Use the Fine China

Often during bad financial times common meal times are one of the first things to go. With everyone in the family working whatever hours they can get it is often hard to get together for a meal. Also with everyone working extra hours it is hard to have time to cook.

But, it is important to maintain the ritual of at least one common meal a day. The social interactions which occur during meal time are important to everyone's mental health. Also prepared meals are more nutritious and cost less than than fast food.

Instead of letting dinner time disappear go the opposite direction. Bring out the fine china. It is just gathering dust in the china cabinet and you will be surprised how it can dress up a meal of beans and cornbread or red beans and rice. Remember, meal time is a family activity and should prepared and cleaned up as family.

Ramen

The longer I live on this planet the more I am convinced that God put Japanese people here to solve all of our problems, usually with some gimmicky product. Instant ramen certainly is God's answer to poverty. Each packet costs about 20 cents and can feed two. You will have a hard time finding a cheaper meal. Just as importantly, Ramen noodles are easy to prepare, which means you can fix you up a batch between your second and third jobs.

I am not saying eat instant ramen for every meal. But I am saying buy a lot ramen and eat it whenever you don't feel like anything in particular. Also tell your children to make this when they want a snack. Snacks are expensive. Ramen is cheap. If your children watch Naruto they will know it as Naruto's favorite food.

Ramen when prepared with its spice packet is high in sodium. You can prepare it whithout the spice pack. It may be bland but it is still very edible.

Instant Ramen was invented by Andō Momofuku. He was known by many affectionate nicknames including Papa Noodle, Mr. Noodle and Kingo Instant Ramen. The first flavor was Chicken, Momofuku doubted that this product would ever be replaced as Japan's favorite. His company Nissin Food Products Co. invented the first packaging of ramen for use in space by Japan astronauts. Kigome mentions this fact to the Inuyasha in one episode of Inuyasha.