Although this blog is focused on cheap and free foods I want to gather some general thrift quotes so as to strengthen the mindset.
"Cannot people realize how large an income is thrift?"
Marcus Tullius Cicero
"Industry, thrift and self-control are not sought because they create wealth, but because they create character."
Calvin Coolidge
"We are not to judge thrift solely by the test of saving or spending. If one
spends what he should prudently save, that certainly is to be deplored. But if
one saves what he should prudently spend, that is not necessarily to be
commended. A wise balance between the two is the desired end."
Owen Young
"Thrift comes too late when you find it at the bottom of your purse."
Seneca
"A bargain ain't a bargain unless it's something you need. "
Sidney Carroll, A
Big Hand for the Little Lady
"By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest."
Agesilaus
"He who does not economize will have to agonize."
Confucius
"Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship."
Benjamin
Franklin
Saturday, 2 February 2013
Learn to Cook to Save Money
The more you know about cooking the more opportunities you will see to cut your weekly food budget. You will be able to reduce your purchases of prepacked processed foods and make great meals from cheaper more basic ingredients.
Rather than spending money on recipe books etc use youtube and check out some cooking videos. As you watch them keep in mind your goal of thrifty economic meals.
Even if cooking is not a main hobby of yours make it a mini-hobby and begin to take pride in your growing cooking knowledge and skills.
Rather than spending money on recipe books etc use youtube and check out some cooking videos. As you watch them keep in mind your goal of thrifty economic meals.
Even if cooking is not a main hobby of yours make it a mini-hobby and begin to take pride in your growing cooking knowledge and skills.
Avoid Cheap Meats
Always avoid cheap meats as they are the product of cruelty. It can be hard for some to accept at first but the ideal diet is vegetarian or even vegan.
If you are one of those who cannot accept this yet then at least avoid the cheap meats. It is morally wrong to keep animals in appalling conditions just to lower the price of their dead bodies. Vote with your wallet/purse and do not pay those who want to maximise their profits at the expense of weaker creatures.
Cheap meats are bad for your health and psycholgical wellbeing both of which effects will cost you in the long run.
Eat wisely, eat vegetarian/vegan foods.
If you are one of those who cannot accept this yet then at least avoid the cheap meats. It is morally wrong to keep animals in appalling conditions just to lower the price of their dead bodies. Vote with your wallet/purse and do not pay those who want to maximise their profits at the expense of weaker creatures.
Cheap meats are bad for your health and psycholgical wellbeing both of which effects will cost you in the long run.
Eat wisely, eat vegetarian/vegan foods.
Free Food by Post (UK)
Some companies give away free samples as promotional offers. Here are a few:
Free Redbush Tea Sample
Twinings Tea Free Samples
Vitamin Boost Powder Free Sample
More to come. Some may take upto 28 days to arrive. Postage is free.
Free Redbush Tea Sample
Twinings Tea Free Samples
Vitamin Boost Powder Free Sample
More to come. Some may take upto 28 days to arrive. Postage is free.
Micro-Fasting
Micro-fasting is a great way to help cut your weekly food budget and it also good for health and wellbeing.
It is possible to go without food for many days. This has some benefits but in general we should consider the Middle Way and avoid extremes of starvation and gluttony.
We could miss out on one days food or how about just one meal per week? Even small savings in our food bill add up over time.
If you have some free food coming such as a party with a buffet or a meal out etc then why not arrange your one meal fast so that it is just before. That way you can make up for any hunger and make the most of the food provided.
It is possible to go without food for many days. This has some benefits but in general we should consider the Middle Way and avoid extremes of starvation and gluttony.
We could miss out on one days food or how about just one meal per week? Even small savings in our food bill add up over time.
If you have some free food coming such as a party with a buffet or a meal out etc then why not arrange your one meal fast so that it is just before. That way you can make up for any hunger and make the most of the food provided.
Reduce Portion Size
A great way to stretch your food budget is to reduce the portion size of your meals. You will really make your food go further if you can make all or at least some of your meal elements smaller.
It is not always easy to get out of your old habitual portion sizes so it may take some concentrated effort to make a positive change.
