Almost Homemade Bacon Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper

April 24, 2019 by Keegan

Not to brag, but I kind of have a talent of being able to pull dinner out of thin air.

The hubby or the kids will tell me there is nothing to eat, but after I look through the pantry, I can have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes. Even when we “have nothing to eat…” With a family of 7, we have learned to make our meals stretch. Even if we haven’t been grocery shopping in weeks. I came up with this recipe one night after the hubby had a long day at work and I had a long day with the kids. Boxed meals and sides have become a staple in our house. Not only are they cheap, but they are quick and easy to make. Especially when you have children screaming at your feet because they are starving.

As a kid, I grew up on boxed meals because that’s what my mom made. My dad was the cook, but he was in the Navy and worked a lot. This recipe is incredibly easy to make and can easily feed a family of 4-6 with some veggies on the side of course. The nice thing about this recipe is that it is very customizable. You can use a brand name or generic. I purchased everything at Aldi, and it cost about $6 or so (if you factor in the serving cost of the cheese melt).

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First, gather up your ingredients. You need a box of mac and cheese, a box of “hamburger helper,” anything cheesy works really. We generally use the cheeseburger kind but have also used Italian shells and it was just as good. Some cheese melt, and real bacon bits, and your ground chuck (we use ground turkey from Aldi it’s $1.87 per pound). When I first made this I only had those crunchy, imitation bacon bits on hand, and those worked just as well. I pretty much always have some of these real bacon bits on hand. They are great for adding to pasta, salads, or even scrambled eggs. Or, if you want to get super fancy, you can fry up some bacon and crumble it up. Next, you want to brown your meat. I used a cast iron pan for this. I wouldn’t necessarily suggest it as the cheese gets pretty stuck on and it can be more difficult to wash off. Once your meat is browned, add your noodles from both the boxed mac and cheese and hamburger helper. Then add both powdered cheese packets as well.

Stir in your milk and water. About 2 1/2 cups of each. I know this might sound like a lot, but you do have a lot of noodles to absorb the liquid. Cover the pan and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. You want the noodles to be mostly cooked through before you move to the next steps. When most of the liquid is absorbed, add in about half of the bag of bacon bits, or about an ounce to an ounce and a half of bacon. Stir to combine. If you are using imitation bacon bits, cover the pan again to soften them up a little bit. Tip: If the noodles have absorbed all the liquid before they have cooked, just add another 1/2 cup of water or 1/2 cup of milk and continue to cook.

Now it’s time to get cheesy! Add about a cup and a half to cheese melt or Velveeta to your pan. This is about 2 1-inch slices that are then cubed. Stir to incorporate and melted. If your boxed hamburger helper had one of these squishy cheese packets in there, this is the time to add it. If it didn’t that’s ok too. It will still taste good, I promise! You can either stir to combine or just leave all fancy like on top.

Now it’s time to dig in! This is sure to become a family favorite! [ultimate-recipe id=”4456″ template=”default”]

What’s your favorite almost hamburger helper recipe?

25 Quick and Easy Instant Pot Dinners for Busy Weeknights

April 11, 2019 by Keegan

My pressure cooker has been a lifesaver on busy nights or on the weekend when we have been running around all day and I don’t have time (or energy) to spend an hour in the kitchen.

I always try to keep a few staples on hand so that even if there is no meal plan, I can have dinner on the table in less than a half hour. That way we are not tempted to order in a pizza, which saves us money and the food is better!

Jump to recipes

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Optional (but highly recommended) Accessories

The Instant Pot is also available in 3-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart to fit just about any size family.
Mini Angel Food Cake Pans – These are great for making little angel food cakes in your pressure cooker or other baked goods – (monkey bread, bundt cake, etc).
Steamer Basket – Available in 3, 6, and 8-quart sizes, can be used for any brand or pressure cooker. There is also a 3-piece divided basket where you can steam multiple types of veggies at once, which is also available in a 3, 6, or 8-quart.
9-Inch Glass Lid – This is for the 6-quart Instant Pot only. Make sure before you purchase, you check if your pressure cooker lid can be completely removed, otherwise, this accessory will not work for it.
Silicone Lid – Now you don’t even have to worry about putting your leftovers in an extra bowl. Now you can keep everything fresh inside the inner pot and pop it back in the pressure cooker to warm it back up.
Stainless Steel Trivet – This is essential for cooking things like ground chuck or making baked potatoes.
Spring Form Pans – These are great for making things like cheesecake or other baked goods in your pressure cooker.
Silicon Sealing Rings – The silicone sealing rings can wear over time, it’s always good to have a few extra on hand.
Bread Proofing Basket – Want to try your hand at artisan bread making? Make sure you pick up one of these babies!
Dutch Oven – Dutch ovens are great for making artisan bread! It provides that beautiful crusty outside.

Looking for an accessory kit, here is a good one that includes a steamer basket, springform pan, egg steamer tack, steamer trivet, tongs, mini silicon mitts, a cooking time guide, an egg bites mold, and a dish clip (for canning).

But before I move on to the recipes, make sure to bookmark this page! That way when you are looking for something easy and super quick to make in your pressure cooker, you can come back here whip up one of these quick and delicious recipes.

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25 Quick and Easy Instant Pot Dinners

These Instant Pot dinners are simple enough to whip up any day of the week. With a few staples you probably already have in your kitchen, you can have a full meal on the table in less than 30 minutes. Even if you forgot to thaw the chicken…

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

From The Salty Marshmallow

This recipe is so simple to through together and who doesn’t love creamy mac and cheese?! With three kinds of cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan, you won’t have to worry about a bland dinner. Perfect served by itself or with some hot dogs for the kids.

Instant Pot Garlic Sesame Chicken

From Sweet and Savory Meals

The perfect, quick chicken meal that works so well with a variety of side options. Serve over rice, riced or mashed cauliflower, mashed or roasted potatoes, or even noodles.

Instant Pot Ham Hock and Bean Soup

From Simply Happy Foodie

I love ham soups! This is a great soup to make if you have leftover ham from another meal or a ham bone with some extra meat on it. This soup is packed with flavor and loaded with delicious veggies! Perfect for a cool spring evening.

Instant Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

From The Kitchen Magpie

Wild rice is such an underrated grain! It’s packed full of nutrients and is a great addition to soups of all kinds. Living in Wisconsin, we eat a lot of soup because it’s cold about 9 months out of the year, and this one is definitely on our family favorites list!

Dr. Pepper Instant Pot Pulled Pork

From Adventures of a Nurse

I could eat pulled pork sandwiches like every day, they are my favorite! I never liked making them though because it always seemed so time intensive. We recently made pulled pork for the first time in our Instant Pot for my son’s birthday. It only took about an hour and it was so amazing, I literally could not stop eating it! Dr. Pepper in addition to this recipe gives it a little extra flavor kick!

Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage

From What’s In The Pan

I’ll admit, I’ve never been a fan of cabbage, but I totally eat this! This corned beef is so amazing and oh so juicy! I make this for St. Patrick’s day for my family and even my kids (well most of them) ate all of it! The corned beef is salty but not overly and just melts in your mouth!

Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

From Adventures of a Nurse

One of my son’s go-to meals are those frozen pot pies, so when I make this ho goes crazy over it! This also reheats well for leftovers. The only thing I do differently with this recipe is make some buttermilk biscuits and serve the casserole over the biscuits. So hearty and good!

Instant Pot Pizza Pasta Recipe

From Family Fresh Meals

Pretty much anything labeled as pizza my kids will eat. I love this meal because it is so easy to make and the kids (and husband) eat it up and ask for seconds! Serve with some garlic bread and you are good to go!

Instant Pot Hamburger Stroganoff

From Julie’s Eats and Treats

You know they say “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” well my stroganoff (recipe to come soon) is what sealed the deal for my hubby. I like to try different variations of recipes that I normally make because I love to experiment, this recipe is a close second to my stroganoff. I prefer this one as it is a little less labor intensive and tastes pretty darn good!

Instant Pot Chicken, Black Bean, and Rice Burrito Bowls

From Cook Fast Eat Well

Mexican food is my second favorite (Italian is first!). What I love about Mexican recipes is the freshness and how you can pack a ton of beans and veggies into any meal. It’s even better when you can just throw everything together in a bowl like this chicken, rice, and black bean bowl. Don’t forget to top with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime!

Beef and Tomato Stew

From Eat Yourself Skinny

I am literally drooling looking at this Beef and tomato stew! You know is recipe is going to be good when you can literally taste the meat melting in your mouth just by looking at the picture! With tender beef and whole potatoes in a flavorful tomato sauce, this is the perfect dinner for a cold winter evening.

Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chili

From Add A Pinch

Every year my friend’s parents would have a chili cook-off, it was the highlight of the fall season. I find it simply amazing how many different kinds of chili you can make. One of my favorites is made with sweet potatoes. There is a touch of sweetness and heartiness of the potatoes that makes it so satisfying for those cold fall days.

Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup

From Side Tracked Sarah

Cheeseburgers are the best! Top off this soup with some lettuce, pickles, cheese, and tomatoes. Oh, I wonder how a fried egg would taste on here! YUM!!!

Instant Pot Spaghetti Bolognese

Spend with Pennies

If you aren’t already aware of the difference between spaghetti and bolognese sauce, bolognese always contains meat, whereas spaghetti sauce does not. This bolognese is melt in your mouth, silky texture is sure to make it onto your list of family favorites.

Instant Pot Ribs

From Leela Licious

I have a confession to make…I suck at grilling, so I generally avoid making anything that is traditionally grilled. Which included ribs, but once again, Instant Pot to the rescue! This ribs are SO good and I don’t even have to worry about planning 24 hours in advance to make them!

Instant Pot Split Pea Soup

From Savory Tooth

This is such a great recipe to make on a chilly winter evening. The only thing that makes it better…bacon and ham! Toss in some cooked bacon and or ham right after it finished cooking and you are good to go!

Instant Pot Clam Chowder

From Simply Happy Foodie

Creamy clam chowder served with a side of toasty, crusty bread, OMG! Even if you have never made clam chowder before, rest assured, this recipe will turn out perfect and will keep you coming back for more!

Easy Instant Pot Bang Bang Shimp Pasta

From A Spicy Perspective

If you are in the mood for Thai food and don’t have the time to make anything complicated, then check out this easy bang bang shrimp pasta. The spicy Thai chili sauce really kicks things up a notch but isn’t overpowering.

Lobster Mac and Cheese

From The Yum Yum Factor

Channel your inner Gordon Ramsey with this amazingly delicious and simple to make lobster mac and cheese. Packed with creamy lobster and topped with a crumbly, salty crust.

Vegetarian Lentil Tortilla Soup

From Peas and Crayons

What better excuse to make this than to use up all those crushed pieces of tortilla chips at the bottom of the bag. Oh yeah, and because it is amazing! Optional toppings include cheese, avocado, tomatoes, onion, jalapenos, sour cream, and fresh cilantro.

Instant Pot Loaded Mashed Cauliflower

From Diethood

If you are following the keto diet but have been missing cozy and warm mashed potatoes, this is a great alternative! Top off with some shredded cheese and crumbled, crispy bacon and you won’t even miss those carbs in potatoes!

Kung Pao Chickpeas

From Detoxinista

The perfect protein-packed, meatless meal! Chickpeas are such a versatile food, they are also loaded with fiber and contain complex carbs which can help to balance blood sugars. Not only delicious but healthy!

Instant Pot Hamburger Helper

Hamburger helper has been a staple in my life since I was a child, and I love it! It is such a quick and easy meal to whip up that everyone will eat. I don’t, however, like all the sodium that is in the boxed varieties. This recipe is reminiscent of the hamburger helper I used to eat as a kid, without all the MSG!

From Julie’s Eats and Treats

Instant Pot Spaghetti

From The Salty Marshmallow

We make spaghetti at least two to three times per month. It’s cheap and feeds a family of 7 with leftovers, what more could I ask for? Making it quicker! With this recipe, I can have dinner on the table in about 10 minutes without having a pile of dishes to clean up after! To make things even easier, I batch cook my ground beef and freeze it so I don’t even have to worry about cooking that first.

Instant Pot Beef and Potatoes

From 12 Tomatoes

This entire recipe is made in the Instant Pot and popped in the oven to finish off with a bubbly layer of cheese. Super simple with five main ingredients and some spices, this meal is sure to quickly become a family favorite.

What’s your favorite quick and easy Instant Pot dinner? 👇Comment below 👇

Amazing and Healthy Protein Recipes

March 18, 2019 by Keegan

With just about everyone jumping on the low carb bandwagon, healthy protein recipes are in demand! Although, eating the same old chicken and broccoli can get kind of boring!

The recipes listed below are so easy to quickly put together then you are in a hurry or just need a quick and filling snack!

I have invited guest contributor Abigail Kent here today to share her ideas on quick and healthy protein meals that you can quickly whip up!

Keeping up an ideal eating regimen has dependably been the need of great importance since individuals are so occupied with work that they don’t get time for themselves. The ideal fit for a decent eating regimen is protein, something that you basically cannot neglect. This is the reason we are going to give you probably the best protein nourishment recipes which will enable you to remain sound.

Spiced Scrambled Eggs:

One of the items that are promptly accessible in the market and has high protein content is eggs. We as a whole understand what a fried egg is. However, you can simply flavor it up with a couple of things so that you will have a dish that can enable you to buzz begin the day in the most ideal way.

Things you require

Some red chilies, a healthy measure of chopped onions, a whip of milk, a bunch of eggs and a nice measure of butter is all you require in this dish.

Directions:

Starting off with the recipe, break the eggs and place them in a bowl. Thus you put the chilies, onions, and margarine, and after that, you beat it to make the blend delicate and light and finish it off with the milk. After the preparation, essentially blend the mixture in the pan to scramble it while you add some sweet red tomatoes to counter the warmth a bit. This is all you have to do to serve an entire plate of bliss.

