Fancy Beverages Are No Longer In The Budget? Try Homemade!
The last thing any of us want to give up when we’re faced with creating a new budget is that little item called “luxuries”. You know what I’m talking about. That creamy Mocha Latte, or tall, refreshing Fruit Smoothie at the mall. But, when you add up how much money you spend each month on these specialty drinks, you discover very quickly just how important it is to your family’s financial well-being to give them up.
You can’t afford to put food on the table each night and still enjoy your favorite drinks. So, you and your family members decide to make the ultimate sacrifice; no more expensive designer beverages. It’s not in the budget. Something has to go and it’s going to be the fancy drinks. Your family is now walking around with long faces and you don’t like it one bit.
Now, you and your family are feeling a bit pouty about not having their favorite beverages anymore. I know you all agreed and you’ll stick with the plan, but are those long faces ever going to perk up? Is there something that can be done to lessen the pain of a sacrifice like this one where you give up a real, daily routine that is so pleasant?
There was a time when we “fancied up” our own beverages for a fraction of the cost of those designer drinks. It was the good ol’ days when you added a little cream and cocoa to your coffee, or you made a big pitcher of sweet tea right there in your very own kitchen. Do you remember those days? Well, just like when your grandparents and parents had to rely on their own ingenuity to save money, those days are back!
You can easily re-create those old fashioned homemade beverages, but there are a lot of new recipes to try, as well. Some of these recipes have been tweaked with just enough added yummy ingredients that you’ll never miss your fancy coffee or slushies again. You may even have some of the makings for your favorite drink right in your pantry.
Getting started making your own homemade beverages is easy. You’ll need to get your blender out from hiding, clean it up, and set it somewhere handy. Blenders are essential to all Smoothies, and some of the coffee and tea mixes, as well. These dry mixes often contain ingredients that just come out smoother when they’re well blended. So, the blender is your new friend.
There are many delicious, inexpensive homemade beverages to try. The Slushies and Smoothies are drinks that you blend with milk, yogurt, and ice normally and serve right away. Then there are the dry mixes for instant coffee, cocoa, and tea. My favorite mixes are the super-flavored ones like Bavarian Mint Coffee, Cafe Vienna, and Ginger Tea. These are stored in airtight containers and ready when you are. Just spoon some in a cup of hot water, and you are on your way to complete bliss. It’s that easy… and delicious!
I love the idea of making my own inexpensive drinks at home, but like you, I had some questions about whether they would be as good as the ones I had been buying. The truth is you’re using fresh ingredients for your Fruit Smoothies, and creamy and rich ingredients for your Cafe Latte, Hot Cocoa, and Chai Tea, so they always turn out delicious. Real ingredients create drinks that taste, well, real. Real cocoa, real coffee, real lemon, whatever makes a good drink taste good, these recipes have it figured out.
Just because we’re all watching our pennies, doesn’t mean we can’t try to find a few luxuries that we can afford. Homemade beverages are the perfect opportunity. You’ll save money and still be able to share a little cup of kindness with your family.
Learn how to make fruit smoothies as well as other frugal beverages for your family. Come see us at HillbillyHousewife.com for lots of fun healthy kids snacks, and much more!