Dinner for Less
Looking for budget friendly meals that will help you stretch your dwindling dollars? This page is dedicated to help you find great tasting recipes that won't break the bank along with tips and ideas that will really help you cut your grocery bills while still eating good every night.
Find Money saving recipe links, an entire "shopping list" of money saving tips, reader recommended super saving sites and more.
While here have some interactive fun by sharing your best ideas for saving money at the grocery store. Speak your mind. Add your comments. Take a few polls. Share the links to your favorite money savings sites and recipes.
Help me make this page work better for everyone by sharing your insight. Together we can cut back and save even more on groceries.
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Less Expensive Meat
Using less expensive cuts or better yet cutting back on meat can really help you save money on your grocery bill.
Beside that, cutting back on the amount of meat used in your recipes will both save you money and produce healthier meals for your family.
Budget Friendly Meals from Kraft.com
- Cheesy Beef & Veggie Pasta
- Cheesy Beef & Veggie Pasta recipe from Kraft.com
- America's Favorite Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- America's Favorite Grilled Cheese Sandwich recipe from Kraft.com
- Fiesta Meatloaf
- Fiesta Meatloaf Recipe from Kraft.com
Slow Cooking to Save Money
To Save Money
"You'll save money without sacrificing quality by buying less-expensive cuts of meat. Slow-cooking (also called braising) budget cuts in a bit of liquid results in deliciously tender and flavorful meat. To prevent moisture from evaporating, resist the urge to lift the lid during cooking. When a meat fork can be inserted and pulled out of the thickest part without resistance, it's done."
Source
Take a look at one of these slow cookers. Think of it as an investment towards future savings.
Hamilton Beach 33141 4-Quart Oval Slow Cooker
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 10/12/2008)
Norpro Bread Slicer with Crumb Catcher
Amazon Price: $15.49 (as of 10/12/2008)
Norpro Butter Keeper
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 10/12/2008)
Slow Cooker Recipe Sites
- Crockpot Recipes - More than 1400 Crockpot Recipes for the Crock Pot or Slow Cooker
- The crockpot recipes index has over 1400 recipes for appetizers, beef, ground beef, chicken and turkey, pork, desserts, vegetables. Also dessert and cheesecake recipes for the Crock Pot or slow cooker.
- Slow cooker Recipes from Allrecipes.com
- Recipes for Slow Cooking Main dishes from Allrecipes.com
- Quick-and-Easy-Crock-Pot-Recipes. Easy recipes for crockpot slowcooking
- Quick and Easy Crock Pot Recipes for any meal. Find the perfect crock pot recipe. Learn more about CrockPot Recipes, Crock Pots and Crock Pot Cooking.
Already Own One
Coupons
Coupons are a great way to save money on your family's meals as long as you only clip and use the ones that go to things you normally would buy.
Using coupons to buy things you don't really need will only end up costing you more at the cash register.
Organize Your Coupons
A handy coupon organizer will pay itself off in a very short time.
Coupon Organizer - Red QCO 3714
This coupon organizer is conveniently sized to hold more than 100 coupons, as well as shipping...
The organizer has 2 vinyl pockets, 7 accordion file pockets with index tabs, and 36 adhesive...
The coupon organizer stays securely closed with a magnetic snap closure.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)
Deluxe Coupon Organizer II
80 Categories preprinted and alphabetized on the coupno spread sheet. More than any other organizer.
Makes couponing simple and fun
Most categories and capacity. Measures 13X6X3-1/2
Comes with special 12 month coupon expiration calendars that eliminate expired coupons!
Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)
Do You Do It?
Never Shop Hungry
Eat something before you head out to the grocery store. Shopping hungry is a sure fire way to increase your food bill.
Budget Friendly Recipe Sites
- Cooking on a Budget?? Try our FREE quick and easy FRUGAL RECIPES!
- BetterBudgeting.com Frugal Recipe List
- 8 Budget Friendly Recipes
- 8 Budget Friendly Recipes
Creating meals on a budget doesn't have to be difficult. - CheapCooking.com: Cheap recipes, easy recipes, chicken recipes
- Free recipes and money-saving tips to cut your food bill. Chicken recipes, pasta recipes, soup recipes, and many more easy recipes--all cheap recipes to save you money. Read free articles on meal planning, shopping tips, pantry organization, using your freezer to save money, and a cost-per-serving c
- Frugal Dinner Recipes - LoveToKnow Save
- Frugal Dinner Recipes From LoveToKnow Save Frugal dinner recipes are a great tool for keeping your grocery budget under control. Whether you're cooking for your entire family or making meals for one, having access to a stash of quick and easy meal ideas is an essential part of frug
- Cooks.com - Recipes - Cheap Dinner
- Cheap Dinner Recipes from Cooks.com
Living on a Dime
Check out this excellent series of ebooks to help you save on just about everything including food.Living on a Dime - Making the Most of What You Have Click Here!
