My goal is to provide dinner for my
family for an average of $5 except on special
occasions. We don’t have to eat beans and rice to
accomplish this goal! We typically only cook a main dish 4 or 5 times a week. Each
main dish cooked will serve 4-6, and the
leftovers will be for easy dinners on the weekend, or to freeze
for another week. This cuts down on cleaning,
cooking, and meal planning- saving us lots of time!
Ham Steaks, Macaroni and Cheese, Sweet Peas, Pineapple and Toast
4 precooked ham steaks @ 1.88 (I found a less expensive kind!)
macaroni @ .33
cheese @ 1.00
butter and milk for mac @ .10
1/2 can sweet peas @.23
1/2 can pineapple @ .38
3 slices toast with cinnamon & sugar @ .18
Total Cost: $4.10
Taco Salad, fruit cocktail, cheese dips and chips
1 lb. ground beef @ 2.07
taco seasoning @ free
2 roma tomatoes @ .46
tortilla chips @ .40
cheese and rotel for dip @ 1.31
1 can fruit cocktail @ .78
lettuce @ .11
1 can corn @ .54
Total Cost $5.67
Baked Beans and Weenies, Oranges, Sweet Peas and Toast
2 can pork and beans @ FREE
brown sugar etc.
4 hot dogs @ .22
2 oranges @ .66
1 can sweet peas @ .45
6 slices of toast @ .36 (good for sopping up bean juices) 
Total Cost: $1.69
Spaghetti, Cheese Toast, Sweet Peas, Corn
4 servings spaghetti @ .50
1/2 jar sauce @ .34
leftover corn @ free
1 can sweet peas @ .45
3 pieces of bread @ .18
3 slices of block mozzarella @ .18
garlic salt
Total Cost = $1.65
Cereal, Eggs, Jelly on Toast
We’ve been having cereal one night a week for a month now. Hubby must be trying very hard to show me he can be frugal too
Cereal @ 1.00
6 eggs @ .45
3 slices of toast @ .18
jelly @ .15
Orange juice @ .32
Total Cost $2.15
Average cost of the meals we’re cooking this week $3.04.