We've been trying to cut back on dining out since the economy started circling the drain. With a teenage boy in the house, pizza night has become a fixture over the years. We have sought out and found many excellent pizza joints up and down the east and west coasts, but with an average of $40 a pop (not including wine), we decided to come up with a basic pizza recipe that approximates what we love about this dish: thin crust, tasty sauce and just the right amount of cheese. It is a basic cheese pizza (we're purists), but you can top it with anything you want. The dough takes a little preparation, but it's worth it. The dough recipe is actually double what you need--I freeze half for another day--so if you want just enough for the two pizzas, cut the quantities for the dough portion in half.
Dough (this will make enough for four pizzas)
1 1/2 tablespoons yeast
2 cups warm water
1 teaspoon brown sugar
Put this in a mixing bowl and give the yeast 5 minutes or so to wake up (by the time you finish mixing the flours it should be ready to go).
5 cups unbleached white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons oil (pref. olive oil, but vegetable oil will do)
Mix the dry stuff together and add to the wet. Incorporate the flours a cup at a time in to the yeast mixture if mixing manually. If you have a mixer with a dough hook, use that and mix all at once. Toward the end of mixing, add a little more water if the dough seems too dry and inelastic; if too wet, add more flour. Take dough out of mixing bowl and knead on a floured counter top until it becomes smooth and pliable. Scrape out the mixing bowl and lightly oil. Then place the dough in the bowl, cover with a cloth and let rise in the warmer part of the kitchen until about doubled in bulk (between 1 and 2 hours).
Sauce (make sauce and cool while the dough rises--enough for two pizzas)
1 - 28oz. can of diced tomatoes (pref. organic)
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon oregano
2 tablespoons red wine (optional)
1 chopped clove of garlic (optional)
Place all sauce ingredients into a blender and blend. Pour contents into a sauce pan and simmer on med. low for 20-30 minutes (stirring often). Take off heat and let cool.
(Once the dough is risen) At this point I divide the dough in half and knead into two rounds--one I put into a plastic bag and stick in the freezer for the next pizza night, the other I divide and knead into two rounds. Let these rounds rise on the counter for about 30 minutes.
While the rounds rise on the counter, set two racks in the middle of the oven and preheat to 500 degrees (see caution below). Take two sheet pans, flip them upside down and oil their backsides (this is the surface on which you will cook the pizzas). Take the rounds and begin to gently stretch them into rectangles. Place the rectangles onto the sheet pans and carefully stretch them out to the edges--you want the dough to be stretched very thin (it will rise in the oven). Then spoon the cooled sauce on the dough.
Cheese (enough for two pizzas)
1 pound mozzarella (shred)
4 tablespoons parmesan
Sprinkle cheeses on the pizzas. Carefully place pizzas in the oven and cook for a total 12-14 minutes, swapping positions halfway through for more even cooking (if you don't, the pizza crust on the bottom rack may over-cook). Caution: 500 degrees is really, really hot, so keep your face away from the oven when you open it and use thick, dry kitchen towels when handling the racks or pizza pans. Also, if your oven is not clean it will smoke.
When the pizzas are out, use a knife to separate pizza from pan and place liberated pizzas on cooling racks (this keeps the crust somewhat crisp). While the process may look daunting, it really doesn't take that much effort and, once preformed a few times, goes quite quick. Two pizzas easily feed our family of three with a few slices left over for the next day. Depending on grocery prices in your area, the total cost per pizza is about $3.
Showing posts with label frugality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label frugality. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Laid off?
According to recent data, 2008 marks the highest annual job loss since 1945 with a total loss of 2.6 million jobs--and forecasts for 2009 are not encouraging. If you recently lost your job or lose your job this year, there are a few things you can do to make the best of an otherwise bad situation.
1) Swallow your pride. This can be the most difficult obstacle because in the US we have this undercurrent of individualism that degrades those who ask for help. If it helps, the champions of this ideology are currently in Washington DC begging for handouts to keep themselves employed. The rules have changed, it's OK to rely on others for a while; in fact, embracing the idea of mutual support over cut-throat individualism may be our only way out of this debacle.
2) File for unemployment benefits, in some instances you can do this online. Benefits vary by state so check online to find out what kind of documentation you need to file.
3) Get food stamps now. Next to housing, the monthly grocery bill will drain your resources faster than anything else. The food stamp program is now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), find out if you're eligible online and visit your local SNAP office.
4) Along with foodstamps, consider supplementing with food from your local food bank (this link has a great foodbank locator).
