Hey everyone! This is Josh Garrett with my very first Young Free Texas blog for the new year! I hope you all had a safe and fun New Year! And let me take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported me and helped me reach this position. You are awesome!

This blog is a simple one, and I hope the numbers don't drive you away, but it can save you some money (and calories) in the long-run especially if you suffer from wanderlust!

While driving to Lake Jackson as my first stop (of many) as 2010 spokester, I decided to take an alternate to my road trip snack of choice. Now, normally anytime I leave town for whatever reason, be it visiting parents or a day trip with friends. I always hit a corner store and buy some root beer and orange slices; the sugar coated candy deliciousness sent from above, not the good-for-you fruit. That would normally ring as $1.69 a soda and $1.00 dollar for the candy (2 for a dollar, woot!). I normally double this order on my trips (for the way back) coming out to $5.38 plus tax.

Doesn't seem like that big a deal, but if I stop at a grocery store I can get a 24 pack of water for $4.99 and mega pack of gum for $2.64. Total: $7.63

I know what your thinking: "But this is MORE! How can this be a good deal! You stink at finding me deals, Josh!"

And I would respond "Ok, that last one was just mean. But you're going through orange slice withdrawals, so I forgive you. I know my friend, it's hard. But here's my logic."

I drink two soda bottles on the trip. And that package of water, if you were to price it per bottle, comes to a whopping 21 cents a bottle. 21 CENTS! You can drink 16 water bottles for the price of 2 sodas! Madness! 

And instead of eating the two bags of orange slices, I downed 10 pieces of gum.  My pack has 45 pieces O_O

All in all, I can snackify myself for about 4 roadtrips for just a smidgen over the price of a usual one.

I said something about calories earlier, right? 

Well, according to www.dietfacts.com the two root beers would come to a grand total of 480 calories. 

(Fun fact: water has NONE).

And orange slice candies have... WHAT!? Really!? I've been eating these for years! How have I never noticed that before! Ok, so here is is: 150 calories. Per bag!?!

No. I wish it were so. It's 150 for every THREE pieces! There's like, 12 per bag! 600 calories per bag X2!

So before, my average road trip consisted of 1,680 calories. Wow. Just wow.

My new snack has about 50 calories per trip.

Alright, that's all for now! If you have any questions or comments at all, just respond to this blog or message me on twitter or facebook! Thanks, and enjoy your holidays! I look forward to being your spokester for 2010!

Josh