It's that time of year when you can juuuuuuust about smell spring in the air, but there's still snow on the ground. That time of year when the days are getting longer but still not long enough. That time of year when you start thinking about how nice it will be when fresh fruit and vegetables start growing again.
For those of us who aren't lucky enough to be able to "grow our own" for reasons of time, money, or simple lack of garden space, a great alternative is to buy a farm share or participate in a community farming association. Community Supported Agriculture programmes are available in several countries and regions. Just google "CSA [your area]" to find one near you. By doing this, I've found CSA farms in many Canadian provinces and US states, as well as in England.
Here's the basic principle:
A farmer sells a certain number of "shares" to individuals in the community.
Individuals purchase these shares in late winter or early spring (aka NOW), providing farmers with starter income for the upcoming season.
The farmer then provides its shareholders with weekly or bi-weekly 'baskets' of produce from the farm throughout the production season. Shareholders usually have to pick up their shares at a pre-determined location.
However, if the farm has a good season, shareholders can make gains too, as the equivalent cost of the produce is higher than the initial cost of the share.
So you're supporting local farmers, and getting discounted produce at the same time. Oh, and did I mention that these farms often use organic methods, and many are actually certified organic? Sounds like win-win-win to me!
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a gamble. If there is a poor harvesting season,
or if the farmer is unable to maintain the farm for whatever reason, you
may not receive your food. Read the terms and conditions of the shares
closely before you buy to make sure you understand the potential risks.
Look around to find a farm which suits your needs. There are certified organic farms, there are some which allow you to substitute fresh produce with preserves, there are some which provide smaller baskets, or more flexibility, or who offer home delivery. Some also provide meat or eggs. Also consider the growing period - some farms grow produce with a smaller harvesting window, so will provide you with fewer baskets through the summer, whereas others will continue into the fall.
This year, I'm splitting a farm share with a friend. Each share should be enough to satisfy both of us and then some. We're getting 23 weeks' worth of baskets, starting in May. You can be sure there will be photos in good time! I can't wait!
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Friday, 22 February 2013
Tuesday, 12 February 2013
Accepting the things we cannot change, and changing the things we cannot accept
If you haven't heard of the horsemeat scandal which is shaking the UK, here's a brief overview. Cheap minced meat from several low-priced product lines (for example 6/1pound burgers) has been found to contain horse DNA - sometimes up to 100% of the product is proven to be horse. Blame abounds, with fingers pointing at everyone from consumers to supermarkets to European mafia.
Side note: another big problem is the traces of porcine (yes, pig) DNA found in halal-branded food. That's a problem. A big problem. But outside my present argument.
In fact, food fraud seems to happen fairly frequently - we just don't realize it. I'm fairly certain the honey in my fridge (which I bought from a bulk bargain store) is actually coloured corn syrup, and I wouldn't be at all shocked that the cheapest store brand olive oil in my cupboard is just a cheap alternative. But you know what? I'm ok with that. The products serve their purpose in my food preparation. Also, I can't afford pure honey bought from a beekeeper, nor can I afford pure olive oil. I've accepted this. I'm ok with it, if not happy.
As for horsemeat, my personal view is that horsemeat must be pretty tasty if it's been passed it off as beef for so long. I personally have no problem with eating horse. However, I do have a problem when packaging says "100% beef" and the contents turns out to be Black Beauty rather than Buttercup. In England at least, the horsemeat industry is not as regulated as the beef one - the meat may contain many chemicals which may be harmful to us as consumers. This is a big problem.
If you do have an issue with eating horsemeat, then consider the wider picture. If a manufacturing company has managed to fool everyone with what animal is in their food, what else are you being tricked about? How have they managed this?
The only answer I can give is that the manufacturing chains are too damn long. We have no idea what's in our food anymore. Mostly, it's food - but what food, where, and how was it produced? We just don't know.
So we as consumers have two options:
It's also possible to get CSAs for meat, but I just don't have a big enough freezer to store half a cow or a whole pig. Sadly.
The capitalist world we live in emphasizes profit over quality. That's a shame, and it makes living on a tight budget an occasionally morally questionable practice. So my challenge to myself, to you, to the world is to choose what is acceptable and what isn't.
I've made my choices, what are yours?
Side note: another big problem is the traces of porcine (yes, pig) DNA found in halal-branded food. That's a problem. A big problem. But outside my present argument.
