Back to Basics
Back to Basics Supermarket Savings
1. Keep a grocery list. Gas for an extra trip to the store easily can add a dollar or more to your grocery bill. Keep a grocery list where it’s easily accessible and stick to your list for added savings. Saving on gas $1.00 or more.
2. Garbage check. We lose money whenever we toss food because it spoiled before we got around to eating it. Make planning to avoid tossing foods a priority and try to recycle leftovers. Saving on tossing out a half bag of lettuce is $1.00.
3. Brown bag it. If you normally eat out at noon, consider brown bagging it at least once a week. The typical fast food meal easily can cost $5.00 or more. Eating a sack lunch once a week can save you $2.50 or five days a week will save $12.50.
4. Coupon common sense. Use coupons only for foods you normally would eat, rather than for “extras.” If you have access to a computer, check online for coupons. For starters, check the www.meijermealbox.com web site for meal planning, recipes and coupons. Using seven $0.50 coupons for items you use will save $3.50.
The Power of Imagination
The Learning Express is a toy store in Grand Rapids where they pride themselves on selling back to basics imagination powered toys. Instead of video games and electronic toys, you’ll find board games, puzzles, developmental toys, arts and crafts items, dolls and other unique learning toys.
For more information visit www.learningexpress.com or visit their store located in Grand Rapids in Centerpointe Mall.
Back to Basic Exercise
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a gym membership to stay fit. Here are some basic exercises that you can do right in your own living room!
- Find exercise videos or workouts on TV that the family can do together. These are great for people who need the direction and motivation of an instructor.
- For strength training think about using soup cans, an exercise ball, a hula hoop or better yet, use your kids as your resistance. If you have a baby you can play ‘Superman’ for a great ab workout. Do push-ups letting them ‘ride’ on your back, a chest press, lifting them up and down in the air.
- Pretend you’re an animal and mimick movements such as slithering like a snake, hopping like a bunny or running like a cheetah.
- Create a homemade parachute game with a blanket and a few balls. Launch the balls into the air and let the retrieving be your aerobic exercise!
- Use the basement or clean out the garage to let kids ride bikes, play hopscotch or roller skate.
- Put on music and just dance! Or, dance to motion songs like ‘head, shoulders, knees and toes.’
- Build an obstacle course. Make things to climb under and over, crabwalk and donkey kick, hula hoop, climb stairs, and make your own hopscotch out of masking tape.
Hop Scotch Children’s Store
If you live in the Grand Rapids area, you’ve probably heard of Hop Scotch. This week we featured the unique children’s store that offers back to basics items for kids and families. Their best sellers include a wide variety of cloth diapers, organic clothing, and traditional toys. Best of all, many of their products are made by local artists, so you’re supporting the community by visiting their store.
Check them out at 963 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or give them a call at 616-233-4008.
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