What Is Economical?
Hi There! In the first post on Living Large on Less we are going to discuss what being economical really means. Being economical, cooking economically, the term economical is throw about frequently these days. The question we are going to address today is what that means. The answer is simple, it means something different for each individual family. A good buy for a family of four will not necessarily be a good buy for one of eight people. Likewise, a recipe that is budget friendly for a family of eight may very well be downright extravagant and/or wasteful to a smaller family of only two or three individuals.
This brings us to the main point of today's post. Research and find out what is truly the best "buy" or most economical choice for your own, personal family. Advice on budget-friendly ideas and cooking strategies are helpful, but only if they actually benefit your personal situation. For instance, we recently added a breakfast casserole recipe to our lineup of budget-friendly meals. For our family of eight, this recipe is perfect, and we use approximately half of the groceries that a traditional eggs, toast and bacon breakfast would use. However, this same casserole would NOT be an economical or budget-friendly choice for a smaller family. A family of four wouldn't be able to consume an entire 9x13 baking dish of breakfast casserole. Not only would this recipe require more groceries , but the amount made would be more than what a smaller family consumes. The extra portions would be wasted since the casserole would not heat up well for a second go round. This same breakfast casserole WOULD be a superb choice to serve when company comes to visit. As we've already said, make sure that the choices you make for your family actually work in your situation.
Many factors can affect whether or not something is economical. The size of the family has already been mentioned. Another factor can be the area where the family lives. Urban dwellers will be able to take advantage of the special sales and coupon deals available at stores like CVS, Aldi, and Walgreens. Their rural counterparts, however, will need to scrounge around a bit more for bargains. Thanks to the resurgence of farmer's markets, fresh produce is now readily available to all. Fresh eggs, cream, and milk may be items that those in rural locations will have greater access to. Sit back, look around, and take stock of what is available in the area you call home. The saying "where there's a will, there's a way" holds true in many areas, but especially in the area of living economically.
Another aspect to consider in the quest towards living economically is whether the purchase you are contemplating should be based on cost or quality. Some purchases should be made on quality rather than price. Cheaper is not always the most economical choice. Nor is it always the healthiest, especially in the area of foodstuff. I once heard someone say "You can pay the grocer now or the doctor later". Purchasing groceries that are poor quality or bad for your health just because they are the cheapest is not wise economy. Budget-friendly foods that are good for you may require a bit of looking, but they are out there. Clothing is another area where quality rather than price may show the best economy. However, often, quality clothing can be obtained at extremely reduced prices if not completely free.
No matter what area of family life a person is desiring to make more economical, a new way of viewing life is essential. Often when a change in financial status takes place, a "freakout" period sets in. This need not be. Surprisingly, there is a level of freedom that accompanies the practice of Living Large on Less. We have found that the more we do without or make ourselves, the greater the sense of freedom we experience. Unbeknownst to us, we had been bound by our reliance on prefab products and resources. As we have simplied our choices by making our own products and food, not only has our health increased, but stresses have subsided as well. There is an immense satisfaction in washing clothes with laundry detergent you made yourself, seeing that laundry drying in the sunshine on a clothesline while you work in the garden to produce healthy, wholesome food to feed your family. It is much like the contentment that is felt when watching your loved ones enjoy fresh-baked bread that you made for them with your own, two hands. Imagine how amazing it would be if the bread was slathered with butter made by you from cream obtained from the family milkcow.
Such a lifestyle could seem a little too "out there" for some. Perhaps you are thinking I have definitely gotten on the wrong blog. Maybe not. Hang in there. Don't quit reading yet. Living Large on Less is the blog for everyone who desires a richer lifestyle while maintaining a smaller budget. In the days to come there will be tips, hints, and recipes for all types of individuals from all walks of life. Whether you are an urban lover of everything metro, an adorer of the country life, or somewhere in between, you too could find yourself Living Large on Less. So, join us each day to see what economical treasure is to be found. If you find yourself in a place where your resources have been unexpectedly cut and you are closer to the "freakout" stage than the place of "freedom", don't despair. "I've never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread." Psalm 37:25 Ten years ago I would never have dreamed that I would be able to survive, let alone thrive living the lifestyle of less. Here I am! Not only am I living it, I learned what living large truly means. See you tomorrow for Waste Not Wednesday's Recycling Ideas.
