Frugal Foo

Understand how to read your car tyre load and speed ratings so that you buy the correct tyre you need rather than an expensive tyre you don't.

New tyres were fitted to my car last week at the local tyre shop and do you know what's strange?  It seems I've had an upgrade to a higher performance specification of the tyres and I can't even remember asking for one.

Now I'm not saying they are bad tyres.  No doubt I got what I paid for.  The point is I didn't ask for a faster or greater load bearing tyre than what was fitted as original equipment when the car rolled off the showroom floor.  I was unknowingly upgraded to a tyre with greater load bearing and faster speed ratings because I didn't bother to look at my car tyre placard and understand what I actually need to buy for my car.

Previously in this blog I've written about the money wasted when we fill up with premium fuel that has higher octane than we need.  Fuel prices are constantly on our minds since we fill up regularly.  It's easy to forget the couple of dollars worth of rubber that is worn off the circumference of our tyres every time we commute to work and back.  Eventually it catches up and we head down to the tyre shop.  We are potentially buying more tyre than we really need unless we take a few simple steps to understand the exact requirement for our particular car.  And just like unleaded fuel, our vehicle manufacturer has already specified the correct tyre for our car to make our shopping around much easier.

How to read your Tyre Placard
A little knowledge upfront will improve your chances of making an informed choice of best fit for YOU and your budget.  The manufacturers of modern passenger cars specify the correct tyre to be fitted to the car on the tyre placard located in the glove-box or on the driver door pillar or under the bonnet of the car.  The tyre code listed on this placard, specifies the size, and the load-bearing and speed requirements of the tyre for the car.


The tyre code which I have circled in red specifies the size, load and speed requirements for the tyres on my car.  The load and speed symbol is underlined.

When replacing worn tyres on a passenger car, the most simple approach is a like-for-like replacement so that you can legally resume driving as before.  Let's assume you're happy with the size and profile of the original tyres and unless you want to mess about with the engineering of the vehicle, you'll have little choice but to replace each tyre with another one of the same size.  However when it comes to the load and speed ratings of the tyre product, there is room for an upgrade, and the tyre shop will happily sell you their preferred brand of high performance tyres which may exceed your placarded requirements.

Tyre Size
The first part of the tyre code 195/55R15 is specifying the size.  It matches the code imprinted on the sidewall of all four tyres.  That code means that the tyre should be 195mm wide, have a height profile which is 55% of the width and be a Radial tyre for a 15 inch rim.  You are unlikely to want to deviate from this size specification during routine replacement of worn tyres.  You can see below that the tyre size is the same for my front and rear tyres as you would expect.

Load and Speed
You may have noticed that the load and speed rating in the placard of 84V matches only one of the tyres in the above photos.  A load rating of 84 means 500kg per tyre, and a speed code of V means 240km/h.  But my new front tyres have a load rating of 85 which means 515kg per tyre.  The tables I have used to determine the index are here. 

My new tyres have a load bearing capacity exceeding my tyre placard.  There may well have been a good reason for this and one small upgrade may not seem like much to worry about.  Now I run a mixed set of tyres, which I expect is safe, but when it comes time to replace my worn front tyres, there will be justification to fit tyres with a load rating of 85 to match the existing pair.  And so the cycle continues.  I have also seen this done with speed ratings, gradually edging up to higher performing tyres over time.

If you rotate your tyres at regular intervals aiming for uniform wear across all four, then you may replace all tyres at one time.  You then have the opportunity to fit four tyres which are exactly the same and can choose to return to original equipment level of performance if that is what you desire and it better suits your budget.


Your Tyre Short List
Armed with the tyre code from your tyre placard, you can visit the websites of your favourite brands of tyre, punch in the code, and examine the options available to you.  Alternatively you can usually enter your car make and model to find the recommended tyre.  My suggestion is to search for tyres both ways because I sometimes found slightly different options listed when I searched with the tyre code, compared with searching based on car make and model.

Price comparison is often not available on the tyre brand websites since what you are after is the fully fitted price.  I found the Tyre Right website to be very useful for this.  Vince Sorrenti provides hilarious running commentary as you step through the process of finding the right tyre.  I found myself messing about entering all sorts of car models just to hear what wisecrack Vince had to say about that car.

