Confidence in the economy has sunken to an all time low so much so that people are taking their money out of banks and saving it at home. This of course doesn’t even earn them a modicum of interest but potentially earning interest in light of the fact that your bank could fail at any minute is no consolation.

Instead of worrying… cook a meal for yourself, your friends or family (or any combination thereof) to enjoy. Last night I saw a KFC commercial where a family was scurrying about trying to get the ingredients to make a chicken dinner for $9.99. Of course the family couldn’t find the ingredients for less than $10 but most of the ingredients that they would purchase could be used in other recipes or for additional meals.

A side dish I enjoy at restaurants is steamed garlic spinach. I had some for a salad and decided why not try to make some steamed spinach myself. It didn’t take long to make, I had the ingredients in the refrigerator already and even added a splash of Balsamic vinegar to the final product. This was very good and since I didn’t have to go to a restaurant to buy it or spend extra if it is an ala carte restaurant I figured that I could make this easily.

Confidence in my cooking ability has not shrunk, so I think I will buy a small steak, cook it and cook the rest of the spinach. While I am at the grocery store I will buy some bread and heat it so I can have it with my dinner. A gourmet meal for a fraction of the price of a steak dinner in a restaurant, complete with sides.

Find confidence in something else, even though money is an issue won’t let it overwhelm you and take over your life. Go back to an inexpensive hobby, watch some MLB games, read a book.