5) If you have small children (up to age 5), don't hesitate to get on the WIC program. This will ensure a monthly inflow of healthy food for the kids.
6) Finally, if you have a little land, now would be a good time to consider planting a garden. It will help you feel more self-sufficient and pulling weeds can be quite relaxing.
7) File for medicaid , SCHIP or medicare to keep you and your family healthy.
8) Consider alternate housing options. If you're mortgage is too high, try to renegotiate a lower rate with your bank (tell them that you are looking at foreclosure otherwise and that time is of the essence). If you rent or are getting out of your mortgage (selling, renting, foreclosure, etc...), start looking for either a public housing arrangement, which, depending on your location, may entail getting on a waiting list, or find an apartment with lower rent.
9) Get back on the horse. Even while arranging for low income assistance, keep up the job search. Give yourself a goal of submitting X applications per day. Hit a range of employment possibilities: now is not the time to wait for that perfect job, get out and sling hash if you have to.
10) Keep morale up at home. Nearly everyone goes through tight times during their lives. Remember that this is only temporary. In the meantime, be careful to not take frustrations out on your kids or spouse; instead, circle the wagons and be supportive of each other--more so than usual.
11) Keep a tight rein on discretionary expenditures. Eat at home or sponsor a good old fashioned potluck for a change. Use your local library for internet, DVDs (consider comedies over drama or horror, see previous point), CDs and books. Take advantage of free local festivals, concerts, plays and lectures.
12) If you find that in the midst of job-hunting and applying for government assistance you still have time on your hands, start volunteering--this will feel empowering, get you out of the house and meeting people and contribute to a society-wide effort to confront the effects of the economic downturn.
Best of luck.
1) Swallow your pride. This can be the most difficult obstacle because in the US we have this undercurrent of individualism that degrades those who ask for help. If it helps, the champions of this ideology are currently in Washington DC begging for handouts to keep themselves employed. The rules have changed, it's OK to rely on others for a while; in fact, embracing the idea of mutual support over cut-throat individualism may be our only way out of this debacle.
2) File for unemployment benefits, in some instances you can do this online. Benefits vary by state so check online to find out what kind of documentation you need to file.
3) Get food stamps now. Next to housing, the monthly grocery bill will drain your resources faster than anything else. The food stamp program is now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), find out if you're eligible online and visit your local SNAP office.
4) Along with foodstamps, consider supplementing with food from your local food bank (this link has a great foodbank locator).
5) If you have small children (up to age 5), don't hesitate to get on the WIC program. This will ensure a monthly inflow of healthy food for the kids.
6) Finally, if you have a little land, now would be a good time to consider planting a garden. It will help you feel more self-sufficient and pulling weeds can be quite relaxing.
7) File for medicaid , SCHIP or medicare to keep you and your family healthy.
8) Consider alternate housing options. If you're mortgage is too high, try to renegotiate a lower rate with your bank (tell them that you are looking at foreclosure otherwise and that time is of the essence). If you rent or are getting out of your mortgage (selling, renting, foreclosure, etc...), start looking for either a public housing arrangement, which, depending on your location, may entail getting on a waiting list, or find an apartment with lower rent.
9) Get back on the horse. Even while arranging for low income assistance, keep up the job search. Give yourself a goal of submitting X applications per day. Hit a range of employment possibilities: now is not the time to wait for that perfect job, get out and sling hash if you have to.
10) Keep morale up at home. Nearly everyone goes through tight times during their lives. Remember that this is only temporary. In the meantime, be careful to not take frustrations out on your kids or spouse; instead, circle the wagons and be supportive of each other--more so than usual.
11) Keep a tight rein on discretionary expenditures. Eat at home or sponsor a good old fashioned potluck for a change. Use your local library for internet, DVDs (consider comedies over drama or horror, see previous point), CDs and books. Take advantage of free local festivals, concerts, plays and lectures.
12) If you find that in the midst of job-hunting and applying for government assistance you still have time on your hands, start volunteering--this will feel empowering, get you out of the house and meeting people and contribute to a society-wide effort to confront the effects of the economic downturn.
Best of luck.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The "new frugality" responsible for economic crisis?
The Wall Street Journal posted an article tagged "The New Frugality Worsens Downturn." The basic premise is that because of 2008's October surprise (i.e. the collapse of the financial sector, plunging stock market and the widespread destruction of wealth), American families, once the dynamo behind global economic growth, are beginning to save more, use credit less and live more within their means--leading to a sustained economic slump.
