SAMPLE APPLICATIONS OF DE BONO THINKING TOOLS WITHIN

Home economics

Imagine that you are married with a 7 year old son and a 6 month old baby daughter. Your husband/wife is currently not working and the new baby has put an added strain on your budget. Think of the Alternatives, Possibilities and Choices you could make to improve your financial situation. Do an A.P.C.

Take on a part-time job. Buy less processed foods and cook from scratch.
Get your husband/wife to do some home-work. Use gas rather than electric heaters.
Reduce food portions and serve more bread. Put glass bottles full of water in flushing reservoir to reduce capacity.
Make the best of your left-overs. Reduce consumption of expensive foodstuffs such as meat.
Use washable rather than disposable nappies. Walk more and use the car less.
Take part in a car-boot sale. Make a menu for each day of the week with the ingredients needed and the cost of each meal.
Go to work by bus. Buy seasonal food stuffs when cheap and freeze.
Use plastic shopping baskets instead of garbage bags. Do not leave taps or showers running when    washing.
Control the use of telephones. Save the washing until you have a full load to wash.
Drink mineral water rather than soft-drinks. Take packed lunches to work rather than taking a take-away.