No matter where I turn I see a ton of advice on how to live cheap. I see more than most as I am constantly doing research on the subject. Always looking for more ways to live cheap but live rich.
It never cease to amaze me the absolutely absurd amount of information and advice that is offered on living cheap. So much of the money saving advice is just not practical or does not save money at all.
In looking for more ways to save on groceries I have run into this frequently advice: Start a garden and grow your own food to save money on groceries. First, I have never seen any specific financial information substantiating that claim. I have never seen anyone do a cost analysis comparing the costs of growing your own food to the cost of the same food at the grocery store.
Chances are, there are no studies done and all the advice advocating this strategy is only being offered based on perceptions and not facts. Think about it. Does this really sound like it wants to save money?
First, the cost of a garden is not zero. There is the cost of seeds or seedlings, the cost of whatever tools are needed to prepare an area to grow a garden, the cost of the correct soil and fertilizer, books on gardening, not to mention the fact that you need to have a place to grow a garden in the first place.
The biggest factor in growing food properly is the labor factor. How much of your time do you need to tend to a garden properly. Do you need to spend an hour a day, two hours a day, three hours a day?
Do you have that kind of time? What are you taking time away from to do the gardening. Are you taking time away from work you should be doing? Again, what is practical and what is not?
To further dispel the savings argument for gardening, the food you will be growing is already among the best values in groceries. Fresh vegetables and fruits are foods you should buy while staying away from processed and prepared foods which are always the most expensive.
Ironically then, you would be spending considerable effort and expense to save money on the part of your grocery bill that is already a source of savings. Nothing wrong with gardening if you like to do it, but it is not a prime money saving activity.
You can save much more money grocery shopping by doing nothing more than making a list of the things you need and then sticking to the list when you shop. This will eliminate impulse items, items that you do not need and may be tempted to buy.
Advice on saving money, living on cheap is only as good as it is practical and reasonable. Make sure it fits in with your life and is something that makes sense to you. That is an important part of living cheap but living rich.
Living cheap expert Scott Siegel can show you how you can live cheap! Learn how you can master the art of cheap living. See how in the guide to living cheap. Visit LivingCheapGuide.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Siegel
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