How to distinguish between what you need and what you want

Have you ever found yourself "needing" something that, when you looked back, was a total waste of money? Maybe it is because when it comes down to it, we loose sight of what a need and what a want is. So, let's just look at what those two things are: A need is something you have to have, a want something that you would like to own.
Fairly straight forward and we all know it, isn't it? Of course it is... until we get to the store. Then we get really creative. Quick trip to McDonald's? Well, you just can't argue the fact you HAVE to eat. Those adorable shoes are definitely a need - you can't go barefoot, now, can you? Oh, and what about those power tools that you saw on sale? Having those would save you tons of money as you can do the repair at home yourselves. Yeahhhh right!!!!

If you add up all those cleverly defined "needs" you get to quite a big lump of sum that could have been put to better use - like paying off debt or putting it towards an emergency fund.

But seriously, if you have a better understanding of what a true need is, you may be able to catch yourself before you commit the crime. Basically, a need is something that you need to survive. And when it comes down to it, there are four basic needs that we have to survive:

• Food and water to maintain your health - fizzy drinks, tea and coffee are actually luxury goods. And if you have small children you also need to have milk.
• Someplace to sleep, that has a roof that doesn't leak, makes you ill or anything like that. A car seat or a bridge are just NOT an option, although, sadly enough, there plenty of people in our society that do live like that.
• Clothing to be appropriately dressed - that does not include designer clothing (although there are people who do believe that they are), 10 pair of shoes etc.
• Basic health care and hygiene products. You have to take care of yourself.

Everything that goes beyond this – Spa treatments, a large house with a garden, take out meals every day or fancy restaurants visits, and yes, cigarettes are no needs. They are wants. If you have the money go for it - if not, cover your true needs first. Treat yourself according to your level of income, but don't get yourself into unnecessary debt to get what you cannot afford. Life is, after all, meant to be enjoyed.

Tomato-Curry-Lentil Stew

Lentils are a good source of fibers and protein without having to have meat. And they are quite cheap too. This is a soup that is just perfect for the winter time. This makes 2 Portion
 

1 cup of Lentils
2 cups water
1 tsp vegetable bullion powder
1 tbs oil
1 tomato, diced
1 small onion, chopped
4 stalks celery – chopped, including leaves
1 tsp curry powder
6 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and Pepper

Bring lentils and water to boil, add bullion powder. Let it simmer.
In the meantime, fry onion in oil until glassy, add celery. Add vegetables after about 10 minutes. Cover and let simmer for about 45 minutes or until lentils are cooked through. Check every 15 minutes to stir, add water as needed.
Add curry, garlic, salt and pepper during the last 15 minutes. Season to taste.

Note: When using red lentils cooking time is considerably reduced. You should add all ingredients when the water has boiled.

Apple and Cinnamon Cake

A while ago, I wanted to try a new cake recipe so I searched the net (great place to find ideas), found something that sounded decent enough, changed it around to suit my taste and ingredients that I had on hand (I doubt that I EVER stick to a recipe...) My husband loved it, and he isn't the biggest fan of apple cake.

1.5 cups oil
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
3 cups flour
6 small apples, peeled and diced
1 cup each chopped hazelnuts or walnuts and raisins
1.5 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp each rum flavor, vanilla flavor, baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 175°C. Prepare either three English cake baking tins (those long thin ones) or a large baking tin.
Mix together the oil, the sugar, the eggs, the flour, cinnamon, salt, rum and vanilla flavor as well as the baking soda. Mix until combined. Add the hazelnuts, raisins and apples and fold under. It will seem to be too dry, but don't worry.
Bake until ready - about 45 minutes if you are using several small baking tins or 75 minutes if you are making it in the large one.

The cake is even better the next day.

How to save both money and time at the supermarket

Now that hard times have hit us, everyone looks for ways to save some cash. Most of us think that saving equals giving something up and with this we see us suffering, losing out etc. But saving money is something that we can do easily without the bitter taste that we thought we would get with it.
Many expenses are quite set. You want to save on your mortgage, energy/water bill? Not impossible, but not something that you can influence virtually every week (or even daily). You can easily save money on your grocery bill – and save time at the supermarket too.

