Going on a No-Spend and Loving It

"You can buy happiness...for a little while."
-unknown

Ahhh...shopping...the craft stores...the mall...major hauls on YouTube...the shopping network...Amazon...it's all got to stop. Why? Because Christmas is around the corner. I don't really need anything. I've seen too many episodes of Tiny House Nation. And unless it's a Christmas present it's time to go on a good old-fashioned no-spend. And it doesn't have to be painful either. Just think M-O-N-E-Y.

MAKE IT MYSELF.

Recently I really wanted some cute new little zipper bags. Then I realized, it was a great opportunity to make it myself! I have a fabric stash, I had some zippers, and I'm rubbish at sewing them. So I found a great tutorial on YouTube, and I was in business. These could even be cute gifts. AND...YouTube is good for a lot more than pining away after other people's hauls!

OWE OR UPCYCLE?

If you've been on my blog, you know I make fabric Midori traveler's style notebooks all the time. And I use what I make. But recently I really was pining away after a gorgeous leather Midori I saw in an Etsy shop. I came very close to putting that $70 or $80 on my credit card. But then I looked around my stash for some leather. It came in the form of an old, falling-apart Coach bag from the 1980's. Enough leather in this bag for two Midori's! (one can be sold or be a gift) See? It came down to, do I want to owe or do I want to upcycle!

Click here to see how I upcycled an old bag into a fabulous Midori Traveler's Notebook

"Values are more important than valuables."
-unknown

NEEDED?

The most expensive notebook I have ever bought.

These little accordian notebooks are fun to make from 12X12 patterned paper.

Of course, you know that anytime you buy something you should always ask yourself if you need it. (Groceries and things like that are kind of excluded here. But I do make my grocery list around what's on sale.) Recently I bought this gorgeous pink notebook for myself because it's back to school time, I'm busy, and I needed and wanted a fun to-do listy book. I'm a paper kinda girl. And I saw what I wanted in a bookstore. I thought twice about it. I thought three times about it. And I knew if I walked away I'd keep thinking about it and wish I had it. So I got it. And really, it wasn't that expensive, but still I've never spent more than a couple of bucks on a notebook. It was before my no-spend. I really enjoy it. Will I want more fun paper things? Yes. But for now, I'll look at what I have and what I can make while I'm on my no-spend.

EAT SOMETHING GOOD TODAY?

Zuchinni noodles saute

Crockpot Swiss Steak Stew

Bet you weren't expecting that question having anything to do with a no-spend. Maybe your no-spend has to center around eating out and the huge amount of money that costs. That's why it's good to keep your pantry stocked, and much cheaper, and yet feed yourself well. You'll feel good and be more creative about how you spend your time, and not your money. Also, do things, like utilize your crockpot and let it have dinner ready for you!

Click here for my Crockpot Swiss Steak Stew

YES CAN MEAN NO?

A local vintage shop I LOVE

You can say "yes" to shopping and "no" to buying. Here's the secret. Think of it as research. While you're shopping, and you see things you really want, or maybe want to purchase at some point as a gift, make a list and write down what the item is, where you saw it, and the price. Maybe the next time you go back, the price will change and it will be on sale! Another idea, keep your phone in your hand while you shop, and take a photo of a display that you are loving. Sometimes the whole reason we impulse buy is because of the way something is displayed and how gorgeous it looks. Then, you get it home later, and you're not really that thrilled with it. Take a photo though, and you can enjoy looking at that pretty anytime you want.

Also...go shopping places to just get out and enjoy the atmosphere!

A local shop that has a lot of aquariums.

Outdoor festivals don't need to cost a lot!

And a bonus tip: take very limited funds with you! Don't carry a bag full of credit cards and cash. Then you can't spend!

"Be moderate in order to taste the joys of life in abudance."
Epicurus

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch

Slow Food Summer - Swiss Steak

Traditionally we think of our slowcookers as a winter appliance with yummy, hot, soupy foods to warm us up. I do like that.

The truth is, unlike an oven, having a slowcooker running for a few hours doesn't heat up the kitchen...just the food.

