To view the original list and read my ground rules, click here. I’ll split the list into two posts to avoid information overload. For part 1, click here.

1. Spaghetti with Salad- This is an easy recipe. Cost Analysis:
   1. One box of Spaghetti Noodles (We use Ronzoni Smart Taste or Barilla Plus) – $1.50
   2. Either, one can of spaghetti sauce at $1.25 or 1 can of crushed tomatoes and 1 can of tomato sauce at $2 for both
   3. Olive oil – don’t consider it because it is a pantry item
   4. Salt and other spices- also a pantry item
   5. 1/2 onion – 33 cents
   6. Salad is very basic mix of lettuce of your choice($1.49), 1 tomato and 1 cucumber. This salad will last us two meals so I divide the cost of the entire salad($3.28) by 2 to get the final price of $1.64 per meal. This brings the entire cost of the meal to $4.72. If you must add meat to this dish, find meat at less than $2 per lb and only use half! In most dishes where meat is ground up and browned, like spaghetti or casseroles, you can get by with only using 1/2 lb. Even then, the meal is only $5.72 in total
2. Red Beans and Rice with Cornbread 
   1. You can buy 1 bag of dry red kidney beans for less than $1 OR buy 2 cans of kidney beans at $1 per can
   2. One onion- 66 cents
   3. One bell pepper – $1
   4. 2 cloves of garlic – 50 cents
   5. Two celery stalks – If you estimate that one bunch of celery has six stalks (it usually has more, but for the sake of argument…) two stalks will run you 66 cents.
   6. Cajun Seasoning   – for me this is a staple. I use it in many dishes, however, for many people it might not be. Tony Chachares or Zatarains are great brands and will cost about $3. It’s a good investment. I didn’t include it in the price, but even with an extra $3 to buy it initially, you still have a cheap meal. Plus – you can use it to spice up tons of dishes. And cajun cooking, at it’s heart, is frugal cooking. View the recipe.
3. Chicken Pot Pie with Salad
   1. Frozen Pie Crust – $2.50
   2. 1/2 lb of Chicken at 2.50 per pound – $1.25
   3. 1 can Vegall – 77 cents
   4. 1 can Cream of Chicken- 77 cents
   5. Salad – see point #4 – $1.64 Total Cost for this meal – $6.93. View the recipe.
4. Curried Chicken with Rice
   1. 1 lb Chicken – $2.50
   2. 1/4 cup diced onion - 33 cents
   3. 1 clove of garlic – 33 cents
   4. Sour Cream  8 oz – 1.25
   5. Rice – 30 cents – I buy whole grain brown rice (not instant) at 1.13 for a 16 oz bag.
   6. Salad – $1.64 – Total cost to make – $6.35. View the recipe.
5. Pancakes
   1. Flour is the only serious ingredient you have. A 2 lb bag is $1.99.
   2. Bacon. I bought a medium priced package for $3.99 and estimate that I will used half of the package. – $2
   3. 1 egg – 23 cents
   4. The total cost for this meal is $4.23. View the recipe.

Just remember – have fun with being frugal! Consider it a game and spending less, they way to win. If you find any inconsistencies in my calculations, let me know. I’ve been writing this while 3 little boys were whirling around like Tazmanian Devils, laughing, yelling and fighting. Plus, I’m a little sleep-deprived.

Being frugal takes just a little planning and a little effort, but you’ll be proud of yourself when you spend less. If you enjoyed this, you might also appreciate 10 Meals for Under $10 and a post about how I shaved $200 off my grocery bill.

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

To view the original list and read my ground rules, click here. I’ll split the list into two posts to avoid information overload.

