Your mom lives on a tight budget. You want to help ease her worries about money by helping her save where she can without sacrificing her safety. One of the best ways is to look at the things she needs in her home and decide if it’s cheaper to make it or buy it.
Bread
It is cheaper for the ingredients to make multiple loaves of bread at once. But, the energy costs and time will even things out. It ends up being cheaper to purchase bread at the store. However, you must consider the quality.
Making bread at home allows you to control the amount of sugar and sodium going into the dough. To save money, make the dough in large batches and freeze it. When your mom needs another loaf of bread, pull out some frozen dough, let it thaw and rise, and bake it.
Granola
Your mom loves granola, and it’s expensive at the store. This is one item that’s cheaper to make. You need some honey, whole oats, nuts, dried fruit, and seeds. Mix and place those on a baking sheet and bake at a low temperature until it’s dry and crunchy.
Dips for Raw Vegetables
Making your own hummus or guacamole may seem cheaper than buying the store-bought version. It may be better to buy the store-bought versions. The cost of one avocado can be a couple of dollars, but you also have the limes and spices. Watch the sodium level and purchase ready-made guacamole to save money.
Hummus is the same. Canned chickpeas are affordable, but the tahini you need is expensive. It’s cheaper to buy ready-made hummus.
Bread Crumbs and Croutons
It’s cheaper to make your own croutons and bread crumbs. Use a blender or food process to turn stale bread into bread crumbs. Store in air-tight containers.
Croutons also require day-old bread. Toss them with olive oil, spices, and herbs. Bake at 300 F for an hour. Again, store in an air-tight container.
Pasta Sauce
Pasta sauce is cheaper if you buy the store brands. You do have to watch the ingredients. Some companies still add corn syrup or sugar. There’s a cheaper way.
Purchase canned crushed tomatoes and tomato paste that’s made without added sugar. Dice carrots, zucchini, onions, and celery and saute those. Add in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic cloves, and herbs. Slowly cook that until it’s thick. Place it in quart-sized freezer bags and freeze until needed.
Caregivers do help in ways you might not realize. She has help with her housework, laundry, and meals. She also has a driver available to take her to stores and medical offices. Best of all, caregivers are companions that help ease her loneliness and increase socialization.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering caregivers in Concord, CA, please contact the caring staff at Provident Care Home Care today at (209) 578-1210.
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