8 Secrets to Great Meals on a Tight Budget

A "great" meal is more than just the taste. A "great" meal is about the whole meal experience. These secrets will help you transform an ordinary "good" meal into an outstanding "great" meal while saving money at the same time.

Secret # 1: Let the Internet Be Your Cooking Buddy

I'll let you in on my best cooking tip: Allrecipes.com. This website is awesome! It has a recipe for everything you can imagine. I have looked up recipes of things I enjoyed as a child that my grandfather made for me. Now that he is gone, so are his recipes. Not to worry, though, allrecipes.com has them all. In addition to their wonderful selection of recipes they also have a place for members to comment on each individual recipe. People offer variations on the original recipe to make it even better. I have relied on these many times. They also have overall 5 star rating system that will help you determine if this recipe is really good or not. I never cook anything that gets below a 4. I am rarely disappointed with how my creation turns out. There are other websites that offer the same service but this one is my favorite.

Secret # 2: Use Generics Brands

When I quit work to be a stay at home mom, I knew our family would have to cut back on our grocery bill. I was skeptical at first but I gradually started trying generic brands in nearly everything. I was shocked to discover there was little, if any, difference in the taste. I've had a few flops but the money I have saved overall has paid for those flops tenfold. I still have great tasting meals but pay a fraction of the price.

Something the name brands do not want you to know is that they make many of the generics, too. Remember the recent peanut butter recall of Peter Pan and Great Value brands? Did you wonder why two brands were possibly contaminated with salmonella at the same time? It is because they are both made by the same company, ConAgra Foods Inc. These two very differently priced products are basically the same thing! Great Value is the generic brand Wal-Mart stores sell.

Secret # 3: Pay Attention to the Appearance of Your Food.

Sight is just as important as taste. A meal that is not very aesthetically pleasing will not seem very tasty. We are creatures that judge things based on sight (even though we don't like to admit it!). Take into consideration what the meal will look like while you are planning how it will taste. Vary your colors up so that the meal is attractive as well as tasty. You would not want to serve corn, mashed potatoes and grilled chicken at the same time, instead you might consider BBQ chicken, yellow squash and green beans.

Secret # 4: Shop Sales

Pick your staple store where you think prices are the best for a majority of your needs. But, when your Sunday paper has those slick, colorful sale ads for the pricier stores, look at them. Go to the pricier store and get the advertised item and only the advertised item. That last part is tricky because we are spontaneous shoppers. But if you only buy the sale item you really are getting a deal. Once you have your great deals, you can plan your meals around them.

Secret # 5: Try New Recipes

Always be willing to try new recipes. If you are cooking the same things over and over again your taste buds will cry out at some point for something different. You will never know all the great things you could make without branching out a little bit.

If you are nervous to try a new recipe out on the family or afraid it will make too much, cook and take it to a potluck. I have done this if I feel pretty certain that it will turn out okay. I figure if it turns out awful I do not have to volunteer that it was mine!

Secret # 6: Use Coupons

Clip those coupons! Look for stores that offer double and triple coupons and go to those stores. This is when coupons really pay off. Coupons allow you to try foods you might not otherwise be able to afford.

Secret #7: Consider the Aroma of the Meal

If you serve something that has a strong odor make sure it is the only food that does. Serving fish with deviled eggs is probably not a great idea. When you introduce the strong smell of fish with eggs that often have a sulfur-like smell, the results could be disastrous to the nose. Of course, there are less extreme combinations as well. While candles are great with a meal, stick to the ones that are scentless. The last thing you would want to smell while you are eating roast leg of lamb is the sweet aroma of an overpowering magnolia scented candle.

Secret #8: Shop "Thrift Stores"

Large bakery companies often have thrift stores to unload their items that are just about to go out of date. These are a gold mine for good deals. I cannot imagine buying bread or pastries anywhere else. These things freeze great if you are not planning on using them right away. Sometimes these stores have more than just bakery items. One near my house sells potato chips, fruit snacks, and cooking utensils! These stores are great to get those extra items for a great meal.