SPENDING TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER

With the economic down turn, more and more families are feeling the pain of the economic crunch.
families are having to cope with the job loss of one or both parents. Families are having to re-evaluate everything in their every day lives:
from where they eat, how they shop for food, which grocery stores to buy grocery from, how, when, where and how much
their budgets will allow them to spend on everyday necessitates. Even family trips, vacations, eating out, movies are a luxury for many families in today's world.

I have a few suggestion on how to help you and your family cope. Just because things are hard and I know they are hard. It does not mean that you and your family should not or can not enjoy
each others company, companionship,and re-bonding.

1. Set aside a time, day or night. That is family time: for you to cook together, have something for each family member to do.
2. Have each person write down what each one would like to do on a family night. You may have each person have a family night each week.
for example. Big brother chooses to have homemade pizza and movie night on his week. And little sister chooses to have home made chicken tacos and a Mexican party on her week.
3. Also there are several board games that are very and I am going to say cheap because they are cheap, for you to purchase and play with your family.

We can get through this one day at a time. I encourage you to take a step back and appreciate what you have. The most important asset you have is each other period.

10 Steps in choosing the Kitchen items and cooking needs that are right for you:

Kitchen Items and small appliances are personal choice:


1. Convenience:
What is most convenient for your life style

2. Simpler the better:
Items that take the least amount of effort to use:

3. Clean Up:
Items that are the easiest to clean up:

4. Clutter or the lack of Clutter:
Space available for you to use in your kitchen.

5. Your type of cooking:
Baking, Grilling, Micro Waving, Crock Pot.

6. Watch out for the newest fad.
The newest gadget may look great but will it really be functional in your kitchen.

7. Is it really a need or just want.
It may be pretty, but think do I really need it. You will save money and clutter.

8. Do you freeze or save left overs.
There are items specifically for freezing and storing cooked foods.

9. Small children in the kitchen:
Safe items for small children that want to help. Cooking is a great way to teach, and build self confidence in small children.

10. Herbs and Spice Gardening:
Do you grow your own. It will determine what kind of spice racks and spices you may need.

Tip # 2: Spend Less, Get More – 5 Ways to Save Money at the Grocery Store

The five ways takes you very little time and can save you hundreds of dollars on your grocery bill each year.

It’s no secret that groceries take a huge chunk out of the family budget. The more people in your house, the more you spend each week at the grocery store. Saving money on groceries is one way you can actively affect the amount of money you spend every week, month and year. The good news is that you don’t have to make huge sacrifices to find huge savings. In fact, the following five simple steps take you very little time and can save you hundreds of dollars on your grocery bill each year:

1. Take the time to look at coupons, ANY coupons: store coupons, manufacturers’ coupons, local coupons, coupons from magazines and coupons that you print off the internet. If at all possible, use them. It may not be the brand you normally buy but many off brands come from the same place as the more well known brands. Check to see what is on sale - and I mean really on sale. For instance, some grocers place some offers at “10 items for some dollar amount.” Well, you have to ask yourself: is it really a bargain? Bring a calculator and do the math; if it IS a bargain, snatch it up. If not, walk on by.
2. Stick to your lists. DO NOT BUY IF IT IS NOT ON YOUR LISTS. You took the time to prepare your menu for the week or month. (See my book Save Your Money, Save Your Family coming soon) and made a lists of food items that you need. Stick to it.
3. Eat before you go. Even if it is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a glass of milk. This will keep you from impulse buying because you are hungry.
4. Don’t buy non food items at a grocery store. Toiletries, laundry, paper products, make up even spices, bread, wine are to be purchased from a discount store, 99 cent store or day old bread store.
5. Always remember: the bigger companies that can afford to have their products at eye level pay to be there. So this convenience costs you, the consumer, more money. If you don’t believe me, try this simple experiment the next time you go shopping: look up above eye level and look down at the knee level, these companies are smaller companies but have as good as or better food products for much cheaper prices.