Banana Oat Protein Smoothie:

In the event that you are the person who is truly health conscious, we should disclose to you this is one dish which isn’t just delicious however it is exceptionally strong and helps to reduce muscle cramps.

Things you require

All you require here are a few bananas, oat, some unsweetened almond milk and skimmed milk.

Directions

So as to make it you should do the work of assembling every one of the ingredients and spot them in the mixer and let it weave its magic in conveying you the smoothie that will definitely satisfy the taste buds!

Veggie lover Chili:

In the event that you are one of those individuals who just eat veggie or a veggie lover or are essentially attempting to restrict eating meat then this is a dish simply ideal for you. A staple nourishment which is prominent in pretty much every family unit, the veggie lover bean stew is a healthy food for the entire family.

Things you require

To make this stunning dish you will require ingredients, for example, chilies, carrots, tomatoes, beans, jalapenos in the event that you like them, cumin and garlic.

Directions

To get the ideal bean stew endeavor to make it in a major pot, wherein you include all the primary ingredients like carrots, onions, and so on and blend them genuinely till they turn out to be a mixture. At that point gradually continue including ingredients like the tomatoes, cumin, and garlic, at the same time not neglecting to mix it consistently. When it gets the opportunity to bubble, decrease it delicately and mix occasionally. Following 60 minutes, when you remove the top of the pot, we can guarantee you that the whole house will be loaded up with the smell of crisply made chilies stew.

Re-Heated Fried Chicken:

The fundamental worry that individuals regularly have about protein-rich food is whether they will be healthy and this prepared up fried meal possesses all the necessary qualities flawlessly and even gets in our budget.

Things you require

To begin off, you will require boneless chicken bosom, egg whites, olive oil, low-fat spread milk.

Right off the flap, include every one of the ingredients in a bowl with the exception of the chicken and whisk them together.

From there on, include the chicken in the blend and ensure that it is uniformly covered. After you are finished with it, put the chicken in little sacks and seal them so any abundance milk isn’t adhering to the body of the chicken. At long last, brush the chicken with olive oil and place them in the oven to get the best heated up fried chicken ever.

Pan Grilled Salmon:

On the off chance that you are an individual who likes seafood, it is necessary that you generally attempt this pan singed salmon dish. Being healthy, this dish whenever cooked appropriately is very delicious and we can disclose to you that the crunchiness will take your heart away.

Things you require

All you need here is an ideal salmon fillet, some finely slashed onions, a little sesame oil, squeeze of nectar, some low sodium soy sauce.

Directions

You should make a blend of the nectar, ginger, soy sauce, and different ingredients. In this blend, include the filets and marinade them cautiously. Follow it up by placing it in a refrigerator for 5 minutes. To the extent the cooking is concerned, first cook the skin of the fish till it is crispy and crunchy, followed by a 5-minute cook on the skin or a limit of 7 minutes. After you are finished with them, decorate them with onions and here you got an amazing protein dish.

If you’re an online shopper you can look for some amazing discount coupons and deals to save a couple of bucks, while enjoying your dinner.

Abigail Kent is an enthusiastic writer who loves to write on lifestyle, fashion, money saving, and travel blogs. She holds a bachelor degree in computer science. She loves reading books and making new friends. Say hello to her on Twitter.

What is your favorite healthy protein recipe?

30 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners

January 8, 2019 by Keegan

the original Instant Pot, a NuWave pressure cooker. Which in my book, can do just about everything an Instant Pot can do! So, of course, I have been Googling and Pinteresting Instant Pot recipes for beginners to see what I should start with. I was so excited to get started using it and making my dinner prep easier. I can honestly say this is my new favorite kitchen appliance! If you have never tried it before, pressure cooking can sound scary at first. I promise you once you get the hang of it, you will be using that baby like a pro!

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Pressure cooking is such a time-saving cooking method, many households have jumped on the Instapot bandwagon. Are considering (or have already bought) a pressure cooker? Click here to see all 30 Instant Pot recipes for beginners to get you started cooking like a pro. #instantpotrecipesforbeginners #instantpot #instantpotrecipes #pressurecooker #pressurecookerrecipes #instantpotchicken #instantpotchickenrecipes #instapotrecipes #bestinstantpotrecipes

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission or other benefit at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting The Daily Change Jar. Straight out of the box, my NuWave Pressure Cooker included the actual pressure cooker, the inner pot, a soup ladle, a rice spoon, and a measuring cup. Now, there is plenty that you can cook with everything included, however, if you want to get creative here are a few suggestions to add to your kitchen. Now keep in mind, these suggestions are for the Instant Pot, and not the NuWave Pressure cooker. If you are debating which one to purchase, keep in mind, the Instant Pot lid can be fully removed, the NuWave (at least the 8-quart version I have) cannot be detached. So, I can’t make popcorn 😞.

Optional Accessories

The Instant Pot is also available in 3-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart to fit just about any size family.
Mini Angel Food Cake Pans-These are great for making little angel food cakes in your pressure cooker or other baked goods – (monkey bread, bundt cake, etc).
Steamer Basket – Available in 3, 6, and 8-quart sizes, can be used for any brand or pressure cooker. There is also a 3-piece divided basket where you can steam multiple types of veggies at once, which is also available in a 3, 6, or 8-quart.
9-Inch Glass Lid – This is for the 6-quart Instant Pot only. Make sure before you purchase, you check if your pressure cooker lid can be completely removed, otherwise, this accessory will not work for it.
Silicone Lid – Now you don’t even have to worry about putting your leftovers in an extra bowl. Now you can keep everything fresh inside the inner pot and pop it back in the pressure cooker to warm it back up.
Stainless Steel Trivet – This is essential for cooking things like ground chuck or making baked potatoes.
Spring Form Pans – These are great for making things like cheesecake or other baked goods in your pressure cooker.
Silicon Sealing Rings – The silicone sealing rings can wear over time, it’s always good to have a few extra on hand.
Bread Proofing Basket – Want to try your hand at artisan bread making? Make sure you pick up one of these babies!
Dutch Oven – Dutch ovens are great for making artisan bread! It provides that beautiful crusty outside.

[convertkit form=5262760] Looking for an accessory kit, here is a good one that includes a steamer basket, springform pan, egg steamer tack, steamer trivet, tongs, mini silicon mitts, a cooking time guide, an egg bites mold, and a dish clip (for canning). But before I move on to the recipes, make sure to bookmark this page! That way when you are looking for something easy and super quick to make in your pressure cooker, you can come back here whip up one of these quick and delicious recipes.

Side and Snacks

Fail-Proof Rice Recipes

From Pressure Cook Recipes With 14 different rice recipes, there will be no shortage of beautiful, fluffy rice for the whole family. White rice only takes 15 minutes, while brown rice takes 20 minutes and you don’t even have to stir!

Easy Peel Hard Boiled Eggs

From Seasonal Cravings I love me some egg salad on toast, but I hate boiling eggs. I could never get them right. Either the yolks turned grey or they didn’t peel easy and I wound up with some botched eggs. This is the recipe I used I try hard-boiling my eggs the first time and they came out perfect!

