“Budget Babe” Robyn Moreno Shares Family-Friendly Tips for Saving and Earning More

by Cheryl Lynn on January 14, 2009

“Budget Babe” Robyn Moreno Shares Family-Friendly Tips for Saving and Earning More
Survey shows consumers want to cut costs at dinner table and bring home more ‘bacon’

Kalamazoo, MI January 15, 2009 Press Release— — Amid an economic downturn with increased unemployment, rising food prices and housing foreclosures, the nation’s consumers are focused on the bottom line – their own wallets.  In a recent survey (1) conducted by The Pampered Chef, 88 percent of Americans living in the Midwest said they’re making changes to help save money and relieve financial burdens for their families.  Two of the primary changes consumers say they’re considering are how they can feed their family for less and how they can bring in supplemental income.  With this in mind, The Pampered Chef has partnered with self-proclaimed “budget babe” Robyn Moreno, author of the newly-released book “Practically Posh: The Smart Girls Guide to a Glam Life,” to offer expert insights and tips on how to lead a budget-friendly lifestyle.  “We’re all feeling the pinch of the challenging economy,” said Moreno.  “But consumers don’t have to panic, I’ve got simple tips to shrink spending, starting with the dinner table, and also have smart recommendations for earning more income.  “Mealtime Solutions for $2 Per Person

Consumers overwhelmingly identified food-related expenses as the #1 area where they are looking to cut costs.  More than half (52%) of Americans said they try only to buy groceries on sale or for which they have coupons; 44 percent now buy less food or fewer items when shopping for dinner.  But consumers don’t have to scrimp if they’re smart about shopping. According to Moreno, planning complete meals in advance is one step towards ensuring grocery expenses don’t get out of hand.
Families can start with a week’s worth of NEW, affordable recipes, available for free on www.pamperedchef.com.  From Creamy One Pot Pasta to White Chicken Chili and Asian Pork Noodle Skillet, the dishes are hearty and use a variety of fresh ingredients. At around $2 per serving to feed a family of six, these options are budget-friendly, offering a low-cost dinner that can be ready in 30 minutes or less.  (2) A cost of around $2 per serving is a welcome surprise to the nearly seven in ten (63%) Midwesterners who thought it would cost $5 or more per person to feed their families a hearty meal.
Earning Extra Income
Saving money by shaving expenses is only one way consumers are looking to ease their financial concerns; more than one third (35%) of Americans have either taken or researched getting a second job.  However, according to The Pampered Chef’s survey, they cite the need for flexibility (38%), unwillingness to spend much more time away from family (29%), not having money to invest in a business (26%) and uncertainty in where to start looking (26%) as the top reasons that prevent them from finding a second income source. But, there’s a solution that can tackle all of those concerns.  “I’ve explored a lot of earning opportunities and direct sales companies like The Pampered Chef offer a good way to earn extra income, especially for people who need to control their schedules,” says Moreno.  “As an entrepreneur, you’re your own boss.  And, while flexibility is important, what I really like is that the earning potential of direct sales is in proportion to the effort put into it.  You can’t say that about most careers.”
With people choosing to cook more frequently at home versus dining out – 70 percent according to the study – a direct sales career as a Pampered Chef Consultant is very relevant in today’s economy. Consultants conduct Cooking Shows where they teach guests how to feed their families conveniently and affordably using multipurpose tools to create easy recipes.  Plus, they’re a fun way to gather family and friends and offer solutions that make busy lives easier.

Getting started can be a cinch.  A Pampered Chef business requires little investment – for just $155 a new Consultant kit includes a selection of high-quality products and business materials valued at more than $500.  Consultants also receive training to help them succeed, including interactive Web courses, videos, national and local sales meetings and other materials.

“Anyone can do direct selling,” says Moreno.  “Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a college kid, a former executive or have a full-time career, it’s an easy, fun way to boost your budget.”

To learn more about The Pampered Chef, shop a collection of essential kitchen tools, or for information on becoming a Consultant, please call Cheryl Lynn Miller, Independent Senior Consultant for The Pampered Chef, at (269) 547-8571 or e-mail clynnmiller@sbcglobal.net.
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About The Pampered Chef®
The Pampered Chef, founded in 1980 by Doris K. Christopher and now part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of businesses, is the premier direct seller of high quality kitchen tools.  At in-home cooking demonstrations, called Cooking Shows, guests see products and recipes in action, learn quick and easy food preparation techniques and receive tips on how to entertain with style and ease – transforming the simple to the spectacular.  For more information call 1-800-266-5562 or visit http://www.pamperedchef.com.  The Pampered Chef is a registered trademark.

