and then said, “Doesn’t look like a whole lot. Do we need to go shopping?”

I rolled my eyes and stuck out my tongue. “Oh, ick!” I know, real mature, but there are two reasons for that: 1) I really, really don’t like shopping, and 2) I didn’t want to spend a bunch of money on a part-time job until I had a better idea of where it might lead.

Hubby just shrugged his shoulders and said, “I know, but if you need some new clothes, then let’s go buy some for you. Besides, I need a few pairs of pants. Some of mine are getting ratty,” he explained as he touched the cuffs on his side of the closet.

“Well, let me see what I can do,” I said, not ready to hit the stores just yet. I had an idea . . .

I began looking at colors. Then I looked at style and season. I discovered that a few of my outfits had two parts, i.e. a dress with a matching jacket, and realized that if I split up the parts and paired them with something else, I created a whole different outfit. Suddenly, I saw that this blazer could be paired with those pants and that blouse, or that skirt goes with this top and that sweater. The little jacket that goes with that dress would look really cute with this shell and these pants. Wow! Then I hit a snag. These two skirts don’t have any tops that match. Hmmm . . . I may have to go shopping – but only for a few basic things. And if I get them in colors that go with everything else, then I’ll have even more options!

The point is, when you’re short on money or don’t want to spend a lot on clothes, there is a way: mix and match. If you’re not sure how to do that, here’s a tip. Look at the colors in your closet. What do you see? Chances are you see a lot of items in similar colors or in colors that you like and that look nice on you. Now, do you see any full outfits or ones with two or more “parts”? Separate them. Take that bolero jacket and see if it goes with anything else. Does that blouse look good with a few different pairs of pants? How about that sweater? Will it go with those pants or this skirt?

And you men out there, don’t think this only applies to women. You can do it, too. You probably have pants in different colors that can be paired with different shirts. Try switching it up once in a while. Instead of wearing the green shirt with the tan pants all the time, try the pants with that cool rust colored shirt, or the blue one. How about the bold plaid shirt with those black pants? Or the red striped shirt with the navy pants? Go nuts. Try it.

And the next time you go shopping for clothes, take into consideration the different combinations you can make with what you’re tossing into your cart. Buy things in similar colors or patterns so that you can mix them up later. There’s no need to buy outfits that should always be worn together. They say that variety is the spice of life. I say that’s true. But I also say it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune.

Tuesday’s Tip: Find the Freebies

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The other day, someone mentioned my post about buying memberships, but hinted that it’s not exactly feasible for her and her family at the moment and asked me if there was something else I could recommend. There is one thing . . .

FREEBIES!

During certain times of the year, including summer, holidays, and slow months, there can be a multitude of specials the whole family can enjoy. Here are a few tips:

1) Check out coupon sites online. There are lots of sites that have things like buy 1 Get 1 sales or free products and services – just be sure to do a little research first and pick the sites that offer things you like to do.

2) Check websites of your favorite museums. Many times they’ll offer free admission on certain days of the week. Usually it’s midweek, or a day that’s typically slow for them. If you can manage a day off, it’s worth it. There’s less traffic and smaller crowds to deal with!

3) Many communities are now offering events like ‘Movies in the Park’ or summer festivals that offer free admission. Sometimes you can even bring your own food and picnic there.

4) Research places that offer free things for students. You’d be surprised how many places will give kids a price break if they bring their student ID!

5) Last, but not least, check out websites for free things to do in your area or a closer, major city. Type something like free things to do in fill in the city name here and see what happens.

The point is, you can have a good time without completely emptying your wallet. If a membership isn’t in the cards for you right now, that’s ok. But you don’t have to stay at home everyday wondering what to do to keep your kids from murdering each other. Yes, it takes a little bit of effort, but here’s another tip: if you’re part of a social network, see what you’re friends are up to, what they’re doing, and where they’re going. You might find some good ideas and great deals.

Happy summer!

Tuesday’s Tip: Membership Pays

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Well, summer has officially begun! It’s the time of year we dream of during the cold, winter months when the skies are bleak and gray. It’s a time that brings about cherished memories of summers past. A time we eagerly anticipate as the world begins to thaw and spring to life once again. A time to venture out of our homes, to explore the wonders that surround us . . . but do you ever find yourself wondering: What should we do? There are so many different options during the summer months but, while we’d like to do all of them, there just doesn’t seem to be enough time . . . or enough money.

