Happiness Project: Money

Yikes, summer is nearly over! I dawdled, but I finally finished my Happiness Project goal of reviewing all of my finances.  I've been meaning to set up budgeting on Mint.com and I'm loving it. It let's me set budget items for all of our expenditures (including monthly date nights and individual discretionary spending). It took me an evening to get it all set up, but the learning curve is minimal and I love seeing exactly where the money goes each month. It brings me peace of mind which is so important to my overall happiness.  I also set up a few investments so that I can track them with Mint, which is great because I mostly ignored them before. They are long term investments (like my Roth IRA) but I do at least look at them more than once a year now. Mint also encourages you set goals for paying off debt, increasing emergency savings, and putting money away for travel (honeymoon fund!).  It's nice to know that money will be there when we want it.

Secondly, I reduced AT&T cell phone bill by adding the "Fan Number" for my work.  Penn State had one as well, so I recommend asking your cell phone carrier about it.  It can't hurt and it might save a few bucks a month.  We save enough to offset our roadside assistance.  I also finally set up autopay through my bank to mail my rent check for me every month - my last bill that wasn't on autopay - and met with my insurance agent to review my policy.  Each of these took a bit of time, but I'm glad they are done, I've been putting them off for much longer than the inconvenience warranted.  It's given me a huge boost to have this taken care of and I'm feeling inspired for my next goal!

For the rest of August and September, I'll be focusing on clearing out physical and mental clutter. While I'm not a hoarder, I do have a problem with saving things for a special occasion, holding on to supplies I bought for projects that were never finished, and letting work projects languish as I focus on new and exciting projects. So for the next two months, I'm focusing on identifying all that clutter and using it up or throwing it out! First up, the bag of Penn State pasta I was given at graduation two and a half years ago - it made a frighteningly colored, but tasty Greek-influenced pasta salad.

The Real Value Meal

Today, Slow Foods USA is sponsoring a $5 challenge to prove that real, wholesome food can be as inexpensive as fast food.  As you might have guessed by the volume of food-related posts, we eat at home a lot.  I'm by no means saying that we don't eat out, or even at fast food restaurants, but cooking my own food is better, healthier, AND cheaper than the vast majority of fast food.  It really bugs me when I spend a lot of money for food that I could make better.  So here are a few of the things we ate for dinner this week with the per serving cost and calories.

Pinto Beans and Cornbread
I actually made these a few weeks ago when I had about 20 leftover roasted hatch chiles which I added into the crock pot.  A pound of dried pinto beans costs 89 cents and makes 6 very large bowls of yummy beans which can be frozen for later.

• Calories: 490
• Cost per serving: $2.00

Falafel w/ Tzatziki and Greek Salad
We're big fans of falafel around here.  I usually use canned chickpeas, which requires a bit more flour to get the consistency right.

• Calories: 600
• Cost per serving: $3.50

Zucchini Carbonara
I love carbonara, but it isn't exactly a healthy dish.  The roasted zucchini is a delicious, nutritious, and inexpensive addition.  I've been making it all summer with double the zucchini.

• Calories: 500
• Cost per serving: $2.75

Veggie Chili w/ Baked Chips, Light Sour Cream, Cheddar Cheese
We make this frequently in the winter, but since football season has started, I figure chili pies are seasonally appropriate. This recipe makes a LOT of chili, but it freezes well.

• Calories: 600
• Cost per serving: $3.75

Italian-Style Jucy Lucy, Caesar Salad
You guys, these are so good!  The onion and Worcestershire keep the turkey burger plenty moist and having the cheese on the inside means it is still nice and gooey (it does that fun string from your food to your mouth thing like in a pizza ad).  I can imagine all sorts of variations on this.  The classic beef burger with cheddar, bison and blue cheese, lamb with feta...mix and match to your heart's content.

• Calories: 500
• Cost per serving: $3.50

Seves 4

1/3 cup grated onion

1 lb. ground turkey
1 tsbp. of Worcestershire sauce 

2 tsp. dried basil

2 tsp. dried oregano
pinch of red pepper flakes, optional

6 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced into 4 pieces

1 red bell pepper

4 rolls
pesto

1. Roast the bell pepper over an open flame or under the broiler.  Place in a closed container until cool, then peel.
2. Combine onion, turkey, Worcestershire sauce, dried herbs, and red pepper flakes.  Divide into 8 balls.
3. Press each patty so it is slightly larger than mozzarella round on a piece of plastic wrap.
4. Layer 1/4 of the roasted pepper and a slice of mozzarella on four of the patties.
5. Cover with a second patty and press to seal.
6. Grill over medium heat for about 5 minutes per side.  Allow to cool a few minutes so the cheese inside isn't still molten!
7. Toast buns and smear on a light layer of pesto.  Add the burgers and devour.