The author writes, "Americans, fresh off a decades-long buying spree, are finally saving more and spending less -- just as the economy needs their dollars the most." The assertions made by these kinds of statements is that the economy is sick and we need consumers to step up and do what they do best: go shopping. But this Bush-era argument is wearing thin in the days of post-Wall Street scandal. The fact is, Americans have been living far beyond their means for decades. Perhaps, just perhaps, after the illusions of wealth have all been dispelled and employment rates, car sales and stock quotes begin to reflect the reality that growth-at-all-costs is simply not sustainable, our expectations of what life is all about may also become more...reasonable. The GDP does not need to grow every quarter ad infinitum, the stock market does not owe you a 10% return on your investment each year, investment bankers do not need a 6-figure paycheck and nearly all Americans could and probably should make do with far less.
The "new frugality" is a harbinger of a society-wide adjustment of expectations. It is not a social malady, rather it is an opportunity for all of us to make conscious decisions about what kind of world we want to build on the ashes of outdated economic, ecological and social models--you know, the models that promoted the 60-hour work week, the 2-hour commute, over-scheduled kids, spouseless marriages, global warming, suburban sprawl, the collapse of innumerable species the growing gap between rich and poor, etc... No, the new propensity for families to save more and think more about what and how much they buy is an opening to a greener, more sane and sustainable future.
The author writes, "Americans, fresh off a decades-long buying spree, are finally saving more and spending less -- just as the economy needs their dollars the most." The assertions made by these kinds of statements is that the economy is sick and we need consumers to step up and do what they do best: go shopping. But this Bush-era argument is wearing thin in the days of post-Wall Street scandal. The fact is, Americans have been living far beyond their means for decades. Perhaps, just perhaps, after the illusions of wealth have all been dispelled and employment rates, car sales and stock quotes begin to reflect the reality that growth-at-all-costs is simply not sustainable, our expectations of what life is all about may also become more...reasonable. The GDP does not need to grow every quarter ad infinitum, the stock market does not owe you a 10% return on your investment each year, investment bankers do not need a 6-figure paycheck and nearly all Americans could and probably should make do with far less.
The "new frugality" is a harbinger of a society-wide adjustment of expectations. It is not a social malady, rather it is an opportunity for all of us to make conscious decisions about what kind of world we want to build on the ashes of outdated economic, ecological and social models--you know, the models that promoted the 60-hour work week, the 2-hour commute, over-scheduled kids, spouseless marriages, global warming, suburban sprawl, the collapse of innumerable species the growing gap between rich and poor, etc... No, the new propensity for families to save more and think more about what and how much they buy is an opening to a greener, more sane and sustainable future.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Put on a sweater!
I used to hear it every time we spent Christmas at our grandparents' house. They kept the thermostat somewhere around 65 degrees and one touched it only on the pain of death. As kids, we didn't understand. If it is in the low 20s outside, why not crank up the heat? For our grandparents, who were children of the Great Depression, it was purely an economic calculation.
Energy prices are even higher today, so by being a little more thermostat conscious we could all stand to save some real money each year. By most estimates, for each degree you lower your thermostat, you will save 1% off your energy bill. The US Energy Information Administration reports that the average annual household heating bill runs about $1000. So, if your heating bill runs around $1000 in winter, and you typically keep your thermostat at 75, by lowering it to 65 you can save $100 per year...just off of your heating costs! Just think of all the sweaters that would buy! Turning the thermostat down further at night and when you are away will help you save even more. It is easiest with a digital thermostat (fairly inexpensive to buy and easy to install) which will automatically set temperatures throughout the day, although you should keep the house no lower than 55 degrees to keep your water pipes from freezing. In addition to saving some real cash, you'll be reducing your portion of carbon emissions by thousands of pounds per year (see http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/carboncalculator.asp)!
For a more detailed account of how to become a world class thermostat tinkerer, see Annie Bond's post at http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-thermostat-tips-save-money.html
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Unload that white elephant!
The "white elephant" aphorism comes from Southeast Asia and it means to be burdened with something both unsellable and of great value. Monarchs of certain regions in Southeast Asia would possess a number of these sacred animals and occasionally gift them to worthy recipients. The giftee, not possessing the power or wealth of a monarch, could not refuse or sell the elephant and would then have to pay for its room and board. The cost of care could not be offset by pressing the sacred animal into some kind of labor; thus, as long as the animal lived it would constitute a drain the finances of its new owner (and elephants live a long, long time).
To continue the line of thinking from the last post (Cash is king!), might I make a humble suggestion: if you own an SUV or a minivan or anything that gets less than 35mpg you would be well advised to sell it now.