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

From Life Made Sweeter We love mashed potatoes in our house. It is a great side dish for just about any meat. However, we generally opt for instant mashed potatoes from a bag or box, only because it’s the easiest option. Now, creamy, homemade mashed potatoes are just as easy to make!

Chicken Wings

From A Real Food Journey Got some last minute company coming over and need to whip up a snack quick, try out these super easy chicken wings! Great for a party or hungry teenagers!

Easy Baked Potatoes

From A Mindfull Mom Baked potatoes are a great frugal dinner choice. I especially love doing a baked potato bar where everyone can add their own fixins’. These babies only take a few minutes to cook up and are way better than your traditional microwaved or oven-baked potato.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

From Adventures of a Nurse Buffalo chicken dip is one of my favorite things to make (and eat) for parties. I normally use canned chicken to speed up the recipe and get nice little small chunks of chicken. With this recipe, you can use whole chicken breasts and be dipping your chips in this creamy deliciousness in less than 20 minutes!

Cocktail Weenies

From A Typical Mom This is another one of my favorites to have (and eat) at parties! With just a couple of ingredients and a few minutes, you can be serving some delicious cocktail weenies to your guests.

Creamy Brussel Sprouts

From Eat Well 101 I was never a fan of Brussel sprouts, but cover them in bacon and creamy sauce and I’m all over that! In 2 minutes these little babies are ready as a delicious side dish.

Popcorn

From Smashed Peas and Carrots I haven’t tested this recipe in my pressure cooker yet, as you need a glass lid which I haven’t gotten yet. However, if you do have the traditional Instant Pot with the glass lid, it should work fine.

Sweet and Tangy Kielbasa Bites

From Simple Pressure Cooker Meals Slice up some kielbasa and toss in some BBQ sauce and you have yourself a delicious treat. Great for a party or weekend finger food.

Dinners

30-Minute Fall off the Bone Whole Chicken

I don’t normally cook a whole lot of chickens, but you bet your buns I’m gonna be stocking up next time they are on sale! A whole rotisserie style chicken in 30 minutes, yes, please!

Mac and Cheese

From The Salty Marshmallow This isn’t your average mac and cheese, this is a flavor-packed, three-cheese delight! And the best part, it takes less than 10 minutes to get it on the table!

Broccoli and Cheese Soup

From Cooking with Karli Soups are a big staple in our house, especially during the winter. With it being so cold here and the tons of activities the kids are in, soups are just easy to make and everyone loves them. Now, with a pressure cooker, I don’t even have to plan 24 hours in advance to whip up a delicious soup!

Creamy Italian Chicken with Penne

From Pressures On I grew up in Italy, so Italian foods are obviously my favorite! Even though I love the cooking process of Italian foods (they take their time) I don’t always have time to cook a great Italian meal. Now you too can whip up a gourmet Italian meal even on a weeknight!

Chicken and Dumplings

From Life Family Fun Such a simple recipe. To make it even easier, you can precook the chicken and freeze it and a super quick, weeknight meal. This is also a meal that you could easily adapt to a freezer meal.

Award Winning Chili

From Oh Sweet Basil You can be chowing down on this amazing chili within an hour! Although this recipe does have a handful of ingredients, it is very easy to make!

Swedish Meatballs

From Wildy Charmed These Swedish Meatballs will quickly become a family favorite! This recipe is so simple, even one of the kids can throw it together with frozen meatballs, noodles, and condensed soup.

Pot Roast

From The Recipe Rebel Pot roast is a family favorite for many. With this recipe, you don’t have to worry about planning 24 hours in advance, you can have this roast on the table in about an hour and 15 minutes!

Buttery Ranch Pork Chops

From Eating on a Dime Time to try out the saute setting on your pressure cooker! Add some veggies and potatoes and you have a one pot meal!

Veggie Packed Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

From Slow Cooker Gourmet Even though my kids are pretty good with eating veggies, I try to add them to recipes whenever possible. And, of course, what kid doesn’t love spaghetti? This way you can get the best of everything, more veggies, and a quick meal that everyone will love.

Breakfasts and Desserts

Angel Food Cake

From Foodie and Wine You do need a 4 1/2 inch angel food cake pan for this cake, but seriously, how cute and delicious do these look? Make sure to add some extra sprinkles!

New York Cheesecake

From Little Spice Jar If you have ever cooked a cheesecake in an oven before, you know how finicky it can be. This is a simple, fool-proof recipe that will turn out perfect every time! Also, this is a great recipe to test out using your springform pans.

Think and Creamy Yogurt

From Tidbits I absolutely love homemade yogurt! My 3-year-old’s favorite snack is my homemade yogurt with homemade almond granola. And it makes me feel better knowing exactly what is in it! I love the ability to make yogurt in a pressure cooker and don’t have to worry about incubating it in my dehydrator.

No-Stir Fluffy Oatmeal

From Kitchen Nostalgia Oatmeal is a healthy and filling breakfast option great for the whole family. And it only takes 10 minutes so you can even make it in the morning before school.

Crusty Sour Dough Bread

From Living Sweet Moments You are going to need a dutch oven for this if you don’t already have one (that is my next kitchen purchase!) You can use the homemade yogurt from above to give the bread that traditional sourdough flavor. Also, if you plan on getting serious about making artisan bread, you might also want to look into a proofing basket to help get that perfectly crispy crust.

Applesauce

From Recipes to Nourish Applesauce is a great afterschool snack for kids of any age. My 9 and 7-year-olds mix it with cottage cheese (not sure where they got that from). I hate buying the jarred stuff though cuz of all the sugar in it. I do my best to give my kids whole food snacks, so this is another recipe I am adding to my repertoire.

Monkey Bread

From Princess Pinky Girl Grab your bundt pan and a roll of biscuits and you got yourself a sweet breakfast or a dessert. Top with a sweet glaze or some optional nuts for a delightful crunch.

Easy Banana French Toast Bake

From Living Locruto This baked banana french toast is so easy to make and such a treat for dessert or breakfast! Top with plain or candied pecans for a sweet crunch!

Rice Pudding

From Traditional Cooking School Rice pudding is acceptable for breakfast right? This rice pudding can be made even healthier with the addition of non-dairy milk, but will still be just as creamy and decadent.

Apple Crisp

From Fit Foodie Finds My high school best friend and I used to make apple crisp on a weekly basis. It was our favorite after-school snack. Now it’s easier than ever to make and even more tasty using a pressure cooker.

What is your favorite Instant Pot recipes for beginners?

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Easily Save $1,378 in One Year – 52 Week Savings Challenge

January 2, 2019 by Keegan

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Easily save over $1,000 with this easy to implement 52-week savings challenge you can start today! Each week put aside a little bit to build up your savings. It only takes $1 to start! Click the image to get a free 52-week savings challenge PDF. #52weeksavingschallenge #freeprintable #52weekmoneysavingchallenge #freebudgetprintable #freebudgetingprintable

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission or other benefit at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting The Daily Change Jar. Just about everyone can use a little bit of extra savings. Whether you are saving up for a vacation, a down payment for a new house, or just building up an emergency fund, savings don’t have to be complicated. This is the first year I am trying the 52-week savings plan, and I am so excited to stick with it over the next 52 weeks!

