I just LOVE how you get four meals out of that one chicken - and I think it would have been five if you made chicken soup out of that carcass! And, I don't consider the BK burgers and the popcorn fails - you had allowed $100 for groceries (food) and had only spent $70 - so to me - popcorn and burgers ARE food! You just spent $76 on food and STILL came out $24 ahead of your plan with NO fails!! You are SO motivating to me - thanks for all the ideas and congratulations on your VERY successful NO SPEND January!
Happy early birthday, Emmy! Loved your video. Paul could start the day with serving you breakfast in bed, play his guitar for you, take a walk together, watch your favorite movie together with popcorn, do your least favorite chore for you and arrange to have one of your friends or family cook dinner for you two to eat by candlelight. Instead of cake, serve ice cream with a candle! 🎂
Yes all fabulous ideas, maybe draw up a warm bath and light one of her favorite candles. A foot or back massage would be nice! Come on Paul, you can do this.
These are all great ideas for birthday gifts. I would add a relaxing massage or run a nice bath, add candles and maybe bubbles and then leave you to soak and enjoy. Hope you enjoy a wonderful birthday Emmy. Your chicken recipies all looked tasty and inviting. I live north of 49th parallel but your food dollars do not go as far as yours for certain.I purchased a 3.7 lb chicken for less than $12.78 two weeks ago. Potatoes were $3.97 for 5 lbs on sale this week and I can get 2 lbs of carrots and 2 lbs of onions for $5. You can see our food $$ don’t seem to cover the same territory yours do. I spread a 3 lb chicken 3-4 meals the same way you do and it does serve just my husband and myself. I use a lot of lentils, beans, rice and quinoa to extend our protein and vegetables as well as chickpeas. They are all less expensive food sources and I’ve learned to cook them with our root vegetables to make them savoury. Oatmeal and eggs and canned fish, like sardines and canned ham sandwich meat can be made into sandwiches or fish cakes. Grocery costs have increased dramatically in the past two years and are very challenging on a retired couple’s fixed income. We keep working at it.
Look at all the joy you got from a two dollar purchase! I'd call that a win, not a fail! All the recipes look so good. Thanks for the ideas! Paul will find a creative way to celebrate your birthday, I'm sure!
This place is for Paul about Emma’s birthday. My husband of see to get up befor me and set up balloons, candles, cup of tea in a pretty cup and other hints in the house. Sometimes make breakfast ready for when he got me up. Sometimes a sweet note telling me f His love and a Bible verse on my tray. HOPe this helps!
That's what my husband says when I need to tell him something. "What did I do?" Thank you for all your support ideas and recipes. It has been a blessing for us to have support during our no spend journey. We are doing another month of no spend, maybe two. Love your channel
You two are adorable! I enjoy your channel. You have so many wonderful ideas and are always so positive and encouraging. Both the popcorn and burgers out could be counted as food and you would still be under your budget. I appreciate that you are being real with us. An idea for your birthday, if you bake the cake ahead of time and freeze it without the icing, it thaws really well and tastes fresh and that way you aren't making a cake on your own birthday. My Mom did it all the time growing up. Maybe you can decorate it together as an activity together. Or you could skip the cake all together and make ice cream sundaes.
🤚Me too....no thrift stores for 8 weeks now. That's a big deal for me. It's actually freeing! I'm going no spend February also. The meals look great! Paul, you are a talented musician. A great birthday gift would be a personal musical 🎼 song. A card of all the events in life that stand out about Emmy that you love. And she said no spend for you....BUT your son could bring the cake😏
Oh my! Lol! Not even at 300 subs. Wow! You & Paul have so much to be proud of. I had seen this before, but it's great to watch this video again! Still relevant in 2023.
I love the 4 meals from one chicken idea. I have my chicken and think I might get slices of chicken on a salad with bread on side. Another night make the barbecue chicken sandwiches. I may go Spanish and put chicken with yellow rice. You really got me thinking! Lol. I had a January fail. 😑 We are back in the office after a long winter break. When everyone said they were getting something from our favorite bakery, I said "yes!" It wasn't until it almost arrived that I remembered. I could have kicked myself! Well, I'll take the fail and do better.
This demystified pot pies for me. I always thought this dish would be complicated. Another potential meat stretching recipe can join the rotation. Now to just get over my pie crust fear and I'll take the plunge. I make all kinds of dough but my pies and pasta are pitiful.
