Sunday, May 22, 2011

Spend money to save money? HUH??





Are you surprise when you hear this:  “spend money to save money”?  
Talking about this, I remembered one of my ex-bosses told me many years ago that I have to learn to spend money first as a motivation to make more money.  What do you think? I think there is some truth in it because if you do not know how to spend money, there is no need to make more money, right?

However, from many articles that I read, it is true that most Executives in big organization are very particular about how money is being spent.  They based very much importance on ROI (return-on-investment) to maximize their budget.  They are more than willing to spend money now to save money in the long run.  If the indication shows that the payback is high, they will spend as quickly as possible to realize the economic returns. They seemed to subscribe to this theory of spend money to save money.

Now, I have story to tell relating to this theory. I have a friend who told me few days ago that when his wife said this to him every time after she came back from her shopping spree, he is VERY SCARED.  She said, “Honey, do you know how much I paid for this COACH handbag?”  He said, "Of course dear, I know… must be $$$ with a DISCOUNT!!!  To him, his pocket went lighter by a few thousand $ but to her, she has saved some money for him.  When he grumbled about her spending so much money on shopping, she told him that he got to think outside the box.  She is helping him to save his money by spending it….. HOW BRILLIANT!!  So to all the married ladies, you may use this answer when your “LOW KUNG” (hubby) grumble about you spending too much of his money. If that does not work, perhaps baking him a nice dessert and serve it with an aromatic expresso in a pink smiley cup may pacify him.

BLUEBERRY APPLE CAKE



Granulated sugar, for pan
1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 ts[ salt
6 tbs unsalted butter, melted, plus 1 ounce
(2 tbs) cut into pieces
3/4 C plus 2 tbs packed light brown sugar
1/2 C whole milk
2 large eggs
2  apples (a little under 1 pound), peeled, cored, and cut into slices
1 C  blue berries
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
whipped cream, for serving (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 9-inch springform pan, and dust with granulated sugar.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Whisk together melted butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, the milk, and eggs in another bowl. Whisk into flour mixture
3. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Arrange apple wedges over batter, and sprinkle with blackberries. Gently press fruit into batter.
4. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons brown sugar and the cinnamon, and sprinkle over fruit. Dot with remaining 2 tablespoons butter.
5. Bake until top is dark gold, apples are tender, and a cake tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Let cool. Serve with whipped cream if desired. 

47 comments:

  1. What a great looking cake! I love the blueberries. And, I'll definitely be trying that theory on my boyfriend the next time he complains about money!

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  2. that cake pic made me shreek out loud with joy...OMG.

    I must admitt Im a spender;)

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  3. LOL..brilliant indeed. Mine doesnt like expresso..hmm..cendol will do.

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  4. LOL! Love the spend to save story!! The cake looks delicious! Love blueberries. Love apple. Sounds great! blessings ~ tanna

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  5. Oh yes! I can sit with this cake and have a wonderful post shopping discussion.

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  6. Hey Quay Po!
    You are tempting me with your handsome cake at this hour..11.33pm..!! HAHAHA!!!

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  7. Ha, very good reason, next time I will tell my husband about this when he is complaining.
    Your cake look very juicy and creamy, I like.

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  8. He He...I think I should have the dessert and coffee close at hand! Your cake looks so tempting.

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  9. I often see things that I think are cheap but then I wonder what is the point, I don't really want them anyway. Just walk away and keep the money in your pocket. This recipe sounds fab. Diane

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  10. I have to laugh about the money - I'm the accountant in the family and I thought I had heard it all! In our house it has to do with how much we save on the next computer thingie. :)

    Yummy recipe! Thanks. :)

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  11. Thanks for stopping by my blog. The blue berry apple cake looks so delicious. So moist and yummy.

    Vardhini
    VardhinisKitchen

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  12. Sounds like what my mom says - spend to save! Sweetening the tooth beforehand helps, too.