Add Your Favorite Inexpensive Meal Recipes Here
The Best Budget Friendly Meals on the Web
Please share the links to any really delicious inexpensive meal recipes that you have found online.
http://www.cheapfamilymeals.info
Your one stop resource for cheap family meal ideas more...1 point
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe and more Cheap Dinner Recipes
Here's a budget dinner party menu and recipes that more...0 points
WHAT TO DO WITH LEFTOVERS?
There are 3 schools of thought on what to do with more...0 points
Learn How to Make a Budget - And Stick to It
The Budget Kit: The Common Cents Money Management Workbook
No matter your financial goal, a well-defined budget is the first step to meet it. The bestselling classic The Budget Kit has helped hundreds of thousands of people across America develop effective budgets and gain financial freedom. In this fully updated and revised edition, you will gain the skills to control your money-and your future.
The Budget Kit: The Common Cents Money Management Workbook (Budget Kit)
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 10/12/2008)
Learn to:
+ Create a simple, functional system for managing your finances, with or without financial software
+ Navigate the latest developments in the paperless world of electronic banking
+ Discover the freedom of being able to achieve your personal and financial goals
+ Make a plan to pay off debt and plan for the future
Cook Once - Eat Twice
Eating left-overs can help you save money. If your family doesn't like left-overs, disguise them so that they think it's a whole new meal.
Best Recipes for Leftovers
- Leftover Turkey, Leftover Chicken, Leftover Recipes - LeftOverChef.com - Home
- Do you have too many leftovers? Turkey Leftovers, Chicken Leftovers and more? We have recipes that use them as ingredients! Search by what you already have in your home.
- Recipes for Leftovers
- Don't toss your leftovers! Wonderful meals can be made with these recipes for leftover potatoes, ham, turkey, chicken, spaghetti and almost everything else.
- Top Picks: Favorite Recipes for Leftovers
- Here are some of my favorite recipes for using leftovers.
- Barbecue Leftovers - Store and reheat leftover barbecue for a second perfect meal
- Piles of barbecue can leave you with piles of leftovers. Don't dry out your hard work in the microwave. Take care and you can find that these wonderful piles of meat in the refrigerator can be used for lots of things, and that you can heat it up almost as good as the day you smoked it.
Make Your Own Budget Friendly Cookbook
Create a personal cookbook with all your family's favorite budget friendly recipes at TasteBook.com.
Tastebook personalized cookbooks were featured on CNN American Morning.
Be Aware
Before heading out for groceries always check the sale flyers to see which store is offering the best deals.
Due to the high price of gas I feel it's best to pick one store instead of shopping around unless of course the opposing stores are nearby.
Eat Cheap for a Week
From ivillage.com
by Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross, authors of Desperation Dinners!
When life veers to the edge, we need more than one way to get a meal on the table quickly. When you've grown tired of cooking and weary of take-out, leftovers start to look a lot better, especially those that disguise themselves as something else.
Take our recipe for Two-for-One Noodles. It's ricotta noodles the first night, but later in the week, the leftovers become Mock Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna. Both of these recipes take just 20 minutes, start to finish. Likewise, make a big batch of Asian Rice Pilaf, and the leftovers can be whipped into Two-for-One Rice Salad with minimal work a few days later. Our recipes for Brunch Rice Burritos and Mediterranean Rice with Pita Points turn big batches of leftover rice into practically instant dinners.
Continue reading and find the great recipes here:
- A Week's Worth of Desperate Dinner Recipes
- A week's worth of recipes from Desperation Dinners!
Split the Bill
Buying groceries at those warehouse shopping clubs really can save you money but sometimes those packages are just too much to handle.
Shop with a friend and split the bill to reap the big club savings without having to buy a year's worth of canned peas all at once.
Shop Seasonally
Fresh fruits and vegetables are much cheaper when they are in season. Stock up and save by using your freezer.
For out-of-season goodies you can save money by buying frozen or canned items.
Inexpensive Gourmet
- Cheap Recipes at Epicurious.com
- Easy Quick and Cheap Dinner recipes from Epicurious.com
Buy in Bulk
Buying non-perishables in bulk can save you money but you need to plan this and purchase these items slowly, over time. If you try to buy too many items in bulk at one time it will cost you a fortune.
And don't even try this with snack food. Having the same snack every day gets boring quick.
Ramen Noodle Recipes
Take Ramen Noodles to the next level by trying one of the recipes found at Budget101.com.
- Dirt Cheap Ramen Noodle Recipes
- Need a dirt cheap meal that will feed a family? Try our delicious Excellent Fast Cheap Easy Ramen Noodle Recipes
How Do You Do It
Give me a great money saving tip.
What is your best tip for saving money at the grocery store? How do you save on supper and still feed your family well? Please share your ideas here.
Don't forget to vote for your favorite tip. You'll need to refresh the page to make your vote stick!
