FINANCIAL BUDGET - PART #2 "FOOD HACKS"

Welcome to part #2 of tips on financial budgets.

Life has a way of knocking us down from time to time, it's inevitable. The question is, do we crumble and fall or do we rise to the challenge. It is no secret we are living in hard, economic times. Humanity as a whole is facing difficult choices between paying enormous housing expenses, together with utilities or buy food and necessities. Food banks are struggling because of the numbers of families and people needing help to survive. Homelessness is on the rise like never before and governments are not helping; in fact, it might be by design of the governments to stress their people (but that is a different topic not to be discussed here).

When shopping during financially challenging times, I ask myself, "Do I need this or is it a want?" If it is a need, I will purchase it; if it is want I simply walk away leaving it behind. Many of us are addicted to shopping. When we buy things it makes us feel good and for many, it becomes a habit. Habits can be broken with determination.

May I suggest some food life hacks that I have been using for decades:

(please note, as a health conscious person I have been buying from local farmers for my meat and vegetables)

• I basically cook every meal ingested

• I do not buy frozen food

• French fries are hand made from potatoes

• Macaroni and cheese are made from real cheese, butter and milk

• Chicken nuggets made from real chicken breasts

• I dehydrate food for healthy snacks

  • kale, carrot or radish chips (replaces toxic potato chips)

  • beef jerky (farm fresh meat)

  • fruit (replaces unhealthy candy)

• Stews, soups and spaghetti sauce, etc. cooked in large portions and frozen for future meals (when time does not permit cooking on a busy day)

• Left overs used for tomorrows supper or frozen for future meals

• Bake your own cookies, cakes, donuts, etc.

• Make your own bread, buns, pizza, etc.

Yes, it is time consuming stepping back into the the mid 20th century where food was always prepared in the home. It is not only more cost effective to cook, but healthier since you know the ingredients you are putting in each meal/snack etc. Read your ingredient labels if you are wondering what I am talking about.

This past harvest season, I decided to get very serious about healthy, affordable food by visiting farmers markets looking for food that contained seeds, for example:

• Watermelon

• Cantaloupe

• Nectarines

• Peaches

• Plums

• Apples

• Pears

• Squash - zucchini, pepper, butternut, spaghetti, pumpkin, etc.

• Peppers - orange, red, green, etc.

While preparing these foods for eating, I took the extra time to separate, wash, dry and save the seeds for a garden I am finally planning for the year 2025. During the planting season of 2025 I have plans of purchasing non-GMO seeds for further planting. This process is something one must preplan. For me in the year 2025, this food will only cost me the labour I put into planting, farming and harvesting. Something to seriously consider moving forward in todays escalating food costs.

Feel free to check out:

FINANCIAL BUDGET - PART #1 "CUTTING EXPENSES"

FINANCIAL BUDGET - PART #3 "MONEY MANAGEMENT"

Wishing you much success navigating these challenging times!

This blog details my personal healing journal over the past 2+ decades. I am not a medical professional and offer this information freely as personal research only.

Please click here to read my disclaimer.