Eating Cheap: A Week's Worth of Inexpensive Meals

Short on cash? Are you a starving student? OrTuna sandwiches. Frequently on sale, tuna
maybe you're saving up for that next tank ofprovides a meaty dinner this week. For four filling
gas!Whatever the case, sometimes we all need tosandwiches, use four of the smaller cans. Dump all
cut corners until the next paycheck rolls in.Theseof the cans into a bowl, add mayonnaise or salad
meals will fill you up without emptying your wallet.dressing, along with some relish if you've got it.
They should feed four hungry mouths.While pricesStir, spread onto bread. I like to use ranch
vary widely depending on your part of thedressing. Grilled cheese sandwiches. Butter bread
country and your grocery store, you'll still findon both sides and place on a medium-heat grill.
these dinners will stretch your food dollar to theAdd a slice of cheese. Splurge on an extra slice of
max.cheese per sandwich!
Accompaniments:
Lentil stew. One package of lentils, a couple of
carrots, a couple of potatoes, water. Place theWatch for sales on frozen vegetables. You can
package of lentils in a large soup pot and add thefrequently pick up a one-pound bag for less than
appropriate amount of water (1-1/2 cups watera dollar.
to one cup of lentils works best). Peel theSlice a fresh tomato into wedges or a cucumber
potatoes and carrots, and slice to bite size. Addinto slices to go with a sandwich. Any fresh
to soup pot. Season to taste. If you have it: Addvegetable will do.
a ham bone, a bit of leftover beef, bacon bits,Slice a piece of fruit for a healthy dessert.
bay leaf, or favorite herbs. Baked potatoes.Stop by Walgreen's and see what's on sale in
Nothing complicated here. Buy large bakingtheir food aisle. They frequently have good deals
potatoes or just get a bag of potatoes on sale. Ifon canned mandarin oranges which make a tasty
small, bake more of them per serving. Choosedessert. Add a bit of coconut or a few
your favorite toppings: Simply butter, salt andmarshmallows if you have them.
pepper, cheese, broccoli, sour cream, bacon bits,Walgreen's frequently carries canned mushrooms
or whatever is on hand. Cheese quesadillas. Makeon sale, too.
these with flour tortillas. Heat two tortillas in aHow about lunch for a quarter? Check
skillet and remove one to a plate. Top theWalgreen's for ramen noodles.
remaining tortilla with shredded cheese. WhenCake mixes and canned frosting are often priced
melted, about 1-2 minutes, place the other tortillaunder a dollar, especially the store brands. Your
on top. Allow to cook for a minute or so, flip theonly additions will be a bit of oil (or applesauce if
whole thing over and cook the other side foryou're counting calories) and a couple of eggs
another minute. Dump onto a plate, slice with a(save from the meal above). For a couple dollars,
pizza cutter. If you have it: Add shredded cookedyou can have dessert for a couple of nights or
chicken to the cheese. Serve with salsa.snacks for a few days.
Scrambled eggs. Get a dozen for less than one
dollar. Crack eggs into a bowl and whisk. Add milk,Even if you're on a tight budget, you can still
salt, and pepper. Cook eggs in a skillet. If youcreate a tasty meal. Not gourmet dining, but you
have it: Add your choice of mushrooms, cheese,won't be hungry!Looking for diet and weight loss
green pepper, or onion. Spaghetti and sauce. Heretips? Kathy Ferneau has created an excellent
again, not too creative, but you can pick up aresource for information on diets, healthy eating,
package of spaghetti and a can of sauce for lessand exercise.
than two dollars. Add parmesan cheese on top.