I need cheap grocery and meal ideas. PLEASE HELP!!


Question: I need cheap grocery and meal ideas!. PLEASE HELP!
I need some ideas for cheap grocery items!. I don't want to spend over 50 dollars!. Any super cheap meal ideas would be great, too!. Thanks!Www@FoodAQ@Com


Answers:
First of all, you should shop with coupons and make your money stretch!. Check out www!.couponMom!.com -- you'll have access to online (printable) coupons, advance notice of Sunday's newspaper coupons (decide if you want a paper), and many other options!.

Check your grocery stores' ads online to see what they are offering on sale!. Some stores offer "2 for 1s" or other intriging deals -- it'll help you plan your budget!. If you have a coupon for any other those sale items, your money will stretch even more!. While you're at the grocery stores' sites, check to see if they offer online coupons -- many do!.

That should get you started!

Now -- meals!.!.!.

Pasta and Spaghetti sauce!.
Peanut Butter sandwiches!.
Soup, add rice to thicken!. Eat with crackers!.
Canned chili and crackers or chips!. (Store brand crackers are inexpensive!.)
!.
"Suddenly Salad", Rice- & Pasta- Ronis!. [Get coupons at BettyCrocker!.com]

Potatoes (fresh, bag) - bake, boil, mash, steam!.!.!. add toppings!.

Hungry Jack Instant Potatoes (and "Potato Buds) go a long way for the money!. There are smaller Pouches, as well (usually costing $!.45 - !.96, depending on size)!.

Store-brand sodas, coffees, teas, butter, breads, etc!. (Store-brands are, generally, less expensive!.)



Make rice ("parboiled" -- not "Minute Rice types) in the microwave and refrigerate it, so it's ready when you need it!. (It's easy to make!.)


Other tips:

Take a LIST to the store of items you are going to get!. Don't stray from it, don't think you can keep the list (of things you need or want) "in your head"!. If you have a list, it's easier to stay on budget!.

Too, don't go shopping hungry!. Eat first!. You will be less apt to pick up "anything", making you go over budget!.

Good luck!!!!!!





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One of my favorite meals is a box of Zatarains dirty rice, a half pound of fatty ground beef (drain after cooking), tortillas, and cheese!. A 5 pound roll of 70/30 ground beef is about $12, and if you portion it up in 8 oz!. packages, you'll have 10 pkgs for a month!. I've found that I don't really need a whole pound in most things!.

Hamburger Helper is always a cheap weeknight dinner, you can get those at a Wal-Mart or Super Wal-Mart for about $2!. A bag of Safeway brand salad mix is $3!.50 when it's on sale!. If you want ice cream as a rare treat, Haagen Daaz makes a single serving cup that's only $1!.

Here's my homemade Hamburger Helper recipe:

1 box Velveeta shell & cheese (about $2 at Wal-Mart)
1/2 pound ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning (I make my own)
1 little can of Ortega fire-roasted chopped green chiles

Fry up the burger with the taco seasoning and chiles, and drain the fat!. Make the mac & cheese!. Combine!Www@FoodAQ@Com

i like sloppy joes

anything with pasta

stir fry- go to the store in the asian food section and pick up a bright yellow packet of "sun bird" stir fry mix!. its AWESOME! just add veggies you have laying around the house, meat and some cheap rice

you can grill any type of meat and at the store buy some of those mini potatoes they sell for cheap, slice them thin/medium (potato chip style) add onions, a little butter, dill, paprika salt and pepper!. put it in a packet made of foil and grill for 20 min!. (don't forget to flip) and those are awesome and cheap too!.



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That's hard, but let me give it a try!. Sandwiches are a good idea!. They're great for lunches (at home or to take to work) and for dinner at home!. You can make them differently for lunch and at home (additions of lettuce, tomato, etc!.) for variety so you don't get tired of them!. Eat them every other day so that they're spread out and you don't get burnt out!. Hot dogs are great, too!. A pack of hot dog buns and hot dog weiners can be spread out over 2-4 meals, depending on how many people are in your family!. Hope this helps!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

making a big pot of spaghetti is one of the most economical ways to cook for a week!.!.!.also there are so many things you can do with it!.

- tomato sauce
- butter/cheese
-italian dressing

mix in some hamburg and it'll last you all week for under 10$

breakfast eggs and frozen veggie omelets are pretty cheap

old standbys for lunch : PBJ

or you know the ever yummy and fattening ramen noodles!

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Keilbasa, green peppers, onions and potatoes!.!.!.!.fried & seasoned (salt, pepper, maybe all-spice!.!.!.and anything else you want to throw on!)!. Cheap, easy, quick, & delicious!


EDIT:!.!.!.and one time I was trying to find something in my cabinets to make, and this actually turned out pretty good:
ground beef, spanish rice, canned corn & a jar of salsa!.!.!.season to taste!. Top w/ sour cream & cheese!Www@FoodAQ@Com

Think about balanced nutrition too!. Grow sprouts for your greens, buy organic rice and eat beans with fresh garlic, and pesto!. Hardboiled eggs, apples and other fruit in season!. Make applesauce with fall apples, and can surplus in mason jars in hotwater bath!. Eat less, chew more, drink water!. Www@FoodAQ@Com

peanut butter and jelly, chef boyardee (spelling) ramen noodels (!.10 cents a pack!!) tostinos pizza 1!.00 at walmart, mac and cheese (add a can of tomato soup or tuna!!) cup of noodles, rice, eggs, theres lots of cheap foods just gotta find them, good luckWww@FoodAQ@Com

You can make a variety of meals with beans and rice just by adding a few extra items like canned tomatoes or fresh peppers and some spices!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Baked Beans on Toast, Jacket potatoes with Cheese, Poached EGGS, Omelets & Chips!. Toad in the Hole (ie sausages in Batter Mix)!.
Mashed potatoes & Beans & Sausages!.

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well if you're from england/ireland you could go to tesco's or Lidl, even Aldi! their fairly cheap and handy!.

One cheap mean i've heard of is Pasta, covered in melted cheese, with bacon!! hmmmm!.!.!.!.yumWww@FoodAQ@Com

Hot Dogs!.

Lipton Noodles!.

Ham!.

Cold Cuts!.

Sandwich!.

Bread Nd Butta!.

AND!.!.


UHMM

fruit nd veggies!
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Hamburger helper, bag salad & rolls!.=)Www@FoodAQ@Com

SUPER NOODLES (Y) YUMMY AND CHEAPWww@FoodAQ@Com

pasta meals are always cheap and tasty
Www@FoodAQ@Com

hamburger helper! haha!. i love itWww@FoodAQ@Com





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