Cutting costs anywhere that makes sense adds to that budgetary cushion that can be used to pay off debt, add to an emergency fund, save for college, or anything else. One fairly easy way to do this is to reduce, or eliminate, trips to the vending machines down the hall. The markup in our building borders on ridiculous now ($1.00 for a candy bar). And what's more, although Snickers® would like you to believe that it satisfies, candy usually just makes you hungrier.
Which brings me to my secret snacking weapon: oatmeal. Plain, old-fashioned Quaker Oats. Not the “instant” oats, but the big, giant container of oats. I get ten pounds of oatmeal for under $8. That breaks down to less than a dime per serving, and a serving is a full cup of oatmeal. That's a heck of a lot cheaper than a candy bar, and much more nutritious.
Here's what I do. Adapt to your tastes:
- Keep the oats dry in some kind of closed container. I use a plastic coffee container.
- Bring a 1/4-cup scoop to measure out a serving. Or a 1/2-cup. Doesn't matter too much.
- Scoop half of the oats into a mug, then put any flavorings you might want in. I use cinnamon ($4 for 11 ounces at Costco) and honey.
- Scoop the other half on top of the flavorings. I do this because pouring the hot water on in the next step makes the cinnamon clump if it's on top.
- Pour hot water in to whatever level of consistency desired.
I tend not to get bored with the same foods over and over again, so this works well as a snack for me. Even if you don't want to go all-out with buying oatmeal 10 pounds at a time, the smaller container in the grocery store is still pretty cost-effective.
One of those little money saving things for your budgeting arsenal.
I’m not much of a hot oatmeal person unless I’m not feeling well and need something hot and bland in my stomach. I do however love granola and it’s easy to make your own http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2009/01/easy_homemade_g.html has a good recipe and you can substitute whatever nuts and dried fruit you like. I like walnuts, almonds, raisins, and dried cranberry in mine.
Missing a few details here to make this really useful.
Approximately how much hot water and how long do you let it sit before it cooks? Inquiring minds want to know!
I’ve been doing this for months, for both cost & health benefits (sure beats a stop at the gas station for doughnuts!) – I tend to add more flavorings to mine (brown sugar, dry milk, flax seeds, ground almonds) so it costs more than yours does, but sooooo good 🙂 It definitely takes the ability to eat the same thing day after day and not get bored with it though.
Using quick-cooking oats, it’s a 1:2 ratio with water, makes it very easy to mix up in a bowl. I keep a bowl and spoon in the break room, and the “fixin’s” in a zip-bag in my desk drawer.
Another way is to add sultanas and water to the oats in a container before leaving home. By the time you get around to eating it, the oats have absorbed both the water and flavour from the sultanas, and the sultanas are nice and juicy. Before eating add a sliced banana, grated apple or even a few grapes just to add variety. I have this every morning (with added soy milk), after preparing it the night before.
This is a great idea except for the cooking part. I have plain old fashioned oatmeal for breakfast every morning and I have to microwave it for 5 minutes to get it cooked. I can’t imagine just pouring some hot water on it would make it very palatable.
Okay, MB. You got me.
Great title – and I’m not ashamed to admit that I was disappointed to find out that the article was actually about snacking on oatmeal. 😉
Best,
Len
Len Penzo dot Com
To really have fun, it’s all about the brown sugar!
Marie: I just submerge the oats then add maybe an extra 1/2 inch of water. The water is about 140 deg F. Again, this is to taste. I’m not very picky. It takes the edge off my hunger.
SimplyForties: It’s probably not the best, but it’s fast. I’ll experiment with the cooking part.
Shari & LeanLifeCoach: Brown sugar does sound good. And I do have some flax seeds; maybe I’ll give those a try.
Lance: Sultanas were something I hadn’t heard of before. I’m surprised I didn’t connect oatmeal and raisins!
Noadi: Oooooh, dried cranberries! Another great idea.
Len Penzo: Hah! Glad to see I got at least one curiosity seeker! 😉