Caitriona Redmond: Why sticking to a household budget is as easy as making toast

Think of the impending zero figure in your bank account as a virtual smoke alarm

Budgeting and living with less is instinctive for me — just like making a slice of toast

How do you make a slice of toast? Do you follow a recipe, or is it instinctive? You probably go through a series of steps, almost on auto pilot. From a fresh slice of soda bread, to toasting it with heat, to slathering the slice with beautiful Irish butter, and finally a bit of honey, jam, cheese, or even peanut butter. It’s a process that takes you from beginning to enjoyment. Tea or coffee optional.

There’s a running joke in my house that when the alarm sounds, it’s a sign that the toast is ready. It’s very sensitive to smoke which is fantastic for fire safety but not brilliant for kitchen confidence and the cost of replacing batteries.