Let me explain. Last summer, in an empty lot near my house, there began to appear SUVs of all kinds going for incredibly cheap prices. Gas was around $4/gal here and those monstrosities were starting to cost more than their owners ever thought they would. Now, as gas plunges below $2/gal, the lot is again empty. The value of these big damn cars and trucks has probably gone up as a consequence of low gas prices. But, as we all know, that ain't gonna last.
As credit is tight right now, and gas is cheap, I suggest getting out from under your gas guzzler by trying to get some cash for it. Gas prices will shoot back up in the next few months (says everyone from the Sierra Club to T Boone Pickens to the Bush administration) and that 20mpg vehicle will once again be both a serious drain on your family's finances and nearly worthless. But now, for those who can't see beyond the current dip in gas prices, your ride might again be valued at a reasonable price. So, now's the time to sell off that white elephant and get yourself into something more economical. In addition to easing the pull on your wallet, you might enjoy getting around in something with a considerably smaller carbon footprint.
To continue the line of thinking from the last post (Cash is king!), might I make a humble suggestion: if you own an SUV or a minivan or anything that gets less than 35mpg you would be well advised to sell it now.
Let me explain. Last summer, in an empty lot near my house, there began to appear SUVs of all kinds going for incredibly cheap prices. Gas was around $4/gal here and those monstrosities were starting to cost more than their owners ever thought they would. Now, as gas plunges below $2/gal, the lot is again empty. The value of these big damn cars and trucks has probably gone up as a consequence of low gas prices. But, as we all know, that ain't gonna last.
As credit is tight right now, and gas is cheap, I suggest getting out from under your gas guzzler by trying to get some cash for it. Gas prices will shoot back up in the next few months (says everyone from the Sierra Club to T Boone Pickens to the Bush administration) and that 20mpg vehicle will once again be both a serious drain on your family's finances and nearly worthless. But now, for those who can't see beyond the current dip in gas prices, your ride might again be valued at a reasonable price. So, now's the time to sell off that white elephant and get yourself into something more economical. In addition to easing the pull on your wallet, you might enjoy getting around in something with a considerably smaller carbon footprint.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Cash is king!
NOTE: I am not an economist. I am, in fact, the last person on earth from whom you should take financial advice. That said, here is some financial advice.
Survivalists have been harping about putting your money into gold or silver as a way to preserve or increase its worth. That may have been a good idea in 2006, and if you cashed in last summer, you may have made a bit of money. However, these precious metals have been crashing since July 2008. Unlike the survivalists I have no idea where to put your money, but a sure thing is that bulking up your savings (in FDIC insured accounts) is probably a good idea about now. There is no telling when it will be advantageous to pull money out of the stock market again. A mere TWO MONTHS ago the DOW bounced to about 11,500--so, if you were thinking about cashing in your 401K, with minimal losses, that boat has sailed. It is more likely to benefit you to leave your stock portfolio alone for now and await better days when you can recoup your losses. The question is, should we continue to shovel 8%-10% of our income into the stock market? There are a few things that we should seriously consider, given the present state of the economy.
IF you have the requisite 6-12 months of savings that would see you through a sudden job loss, then remaining invested in the stock market is probably a good idea--stocks are cheap and continuing to buy at these prices will most likely pay off in the long run, providing the stock market exists in the future. But, let's face it, Americans are notoriously bad savers. I would bet that many of us hold more debt than savings.
IF you have little in terms of liquid assets (i.e. cash in the bank), then you could find yourself in very desperate circumstances if you get the ax within next few years, especially as unemployment rises and jobs become more scarce. You need a rainy day fund because there is nothing but rain in forecast.
Ideas on how to generate cash, quickly!
1) Adjust your 401k, if you have one, from, say, 8% to 2% or 3%, or opt out altogether for a while (providing that opting back in is not a problem) and take the extra money you find in your paycheck and put it in a savings account.
2) Stop eating out. This can be difficult, but putting together an inexpensive, yet healthful, menu week by week can save you hundreds of dollars a month (depending on how much you eat out). Estimate how much you spend per month on food and restaurants, then estimate your grocery bill based on your menu. Take the difference, divide it into the number of paychecks you receive per month, and put that much into the bank every paycheck.
3) Get your Scrooge on! Don't spend a lot on the holidays this year. Send cards, cookies, artwork, pictures of your family, homemade CD compilations--get imaginative. I suggest spending $10 on a box of holiday cards and a couple bucks on stamps and then stash the remaining $500-$1000 you would normally spend in the bank. Trust me, your friends and relatives, supportive as they are, would rather see you keep your home than have to move in with them in the event that you lose your job next year.