Welcome to your in-house supermarket
This one is really easy. Just check what you have in your cupboards, fridge and freezer. You’ll be surprised what you find there. I did this earlier on as I had to come up with something for super (my hubby, who usually does the shopping is ill… so we are living off the food that we have at home). I came up with quite a variety of veggies that I would have to chuck away in a day or two, Tofu, and some staples (for me staples include peanut butter, sweet chilly sauce and coconut milk) to make tofu and vegetables in a peanut-coconut milk sauce. It is sort of Thai, and we didn’t have to phone for take out. When you go shopping in your own kitchen you can dramatically cut your grocery bill!

Plan your meal
Planning your meals will make preparing your meals hassle free - you just have to look at your meal plan to know what you are making. But even better, you will also know what you need to buy. So you are less likely to impulse buy.

Make a list
When you go shopping, make a list and try to group them like they do at the supermarket. First of all, you are less likely to impulse buy (I still impulse buy, but those things are not wasted. Usually it is things that are on sale or have good deals on - and I ALWAYS impulse buy things that we eat anyway). But more importantly you will save time. Just imagine, you go through your list, thought you have everything that you want from the meat section just to see that when you pack your fruits and veggies (which happens to be at the other end of the supermarket) that you forgot the onions, or what have you not. Now you have to go back. And of course, this doesn’t just happens once, but several times.
If you don’t know the set up of your supermarket, take the five minutes and just write down the set up. You will save much more starting from the next time you go shopping.

Check unit prices
Don’t take the supermarkets word for it, larger packages are not always cheaper per serving then smaller packages. Check to make sure.

Eat before you go
Going shopping when you are not hungry, will, according to several studies, make you less likely to buy on impulse, especially things that you normally won't buy anyway.

Make your own food
Convenient, pre-packaged foods carry a hefty price and health tag. For instance, making your own sandwich is not only cheaper, but also healthier. Want to buy “shake a cake” or something similar – trust me, making your own cake from scratch is just as easy, you don’t have to subject your body to all these nice ingredients like fillers, artificial colors or stabilizers, as well as being much cheaper.
It really doesn’t take much to make your own soups, cakes, cookies, breakfast bars and muffins and international foods (like pasta sauces, Thai, Mexican etc.). And sure enough, you will find many ideas in this blog as time goes by.

And yes, for those who really have the time, patients and opportunities there are coupons, price book, checking for so called loss-leaders (items that a shop wants to get rid off, because it just doesn’t sell well), buy in bulks or shop during off-hours if you can. But these are not must dos or have tos to cut your time and grocery bill.

Bulk buying

The other day the inevitable happened - we ran out of bread. This is something that happens about once a month. Simple reason: we don't eat much bread, so we don't buy it every week - there is just no need for it.
As I was looking for an open bakery (of course it happened late) I saw that just down the road from where I live there are two new ones. One next to the other, door to door. And they are in fierce competition with each other. The one had really good deals for both bread rolls and pre-sliced bread. The prices there are soooo amazingly good that, even if I would have paid the normal price for one loaf , I would have paid about a third to half less of what I normally pay. The deal they had was for three loafs and I paid less then I usually pay for one!!! I decided to stock up on bread and put two loafs into the freezer. I also stocked up on some bread rolls and bought the obligatory pitta bread (a staple in my family), that we also had run out of.

Bulk buying is one of the ways to live frugally - or so it is being claimed. This may be true if you have a large family or have a lot of freezer space. I know a family that owns a large fridge-freezer plus a separate super large freezer (the kind you see in shops). That may work for them, but first of all, I don't have the space where I live nor are we a super large family. So, buying in bulk is not for everyone - unless you really don't mind stocking up on one or two things and eating it until it runs out.

But there are a few things that I do find useful stocking up on. And they are things that don't take up too much space or that I now I will use up in maximum 6 to 8 weeks. For me, that would be things like coconut milk, flour and sugar, certain types of meat, beans, tofu.

When it comes to meat, I bulk buy when there are good deals on. I usually buy chicken breast, chicken legs and minced meat. Those are real staples in my family. Once a while my hubby makes schnitzel, or I prepare some of the chicken breasts in marinades, the chicken legs are rubbed with various spices and are cooked in the oven, and the mincemeat is turned into various styles of meat balls, sauces, sloppy Jo's, chili con carne etc. Everything that we prepare is then packed and thrown into the freezer.
This may sound like a lot of work, but usually we don't need more than one evening and our meat dishes are sorted out and I have enough to invite guests and little to prepare.

I never bulk buy things like fruits and veggies. We just throw them out in the end. I also don't stock up on things that I don't use up that quickly - like soap, washing up liquid etc. Made that mistake and we are washing out son since his birth for the first 15 Month with the same bottle of shampoo (and then our baby girl too when she joined us)!!!! And there was another one (same shampoo ... hey it was a good deal: buy one get one free) waiting in the cupboard!!!!

