Budget Meals

With the economy most folks are looking for ways to save money ,or to feed the Family for less.

One way to feed your Family for less is meatless meals. I do most of my cooking from scratch which saves a great deal on the budget. Beans are a good meat sub.have 1 or 2 meatless meals per wk. This is a meal of beans, pots. with onion,turnips, cornbread/bis.What my Family likes may not be the same yours like. It's never a good idea to cook something your Family doesn't like it. We grow or buy from Famers alot of our food.I can,dry, or freeze alot of our food. That helps a great deal. I stockpile which works well for us.I know its not for everyone. You can Google for ideas on what to fill your pantry with,what works for one doesn't work for all, you have to find what would work for your Family.

Another budget meal is to have breakfast for supper. Buy whats on sale. You can google your local grocery store wkly. ads if you don't get your local news paper. Coupons are good ,I use them now and then but canning,freezing,stock piling and having a couple discount grocery stores I don't use them wkly. Buy store brands, buy enough for one meal to see if your Family likes it so you want have a big supply of something that want be eat. Pasta is a budget friendly meal I use alot of whole wheat pasta .Pots. is a good deal you can cook them so many different ways ,you don't feel your eating the same thing day after day.Try different recipes.Google for money saving recipes. Have a gal. size freezer bag in your freezer to but left overs once its full make a pot of soup.Grow as food as you can, Know your local prices as much as possible so you will know if you're getting a good buy.Shop once a wk. not 2 or 3 times per wk. Google or check out frugal blogs for ideas.

Google for recipes for mixes (pancake etc.) When shopping make a list and stick to it, don't shop when hungry. Cook enough for 2 meals freeze one. Keep your pantry, fridge, freezer organized. Watch very careful for fridge waste ,use up left overs before they go to waste. Unless you make yourself aware of fridge waste you will be shocked how much waste you can have. Cook from scratch .There's lots of great websites for recipes.

Make your cleaning supplies you will have more money left to put toward your food budget.

keep your kitchen clean, dishes washed daily , if your sink is full of dishes it will make it easier to say .Lets eat out. If you stockpile when you restock move all the food you already have moved to the front of your shelves and put the new food in the back so the dates want run out.

One thing I've learned to do with this economy if I find steaks on sale ,I cook them slice them up use for stir fry , or cook onions, bell peppers, mushrooms and serve on a bun. Chicken can be done this way. Buy a whole chicken bake, with left overs pulled it bbq it .

What are some ways you stretch your food budget? I would Love to hear your ideas.

Have a great day!

Blessins',Lib