“Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” - Saving Money Edition

5 photos you should take with your phone, the best way to store bacon, and more. September 21, 2021 [View Online]( Good morning! When you’re on a budget that doesn’t have a lot of wiggle room, there’s not much about it that feels easy. But as you’ll see in Today’s Good Thing, saving money doesn’t always have to be complicated—the newest installment in my “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” series will show you some simple ways to save. Also in today’s newsletter, it’s Tech Tip Tuesday! This week we’re focusing on your phone’s camera function, because snapping a photo is one of the best ways to keep track of important information so you can refer back to it later. Jillee TODAY'S GOOD THING “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” - Saving Money Edition [Photos of various simple ways to save money.]( Your monthly budget may be complex, but these 5 tips will help keep your saving strategies simple. 1. Snack On Popcorn. Popcorn is incredibly cheap to buy in bulk, so if you make it on your stove or in an air popper, you can save a lot on your snacking costs. A $4 jar of popcorn kernels will make almost 200 cups of popcorn, while $12 only gets you four measly bags of chips (which, as we know, are only half full to begin with!) 2. Eat Less Meat. Eating more fruits, vegetables, beans, rice, and soy can save you quite a bit of money over even the cheapest cuts of meat. And on top of the money you’ll save, shifting closer toward a plant-based diet can help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. 3. Save At The ATM. Find yourself withdrawing cash at the ATM frequently? Resolve that every time you get cash at the ATM, you’ll transfer the same amount to your savings account. You’ll either start avoiding the ATM, which will save you money, or you’ll keep using the ATM and still be saving money. 4. Use The Buddy System. A lot of difficult things are easier to do with a friend or partner, and saving money is no different. Find a coworker, friend, or relative who is also trying to save money and buddy up. They can help talk you down when you want to buy something expensive, or stay in with you instead of going out. 5. Inventory Your Freezer. Don’t let the contents of your freezer be “out of sight, out of mind.” Set aside a few minutes to go through your freezer and write down all the food you have in there, then post the list on your fridge as a reminder to use it. When it comes to saving money, eating the food you already have is a no-brainer! [4 More Simple Money-Saving Tips]( [4 More Simple Money-Saving Tips]( More Bright Ideas • [The "Why Didn't I Think Of That?" Series]( • [13 Creative New Ways To Save More Money Every Day]( ⚡️QUICK TIPS⚡️ • Microfiber cloths are great for cleaning, but if you want to make them last, you need to know the right way to wash them. [Read more ➜]( • To keep track of appointments, to-do lists, and reminders, set up a simple hidden “command center” in your kitchen. [Read more ➜]( • Single-serve honey sticks make a convenient option for sweetening drinks on the go, and they’re easy to make at home. [Read more ➜]( TECH TIP TUESDAY Take These Useful Photos With Your Phone [Photos of phones taking photos.]( Keep track of information that can help with future purchases by snapping these photos on your phone. 1. Ink Cartridges. Snap a photo of your printer's ink cartridges with the manufacturer name and model numbers clearly visible. The next time you need to buy ink, you can reference the photo instead of inspecting your printer or looking it up online. 2. Appliance Information. Take pictures of all of your appliances showing the manufacturer name, model number, and serial number. Having this information will save you a lot of time if you need to call someone about getting it serviced or repaired. 3. Entertainment System. Snap photos of the cable placements on all the devices in your entertainment system. When you want to upgrade or add a new device, you can reference the photos to figure out what will work in your setup. (Those photos can also help you set it all up again if you move or get a new TV stand.) 4. Things You Might Buy. If you see something you like while you’re shopping, but aren't ready to commit to it just yet, snap a photo of the tag, barcode, or product packaging. Then you'll have all the information you need to find the product again, so you can take your time thinking about it or do more research online. 5. Computer Specifications. Use your phone to take a photo (or take a screenshot) of your computer's system information, including hardware and software specifications. The information will be useful to have if you need to call someone about an issue, or if you want to upgrade your computer down the road. COOKING Use Your Freezer To Ration Your Rashers [A photo of a ziplock bag full of rolled up pieces of bacon.]( If you don’t need to cook the entire package of bacon, this tip makes it easier to cook a few pieces at a time. I don't cook bacon all that frequently, but when I do make it, I often end up cooking the whole package regardless of who’s around to eat it. There's just something about the way bacon is packaged that makes it seem unlikely to keep very well in the fridge. But leftover cooked bacon doesn't keep very well either, so I figured there had to be a better option out there. I eventually came across a tip that recommended removing raw bacon from its package, rolling the pieces up individually, and storing them in a freezer bag. What I like about this method is that I can take out as many or as few pieces as I want while the rest stay fresh in my freezer. And since the rolled-up pieces aren’t very big, they thaw out surprisingly quickly at room temperature. Give it a try and see what you think! JILLEE'S PICK A Charming Read To Curl Up With [An image of the front cover of ]( The weather is finally cooling off around here, and I’m counting down the days until I can curl up with a good book in front of my fireplace. If you're looking forward to cozier reading conditions too, [The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs]( is the perfect read for such an occasion. Not only did it make me want to pick up knitting needles again, but it made me want to start my own “knitting club” too! There’s real sense of camaraderie in being part of a group that meets regularly to do an activity together, whether it's knitting, a sport, a tabletop game, or service projects. The people in the group often end up sharing more than just an interest—they share the good, bad, and the ugly of their lives with each other, like an extended family. And that's certainly the case with the titular knitting club in this book. The strong female characters have different journeys, but they're all supported by the other members of their club. This charming book is a reminder of the power of supportive communities and how fortunate we are to be part of them. [See The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs on Amazon](. WHAT IN THE WORLD WIDE WEB “Scream Into The Void” For Digital Catharsis [An image of a laptop displaying the ]( Who among us doesn’t feel the desire to scream about something from time to time? Unfortunately, there are few settings where screaming is actually appropriate, especially if you want to avoid scaring your neighbors. But I just learned about a website where you can get the catharsis you need without a surprise visit from the police: [ScreamIntoTheVoid.com](. Just channel your rage into the text field and press the “SCREAM” button, and you’ll hear the sound of a scream as your words disappear into the ether. It’s a bit silly, but sometimes you just need to get it out, and now you have a place to do it! A FEW MORE THINGS... Peace Day: It's the International Day of Peace, declared by the UN General Assembly as a day devoted to promoting peace through non-violence. The theme for this year is "Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world." [Learn more about Peace Day]( and keep an eye out for related events in your community today. 🦉Words Of Wisdom: “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” - Desmond Tutu LOVE OGT? SHARE IT! If you’re enjoying the OGT newsletter, it would mean so much to me if you'd share it with your friends and family! When you share it allows me to continue sharing the tips and tricks you love with you! 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