Nine Bear Paws

 

When Dave Ramsey advises people to do “rice and beans,” it’s a metaphor for financial discipline and delayed gratification: making short-term sacrifices to achieve long-term success. The concept works both figuratively and literally. If you can turn a handful of dry beans into a delicious, nutritious meal, you can feed yourself well for a fraction of the cost of drive-through or delivery. The money you might have spent on junk food can go toward more important things. When I cook beans, I sort, rinse and soak them in water overnight. Then I drain them and load them in my slow cooker with plenty of fresh water. I cover and cook them 8 hours on low or 4 on high, until the beans are tender. Then I can use them in soups, chili, salads, etc. Beans are a good source of protein and fiber, and if you use dry instead of canned, they’re around 10 cents per serving.