Readers, Your Tips are Needed
I am planning to write a post called "Making a Budget Pesach" where we discuss how to have an enjoyable chag that doesn't break the bank. I have a number of my own tips, but would like to incorporate your tips too since I think I have just started to realize how close Pesach is.
So, please chime in with your tips.
6 comments:
We've found that the very best way to save money on Pessach is to list. It's a long process, but my wife makes a complete list of the (major) meals she intends to serve, and the ingredients she'll need for those meals. This prevents the purchase of those Pessach items that seem so wonderful at the time of purchase ("wow, Pessach Worcestershire sauce!") but go unused, as well of overpurchasing the basics (which are so expensive for the season.)
I know it's too late for this now, but buy chicken, meat and cheese before Purim. Most brands of chicken and cheese are kosher for Pesach all year roung. But a few weeks ater Purim they become "extra kosher" for Pesach and the price goes up for the same chicken.
Looking forward to seeing your budget.
Plan for next year right after this Pesach. List what you didn't end up using (or didn't have enough of - we ran out of milk last year). If you put away paper goods or other items for next year, write it down so you don't forget and buy them again.
(OK, we haven't actually succeeded in following this advice but we're going to try this year. At least I did hang onto last year's shopping list so we didn't have to start from scratch.)
I love Rachel's advice and wish we had thought of it a few weeks ago!
In years past I've loved to buy all the new Kosher Le Pesach junkies. Wow! KLP Wasabi sauce? KLP breakfast cereal in 4 different flavors? All kinds of cakes and sweets? These are what breaks my bank. I've rethought Pesach and now, I think the idea of the week is to eat more simply. It's also healthier. We don't eat dessert, other than fresh fruit, for meals other than the Seders and Shabbat. Simple meat and/or dairy meals with fresh fruits and vegetables is all that's needed, if you do a humungous Seder (I do!). Sweet potatoes don't need marshmallow fluff! Make your own applesauce with just plain apples and a little water/cinnamon. One can life without all the "special" stuff for the week of Pesach. I bake extra chicken and that's what I pack my family for lunches for away-from-home. I ask guests to bring KLP candy and junkies and if they do, that's also what goes into lunches along with fresh fruit. Breakfast can be a piece of gefilte fish or a slice of cheese on a matzo, with freshly squeezed orange juice. I've learned over the years how to make entrees that are spectacular without exotic ingredients. I"m passing on the KLP ice cream and KLP steak sauce this year! How about a fresh pineapple in Sabra liqueur for dessert instead? And grilled onions for the steak instead? Believe it or not, I will save hundreds of $$$$ by choosing to eat "simply" yet deliciously for Pesach.
helene--Great tips, healthy and yummy too. Hope to see you adding your common sense ideas in in the future.
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