Once you understand the tyre codes and have a short list of tyres you like with some idea of prices, you're in a much stronger position at the counter of your local tyre shop to question any recommendations made and steer the deal a little more in your favour.  You might still go for the higher performing tyre but it will be a choice you make rather than a sneaky up-sell.

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If you added up just how many precious hours are spent laying idle in bed during your short time on this planet, you'd probably need to go take a lie down.  This guest post from Any Fowler highlights the importance of finding the right bed.  Spotting the difference between a cheap bed and an inexpensive but good quality bed, will have a huge impact on the quality of your sleep over its many years of regular usage.  Over to you Amy...

Buying a bed can be a bewildering experience. There are so many different types of frame, and so many different mattress designs that it’s difficult to know what a good buy is and what is a gimmick. Even in the world of budget beds, the array of choice available at a mattress discounters is astounding to a first time buyer. So, what are all those different designs? Which ones are good value, and which are a waste of money?

Choose the mattress first

Well, for most people who are looking at budget beds, the priority should be to choose the mattress first. The mattress contributes considerably more to the sleep experience than the bed itself does, and you’ll be much happier in the long run if you get a good mattress on a simple frame, than if you buy a fancy four-poster bed and sling a cheap, poorly sprung mattress on it.

Most mattress discounters offer a selection of mattresses including foam, single coil, interlocking coil, air, and other mattresses. With mattresses, you really do get what you pay for, and it’s better to try to get a high quality mattress with individual pockets or coils than it is to get a cheaper one that will sag after just a few months of use.

Go for sturdy over pretty

When shopping for the bed itself, remember that most low-cost beds are discounted because they’re last year’s design, or they are simple designs with no frills. With that said, there are some mattress discounters that sell more attractive frames where you are sacrificing quality to get an attractive design at a lower price. If you’re choosing a bed that will get used a lot (as opposed to a bed in a guest room that will get used once or twice a year), then avoid ones with weak frames and springs that are likely to give over time. You have more leeway with guest room beds, but it’s still worth shopping with comfort rather than appearance in mind if you want to ensure your guests sleep soundly!

You can save a lot of money by choosing budget beds over ones at designer stores, but you should do some research before you hand over any money at a mattress discounters. Don’t be tempted to skimp too much. A brand name bed from a budget store is a great saving, but a bed that’s so cheap it’s bordering on “too good to be true” could well be a false economy.

Savvy shopping involves knowing when you’re getting a good deal, and when you’re in danger of being pennywise but pound foolish. However, as long as you know what you’re looking for, ask the right questions, and spend some time shopping around, you should get a great deal. Just remember that a typical bed lasts for around ten years. Don’t rush yourself when shopping – a day or two spent finding the perfect bed now will save you from a lot of hassle, and sleepless nights, over the next few years.

This article was written by Amy Fowler on behalf of The Original Factory Shop; stockists of budget beds, clothing and other household goods.

It seems wasteful that I drive myself and 4 empty seats across town each day.  In this post, guest writer Sean Gray explains the many benefits of Ride Sharing and demonstrates that it might even be possible to give up your car.  Sean knows only too well how much of our hard earned money is typically tied up in the cars we own, since his business offers cash for used vehicles.  It's money that I'm sure could be put to better use in our lives.  Foo.

Ride sharing is a great way to save money and the environment by living without a car. Wherever you go, there is a strong chance someone nearby will be able to help you get there, so riding with them and splitting the fuel money can save both of you money.


Aside from the cost of buying a car, fuel and insurance make cars expensive to keep. However, ride sharing allows you to split the cost of fuel with someone else only when you need a ride, and save all the other costs. If you typically drive a lot then the savings could be very significant.

Ride sharing is also a great way to save both time and the environment. Two people riding together who would otherwise drive separately cuts the emissions from the journey in half and helps reduce traffic congestion. There may also be benefits like a high occupancy vehicle lane which gives special priority to those who ride share.

Compensation for the driver should be agreed to before you start a program of ride sharing. As the passenger you should offer a few dollars for fuel, although how much will depend on the length of the trip and the cost of fuel. Some people may be willing to do it for just the additional time and the company.

Ride sharing is a great way to get to work. After all, you make the same journey everyday along with several other people. Ask around your office to find someone who lives near you. Talk to them about ride sharing and let them know you are prepared to cover some of the fuel. Commuting is often one of the biggest costs for car owners and having company on a long commute often makes it feel shorter!