So consider this: a membership.

If there’s a particular place you enjoy visiting, or a certain activity you engage in frequently, then you may want to consider becoming a member. But the cost of membership seems so expensive! you might think. It’ll never pay for itself. Ok. Valid concern. Let’s take a closer look at it . . .

Let’s say you love going to the zoo. You have a family of 5. To park your car, that’ll cost $10. General admission is $30 for 2 adults, and $31.50 for your 3 kids under age 11. The subtotal, so far, comes to $71.50 – just to walk in the gate. Now your kids are begging you to see the dolphin show. That’s another $7.50. Oh! And there’s a super cool special exhibit, for this summer only, that your kids are dying to see. That’s an additional $19. That brings our total to $98. And now they’re thirsty. And hungry. And there’s an awesome something-or-other at the gift shop that only costs $10 . . .

Oh! I’m sorry . . . is your head spinning? Breathe. Take deep breaths. In through your nose. Out through your mouth.

Ok. Same scenario – but as a member. The cost of a family membership is $115. That includes unlimited admission and parking for a year, plus a free guest, 4 tickets to the dolphin show, 4 tickets to ride the tram, some free passes you can give to your family or friends, admission to the children’s play zoo, and discounts on everything from food to merchandise to special events and exhibits. So, if we do a little math (don’t panic!) we see that, even if you choose to simply walk around, skip all the extras, and buy absolutely nothing, the total cost of 2 visits is $143 – which means the membership will have already paid for itself. If you return several times throughout the year, you’ll save hundreds of dollars just in admission and parking fees alone. For example, if I paid $71.50 for each of 5 trips to the zoo, I’d pay a total of $357.50. If I buy a zoo membership for $115, I’d save $242.50 over the course of the year. Want to get really nuts? $115 divided by 5 visits means that the cost per visit would only be $23. For the whole family. That’s a lot better than $71.50.

What else can you do? Who else offers deals and memberships? Ask around. Look up your favorites online. If you enjoy swimming, check out the cost of a pool pass. Do you like museums? How about amusement parks? Or maybe camping? Local sporting events? Golf? Whatever the case may be, do a little research. Find out what’s included in the cost, what the perks are, and if it’s something worth doing. Calculate how much it would cost you for multiple visits and then compare it to the cost of a membership. Or, you can take the cost of the membership and divide it by the number of visits you could realistically make and see what the cost per visit is. Either way, you may just find that being a member can be a very economical way to do the things you enjoy most.

Tuesday’s Tip: Invest in Your Home

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If you own your home, you know that the projects seem to be never-ending. There’s always something that needs to be fixed, painted, or replaced. Things wear out. It happens. But the real problem comes when you have to scrounge up enough money from somewhere to buy a new water heater because your old one unexpectedly handed in its resignation all over your floor. The trick is to have some money on hand for The Unfortunate. You may not have a lot to spare, but earmarking some is certainly something to think about doing so you’re not panicking if an emergency arises.

But what about the things you’re planning to do? Maybe you’d like to get new kitchen appliances . . . or new flooring . . . or new furniture . . . or you need to paint a few rooms . . . the list can go on and on. If you’re eyeing that fridge you saw in the ad, then grab a calculator and do a little math. How much is it? How much is it on sale? How much do you need to set aside each month (or paycheck) so that you can buy it in 3 months? 6 months? Do you need new carpet in the family room? Measure the room. Find the square footage. Shop around and compare prices. How much would it cost to carpet the room? How much do you need to save each month to have it installed in 4 months? 8 months? A year? Do they offer some favorable financing? Or maybe a deal offering no interest, no down payment, etc.?

If you’re contemplating a home improvement project, do a little research and little investigating. Look into different types, models, prices, value, or selection. Be on the lookout for sales and discounts. Then, do the math. One of the principles of The Money Roadmap is to set aside a predetermined amount of money for each of your priorities on a regular basis so that it’s there when you need it. If you do your detective work, then you’ll have a much better idea of how to accomplish your goal. If it’s something that can be achieved with your refund alone, then give it some serious thought. If it’s a more expensive endeavor, then use some of your tax refund to get started, then add to it regularly until you’ve met your goal. Consider it a sort of ‘down payment’ on what you’re working toward.