In fact, food fraud seems to happen fairly frequently - we just don't realize it. I'm fairly certain the honey in my fridge (which I bought from a bulk bargain store) is actually coloured corn syrup, and I wouldn't be at all shocked that the cheapest store brand olive oil in my cupboard is just a cheap alternative. But you know what? I'm ok with that. The products serve their purpose in my food preparation. Also, I can't afford pure honey bought from a beekeeper, nor can I afford pure olive oil. I've accepted this. I'm ok with it, if not happy.
As for horsemeat, my personal view is that horsemeat must be pretty tasty if it's been passed it off as beef for so long. I personally have no problem with eating horse. However, I do have a problem when packaging says "100% beef" and the contents turns out to be Black Beauty rather than Buttercup. In England at least, the horsemeat industry is not as regulated as the beef one - the meat may contain many chemicals which may be harmful to us as consumers. This is a big problem.
If you do have an issue with eating horsemeat, then consider the wider picture. If a manufacturing company has managed to fool everyone with what animal is in their food, what else are you being tricked about? How have they managed this?
The only answer I can give is that the manufacturing chains are too damn long. We have no idea what's in our food anymore. Mostly, it's food - but what food, where, and how was it produced? We just don't know.
So we as consumers have two options:
- We accept that we will never know what we're eating again.
- We don't accept this, and we take steps to change.
It's also possible to get CSAs for meat, but I just don't have a big enough freezer to store half a cow or a whole pig. Sadly.
The capitalist world we live in emphasizes profit over quality. That's a shame, and it makes living on a tight budget an occasionally morally questionable practice. So my challenge to myself, to you, to the world is to choose what is acceptable and what isn't.
I've made my choices, what are yours?
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Tip #20 - Cook in bulk, freeze in portions
I started a crazy budget plan last week. When I first planned it out I was positive the hardest category would be the food. I mean, $35/week for food? That's not a whole lot, right? Boy was I wrong.
Though I have gone over my weekly food limit for both weeks, that was mainly due to my stocking my cupboards with staples, spices, etc. In fact, I'll probably only spend about $15 next week, and that's partly because butter is on sale and I plan to stock up.
The way I've managed this is by first buying and cooking in bulk. I'm not talking about bulk in the normal sense - there are no 5kg bags of pasta or rice in my cupboards. But for my only mouth to feed, I certainly don't need 3kg of ground beef. But it was on sale, so I bought it. And then froze it in two 1.5kg batches. I also bought a whole chicken (also on sale - see how this works?) and froze it.
The next step is to cook in bulk. I'll make portions big enough for an entire family, even though it's just me eating. I take what I want for my meal, then separate the rest into freezer containers. This way, my food stays fresh, and future preparation takes all of three minutes.
In the past two weeks I've made:
- A giant pot of pasta sauce (9 servings)
- A shepherd's pie (4 servings)
- Squash soup (5 servings)
- Carrot soup (5 servings)
- Whole chicken (1 serving + 2 pots of leftovers)
- Chicken and vegetable soup (5 servings, from various leftovers)
- 2 loaves of bread (1 frozen)
- 2L of granola (this is about what I'll eat in a week and a half; no freezing required, but is possible)
I'll also admit to the fact that I also have frozen perogies as a lazy-day meal.
My normal shopping day is Saturday (only 2 days away), yet my freezer is full, and so is my fridge. So I will likely not need to buy anything aside from my butter this week. And maybe treat myself to some pickles. I know, I'm pretty intense.
This trend may change eventually. I may find that, one day, $35 is just not enough to feed me for the week. But for now, I'm buying in bulk, cooking in bulk, and freezing in portions.
Extra added bonus time: home-cooked food has made me feel incredibly full. I'm eating less by volume than I normally would. If I had a set of scales, I'd guess I'm probably losing weight too. So I'm saving money and taking care of my body too!
Though I have gone over my weekly food limit for both weeks, that was mainly due to my stocking my cupboards with staples, spices, etc. In fact, I'll probably only spend about $15 next week, and that's partly because butter is on sale and I plan to stock up.
The way I've managed this is by first buying and cooking in bulk. I'm not talking about bulk in the normal sense - there are no 5kg bags of pasta or rice in my cupboards. But for my only mouth to feed, I certainly don't need 3kg of ground beef. But it was on sale, so I bought it. And then froze it in two 1.5kg batches. I also bought a whole chicken (also on sale - see how this works?) and froze it.
The next step is to cook in bulk. I'll make portions big enough for an entire family, even though it's just me eating. I take what I want for my meal, then separate the rest into freezer containers. This way, my food stays fresh, and future preparation takes all of three minutes.
