This weekend I was reading “You're Broke Because You Want to Be: How to Let Go and Start Moving Forward” by Larry Winget. (A great read, by the way. The advice isn't groundbreaking, but his straight-talking and no-nonsense approach is delightful.) Still, in the book he says many financially insecure people don't eat often, if at all. I agree. Eating out is expensive and easy to lose. The food adds up before you realize how much you've spent. It is much cheaper to cook at home. We all know this already.
When I continued to think about it, I came up with a model of that statement that Mr. Winget should include it in his next program. Financially secure people eat leftovers. I realize I may have opened a can of worms here. I've met a few people in my life who strongly defend the reasons why they won't eat leftovers. Children don't eat it. It does not heat well. It is painful to store excess food. And it continues.
As a remaining lover, I don't buy anything. When do children begin to say what is served for dinner? If they don't like it, send them not to eat. There are few things that won't reheat properly, if you pay attention to food requirements and don't just blindly throw it in the microwave on high for five minutes and hope for the best.
I think that many of these reasons are a cover for the real problem, which is that some people feel that fossils are beneath them. It's not hard to understand, I think. The USA is a land of plenty and we encourage people to make the best of it. The rest, in many people's eyes, are not the best. Why eat leftovers when you can have “fresh” food? Isn't the rest for people who have no other choice? Before you say I'm coming here, let me assure you that I've heard real people make statements like this. While I doubt they're alone, I'm willing to bet that most of the excuses people give for not eating leftovers are their PC versions of “It's not good for me (or my kids).”
Regardless of the reasons people give for refusing leftovers, the result is the same. Waste. It wastes money and resources to simply throw away food. I don't see how anyone comfortable with such waste can be financially free, at least not for long. It seems to me that those who carelessly throw away excess food are also not very careful with their money.
Throwing the best food in the trash is like throwing money in the trash. You paid for that meal. To get your money out of it, you need to eat it. If you pay $10 to enter a restaurant, eat half and leave the rest behind, throw five dollars in the trash can. Is that smart? No. Will this lead to long-term financial security? It's impossible. So with that being said, what are some of the reasons for leftovers and how can you make them delicious if you or your kids really struggle with them?
Save money
This is one of the biggest reasons for leftovers. If you bring your leftovers home from a restaurant or eat leftovers from something cooked at home, you get full value for what you paid. And one less meal to pay for, thus lowering your overall food bills.
They make it easy for the cook in the family
As the designated cook in our household, let me tell you that people in my household would starve if not for leftovers. I don't want to cook every night. I have other things I want to do. I take every opportunity I can to give away leftovers. In fact, I purposely make many dishes that I know will be served more than once. It allows me to maximize my time.
It gives you a good lunch
If you always carry brownies for lunch, you will probably get tired of sandwiches. Why not bring your leftovers to the steakhouse? Watch your co-workers drool as they eat their bologna sandwiches.
It reduces or eliminates waste
Food waste goes to landfill. It not only wastes food, but also the resources that made it. The cow had to die for your meat. Is it right for a cow to throw part of it in the garbage? Is it right for the farmer who spent his time and labor on those vegetables to throw them in the trash? Not to mention the energy that goes into preparing and preparing the food, as well as the packaging used. It's not just throwing food in the trash. You're wasting all the work, energy, and resources that went into that meal, too. The USDA estimates that Americans waste 96 billion pounds a year. One study estimates that we throw away one out of every three grocery bags we buy. One out of three bags you bring home from the store is probably lost. Stop and think about that for a second. It blows your mind, doesn't it?
It shows overall financial responsibility
If the leftover food is “below” you and you are willing to waste that money, you probably have serious financial problems. You are not willing to do the work and make the sacrifices necessary to bring wealth into your life. You may be reluctant to take a job that may not be your dream job, but it allows you to pay the bills. You may not be willing to pick up change off the street, or buy the best stuff you can find. In times of financial crisis, you may be the one who doesn't cut cable TV. There is an attitude that says, “I don't have to do that because I'm better educated, smarter, richer, etc.” I'm not saying leftovers will make you millions, but it can be an indicator of how you view finances and your willingness to do what it takes to move forward in life.
It is more healthy
Dining portions are large. It's much better for your waistline to split the bowl in half and eat it in two meals instead of cramming it all at once. Leftovers from something you made at home are also better than eating too much at one meal. You may find yourself losing weight by eating leftovers.
You don't have to eat it on back-to-back days
So you just had spaghetti yesterday and you don't want it again today. Who said you have to eat it today? Most foods will keep for several days if refrigerated properly (and some can be frozen for longer). Skip your meals so you don't eat the same thing the next day. Or use leftovers as a starter for a new dish. Use leftover meat and vegetables as ingredients for a stew, for example, or combine all of the week's leftovers and have a buffet on Friday night.
Invest in containers that make it easier to transport and eat
Don't want to take your leftovers to work because they're messy or annoying? Invest in reusable plastic containers of various sizes to make it easy to store, heat and transport food without hassle or hassle. If something makes a delicious snack for kids, like mac and cheese, consider putting some of it in small, snack-sized containers to encourage kids to eat it. If they can reheat and eat without having to hunt for plates and bowls to feed them, they may accept leftovers.
Learn how to heat food properly
Some foods should not be cut in the second round because they become bitter. Cook these in the oven or toaster oven. Others should be added to the skillet. Some foods are best eaten cold the second time. Experiment until you can get the food to come out as good the second time as it did the first time. It is possible.
Learn how to add leftovers to get rid of dullness
Some foods need more seasoning the second time around. Keep a stock of basic spices or sauces on hand and experiment until you learn which foods need which spices to survive.
You spend less on fuel
I can hear it now. What is left of the associated gas? All the leftovers you eat postpone that trip to the grocery store for longer, saving you the gas needed to get there. Since gas isn't going anywhere but up, eating at home as much as possible saves money in many areas of the food budget.
Write down what the items are and when they are put in the fridge
This makes it easy to see what you have and when to eat it to avoid spoilage. No more guess work or, “But I didn't know we had that” moments.
Learn to cook and shop knowing that you will eat leftovers
If you know there are certain things you can't eat as leftovers, don't buy them or make them unless you're prepared to eat them all at once. Only cook and buy food that you know someone is willing to eat again. Otherwise, you are wasting money and food.
Save time
If you are very busy, having a fridge full of leftovers is a great option for quick meals. You can warm up and go without doing anything new. This is great for those nights when people are rushing to work and the only other option is to drive to McDonalds. (Also, by not eating fast food, you save more money, see #1, and become healthier, see #6.)
I hope you are now converted to the idea of eating leftovers. However, if you can't completely adapt to the concept of leftovers, buy and order less. Share meals at restaurants or order small items such as appetizers. Buy and prepare enough for your family to eat once. Smart shopping and ordering still saves money and eliminates waste, but it doesn't make you eat leftovers.
(Image courtesy of ->Alpha)
Source link