Plan Leftovers
I cook a little extra then plan it for a leftover. more...3 points
Eat Out Less Often
We used to got out to eat at least once a week but more...2 points
Pick what is in season
Watch for specials when they do arrive and can any more...1 point
"Roast" My Own Rotisserie Chicken
I love those deli chickens, but instead I buy whol more...0 points
Make dinner menus & grocery lists
Plan a menu for a week and make out a grocery list more...0 points
Use The Farmers Market
Your local Farmers Market often has fruit and vege more...0 points
Choose Your Grocery Store
Some food items are cheaper at one store than anot more...0 points
Remember to freeze
If there is only a dab of several items after a me more...0 points
Eat More Pasta
Eating more pasta is an easy way to increase the grocery savings while still feeding your family delicious dinners.
Pasta Every Day for a Year
Pasta Cookbook
The Big Book of Pasta: 365 Quick and Versatile Recipes
Amazon Price: $16.16 (as of 10/12/2008)
From smooth, creamy pappardelle with salmon and saffron sauce to tangy tagliatelle with chicken, lemon, and basil; from hearty, comforting pancetta and mushroom carbonara to fiery penne with anchovies, olives, and chili, these pasta dishes are absolutely intoxicating. Serving up both traditional and innovative recipes, this superb and expansive collection features 365 easy to make meals, all flavorful and with dozens of tempting variations. See how to whip up your own fresh pasta and an array of basic sauces, as well as pasta-based soups, meat, fish, and vegetarian feasts. There's something wonderful to cover everyday lunches, snacks, and dinners, as well as more elaborate preparations for entertaining and special occasions.
Make a List
This is probably the most important tip I will give you and also the hardest one to follow.
Plan your meals.
Make a grocery list.
And then stick to it!
Do not add any extras.
Do not impulse shop!
Menu in a Box
100 Day Meal Planning Kit
Menu In A Box 100 Day Meal Planning Kit. The Menu In A Box 100 Day Meal Planning Kit Is A Pdf Downloadable E-book Product That Includes 20 Weeks - Of Shopping Lists, Recipes, Great Time Saving, Budget & Organizational Tips. Everything You Need To Organize, Shop And Cook Smart! Click Here!Kitchen Essentials Under $30 at Cooking.com!
How to Save on Groceries
- How to Save on Groceries Five Ways
- How to Save on Groceries Five Ways. With just a few simple suggestions you can easily save hundreds of dollars a year on groceries...
Budget Friendly Cakes
For Any Occasion
Imagine how much you could save if you knew how to make your own wedding cake? Or Sweet Sixteen cake? Or any other big occasion cake, for that matter?Dream Cakes Made Easy, makes it simple for you to bake on a budget! And, the ingredients and utensils used in these recipes are affordable for all.
You'll feel like a top-notch cake decorator and your guests will never know how little it actually cost you to prepare beautifully designed and decorated cakes for any occasion.
Take a look, you won't be disappointed.
Click Here!
Budget Friendly Meals Guestbook
Thank you for visiting!
Please leave your comments and suggestions for saving even more money on dinner here.
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machelle
Check out cheapfamilymeals.info!! Your one stop resource for cheap family meal ideas, quick and easy recipe's, and low budget menu's. Posted September 30, 2008 |
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TheNewGreenWayToHealthyLiving
Another great lens! A huge fan of coupons!! Use these everyday!! Posted September 02, 2008 |
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BradChamp
5 Stars for your lens : Fat loss 4 Idiots Posted August 30, 2008 |
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CherylK
This is an excellent lens! I'm adding it to my favs, for sure. Good job, as usual! Posted August 24, 2008 |
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Lizblueberry
This is a 5 star lens!! Thanks for the great tips! Posted August 22, 2008 |
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seedplanter
With prices so high these days, thanks to the oil fiasco, I appreciate lenses like yours. Any way I can save money is a good thing. 5 ***** Fave. Posted August 07, 2008 |
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alicesy
Excellent Lens. I like the quality insight you have provided here about Budget Friendly Meals. Keep up the good work. Posted August 01, 2008 |
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garywgoldstein
what a great deal! thanks for the special offer! Posted July 21, 2008 |
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BABYKITTY
Very good lens with a lot of good link sites! Posted July 21, 2008 |
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alicesy
Excellent Lens. I like the quality insight you have provided here about Budget Friendly Meals. Keep up the good work. Posted July 02, 2008 |
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thrivingmom
5 stars. I lensrolled you on my Stretch that Dollar lens. Nice lens you have here. Posted June 28, 2008 |
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anilg
Nice lens with lots of useful information. If you are willing to make money online, then please visit my lens Posted June 26, 2008 |
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poddys
Great lens, 5 stars. It's not easy to eat healthy and cheap at the same time. Takes a lot of planning to do that sometimes. Posted June 21, 2008 |
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dyllen
Glad to have your great lens in our group! Welcome to the 'Soups - Great Food - Recipes and Chefs' Group Posted June 18, 2008 |
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dyllen
Especially in these times or rising prices, your frugal lens would be a super addition to the 'Soups - Great Food - Recipes and Chefs' Group Posted June 18, 2008 |