In the past two weeks I've made:
- A giant pot of pasta sauce (9 servings)
- A shepherd's pie (4 servings)
- Squash soup (5 servings)
- Carrot soup (5 servings)
- Whole chicken (1 serving + 2 pots of leftovers)
- Chicken and vegetable soup (5 servings, from various leftovers)
- 2 loaves of bread (1 frozen)
- 2L of granola (this is about what I'll eat in a week and a half; no freezing required, but is possible)
I'll also admit to the fact that I also have frozen perogies as a lazy-day meal.
My normal shopping day is Saturday (only 2 days away), yet my freezer is full, and so is my fridge. So I will likely not need to buy anything aside from my butter this week. And maybe treat myself to some pickles. I know, I'm pretty intense.
This trend may change eventually. I may find that, one day, $35 is just not enough to feed me for the week. But for now, I'm buying in bulk, cooking in bulk, and freezing in portions.
Extra added bonus time: home-cooked food has made me feel incredibly full. I'm eating less by volume than I normally would. If I had a set of scales, I'd guess I'm probably losing weight too. So I'm saving money and taking care of my body too!
Monday, 21 January 2013
Tip #19 - Cold-fighting on a budget
It's that time of year. I've got a cold. It's not the worst cold I've ever had. It's not a full-frontal assault, but more of a long, drawn out feeling of unwellness, slowly sapping my strength.
I used to run out to the drug store for expensive medication as soon as I felt the first sign of a stuffy nose. But I just can't afford those at the moment. So what to do?
Get lots of sleep
Sleep is absolutely, hands-down the best cure for a cold. Your body needs time to fight the viruses attacking it, and can't do that when it's over-tired.
Last night, I managed to sleep for 11 3/4 hours. I feel SO MUCH BETTER this morning.
I understand, however, that it's not always possible to sleep as much as that. You may have work or child commitments, for example. If this applies to you, make sure you get as much sleep as physically possible. Take naps during the day when you can. Miss out on that drink with your friends. Take a rain-cheque on that sports game.
If you keep forcing yourself to continue as if you weren't sick, your cold will drag on longer.
Oh, and work-time aside, sleep is completely, 100% free.
Drink lots of fluids
This sounds really obvious. But it has to be stated.
Fluids do NOT include: alcohol, coffee, sugary soft drinks (one exception, see below), sugary fruit juices, and it's best to avoid milk.
Fluids DO include: pure fruit juices, water, uncaffeinated herbal tea, water, and mixes like hot lemon and honey, hot lemon and ginger, and cranberry juice and gingerale, and more water.
Water, natural fruit juices which contain vitamin C, and ginger are all helpful to kick your immune system into action.
No-sugar added cranberry juice mixed ginger ale is a remedy I learned from a Chinese woman who owned a corner store near where I used to live in university. She saw me come in, still in my pyjamas, with a runny red nose, panic-buying throat lozenges and kleenex. Bad look. Simply mix the cranberry juice and ginger ale at a 1-1 ratio. The ginger and vitamin C both help fight your cold, and the bubbles help break up mucus. The science may be questionable, but it works.
Currently, I'm too cheap even for cranberry juice and ginger ale. So I'm drinking LOADS of water, with slices of lemon cut into it. The lemon slices help me get my vitamin C, and the citric acid helps my throat (at least, it seems to!)
Change humidity levels
If you're congested, I've always found the best way to ease some of the pressure is to change the humidity of the air around you. This can be with the help of a humidifier, but you could also use a kettle or a hot mug of tea, take a hot shower or bath, or go for a walk. The humidity levels between inside and outside will be very different, and will help you out in the short term.
Chicken soup for your soul
Chicken soup actually does have medicinal benefits when it comes to colds and flu. Yummy and good!
Gargle with salt water
If you have a sore throat as part of your cold fun, gargle with warm water mixed with a table spoon of salt. It tastes disgusting, but it works by sterilizing your throat and helping to kill some of the bacteria.
I also find that other salty food have the same result. Dill pickles and pot noodles are my two favourites. Just be careful if you are on a low-sodium diet.
Make sure you eat
Being sick can cause you to lose your appetite. But you absolutely need to eat. Your body needs calories and vitamins. So anything you can take in will help. Potatoes, lentils, red meat, green vegetables, and fruits are all full of lots of vitamins which your body needs. Last night for example I had a baked potato with spaghetti Bolognese sauce and cheese. It was just the right size, and very medicinal.
If you're on a diet, it may have to go out the window for the worst part of the cold. I'm not saying you should eat processed food. But most celebrity fad diets barely contain the number of calories required to get through a day normally, let along while sick. So eat up!
