| As we are currently experiencing one of the deepest | | | | average price is one fourth of the original cost or |
| recessions of the past 100 years more people than | | | | less. So at these stores you could basically buy about |
| ever are turning to home cooked meals rather than | | | | four great cooking books for the price of one at |
| eating out or ordering pizzas. Many families are now | | | | Williams-Sonoma. |
| cooking meals at home three times a day seven | | | | Then there is another avenue that should definitely |
| days a week. This requires a greater variety in the | | | | not be overlooked. That avenue would be your local |
| types of meals offered a number of recipes needed | | | | Craigslist and Freecycle. Both Craigslist and Freecycle |
| for this level of cooking. Yes you could get by by | | | | are websites that are free to use the differences On |
| cooking the same couple of meals everyday | | | | Craigslist you sell items and someone else buys them |
| regardless of what the meals were people would | | | | and Freecycle is where they are given away for free. |
| soon lose interest as their pallets would become dull | | | | You cannot sell items on Freecycle. Generally things |
| and bored. So what is required is a good number of | | | | are harder to get on Freecycle do this free nature. |
| different kinds of cooking books. | | | | As soon as something of value is posted as available |
| Now at Williams-Sonoma or other fine specialty and | | | | on free cycle it is almost always gone. So you will |
| cooking stores you will find that these cooking books | | | | definitely be better off searching your local Craigslist. |
| can be rather expensive and can range anywhere | | | | I have found many local church cookbooks for sale |
| from $25 on up to $100 or more per book. Some, | | | | at fire sale prices on Craigslist. These books are |
| like the Betty Crocker cookbook are practically a | | | | usually sold as a part of church fundraisers for |
| required stable for any kitchen. Some books will delve | | | | between $10 and $30. Usually on Craigslist I can pick |
| more into types of meats, soups, desserts, etc. while | | | | these same books up there barely used for a dollar |
| others will delve more into different nationalities and | | | | or two each. So for $20 and the gas to go and get |
| the general types of foods preferred or served in | | | | them I can get 10 or more great cooking books |
| those countries or regions. For instance Thailand and | | | | loaded with awesome recipes that I know that my |
| Thai cooking tends to place an emphasis on hot and | | | | family and kids will love. Some of these have more |
| spicy foods, whereas other countries may specialize | | | | of a holiday tint to them and others may specialize in |
| in all kinds of different kinds of cooking and flavors. | | | | desserts, but all are full of great recipes and ideas |
| All of these countries have interesting dishes and | | | | and I have never been disappointed picking up any of |
| recipes that are definitely worth your time to check | | | | these ever. The secret is the little church ladies that |
| out. | | | | over the years have picked up some amazing |
| The problem is that these books are not exactly | | | | cooking skills and some would even rival or put the |
| cheap and if you wanted one from every country in | | | | cooking chefs and stars on TV to shame. |
| the world you could spend several thousand dollars | | | | So if you want to save some money on some great |
| easily or more. Now as an alternative to the | | | | cooking books and take your cooking skills, recipes |
| expensive cooking stores you can also go to places | | | | and meals to the next level or even if you just want |
| like Wal-Mart to get the same books for a little bit | | | | to try something new, do not pass by Craigslist |
| cheaper. A better alternative is to go to your local | | | | without giving it a try. It has definitely been worth |
| Marshall's, Ross or T.J. Maxx as they usually have a | | | | my time and then some. |
| very good selection of cooking books where the | | | | |