Your home is your living space . . . work space . . . family place . . . hiding place . . . you name it. So put your money to good use and make it yours.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to have more control over your money, check out my book The Money Roadmap: You choose the destination AND the way! Good luck to you! You know where to find me if you have any questions!

Clearance Cash-in

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In light of the outdoor environment of my new job as an Education Guide, I decided I needed to get a coat that would withstand the elements. I had an unused gift card from Christmas, a 20% coupon, and a little extra time, so I went shopping. (Which is not my forte, by the way.) I, luckily, found exactly what I wanted right away – a 3-in-1 system jacket in an awesome, bold green color. I noticed that it was on clearance for $40, originally $200. Wow! Ok. I’m liking this . . .

But my gift card was for $50. Hmm . . .

So I went to another section of the store and took a peek at the clearance racks. (Also something I am not good at – ick!) But I figured I could use some sturdy pants or maybe a shirt or two that would be appropriate. I found two pair of cargo pants, but alas, they were too big. Then I couldn’t find any others in my size. Bummer. But as I quickly scanned the racks for colors I liked in fabrics that were suitable, I found four shirts. Also on clearance. One was $7.20, another was $4.80, and the other two were $3.20. Ok . . . I was done. I didn’t want to overdo it.

I got to the register. I placed my items on the counter and the very nice cashier began ringing everything up. I handed over my 20% coupon and my $50 gift card. I nearly fell over when she told me how much I owed . . .

69¢

As I stood there in stunned silence, she smiled at me, handed me the receipt, and cheerfully told me I had just saved $225.28. “Have a nice day,” she said with a smile. I picked up my chin, managed a “Thank you. You, too,” and moved forward, quickly checking to make sure I hadn’t drooled all over the counter. I checked the receipt just to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating, then smiled.

Yes, I think I will have a nice day . . .

Tuesday’s Tip: Invest in Your Kids

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In this week’s installment of ‘what to do with your tax refund’, I’d like to suggest that you invest in your children. Invest in their futures. “You mean, like, save for college?” Well, yes. And no. There’s more than one way to give your kids a helping hand. Even if you don’t have kids, but will, keep these thoughts in mind for future reference.

If you have visions of sending your kids off to college someday, you may want to consider a higher education savings program. And by ‘higher education’, I mean anything beyond high school. There are several options out there, and that can get pretty confusing, so it’s best to chat with a professional who can sort it all out for you and help you decide which way to go. Every investment firm has people to help you, or you can ask a friend or colleague to recommend one. I’ll be going into a little more depth about these options at a later date, but for all intents and purposes, today, I’m just trying to plant a few seeds for you. One word of advice though . . . start as soon as you can and then stick with it. Or start with your refund and do what you can when you can. Every little bit helps.

Another way to invest in your kids is to get them involved. Use the refund money to pay for music lessons or to learn a sport. Both activities teach kids how to be valuable members of a group, develop fine motor skills, and improve self-confidence. Sports help kids maintain healthy lifestyles and weight, and studies have shown that kids involved in music do better in school. So, not only will your kids be active and engaged, but the skills they’ll learn will teach them discipline, cooperation, and that hard work pays off. Who knows, their talents may even help them into college, if that’s their dream.

If your child is completely against music or sports, there are other options to pursue. There are classes they can enroll in through libraries, park districts, and even local community colleges. If your child has a talent for creating delicious meals, then try a junior chef class. If he or she has a knack for computers, there are many classes that focus on things from program or gaming design to architecture. And if your kid loves photography, try one of those. The possibilities are nearly endless. Talk with your children about what interests them and move forward from there. There are lots of inexpensive options if you spend a little time doing some research.

I could go on and on about the benefits of getting kids involved in all kinds of activities, but I’ll save that for another time, maybe. But for now, I’ll just make the humble suggestion of putting your tax refund to good use by using it to pave the way to self-discovery and to help build their futures . . . whatever they may be.

Tuesday’s Tip: Pay It Down

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So, you’ve got a little money coming back from the government? Good for you! I’m glad to hear it! The question now is what to do with it, right? Hmm . . .