It’s easier to ride share if you live in an area that is relatively well served by public transport then living without a car is great. You can use public transport when you need to get out, which is also generally cheaper than using a car. If you think you may still need a car occasionally then there are car sharing programs around from which you can rent a car for a couple of hours to run an errand.

Another popular type of ride sharing is called slugging. Slugging essentially is a way in which you can find rides. They're are certain areas where people go to pick up individuals to enjoy certain benefits, such as the carpool lane. Slugging is a new invention and it is only popular in a few states, although we should be seeing more of it in a short time.

Finding a place to ride share is easy. There are many ways an individual can go about doing this, the easiest being friends, and also the internet. If you talk to friends and none of them are going in the same direction as you, you should try online. Sites such as craigslist.org have a section for ride share, making hundreds of options available to you. All in all finding a person to carpool with is simple, and should be done more often.

Ride sharing is a great way to save money. Allowing you to sell your car and also live car free, reducing your expenses and still getting everywhere you need to be with the same flexibility through ride sharing.

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Royal Melbourne Show 2011

Saturday 24 September to Tuesday 4 October 2011.
Each year in spring, for the price of an entry ticket, the Royal Melbourne Show offers city slickers the chance to sample some of rural Victoria's finest produce, take a glimpse at country lifestyle and culture, then go spend big on buying  mass produce, imported lollies and toys by the bag full.  Arguably it's a formula that works.  Nobody leaves the show grounds at this time of year without a smile on their face.


There is such a variety of tempting experiences competing for a slice of your day, and a note from your wallet.  Value is discovered by taking the opportunity to do those things which cant be experienced at your local 7 Eleven.  Of course it just wouldn't be show day without indulging in one or two of the gimmicks.  The number one priority is to have fun and remember, the merinos are there to be fleeced, not you.

If you're a family on a budget, there are easily enough "free" activities to fill your day.  Children love to interact with Animals, but they be easily tempted by lollies and rides.  Factor this in to your budget.  Doing everything the Show has to offer in a single day is a tall ask.  Having a game plan for the day is the key.

Planning Tips

• Arrive by public transport or by car.  There is a constant procession of trains between the show grounds railway station and the city.  If you wondered what it was like for the livestock at the show to be herded and crammed into cattle trucks, then your journey home on the train will bring you close to that experience.  Alternatively, car parking is available at the show for $15 which could be cheaper than buying train tickets depending on your circumstances, especially for families traveling from Zone 2 for example.  There is a Show Entry and Travel Saver package which includes public transport but other packages listed later in this post are generally better value if they match your particular requirements.
• Upon arrival at the show grounds, be sure to make your first stop one of the information booths and grab a copy of the timetable for the free Arena entertainment.  Also redeem ride coupons for ride tickets at the information booths.
• Unless you're a pack horse, buy showbags as late as possible.  But be warned, everyone else will be doing this too.  It is bedlam at the showbag pavilion just before it closes at 9:30pm. If leaving right after the nightly fireworks, buy your showbags just before you settle in at the Arena, then you won't be carrying the showbags all over the show grounds all day and you'll have your own supply of munchies from your show bags during the fireworks.
• Not all rides at the Melbourne Show cost the same, but budget around $10 per ride.  The ride coupons that are included with your "Ticket to Ride" entry ticket, can be used like cash at ticket booths.  Some amusement vendors will offer a slightly better deal for cash if pressed, for example I got more throws of the basket ball game by paying cash rather than ride coupons, but generally the value of ride coupons works out dollar for dollar.

Showbags

Prices for showbags at this years Royal Melbourne Show range from as little as $1 for the Blinky Bill Bag, up to $10,000 for the Grand Ridge Ultimate Shed Showbag.   But there are plenty of showbags under $5 choc full of lollies and chocolates. 

Boring old me is trying hard not think too much about the true value for money of these little bags of trash.  Discount vouchers and novelty toys just aren't worth the value listed with the contents of each showbag in my opinion.

Look, there's no shame in walking out the gates with less than half a dozen bags in each fist.  Well, OK.  Some shame.  You know those kids around the corner from your house, who's parents both work full time, will have enough bags to construct their very own Wonka style edible garden.

So here are a few bags I would consider buying.

Bertie Beetle $2.  The first bag I bought when I was a kid.
The Super Show Trail Bag $12.  You actually need to go and find things.
Darrell Lea Pig Out Bag $15.  Oink!  
Yarra Valley Regional Food Group $35.  No gimmicks. Just a great way to sample local good food and wine.  
Grand Ridge Beer and Food Lovers Showbag $99.  Dinner for 2, beer tasting, a sensible cap and more.

