Heather says:
This classic pairs well with sandwiches and meals that call Spring and Summer to mind. In its most basic form, the recipe here, it’s low cost and low effort. There are many variations on this recipe, feel free to share yours in the comments.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Stir together and chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours.
I don’t know about you, but that write-up just about wore me out.
Tags: carrot raisin salad · cheap · Frugal · frugal cooking · low cost · recipe · side dish
Heather says:
I just got in a few hours ago from Ivy and I’s first public appearance. We spoke at CREATE South and had a wonderful time. I would like to give Andre Pope the Home Ec 101 Seal of Approval for his BBQ and chicken bog. I will be spending this evening with my family and catching up on things that must be done before I turn into a pumpkin. With that in mind, it is time for an episode of Ask the Audience. Feel free to clap and cheer, we love it, too.
Recently someone asked me a question that seemed perfect for our fun and creative frugal cooks:
When making a layer cake, what do you do with the trimmed bits of cake?
Tags: CREATE South · creative cooking · Frugal · waste not want not
Heather says:
Today begins an exciting week. For the first time, in almost five years, I will be leaving overnight, drum roll please, alone. Ivy and I will be presenting at the first annual CREATESouth convention. If you are near Myrtle Beach, SC and looking for something to do on Saturday, come out and join us, it’s free.
Tell me, Home Eccers, what is on the menu this week?
*Clean Out Refrigerator Night
Tags: Frugal · menu · Menu Monday · menu planning
Heather says:
On the rare occasion we have ham, I freeze the bone and save it for a week when I need our grocery dollars to stretch just a bit further. Cornbread rounds out the meal nicely and keeps the grand total, for us, under two dollars. Yes, even if you use a mix like Jiffy. This dish simmers for several hours, but requires almost no attention. It’s wonderful on a damp or chilly day.
Place the ham bone in a large pot with just enough water to cover the bottom of the pot. Cover tightly and cook over low heat, this brings out a lot of flavor. Add the beans when the water has turned brown and the ham has darkened to a reddish brown. Add just enough water to cover the beans and simmer on low for at least two hours, it is done when the beans are tender. Pick out the ham bone and serve over cooked rice. We love ours with Louisiana Hot Sauce.
Enjoy!
Tags: Add new tag · budget dinner · cheap · cooking · dried beans · Frugal · ham and beans · recipe · tightwad
Ivy says:
Picture it: Murfreesboro, Tennessee, 1997(ish). A beautiful young single mom is struggling, trying to make her way in the world and get through college and keep her young son fed and in preschool. Because she is so limited on time, she leans heavily on convenience foods and takeout. Unfortunately, she is also really poor and is bleeding money left and right on some bad financial decisions she made and the convenience food. Suddenly, Mr. Burt Reynolds shows up. Oh, sorry, that’s someone else entirely.
I mean, that’s me, it’s just that Mr. Burt Reynolds has never showed up in my life. There’s always time for that, though! 
Seriously, though, it all happened at once- I was broke, bill collectors calling constantly, hungry, in serious debt to literally everyone I knew and a bunch of other people I didn’t know. “Something has got to give,” I thought. Finally, I realized a person in my situation had no business having such a high car payment in addition to the other bills I had. And getting takeout every night was not only bad for my health but my son’s, as well.
The first thing I did was talk to my dad about what to do about my car payment. My credit was already ruined (I started out my adult life in debt- medical bills due to the birth of my son) and I could no longer manage the car payment, so I did a voluntary repossession on my car. I don’t know whether I can say I recommend this route for everyone, but for me it was definitely the best option at the time.
Once I cut out that major expense, I worked on the little ones that were nickel and diming me to death. Prior to the epiphany, I’d stop for a coke every morning before school. After the epiphany, I bought my own cokes and brought one from home. (Yeah, I know water is more healthful and is free, but baby steps, man, baby steps.) I made a goal to eat at home 4 nights a week. I learned 4 simple, inexpensive no-fail recipes from my mom and made those 4 tired dishes repeatedly. But at least we were eating at home more.
Tell me, Home Eccers, when did you have your tightwad epiphany, or have you been a frugal maven (or dude) all your life?
