Breakfast serves as our daily source of energy, propelling us into the hours ahead. Yet, amidst our bustling schedules, it can unwittingly drain our finances. We often encounter unrealistic portrayals of breakfast on television, with moms effortlessly preparing eggs, toast, pancakes, and coffee while already dressed and ready for the day. These depictions can leave us feeling inadequate as parents, fostering the misconception that we can never attain such stamina, dedication, and culinary prowess while operating on an unlimited budget every day. Remember, it's all a facade, likely scripted by a male screenwriter yearning for such an idealized reality that remains out of reach for most of us.
But fear not, for here's a practical breakfast tip to save you both time and money, helping you kickstart your day.
A substantial portion of our hard-earned money often vanishes through that fast-food drive-thru window in the name of saving time. However, in reality, we might be squandering both time and money by resorting to this habit. If you find yourself rolling your eyes at this notion, let me put it into perspective for you, demonstrating just how much money slips away in exchange for a mere 10 to 15 minutes of convenience.
We put in significant effort to earn our paychecks. Let's consider, for the sake of this example, that you earn $25.00 per hour. Recently, you spent $9.00 at the drive-thru window, purchasing coffee and a bagel or your usual order. Now, if you treat yourself in this manner twice a week, that totals $18.00. Essentially, you've traded one hour of your hard-earned week for $8.00, and this calculation doesn't even account for taxes or Social Security deductions.
Instead, we need to approach these choices with the same level of scrutiny as if we were running a business. Believe me, if you were the CFO of any company and made daily decisions like these, you'd find yourself out of a job quickly. However, this doesn't mean you have to adopt a drill sergeant's mentality. Instead, we should employ creativity and mindfulness when dealing with our family, finding clever ways to encourage them to take on some responsibilities, perhaps even making them think it was their own idea. Here's an example of a creative breakfast solution I used to save both time and money while encouraging my family to take some initiative.
In my household, bagels are a favorite breakfast choice, but it can become quite a challenge because everyone has their own unique preferences. The process of accommodating everyone's specific likes and dislikes can be exhausting. I personally resist the allure of pop-tarts, as they are engineered to create the illusion of saving time while filling our stomachs. Instead, consider giving this idea a shot once or twice a week.
Acquire your preferred bagels from either the grocery store or your local bagel shop. Personally, I lean towards either plain or everything bagels. Additionally, procure some plain or original whipped cream cheese. I prefer whipped cream cheese because it's lighter, allowing you to consume fewer calories compared to the original variety. However, if you have a preference for the original type, feel free to go with that.
Take small containers and prepare your family's favorite toppings in advance. For instance, I'm a fan of cinnamon with just a touch of sugar to mellow out the slight bitterness in ground cinnamon.
Encourage each family member to take charge of preparing their own bagels, getting them actively involved in the process. You might be surprised by how enthusiastic they are about creating their morning bagel. Allow your family members to discover their own preferences, and if any mistakes occur, they can be easily corrected.
Moving forward, you can prepare a variety of bagel toppings in advance, which will save you both time and money while catering to your family's taste preferences. If cream cheese isn't to their liking, encourage them to explore alternative spreads. Here are a few topping ideas to start with, and as time goes on and tastes evolve, you can experiment with even more options.
- Cinnamon-Sugar Blend: Purchase ground cinnamon and combine it with sugar sparingly.
- Chive and Onion Mix: Buy fresh chives and finely chop them. I recommend using onion flakes instead of real onions, as it allows you to adjust the flavor to your liking.
- Consider using jams, jellies, or preserves, which can be an excellent choice for selective eaters. Preparing these toppings in advance eliminates the need for cleanup, as you can use paper towels as a convenient substitute for plates. Store your toppings in the refrigerator, making enough to last for several days. You can even label or mark each topping container with names to avoid any mix-ups.