Ticket Prices and Comparisons

The Royal Melbourne Show organizers boast a variety of "free" activities.  But of course there's no way to access the many "Free" activities for free.  You must pay admission.  This year there are many ticket options and ticket bundles and I shall attempt to simplify the selection process here.  Full details are at http://www.royalshow.com.au/tickets-general-admission.asp.

The first important decision which is going to make ticket selection much easier is - Are you interested in rides?

Show Entry with Rides
The Ticket to Ride packages generally work out to be better value than most other options assuming you use the full value of the ride vouchers included in the package.  For example, a student concession Ticket to Ride costs $44 and includes a $40 ride voucher AND covers general admission.  Almost the entire cost of the ticket is returned to you in ride vouchers!  Whereas the cheapest general admission concession ticket is $15 with no rides included.  Pre-purchase the Ticket to Ride online until Sept 27.

The After 4 Fun Pass available at the gate after 4pm also includes a ride voucher.  It's cheaper than my favourite Ticket to Ride, BUT the After 4 Fun Pass doesn't return nearly as much of the ticket cost back to you as a ride voucher.   Buy this ticket if you're at the gate after 4pm, on a limited budget and plan to ride just a little.

The $25 Kids Day Value Fun Pass is available online for entry to the Show for children on Oct 4th only.  It is the same price as the After 4 Fun Pass for Children but is arguably better value since the child can enter before 4pm.  In my opinion, however, it still doesn't beat the value of the Ticket to Ride since it returns less value in ride vouchers in proportion to the ticket price. 

General Admission without rides included
If you're not much into rides, a general admission ticket will see you through the front gates.  From there you can easily fill an entire day visiting the pavilions, watching some arena entertainment and reacquainting yourself with the sites and smells of livestock. Rides will be an additional cost after general admission.
Prices from http://www.royalshow.com.au/tickets-general-admission.asp

Fronting up to the gates on Show day morning and buying general admission tickets (above) is an expensive way to gain entry.

Save 10% on general admission prices by pre-purchasing at some Woolworths or Australia Post outlets.

Save between 23% and 30% on most of the general admission tickets for RACV members.  You must pre-purchase online before the offer closes on the 20th September.


RACV members After 2pm Offer available at the gate.  This is more expensive than pre-purchasing general admission with the RACV online so you would only buy this After 2pm Offer if your visit to the show was an unplanned last minute impulse.

The Entry and Travel Saver package bundles the cost of the Zone 1+2 public transport, with the cost of general admission.  This ticket is unlikely to save you any money since the Ticket to Ride or RACV discounts offer greater value in most cases.  You might save a little money with this ticket if no other discounts are available to you.  For example if you are not an RACV member and you don't intend to go on Show rides then this ticket will save you money compared with buying full price general admission to the show plus a full price, Zone 1 + 2 met card for peak travel.

For group bookings and RASV members there are other packages available at www.royalshow.com.au.

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Airport shuttle buses and public transport are alternatives to expensive taxis and are conveniently available in more places than you might think.

Planning the final leg of the journey from the airport to hotel is often left to the last minute or overlooked completely. But with airports popping up further and further away from town, and taxi fares on the rise, researching the airport transfer to your hotel is just as important as finding the cheapest airfare when planning your trip.



For example, if I fly from Sydney to Melbourne on a cheap airfare, the taxi fare from the airport to the hotel in the city almost doubles my door to door cost. The taxi driving style may well have been imported directly from down town Bangalore, but the $53 taxi fare is very much Australian.  That final 22 km from Melbourne airport to a hotel in the CBD by taxi will amount to approximately $2.40 per kilometer with tolls and other charges, compared with my cheap airfare cost which works out to be approximately 8c per kilometer to fly all the way from Sydney.

John Travolta may be on to something. He has a runway in his backyard and flies his own jet airliner. But for the rest of us planning the journey from the airport to the hotel is an important part of planning any trip involving air travel.

Here are some airport transfer options with useful links to consider when planning your trip.

Hotel Courtesy Bus. Hotel transfers are often (but not always) free and are usually the cheapest option. It’s common for hostels and some hotel chains to offer airport transfers, but you need to confirm this when planning your trip and make arrangements. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could click a check box when searching online for accommodation to find places offering a free airport shuttle service? Well wotif.com have at least made it a little easier with their listing of Airport shuttle accommodation.