4) Take a temp job. If you can sacrifice your weekends or a few hours in the evenings, then pick up a short term job...wherever. A call center, delivering pizzas, waiting tables, all good cash generators. Put your side job paychecks in the bank. Remember, you only need to do this until you have secured your rainy day fund.
5) Sell stuff. It has never been easier. Root through all your stuff and put the things you don't use or particularly need into consignment, on ebay or take it to a pawn shop. Hold a garage sale. Put the proceeds in the bank.
6) For the truly adventurous, you can take on a roommate or a boarder. Or consider moving in with a family member and splitting their rent/mortgage. Doing this can ultimately save you the most money per month. Put the difference in the bank.
There are other ways to generate cash, but the above suggestions are fairly easy and can be accomplished today. It is crucial that we start stashing money now and develop a buffer, the larger the better, that can see us through the difficult times ahead.
Survivalists have been harping about putting your money into gold or silver as a way to preserve or increase its worth. That may have been a good idea in 2006, and if you cashed in last summer, you may have made a bit of money. However, these precious metals have been crashing since July 2008. Unlike the survivalists I have no idea where to put your money, but a sure thing is that bulking up your savings (in FDIC insured accounts) is probably a good idea about now. There is no telling when it will be advantageous to pull money out of the stock market again. A mere TWO MONTHS ago the DOW bounced to about 11,500--so, if you were thinking about cashing in your 401K, with minimal losses, that boat has sailed. It is more likely to benefit you to leave your stock portfolio alone for now and await better days when you can recoup your losses. The question is, should we continue to shovel 8%-10% of our income into the stock market? There are a few things that we should seriously consider, given the present state of the economy.
IF you have the requisite 6-12 months of savings that would see you through a sudden job loss, then remaining invested in the stock market is probably a good idea--stocks are cheap and continuing to buy at these prices will most likely pay off in the long run, providing the stock market exists in the future. But, let's face it, Americans are notoriously bad savers. I would bet that many of us hold more debt than savings.
IF you have little in terms of liquid assets (i.e. cash in the bank), then you could find yourself in very desperate circumstances if you get the ax within next few years, especially as unemployment rises and jobs become more scarce. You need a rainy day fund because there is nothing but rain in forecast.
Ideas on how to generate cash, quickly!
1) Adjust your 401k, if you have one, from, say, 8% to 2% or 3%, or opt out altogether for a while (providing that opting back in is not a problem) and take the extra money you find in your paycheck and put it in a savings account.
2) Stop eating out. This can be difficult, but putting together an inexpensive, yet healthful, menu week by week can save you hundreds of dollars a month (depending on how much you eat out). Estimate how much you spend per month on food and restaurants, then estimate your grocery bill based on your menu. Take the difference, divide it into the number of paychecks you receive per month, and put that much into the bank every paycheck.
3) Get your Scrooge on! Don't spend a lot on the holidays this year. Send cards, cookies, artwork, pictures of your family, homemade CD compilations--get imaginative. I suggest spending $10 on a box of holiday cards and a couple bucks on stamps and then stash the remaining $500-$1000 you would normally spend in the bank. Trust me, your friends and relatives, supportive as they are, would rather see you keep your home than have to move in with them in the event that you lose your job next year.
4) Take a temp job. If you can sacrifice your weekends or a few hours in the evenings, then pick up a short term job...wherever. A call center, delivering pizzas, waiting tables, all good cash generators. Put your side job paychecks in the bank. Remember, you only need to do this until you have secured your rainy day fund.
5) Sell stuff. It has never been easier. Root through all your stuff and put the things you don't use or particularly need into consignment, on ebay or take it to a pawn shop. Hold a garage sale. Put the proceeds in the bank.
6) For the truly adventurous, you can take on a roommate or a boarder. Or consider moving in with a family member and splitting their rent/mortgage. Doing this can ultimately save you the most money per month. Put the difference in the bank.
There are other ways to generate cash, but the above suggestions are fairly easy and can be accomplished today. It is crucial that we start stashing money now and develop a buffer, the larger the better, that can see us through the difficult times ahead.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Stone soup
This story has it all: community, frugality and good soup!
Once upon a time there was a poor village in a land at war. There came into the small hamlet a company of weary soldiers. Tired and hungry, they encamped in the town near the town square. The villagers trembled, for they had no food to share with these men, and were afraid the men might cause trouble. Soon the small band of men uncovered a gigantic pot and began to lay a fire for it. Trudging back and forth to the town well, they filled the pot with water and set it carefully on the crackling fire. An old woman, peering from behind a shutter, noticed that they had dropped a round stone into the pot. Unable to contain her curiosity, she ventured into the open, approached the cluster of men around the pot, and after looking in the kettle, "What pray tell, are you cooking there?"
