Poor People Food: Spaghetti Edition

With the upcoming move and one income, I've been looking for any opportunities to save money on my grocery bill.

Tonight I wanted to share with you one easy, cheap meal you can make when you're in a hurry, but can't afford to go out.

That's all you need!

I think I need to preface this by saying that J has hated spaghetti for a long time. Since we got married, I've found several creative ways to make it that he enjoys (adding ground beef, fresh squash, or cheese), but they all involve adding expense to the meal.

Recently I discovered that the flavor in the pre-made sauce is what really turns him away. By making my own sauce, I was able to cut the cost of an already affordable meal and please us both! This is starting to sound like a 1950's advertisement. Yikes!

First, I put the spaghetti on to boil with a tiny splash of olive oil and a pinch of salt.

For whatever reason I decided to whisk the sauce in a bowl.
This is unnecessary. 

Then I take a can of tomato sauce that costs less than a dollar and pour into a sauce pan over medium high heat. I add a generous dash of olive oil (probably around 1/8 cup), Italian seasoning, garlic salt and onion powder. I heat it until it starts to pop, stirring regularly. Then I turn it to medium low and stir it more often to keep it from exploding all over the stove, until the noodles are ready.

Tada! Dinner's ready! With one box of off-brand spaghetti and 4 cans of tomato sauce I can make four big meals for around $6. Bam, Martha Stewart! Take that! ;)

When I'm feeling extra adventurous, I mix the sauce and noodles in an oven safe dish and sprinkle white cheese on top. I heat it in the oven at about 200 degrees until the cheese is melted. Mmmmmm

Extra adventurous!

We're Moving???

Isn't it funny how things just seem to work out?

I finally worked my last day as a TA this month, and although we had been preparing, transitioning to one income has not been a picnic.

J's been applying for jobs for a while, and we were sure this week he was right on the precipice of getting a good offer, when he got two.

I can't describe the relief and excitement we felt when that second offer came through. What a great opportunity! I did the dorkiest happy dance ever.

The job is in North Dakota.

This is so exciting. I've never been to ND or even north of Colorado for that matter. I can count the number of Canadians I've met in person on one hand, but I'm going to live so close to the Canadian border, we're already planning a day trip. Do all the women look like Shania Twain and Colby Smoulders? ...just kidding!

I am a little stressed about making the transition. I know it's going to be worth it, but it is going to take A LOT of work and A LOT of driving to get us there.

Once we're there, then what? What will our place be like? I know it's cold, but what does that mean exactly? Will potato ole's be as good as I remember from my childhood? (just go with it.) What about Cat? Are we going to get to take him with us?

So many unanswered questions!

Then there's a duplex full of stuff to concern ourselves with. Our Amazon store has doubled in size in the past week. Need a book? Need 20? 50?

I've got all of this on my mind when I finally turn to the distance. No more quick weekend trips to the farm. Not to mention the 10 days Scott will be up there before I can go. 10 days may seem short, but when you've found your favorite person on earth 10 hours is too long to be apart.

Then I have to find a job for myself. This I think will eventually work out too. But in the meantime it's the cherry on the sundae of questions.

With all of this, I'm still so excited, proud and relieved that we're moving forward with J's career and our life plans. I think the community is going to be great.

Ready or not, here we go!