Public transport. In Australia, most major cities run a bus or a train to the airport.  Despite this relatively cheap and accessible option, travelers rarely consider this as a first option. For the lone traveler this is often the least expensive way to and from the airport.  The trade off is time.  Public buses and trains may be time consuming if relying on neighbourhood timetables and indirect routes. Also it’s important to check that the stop is easily accessible to either the domestic or international terminal which you will be using. Lifehacker’s Australian Airport Public Transport Guide covers all the airport public transport options for Australian capital cities.

Airport shuttle buses are more expensive than public transport but less expensive than a taxi if on your own. Airport shuttle buses will drop you off at a central location, or may offer to drop you at your accommodation for an additional charge which is often almost as expensive as a taxi. Find airport shuttles anywhere in Australia and compare prices at http://www.airportshuttlesaustralia.com.au.

Stay at a hotel at the airport and save time and money on the commute to the hotel. This only makes sense if you don’t intend visiting downtown on your trip. If arriving late at night, and you are planning to hire a car during your trip, it may be more cost effective to stay at an airport hotel on the night you arrive, and then hire the car from the airport the next morning, saving 1 day of car hire cost.

Hire your own car and drive yourself.  This is the most expensive option but worth considering if touring further.  Book in advance if planning to arrive at regional airports since the car hire desks are not continually staffed unless a booking has been made.  If your flight is delayed they should know automatically that you will be late to pick up your vehicle but it's best to keep in touch with the car hire company if anything changes, especially if your flight is canceled or something arises which places you on a different flight code.  You don't want to arrive only to find a closed desk, no keys and no cars.

Tags: Travel, Melbourne,Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, Canberra, Australia

When debt is out of control, consolidating all your debts into a single loan, may help manage your way back into the black. Today I have posted an interview with Marlon Powell of Debtcc to answer some questions about debt consolidation. Marlon shares his knowledge in various online forums and I am delighted to have the opportunity to pick his brain on this topic.

1) Foo: What are some of the early warning signs people should be aware of that may be falling into a debt trap?

Marlon: The first sign may be when you cannot make more than minimum monthly payments on your bills/debts and when you use one card to pay off the balance on another card. You also tend to forget the due dates of payments when you have multiple debts, which is another reason to incur late fees that in turn, may lead to debt problems.

2) Foo: In your experience in this field, what are some of the typical reasons people fall into the debt trap?

Marlon: I am sure many of you will support me if I say that one of the major reasons for falling into debt problems is excessive use of credit cards. Apart from this, many people also fall into debt after the festive season (Christmas and New Year), and if laid off or experience a medical emergency.

3) Foo: How does debt consolidation help repay debts?

Marlon: When people opt for debt consolidation, the major benefit they can enjoy is the opportunity to pay back multiple debts just by making single monthly payments. One can choose from consolidation program, balance transfer method or a secured/unsecured loan for the purpose of debt consolidation.

4) Foo: What types of debt can be consolidated?

Marlon: Most of the unsecured debts can be consolidated such as, credit card bills, medical bills, utility bills, store card bills, etc. However, you’ll not be able to consolidate your federal student loans with the help of a consolidation program; but you can always take out a consolidation loan to pay off your federal as well as private student loans.

5) Foo: Are there online tools available to help people better manage their own debt?

Marlon: Yes, there are a number of online tools such as, personal budgeting software, which you can use absolutely free of cost to manage your finances relatively better. You can also use specific debt calculators to work out necessary figures which in turn, can help you take out a suitable loan or plan your best repayment schedule. One is attached here -





6)Foo: What do I do if I think I need professional help with my debts?

Marlon: When you decide to get professional help, you can browse online to choose a suitable debt consolidation and/or settlement company, get online quotes and select one that you think will best suit your purpose. While doing so, it is advisable that you choose a reliable organization which has sufficient (at least 3 years) experience of providing services in the relevant field of expertise.

Enjoy cheap healthy work lunches everyday without wasting precious time in the kitchen. 

The cost of lunches at work adds up.  The money spent on the daily trip to the local cafe or food court over the course of a year could cost around $2400 assuming spending $10 per weekday for 48 weeks of the year.



Worse still, the kilos around your waste will also add up if you don't watch what you eat for lunch and where you buy it.