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  13. My hubby always say I spend his money on my clothes. Hehehe ;)

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  14. hahahaha... i can be a spender although I have since learnt to control it. LOL

    HOw can I resist the blueberry and apple cake? I love how there is so much fruit in this!

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  15. Very funny and true! That is what I always tell my hubby!

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  16. ha ha funny story. My husband is the same. He will cringe each time I told him I am going to the outlet for some shopping. Nice looking cake. Love blueberries in cakes.

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  17. Hi There, The cake is looking absolutely delightful. Loved the new combo of ingredients and the recipe is so nicely made and presented. Have a great day….Sonia !!!

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  18. Wow, this is great, so much fruits, healthy. I'm not so much a big spender, had to save for my children's education and that's indeed the best investment, in my opinion.

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  19. Looks yummy and delicious, thumbs up.

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  20. Veronica...I was laughing away when I read your write out on your friend spending to save money for the hubby...how true for her :p

    I love your version of apple cake. I just made one , great mind thinks alike :)

    Have a great day...
    Elin

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  21. I think serving a piece of that delicious cake works better than trying to make a man see the logic of spending money to safe his money lol! Some men have very thick skulls!

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  22. Spending money is so much easier than saving! I'd rather spend on holidays and not expensive branded stuff even with discounts.

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  23. Hahaha, that is too funny about what your friend said to her hubby. I try to remember that next time. All joking aside though, it's very true in a lot of things we do that we have to spend money to save money. Look at investments for example ;). Like your friend, I can't wait to spend money so I can save money. Teehee.

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  24. Oh! OMG ,I prefer to work and make money & spend money myself. Ha!ha!ha! Man not need complain. :) :)
    This cake so nice & juicy.

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  25. I love Monet, and this cake looks spectacular! I can relate to the money spending thing. I love how my husband handles it: "Oh!" (he comments after seeing something new)"I knew something was missing! We really needed that!"
    :)
    Valerie

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  26. funny i have been trying to say the same thing to my husband lately about money too... i rather drown my own sorrows in this cake then listen to his grief!

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  27. yummychunklet, Mimosa: Hope the theory works for you.

    David: I think it is okay to be a spender as long as you don't overspend.

    Small Kuching: If cendol will pacify him, that's what you should do. hehe

    Tanna: Glad you enjoy the story.

    Hui boon: Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it.

    rosaria: I hope it is a pleasant discussion:P

    Coraine: Go make yourself supper my dear..LOL!

    Nancy and Vijay: How have you guys been keeping? Good to see you.

    Diane: You are very wise and it is good that you can resist temptation.

    Lois: So your hubby will be the one to think of a better theory to pacify you the next time he spend on something big. hehe

    Vardhini: You are most welcome. I am always happy to visit you again. Thanks for your comment.

    Belinda: Your mum rocks, usually mums asked us not to spend.

    Cathy: Next time he complains, tell him you dressed up for him.

    daphne: Good for you.

    Reese: Oh so you apply that theory too. Does it really work?

    ICook4fun: I guess most husbands do.

    Amelia, Sonia: thanks for the compliments. appreciate it.

    Cheah: I agree with you.

    Elin: I laughed too when I heard that. I will go check out your apple cake.

    Jeannie: You cracked me up but you are so right, men do have thick skulls.

    Keats: I feel the same too.

    LeQuan: Please don't tell Gary you learn that from my blog because I don't want him to unfriend me on facebook. hehe

    Joceline: That's true too, spend your own money and no one can complain.

    Valerie: I am very happy to see you, thanks for your visit and comment.

    once in a blue moon: hahaha, I like what you said.

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  28. Hi Veron, sorry for the late visit. I was very sick for the past couple of days. Bad flu & fever. Luckily, I'm getting much better today. You know what, your story just reminded of me...myself! hahaha... Frankly, I'm not much a spender. I did all the shopping for my family from food to clothings. I seldom spend on accessories. I am with Cheah, saving for my children's education. :o) Hope you're having a great day, dear.
    Blessings, Kristy

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  29. Oh wow, Quay Po, this is a lovely cake, I sure want a slice of it right now.

