Do it yourself. It's Cheaper.

That is something that usually holds true. You can pay to have someone do something for you or you can get the pieces and do it yourself. Take the laundromat. I can drop off my clothes and pay 80 cents a pound or I can do it myself and save an average of 5-6 bucks a trip.

Today my roommate helped me reach that same realization with food. I was about to buy premade Turkey meatballs because I liked the idea of having some meatballs with my pasta or making a meatball sandwich. I hadn't seen them carried here before and threw them in the cart. A few minutes later he remarked that I should just buy ground meat instead and make them myself.

After initially disregarding the suggestion, I changed my mind and made the switch. For the same price as the pack of the premade (and most likely very subpar) meatballs, I was able to buy 3 pounds of meat. This was 4 times the weight of the pack of meatballs. Already, this was a good decision.

I was, from this pack of meat, able to make a dozen and a half turkey meatballs, custom to how I wanted, as well as 6 turkey burger patties, also custom. (Don't worry, they were different recipes). It may have taken me over two hours for all of the preparation and cooking, but the result is unqeustionable. My meatball sandwich was incredible.

Lesson of the day: DIY

Picture today is not to reinforce pushing pennies. Instead, this is my college change jar. I started filling it back in September of 2006. I'd say very little went into it my first two years as most of my food shopping was on my parents (aka credit card) and 90% of what I ate I got from the caf anyway. Only small purchases of a movie or piece of clothing would generate change. Eventually I spent more cash and got more change. I decided way back in September of 06 that I would not cash this jar out until I graduated. It would be a little graduation present/bonus to myself.

Well 1 week from classes ending, and 1 month from graduation and I cashed it. I am a little bummed about having to do so early, but funds are dwindling fast and I was faced with the dilemma of holding out to fulfill the plan, or cashing it and having it to use for my last few city adventures so I could essentially still go on these adventures and not have to sit in my last weeks in NY.

So, I didn't make it until graduation, but my present to myself is to make sure I make the most of these weeks by having a little extra in my pocket.