Budget Saving Recipies

[AnnaC]

Ok ladies, I need some help. DH and I have recently had to cut our budget wayyyy back. I am trying to save as much money on groceries as I can. Can you share some recipies or ideas of some cheap dinners that I can make? (or lunches and breakfast) It doesn't have to be a recipie, even just ideas that I might not have thought of would help too.

Here's what I have sofar:
(oh, and you don't have to add a price breakdown, I just thought you might be interested to see what I got)

Tacos
1lb ground beef $3.49
Taco Seasoning $0.28
Taco Shells $0.96
Total $4.73

Red Beans and Rice
RB&R mix $1.89
Sausage $2.99
Total $4.88

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
1 can soup $0.68
8 slices of cheese $2.00
8 slices of bread $0.61
Total $3.29

Spaghetti
Haven't done price checks yet

Chili
No price yet either



I was shocked to see how little we could both eat dinner for, but I know those 5 meals are going to get old fast! :lol2 Thanks for your help!!! :)

[lisaann]

If you buy things in bulk you will get a better price. For example if you get a good deal on bulk hamburger you can then come home and make it all in to meatloaves, cook one for tonight and freeze the rest. This way you got a good price and you have dinner for several other nights already 1/2 prepared.

Buy rice in bulk and it is just a penny or two a meal.

I know our supermarket sells pasta in bags for $.69 a bag.

How I do it is set aside what I can afford, say $10 a week, and buy at least one thing in bulk. After several grocery trips you find that you have alot of food for quite a savings.

[Kliska]

Homemade styles of "Hamburger Helper" which are a lot better than the packaged kind: a box of mac and cheese (I really do like the cheaper kinds), a lb. of hamburger, and whatever it takes to make the mac and cheese. I'd also add spices to my hamburger, whatever on hand.

[wife]

Ok ladies, I need some help. DH and I have recently had to cut our budget wayyyy back. I am trying to save as much money on groceries as I can. Can you share some recipies or ideas of some cheap dinners that I can make? (or lunches and breakfast) It doesn't have to be a recipie, even just ideas that I might not have thought of would help too.

Here's what I have sofar:
(oh, and you don't have to add a price breakdown, I just thought you might be interested to see what I got)

Tacos
1lb ground beef $3.49
Taco Seasoning $0.28
Taco Shells $0.96
Total $4.73

Red Beans and Rice
RB&R mix $1.89
Sausage $2.99
Total $4.88

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
1 can soup $0.68
8 slices of cheese $2.00
8 slices of bread $0.61
Total $3.29

Spaghetti
Haven't done price checks yet

Chili
No price yet either



I was shocked to see how little we could both eat dinner for, but I know those 5 meals are going to get old fast! :lol2 Thanks for your help!!! :)


For the red beans and rice.... use a lb of beans .79 and rice.. it is cheaper and healthier....and makes loads more..for leftovers or lunch the next day

[dusty]

Stretching meals with bulk purchased rice, pasta and beans is a very good idea. Eggs are versatile and an economical source of protein. Buying cheaper cuts of meat on sale, like whole roasting chicken or beef/pork roasts and then using that one cut of meat for 3 or more meals works great. Like roast chicken one night, stir fry, bbq sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, chicken pasta salad, chicken soup, etc. Making meals fresh without prepackaged mixes is usually more economical. Serving soup and salad ahead of dinner, then a main course of mostly veggies or veggie casseroles or maybe mixed with some pasta or rice really goes a long way on very little spent. We do eat mostly veggies in our meals but also have a large variety of meals using meat. Tossing any veggies (fresh or frozen) with a little rice and seasonings, or pasta and seasonings and olive oil, is a staple around here....there's so many variations. We don't do it to be economical really, it just works out that way, which is a nice bonus. :)

[wife]

Stretching meals with bulk purchased rice, pasta and beans is a very good idea. Eggs are versatile and an economical source of protein. Buying cheaper cuts of meat on sale, like whole roasting chicken or beef/pork roasts and then using that one cut of meat for 3 or more meals works great. Like roast chicken one night, stir fry, bbq sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, chicken pasta salad, chicken soup, etc. Making meals fresh without prepackaged mixes is usually more economical. Serving soup and salad ahead of dinner, then a main course of mostly veggies or veggie casseroles or maybe mixed with some pasta or rice really goes a long way on very little spent. We do eat mostly veggies in our meals but also have a large variety of meals using meat. Tossing any veggies (fresh or frozen) with a little rice and seasonings, or pasta and seasonings and olive oil, is a staple around here....there's so many variations. We don't do it to be economical really, it just works out that way, which is a nice bonus. :)


Great tips.. don't forget that you can freeze cheese too if you find it on sale.

I know that you are talking food, but many shampoos and soaps can be cut with water. I do this with my dish and hand soap.......

[lookingup]

We are in the middle of doing the same thing! I went through our pantry to find out what I can make...
1. Poor spaghetti (onions, noodles, tomato paste, and frozen peas) It actually comes out tasting really rich and yummy.
2. White beans (canned for me, much easier), tomatoes, and sage.
3. Garbanzo Bean stew
4. Goulash (my made up recipe) ground meat, onions, taco seasoning, canned tomatoes, rice, and whatever veggies you have (bell pepper, squash, mushrooms, etc).
5. Rice with veggies and teriyaki sauce
6. Frozen Chicken, rice, and a cream of something soup
I can give you some recipes if you want too! Maybe you could post yours and we could all start a new dinner thread for those of us on a TIGHT budget!!!!:)

[Krayola]

There is a website called hillbilly housewife that has a lot of frugal recipes and other tips on saving money on your grocery bill. Here is the link: http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/

[watching4him]

Is there a local Church that does Angelfoodministries, if so check them out for very little money you get a lot of food. My family does it in Missouri, and a local church started it here a few months ago. Dh & I, use it every few months along with our trips to the grocery store & my coupons we save a lot off our food budget. With Angel Food Ministries there are no income guide lines anyone can use it. I, know a family from our church the father is a college professor, mom is the a X-ray tech & they use it also for their family.

[AnnaC]

Thanks for all the ideas guys!!! I'll definately be trying some of them out. My mom used to make chicken and rice with cream of mushroom soup when I was a kid and it was really yummy. I should bring that one back.

I checked out the Hillbilly Houswife website. It had some good ideas, but I just can't wrap my mind around the idea of not having some kind of meat for dinner. We always had meat every night when I was growing up, even if it was jsut hot dogs. :lol2 She suggested just having beans, rice, and veggies for dinner some nights. I just can't imagine not having some chicken or beef too. What do you guys think? Is it normal to not have meat with dinner some nights?