5 Wedding Gifts You Need To Use Now
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Use what you've got and you won't need what you've not! -Phileas FoggChances are you have some pretty nifty, yet overlooked, wedding gifts that can do wonders for your life right now... all the while saving you money. Heck, I've never been married and I have them so let's get going:
The Gifts You Need To Take out Of Mothballs Right Now
Espresso Maker - Save $1,000.
I don't know about your local coffee shop but the ones that are around me hire dancers, Broadway actor hopefuls and designers to be their barista's. None of them went to any sort of school and have confided in me how easy of a job it is. So I figure if they can do it, so can I. Recently Cosmopolitan magazine reported that you can save over $1,000. a year by making your own coffee creations at home. Now is the time to dig out that new-in-box espresso maker and get it working. Even better buy Starbucks coffee (or another specially house brand) and check out Target for flavored syrups (in coffee section) so your coffee mimics the pricey daily fix.Crockpot (Slow Cooker) - Cut Food Costs By 50%
Recently the web has been ablaze with people searching for slow cooker recipes, information and reviews. All for good reason as many are starting to discover what a disadvantage not having a kitchen in that cold water flat really is. One survey estimates that many Americans spend around 47% of their food budget eating out. Cooking at home is, in most cases, going to be far more economical and a way to put that percentage back into your pocket. Even better, a slow cooker is like having a kitchen built into one little machine. My favorite model? The original Crockpot brand with digital display is by far one of the best and most reliable. We've made everything from incredibly tender pot roast to enchiladas and any soap or strew you can imagine. With the slow cooking nature of the machine you'll be able to set it in the morning and come home to a sumptuous meal and, even better, your chance of burning your dish and wasting food is pretty low.Candles - Saves Your Sense Of Luxury
Energy bills can have a real drain on your monthly budget and until the sun starts shinning well into 9 o'clock it can be hard to make significant cutbacks in this area. Start digging around for all of those decorative candles you were gifted and start using them pronto. The effect will be two fold. One they'll make you feel like you're splurging even in a little way. That's why upscale restaurants, hotels, spas lay out all those tea lights. The other benefit is the cut back on your energy bill. Every little bit can help. Especially during long baths, dinners together and watching movies on the couch. They're also perfect during parties and for dimming the lights on any imperfections in your decor. Just make sure they don't have lead hiding in them [learn more in our past piece, Do Your Candles Have Lead In Them?].
Pinini Sandwich Maker - Save $7+ per Day
You might feel a little old to be seen bringing a cheese or peanut butter sandwich with you to work but how about one of those crunchy, toasted Pinini's? The combination of ingredients is almost limitless and the luxe factor is certainly there. They also make your lunch totally portable and, depending on how you make them, they can be a healthy alternative to fast food which usually encourages you to buy extras like soda and fries.
Cloth Napkins - Save $17.+ per Month
Not only are cloth napkins picking up endorsements from the green set but they can help cut into your paper towel and napkin bills big time. Napkins are quite often one of those gifts people nowadays feel are too good to use everyday. To this, I say, you're worth it! Get then out and start using them for everyday meals. And if you're concerned about germs and how clean they are, every few days place them in the microwave (with a glass of water) for 60 seconds and they'll be totally germ free.You might feel a little old to be seen bringing a cheese or peanut butter sandwich with you to work but how about one of those crunchy, toasted Pinini's? The combination of ingredients is almost limitless and the luxe factor is certainly there. They also make your lunch totally portable and, depending on how you make them, they can be a healthy alternative to fast food which usually encourages you to buy extras like soda and fries.
Cloth Napkins - Save $17.+ per Month
For everyone that isn't married and is sans these popular wedding gifts never fear! Most newlyweds find themselves blissfully possessing duplicate gifts making all of the above frequent returns and yard sale steals.
Also Read:
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Comments
Most American homes are crammed tight with these appliances. Its time we plugged them in and started benefiting from them. I have a Mr. Coffee Expresso / Coffee maker myself and the caffiene infused treats that come out of that thing rival anything Starbucks has to offer. I save time, gas AND money brewing my own at home. Wake up people. Waste not, want not.
About a year ago, we started buying coffee beans and roasting/grinding them. Not only do you save, but it tastes much better.
Slow cooker is a huge necessity.
Indoor grill a must have.
And so on...
I love your blog, in general. Lots of interesting stuff.
That's great, thank you for adding that! When I was at a trade show I was told by an expert on coffee that once it is ground, the essential flavor oils start to evaporate quickly after coming in contact with oxygen. Processing the beans yourself when you need it is really going to provide maximum flavor. We like to give whole coffee beans too but you've really taken it to another level by roasting them yourself. I would love to learn how to do this too.