Everyone knows that a great way to save money is buy cooking at home. All of the ‘expert’ advice out there includes things like buying less lattes, going out to eat less, meal planning every week, and bringing in your own lunch to work.
My journey with cooking
Personally, I have never enjoyed cooking.
My 20s consisted of mostly eating out, and if I absolutely had to eat at home, I would reach for easy favorites like ramen, pasta, and mac n cheese. That lifestyle led to a life of debt and extra weight.
Over time, I learned more of my way around the kitchen but cooking never became a consistent thing for me. Besides not enjoying or having patience for the process, the long hours at my job made cooking feel even more undesirable.
Eventually, I met my partner and he took over the responsibility of feeding us at home, which made a huge difference in my life and in our finances. When I transitioned out of my job, it then became my turn to take over the responsibility of cooking. I was dreading it until I discovered the joy of using an Instant Pot. Instead of buying one brand new, I went on Craigslist and found one in good condition for $50.
Instant Pot saved my life (and my bank account!)
Discovering the Instant Pot changed the game for me. I make huge meals (I usually double each recipe I make) to have food that lasts for days. Making a meal now only involves chopping and dumping the ingredients in the pot. I have also found recipes online that I really love, so now I actually look forward to the meals I cook. I’ve hosted many dinners using Instant Pot meals, and have had friends be impressed with my cooking (little did they know it was the easiest thing to make).
I also use the Instant Pot to make the most perfect boiled eggs, and cook chicken and salmon from frozen to perfectly done in only a couple minutes. Chicken salad sandwiches have become a staple in our household and the Instant Pot makes it so easy.
My favorite money saving recipes
To make your life easier, I have compiled my favorite Instant Pot recipes below (all soups because I have been on a soup kick for the winter). Enjoy and let me know how you like them!
(And before you go out and buy a new Instant Pot, do what I did and try to find a used one. It’s a great way to save some extra cash, as they are often in great condition. Some great places to check out are Craiglist, Facebook Marketplace, and Offer Up.)