The soldiers looked up and replied, "Stone soup, my good woman, a wondrous dish and so, so much better if we were to have a single onion or two to drop herein!" "I am but a poor peasant and have hardly enough to eat for myself," she answered, "but perhaps there is a sad onion or two on my kitchen shelf". I will bring them here for your soup if you will share a bowl of your fine repast with me." They consented, and she quickly disappeared, hungry with anticipation at the meal.
As she returned and added the onions, a querulous old man approached and after looking into the kettle, called out, "What pray tell, are you cooking here?" "Stone soup, my good man, and a right good banquet it is," they answered, "but how much better it would be if only we had some simple carrot to add." The poor man shook his head and replied, "I am but a starving peasant, but perhaps my good wife has some carrots hidden away for our last bite of food. I would share them with you if you would share a bowl of your fine soup with me and that good woman." They nodded appreciatively and awaited the return of the old man, his old wife and the carrots. After a while, return they did, and added their meager bounty to the pot.
They all sat down and waited. A young girl with a small basket full of herbs from the meadow entered the square and joined the group around the large and bubbling pot. She too was persuaded to add her share and she too waited. One by one, the hungry peasants of the village came out to see what the excitement was about. And one by one, they added a few potatoes, a handful of beans, a small green cabbage and a bone.
There soon appeared in their midst the town butcher, who had long since closed his door. Huffing and puffing, and mopping his brow with with a large red handkerchief, he called out, "What is all this commotion? What pray tell, smells so wonderfully good here in this poor village, which has nothing to eat?" "Stone soup, Sir," said the soldiers, "a creation fit for a king. All that is lacking to gibe it truly proportions is a chicken."
Oohs and aahs were heard throughout the crowd of hungry peasants. It is said that one old woman fainted from the heavenly nature of the thought. The butcher quietly disappeared. Within a matter of minutes he returned, clutching a scrawny chicken, his very last, and dropped it, with applause from the crowd, into the pot. There was a great merriment in the town that night. It had been a long time since they had laughed and sung and danced - and a very long time since they had eaten so well. In the morning when the town awoke, the soldiers had packed up their pot and left the village, leaving behind only the stone.
They marched all day and in the evening entered another small town. They uncovered their gigantic pot and set about laying a for for it. A nervous old man approached them and asked, "What pray tell, are you cooking there?" The soldiers looked up and replied, "Stone soup, my good man, a wondrous dish and so, so much better if we were to have a single onion or two to drop herein!"
--The Brothers Grimm
Here's the recipe:
You will need:
3-4 cans vegetable broth (or make your own)
6 red potatoes (cut in slices about 1/4-1/2 thick)
3 carrots (peeled and sliced)
1 zucchini (sliced)
1 summer squash (sliced)
1 onion (diced)
3 cloves garlic (mashed through a press)
1 stalk celery (sliced)
1/2 bell pepper (sliced/diced)
1 cup green beans (fresh is best but canned/frozen works)
1 large tomato (chopped up)
1/2 cup peas (again fresh is best but canned/frozen works)
1/2-1 cup corn (frozen works better than canned for some reason)
salt & pepper
small amount of butter or oil for sauteing the veggies
1 small CLEAN and STERILE stone
shredded parmesan cheese
place a stone in a soup pot
saute the garlic, onion, green pepper, celery and carrots until the onion is tender
add broth, add potatoes and squashes bring to a boil and add the remaining ingredients (if you are using fresh veggies you can add them all at the same time.....canned/frozen will turn mushy if added too soon though)cook over medium-low heat until veggies are tender.
scoop out the stone.......serve with parmesan cheese on top
For a huge list of money saving soup recipes go to http://www.thatsmyhome.com/soupkitchen/
Once upon a time there was a poor village in a land at war. There came into the small hamlet a company of weary soldiers. Tired and hungry, they encamped in the town near the town square. The villagers trembled, for they had no food to share with these men, and were afraid the men might cause trouble. Soon the small band of men uncovered a gigantic pot and began to lay a fire for it. Trudging back and forth to the town well, they filled the pot with water and set it carefully on the crackling fire. An old woman, peering from behind a shutter, noticed that they had dropped a round stone into the pot. Unable to contain her curiosity, she ventured into the open, approached the cluster of men around the pot, and after looking in the kettle, "What pray tell, are you cooking there?"