Therefore, I'm declaring this a slow food summer, and I'm exploring tasty recipes that can easily be thrown into one of my three slowcookers (I have one large, medium and small) and just when I'm all busy and creative in the afternoon, or I've been working all day...I don't have to worry about dinner. It will be ready and waiting!

First up this yummy swiss steak with potatoes rather than the usual noodles. It was really easy, and my family loved it. I used the high setting, and it was actually done in a little under 5 hours. I kept it on warm as I prepared a cheddar dill quick bread to go with it and some steamed green breans. It could be just a meal in itself though. So delish.

Slowcooker Swiss Steak
2 Tbs oil
1 to 1-1/2 lbs. beef round steak, cut into serving pieces
1/2 cup flour
4 to 5 potatoes, peeled and quartered
2 cups baby carrots
1 sweet onion, sliced
1 15-1/2 oz. can stewed tomatoes
1 12-oz. jar beef gravy
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:
Heat oil in skillet. Coat steak with flour and brown each side of the pieces in the skillet; remove and drain on a paper towel. In the slowcooker, place baby carrots, potatoes, onions, and steak pieces. Sprinkle with pepper and salt and pour the gravy and stewed tomatoes in. Cover and cook on either low for 10 to 12 hours, or on high for 5 to 6 hours.

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch Slow

Slow Cooker Mushroom Chicken Linguine

 This one is for mushroom lovers! You'll easily have these ingredients on hand--I love cooking from the pantry. You can go do your errands while the sauce is cooking, come back, and toss in the pasta!

SLOW COOKER MUSHROOM CHICKEN LINGUINE
Two boneless skinless chicken breasts chunked up
One can roasted garlic mushroom soup
1/2 cup water
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cups sliced baby portobella mushrooms
1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
12 ounces dried linguine or spaghetti
2 tablespoons butter
a splash of olive oil
freshly grated parmesan cheese

Place the chicken, soup, water, onion, and mushrooms in the slow cooker and let the sauce cook 4 to 6 hours on low, until the chicken is cooked through. Cook the linguine according to package directions. Drain and toss with butter and olive oil. Toss the linguine and fresh parsley in the slow cooker with the mushroom chicken sauce. Top with parmesan to taste. Easy and delish!

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch, and make it slow.

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken and Veggies

Five ingredients make this one easy meal--Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken and Veggies! This really began as an experiment to see how my homemade salsa would hold up in the slow cooker. I love the results. Everything is flavorful, and when it's done, you can enjoy it as is with some crusty bread--and feel free to top it with sour cream or cheese.

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SLOW COOKER SALSA CHICKEN & VEGGIES
(serves 4)
Three skinless boneless chicken breasts, chunked up
4 potatoes, peeled and diced into large chunks
2 to 4 cups of frozen green beans
1 jar of chunky salsa (home-canned, or store bought)
Garlic salt and cracked black pepper to taste

Cook on low 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 4 hours. Make sure the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are tender. Enjoy! (Get my salsa recipe right here.)
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Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch, and use your slow cooker to make life easier!

Slow Cooking - Cool Kitchen

There are some summer days when turning on the oven to roast a chicken for two hours is just not an option. That's when you break out the crockpot and get dinner going early!

My family loves slow-cooked chicken--the aromas fill the house all day, and although you sacrifice the crispy browned skin, the meat is very juicy.

Use your fresh garden herbs for this dinner while you have them! Stuff a roasting chicken with a bunch of fresh rosemary--you can also use thyme, or both--and a few cloves of garlic, half an onion, and a lemon cut in halves. Run the lemon over the skin of the chicken, then rub the chicken with olive oil and salt it. I set my crockpot on high for six hours. I have one of those crockpots that switches over to "warm" automatically when it's done, which is nice if you're working all day or out shopping, or aren't sure exactly what time you'll be home. Cheddar dill biscuits are perfect for this meal--just whip up some Bisquik biscuits and add in an extra splash of milk, a cup of shredded cheese, and 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh dill.

Enjoy eating fresh from the garden while you can!