Well, over the next few weeks, I’m going to be posting ideas about that very topic. But first, I need to ask: Did you do your ‘homework’ from last week? Did you make that list of priorities? Things you’d like to do in life? Goals you’d like to accomplish? It’s always a good first step when you’re talking about your money and what you want to do with it.

Today, let’s start with the first idea: Pay it down! Debt, that is.

Debt is simply any money that you owe. Debt can be anything from mortgages to loans of any kind to credit cards. If you’re getting a refund, and you don’t need it just to live right now, then consider using it to pay down any excess debt. I don’t know many people who are without a mortgage payment, and that’s a ‘long haul’ kind of thing, so it’s probably not the best option. But what about a second mortgage? How about a car loan that is close to maturing? Do you have any student loans you’d like to pay off? Have a few medical bills you’d like to get rid of? How about those credit cards? The reason I list these kinds of debts is because these are the most common. And, generally, short-term items take less time to pay off and it’s a lot easier to put a dent in them with extra funds that come your way.

A couple of things, though, if you’re thinking of throwing some money at a loan . . . 1) make sure there’s no penalty for paying it off early and 2) make sure you put the money toward the principal. Don’t just ‘make an extra payment’. You’ll be paying principal and interest. The best way to get rid of the loan and save some money on interest is by paying down the principal. Once you’ve done that, check your next statement and look for the extra principal payment and how it reduces what you owe as well as how it lowers the interest.

If you want to pay off credit card debt, you can do a couple of things. First, take a look at your balances. Is there one that can be paid off immediately with your refund? If so, you may choose to get rid of it completely so you don’t have to worry about that one anymore. If that’s not an option for you at the moment, there’s another way. You can use the money to reduce the balances, and then systematically pay them off one by one. There is a great method to doing this that I’ve detailed in The Money Roadmap: You choose the destination and the way! Check it out!

Before you make any decisions, do a little number crunching and see where your money would be of greatest use. You may not be able to completely eliminate a loan or balance, but reducing what you owe will only help you in the long run. The faster you pay off your debt the more you’ll have to live on or put toward new goals.

Tuesday’s Tip: Set Up Camp

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I don’t know about you, but Cabin Fever has crept into our house and settled in. It’s cold and dreary outside, with no snow to play in, and it’s making us nuts. Ugh! We were discussing that very thing at dinner and how much we wished for warmer weather when it dawned on me . . . and I said to my family, “You know, camping season is less than two months away.”

The kids gasped, exchanged wild glances (mouths gaping), and began to cheer. This is exciting stuff for us. Truly. Some may understand and agree, while others may crinkle their noses and think ‘ewww’. The images that are conjured up in the mind include mosquitoes, big bugs, campfire smell, getting dirty, and public bathrooms. But for us, it means summer. It means travel and freedom. It means campfires and s’mores. It means swimming, fishing, and being outside. It means grilling, picnics, and hayrack rides. It means hiking, exploring, and a host of other fantastic adventures. And we can’t wait for it to start . . .

So, how is this related to saving money? Easy. Camping is less expensive than typical vacations. In most cases, there is an initial investment to consider, however the long-term benefits are phenomenal, especially when you consider the cost of lodging. Depending on where you camp, fees can be as low as $10 per night. The more amenities there are, the higher the price, but we’ve never paid more than $30 per night – anywhere. Good luck finding a hotel room for those prices! If you’d like to give camping a try, here are a few tips to keep expenses to a minimum.

First of all, keep in mind that you’ll be taking your stuff with you and hauling it back home afterward, so you’ll need to pack lightly. Take only what you absolutely need. Pack minimal personal items, like clothing and a few toiletries. Pack a couple of travel-sized games or cards and a book. These are all things you probably have at home, so no need to buy anything. If you’re going for just a night or two, bring your food with you, but make sure you plan easy meals. Nothing elaborate. You’re camping, not ‘dining’.

Second, if you don’t have any gear whatsoever, you have a couple of options. You can purchase the basics, like a few pots and pans, at discount stores or simply bring what you need from your own kitchen, especially if you’re testing the camping waters. Also, use paper plates and plastic utensils and cups to make clean-up quick and easy. Plus, they’re cheap, lightweight, and easy to store. And chances are that you already have a sleeping bag hidden in a closet somewhere, so you’re halfway there.