So, bulk buying may be something that works for you if you know what your stables are and if it makes sense. But if you find yourself starting to hate the very thing you bought or eating the same type of food over and over again, you should really re-think it.

Basic fruit cake recipe

Think you cannot bake? That it is really complicated? That the maximum you can do is a "shake a cake" or work with a cake mix? Rubbish! With this easy recipe anyone who can switch on an oven can make a cake. Try it and you'll be surprised how easy it is.

4 eggs
1 cup of oil
1 cup of sugar
2 cups of flour
1 bag of baking powder (or 2 tsp)
1kg of fresh fruits - cut into chunks, halved or however you want to arrange it on the cake.

Preheat oven to medium heat (175°C). Prepare a baking dish - if you use the normal ones, just oil it slightly, add some flour and shake the pan until all sides and the bottom are evenly coated.

Mix all ingredients, except the fruits, together. No need for a mixer, a fork does the job just as well. Add to the prepared baking dish. Top with your fruits. Bake for about 30 to 45 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let it sit for 5 minutes, turn it out onto a cooling rack and let it cool completely. I often use disposable baking dishes, so I leave the cake in the pan.

Tip: you can use canned fruits, dried fruits or even leaving out the fruits all together adding just chocolate chips to the mixture. Want a chocolate cake? Add 2 tablespoons of cacao powder to the mixture.

Quick home made salsa

Home made salsa is not just cheaper, tastier and healthier than any store bought brand, but you can make it out of those tomatoes that would otherwise fill up the trash can and not your stomach.

1 medium sized onion
5 tomatoes
1 tsp chopped jalapenos peppers (out of a jar) - optional
olive oil - optional
salt

Peal and quarter the onion. Put into a blender and, using the pulse button, process until finely chopped. Add the tomatoes (halved or quartered) and again using the pulse mode process until you get the required consistency (I like it chunky). Add olive oil, if desired, and season with salt to taste.

If you like it spicy you can add the jalapenos. I personally don't, 'cause I use the left overs to make pasta sauce the next day.

Easy chocolate cake without eggs

Ever wanted to make a cake and found yourself out of eggs? Well, this cake is fluffy, requires no eggs, and is really easy and quick to make

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1c. granular sugar
• 1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 T. vinegar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/3 c. oil
• 1 c. water
• 1 c. chocolate chips for topping

Preheat the oven to 175°C. Grease and flour an 8-inch square pan only if you wish to unmold the cake for serving, other wise you may serve the cake directly from the pan.

Add all ingredients, expect chocolate chips, into a bowl and mix until all ingredients are combined. Pour into prepared pan and add chocolate chips. Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and if you are going to serve it unmolded, let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes before turning it out onto a rack or let the cake cool completely in the pan.

Quick and simple Pineapple Chicken

This must be the simplest pineapple chicken recipe in the world. It is really yummy and quick to prepare.

6-8 Chicken thighs
1 large can Pineapples, cut up into chunks - Reserve liquid
4 Tbs Ketchup
1 Tbs chicken soup granulates

Put the chicken into an oven-proof dish. Place the pineapple chunks around it.

In a small bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients and mix. Pour over chicken.

Put the chicken in the oven and turn it on to 180C. Cook for about 45 minutes or until done (juices run clear when the chicken is pierced).

Saving Time vs. Money

Although cutting our grocery bill is one of my highest priorities, I don't have time to prepare everything from stretch.  Since juggling my career, my marriage, household and the pleasure as well as responsibilities that come from being a mom I have to make some compromises.

Although making everything from scratch will probably save a lot of money at the grocery store every month, this may not be true all the time.  Preparing your own meal will save you money, sure, but what if you don't have the time?

This is not an easily answered question.Buying ready-made food (either prepackaged, take away or "home cooked" take away (something that is a big hit in this country) to save you time in the kitchen you're definitely going to end up spending more money than necessary. Not talking about the unnecessary salt and fat that you subject your body to. The golden mild would work best in this case too.

For example, pizza is something that my family doesn't eat that much. Making it takes a lot of time, which I would rather spent otherwise. So about twice to three times a year (told you it is not that much) we get take out pizza. Sure, I have planned about half a dozen times to just prepare one large batch of pizza bases to freeze.... but whom am I kidding.

