Everyday Cheapskate: We’re living a minimalist life

We had 30 days to pack up 27 years of our lives, which we put into storage pending a decision on where we would eventually relocate.

We kept out a few bare necessities and moved into a tiny apartment, where we lived for about 18 months. Did you get that ... a “few”? Clearly, I was not in my right mind when I decided what I would need in this microscopic kitchen.

We’re talking a spatula, a wooden spoon and a rubber scraper. That’s about it in my tiny utensil drawer. And that spatula? It’s 44 years old. I know because it was part of a wedding gift set. It makes me laugh every single day.

But that’s not all. I had to put my slow cooker, pressure cooker, rice cooker and 99 percent of my kitchen into storage. That’s how small this place is.

Don’t cry for me. We are having the time of our lives! I’m cooking more than ever and turning out some pretty amazing meals, if I do say so myself! It feels like being on vacation every day.

I brought my Breville smart convection oven (www.everydaycheapskate.com/brevilleoven) because I cannot live without it, and this apartment does not have a stove (yeah, you heard me). We purchased two items that have pretty much changed the way I cook, and I plan to not change once we move to our new home next spring.

I’d never heard of induction cooking. But the reviews and the energy savings (it costs only pennies to operate because it doesn’t produce any heat!) for this single-burner Max Burton induction cooktop (www.everydaycheapskate.com/induction) convinced me to give it a try. It plugs in, and I use it right on the counter. Amazing! Oh, how I love induction cooking. And, yes, I have one single burner.

To round out my functional kitchen, I have a Breville Fast Slow Cooker (www.everydaycheapskate.com/fastslow). I couldn’t believe it when I found this honey of an appliance. Of course, you know that I am pretty much in love with anything from Breville, and this is no exception.

It is a slow cooker, pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer all in one. I can saute, sear, slow cook, pressure cook and keep warm (with a countdown timer) with this one single appliance. What a space saver! It just works. I love it so much, now I am thinking this may be all I’ll need in a regular—sized kitchen in the future. We’ll see how things go. But for now, this is the best thing ever for our new minimalist life.

As for the future? It is very bright. I am so grateful that we have purchased a beautiful new home, and when I say “purchased,” that’s exactly what I mean. We bought this home that is located on a golf course with a drop-dead view of the Rocky Mountains, without a mortgage. It’s ours no matter what the future may hold.

And that, my friends, is what can happen when you commit to living below your means and without debt. It can happen for you, too!