The soldiers looked up and replied, "Stone soup, my good woman, a wondrous dish and so, so much better if we were to have a single onion or two to drop herein!" "I am but a poor peasant and have hardly enough to eat for myself," she answered, "but perhaps there is a sad onion or two on my kitchen shelf". I will bring them here for your soup if you will share a bowl of your fine repast with me." They consented, and she quickly disappeared, hungry with anticipation at the meal.
As she returned and added the onions, a querulous old man approached and after looking into the kettle, called out, "What pray tell, are you cooking here?" "Stone soup, my good man, and a right good banquet it is," they answered, "but how much better it would be if only we had some simple carrot to add." The poor man shook his head and replied, "I am but a starving peasant, but perhaps my good wife has some carrots hidden away for our last bite of food. I would share them with you if you would share a bowl of your fine soup with me and that good woman." They nodded appreciatively and awaited the return of the old man, his old wife and the carrots. After a while, return they did, and added their meager bounty to the pot.
They all sat down and waited. A young girl with a small basket full of herbs from the meadow entered the square and joined the group around the large and bubbling pot. She too was persuaded to add her share and she too waited. One by one, the hungry peasants of the village came out to see what the excitement was about. And one by one, they added a few potatoes, a handful of beans, a small green cabbage and a bone.
There soon appeared in their midst the town butcher, who had long since closed his door. Huffing and puffing, and mopping his brow with with a large red handkerchief, he called out, "What is all this commotion? What pray tell, smells so wonderfully good here in this poor village, which has nothing to eat?" "Stone soup, Sir," said the soldiers, "a creation fit for a king. All that is lacking to gibe it truly proportions is a chicken."
Oohs and aahs were heard throughout the crowd of hungry peasants. It is said that one old woman fainted from the heavenly nature of the thought. The butcher quietly disappeared. Within a matter of minutes he returned, clutching a scrawny chicken, his very last, and dropped it, with applause from the crowd, into the pot. There was a great merriment in the town that night. It had been a long time since they had laughed and sung and danced - and a very long time since they had eaten so well. In the morning when the town awoke, the soldiers had packed up their pot and left the village, leaving behind only the stone.
They marched all day and in the evening entered another small town. They uncovered their gigantic pot and set about laying a for for it. A nervous old man approached them and asked, "What pray tell, are you cooking there?" The soldiers looked up and replied, "Stone soup, my good man, a wondrous dish and so, so much better if we were to have a single onion or two to drop herein!"
--The Brothers Grimm
Here's the recipe:
You will need:
3-4 cans vegetable broth (or make your own)
6 red potatoes (cut in slices about 1/4-1/2 thick)
3 carrots (peeled and sliced)
1 zucchini (sliced)
1 summer squash (sliced)
1 onion (diced)
3 cloves garlic (mashed through a press)
1 stalk celery (sliced)
1/2 bell pepper (sliced/diced)
1 cup green beans (fresh is best but canned/frozen works)
1 large tomato (chopped up)
1/2 cup peas (again fresh is best but canned/frozen works)
1/2-1 cup corn (frozen works better than canned for some reason)
salt & pepper
small amount of butter or oil for sauteing the veggies
1 small CLEAN and STERILE stone
shredded parmesan cheese
place a stone in a soup pot
saute the garlic, onion, green pepper, celery and carrots until the onion is tender
add broth, add potatoes and squashes bring to a boil and add the remaining ingredients (if you are using fresh veggies you can add them all at the same time.....canned/frozen will turn mushy if added too soon though)cook over medium-low heat until veggies are tender.
scoop out the stone.......serve with parmesan cheese on top
For a huge list of money saving soup recipes go to http://www.thatsmyhome.com/soupkitchen/
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Credit: sink or swim?
If there is any kind of sound financial advice available these days it is this: renegotiate your credit terms and then pay off your open accounts. Once this is done, then you can start to worry where to put all that extra money you are not paying in interest rates every month. The average number of credit cards held by Joe six pack is four; but one in ten Americans hold ten or more credit cards. Thus, according to the law of averages, there will be many folks who hold fewer than four cards and a few who hold many more.
Whatever your circumstance, it is important to renegotiate your credit terms. You can do this by calling the credit card company and haggling your interest rate from (the average) 18% to a more reasonable 10-12%. If you have a sterling credit score and a good history with the company, you may very well be able to do this. But, if you have missed payments and are having trouble staying on top of your bills, you may want to consider a credit counseling service. These places will do two things for you: 1) renegotiate you interest rates and 2) effectively take your cards away from you. If the second point sent chills down your spine, consider the wider economy for a moment.
