I love to cook.
I scour the internet for new recipes each week andplan my grocery list accordingly.
However, some weeks I barely have time to breathe between work and my extracurricular activities.
Tina Russell/The Penny Hoarder
Enter the slow cooker.
This fine 3- to 6-quart piece of stoneware revolutionized my meal planning and gave me valuable time back.
Need a Hand With Bills?
Listen, we know its tough out there.
But theres no shame in asking for help.
These companiesmake it easy to help yourself and your bank account.
Not once has it complained.
Ive even made a few of her recipes in it.
The high yield, low effort and cost make it a prime household staple for fellow Penny Hoarders.
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
They shouldnt cook for more than an hour with occasional stirring.
Its ready to serve once the spaghetti is cooked.
Sprinkle the taco seasoning over it, and pour the salsa on top of it all.
Once its cooked, shred the chicken with a fork once and serve it in your shell of choice.
I found hard taco shells to be cheaper.
Crockpot Chili Recipe
Who doesnt lovechili?
Its a slow cooker staple.
Place the beef followed by the remaining ingredients into the crockpot.
Cook for eight hours on low or four hours on high.
Consider channeling my mother and adding saltines or cheese on top of your bowl.
The best part of a chili recipe is that you might add or subtract depending on your taste.
Some people add onions, peppers, black beans and corn.
Personally, I skip onions or peppers because I dont like them (gasp!).
Yet I will eat others that have it in it because its chili after all.
If you gotta wrangle your budget, it may be time to consider a savings challenge.
Shred after it is cooked.
Put all the ingredients except the egg noodles in the slow cooker.
Cover and cook for 6 to 8 hours on low, stirring occasionally.
Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
There are many slow cooker versions of this classic.
Then pour the uncooked macaroni into the slow cooker.
Top it with the butter and cheeses.
Add the milk mixture over the top and stir it all together.
Cover and cook for 2 to 3 hours, stirring frequently.
Youll want to keep an eye on this one, as the noodles may be done after 2 hours.
Feel free to add more cheese if you want to make it extra mac and cheese-a-licious.
Were big fans ofAsian grocery stores,Trader Joesand Aldi.
You may even find organic options for the same price as non-organic items at these locations.
you could also buy items on sale or freeze any leftovers you may not get to eat that week.
If you have a bigger family, consider doubling the recipes or investing in a large-size slow cooker.
The reverse applies if youre cooking for one.
Modern-day slow cookers have fail-safes and turn to a warm setting if they cook past the allotted time.
They will automatically turn off after so long, so chances are rare.
The official Crock-PotFAQstates that its slow cooker is safe to leave unattended.
Plus, its a scientific fact that the longer something cooks, the better it tastes.
At least my tummy thinks so.
So add it to your birthday list, Amazon cart or registry, and start cooking.
Drowning in Expenses?
Maybe youre scrambling after your car broke down.
Or you got a medical bill you werent expecting.
Or inflation has finally pushed your budget over the edge.
You dont need to go it alone.
When money is tight,these resourcescan help you manage unexpected expenses without stress.
Stephanie Bolling is a former staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.
She owns two Crock-Pots.