Sandwiches made at home before you leave in the morning, or last nights dinner left overs may not be the answer.  If you work in an office, your work colleges will not appreciate the fragrant aroma of last nights meatloaf as it is released from your lunch box at 12:30pm in the afternoon.

What's your time worth?  The time available the morning between waking from sleep and departing for work is so limited.  These are possibly the most precious minutes of the day.  There's so much to do in limited time.  To squeeze in another chore means setting the alarm clock earlier.  Being frugal is one thing, but I draw the line at loosing sleep over making sandwiches which by lunch time will be soggy, room temperature and almost ready to open the lunch box all by themselves and walk across the desk.  Our objective here is to save time and money, not trade one for the other.  Have a think about what your time is worth in the morning. 

How I cut the cost of work lunches in half and stayed healthy without spending extra time in the kitchen.

Set a budget for work lunches.  It must be affordable. I can't recommend a right or wrong amount to spend on lunch each day which suits everyone.  It will vary depending on how you value your time and how much you can afford.  As a general rule, I will not pay someone else to do something if it costs me more than what I could earn doing my job for the same amount of time.  For example, if I earn $20 per hour, then I'm not going to pay someone $10 for something which would only take me 15 minutes to prepare in my own kitchen at home.  However $5 to pay some else to make my lunch seems much better value for money and probably worthwhile, provided I can afford it.

If you like to snack during the day, avoid buying over-sized, expensive and unhealthy snacks at vending machines or shops around your work place.  Instead, buy snacks as part of your weekly grocery shop and have them on hand and ready grab in the morning to be taken to work.  If you like to bake, bake your own and pre-package them in daily portions ready to go.  Even having a single Tim Tam in your bag at work will answer the call for afternoon munchies so you won't be tempted to pull a Mars bar from that evil vending machine in the office kitchen.

Come lunch time, use your legs.  Seek out the best healthy food bargains in the local area.  This works best if working in a capital city.  If you can't find anything healthy which will match your budget, WALK FURTHER.  Use your lunch break to explore the neighborhood, enjoy the fresh air and get some cardio happening.  The health benefits of walking at least 30 mins a day are well documented.  Make your favourite lunch spot as far from the office as practical.

Make the most of company subsidized food if available at the company cafeteria.  But don't just assume it costs less than the local cafe.  Competition in the real world is much more fierce than for your average company cafeteria which has a captive market. Often the local places at street level will become price competitive with your company cafeteria since they are competing for your lunch dollar.  Again, use your legs and find the value where ever it is.

Look for blackboard specials.  Cafes and restaurants often display a board out front with work lunch specials to draw people in off the street expecting that they will be tempted by other offerings and drinks once they arrive.  Be disciplined to eat only the special and save money.

Keep it simple.  A humble ham sandwich will cost less than the turkey breast and camenbert on ciabatta with french mustard.  (Sorry Babe that's just the way it is.)  Think of it this way.  If you had cut your own work lunch, would it more closely resemble the ham sandwich or the fancy turkey breast option?  Save money on everyday sustenance for work and then with the money you have saved treat yourself to an occasional quality restaurant meal experience shared with good company when you have time to enjoy it.

Drink tap water.  It's healthy and good cafes will provide water for free.  If not, carry your own supply of tap water or water from the office water cooler.  I can never understand anyone paying for water in any place in the world where tap water is drinkable.

Keep it healthy.  Resist the temptation of buying cheap junk food to fit your budget. If you think your budget can only afford pizza, hamburgers or deep fried junk, then search further for better alternatives.  Have I mentioned using your legs yet!?  Often there is healthy food to be found for less than the cost of a burger meal deal. If you're accustomed to eating fast food, a healthy salad wrap won't hit you with that salty-sweet zing your taste buds will be expecting at lunch time.  Return to basics.  Retrain your tongue to appreciate fresh natural ingredients once more.  It may take time before "rabbit food" becomes tasty again but your body will thank you for it in the long run.   Have you ever seen an unhappy rabbit?

After a week of doing this, add up every dollar spent on work lunches, for the week.  If you blew your budget, not to worry.  Consider how much money you saved compared to previous weeks.  Multiply that saving by 48 weeks over a full year and start dreaming of what you will do with all that extra money!  I decided to spend my savings on breakfast out each work day morning, applying the same money saving ideas as above for work lunches and saving even more time in the kitchen.

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