If all else fails...
If your cold is like the raging fire of hell, and you can't go on without some over-the-counter intervention, try to stick with store brands. The contents will be the same, the result will be the same, but your wallet will thank you.
Are there any home remedies that I've missed? Let me know!
I used to run out to the drug store for expensive medication as soon as I felt the first sign of a stuffy nose. But I just can't afford those at the moment. So what to do?
Get lots of sleep
Sleep is absolutely, hands-down the best cure for a cold. Your body needs time to fight the viruses attacking it, and can't do that when it's over-tired.
Last night, I managed to sleep for 11 3/4 hours. I feel SO MUCH BETTER this morning.
I understand, however, that it's not always possible to sleep as much as that. You may have work or child commitments, for example. If this applies to you, make sure you get as much sleep as physically possible. Take naps during the day when you can. Miss out on that drink with your friends. Take a rain-cheque on that sports game.
If you keep forcing yourself to continue as if you weren't sick, your cold will drag on longer.
Oh, and work-time aside, sleep is completely, 100% free.
Drink lots of fluids
This sounds really obvious. But it has to be stated.
Fluids do NOT include: alcohol, coffee, sugary soft drinks (one exception, see below), sugary fruit juices, and it's best to avoid milk.
Fluids DO include: pure fruit juices, water, uncaffeinated herbal tea, water, and mixes like hot lemon and honey, hot lemon and ginger, and cranberry juice and gingerale, and more water.
Water, natural fruit juices which contain vitamin C, and ginger are all helpful to kick your immune system into action.
No-sugar added cranberry juice mixed ginger ale is a remedy I learned from a Chinese woman who owned a corner store near where I used to live in university. She saw me come in, still in my pyjamas, with a runny red nose, panic-buying throat lozenges and kleenex. Bad look. Simply mix the cranberry juice and ginger ale at a 1-1 ratio. The ginger and vitamin C both help fight your cold, and the bubbles help break up mucus. The science may be questionable, but it works.
Currently, I'm too cheap even for cranberry juice and ginger ale. So I'm drinking LOADS of water, with slices of lemon cut into it. The lemon slices help me get my vitamin C, and the citric acid helps my throat (at least, it seems to!)
Change humidity levels
If you're congested, I've always found the best way to ease some of the pressure is to change the humidity of the air around you. This can be with the help of a humidifier, but you could also use a kettle or a hot mug of tea, take a hot shower or bath, or go for a walk. The humidity levels between inside and outside will be very different, and will help you out in the short term.
Chicken soup for your soul
Chicken soup actually does have medicinal benefits when it comes to colds and flu. Yummy and good!
Gargle with salt water
If you have a sore throat as part of your cold fun, gargle with warm water mixed with a table spoon of salt. It tastes disgusting, but it works by sterilizing your throat and helping to kill some of the bacteria.
I also find that other salty food have the same result. Dill pickles and pot noodles are my two favourites. Just be careful if you are on a low-sodium diet.
Make sure you eat
Being sick can cause you to lose your appetite. But you absolutely need to eat. Your body needs calories and vitamins. So anything you can take in will help. Potatoes, lentils, red meat, green vegetables, and fruits are all full of lots of vitamins which your body needs. Last night for example I had a baked potato with spaghetti Bolognese sauce and cheese. It was just the right size, and very medicinal.
If you're on a diet, it may have to go out the window for the worst part of the cold. I'm not saying you should eat processed food. But most celebrity fad diets barely contain the number of calories required to get through a day normally, let along while sick. So eat up!
If all else fails...
If your cold is like the raging fire of hell, and you can't go on without some over-the-counter intervention, try to stick with store brands. The contents will be the same, the result will be the same, but your wallet will thank you.
Are there any home remedies that I've missed? Let me know!
Friday, 11 January 2013
Tip #18 - Make a Budget
Tomorrow's a big day for me! I'm moving into a shared two bedroom apartment, so for the first time in several months I can actually budget some expenses. Living without a fixed address can be expensive because it's hard to plan where all your money will go, and how much you will have at the end of the month.
I've decided that, because I have an unsteady income through self-employment, I would set myself a strict budget which I know I can manage for at least six months on my current account balance. That amount is $1000 Canadian per month. This will be really really hard, but I think I can do it.
To make a basic budget, follow these simple steps:
1- If you can, write down how much you make each month.
2- Write down your fixed expenses: These are things which are not optional, which have a fixed monthly or yearly cost, and which can't be negotiated. Things like mortgage, rent, car payment.