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A simple savings plan

Seeing this plan is so simple to get started, I even challenged my 14-year-old daughter to do it with me. She started working a few months ago and has been less than great with savings. Let’s just say she has quite a few new pairs of shoes since she started working. I have brought up savings to her a few times but am trying not to nag on her about it. I know she has been taking about $10 per paycheck ($20/month) for the last couple paychecks and putting it in her savings, which is a great start. However, as with just about anything else in life, I think it is easier to stick to something if you have a solid plan. Hence, the 52-week savings challenge.

52-week savings challenge

If you haven’t already seen the 52-week savings challenge floating around Pinterest, the basic concept is to put aside the amount of money in conjunction with which week of the year it is. Therefore, in the first week of the year, you put aside $1. The second week of the year, $2. However, you don’t necessarily need to start on the first of the year to start saving. Even if it is in the middle of the year, you can just go by the week you start. So if you start on the 26th week of the year, you can put in $26. Or, start at the beginning. The first week you start, put in $1. Get it? I made two different 52-week savings challenges, one that is filled in with the amounts to save and another blank one.

Enter your email below to get both of these printables for free! The signup form will give you access to the Freebie Vault with many other downloadables and printables. Plus I am going to be adding A LOT more very soon! [convertkit form=5262760] ]]>

5 Reasons Why Minimizing Food Waste is So Important

December 27, 2018 by Keegan

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Association (FAO), the global volume of food wastage is estimated at 1.6 billion tons, with a global cost of $750 billion annually. “Each day 35 to 40 percent of food that is grown or raised is wasted, and 71 percent of global water consumption is used to irrigate crops,” said Dan Glickman, former U.S. secretary of agriculture. Really think about that for a minute… 1.6 BILLION TONS OF FOOD!

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Minimizing food waste is not only important for our wallets but also for keeping our environment healthy. All too often we don't think about the larger impact when we are throwing out foods that have spoiled. Click the image to find out the five tips to minimize your food waste. #reducefoodwaste #foodwastelandfill #foodwastesolutions #saveongroceries #foodrecycling

Food Waste Hurts More than Your Wallet

Often times when we think of food waste we just think of the immediate impact it can have on our wallets. What we don’t always think about it the things we can’t immediately see, such as the impact on the animals or the environment. I know that was my mentality for a long time. If I couldn’t see it happening, I didn’t really care about it. But as I have gotten older I have become increasingly aware of how my actions impact the environment. I have invited guest contributor Johanna Cider joins here today to share her tips on how to minimize food waste to not only protect your wallet but also the environment.

Need some help with meal planning? Let me do the heavy lifting for you and email you a weekly meal plan that includes a shopping list and numbered ingredients list so you don’t forget which ingredients go with which recipes! All for less than the price of a fancy coffee! Click the image below to find out more!

Let me plan your meals for you! Save time and money with an incredibly affordable meal planning service.

5 Tips for Minimizing Food Waste

The amount of waste we produce is a pressing environmental issue facing our world today. Plenty of our everyday household items can be recycled or reused rather than condemned to landfill, and food is one of the most common things we regularly throw out unnecessarily. Every year, billions of dollars’ worth of food is wasted around the world. If you’re wondering why minimizing food waste is so crucial, consider the following reasons:

Stewarding Resources

Fruit can take months to grow, let alone the time it takes to be picked, prepared, and shipped. Meat takes even longer – the animal has to be alive for a certain amount of time, and in that time, the animal itself is consuming food. If a person then throws away their uneaten apples or their package of salami, the earth’s resources are being wasted, including its food and water. Be a responsible consumer and always consume the food you buy, as this helps reduce your household’s impact on the environment.

Protecting Animals

All too often, our waste ends up in the sea, especially if it’s dumped near to beaches. While food waste isn’t as terrible for the ocean as plastic is, there are plenty of foods fit for human consumption that can cause harm to animals if consumed. Animals in cities are also becoming reliant on rummaging through trash cans for their meals, to the detriment of their health. Avoiding discarding food waste in public places helps a little towards reducing these problems, but it’s better to take it one step further and avoid wasting food altogether.

Saving Money

By only buying what you need, you’ll both save money and reduce demand for products, which in turn will help producers to know when to reduce the supply of time-sensitive food items.

Slowing climate change

Climate change is going to affect us all, but we can do our part to halt its progress. Food waste is a massive contributor to global climate change – food being sent to landfills results in many millions of ton of greenhouse gas emissions being released each year. To help the future of the planet we call home, we all need to make changes where possible.

Getting Organized

You’ll likely find that once you get the hang of managing your food waste, your life will become a little simpler. The main key to reducing waste is staying organized – plan your meals in advance, and you’ll easily be able to cut down on the amount of food you’re throwing out. If you do end up with more than you can eat, get a little creative and try a new recipe – you’ll likely have friends or family that’d happily take a meal off your hands. Once you’re in the habit of always finishing the food you buy, grocery shopping will also become easier; you’ll quickly learn how to assess what you’re likely to consume before its expiration date. If you’ve tried to curb your food waste but you still end up with an excess of it from time to time, there are plenty of creative ways to dispose of it without compromising the environment. You could create a worm farm for food scraps, or get involved with a business that turns food waste into useful products. Reducing your food waste is as simple as planning ahead and only buying what you need, and you’ll sleep easy knowing that your impact on the earth has been minimized. Johanna loves gardening and eating homegrown organic produce, and has just started learning about preserving her own fruits and vegetables. She supports local businesses such as Sea Containers – which offers eco-friendly alternative housing solutions. You can follow Johanna on Tumblr.

What do you to minimize food waste?

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How to Get Affordable, Professional Therapy at Home When You Don't Have Time for Yourself

December 21, 2018 by Keegan

This is a sponsored post by BetterHelp. All opinions are my own. Have you ever thought to yourself, “I wish I had someone objective to talk to about this [issue]!” Considering I have a couple of degrees in psychology, I am a huge proponent of mental health services. However, I am fully aware that there is still a stigma associated with going to see a therapist.

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Self-care isn't just about massages and juicing. The ultimate self-care routine includes aspects of physical, emotional, and mental health. Click the image to see how you can find affordable therapy services with professional therapists right from your home. #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealththerapy #telehealthtechnology #onlinecounselingservices #telehealthmobileapp #marriagecounseling #therapyservices

I think that just about anybody could benefit from seeking mental health services. Think about this for a second. Everyone knows that you need to work out your body and eat nutritious foods to stay physically healthy.

But what about your emotional health?

