Works for Me Wednesday: Classics Edition

So Shannon is hosting a WFMW Classics edition - where we post our favorite tip. I don't know if this is a classic, but the following is one tip I think about over and over. So from this past August: Half is Nice. And be sure to check out all the other classic tips at Shannon's this week by clicking the above link.

A little late; nevertheless I had a thought today that I thought might be of help to others so I'm passing it along. It all started last fall when I read Mary Hunt's (of Cheapskate Monthly fame) new book entitled Live your Life for Half the Price. I was left with one major impression: the merit of reducing our requirements for living by half. That may sound radical, but as I started implementing it in financial areas, it made more and more sense to me. For example, I tend to buy in bulk when certain items are on sale. I've learned that I can get to the grocery store again, so buying just what I can use in a week or so has helped me save money and eliminate waste. Waste. Nope - make that "waist"!

Fast forward a few months. I joined Weightwatchers - the actual meetings - this past March. I did it in the past online, but I don't think I truly revamped my eating habits then. Something clicked this time. See, I come from a long line of Italian women who know how to eat and like to eat good. We like our food! We like our Greek hummus and Italian stuffed peppers and German latkes. I wasn't cutting it on rice cakes and fat free half & half. Then it occurred to me - eat what you like, just eat half. I think this has made all the difference. A sandwich tastes much better when shared with a co-worker. Applebee's offers most of their salads in a half size, and Panera has a great "You Pick Two" option with your choice of soup, salad or half a sandwich. I'm also trying to remember that usually the the small size latte or coffee will more than satisfy me.

Another area where thinking in halves has helped me is with my to-do list. I'm finally realizing I don't have to get it all done tonight! Especially not after a long work day. The laundry can sit if it has to. I don't have to make a gourmet meal every night; I can save that new recipe for another night. And it's perfectly okay to buy and serve premade hamburger patties when I'm having a picnic.

So there you have it - Half is Nice. It works for me!