Think back to your past meals and try to remember what parts were left over. Are there some elements of those meals that tend to be left over or that you struggle to eat because of a feeling of fullness? If so then these are prime targets to be reduced in portion size.
One tactic to gain awareness and control over portion size is to deliberately reduce an element to a very reduced size. For example if you remember leaving chips a few times in the past then next time you prepare a meal with chips cook only 3 or 4 chips. It may not make a for a balnced or enjoyable meal but you are not just after a nice meal you want to gain some realizations about the portion size. After a few meals of a very reduced size then you can slowly increase the portion size back up to a comfortable but still reduced size.
Another tactic is to deliberately eat the reduced portion meal slowly. Savour each bite of food without hurry.
Some portion sizes are easier to control than others. For example if you are pouring some frozen peas into a pan you can exactly decide the size of that element. Other elements of a meal such as a a veggie burger are of a set size set by the manufacturer. Do not be afraid to
Avoid accidently large portion sizes.
Sometimes when we are are pouring out food such as peas or chips from a bag, powders or liquids we accidently pour too much. Avoid this by using a spoon or ladle. If you do pour then do so very slowly and carefully. Aim fo slightly less than what you want. If you have poured out too much then is it possible to put some back?
It is not always easy to get out of your old habitual portion sizes so it may take some concentrated effort to make a positive change.
Think back to your past meals and try to remember what parts were left over. Are there some elements of those meals that tend to be left over or that you struggle to eat because of a feeling of fullness? If so then these are prime targets to be reduced in portion size.
One tactic to gain awareness and control over portion size is to deliberately reduce an element to a very reduced size. For example if you remember leaving chips a few times in the past then next time you prepare a meal with chips cook only 3 or 4 chips. It may not make a for a balnced or enjoyable meal but you are not just after a nice meal you want to gain some realizations about the portion size. After a few meals of a very reduced size then you can slowly increase the portion size back up to a comfortable but still reduced size.
Another tactic is to deliberately eat the reduced portion meal slowly. Savour each bite of food without hurry.
Some portion sizes are easier to control than others. For example if you are pouring some frozen peas into a pan you can exactly decide the size of that element. Other elements of a meal such as a a veggie burger are of a set size set by the manufacturer. Do not be afraid to
Avoid accidently large portion sizes.
Sometimes when we are are pouring out food such as peas or chips from a bag, powders or liquids we accidently pour too much. Avoid this by using a spoon or ladle. If you do pour then do so very slowly and carefully. Aim fo slightly less than what you want. If you have poured out too much then is it possible to put some back?
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Cheap out of date foods online (UK)
I found 2 cool places to order foods (and some household items) at reduced prices:
AprovedFood.co.uk
FoodBargains.co.uk
The stock available is updated daily and some weeks have more bargains than others but there are usually some great offers. The prices are cheap but with AprovedFood.co.uk there is a minimum order of £15. There is also about £5 delivery charge although this is wavered for first time buyers who spend £30 or more. I am not sure the exact terms and conditions for FoodBargains.co.uk yet.
They specialise in selling out-of-date and short dated stock, the dates are put on the description of each product. They cannot refund you because of the date of a product. How out of date each product is varies so it is worth checking for each item.
Some items offer massive savings whilst others are only reduced slightly.
Overall savings can be made and it is definitely worth a try if you are based in the UK. They also offer an affiliate programme where you are credited with introducing them to your friends etc.
AprovedFood.co.uk
FoodBargains.co.uk
AprovedFood.co.uk
FoodBargains.co.uk
The stock available is updated daily and some weeks have more bargains than others but there are usually some great offers. The prices are cheap but with AprovedFood.co.uk there is a minimum order of £15. There is also about £5 delivery charge although this is wavered for first time buyers who spend £30 or more. I am not sure the exact terms and conditions for FoodBargains.co.uk yet.
They specialise in selling out-of-date and short dated stock, the dates are put on the description of each product. They cannot refund you because of the date of a product. How out of date each product is varies so it is worth checking for each item.
Some items offer massive savings whilst others are only reduced slightly.
Overall savings can be made and it is definitely worth a try if you are based in the UK. They also offer an affiliate programme where you are credited with introducing them to your friends etc.
AprovedFood.co.uk
FoodBargains.co.uk
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