$2-$3? FOR A DRINK???

That's right. Just about anywhere you go, it's going to run you a couple bucks for a beverage. Some days I'd pay $5 for 4 ounces of ice cold fountain Coke! And that's okay! But most days I'd be just as happy with some water to wash down my meal. It's better for my body anyway! So, today's lesson:

Just because it's part of the "meal deal" doesn't mean it is cost effective or even a "deal" at all.

If you are getting a meal to go, or eating in a food court type setting, take a small bottle of water with you. This can be a refillable Nalgene or those stainless steel type bottles, or a disposable Dasani (or whatever). Two notes-#1: I'm told it is not a good idea to buy one disposable and keep refilling it. Something about bacteria or the plastic leeching out or something. #2: I get it if you don't want to whip out your stash in a restaurant for fear of embarrassment or being told you can't do that.

Anyway, it is less expensive than $2, that's for sure.


Today at Taco Bell:

1 Nacho Bell Grande (no tomatoes, and BTW, I think I'm going to ask how much for extra tomatoes and when they tell me I'm going to ask for a discount since I don't want any. ;) )
+ 1 cruncy taco

total: $4.88

Same food as a number whatever. Who am I kidding? I know it's a #5. I've ordered it enough times! To be fair, the taco isn't a "supreme", so I'm missing out on a squirt of sour cream and more tomatoes I don't want.

Cost of #5? $6.89. That's $2.01 for a drink.

Again, I'm not asking you to give up your favorite. If you really think the meal is better with the Coke (or Dr Pepper or whatever) GET IT. I'd be getting it at Sonic! I'm just letting you know, you have options. They try to make you think you don't. Here's how the conversation went:

TB Guy: WelcometoTacoBellCanItakeyourorder? <--said REAL FAST as though it is one word. That's how our Taco Bell guy is.

Me: One Nacho Bell Grande no tomatoes and one crunchy taco, please.

TB Guy: You want the meal?

Me: No thank you.

TB Guy: Drink?

Me: No thank you.

TB Guy: Wouldyoulikecinnamoncrispswiththat?

Me: No thank you.

TB Guy: Hereortogo?

Me: Here, please.

TB Guy: $4.88.

I'm in and out under five dollars.

Cooking for Two

It seems I have two natural speeds. For one, which I perfected over the course of 20 single years, and for a bunch, which is how most meat is packaged. We need for two. So I am learning how to cook for husband and self, not more. Why? A couple of reasons.
#1, I don't like reheated chicken. I've come a long way where chicken is concerned. Not all the way to "on the bone", but a good distance from "chicken is disgusting". So if we cook a pkg of chicken breasts, there are too many to eat in one meal.
#2, some foods are not conducive to next-day-take-to-work lunch leftovers. Like pulled pork sandwiches. Just too messy. Tacos, same deal.
#3, if you cook way too much, the leftovers just become unbearable. Ever made a GIANT pot of soup (ie vegetable or taco) and then you can't eat it for a year because you are so sick of it?

All of these scenarios end in food thrown away or overeating because we don't want to feel bad about wasting. And that translates to wasted money.

Here is what I'm working out:
Chicken breasts-4 in a package. One night, Fried Onion crusted baked chicken with potatoes and a vegetable. The next night, chicken fajitas (marinate the over the first night).
1 lb hamburger meat-Make 1/2 pound for tacos, and two 1/4 pound patties for hamburgers.

The trick is in the planning. I always knew planning was a GOOD thing!

Just a Coke

Sometimes, when you aren't even really hungry, but a group of friends is going out to eat and you don't want to miss all the fun...it's okay to order "Just a Coke," please. :)

THRIFTY!

I went to the Thrift Store today with my 14 items!

At the Trift Store on post you can take 14 items per day. Unless you are PCSing (permanent change of station=moving), then I don't know what the limit is. You can actually take that many every day, but I try to do it at least once per month. They keep 25%, and put the money back into the community through projects and scholarships. It's a pretty good deal. They also accept hand crafted items, so I have made some cards and sold a few of those as well. Cards...that's a whole other post!

You would not believe what you have hanging around your house that you don't need or want. You could keep dusting it, leave it in the closet/attic/basement, or you could sell it and listen to that change going jinga-linga-ling in your pocket! Maybe you don't have a Thrift Store with a plan like this one. Have a garage sale! Craig's List it. Or, save some pennies by trading some things with friends (books, clothes, dvds) new-to-you is still new!

OH, and on the way out, I picked up my check from last month. $18.75! :)

Original or not so much...

I stole this. But I just came across it in my email and thought "ha! That's a lot of pennies, I'll put that on the blog!" So here it is, taken from Dotti's Newsletter, and she took it from Redbook!

What YOU could SAVE in a year IF YOU…
Eat dinner out twice a month instead of once a week: $1080
Bring your lunch to work three days a week (if lunch with a drink cost about $7/day): $1050
Buy just two $3.00 lattes a week instead of five: $450
Get a pedicure ($25.00) once a month instead of twice a month: $300
Color your hair every six weeks at home ($10.00) instead of a salon ($75): $560
Stop buying one new book a month and use the library instead: $360
Adjust your thermostat from 72 degrees F to 68 degrees F ~ from November thru March: $200
Replace four standard light bulbs that burn two hours a day with compact fluorescent bulbs: $35 ~~Redbook, January 2008 www.redbookmag.com


WOW. That's a lot of pennies!

A Day Off

Well, I said I'd go as long as I could without skipping a day on the blog. Yesterday, I skipped a day. I'm going to use this as my springboard for today's "how to save a penny."

Sunday has traditionally been a day of rest. Here, in Germany, it very much is. Only the gas stations are open. Actually, I wouldn't be surprise to find one of those closed. Does that irritate me? Sometimes. Maybe I'd like to get some bread or flowers or ice cream down the street on a Sunday. But will the world keep on spinning if I don't? Yes.

The lesson here for those surrounded by stores open 7 days a week, and some open 24/7, is to take a day. At least one day each week, don't go in a store. Make it a little game if you need to. If all you were going to do today was "look around" at the mall or "window shop" try NOT. I don't know many people (myself included) who very often go in a store and not spend a penny. You didn't see anything you needed, but how about some gum on the way out? There's always something.

But if you don't need something specific you can put on a list, then there isn't any purpose for going in the store. So don't. That's your suggestion/tip/hint for the day. Just Don't Do It. ;)

Every Day is a Good Day to Save a Penny

Today I am tired. I just want to go to bed. But I told myself I'd try to post every day. We'll see how long that lasts, but it's free, so why not?!

Today's tip: Just because you drove to the store to find what you saw someone else had and thought you really liked, doesn't mean you have to purchase it when you find it. If you don't love it, or don't love it as much as it costs (you know the difference between a $2 love and a $12 love) leave it. If you think it is a must have, but you aren't sure, leave it. Sleep on it. If you still want it tomorrow, you can go back.

Happy Friday!