I've baked bread, and I'm not sure that it's a great way of saving money. My local grocery stores, particularly the one where all the rich snobs shop, always has a good selection on its clearance shelf. The bread isn't as good as home baked, but it's passable.
"As good as home baked"...that's the real reason many people bake.
I've always found bread to be pretty easy. The nice thing is that it's forgiving. Unlike other baking, where everything has to be exactly right, or it's a total failure.
The one word of advice for those who don't know--the only critical thing is the temperature, particularly of the water the yeast gets dissolved in. If the temperature of the water is too high, then the yeast is killed. (Every yeast brand I've seen prints a suggested range for that brand and type on the package.)
As for insurance companies, I've been told they are all evil when it comes to a claim. The best bet might be smaller companies, sold through an independent broker. I've been told that smaller companies don't nickel and dime as much. Even better, a good broker will supposedly help the client fight if needed. And the rates can be lower. One person I knew had Allstate. After her son totaled her car, the rates went sky-high. She went to a broker, and got insurance that was equal to her old coverage, with a price equal to or better than the pre-accident Allstate rate.
"As good as home baked"...that's the real reason many people bake.
I've always found bread to be pretty easy. The nice thing is that it's forgiving. Unlike other baking, where everything has to be exactly right, or it's a total failure.
The one word of advice for those who don't know--the only critical thing is the temperature, particularly of the water the yeast gets dissolved in. If the temperature of the water is too high, then the yeast is killed. (Every yeast brand I've seen prints a suggested range for that brand and type on the package.)
As for insurance companies, I've been told they are all evil when it comes to a claim. The best bet might be smaller companies, sold through an independent broker. I've been told that smaller companies don't nickel and dime as much. Even better, a good broker will supposedly help the client fight if needed. And the rates can be lower. One person I knew had Allstate. After her son totaled her car, the rates went sky-high. She went to a broker, and got insurance that was equal to her old coverage, with a price equal to or better than the pre-accident Allstate rate.