This brings us to the main point of today's post. Research and find out what is truly the best "buy" or most economical choice for your own, personal family. Advice on budget-friendly ideas and cooking strategies are helpful, but only if they actually benefit your personal situation. For instance, we recently added a breakfast casserole recipe to our lineup of budget-friendly meals. For our family of eight, this recipe is perfect, and we use approximately half of the groceries that a traditional eggs, toast and bacon breakfast would use. However, this same casserole would NOT be an economical or budget-friendly choice for a smaller family. A family of four wouldn't be able to consume an entire 9x13 baking dish of breakfast casserole. Not only would this recipe require more groceries , but the amount made would be more than what a smaller family consumes. The extra portions would be wasted since the casserole would not heat up well for a second go round. This same breakfast casserole WOULD be a superb choice to serve when company comes to visit. As we've already said, make sure that the choices you make for your family actually work in your situation.
Many factors can affect whether or not something is economical. The size of the family has already been mentioned. Another factor can be the area where the family lives. Urban dwellers will be able to take advantage of the special sales and coupon deals available at stores like CVS, Aldi, and Walgreens. Their rural counterparts, however, will need to scrounge around a bit more for bargains. Thanks to the resurgence of farmer's markets, fresh produce is now readily available to all. Fresh eggs, cream, and milk may be items that those in rural locations will have greater access to. Sit back, look around, and take stock of what is available in the area you call home. The saying "where there's a will, there's a way" holds true in many areas, but especially in the area of living economically.
Another aspect to consider in the quest towards living economically is whether the purchase you are contemplating should be based on cost or quality. Some purchases should be made on quality rather than price. Cheaper is not always the most economical choice. Nor is it always the healthiest, especially in the area of foodstuff. I once heard someone say "You can pay the grocer now or the doctor later". Purchasing groceries that are poor quality or bad for your health just because they are the cheapest is not wise economy. Budget-friendly foods that are good for you may require a bit of looking, but they are out there. Clothing is another area where quality rather than price may show the best economy. However, often, quality clothing can be obtained at extremely reduced prices if not completely free.
No matter what area of family life a person is desiring to make more economical, a new way of viewing life is essential. Often when a change in financial status takes place, a "freakout" period sets in. This need not be. Surprisingly, there is a level of freedom that accompanies the practice of Living Large on Less. We have found that the more we do without or make ourselves, the greater the sense of freedom we experience. Unbeknownst to us, we had been bound by our reliance on prefab products and resources. As we have simplied our choices by making our own products and food, not only has our health increased, but stresses have subsided as well. There is an immense satisfaction in washing clothes with laundry detergent you made yourself, seeing that laundry drying in the sunshine on a clothesline while you work in the garden to produce healthy, wholesome food to feed your family. It is much like the contentment that is felt when watching your loved ones enjoy fresh-baked bread that you made for them with your own, two hands. Imagine how amazing it would be if the bread was slathered with butter made by you from cream obtained from the family milkcow.
Such a lifestyle could seem a little too "out there" for some. Perhaps you are thinking I have definitely gotten on the wrong blog. Maybe not. Hang in there. Don't quit reading yet. Living Large on Less is the blog for everyone who desires a richer lifestyle while maintaining a smaller budget. In the days to come there will be tips, hints, and recipes for all types of individuals from all walks of life. Whether you are an urban lover of everything metro, an adorer of the country life, or somewhere in between, you too could find yourself Living Large on Less. So, join us each day to see what economical treasure is to be found. If you find yourself in a place where your resources have been unexpectedly cut and you are closer to the "freakout" stage than the place of "freedom", don't despair. "I've never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread." Psalm 37:25 Ten years ago I would never have dreamed that I would be able to survive, let alone thrive living the lifestyle of less. Here I am! Not only am I living it, I learned what living large truly means. See you tomorrow for Waste Not Wednesday's Recycling Ideas.