Economic recession is gripping the country. This can be seen in the job losses and the rapidly increasing cost of living in the United States. This is perhaps why the upcoming elections is all the more crucial as it would determine just who will be “unlucky” enough to preside over such a messy economic condition. But politics aside, there are ways to survive the economic recession while the race to the elections is still going on. Here are some tips on how to deal with this cashless scenario.
1. Don’t waste food
Food like veggies and bread may not be as expensive as other products such as meat, fish and rice but this does not mean that you can waste it or throw the food away. Teach your kids to get only the food that they can eat and if they want more, they can always get a second helping. This way, no food is wasted especially now that you can’t afford to throw away food.
2. Plan your meals
Plan your meals ahead by making a dish schedule at home. This will allow you to determine what to buy at the groceries at a particular time. Having a schedule also allows you to know how much is needed so that you will not be buying more than you can chew literally.
In planning meals, make sure also that you include dishes that is more or less similar in ingredients. That way, you can buy in bulk for the rest of the week, which is less costly, but will be able to use the ingredients in multiple dishes.
3. Learn to recycle food
Food can be eaten the next day. Just put it inside the refrigerator after eating and then reheat it the next day. Make sure though that you use serving spoon for the dishes to avoid spoilage. Practice clean hygiene too when you are eating to also minimize spoilage.
If your family do not want to eat the same dish for the next day, be creative and whip up a new dish using the old one that you cooked. Some people fry or grill the dish or use the dish as an ingredient into another dish. It’s up to you.
4. Walk!
With the rising prices of gas, a kilometer can cost you a lot! So, bring out those rubber shoes and prepare to walk those blocks. If you are just going to visit a neighbor or just buying bread from the local store a couple of blocks away, use the trip to do some brisk walking. Doing this will save your money and will also save you from illnesses. Remember that walking is a very good exercise. Not only does it help in building the muscles in the legs and in keeping people fit, it also strengthens the lungs and the heart.
5. Save on water and electricity
You may not realize it but you may be paying more for your utilities than most people with the same number of people in your households. So, don’t waste those water and electricity. Turn off the lights when you leave the room or when you are going to sleep. Put your television sets in sleep mode or on automatic shut off. When it comes to water, shut off the faucet when you are soaping your hands.
