Budget Meals

If you are working on getting out of debt or on a tight budget, you still need to eat. One big way to save money is to avoid dining out, but with the rising costs of groceries, even eating at home can be expensive. With that in mind here are some ideas for budget oriented meals:

Hot Dogs

Hot Dogs are a very inexpensive meal. A package of 8 hot dogs and a package of 8 buns can typically be purchased for less than $5. Add a few potatoes for fresh cut french fries to go with them and you have a pretty solid meal for right around $5.

Soup or Chili with Sandwiches

A can of soup or a can of chili can be purchased for usually around $2 or less. Throw a couple of slices of bread and a slice of American Cheese between them on a griddle for grilled cheese sandwiches to complete the meal.

Hamburgers

While not as inexpensive at hot dogs, if you purchase a pound of hamburger that is not already pre-formed into patties you will save some money. Add a bag of buns and a slice of cheese and your favorite condiments. Adding a few potatoes cut into fresh cut fries makes an excellent side.

French Bread Pizza

Some members of our family love this meal, while others are not as keen on it, but if you do it right it can be an inexpensive meal. Start with a loaf of french bread from your local bakery. Add some pizza sauce (bonus savings if you make your own vs purchasing pre-made), grated cheese (don’t purchase shredded cheese – grate it yourself) and toppings to taste. Bake it in the oven at 375-degrees for about 15-20 mins.

Baked Potatoes

If you purchase a 10-pound bag of potatoes you can use them for many of the meals for side dishes, but baked potatoes can almost be a meal by themselves – especially if you serve with toppings or a bowl of chili.

Pancakes or Waffles

Not just for breakfast, pancakes and waffles also make a great dinner as well. Most pancake mixes seem a little expensive, but they can supply multiple meals. Some mixes are simple – just add water, but some of the better ones use Milk and eggs.

Frozen Pizza

Some frozen pizzas can be rather inexpensive – with some being had for less than $2. Add a loaf of french bread and spread some butter and sprinkle with Garlic salt and Parsley for garlic bread to go with it.

Frozen Burritos / Chimichangas

While not as good a fresh made, frozen burritos and chimichangas are very inexpensive and make a great meal. Add some tortilla chips and salsa on the side.

Some Frozen Meals

There are some decent frozen meals that can be had for a few dollars or less per person. Try some of these out and you might be surprised. One of our favorites are the Fettuccine Alfredo by Michellenis.

Drinks

Don’t forget drinks – using water or mixed with flavors such as KoolAid, Lemonade, etc will be far cheaper than Milk or Sodas. Avoid the packaged waters – use the water from your tap to save the most money.

Conclusion

One theme you may have noticed is forgoing convenient prepared food items such as hamburger patties, frozen french fries and such can help to bring the food budget down. Not only are you saving money, but you usually end up with better tasting food. Don’t be afraid of using coupons. Avoid having your groceries delivered – you will save the delivery charge and the tip.