A Few Ways to Stretch Your Dinner Dollar

As with any plan to save a little money (or a lot), preparing low cost dinners requires planning. Obviously things like Ramen noodles and mac and cheese are inexpensive, but they can be so bland. And unhealthy. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to stretch your dollar while eating foods that are relatively healthy and varied.

The first thing to do is to always be on the look out for good deals. When a three for one canned veggie sale comes up at the grocery store, buy a case of each of the vegetables in question. Not only is 33 cents per can a great deal, but you will have plenty of food stored up for later, when you might need it in a pinch. Keep in mind the things that you buy regularly, and when they are on sale, buy two or three. This usually adds no more than seven to ten dollars to your regular shopping, but is a good way to build a base of food storage while providing easy home access to inexpensive food items.

Buying in bulk when things are on sale also works for meats. When chicken breast is on sale for 99 cents a pound, buy seven or eight pounds. When roasts are on sale two-for-one, get two or four. Pork chops are nearly always going on sale, and you can pick them up for very little. Freeze your meat in individual freezer bags, portioned out by what makes a meal, and then you will have it available. Tossing it in a sink full of cold water will thaw the meat quickly - anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours, depending on how much meat there is.

Oddly enough, the second thing you should do is to make a list. And then stick to it. If you just go to the store and wander the aisles (especially if you go hungry) you will be more likely to grab items that may be unnecessary. If you are hungry, you will be more likely to purchase already-prepared foods and junk food. You can cut your food costs by planning a list (based around a week or more of planned meals) and then shopping according to the list. Also, go alone (bringing "helpers" will only add to the cart as they make their requests) and limit yourself to an hour in the store. You will be forced to rush to get all the items on the list, leaving you no time to browse and impulse-buy.

Don't forget to keep fresh produce in mind. Buy in season, and you will pay much less. During the holidays, Clementine oranges usually sell for one dollar per pound. During the summer months strawberries are two packages for a dollar. Cucumbers are nearly always inexpensive, as are celery, potatoes, carrots, apples, bananas, and some oranges. Grapes can be quite expensive, but occasionally they are reduced to a dollar per pound. Keep a sharp eye out for what produce is in season, and incorporate it into your diet as much as you can. Not only will this add bulk to your diet (cutting out the need for more expensive meat dishes and junk food snacks), but it will also help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.