1 Omnibus survey of 1,000 consumers, ages 18 and over, conducted by independent research firm Wakefield in Oct. 2008
2 Prices are estimated and vary regionally

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Seven Reasons Why Dinnertime Should Be Family Time

by Cheryl Lynn on January 5, 2009

This is a wonderful article I came across.  It was written my Jim Burns, Ph.D. stating why it’s import for families to get back to the dinner table together!!

I’m happy to announce that over the past few years, more and more families are making the intentional effort to have regular, family-mealtimes.  Here are seven reasons why doing so is a great idea:

1) Kids who live in families that eat dinner together regularly are less likely to be involved in at risk behaviors.  According to the 2000 study done by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA), children who don’t eat dinner with their families are 61 percent more likely to use alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs. By contrast, children who eat dinner with their families every night of the week are 20 percent less likely to drink, smoke, or use illegal drugs.

2) Families who eat dinner together regularly are more likely to have stronger, happier family relationships.  As families struggle to find amounts of quantity and quality time together, family dinnertime provides the opportunity for both.  When families hang out together and communicate, they grow strong and healthy.

3) Families who eat dinner regularly develop a stronger family identity.  Eating together serves to build a family identity.  Additionally, this family “routine” provides a sense of stability and security that provides kids with a positive environment where they can grow into healthy adults.

4) Families who eat dinner together regularly can keep in touch with each others’ lives.  Everyone – kids and parents alike – can keep up-to-date during your family dinnertime on what is going on with school, jobs, family life, and friends.

5) A regular family dinnertime provides natural opportunities for planning and problem solving.  Scheduling family meeting times to discuss planning, needs and problem solving can be difficult.  A regular family mealtime can offer a natural solution to the challenge.

6) Eating dinner regularly fosters learning.  When families who eat dinner together engage in a variety of conversation topics, learning is encouraged.  Kids who are exposed to regular family discussion times learn a broader vocabulary.

7) Kids are likely to receive better nutrition when eating dinner regularly with their families.  A simple, but true rule applies: when kids eat with their families, they eat better.  A family dinnertime means kids are more likely to eat a nutritionally balanced meal, lower in sugar and fat content, than if they prepare or purchase meals on their own.

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Welcome 2009

January 2, 2009

From my family to yours – we wish you all a Blessed New Year.  2008 has brought many challenges for us all and I believe with our Lord Jesus Christ at the center of our lives it will allow God’s will to be done through us.  Our family has suffered and lost many things this [...]

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Frugal Shopping

November 22, 2008

I don’t know about you but I love getting a great deal.  After church on Sunday, I come home and go through all the circulars to see what is on sale and where I can get the best price.  Between the coupons I clip and purchasing sale items I generally knock $40 – $50 a [...]

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Choosing the Right Video Game Console this Holiday Season

November 21, 2008

Christmas is almost here and the kid’s want a video gaming console, but which one do you choose? This guide will help you understand more about the Wii, the Xbox, and the Playstation.
Right click and Save as to download -> Choosing the Right Video Game Console (24) Posted by Lynette

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Voter Issue Guide

October 15, 2008

 Below is a a Voter Issue Guide as circulated by the American Family Association.  I hope you find this helpful in determining who you will vote for this November and remember EVERYONE that CAN vote should.  Voting is not your RIGHT it is your RESPONSIBILITY!!

Voter Issue Guide

 

2008 Presidential Race

John McCain

Barack Obama

 

HOMOSEXUALITY

 

Click on candidate positions for [...]

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Family Fun Pizza

October 9, 2008

I think everyone would agree dinner time is a great time to bring the family together.  Well at our house we try to even make dinner preparation a family affair.  Everyone gets to be involved in making the dinner (something that my “Pampered” kitchen makes very easy to accomplish.)  Tonight we made what my daughter [...]

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How we got in the financial mess we are in

October 2, 2008

I received the following email today regarding the current financial mess we (the US) is experiencing.  I had to share it since this seems to be the question of the day.  With all the finger pointing on Capital Hill, I think it’s interesting that this article spells out the very plan that is the route [...]

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Take a big bite out of grocery bills

October 2, 2008

The average U.S. household spends 13% of its budget on food, but savvy supermarket shoppers can save hundreds of dollars a month. Here are secrets from a couple of champs as reported by MSN Money article – Take a big bite out of grocery bills By MP Dunleavey.
Editor’s note: Join columnist MP Dunleavey and a [...]

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The worst breakfast in America

September 25, 2008

The worst breakfast in America as reported in the article America’s Worst Breakfast Foods on MSN health & fitness on Sept 25, 2008. 
Bob Evans Stacked and Stuffed Caramel Banana Pecan Hotcakes
1,543 calories
77 g fat (26 g saturated; 9 g trans)
2,259 mg sodium
198 g carbs
109 g sugars
SATURATED FAT EQUIVALENT: 26 STRIPS OF BACON
SUGAR EQUIVALENT: 12 CHOCOLATE [...]

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