Third, if you are new to camping and don’t have a tent, borrow one if you can. Most of us know someone who camps, so it’s not that difficult to track one down. If, however, you absolutely can’t stand (or can’t physically handle) sleeping on or near the ground, you can go the camper route. Many campgrounds and dealerships rent various types of campers from pop-ups to 5th wheels to luxury busses. If you know someone with a camper, try offering to rent theirs, or ask if you can go camping with them to see if it suits you. (Camping is always fun with more than one family!)

Finally, make sure you research different campgrounds. Compare campsites, prices, and amenities. There’s a difference in price for primitive vs. water & electric vs. full hook-up. Also, some campgrounds have all kinds of things like pools, tennis and basketball courts, mini-golf, horseshoe pits, hayrack rides, outdoor movies and games for the whole family – but beware! Some places include many of these items in the price, and others charge extra for just about everything.

Really, though, the trick to camping of any kind is to keep it simple. Take what you need. If it doesn’t fit in the backpack, leave it behind. You’re not going to need your phone, fax, and copier. Or your surround sound system. Disconnect! It’s easy to get caught up in the complexities of life and we think we can’t live without all of our gadgets, toys, and gizmos, but the reality is that camping is an inexpensive way to bring us together and enjoy all the simple things in life that we’ve forgotten. The warmth of a blazing campfire, the sweetness of a gooey marshmallow, the glow of the morning sun on a still lake, the giggles of kids playing tag, or the songs we sing on a sunset hayrack ride . . .

Campin’ season’s a comin’!

Tuesday’s Tip: Cook

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As you may have noticed, there’s a slight trend with my last couple of posts. They all have to do with food! So, I figured I’d continue the food theme and give you one more money-saving tip: COOK! I know it’s tough to work all day and then have to come home and cook, but it can be done and here are a few reasons why you should consider home cooking more often . . .

First, and foremost, it’s much less expensive than take-out or going to a restaurant for dinner. For example, at a popular restaurant (that shall not be named) I priced a fairly simple dinner. Chicken Caesar Salad for an entrée ($9.90), a non-alcoholic beverage ($2.30), and treated myself to a chocolate shake for dessert ($4). (I know the shake completely contradicts the salad, but go with me on this one. It’s hypothetical.) That’s $16.20. With tax and tip, this meal costs around $20. Just for one person! I just happened to make Chicken Caesar-ish Salad for dinner tonight, at home – with my family. I used Romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, big croutons, baby carrots, chicken breast strips (sautéed in olive oil, with basil, marjoram, and a squeeze of lime!), a few sprinkles of Parmesan, and drizzled Ranch dressing on it. For dessert, we had pudding parfait. Even with overestimating the cost of the ingredients, the total came to about $10 . . . for the entire family. Divide by 5. That’s $2 per person. So . . . $20 . . . or $2? Hmmm . . .

Second, cooking at home gives you much more control over what goes into the meal. If you’re aiming for healthier eating, the experts say you should eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Thankfully, those are fairly inexpensive to buy. (It’s the meat, pork, or poultry that jacks up the cost of any meal – especially when you’re dining out.) Not everything is in season all year, obviously, but you can change up your menu throughout the year by getting the items that are in season and on sale. You can also add or omit flavorings, spices, etc. based on your own tastes or needs instead of hoping the cook behind the counter doesn’t dump half a cup of salt on your fries. As chef, you have total control.

Finally, making meals that can be eaten as leftovers, or frozen, can help lower your food costs by spreading it out over more than one night. For example, I’ll make something like lasagna (from scratch!) and freeze half of it for another time. It makes for a quick, home-cooked fix when you’re short on time. Other great multiple night meals include homemade soups, spaghetti, pizza, Mexican, and even roasts or turkey. I knew a gal who used to cook meals for a whole week on the weekend, then freeze them. She didn’t have to worry about cooking during the week – she just grabbed something and heated it up. A real time-saver!

I know it’s much easier to hop in the car and have someone else cook for you, but if you think about the time it takes to get there, be seated, order, wait, then eat, pay, and drive back home, you could’ve cooked, eaten, cleaned up, and be on to the next activity – even if that’s lounging in your favorite chair. Who knows, by cooking at home you may discover your inner chef . . . or have fun with your family. And if you have kids, it teaches them some valuable lessons they can take with them when they’re on their own.