| Make It At Home and updated version of the resource Searching For Ways To Keep Costs Down is a fact sheet focused on the cost benefits of home prepared meals. The resource compares the prices of restaurant foods, convenience foods, and prepared at home items. Educators may want to use this resource as a supplemental take home brochure after teaching a lesson regarding money saving techniques.
The topic is very appropriate for the target audience of low-income adults. The main topic heading is straight forward and easily identified so readers know exactly what to expect from the contained information. The section headings are also appropriate for the content supplied. The graphics are appropriate for the document and help convey the intended message to the user.
The fact sheet uses number comparisons to encourage users to cook at home in order to save money. This can be a powerful motivating technique. It is effective that the users have concrete numbers which convey information instead of concepts that could be hard to visualize. It may add even greater impact to show the difference of savings for a longer period of time, such as for a week or month, or for an entire family. Users should keep in mind that depending on their location the prices listed may vary.
The 'Make It at Home' section of this resource also includes 3 ideas for making meals at home. All of the ideas are easy, foods are kid-friendly, and ideas for including kids in the cooking process are also included. The following 'Bring It From Home' section of the resource compares the costs of buying cofee and water outside of the home with bringing it from home. Again, educators might want to show savings for longer periods of times to demonstrate how small savings accumulate quickly.
The resource is easily accessible as a pdf from the extension website and can be printed on a general printer in color or black and white. The bottom of the fact sheet contains the contact information for the state and county UNH Cooperative Extension offices, listed alphabetically. For educators outside of New Hampshire this section would need to be modified.
Overall this resource uses powerful comparisons to provide important information to the target audience. It can be used alone, but may be more beneficial if used as a take home item after a lesson or combined with additional material on the same topic.
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