Taking care of your emotional health should be just as important as going to the gym and eating a balanced diet. If you have scrolled around Pinterest lately, you can see that “self-care” is all the rage. I’m not just talking about getting a massage once a month or taking a relaxing bath. Self-care can mean a lot of different things to people. However, I think that self-care for anyone should include both physical, emotional, and mental care. I know what you might be thinking… “I don’t have time to go to therapy.” “I can’t afford something like that.” “But what if people find out I see a therapist?” Those are all legitimate concerns. But thankfully, I have a solution to all of them.

What is E-Counseling?

You may have heard of telehealth or telemedicine services. These are essentially health care and mental health services provided on a virtual basis. BetterHelp is the world’s largest e-counseling platform. Their mission is “Making professional counseling accessible, affordable, convenient – so anyone who struggles with life’s challenges can get help, anytime, anywhere.” BetterHelp offers the services of professional and licensed counselors and therapists. I’m talking highly educated professionals who have experience in marriage and family counseling, clinical social work, working with teens, and people going through all kinds of life changes. So you can rest assured that you will be in good hands.

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But Isn’t Therapy Expensive?

I’m sure you have seen TV shows where people joke about how their therapy bills funded their therapist’s new Porsche. This is not the case with using BetterHelp. Services can cost between $40-70 a week. Now while that sill might sound like a lot, take a good look at your budget before you write it off. Perhaps you can switch out your daily Starbucks habit for homemade lattes and better mental health. I know going out to eat for just my husband and I (or with all the kids) can easily run $40-$100! Once you really take a look at your budget you might be surprised at just how easy it is to move a few things around to afford mental health services.

Therapy at Your Convenience

There are also many different ways to connect with your therapist, which is also great for those with a very busy life. We can’t all be available “during office hours,” now can we? After you are paired with a therapist that specializes in your situation, there are several different ways you are able to communicate with one another. You are assigned a “room” in which you are able to write things down at any time. While this is not live, it gives you the opportunity to get things off of your chest immediately. Then when your therapist responds you will get an email notification. There are also opportunities for live phone sessions, live chat sessions, and live video sessions. If you still aren’t sure, go ahead and give it a try. There is a short survey to fill out in order to pair you up with the appropriate counselor or therapist. If you have any other questions, go ahead and check out their FAQ page.

What will you do for your mental health this year?

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How to Easily Maximize Your Airline Miles and Hack the Best Travel Perks

December 20, 2018 by Keegan

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If you are new to traveling, knowing how to maximize your airline miles can be confusing. Which airlines give you the best travel perks? Click the image to see how you can maximize your airline miles and travel perks like a pro! #airlinemiles #travelhacks #howtogetairlinemiles #cheapflights #howtouseairlinemiles

A Love of Flying

No, the first time I ever flew was when I was 3 days old. Of course, I don’t remember it, but I have always loved to fly. There is something so exhilarating to me about flying. Now, I could totally do without going through security and taking my shoes off to actually get on the plane. As a teenager and adult, I have flown a few times. I often would wish that I had a job that required me to travel. However, now with having 5 children, I am happy that I don’t. But for those of you who do travel for work or pleasure Guest contributor Ben Lovell joins us today to share his expert tips on how to get the most out of your airline miles, even if you don’t travel for work.

Using Airline Miles to Fund Your Next Flight

Compared to a daily life of brown bag lunches and 87 octane commutes, serious travel can be seriously expensive. There are two overarching strategies for making travel as budget-friendly as possible. The first and most obvious is to spend less money. The second is to generate your own rewards from the travel itself. The travel industry is full of benefits for the taking, all aimed at getting and retaining your business.

Benefits of Miles

First, let’s talk briefly about why you even want miles. You can’t pay your rent with them and they come with pretty mediocre bragging rights. They can, however, save you A LOT of actual hard currency.

Free Flights

When you accumulate enough miles, you can cash them in to book flights. You can also use the miles to pay for part of a flight and complete the transaction in cash. This second strategy is usually not as efficient a use of the miles.

Upgrades

You can also redeem airline miles to upgrade from Economy to Business or First Class.

Miles Vs. Status

Airline ‘miles’ is a fluctuating balance that you earn and spend. ‘Status’ refers to thresholds achieved by flying a certain number of miles on a particular airline in a given year. Your status qualifies you for automatic perks without having to spend your miles. A flight’s ‘upgrade list’ and ‘standby list’ are ranked by status. So, as you move up in status, you qualify for perks, including free upgrades, without having to spend your miles.

Discounts at Hotels and Rental Cars

The travel industry is extremely intertwined. Airlines, hotels, rental car agencies, and other travel-related enterprises are all partnered with each other. Their goal is to keep you spending money within their circle of businesses. As a savvy traveler, you can take advantage of this by using your airline miles to pay for a hotel room and rental cars.

Strategies for Maximizing Miles

Now that we’ve explored a few of the benefits that you can enjoy by accumulating miles, let’s develop some tactics for getting the most miles from our travel.

Concentrate on One Airline (and Partners)

Airlines give mile-related benefits to encourage loyalty. Pick one airline and travel it as exclusively as you can. (This will also help with your status.) Airline maps are a hub-system, with each airline flying primarily into a handful of airports. Focus on an airline which hubs near your home and travels to your frequent destinations. Airlines often let you share miles with other airlines in their group. For instance, Air Canada and United are both part of the Star Alliance, so your miles are good for either.

Stay, Dine, & Shop with Affiliates

Just as you can use your airline miles to pay for certain hotels and restaurants, you can generate miles by patronizing affiliated lodging and other businesses.

Use the Right Credit Cards

Free miles is a huge perk of signing up and using certain travel credit cards. Read more in the last section of this article.

Work Hard. Play Hard.

If you travel for work, you may not have to pay for the travel to get the rewards. Many businesses let you assign loyalty points and miles to your personal accounts. If you have a hand in booking your own travel, you may be able to make arrangements that favor your favorite airlines, hotels, and other businesses. Finally, if you book your own travel for reimbursement, you can generate even more perks by paying with a business credit card that has rewards.

Best Airlines for Perks

Proximity to your home and travel destinations may not be the only factor in choosing which airline to laser in your loyalty. Let’s take a look at the ones with the best frequent flier programs.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is generally considered the best airline frequent flier program, primarily due to the numerous ways you can earn and spend miles. Alaska partners with 16 other airlines including American Airlines and British Airways. You can earn miles through their numerous hotel, retail, and rental partnerships and can use the miles on the majority of Alaska Airlines flights.

Delta

Delta SkyMiles is an even more robust loyalty program than Alaska. It has 20 partner airlines and your miles never expire. Why is it generally ranked lower than Alaska? Because so many people fly Delta, the upper-level loyalty tiers are extremely hard to achieve.

Jet Blue

JetBlue TrueBlue also has no expiration on points, plus there are no blackout dates to limit mile redemption on Jet Blue flights. The downside is that it is a much smaller airline so the partner opportunities for earning and redeeming miles are not as abundant.