Another thing I always buy is baked beans. I could make my own, if I could really be bothered, but then buying a can is easier and quicker. I also don't eat it so much.

Or ravioli - which we buy about once a year LOL!!! Sure I could make my own, but seriously, I don't have the time.

Another item I always buy is ketchup. Tomatoes are not the cheapest thing and honestly, I don't have patient to play around with the recipes. This is a stable I buy.

On the other hand, I would never buy a cake. And cookies are also something that you will have a hard time catching me buy (happens about once or twice a year). Or buy pasta sauce.

I am not telling you what to cook and what to buy. Just make sensible decisions. Watch prices on your favorite items and purchase them when they go on sale. However, be flexible and be willing to purchase alternate items.

Honestly, it's all a matter of priorities. If you have the time then by all means cook from scratch whenever and whatever takes your fancy. I sure do.

On the other hand, if you have crazy days like me, when you come home from a long day at work and you are just way too tired to fix dinner from scratch, you might consider balancing the amount you're spending on groceries with the time you will save yourself in the kitchen by stocking up on a few convenience items.

Mix-in-a-Jar: Coco Fudge Cookies

Looking for a personal but inexpensive gift idea? Why not try giving something totally unexpected: a mix in the jar cookie mix. Here it how it goes:

Take a bowl and mix the following ingredients together:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Add this mixture to a one-quart, wide-mouth canning jar. Pack the flour down.

Then add in the following order

1/2 cup dark cocoa powder

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 cup chocolate chips

Place the lid on the jar and decorate the jar as you desire.

Then add a label to the jar that has the following instructions written on them:

To make the cookies.

90 ml oil

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 jar cookie mix

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celcius. In a large bowl, combine the oil, eggs, and vanilla.

Stir in the cookie mix until just combined.

Drop 12 balls of dough on an ungreased cookie sheet (use a ice cream scoop to make it easy). The balls should be about the size of walnuts.

Bake for 9 to 10 minutes on a dark pan, slightly longer on a light pan. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

Enjoy

Quick Beef & Pasta One-Pot-Wonder

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 large onion, chopped very fine
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 small can (15 oz) tomato paste
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups dry small pasta, e.g cork screw or elbow macaroni

Preparation

Brown ground beef in a large pot (no oil is needed). Once the meat is brown add the onion and continue cooking it. Cook over medium heat until soft (about 5 min).
Add garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper to the beef mixture. Take the can that the tomato paste came in, fill it twice with water and add the water to the meat mixture. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.

While the beef mixture cooks, boil the pasta al dente, drain.

Add the macaroni to the beef mixture and stir well.

Those who don't keep kosher can serve it sprinkled with a little bit of cheese.

Menue Plan - 2nd till 8th of March

Wed
Breakfast:
2 Healthy Muffins,
2 pieces of Fruit,
1 cup Milk
Lunch: (Tuna sandwich)
2 Pieces of Bread,
Tuna Salad (1 can tuna, 1.5 Tsp reduced Mayonnaise, 1 spring onion, 1/2 carrot grated, a few olives cut), Salad,
1 piece healthy brownie
Dinner:
Lentil Soup

Thursday
Breakfast:
2 Healthy Muffins,
2 pieces of Fruit,
1 cup Milk
Lunch : (Sandwich Capresse)
2 Pieces of Bread, 1 ball of Mozarella, Pesto, A few Basilikum leaves, Tomato
1 piece healthy brownie
Dinner:
Lentil Soup

Friday
Breakfast:
2 Healthy Muffins,
Fruit Shake
Lunch :
Greek Potato Stew
1 piece healthy brownie
Dinner:
Salad with fried liver 

Saturday
Breakfast:
Oven baked apple pancake
Lunch :
Greek Potato Stew
1 piece healthy brownie
Dinner:
Turkey burger with veggies

Sunday
Breakfast:

Lunch :
Turkey burger with salad and oven baked potatoes
1 piece healthy brownie
Dinner:
Oven baked Fallafel with Salad and Thina 

Monday
Breakfast:
2 Muffins,
2 Pieces of fruits
1 cup Milk
Lunch :
Pizza Roll with Tuna
1 piece healthy brownie
Dinner:
White Bean and Feta Cheese Salad 

Tuesday
Breakfast:
2 Muffins,
2 Pieces of Fruit
Lunch :
Pizza Roll with Tuna
1 piece healthy brownie
Dinner:
Middle Eastern Chick Pea Stew