Making memories that last

big fireRemember this picture from a recent post about our Camping Trip.  At the end of the post I told of the wood that our neighbors gave us so that we could enjoy a great fire.  And boy did we have a great fire.  Two of the boards however I did not burn.  We brought the wood home and decided to make a memory of the trip hat would last longer than the fire would.  However we didn’t know what we would make.

Coat Rack

Then My wife, the keeper of  great ideas, sent me this suggestion on Pintrest with a note saying “I want one”. I thought this would make a great way to remember our camping trip.     So that is just what I did. I used the would to create a multi-purpose coat rack and storage.

Although the fire was great, we could look at this for years to come and remember what an amazing trip it was.  It also will keep me from losing my keys!

Here is the one I built:

 

Corey’s Money Tip #2: Learn how to cook!

Written by Corey L. Stokes

We all know that fast food is not the healthiest option, however I learned the hard way that it is a killer on your wallet.  That’s why my First money tip is to pack your own lunch.  As the new work week starts, now is the best time to plan your meals for the week a head.

Before I could master this task however, the first thing that I had to learn is how to cook.  Although I am still not a master chief, I learned that as long “as you can read you can cook” (thanks babe).  Once I understood the 123’s of putting together a meal, the amount of money I spent going out to eat tremendously decreased. However I had to learn to enjoy the cooking process.  it wasn’t until I found Jeff Mauro “The Sandwich King” that I actually started to enjoy cooking.  Now Being in the kitchen doesn’t scare me as much!


Learning how to cook is not only a great health tip It is also a great way to add money to your grocery bill.

What I found most difficult was not buying the blueberry muffin mix and other prepackaged pastries.  Wait, What?  Yes that’s right.  I’d spend probably $10 -$15 per week buying convenience items until my wife actively stopped me. She helped me to realize that first, we already had most of the items to make my “yummy goodness” right at home. Okay, so I may need to buy the blueberries but that was it. Bottom line? I could use that money to get some flour, eggs, and fresh blueberries (if needed) and be able to make it myself and in about the same amount of time. Better yet, I’d still have some money in my pocket, and who doesn’t want that!

Notes

eMeals – Need help finding savings in your grocery budget, let the professionals at eMeals help!

Books:

Dave Ramsey: Total Money make Over 

How to cook

 

 

Question:  What are some of the ways you have saved money on food?

I’d love to read your answers.  Follow me on Twitter and/or Facebook to comment on this question.