All that looked wonderful. I did the same recently with 2 rotisserie chicken that I bought on sale. I had 2 meals of dark meat, used 1 breast to make chicken salad, made stock, used some of the stock to make chicken corn soup that will last several meals (I love alone) and still have stock and chicken frozen so probably at least 2 more meals. I make meals and they last 2 to 3 servings for me. Nothing goes to waste. Thanks for inspiration!
When I wanted to go out to a restaurant with my daughter and her 2 small children for lunch, I ordered only one half chicken dinner. I asked for the salad. They brought soup and a bread basket with four small plates. The soup became my meal with a bread roll. I'm a senior. I divided the salad, with a little bit of lettuce on the two children's plates with 1/2 a bread roll buttered and the other 1/2 if the salad for my daughter with bread sticks and butter. When the chicken came. One child got a drumstick, baby got the wing broken like a little drumstick. My daughter got the breast. We were all happy and satisfied. We enjoyed that Hawaiian restaurant and the waitress was impressed. I know this site is about not going to restaurants but saving so much money eating frugally at home we were able to enjoy ourselves out for a special occasion. We drank water. I did give the waitress an appropriate tip for all four of us, not just 15% of the dinner. Nothing was left over to be thrown out the next day.
Paul is so sweet, he wants to do something nice for you. Take her for a nice walk and read her one of her favorite books or poems. Then tell her how blessed you are to have her in your life, Happy Birthday!
Hey Emmy and Paul, I really enjoyed today's video, that frugal 'fail' was too cute to pass up! I love pasta and all the meals looked delicious 😋 Happy Birthday Emmy 🎁🍰❤ Maybe if the weather isn't too cold, you could go for a walk somewhere beautiful and either take your favourite foods for a picnic even if you sit in the car or have all your favourites at home 😊 Just for the record I loved your pie crust, I'm slightly pie crust challenged too and I think it just gives it character and you're right it just adds to why we love you 🥰
You two are precious! Love all the chicken 🐔 ideas! This month we were able to put 2,000 towards paying of a truck payment and it’s so rewarding! Paul draw her a hot bubble bath 🛀!
create a music play list, you could do a charcuterie board for dinner, and a sweet charcutie board for dessert? Dont forget to sign up to free birthday meals too!
Happy Happy Birthday Emmy! Paul break out the guitar; she will love it. I too am pie crust challenged so I am with you; Pillsbury rolled crusts do the trick. I smile during your entire videos.
An easy, no fail pie crust recipe: For single crust - 1 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 1/2 Tablespoons of milk and 1/4 cup cooking oil of choice. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, mix wet ingredients together and then add to the dry, mixing with a fork until combined to moisten flour. Pat with hands into a ball. Lay dough ball on a sheet of waxed paper and cover with a second sheet of waxed paper. Using a rolling pin, roll out dough from the center out, turning the paper as you go. When rolled to the desired thickness, peel off one of the sheets of waxed paper, place the other sheet with the dough inverted onto the pie plate and gently peel the dough away from the waxed paper. Gently press the dough into the bottom and sides of the pie plate. Fill with filling of your choice. Bake as you would any other pie. This recipe can be double easily. This is a very forgiving recipe and is hard to overwork it as with other recipes. I use it when my grandchildren help me make pie. And it's inexpensive! I hope this encourages you in your pie skills. Blessings.
Your meals looked delicious. I’m going to do the forward February. I wouldn’t consider them a fail. It’s life and good to treat yourself. Great job on January
I just learned something new. I had so much mayo needing using up and I was making turkey tettrazini and didn't have any sour cream. I tried mayo, cream of mushroom and milk. Put some peas in and paramesan on top. So good! Who knew?
It’s nice to see someone use a chicken to the max. I do that too and then make stock from the bones. I made some burgers with the thigh meat from a chicken this week. Haven’t had them yet but looking forward to them. I love your channel ❤️
You can still have the candle light for the birthday dinner! There’s still a pie crust left you can make some apple turnovers for desert and what if you made dinner together?
Hi I'm a new subscriber and I am glad to have found your channel I really enjoyed the video and your energy is enchanting and very positive and welcoming best wishes to you both 😊 hello 👋 from Florida
New to your channel and jut love you guys, seems I've known you forever... thank you for sharing best practices... Great teachers of simplicity...that you again... makes me take a second look of my household budget. BLESSINGS to you both.
I’ve been looking forward to this video! I have some cooked chicken in my freezer and now I have some ideas on how to use it. You are so resourceful. I bought a clearance popcorn tin as well and my children were thrilled! I save to store Christmas ornaments. Your videos are so inspiring and encouraging. Happy early birthday!
