Cutting Costs: Apple Orchard vs. Store Bought

Two weeks ago, we went to an apple orchard and had an amazing time together as a family. And since then, we've been reaping the benefits of all those apples! Not only did we have them for snacks almost every day, but I also made homemade caramel apples (for us and for a playdate) and crockpot applesauce. The only additional things I needed to buy were a bag of caramels and one lemon. (I had the peanuts from that amazing Planters/Kraft free deal back when!) So all these things ended up costing me $12.50.

I started thinking at lunch today...how much would they have cost if I bought them at the store. So I started totally up the figures for 7 caramel apples, 2 jars of applesauce and then the remaining apples. $33.25! And I figured low for the apples!

By taking the time as a family to pick/make our own, I saved us $20.75. It may not sound like a lot, but don't get me on my soapbox about how far $20 can go! :)

Not only did we have monetary savings, but we had healthy savings, too. By having the apples around, we didn't eat some snacks that weren't as healthy and/or processed! You can't really put a savings figure on that! And one extra bonus...Nathan is now saying the word, "apple!" Yes, we've eaten that many! :)

There are still a few more "picking" weeks left. So if you haven't gone, consider taking the family out for a day of fun at the orchard. Your frugal outing might turn into a grocery savings, too!