Making a Case for Convenience

While I agreed with many things in this article (especially the ridiculous lead-ins like prewashed, individually wrapped potatos), I believe some of the comparisons on other examples were over or underestimated.

While I agree that microwave popcorn is more expensive, I cannot make it as quickly the old-fashioned way. I have to dig out the pan in my cupboard (this is frustrating in itself), find the right lid, pull out the oil and the measuring spoon, pull out the popcorn, heat up the pan, stand by and make sure the popcorn doesn't scorch, clean and dry the pot and put it back away (which all requires rearranging). While it might be minimal, there is a cost to the water and soap not to mention the fact that the popcorn will go into another bowl (we eat the popcorn right out of the microwave bag). Yes, I'm sure we still spend more money, but I do not think that making popcorn the old-fashioned way is as easy as the article makes out.

Then there are the mop pads. I clean my floors much more frequently (cleaner house) when I have access to the pads. My whole downstairs is either wood floors or tile. You cannot clean it all without changing the water at least once or twice (or more) if using a bucket. Plus, you must use two different cleaners, one for wood and one for tile. I have to rinse out the bucket between each fresh bucket of water, plus I have to clean the laundry sink at the end. Then, even though I use hot water, I have to get the fan out to blow the floors dry so that husband, child and dogs do not mess up what I just did.

Third, while I cannot argue that you can make a healthy entree for cheaper than you can buy it (i.e., Lean Cuisine, etc.), there are other considerations. You can often get them on sale, which really does make the cost competitive with homemade. They are also packaged to last longer than you can freeze items yourself. What do you save if a frozen entree gets freezer burned before you can use it? There are some things that commercial kitchens can freeze because of processes like flash freezing that we cannot do with the same results. Have you ever tried to freeze potatos or green beans?

While I concede that I might be more inept at some housekeeping and cooking chores than the author, I believe I've made some valid points.
Cindy of Baroda, Michigan

Share your thoughts about this article with the editor. Just Click Here and tell us what's on your mind.

Do you have a time or money saving idea that wasn't included in this article? Please send it to tips @stretcher.com. We get the best ideas from our readers!

If you liked this article sign up for our free eNewsletter Surviving Tough Times Do it today and we'll give you our ebook featuring over 200 ways to save on groceries (a $19.95 value).

Follow The Dollar Stretcher on Twitter.

I Would like to:

• Read other articles on this topic
  
• See what else is in this issue
  
• Subscribe to "The Dollar Stretcher" free weekly email newsletter
  
• visit the Problem Solving Center
  
• visit the Reference Library
  
• browse the 'author' index
  
• search 'by date' index
  
• check out Past Issues of Newsletter
  
• go see 'What's New'
  
• "Can You Help This Reader?"
  
• drop by 'Tips, Quips & Quotes'
  
• send email to the Editor of "The Dollar Stretcher"