What a great videos. Love how you showed the chicken ideas. Your "fails" were awesome. Happy Birthday. Paul, write a poem, make a homemade card or coupons for different things you can do together all year long. You guys are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
I made penne pasta last week with leftovers. I used 1 cup of chopped chicken, sauteed with onion and garlic and added flour and 1 cup of broth to make a roux, added 2 TBSP of cream cheese and a half a cup of parm. Mixed in the penne and topped with a little mozarella. It was yummy.
Paul, pull out the grill and have a BBQ..yes it is cold , but Emmy will love you more with your added effort..do a couple of baked potatoes in the air fryer and top it off with a tossed salad..dessert is optional. Easy-peasy! And 🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMY❣⚘
Paul. What about a picnic birthday? If not able to have one outside, how about having one inside? Sandwiches and other easy finger food, like veg and a dip. And if you still have treats from Christmas in the freezer, pull some of those out. Make a homemade card from the heart. If you can find any flowering plants (sometimes you can find some peeking through after a snow), make a bouquet. It's the thought and care that goes into a no-spend birthday celebration. Good luck💖
I improved in January..not perfect HOWEVER..only did take-out 2xs instead of 4...No internet shopping except necessities..Hope to do better in Feb..Thanks for the inspiration..
loved the recipes Emmy . Thank you . It’s amazing what you can do with one chicken . A very happy birthday Emmy . Hope you have a happy time with a no spend birthday . Maybe a romantic dinner cooked by Paul . Then watch your favourite movie or play a board game listening to your favourites recording artists .
Hi Paul & Emmy! I’m going back and watching some older videos and love this one. I am proud of myself because several days ago, I pulled two chicken breasts out of the freezer. I coated them with spices and cooked them to make blackened chicken. I live alone and those 2 chicken breasts made 8 meals for me! And that was even after sneaking some bites when they finished cooking because they smelled so good. First, I had several chicken caesar salads which are perfect for August weather. Then I used up a few tortillas I had in the freezer and made quesadillas. Finally, I had a packet of Lipton chicken noodle soup in the pantry - the kind with the extra noodles. I cooked that following package directions. Then I added a cup of homemade chicken stock, some carrots, celery & onions and some of the chicken breast diced up. I’ve only had one bowl of it with 1/2 grilled cheese sandwich and there’s enough for at least 2 more meals. With the cost of protein sources these days, using them in recipes that include other ingredients really extends your number of meals. I browned a pound of Italian sausage and used half for a big pot of dirty rice and the other half for some individual English muffin pizzas which I froze. I love having lots of quick choices in my freezer and it usually only takes 1/2 a day of cooking to create a bunch of meals.
That’s really not a fail!! It made y’all so happy!! If you added those 2 things to your grocery because they were food!! Lol! Paul you can do it! Grill some type meat veggies or a salad on the side w/ toasted bread! For dessert open some fruit top with kool whip! Do a candle light meal with beverage in wine glasses! Top it off with serenading her with romantic music with the guitar.! You could do a cake mix cook then while it’s hot mix a box of jello and pour it on top . If you want you can add kool whip atop of that! Good Paul!!!!!
They all look great! Guessing a couple of those meals fed you two for at least two meals….bringing the total to 6 meals! Stock is a must….so glad you did that too! Make a soup and there are a couple more meals! Such a great way to use a whole chicken….a huge thank you for all you do! An early happy birthday too! I love the no spend birthday idea!!
Great variety of meals with one chicken! Inspiring ☺️ those 2 “fails” were still pretty frugal- I appreciate the honesty! Good luck to Paul on Emmy’s no spend birthday 🥳 we’re all rooting for you!
You got this Paul! Can you cook breakfast? Make her a birthday breakfast. See if there is a frozen lasagna or something in the freezer. Chop up veggies for a salad and that’s dinner. WATCH some RU-vid videos and get ideas.
Glad you used the chicken skin instead of taking it off. Even people on reducing diets can stretch the food money by doing that. At least they could use the skin in broths and soups. Besides chicken fat is good for you.
Paul can cook you brunch and use gift cards to take you out for dinner. He can fix something in your house or look up a present on RU-vid or Pinterest to make as your present.
