We all know eating out can be a lot of fun. There’s the experience of having someone wait on your every need, the social aspect of being in a restaurant with friends and, of course, the great benefit of the lack of in-home cleanup.

We all also know eating out can be expensive, and I’m pretty sure college isn’t the most financially successful time in a normal person’s life. That’s why eating at home for a majority of meals really is the only option for many college students.

Eating at home doesn’t have to be dull, boring, or difficult. It can and should be an energetic, creative experience that transforms the way you look at food. When you cook for yourself, you know exactly how your pasta(意大利面) is going to turn out. You know where the greens in your salad come from. You know the olive oil you’re using really comes from olives that are pressed for the first time. Use eating at home as an opportunity to learn and develop your kitchen sills I promise you they will remain useful and rewarding for the rest of your life.

Another important concept is to keep in mind that when it comes to shopping for food——less quantity, more quality. Buy base ingredients that are fresh, as local as possible and beautiful, and anything you cook will improve greatly. I promise you will be just as satisfied by eating a little bit less of something with a lot more quality.

I am not saying eating out is a bad thing. But I insist there are many more places that are not worth your cash. Put a little more effort into cooking for yourself at home and you will gain experience and appreciation for the world of food.

Junk food like potato chips, candy, cookies, and soda may make you feel momentarily happy, but they are not so good for your health. 【小题1】 , but there are some steps that will move you along the path to better eating habits.

Stay away from junk food. 【小题2】 . If you have lots of junk food around, you will be much more likely to eat it. Stop buying junk food and keep it out of your house, car, and office

Keep plenty of healthy snacks on hand. The more healthy food that is readily available for you to choose from, the easier it will be for you to keep yourself from eating it. Keeping vegetables, fresh fruits and low-fat yogurt in your refrigerator is one effective way to distract your attention from junk food

【小题3】 . Avoid snacking in settings that cause you to make bad choices. Some environments are believed to increase your likelihood for turning to junk food. For example, if you know that you are more likely to turn to junk food while watching television, have your healthy snack in the kitchen instead.

Eat plenty of healthy food early in the day. The more healthy food you eat early in the day, the less chance you will have to binge（大吃大喝）on junk food later on in the day when your willpower is lower. 【小题4】 .

It may not happen overnight, but you can learn how to stop eating junk food. 【小题5】 . As long as you stick to these tips, you can get past being a junk food addict.

Helping Your Teen Understand the Value of Money

It seems that there are more things for teens to spend money on than ever. There are expensive clothes, video games, MP3 players, and more. 【小题1】 That’s why it’s important to help them understand the value of money.

Start teaching your children about money early. Starting around age 10, give them a few dollars every week for them to spend however they want. 【小题2】 But let them choose what they want to do. Don’t set limits on what they can spend it on, and don’t continually buy them things they want. They’ll soon learn that if they spend all their money as soon as they get it, they won’t be able to afford more expensive things they want.

You should also start early introducing your children to budgets (预算) and how much things cost. Have them go to the store with you or watch you pay the bills. 【小题3】

As your child gets older, about 13 or 14, increase their pocket money as you increase their responsibility. Once they’re more responsible, give them a budget for something bigger like clothes and make them stick to it.

Eventually, your child will probably get a job. 【小题4】 Have them put some into a savings account to use for college or other pursuits. Let them use the rest as mad money to spend however they want. If you’re worried about what they’re buying, open them a checking account you can monitor.

【小题5】 It takes many small steps. Remember that they will probably mess up along the way, but mistakes are how they learn.