The Bottom Line

Serious travel takes serious money, there’s no way around that. But, the more you travel, the more that travel starts to offset the cost of more travel. By doing your due diligence and focusing your loyalty on a few, carefully chosen travel vendors, you can really benefit from economies of scale. Put simply, you can really start to make your travel expenses make sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I actually cash-out my airline miles?

Generally speaking, the answer is ‘Yes’. However, this is usually a much worse deal than redeeming them for travel. Also, many travel rewards credit cards offer a cash-back option. Again, this usually pays out a fraction of the value you would enjoy if you exchanged the miles for travel on the airline where you earned them.

Can I transfer miles? Donate them? Will them?

Yes. Yes. And (potentially) Yes. With all of these questions, there are variables, strings, stipulations, and gray areas. Mileage transfers to person generally cost a fee (like a bank transfer). Donations to a charity (e.g. The Red Cross) count as a tax deduction for the airline, not the individual. If it’s not possible to directly will an heir your miles, you can leave behind your username and password and they can transfer them. Always check with the airline where you are accumulating miles and a third-party expert if necessary. A passionate envoy of the written word, freelance writer Ben Lovell relishes a good tale. From fact to fiction (and all the shades between), he channels the storytellers of old with the hope of enriching the world for his readers. His writing has appeared everywhere from travel articles to short fiction contests. Follow his semi-occasional musings at the Gothic Optimist. You can also find him on Facebook.

How do you use your airline miles?

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Counseling on a Budget? How to Get Affordable Mental Health Care

December 14, 2018 by Keegan

This is a sponsored post by BetterHelp. All opinions are my own. Have you heard of the terms Telemedicine or Telehealth? Neither had I. Let me give you a quick breakdown. Telehealth or Telemedicine is essentially virtual healthcare. In the case of mental health, you are able to speak with a certified counselor over the phone, email, text message, etc to assist in any mental health issues you may be having.

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There are many reasons why people would choose to avoid getting mental health services. For fear of expense is one of many. Click the image to see how you can find affordable mental health counseling with licensed counselors. #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealththerapy #telehealthtechnology #onlinecounselingservices #telehealthmobileapp #marriagecounseling

I recently discovered BetterHealth.com and their online counseling services. I had heard of services like these before, but never really dove into them. After doing my due diligence research, I wanted to share with you what I have learned. But I want to address something first…

Counseling services that won’t break the bank

Mental health services can be expensive! It’s no big secret, we have all heard about people racking up astronomical therapy bills. Many times people avoid spending money on anything considered to self-improvement because they were taught from a young age that these are frivolous expenses. These seemingly un-necessary expenses can deter individuals from seeking out mental health services or counseling. Furthermore, people can avoid getting counseling due to the deeply ingrained stigmas against mental health. I can personally attest to this. There was a time in my life where things were far from perfect, and I finally realized that I needed to seek outside professional help.

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I had so much anxiety about going to a counselor. What if someone I knew saw me in the office? How am I going to afford to pay for this? What if it doesn’t work and it’s a waste of time? What if I say something wrong and they think I’m suicidal? I had a bad experience with counseling when I was younger and I put all of those negative thoughts into this new experience. After realizing I just had to suck it up and give it my best shot, it actually turned out to be a great experience!

Anyone can benefit

Now, I’m not saying that something needs to be “wrong” in order to seek counseling services. Maybe you just feel like you can’t relate to the people in your life. Or maybe your life is going good, but you want it to be great and you’re not sure how to get there. Getting an outside perspective from a counselor might be helpful. Now, I am by no means a mental health professional. I do have a couple of degrees in psychology, however, I did not go the licensing route. So please do not take anything I say as professional advice. I know what counseling was able to do for me, and I think it is great for just about anyone.

Easier than ordering lunch!

Now, how can BetterHelp actually help you with counseling services? You simply go to their website and fill out a short questionnaire. You don’t even have to fill out your full name or contact information. Therefore, you can essentially remain anonymous. They do, however, ask you for an emergency contact for those worst case scenarios. The first couple of questions include, what kind of counseling you are looking for, gender, age, relationship status, etc. Nothing too invasive. This questionnaire helps to get you paired up with the right counselor and helps the counselor to get a broad view on why you are seeking counseling services. You don’t even have to worry about racking up thousands of dollars a month paying for counseling either. According to their FAQs section, you can budget for $40-70 a week for your counseling sessions. So skip the Friday night pizza, or start bringing a brown bag lunch to work and put that money towards improving your life and your health!

Would you try this type of counseling? Why or Why not?

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Home Loans for First Time Buyers – What you need to know

December 13, 2018 by Keegan

I was not financially savvy AT ALL!

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Live and Learn

Fast forward a few years and I am remarried and now I am the one handling everything. Now, my husband is the one has just had to show up and sign. And holy man, did I learn a lot! But now I can tell you exactly what my interest rate is and what we are paying on our premium. Now whether or not you or your partner (or both) handle the finances, it is important to know what you are getting into. Especially if you are purchasing a home with someone. Because heaven forbid something were to happen and you didn’t know anything about your home loan. You could potentially lose your home. Guest contributor Sasha Belopoljanskijoins us today to share his expert tips on how we can go into a first time home purchase with confidence!

Decided to finally move out of your parent’s?

Finally managed to lay off the avocado toast and ready to buy your first home? Congratulations, you’ve joined a very select club. You’re now ready to move away from the majority solution in the US, which is (yikes!) to live with your parents. But before you sign on the dotted line, there are a few things you need to know. Note: We’ve tried to make these tips usable for a worldwide audience, though some of the examples use lingo specific to a particular country, such as (primarily) the USA. The general advice stands and should be applicable to you too, no matter where you are. Also, we’re not serious about the avocado toast.

How’s your credit?

Before you start on your home buying journey, make sure your credit is up to scratch. It’s going to be the most important factor in getting approval for a decent loan. If your credit is being dragged down by something that is within your control, do something about it. Clear some of your debts, dispute anything that’s incorrect, and do everything you can to present your best credit self to your potential lender. To avoid your credit taking an unexpected tumble after you apply for a mortgage, limit the activity on your account. This means avoiding opening new credit cards or car loans, for example. The focus needs to be solely on your new house purchase. Now is not the time to buy a new vehicle!

Get (independent) advice

Most people don’t opt for professional legal and financial advice when buying their first home. Sure, they’ll listen to their mortgage adviser and will get a proper valuation of the property they’re about to buy, but the rest is usually just seen as an additional expense. And when you’re about to fork out thousands of dollars, you need to cut corners where you can, right? Wrong. You’re about to make the biggest purchase you’ll ever make in your life. The contract you’re signing will lock you in for twenty-five years (or thereabouts!). Do you really think it’s a good idea to put pen to paper before having a professional look over things? The investment in advice at this point of the home loan process can save you a lifetime worth of headaches. Get independent advice. We mean it.

Do your own research

We know, we know. We’ve literally just told you to get independent advice when buying your first home. But just because you’ve hired a fancy financial adviser doesn’t mean your brain should now switch off. Always do your own research. Remember, no matter how diligent and professional your lawyer or financial adviser is, your pending mortgage is probably not what they think about right before they hit the sack. It’s not what keeps them up at night. Ultimately, you are the one signing that loan document; it’s your responsibility to ensure everything is as it should be.

