Life is a Trade-Off

Are you in sticker shock over prices at the gas pump?

You're not alone!

Remember the good old days when gas stations actually gave premiums with purchase?  And the price per gallon could be measured in cents not dollars?

In my budget gas and groceries are lumped together.  I have X dollars for what I call my "allowance" which must cover gas, groceries, incidentals, sundries, you name it.  When the price of gas goes UP, what remains for groceries etc goes DOWN.  Yet when I walk into the supermarket the cost of fuel has adversely affected the cost of groceries.  For example: a 12-pack of Diet Coke that was $3.99 two months ago is now $4.88.  Uh-huh.  So, I have less to spend for groceries, but groceries cost more so the cart is emptier when I get to the checkout.

It's obvious trade-offs are in order.

-- Make your own.  I've started making my own pizza -- at home, from scratch, including the crust -- and the first attempt was swoon-worthy.  I'll never go back to take-out or frozen again.  Cheap and cheerful pizza.   Recipe on request.

-- If a 6 pound bag of boneless, skinless chicken breasts is $19.99 and a 6 pound bag of boneless, skinless chicken thighs is $14.99, guess which one I'm buying now?

-- Salads are good for you!  And cheap and cheerful.  I have a salad every night before dinner... romaine, celery, radishes, green onion, green pepper, parsley, home grown basil fresh picked from my container garden, topped with grated parmesan, a squeeze of fresh lime, and a dash of extra virgin olive oil.

-- Baked potatoes.  I've made a baked potato a weekend dinner entree.   Toppings range from chili to chicken ala king to sausage gravy.   Or butter, pepper, green onions, parmesan cheese with a dollop of sour cream.

-- Brown bagging it to work.  I've taken my lunch to work for so long I can't remember when I didn't.

How has the rising cost of fuel affected YOUR wallet?  What trade-offs have YOU made?

Penny Pincher