[3- Write down your debt repayment costs: If you have debts, you need to make note of how much this is costing you each month. Total debt repayment shouldn't be much more than 8% of your income unless you're amazingly rich. It must be manageable - without only paying the minimum amount.]*
4- Write down your non-luxury variable expenses: Things like food, phone bill, Internet, transportation (gas, bus pass), and insurances come into this category. These expenses are ones which you have some flexibility over how much to spend, but still have to be paid each month.
5- Write down your luxury expenses: Beauty costs, entertainment, sporting events, clothing all fall into this category. I would personally put a gym membership here too, but that's up for debate depending on your situation.
6- Write down how much you are putting aside in savings and/or retirement each month. This can't be 0!
*Note: I put #3 in brackets because, like myself, you may have no debts. This should mean more money in #5 ;)
The total of 2-6 shouldn't exceed the number in 1 - if it does, you will simply increase your debts further. To fix this, go through your luxury and non-luxury variable expenses to see where you can cut back. This may take some time and effort, and may well be very difficult. It requires a very future-oriented thought process. You need to know why you want to save more money, why it will be beneficial in the future, to your family or to yourself.
7- STICK TO YOUR BUDGET
Because of my uncertain income, I came at my own budget in a slightly different way, by deciding how much I was willing and able to spend each month, and working backwards to see how much I could spend in each category.
Here is my final monthly budget:
So that's a pretty tight budget. You'll notice that I have no line in there for "savings" - that's because, since I don't have a steady income, I plan on putting everything outside the $1000/month into savings. (What can I say, I'm a saver!)
I will be posting quite a bit about how I've managed to stay within this budget. I think the food bit will be the hardest. $35/week for food just doesn't go very far, despite food not being taxed in Canada. I'm slightly cheating by stocking up with "essentials" using Christmas money (about $125 worth), but otherwise all my food will have to fit within this budget. Wish me luck!
I've decided that, because I have an unsteady income through self-employment, I would set myself a strict budget which I know I can manage for at least six months on my current account balance. That amount is $1000 Canadian per month. This will be really really hard, but I think I can do it.
To make a basic budget, follow these simple steps:
1- If you can, write down how much you make each month.
2- Write down your fixed expenses: These are things which are not optional, which have a fixed monthly or yearly cost, and which can't be negotiated. Things like mortgage, rent, car payment.
[3- Write down your debt repayment costs: If you have debts, you need to make note of how much this is costing you each month. Total debt repayment shouldn't be much more than 8% of your income unless you're amazingly rich. It must be manageable - without only paying the minimum amount.]*
4- Write down your non-luxury variable expenses: Things like food, phone bill, Internet, transportation (gas, bus pass), and insurances come into this category. These expenses are ones which you have some flexibility over how much to spend, but still have to be paid each month.
5- Write down your luxury expenses: Beauty costs, entertainment, sporting events, clothing all fall into this category. I would personally put a gym membership here too, but that's up for debate depending on your situation.
6- Write down how much you are putting aside in savings and/or retirement each month. This can't be 0!
*Note: I put #3 in brackets because, like myself, you may have no debts. This should mean more money in #5 ;)
The total of 2-6 shouldn't exceed the number in 1 - if it does, you will simply increase your debts further. To fix this, go through your luxury and non-luxury variable expenses to see where you can cut back. This may take some time and effort, and may well be very difficult. It requires a very future-oriented thought process. You need to know why you want to save more money, why it will be beneficial in the future, to your family or to yourself.
7- STICK TO YOUR BUDGET
Because of my uncertain income, I came at my own budget in a slightly different way, by deciding how much I was willing and able to spend each month, and working backwards to see how much I could spend in each category.
Here is my final monthly budget:
Rent: $430 (all inclusive, including Internet and cable)
Phone: $46 (after taxes)
Food: $148.75 ($35/week)
Transportation: $106.25 ($25/week)
Entertainment: $63.75 ($15/week)
Clothing and gifts: $63.75 ($15/week)
Other: 141.50 (includes insurance, sundries, and any 'float' needed in other categories)
Total: $1000
So that's a pretty tight budget. You'll notice that I have no line in there for "savings" - that's because, since I don't have a steady income, I plan on putting everything outside the $1000/month into savings. (What can I say, I'm a saver!)
I will be posting quite a bit about how I've managed to stay within this budget. I think the food bit will be the hardest. $35/week for food just doesn't go very far, despite food not being taxed in Canada. I'm slightly cheating by stocking up with "essentials" using Christmas money (about $125 worth), but otherwise all my food will have to fit within this budget. Wish me luck!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)