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