Frugal Kick

Frugal Breakfast: Carrot Bran Muffins

I've been on a muffin kick lately and discovered a wholesome, easy recipe that even my toddler likes. I kid you not, I've gotten her to eat carrot bran muffins! Muffins are a great alternative to cold cereal and my usual go-to quick fixes like Eggo waffles and the dreaded Pop Tart. They are loaded with sugar and quite pricey relative to the low nutritional value. Plus I love the smell of fresh-baked muffins filling the house in the morning.

This carrot bran muffin recipe is from the book "The 250 Best Muffin Recipes" by Esther Brody. In frugal fashion, I checked it out from my local library.

1 cup All-Bran cereal
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup finely shredded carrots (approx. 2 medium)
3 tbsp oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp cinnamon or allspice
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line or grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
2. In a bowl, combine bran cereal and buttermilk. Let stand for 5 minutes. Add egg, carrots, and oil; mix well.
3. In another bowl combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and bran mixture; stir just until blended.
4. Spoon batter into prepared muffin tin, dividing evenly. Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until browned.

These muffins freeze exceptionally well. They are sturdy and remain moist inside. Allow the muffins to cool completely then place them in a Ziploc freezer bag. To serve warm, microwave briefly or reheat in a toaster oven.

 

Frugal Lessons Learned

One of my favorite comedians, Mitch Fatel, tells a joke about his sister having cases of ketchup stockpiled in her basement. Mr. Fatel points out how foolish that is because if times get tough, her money is tied up in ketchup. And that the wiser solution would be to stop eating foods that require ketchup.

So with that in mind, I reflect on some key frugal principles I've learned so far on my journey to frugality, the first of which is a take-off of Mr. Fatel's observation.

• Stash your cash in liquid assets (ketchup doesn't count). Lose the Costco mentality and buy what you need, when you need it. Only buy in bulk for those items that you use a lot of and can go through in two weeks, at most. The cash you're saving should go into a savings account.
• For a larger purchase, buy the best quality you can afford and then take care of what you buy and treat it as if you will never buy another one again.
• Every little bit counts. Don't set yourself up for failure by adopting an all or nothing mentality.
• Organize. The better organized your home is, the easier it is to know what you do or don't have. Plus, you're less likely to lose things that you'd then have to go out and replace. Countless times I have purchased something (everything from a bottle of cinnamon to a sheet set), only to later discover I already had that item stashed in a cupboard or buried in the back of a closet.
• Plan. Planning is a huge money saver because convenience costs. Whether that means purchasing prepared foods as a last minute dinner, or buying a last minute gift or school supplies that you could've purchased on sale or with a coupon with a bit of planning.
• Limit trips to the store or mall or, in this age, online stores. The less time you spend there, the less you're likely to spend.   

Getting Started with Bentos

I pack lunch for Bee and I each evening after dinner. It saves at least $10-15 dollars daily and makes good use of dinner leftovers that might otherwise go uneaten.

The bento boxes I recently purchased make packing lunches easy. I favor the boxes that include 2-3 removable trays such as this box by Asvel because I can pack both hot and cold foods and remove the hot portion for reheating. The trays also keep the food flavors separate and the overall presentation is appetizing.

So far, my favorite sources for bento boxes and related supplies are a local Japanese market called Marukai, its related discount store called Marukai 98 Cent, and eBay. There are several bento box sellers on eBay, many of whom ship directly from Japan. I got several cute, cartoon character boxes with matching lunch bags for Bee this way.

You Don't Have to Sit at Home to be Frugal

My philosophy on my new frugal lifestyle is that it must be sustainable. Which is why I also do not believe in diets. These are lifestyle changes, not quick fixes.

In order to sustain this frugal lifestyle, it must include entertainment and fun. I love to travel, go to concerts, and occasionally indulge myself at a spa. I recently discovered Goldstar which offers discount tickets, spa experiences, and a variety of entertainment options for less than full price. All you do is sign up, and there is no membership fee.