Bread

Because we didn't feel as though we had enough to do (sense the sarcasm?), we took on a new project. Well, I don't think I can actually call it a project because we're intending for it to be a permanent change in our lifestyle. But it certainly requires more work on our part.

We have stopped buying bread and we are now making our own. I've always been interested in getting a bread machine, but I don't really like the way it bakes the bread. So we bought one at Goodwill (and amazingly, it works GREAT!) and are using it for the mixing and kneading cycles only. This does take a lot of the work out of making our own bread, as we can just throw all the ingredients in and let it go until it's done rising and it comes time to stick it in the oven. So far, we have done French, white and rye bread. We are looking for reasonably priced wheat flour, so if you know where I could get some, I'm open to suggestions.

Why are we doing this? Well, as a family we go through at least two loaves a week. And if we want decent tasting bread, it's costing us $4-$5 per loaf. I was a little surprised to realize that we were spending around $40 a month on bread alone. So we decided we'd make the initial investment of the bread machine ($8 at Goodwill) and then with the cost of ingredients for each loaf....well, we're saving about $25 a month. Which doesn't seem like ALL that much to begin with, but it's $300 a year that we can use on other things. Plus, homemade bread is just really yummy! I did have a little bit of fun and took a trip to Target to purchase some more baking items (a few loaf pans, pyrex measuring cups instead of my plastic ones that are just about to crack all the way through, things like that).

So that's our new thing and it feels really great to find unique ways to save a little money. And who knows? The homemade stuff just might be a little healthier than store bought!