Thank you for the meals, all from one chicken! It’s amazing how much you can do with one chicken! Thanks for your tips and insights❤️popcorn tin was a real deal, and we love Disney too🙂 I love the Forward February, and I’m going to join you too! Paul use a gift card and bring home the take away food, use your linen napkins and candles❤️ the real gift is honoring Emmies wishes! And happiest of birthdays!!
Paul and Emmy.. Hello. Happy Tuesday, Happy February. This weather has been crazy here in LA (Lower Alabama).. In the teens, and today in the 60's.. Crazy.. And yep, I had a oops in our no spend January.. My husband and I only bought 3 gallons of milk and some ice cream this month, but I did go out to lunch with a co-worker last week.. Even with the lunch, we spent less than 60 dollars this month.. Wheww.. I didn't shop at any store or online.. Gonna roll this over into February.. Thank you for sharing everything with us.. May the Lord bless y'all with an abundance of Peace, Love and SunShine.. 🌺🌸🌺
A few years ago I read The Complete Tightwad Gazette and Amy Dacyczyn wrote about a frugal birthday party with a tightwad or frugal theme. You might use newspaper for a table covering gift wrap...mismatched leftover balloons from various holidays...previously lit candles...etc. If you want to go the serious route, consider making a homemade gift, baking a simple cake from a mix, having a simple dinner with a nice tablecloth and candles, maybe some soft music and a movie after. Another idea is to plan a "Pamper Emmy" birthday. She might enjoy a warm bath, time to do her nails and such, a nice long walk, a favorite warm (or cold) drink~~etc. Or~~maybe she'd like to chose an activity for the two of you (or other family, too) to do together like a cooking project, craft, etc. If she enjoys games or cards, that might be fun along with finger foods and her favorite dessert. Once, for my daughter's birthday, we had a clue themed birthday (she was into Nancy Drew books) and I put a card with a clue written on it inside various Nancy Drew books, for where we'd be going next throughout the day. You might do something similar with a scavenger hunt theme....visit a park, library, friend or family member, free museum, etc. Maybe end the day with homemade sundaes or banana splits. I hope you'll get some great ideas here and have a nice time on Emmy's special day. God bless!
I loved this video...so positive, so much energy, so many great ideas! Also, I turn 60 on the 6th, so, yeah, right there with you on the hoping for a no-spend bday! You guys did so well, brava! (Speaking of "brava" more recipes please!) Thanks for giving so much to the frugal community!
Paul: make a nice bath with candles and play your guitar to your wife! or play her relaxing, favorite type music (for her birthday) :) Spend nice close, quiet time with her and let her relax...and use the gift cards, etc. :) There are a ton of things that you can do for her that doesn't involve money.....take it from me...a nice massage or just a nice candle-lit bath! Nice! Very loving and enjoyable! :) Enjoy each other on her birthday! Blessings to you both and Happy Birthday, Emmy! :) Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)
Great idea to continue the no spend habit❤. My idea for Paul is, for example, to create a small heart-shaped flower bed for the lovely Emmy. And because it is still snowing where you are, draw the heart in the snow where the flower bed will be. And on the birthday Paul can cut out a heart with flowers and stick it on a cardboard. And this heart on cardboard, dear Paul, you put on a stick and put it in the snow heart. By the way, your fail is a win! Love you❤
Hi Emmy and Paul. Enjoyed the video. My husband would also want to know what he did 🤣🤣🤣. Ok .... let's try to help Paul out. Breakfast in bed. Could be something really simple like coffee/tea, toast, bowl of cereal. My husband makes all my cards (he is an artist, I'm not) and they are so precious. Walk at the Hudson River where you both like to go. Please don't take Emmy anywhere near a thrift store. It will just make her feel bad if she gets tempted and gives in. Offer to help make dinner. I love doing things like that with my Hubby. Do the cleanup. Play your guitar .... that would be most special. Happy Birthday, Emmy! You are special and appreciated. 🎂💜🎂💜🎂💜🎂💜 Hi to Dixiebelle. 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
After you boil the bones and get all the meat off, put them in the oven. Dry them until they're brittle. Then grind them up in the blender and make bone meal for your garden.