    It depends what "spend money to save money" actually mean. I think of it like using our money for bank investment and let the interests do their stuff.

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  30. I like your idea of spending money to save money...hee hee

    This cake is so lovely and I'm sure your hubby will forget about all $ matters...hee hee

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  31. I think I am really lucky to have a fiance who is really understanding about me spending money on shopping, LOL and I have faith in him even after we are married! Hahaha....I've heard that theory too, about spending to save money...and it is really all about how you spend the money and investment.
    Men may complain that women shop too much, while women thinks we are saving up with the discounts and such which men totally think is a marketing strategy.

    Love the delicious and awesome looking blueberries with apple cake..sure to pacify anyone; man or woman, even kids!:)

    Well, men do spend too, they don't shop as much as we do, but when they do, it's equivalent to 3-4 of our shopping sprees (cars, electronics, technology, etc).
    If all fails, well, as Dr John Gray said, "Men are from Mars, and Women are from Venus"
    So, don't bother:p

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  32. Haha! What a theory ... I don't that can apply to me now ... I'm still a poor freshie.

    P.S. My situation is worsening. If I really need people to talk to, I'll come look for you guys. It's killing me.

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  33. totally agreed, if we don't know how to spend the money, how can we get in money again?

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  34. i dont think it will work for me. I think some guys dont understand why we can never stop buying clothes, shoes, accessories.. all the time. Even if i bake this delicious looking blueberry apple cake, it wont make much difference unless i tell him,' this month no new shoes, no new handbags, no new clothes' i think this will probably make him happier! haha!

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  35. Your cake looks absolutely perfect. I'm adding it to my future baking list. Thanks!

    As for spending money to save money? I like to spend more on quality tools and equipment in my kitchen. That saves us money by encouraging me to cook more at home and it improves our meals as well. I rarely buy the cheapest possible item available, unless it is a higher quality item and it just happens to be less expensive.

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  36. So many wonderful berries in each bite. I love the combination between the apples and blueberries...I never think to mix those two together.

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  37. Kristy: I am so sorry to hear that you are not well. I know, the weather is so hot and make everyone sick. Me too, I just recovered from a bad flu and cough. I hope you feel better now. I understand why Cheah and you will not spend too much on yourself, that is the greatness of all mum, they always think of their children first. Take care and take plenty of rest and load yourself with Vit. C! HUGZZ

    Victor: That's definitely the right way to spend your money. Very wise.

    Zoe: I am not a big spender, in fact my Quay Lo call me Chinzy!! hehe...

    Christine: Thanks for your visit and your kind words.

    Christy: You are indeed very lucky to have a generous soul mate. You are so right. When men spend they put a bigger hole in their pocket but they feel it is justified haha.

    Pei Lin: You are so young, there is still a lot for you to learn from this old lady. LOL!

    Joelyn: Totally agreed but do spend wisely.

    Lena: You are right, no need to waste time men understand us, it will not happen.

    Barefeet in the kitchen: That is a wise way to spend money to save money. I am sure your man will have no complains.

    biarrose: I did not know too until I saw the recipe at Monet's blog. Thanks to her.

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  38. una gran torta exquisita, se ve muy linda y esponjosa,saludos

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  39. I like the cake - beautifully baked.

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  40. Rosita, Crafty Cat: Thanks and wishing you both have wonderful week.

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  41. Love this cake - beautifully baked.

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  42. Hahaha, good sharing on spend money. I am in the other way round, my husband asked me to spend money instead , hehehe...

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  43. i've been wanting to try monet's recipes for a while. these look amazing!

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  44. yummy bakes, : Thanks so much for your visit..it always delight me to see your comments.

    Sonia: So spend more my dear:D

    the actor's diet: Monet got a lot of yummy bakes and this is the first time I adapted one of her recipes.

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