| Short on cash? Are you a starving student? Or | | | | Tuna sandwiches. Frequently on sale, tuna |
| maybe you're saving up for that next tank of | | | | provides a meaty dinner this week. For four filling |
| gas!Whatever the case, sometimes we all need to | | | | sandwiches, use four of the smaller cans. Dump all |
| cut corners until the next paycheck rolls in.These | | | | of 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 prices | | | | Stir, spread onto bread. I like to use ranch |
| vary widely depending on your part of the | | | | dressing. Grilled cheese sandwiches. Butter bread |
| country and your grocery store, you'll still find | | | | on both sides and place on a medium-heat grill. |
| these dinners will stretch your food dollar to the | | | | Add 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 the | | | | Watch for sales on frozen vegetables. You can |
| package of lentils in a large soup pot and add the | | | | frequently pick up a one-pound bag for less than |
| appropriate amount of water (1-1/2 cups water | | | | a dollar. |
| to one cup of lentils works best). Peel the | | | | Slice a fresh tomato into wedges or a cucumber |
| potatoes and carrots, and slice to bite size. Add | | | | into slices to go with a sandwich. Any fresh |
| to soup pot. Season to taste. If you have it: Add | | | | vegetable 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 baking | | | | their food aisle. They frequently have good deals |
| potatoes or just get a bag of potatoes on sale. If | | | | on canned mandarin oranges which make a tasty |
| small, bake more of them per serving. Choose | | | | dessert. Add a bit of coconut or a few |
| your favorite toppings: Simply butter, salt and | | | | marshmallows if you have them. |
| pepper, cheese, broccoli, sour cream, bacon bits, | | | | Walgreen's frequently carries canned mushrooms |
| or whatever is on hand. Cheese quesadillas. Make | | | | on sale, too. |
| these with flour tortillas. Heat two tortillas in a | | | | How about lunch for a quarter? Check |
| skillet and remove one to a plate. Top the | | | | Walgreen's for ramen noodles. |
| remaining tortilla with shredded cheese. When | | | | Cake mixes and canned frosting are often priced |
| melted, about 1-2 minutes, place the other tortilla | | | | under a dollar, especially the store brands. Your |
| on top. Allow to cook for a minute or so, flip the | | | | only additions will be a bit of oil (or applesauce if |
| whole thing over and cook the other side for | | | | you'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 cooked | | | | you 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 you | | | | create 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. Here | | | | tips? Kathy Ferneau has created an excellent |
| again, not too creative, but you can pick up a | | | | resource for information on diets, healthy eating, |
| package of spaghetti and a can of sauce for less | | | | and exercise. |
| than two dollars. Add parmesan cheese on top. | | | | |