Emmy is right. There are a lot of cooking videos for the beginner. How about a candlelight dinner prepared by Chef Paul followed with some guitar music?😊 Whatever it is, I am sure it will be special. He may have to barter some snow shoveling for cooking lessons😊
Paul...in the freezer, get out a bag of her prepared pasta sauce. Check for frozen bread and previously made Christmas desserts as well. Boil pasta noodles as per box instructions while warming up pasta sauce. Make a tossed salad, but add in black olive slivers and some shredded cheese. Have seen you prep salad on channel before so you know how to do this part. Reheat bread in aluminum foil. If you can't find any pre made desserts, try a dump cake which is can of fruit and cake mix. She keeps these in pantry. Recipes are on line. Have candles, nice dishes and some music she likes as per other viewers suggestions. She is only asking that you make dinner from what you have. Even if you served a bowl of lumpy oatmeal as her meal, she will love you for trying. It is not a seven course dinner. You could also do cut up fruit for dessert. There is no rule that dessert has to be cake or sweets. She likes bananas so even a simple banana split might work. Just enjoy the time together. Loved this video with so many great recipes.
You two are funny! Thanks for sharing the chicken recipes.... Paul you can do this no spend birthday! Emmie mentioned gift cards you have on hand.... or you can choose a recipe and do a trial run.... Happy upcoming Birthday Emmie (I hope I am spelling your name right).
My little wins I made homemade tomato soup this past weekend. I was like hmmm what am I going to do with the leftovers. I added some spices and tomato paste and made this yummy spagetti sauce. Spagetti for dinner last night. Lol. My family didn't even realize they thought it was a creamy red sauce I bought. They ate it right up.
You two are so cute! Paul, you are going to be fine! You married an amazing Lady that is quite easy to make happy. That’s the great thing about you both! Paul, what about a Disney Movie date night, like at the theater, but at home? Popcorn, favorite beverage and some candy of her liking (maybe in the freezer stash of candy?). Can you learn her favorite Disney song on your guitar and serenade her? What woman wouldn’t love that! Blessings to you both ❤️
Love your scenery. As I’m watching it is starting to snow. Only 2-5 inches. Your snows are so much more than this little storm in southern Colorado. Love your sunny attitude. Cheers me up. It must me your area with the tin foil. Love chicken. Great recipes.
Hi Emmy - I love wings too! LOL. It’s been so fun no/low spending with you. I have some outings planned in February, but will continue to low spend otherwise. Enjoy your birthday week! 🎉
I love the popcorn tin...I call that a FIND for $1.99! I love the no-spend birthday idea. Maybe you could give Paul cooking lessons/tips, like how to make cupcakes, an easy one-dish chicken recipe etc.... Once he has some basic skills, he can add new tricks! Stay safe and warm 💜
Hello from Ohio 😊 I too have a birthday in a few days and My husband always makes my dinner. Although he is cooking challenged, lol He will cook on the grill ( a oven broiler works in a pinch) . This year bbq baby back ribs, boxed Mac and cheese, canned baked baked beans, a glass of wine and the kids will bring the dessert. (Freezer and pantry items).. It will be delicious 😋, and it will be made with love ❤. IMO Better than any restaurant. So Paul you can do this. Enjoy 😉 HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂 and God Bless
You have inspired me to clean out my fridge.😊 I found some blueberries that needed to be used and added them to basic blueberry muffin mix this morning - yum! I realized I had two of the grandkid’s lunchables - they’re having them for lunch today. Took two bags of grapes out, washed them, put in bowl ready to eat in the fridge (family always eats them better that way). Just found y’all on RU-vid- really enjoy watching and getting new ideas on ways to save - also enjoy the cooking/recipes. 👍
Emmy I bought a 2 pack of cornish hens at aldis for $4.00 and I cooked one up and got 4 meals from one cornish hen. I made soup and then I made creamed chicken over toast and the chicken and pasta and then chicken salad sandwich. Not bad for such a small bird.
Paul, you can play the guitar, why not serenade Emmy or maybe even write a short little song for her? Honestly No spend January was super hard for me. I got 19 days in and then had to give up. I was getting super depressed because I didn't feel like I could see my friends. They can't come over to my place and I can't go to theirs so we have to meet up somewhere and in the winter that is so hard to do without spending a least a little money on coffee or food or something.
Hi Paul and Emmy….I loved all the recipes you made, the cooking is my favorite part of your videos! I’m going to try that pasta dish. Paul I know you can come up with some fun and frugal ideas for Emmy’s birthday 🥳 Emmy you can help Paul make your cake and dinner. ❤️
Love you both and your inspirations. Make you breakfast.... Take a cool drive....1 small cupcake each to bring home. Use gift card for dinner. Or lunch...cheaper. Cupcake and leftovers or dinner. And a scoop of ice cream from freezer. Candlelight. Music..movie at home for evening! 🌸🎶🍧🙏🏻💕🦒
