Cooking on the cheap

 Ever since I moved our of my parents house, which was shortly after graduating college and starting my career.  I started to eat healthier.  I wouldn't of called it better just healthier as at time time a 20 something single guy can.   I didn't know it at the time, but it was very FI.  I only need a couple of ingredients and only a couple of appliances.   My breakfast if I had it was cereal Cheerios. Lunch and dinner was rice usually whole gain, with a protein (chicken, streak, shrimp), and veggie (frozen mix bad).  That was it no seasoning. To go along with running I got into good shape and saves a lots of money.  Now I did go out with friends and co-workers for lunch/drinks and such, but otherwise simple.  

Fast forward almost 20 years and here we are.  Lets talk about a real life not some post college living on the cheap, but lets talk about practical cooking and practical expenses.  

First lets talk about what appliance you need to have.  I used to say a rice cooker, but the more modern and more practical is a instant-pot.  Air-fryer. This can pretty much replace a microwave and oven.  Not only does it save on electricity compared to over it has so many uses.  A mixers like a nutribullet. The reason for this, is to mix smoothies or chop stuff up.  Good set of knifes. You can get away with just that, but to make your life quicker get a microwave, pots, and pans. You doesn't need much more especially for a family of 4.  If you feel like these are to small. It maybe time to rethink how you make dinner and portion sizes. Think appetizer sizes not thanksgiving sizes. 

A quick look

1. Instant-Pot
2. Air fryer
3. Nutribullet (mixer)
   
4.  Knifes
5. Microwave
6. Pot/pan/stove

Everything else is extra convenience.  Over and grill are also great things to have, but you can live without and find yourself not using very much. 

We all know cooking in bulk helps save money and your time, but what to do with all the bulk. You can freeze it, you can just eat it through the week, or like many make it,eat it, and throw away because you go tired of it.

Making old like new.  Ok we all get tired of left overs. Here what I like to do to mix it up. 

• Add different sauces I prefer buffalo. 
• Put it in a tortilla (make a burrito or quesadilla)
  
• Add the ingredients to a calzone
• Make a soup or stew
• Make them into a sandwich
  

Living in a bubble

The past year has change our way of life.  From a FI stand point it has helped us look at our spending and decide what is important. This is mostly due to the fact we don't know what tomorrow will be.  Something I've been reluctant to do is cancel my gym membership. One because I had a grandfathered price and two I've had it for 20 years.  But after not going for 9 months it was time even through for 3-4 months they didn't charge me.  Here are things I've done in the bubble to reduce cost. 

 The funny things is about doing these is it is something I should of always done or do every couple of years.

I've done things to cut back.  

• Refinanced Mortgage
• Changed cell phone carriers
• Cancelled Gym memberships
• Stop eating out
• Change car/home insurance
• Cancelled kids jump house subscription
• Cancelled various subscriptions like RoadRunner and Consumer Reports
• Ski passes

 

Most of these are permanent changes, but there are some if 2021 is better I will probably pick back up.   

What I have found living in a bubble is that my life really hasn't changed.  Beside not traveling to see family and kids sports life isn't that different.  I still get my exercise and for the most part living a full and healthy life.    I can't deny my kids life have changed a lot.  For one they are not going to in-person school and they are not hanging our with friends.  The couple of neighborhood friends don't want to wear masks and our kids do.  We have been exploring other options for them to hangout with friends like online game (minecraft) or going to friends parks that wear there mask.  To me it doesn't matter if you believe masks' work or not, but if you get in a routine with your kids then they will be good at wearing them when they have too. Think wearing a seat belt. 

Living of a bubble has forces be to think outside of the box to have my family have a fun and exciting life.  This goes true in protecting our lifestyle and prepare for the good and the bad.  For Halloween we created a haunted basement for the kids. It was fun and different. The loved it and didn't miss not trick-or-treating.  The hardest part of getting used to a new lifestyle in the bubble is not letting emotions take over.  The market has been crazy and I for one have been spending a lot for time reading articles on COVID and the market.  COVID looks bad and the market looks good.  How long will this last or do we have a COVID proof market. IDK and know one does.  My strategy is to just keep investing. I may shift things around a bit (re-balance), but otherwise what does up must come down.

I for one will feel weird once the world is mask free and things head back to closer pre 2020.  Let hope all the good habits everyone came up with stick.  Remember checking up on your finances and reducing your membership and change to lower cost services is always good.  Keep it up. O and keep washing those hands.