Several days ago, I posted my list of 7 meals I could feed my family of 5 for $7 or less per meal and started a breakdown, by meal, of cost with recipes. Now to finish this list….. (more…)

Welcome back!

Several days ago, I posted my list of 7 meals I could feed my family of 5 for $7 or less per meal. And by meal, I don’t mean each individual serving. I mean the entire MEAL. For all of us. I promised you the breakdown showing the cost of each meal with recipes and in the meantime got caught up in blogging about presidential debates and foreclosures and all that other stuff that really makes learning how to make meals for under $7 important.

So – on to the stuff that WE can do to help save our families and our country; being frugal. (more…)

With prices rising and the economy falling, I want to save as much as I can to pay down debt and invest in savings. To that end, I have come up with 7 meals for under $7 per meal.

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In the spirit of all things frugal, I thought I’d share 10 of my family’s favorite meals that can be prepared for under $10. Each meal can feed at least a family of 5 and sometimes with a little left over to nibble on the next day at lunch instead of buying that $5 Subway sandwich. And depending on where you live, these can be made much cheaper than $10. (more…)

If you missed the beginning of this discussion, you can start it here.

We all know that meat is one of the most expensive purchases at the grocery store. Traditionally, it’s just been a part of nearly every American Meal. But by skipping out on the meat even once a week can save $15 – $25 or more a month, depending on where you live, how many you are feeding and what types of meat you consume. And if you go meatless twice a week, you can double that.

I typically don’t buy anything more expensive than $2.50 a lb. Since I’m in Silicon Valley, that can be a challenge sometimes. But, most of the rest of America can find meat at the market for that price nearly all the time. I leave shrimp, steak and other high priced items at the store, except for special occasions. 

Going vegatarian doesn’t have to feel like a sacrifice. In fact, my family actually looks forward to these meals because I try to be as creative as possible.

Here are a few meal suggestions:

1. Breakfast foods – pancakes, oatmeal, eggs & toast, fruit & yogurt
2. Soups – pumpkin soup, tomato & basil soup with grilled cheese, taco soup (I have a great recipe that is low in fat & high in fiber here).
3. International Themes – Kaiserschmarnn, Milch Rice, Veggie Stir Fry, Chile Rellenos
4. Spagetti with marinar sauce or meatless lasagna – substituting eggplant for meat is also an option

There are so many things you can do. Use the internet. Look up vegatarian recipes. Eating meatless doesn’t have to mean soy and tofu unless you want it to.

We’ve gone over making a monthly meal plan and structuring your grocery list, thus arming you with the knowledge to make wise shopping decisions. At this point, you will have saved some money already. If, like me, some nights you still don’t feel like cooking even though you have something you can prepare, this next tip is for you. (more…)