actbiggy
Groceries
Photo Credits – Respective Owner
According to the USDA, grocery costs have risen 10% in the last year, the highest yearly increase in 40 years.
- Make your chili with ground chicken. Beef and veal prices grew the highest of any major food group this year, by 16%. Fresh poultry climbed less — and it was already a lot cheaper.
- Schedule this Friday for next Tuesday. Plan out the week’s meals and buy goods from a shopping list based only on that plan. Friday is an excellent day for planning because many stores advertise their weekly discounts and deals on that day or the day before.
- Do some research before you go shopping. Flipp is a free smartphone software that collects shop circulars. This makes it simple to compare your shopping list to supermarket circulars to decide which store’s virtual coupons will save you the most money. The software may also build a shopping list for you.
Gardeners Who Grow Food
- Concentrate on expensive foods. Many of the most common garden crops, such as green peppers, zucchini, and cucumbers, cost very little at the supermarket when harvested. Concentrate on foods that are frequently more expensive at the shop. This might contain most fresh herbs, heirloom tomatoes, organic lettuces, and veggies for ethnic or regional cuisines such as Chinese Choy, okra, tomatillos, or Jerusalem artichokes.
- Grow vegetables that are easy to preserve or store. It’s a shame to have so many peppers or greens that you can’t even give them away before they decay or wilt. Tomatoes and beans can be preserved, pickled, or frozen. Grow some pickled cucumbers. Butternut and other winter squashes may be stored in a cold, dry area until spring.
- Plant edible perennials in your garden. Many herbs and spices, such as garlic, rosemary, thyme, and oregano, will regrow yearly, making them an excellent investment. Furthermore, they are generally simple to cultivate because deer and other wildlife do not consume them. Several of these also look excellent in pots outside the kitchen door, so you don’t need a garden.
Car Costs
Fact: A gallon of gas in the United States cost slightly over $3 in May 2021. It had risen to more than $4.50 a year later.
- Reduce braking and increase coasting. Consider this: every time you brake, you squander the gas you just used to get to your present speed. The more you can coast or avoid the surging and stalling of heavy traffic, the better your gas mileage will be. Get into the habit of softly accelerating, coasting, approaching red lights and stop signs, and attempting to use the brake less. A side advantage is that you’ll be driving more cautiously, which might save you money on insurance and even accident repairs.
- Change your tire. New tires can reduce gas consumption since more rubber contacts the road. If gaining better gas mileage is vital to you, look for low rolling resistance tires, which are designed to reduce tire friction against the road; some estimates claim they can boost fuel efficiency by 4 to 11 percent. Check their safety ratings for snow and rain, although their reputations are typically positive.
- Sell your car on your own. Due to the current demand for used cars, particularly older, high-mileage vehicles, a private sale will likely net you more money than a dealer would in a trade-in arrangement. If you’re buying a new car, negotiate the price separately from the trade-in; only after the sale is completed should you let them bid on your old car. That way, you’ll know exactly what the dealer is selling.
Travel
According to the consumer price index, airline ticket costs increased 18.6 percent in April.
- Rule number one: Go off-season. Long walks on a lonely beach. Excellent restaurants that do not require a reservation. There will be no traffic. Off-season travel is not only less expensive, but it may also be more relaxing than dealing with peak-season crowds. A two-bedroom seaside property in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, for example, costs $200 per night in April but $300 per night in June.
- Weekends should be on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Most resorts and inns offer lower prices on weekdays than on weekends, so traveling midweek will save you more money. Some resorts offer lower costs on Sunday through Thursday packages.
Entertainment
Fact: A major movie theater chain announced a $1 to $1.50 price increase for tickets to its spring blockbuster.
- Start partying early. By eating at happy hour rather than peak supper hours or later, you might save up to 35% on food and 20% on beverages. Check your area establishments to see when they have happy hour, or use a site like Happable.com to find out about happy hour offers at nearby chain restaurants.
- Use credit card discounts. In addition to cash back on dining expenditures, several credit card companies provide additional offers to customers. Check the Entertainment Perks Section of your card’s website for deals on concert tickets, restaurants, and sporting events.
- Keep an eye out for discounted ticket apps and websites. Several Digital firms that provide theater, concert, comedy club, and other cultural event tickets at cheap rates are worth keeping an eye on. TodayTix, Goldstar, and Groupon are a few examples. The latter also offers discounts on activities such as bowling and escape rooms, as well as restaurant specials.
Create It Yourself
- Window cleaner. In a spray bottle, combine 2 cups of water, half a cup of distilled vinegar, and 10 drops of any essential oil (lemon smells wonderful). Shake well before using.
- Oven cleaner. To make a spreadable paste, combine 2 cups baking soda and 1 cup water. With a wooden spatula, scrape the sides and bottom of the oven, then distribute the paste. Allow it to sit overnight before scrubbing with a sponge.
