I know so many people spend their money for convenience because they don't have time or want to make the time. We're all guilty of it to some degree...some more than others. I get that. But convenience comes with a big price tag!
As a learning lesson and kind of a game, I was thinking we could post prices of "convenience things" (like packaged food or food items from restaurants) and how much we think we would spend on the item if we made it from home. "A penny saved IS a penny earned!"
I was sitting in front of McDonalds this morning watching the sign flash from screen to screen...
Small coffee and muffin $1.39
McCafe Mocha $2.59
Fruit and Maple Oatmeal $1.99
Maybe others will be better at their calculations and breakdowns. I could probably make a dozen muffins for about $1 or the $1.39 would go towards 1/5 of a large TIN of coffee. I could make quite a few pots of coffee with 1/5 of a large tin. A good reminder for me to bring my own coffee and muffin and plan ahead...I'll be saving A LOT of money over time.
I don't drink Mochas, so I'm not sure about the breakdown as to what it would cost at home.
As to the oatmeal, I could make A LOT of oatmeal from scratch for that price. And if I wanted to buy the convenience boxed stuff with individual packets I'd still be saving money than buying from McD's...I could get 8 bowls of oatmeal for $1.99. The boxes of Quaker convenience packets often go on sale for that price. Again, good reminder to make my own at home.
So much money we throw away without even thinking.
As a side story about breaking it down...I used to go to a Tuesday and Thursday playgroup at a church; the playgroup was free. Just recently the church told the four ladies who attend every day it's open (with their group of daycare children) that they need to now charge for the extra insurance it's costing. It's going to cost $15 per week. So the ladies divided it amongst themselves hoping for another person to come, and said we all need to pay $3 when we come. I calculated it out...twice a week is $6...10 months it's $260! There are free playgroups ALL around this city every day of the week (paid for by our taxes) that I can go to. So I'm going to save that $260 and go to the other free ones when I want to go. I feel bad for the group of daycare providers that so faithfully go, but I don't have money to throw away.
Any more breakdowns and stories how your family is saving money?
As a learning lesson and kind of a game, I was thinking we could post prices of "convenience things" (like packaged food or food items from restaurants) and how much we think we would spend on the item if we made it from home. "A penny saved IS a penny earned!"
I was sitting in front of McDonalds this morning watching the sign flash from screen to screen...
Small coffee and muffin $1.39
McCafe Mocha $2.59
Fruit and Maple Oatmeal $1.99
Maybe others will be better at their calculations and breakdowns. I could probably make a dozen muffins for about $1 or the $1.39 would go towards 1/5 of a large TIN of coffee. I could make quite a few pots of coffee with 1/5 of a large tin. A good reminder for me to bring my own coffee and muffin and plan ahead...I'll be saving A LOT of money over time.
I don't drink Mochas, so I'm not sure about the breakdown as to what it would cost at home.
As to the oatmeal, I could make A LOT of oatmeal from scratch for that price. And if I wanted to buy the convenience boxed stuff with individual packets I'd still be saving money than buying from McD's...I could get 8 bowls of oatmeal for $1.99. The boxes of Quaker convenience packets often go on sale for that price. Again, good reminder to make my own at home.
So much money we throw away without even thinking.
As a side story about breaking it down...I used to go to a Tuesday and Thursday playgroup at a church; the playgroup was free. Just recently the church told the four ladies who attend every day it's open (with their group of daycare children) that they need to now charge for the extra insurance it's costing. It's going to cost $15 per week. So the ladies divided it amongst themselves hoping for another person to come, and said we all need to pay $3 when we come. I calculated it out...twice a week is $6...10 months it's $260! There are free playgroups ALL around this city every day of the week (paid for by our taxes) that I can go to. So I'm going to save that $260 and go to the other free ones when I want to go. I feel bad for the group of daycare providers that so faithfully go, but I don't have money to throw away.
Any more breakdowns and stories how your family is saving money?