Even the most optimistic of the Wall Street crowd are projecting a dismal next few years characterized by rising unemployment, more competition for jobs, lower wages and an historic dip in demand. In a word: recession. More levelheaded commentators are emitting far darker prognostications for the next decade or so. And the paranoiacs are certain that this is the end of the world as we know it. Whatever the case, things will be getting progressively more difficult for the average person, and the last thing we need is the vampiric siphoning off of what resources we have to pay off the interest of our credit cards (indeed the minimum monthly payment goes primarily to pay interest, which means that, even if you never use the card again, you will be carrying the balance for many, many years to come).
I recommend credit counseling. My wife and I used credit cards to make up for the shortfalls in income during our grad school years. We racked up a truly impressive mountain of debt and, about five years ago, we went on a credit diet. We surrendered our umpteen credit accounts to a trusted and reputable credit counseling service and, for a small monthly fee, they renegotiated our interest rates and set a monthly payment rate for us. So, for the last five years we have sent them between $500-$700 a month (the payment amount goes down as you pay off accounts) and they redistribute the amount to all of our creditors. As we pay off accounts, we can often keep the credit lines open--but not to use! Instead we do this to boost our credit score (yes, it's crazy, but you have to have open credit lines to get a good credit score--it seems more sensible that if you have a certain income and less credit extended to you, there would be less risk of getting into trouble over-extending yourself, but there it is...). Now we have paid off 2/3 of our original debt. It is very satisfying to watch account after account drop off the list. In addition, we are very careful now when making any credit purchase (an extremely rare occurrence).
So, my suggestion is that if you find yourself slowly sinking under the weight of your credit card bills, renegotiate or have a service do it for you, and then get out the scissors! Take a deep breath, tighten your belt and start living within your means--it won't be nearly as bad as you imagine and you will begin to develop a little of that quality we will all need in the coming years: restraint.
Check out The Motley Fool website for helpful tips for getting out of debt: http://www.fool.com/personal-finance/credit/index.aspx
Whatever your circumstance, it is important to renegotiate your credit terms. You can do this by calling the credit card company and haggling your interest rate from (the average) 18% to a more reasonable 10-12%. If you have a sterling credit score and a good history with the company, you may very well be able to do this. But, if you have missed payments and are having trouble staying on top of your bills, you may want to consider a credit counseling service. These places will do two things for you: 1) renegotiate you interest rates and 2) effectively take your cards away from you. If the second point sent chills down your spine, consider the wider economy for a moment.
Even the most optimistic of the Wall Street crowd are projecting a dismal next few years characterized by rising unemployment, more competition for jobs, lower wages and an historic dip in demand. In a word: recession. More levelheaded commentators are emitting far darker prognostications for the next decade or so. And the paranoiacs are certain that this is the end of the world as we know it. Whatever the case, things will be getting progressively more difficult for the average person, and the last thing we need is the vampiric siphoning off of what resources we have to pay off the interest of our credit cards (indeed the minimum monthly payment goes primarily to pay interest, which means that, even if you never use the card again, you will be carrying the balance for many, many years to come).
I recommend credit counseling. My wife and I used credit cards to make up for the shortfalls in income during our grad school years. We racked up a truly impressive mountain of debt and, about five years ago, we went on a credit diet. We surrendered our umpteen credit accounts to a trusted and reputable credit counseling service and, for a small monthly fee, they renegotiated our interest rates and set a monthly payment rate for us. So, for the last five years we have sent them between $500-$700 a month (the payment amount goes down as you pay off accounts) and they redistribute the amount to all of our creditors. As we pay off accounts, we can often keep the credit lines open--but not to use! Instead we do this to boost our credit score (yes, it's crazy, but you have to have open credit lines to get a good credit score--it seems more sensible that if you have a certain income and less credit extended to you, there would be less risk of getting into trouble over-extending yourself, but there it is...). Now we have paid off 2/3 of our original debt. It is very satisfying to watch account after account drop off the list. In addition, we are very careful now when making any credit purchase (an extremely rare occurrence).
So, my suggestion is that if you find yourself slowly sinking under the weight of your credit card bills, renegotiate or have a service do it for you, and then get out the scissors! Take a deep breath, tighten your belt and start living within your means--it won't be nearly as bad as you imagine and you will begin to develop a little of that quality we will all need in the coming years: restraint.
Check out The Motley Fool website for helpful tips for getting out of debt: http://www.fool.com/personal-finance/credit/index.aspx
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