It is amazing just how much money I have wasted over my lifetime. Living on a fixed income, as we are now, shows me just how much money I could have saved, if I had just been conscious of it. I just came back from the feria, where I try and buy as much of the week's food, as I can. But they don't sell granola, and I love a good granola for breakfast.
We used to by granola at Tienda Inglesa, but is a pretty expensive cereal (about $4.75 for 10 oz of granola). Just the other day, I wondered how hard it is to make granola. Duh! It is very easy, you control the ingredients completely and I make twice as much for about half the price. The local feria sells almonds (that I roast) for about $5/lb and even Tienda Inglesa sells rolled oats at a reasonable price. Add some honey, canola oil and vanilla and you have a pretty nice little granola. Next time I will experiment with coconut and raisins.
I think if I had been as conscious of the need to conserve in my younger days, as I am now, I would be much better off. Can't complain, though, since we are finding ways to enjoy everything we need, at more reasonable price. Just recently I have located a source of corn tortillas, which are not sold in this country. I have to drive to Punta del Este to get them, but some things are worth it.
But maybe you forget in "younger" days you didn't have the time to look for ingredients and cook them yourself....
ReplyDeleteIt happens to me now, i work 10+ hrs a day and sometimes I just pick up the phone an order dinner... I KNOW its wayyy cheaper to cook and save money but.... when you get home late and forgot to pass by the market.....the phone is just a more practical easy solution....
That would be true of most people, but I have almost always worked part-time or been self employed for most of my life. I was just too lazy.
ReplyDeleteI just never had the mindset to economize. I'm learning, though.