Avoid the lemons

An obvious one, but still worth mentioning. You need to be extremely careful that the property you’re about to buy isn’t a ‘lemon’. What are the things that make your would-be dream home a certifiable lemon? Rising damp. Cracking. Structural faults. These are just a few of the (many) possible examples. The repairs necessary can turn your dream home into a horrific nightmare. They can be expensive and time-consuming to fix. It’s common to see first-time buyers needing to go to their banks to ask for an additional loan for tens of thousands of dollars. It’s extremely important that you hire a reputable building inspector to ensure your property doesn’t come with hidden costs. Even if your potential purchase requires some repairs, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to rip up that contract and keep looking. You can use this as a point of negotiation, with the potential of slashing a significant amount off of the purchase price.

Do not underestimate or overextend

It’s a sad story: happy first-time buyer gets a home loan. They get the key to their wonderful new home and everything seems rosy. Then the unexpected invoices start coming in. Lawyer, inspector, mortgage broker, the whole gang. A pipe breaks, you need to call a plumber. Family emergency, you can’t work for a few months. And because you’ve overextended yourself on your home loan, you suddenly can’t afford your bills. You know where this is going… To avoid a painful financial situation, you need to do two things. First, make a spreadsheet with every single possible cost of a potential home loan. Don’t leave a single stone unturned and ensure you have a full understanding of what you’re getting into (more on that below). Second, ensure you leave enough for a rainy day. Create a budget that is realistic to your situation. Don’t do mathematical gymnastics to convince yourself you have enough money to buy that dream house that’s just outside your budget. The consequences can be painful. We usually give most people this advice: stay under the preapproved limit at all costs. While yes, it’s true that the maximum limit is something you can technically afford, it doesn’t mean it’s a good decision.

Know your home loan product

It’s downright scary how often a first time home buyer will sign a 25-year home loan without really knowing the ins and outs. They see that monthly payment figure, decide they can afford it, and off they go without giving the small print a second thought. This type of person asks questions such as these: comparison rate? What’s that? Legal fee? I didn’t know there was a legal fee! You get the picture. If you’re already confused, we’ve put together a quick guide of most of the variables you’ll need to consider before choosing your home loan.

Comparison rate vs Interest rate

A number of companies (L&C, Calculator, Lendi etc.) offer up useful online tools for you to be able to calculate your way to your future property. Depending on your country and choice, upon using these tools you’ll be hit with two different rates. Confused? The interest rate is the rate you’ll pay on the loan. The comparison rate takes into account all other costs (we’ll go over these) and reworks the rate based on these additional amounts. These are some of the ‘hidden’ rates you may have to pay: ● Application fee. ● Annual fee. ● Monthly fee. ● Legal fee. ● Establishment/Settlement fee. ● Valuation fee. Pay attention to the annual fee in particular. These will run for the duration of your loan. Say you’re paying $299 per annum over 25 years. That’s approximately $7,500, excluding interest. Note: the advertised comparison rate is based on a set loan amount and duration (e.g. $150,000 over 25 years). This means that the rate should only be used to guide your decision (and calculations!). Once you’ve created a shortlist of mortgage products, narrow down your choices further by doing a manual comparison rate calculation. This will give you the comparison rate for your individual situation.

Principal and interest vs interest-only loans.

The principal is the original home loan amount before interest starts to accrue. It’s the most common home loan type. With current interest rates being so low, it makes sense to carve into the principal so that you can pay your loan off faster. For most people, the interest-only loans are to be avoided. These loans are literally neverending, as you’re only paying the interest on the loan. However, they’re often used by investors who speculate on the market. They can often use tax breaks to minimize the effect of the interest, and they’ll sell the property for a profit. This has worked extremely well in Australia’s burgeoning property market, but beware: there are signs that prices are starting to plateau (Sydney and Melbourne are even seeing steady drops).

Think beyond the home

Buying a property isn’t just about buying a property if that makes sense. You also need to take the location into account: ● Crime rates. You want to feel safe in your new neighborhood, don’t you? There’s also another reason: homes in areas where crime is common can suffer a downturn in prices. ● Public services. What’s nearby? Hospitals? Libraries? ● School district. Even if you don’t have kids (yet?), this is a biggie. Schools can be good markers for the overall suitability of a new home. Good schools are generally found in good neighborhoods.

Are you eligible for assistance programs?

If you’re a first-time buyer, many countries have assistance programs to help get your foot on the property ladder. Governments know that millennials, in particular, are having serious trouble buying their first homes, which is why it’s quite possible that you’ll be eligible for a helping hand from your local government. The United States, for example, offers the popular FHA loan. This means that the loan is insured by the Federal Housing Administration, which allows for a smaller down payment and shaky credit scores. The VA loan system, created specifically for veterans, is also an excellent option for many families. Of course, every situation is different: just make sure that you look for both federal and state programs.

Enjoy the ride!

These tips were not meant to scare you off buying your first property. It’s an exciting time and getting your hands on those keys for the first time is a memorable moment in anyone’s life. Just make sure you also do your homework! Sasha Belopoljanski is a content manager on behalf of Lendi – a place where you can see compiled expert advice, easy-to-use tools, and FAQs, so you can find the right home loan for your needs.

What did you learn purchasing your first home?

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What’s your favorite almost hamburger helper recipe?

Optional (but highly recommended) Accessories

RESOURCE TOOLKIT

25 Quick and Easy Instant Pot Dinners

Spiced Scrambled Eggs:

Banana Oat Protein Smoothie:

Veggie lover Chili:

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Re-Heated Fried Chicken:

Pan Grilled Salmon:

What is your favorite healthy protein recipe?

Optional Accessories

Side and Snacks

Dinners

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Breakfasts and Desserts

You might also like…

What is your favorite Instant Pot recipes for beginners?

A simple savings plan

You might also like…

52-week savings challenge

Food Waste Hurts More than Your Wallet

5 Tips for Minimizing Food Waste

Stewarding Resources

You might also like…

Protecting Animals

Saving Money

Slowing climate change

Getting Organized

But what about your emotional health?

What is E-Counseling?

You might also like…

But Isn’t Therapy Expensive?

Therapy at Your Convenience

What will you do for your mental health this year?

A Love of Flying

Using Airline Miles to Fund Your Next Flight

Benefits of Miles

Free Flights

Upgrades

Miles Vs. Status

Discounts at Hotels and Rental Cars

Strategies for Maximizing Miles

Concentrate on One Airline (and Partners)

Stay, Dine, & Shop with Affiliates

Use the Right Credit Cards

Work Hard. Play Hard.

Best Airlines for Perks

Alaska Airlines

Delta

Jet Blue

You might also like…

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I actually cash-out my airline miles?

Can I transfer miles? Donate them? Will them?

How do you use your airline miles?

Counseling services that won’t break the bank

You might also like…

Anyone can benefit

Easier than ordering lunch!