Tonight's Budget Meal - How to Find it Fast and Frugal

At the end of your day, do you wonder "what's for dinner?" You know you're not alone when there are the common long lines at the grocery store around 5pm. In the chaos and exhaustion that is that time of day, one would think that a good meal for a reasonable price is hard to find. Here are some ideas to guide you through the grocery store in search of a fast, frugal, good meal.

Timing and preparation can help you in future trips to the grocery store -- but if you begin your search for a good, affordable meal at the end of your day, without any prior planning, be prepared to pay a little more at the register. Note to self for next time: carry a few coupons and spend some of your Sunday afternoon reading the local shopping ads. Those coupon savings and a review of sales may come in handy later in the week.

When you enter the store, prepared or not, try to shop along the outside aisles of the stores. This means shopping produce, dairy, meat and bakery. Keeping to the basics will keep you fit in both your clothes and your wallet. Foods that are less packaged and promoted are usually more valuable nutritionally. They may take some extra time to wash and cook, but you're eating closer to the food chain, and better for your health.

Produce departments offer a huge variety of meal ideas. Begin with a salad, fresh on the head or in a bag. (Bagged salad being more convenient may get you in the habit of more salads in your diet). Keep it simple, adding a new fruit or vegetable every once in awhile. Packing a few coupons in your wallet for your favorite salad mix or salad dressing would be better yet for being good to your finances.

Meat markets in grocery stores are becoming more and more responsive to consumer interests. Look for clearance, sale and promotional offers for fresh meat. On afternoons of less chaos, stop by and get to know your meat manager. Ask for new ways to prepare meat and for available services such as packaging large portions of meat in to freezer-ready amounts. It's who you know many places and the meat manager can be a valuable resource for cooking and buying information. Learn when they mark down the meat and get there - stock up a bit and save yourself a future trip to the grocery store (so much can be saved by eating at home with what you already have).

A waltz through the dairy aisles could mean having eggs for dinner or adding sour cream to your diet to well-round your daily intake of the food groups. Look for the different kinds of low-fat and new-to-you varieties of cheese available. Compare ounces to ounces and consider the versatility of the cheese you take home. Add a new cheese atop a new salad and voila, you have an affordable, interesting meal. Like other food, cheese purchased in bulk, unprocessed (not shredded, cubed or sliced) will be cheaper. Consider how much dairy products you will use over the course of a week and buy at once, this will avoid rushed, hungry trips through the store buying more than milk -- or paying considerably more for these staples at convenience stores.

Bakeries, like the meat departments, are usually staffed by people who know their product and are eager to help. Familiarizing yourself with the bakers can earn you tips on using the breads to your delight. Inquire about day-olds and other specials. Purchase a wide variety of breads, bagels and desserts which will introduce you to new meal ideas. Look for in-store promotions which offer you the opportunity to try new products. Breads freeze well for short periods of time, so buy two and enjoy with any meal.

As you shop, consider that you are buying foods that are more wholesome. Compare what you are spending to what you would pay for a fast food meal. Many times, that amount you could spend for one meal will at the grocery store feed you efficiently beyond dinner. When you spend some time getting to know your local grocery store, the bakers and managers, your future trips will be even more rewarding. Use coupons, if yo wish, to try new products. Peruse food magazines or websites and create a list of easy menus you could shop for in one trip, including what you have learned from getting to know those who are experts at what they sell. A good combination of preparation, information and an eye for savings will fill your senses (and budget) with many happy meals.