1. Gebratene Nudeln with Salad – This is a new family favorite my German husband convinced us to try. Super easy, super cheap. Basically, it is German for Fried Noodles (loosely translated). Because I have 4 male homosapiens in the house, I have to make more than your family might need. Adjust to suit your family’s appetites. View the recipe. Cost Analysis:
   1. Two boxes of Penne Noodles (We use Ronzoni Smart Taste or Barilla Plus) – $3
   2. 6 eggs. 1 dozen eggs is 2.79 at a cost of 23 cents per egg – $1.40
   3. Olive oil – don’t consider it because it is a pantry item
   4. Salt – also a pantry item
   5. Salad is very basic mix of lettuce of your choice($1.49), 1 tomato and 1 cucumber. This salad will last us two meals so I divide the cost of the entire salad($3.28) by 2 to get the final price of $1.64 per meal. This brings the entire cost of the meal to $6.04. We rarely have leftovers.
2. Potato, Bacon & Onion Hotpot with Broiled Chicken
   1. 2 large russet potatoes at about 60 cents each (estimated from my 5 lb bag I purchased for $2.99) – $1.20
   2. Bacon. I bought a medium priced package for $3.99 and estimate that I will used half of the package. – $2
   3. Half an onion I bought for 66 cents – 33 cents
   4. Chicken I bought in a frozen bag of chicken breasts for 2.50 a lb. I estimate that I will use 1 lb for this meal – $2.50. The total cost for this meal is $6.03. View the recipe.
3. French Toast
   1. I estimate I will use half a loaf of bread that cost $2.99, for a cost of $1.50
   2. Two eggs as 23 cents per egg – 46 cents
   3. I don’t count the milk, cinnamon, sugar, butter and/or syrup. You have to buy it, but they count as pantry items. Total cost to make: $1.96. Honestly, the syrup you use will not be consequential enough for one meal, however, $1.96 sounds super cheap. So, my syrup is sugar free and costs $4.99. I can get about 5 meals of waffles,pancakes or french toast out of it, so I estimate we use $1 of syrup at each meal. Ok, $2.96 – final total. Still very cheap. View the recipe.
4. Black Bean Quesadillas with Rice
   1. Bell Pepper – $1
   2. One onion – 66 cents
   3. Cheese – My block of cheese cost me 22 cents per ounce. I assume I will use 8 oz. – $1.76
   4. Fresh Cilantro – A splurge and sometimes I use dried cilantro, but this splurge is only $1.29
   5. Tortillas – 1 Package is 1.99 for a 20 count. I assume I will use 10, making the cost of tortillas for this meal $1.
   6. Black Beans, 1 can for $1
   7. Rice – I use brown rice. I do not use instant. One package costs $1.13 and I usually get 4 meals out of it. Cost of rice for this meal, 28 centsTotal Cost for this meal – $7.99 with fresh cilantro. Without fresh cilantro, it is $6.70. View the recipe.

 Come back later to see more meals for $7 or less! I’ll be posting it within the next few days.

A few ground rules -

1. I don’t count items for a meal that would be considered a staple (sugar, cinnamon, salt, etc.) unless it comprises the majority of ingredients (like flour in pancakes – hint, hint). 

 2. I estimate the cost per meal of items that are used in more than one meal (i.e., celery is 1.99 per bunch and I estimate 6 stalks in a bunch for a cost of 33 cents per stalk).

3. Some meals make leftovers. In that case, I divide by 2 for the cost per meal.

4. These meals can feed my family of 5. When the boys get older, I’m sure I’ll have to make more, thus more expensive meals. But these meals will feed 1 adult male, 1 adult female and 3 little boys under 8 years of age.

5. These prices are based on Silicon Valley, California grocery stores. If you live anywhere else in the country, you should be able to make them much, much cheaper.

7 Meals – $7

1.  Gebratene Nudeln with Salad -  6.04
2. Potato, Bacon & Onion Hotpot with Broiled Chicken – 6.03
3. French Toast – 2.96
4. Black Bean Quesadillas with Rice – 6.99
5. Homeade Spaghetti – $5.72
6. Red Beans & Rice with Cornbread – 4.14
7. Chicken Pot Pie with Salad – 6.93

   And 2 bonus meals……..

8. Curried Chicken & Rice with Salad – 6.35
9. Pancakes – 4.23

I’ll post the breakdown of each meal with recipes later. Come back for more!

1. Homeade Red Beans & Rice
2. Cheese & Onion Enchiladas
3. Chicken & Dumplings
4. Pork Roast (or beef), which can later be made into
5. Shredded tacos
6. Homeade Spaghetti (forget the stuff in the can!)
7. Roast Chicken, which the next day can become
8. Chicken Spaghetti or if you prefer,
9. Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
10. Breakfast casserole w/ cheddar biscuits

All of these recipes are from memory and if you try them out, please remember to taste & test as you go! I’m a ‘make it up as I go’ cook and amounts I use are estimates.

The following book is one that started me on my way to frugality. I heartily recommend it. Some of the tips are RADICAL, but all in all, a great reference. I definitely learned a lot reading this. Worth pulling out and reading again!

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.