Breakfast secrets that will save you time and money
Millions of people live with a terrible breakfast burden. But it doesn’t have to be that way. I’m here to share some breakfast secrets that can make a huge difference to your life and personal finances.
Breakfast is nothing special.
Okay, listen to me. Here in the United States, many of us were raised to believe that there are certain “breakfast foods” and that our first meal of the day should be drawn from that list.
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But you know what? That’s nonsense. You don’t have to eat eggs and oatmeal for breakfast. You can actually eat it whatever you want. And if you embrace this idea, you will save time and money.
A brief history of breakfast
When colonists first settled in America, breakfast was not much different from other meals. You ate what you had. If you were wealthy enough to eat leftovers after dinner, that was breakfast. Otherwise, you ate whatever was on hand. Often it was killed because it was cheap and filling.
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Either way, it didn’t say, “Oh, it’s not a complete breakfast if it doesn’t include an animated mascot and some maple sap.” No, that came later. Typically attributed to eccentric health experts during the American industrial era.
Will Keith Kellogg was a huge fan of healthy bowel movements. And his invention, Corn Flakes, was inspired by his desire to help others get more movement every day.
Americans working long hours in factories wanted food that was healthy and convenient. So when Kellogg’s shelled out huge sums of money to advertise its “healthy” breakfast cereal, they were ripe for choice. (So did his rival, CW Post, who produced “healthy” grapes. And so did their rivals.)
Soon Americans became convinced that cereal was an essential “part of a complete breakfast.” (Cheap and easy didn’t hurt, either.) Now, five generations have grown up in the shadow of Big Breakfast’s advertising, to the point where most of us can barely imagine having a breakfast that doesn’t include products from Kellogg’s or Post.
How to increase your budget by changing your mindset
When breakfast cereals first hit the market, they were probably cheap and healthy. today… Not that many. A box of name brand cereal costs over $5 a box at my local grocery store. We’re not even talking about family size! (And you never know how much sugar is in that box.)
It’s no surprise that the breakfast food industry is expected to grow by $125. 10 billion Until 2027.
There’s no need to contribute to Big Breakfast’s overflowing pockets. Breaking free from the idea that breakfast must include certain foods literally opens up a world of possibilities.
Eat like our ancestors did and enjoy dinner leftovers for breakfast. (And no, I don’t mean cold pizza like you had in college. Unless you’re into that. No need to judge.) Leftovers that aren’t enough to save for the next night actually make a perfect, little breakfast. can be. The way out the door.
Expert Tips: You can wrap almost anything in a tortilla for a great take-out meal.
Or, if you have busy holidays, you can batch-prep breakfast (and lunch) with cheap and easy ingredients. Rice and beans can be made in bulk, combine for a nutritious, filling, complete protein, and cost as little as a meal. Vary the flavor by using vegetables (store brand frozen versions are usually cheaper), herbs, and spices.
Additional Ways to Fight Rising Food Prices
Aside from changing the way you approach breakfast, there are plenty of ways to save money at the grocery store. Here are some tips I use:
- Meal planning centered around special menu items: I plan my meals and don’t shop. I look at sales flyers and plan my meals around what I can get for a good price. Sometimes, that changes when you go to the store and find a particularly good manager’s special in the meat or vegetable department.
- Take advantage of digital coupons and store apps: Most major grocery chains offer mobile apps full of digital coupons. Some may even offer rewards programs based on how much you spend. Even better, they usually stack.
- Maximize Credit Card Rewards: The best grocery rewards cards can cut 6% (or more) off your grocery bill with rewards. (They also tend to have other useful bonus categories, like restaurant or gas rewards offers.)
- Consider our wholesale clubs: The larger your family, the more your grocery bill will be. Depending on your family size or appetite, shopping for groceries in bulk at wholesale clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club can save you a lot of money on both groceries and household items.
Keeping up with rising grocery costs is difficult enough without having to worry about social constructs limiting your choices. Break free from the breakfast food bonds that bind you. It will open up your food horizons and, hopefully, your budgetdo.
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