Save money
by cooking inexpensive meals.
The cost of meals is a significant portion of every budget, and frugal people look to save money wherever possible. Most people are aware that cooking at home is much less expensive than eating in restaurants. You can save even more money by following some simple guidelines when you cook. Choose your ingredients with a budget in mind, and you'll end up with a lot more money in your pocket. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Stir Fry
There are an almost endless variety of stir fry possibilities, and they can start with leftovers. Invest in a good, heavy-duty wok and use it at least once a week to turn leftovers into tasty and unusual meals. The basic stir fry recipe is to cook vegetables in a wok, add a protein source and a sauce, and cook it all together. Serve the results over rice. Use your imagination to cook a different stir fry every week.
Vegetarian
Meat is the most expensive ingredient in most main dishes. Cook vegetarian meals one day a week. Make chili or bean casseroles, investigate Mexican or Italian dishes, or indulge in a large colorful salad with cheese cubes. Reduce the amount of meat that you eat on other days of the week to create even more savings.
Lunch
If you are in the habit of eating lunch in restaurants or fast food places, stop it immediately. Invest in a set of lunch containers, including an attractive bag and a wide-mouth thermos. Pack your lunch every day to save a lot of money. Pack leftovers from dinner the night before, create attractive salads or make homemade sweet treats. Make a tasty meal that you'll look forward to eating, so you don't feel deprived.
Soup
Turn small bits of leftovers into a tasty soup, and you'll create a filling meal without buying any new food. Use leftover chicken or turkey bones with some carrots and onions to create a broth, and add any leftover veggies you have in the refrigerator. You can add black beans and salsa for a tortilla-style soup, or potato slices and ham bits for a German-inspired version.
Breakfast for Dinner
There is no law that breakfast food has to be eaten only at breakfast time. Switch your meals up once in a while and create an inexpensive breakfast feast for dinner. Make piles of pancakes, broil a package of sausage, and slice strawberries for a side dish. Have an omelet night to use up leftover bits of meats and cheeses. Create a classic brunch menu for dinner to save on costs.
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