I try not to buy processed soy products. Soy bean farming is destroying the Amazon. The rich crooks who stole the land from native farmers have a lot to answer for. Google it and I challenge you not to be at least a little ashamed to be part of the human race.

So what has this to do with saving money?

Well, not saving the Amazon is going to cost us all, but processed soy products are like paying good money for less of something.

These days supermarkets have the word soy written on products all over the place. And you thought you were doing your body a favour? Not so. All the real goodness of the plant has been stripped out. Once again, google it:

http://www.naturalnews.com/027880_soy_products_milk.html (for example)

I get angry with this constant shortchanging and addition of non-foods in our diet. Excess sugar and salt in everything. Don’t you?

Unprocessed soy is a different matter entirely.

Those poor farmers have had their land stolen from them and we lose the Amazon. And I thought the loggers were bad…

But just google “vitamins waste of money” and get what is surely the real picture.

Vitamins? Seriously? Do you have a bottle of vitamins pills at home? Must be one of the biggest scams of all time.

Put it this way. You’ve been to a doctor before – how many times has s/he prescribed vitamins? Is your doctor really that bad?

It’s like everyone is eating more but taking out insurance against eating less. Duh!

Admittedly this is sometimes hard to do, but when you are with friends at the pub or in a bar…

DON’T TOUCH THE SALTY SNACKS! They are only there to make you drink more.

And, guys especially, if you have a bit of willpower and are about to have a session with the boys…

… go the first round or two on soft drink – straight tonic water or even water is best. Any old excuse will do. That first beer is still waiting for you, but you will have saved a few dollars already. And, because you are…er…less inebriated, you will make better decisions than the others. Like leaving early and just saying no more often – one of the secrets of a successful life by the way!

Incidentally, never feel embarrassed not to drink. Like all habits, the less you do something, the easier it becomes. Drinking is an expensive hobby. Certainly, don’t ever feel sorry for the publican. Remember, he makes more profit out of you drinking his soft drinks than his alcoholic beverages. And salty snacks are his chief wallet emptyers. Even cheap pub meals are there to make sure you down more drinks.

One other thing. Stick to wine and beer. Spirits are for character actors, drunks and cleaning ladies. You can have a much better – and cheaper – time going slow than getting hammered fast. If you have proved over many years that you do have willpower, then a vodka occasionally or a gin and tonic is fine. But a regular night of spirits is for serious drinkers with a healthy bank account and an image problem.

There are so many myths associated with them. Heating from the inside out for example. Not true.

A source of radioactivity? There is NONE. Your body is more radioactive than the microwave. What? Well, it depends what we mean by radioactive. Microwave Radiation is not the the same as radioactive radiation.

Are they dangerous?

Some say yes: http://www.relfe.com/microwave.html

Most say no: http://elgringosalsero.hubpages.com/hub/The-Myths-About-The-Dangers-Of-Microwave-Ovens

I think the case for danger is extremely weak. Of course, it’s your choice.

Microwaves are 70% more efficient than an oven. True.

So my tip here is to remember to use the microwave.

Rather than immediately – and unthinkingly – using the gas or electric range and oven in your kitchen, give your microwave more work to do.

Did it come with a manual? Read it. Learn how to cook with it. Or google “microwave recipes” and find sites like this one:

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/everyday-cooking/campus-cooking/microwave/

But we are trying to save money, not discuss health issues.

Which is cheaper? Tea-bags or loose-leaf tea?

Loose tea is less expensive AND tastes better (and allows you to brew the stuff properly!).

All you have to do is use a tea infuser. A single level teaspoon for a single cup.

My preferred tea infuser is: http://www.swissgold.com/e/tea.php

You might be able to pick one up on Amazon. After a while, it will save money if you drink a lot of tea.

Tea-bags are really not necessary and the tea is so tasteless in comparison with loose-leaf tea.

The quality difference between tap water and bottled water is – in a great many cities (though not all) – so slight as to be negligible. And, who would think it?, much bottle water actually contains more germs and mineral imbalances than tap.

Just say no.

It goes without saying that soup is good for you.

It’s cheap food too.

Every student would do well to start the week by making a large pot of vegetable soup with some chicken or other meat thrown in.

Place in three or four plastic containers and freeze.

So simple, so inexpensive, so necessary.

No need to follow a recipe. Vegetables?

Mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, a few silver beet leaves, celery… it’s up to you. Just cut and add to a salted pot of water.

Cut up an onion or two and fry in olive oil. Add some sausage or bacon blocks if you like. When cooked, add the lot to the vegie stew.

Personally, I always add a can of lentils to give substance.

Grate (parmesan?) cheese over the top.

Delicious!

It’s amazing how many people have guilt feelings about spending little in a restaurant.

You don’t have to have an entree. Or a dessert. Or even a main meal if you don’t want one.

And you certainly don’t need to order anything to drink but water. Tap water.

Walk out if you are pressured to pay too much after looking at the menu.

And certainly, unless in the USA,  skip the tip for poor service.

In other words, learn to be a little bit mean. That way you can leave a decent tip when you do get good service.

Substitute with whole milk powder – that is with full fat.  (Skim milk is a total rip-off that makes you fatter over time, not thinner).

Or learn to take your tea and coffee black.

The trick to making up milk powder is to use cool water and stir.

You can also add a drop of vanilla essence to give it a fresher taste.

Fill it with tap water, and carry it with you at all times.

The more water you drink, the healthier you are (within reason), and you will eat less and save more.

And over time you’ll save on drinking expensive beverages such as sugar water (sodas etc.)

If you get bored with water, occasionally you can always add a drop or two of Angostura bitters.