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How Do You Create Affordable Meals? *Giveaway*

Posted by 487 Comments

This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to the winner, Barbara M.

I’ve been talking a lot about food and meals for numerous reasons.  The first is that I’m always looking to make healthier, more wholesome meals.  I’m also looking for creative, new ways to make mealtime enjoyable, since I tend to get in a rut when it comes to meal prep.  Dinnertime, in particular, can be stressful when the rush to spend time together and get ready for the next day all must happen in just a few hours.  Lastly, food is expensive, particularly if you’re aiming to make meals from scratch.

Photo Credit: nosheep

So how do I go about creating affordable meals?

1. I shop at our Farmer’s Market, particularly for fresh, locally-grown produce

2.  I buy in bulk when it makes sense

3. I comparison shop

4. I use coupons

As I mentioned last month, I recently signed on as part of Ragu’s Mom’s The Word On Dinner campaign.  The video series features influential moms from all over the country dishing up their tips on getting dinner on the table.  You’ll find tips, ideas, and recipes on their Facebook page. Here are there 3 best tips for balancing the dinner budget:

 

Win It! One of you will win a $100 American Express Gift Card to help you out with your meals this month. Simply leave your best tip on creating affordable meals.  Comments will close on September 30th at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest

Like me on Facebook

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments

Disclosure: This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Ambassador in the Ragú® Mom’s the Word on Dinner Program. Visit www.facebook.com/ragusauce to join the conversation.

 

 

Caryn Bailey
Latest posts by Caryn Bailey (see all)

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487 Responses to How Do You Create Affordable Meals? *Giveaway*

  2. Pasta is always an economical choice. We use half a jar of Ragu sauce instead of the whole jar with one meal, so we can use the other half the next time. I use coupons to shop and look for store specials.

    Reply

  14. Lately I’ve been trying to plan my meals for the week and doing leftovers by making enough to stretch meals out for at least 3 days. I’ve also been using online coupons more.

    Reply

  20. My best saving tip is to let nothing go to waste,reinvent it in another meal,I usually save most leftovers for lunch the next day or save to make a pot of soup at the end of the week
    vlbelk(at)hotmail.com

    Reply

  36. Clearance meat! I am a huge fan of buying meat on clearance. The meat is near the sell-by date and the store is looking to sell it. I get a great deal especially on cuts I would ordinarily not be able to afford.

    Reply

  42. By halving the amount of meat and substituting chopped veggies or beans makes dishes both more economical and healthier.

    Reply

  46. Besides the coupons, I like to purchase my produce when it is in season. For expmple, I won’t be buying watermelon in December, but in the summer you can count that we will be eating lots of it. In December we eat lots of oranges. Buying porduce in season is a good money saver. We also like to grow a small garden in the summer. That cuts the grocery bill as well.

    Reply

  55. I create affordable meals by shopping the grocery ads and pairing up any coupons I might have.
    ljatwood at gmail dot com

    Reply

  74. I make up a grocery list and stick to it. I also make sure to shop along the sides of the grocery store, not in the middle, (processed foods on the inside of the aisles=more money)

    Reply

  79. We do most of our grocery shopping at Aldi grocery store we save 50% on our food bill there. Especially good is their fresh vegetables that are very low cost compared to Walmart.

    Reply

  94. Use what you have. If I can’t think of a recipe I go to all recipes.com and use the ingredient search, you list what you have (you can also list what you don’t have or want). Then a list of recipes pop up.

    Reply

  104. We try to stock up on staples when things are on sale then add meats when we need to. We make casseroles or crockpot meals that last for several days.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  106. I find the most affordable way to make meals is to meal plan. That way you use what you’ve already paid for, before it spoils or expires, and reduces waste.
    jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  114. I plan our meals based on what is on sale at the grocery store and we use coupons often.
    Thanks so much.
    rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

    Reply

  125. I have a small garden for some of our veggies, I buy in bulk when economical, I buy very little processed food (although it’s often cheap it’s often lacking in nutrition), and I cook from scratch a lot (often much cheaper – example cream soups are very cheap to make at home and only add a few minutes to prep time).

    Reply

  127. stock up during sales and plan ahead. It’s those last minute I am hungry moments that will cost you!
    tvollowitz at aol dot com

    Reply

  130. My tip for affordable meals is plan in ADVANCE! Going to the store with absolutely no clue besides one emal at a time leads to both impulse buying and most times buying preprared which usually costs alot more than homemade (and doesnt taste as good) Take the time to think a week in advance and it will save you money and time!

    Reply

  150. I buy on sale and use coupons, I plan my weekly meals around the specials of the week. I make most meals by scratch and buy the store brand

    Reply

  155. Pasta is always an economical choice.
    THANKS for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY!!!

    Scott Martin
    spmartin122 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  164. We buy a lot of items from the clearance bin. Usually it is just the packaging that is damaged but the contents are just fine and greatly discounted!

    Reply

  175. We buy items on sale and with coupons. Stock up on sale items. We had a garden we canned and did some
    freezing of vegs. I make big pots of soups and chili and freeze the up for meals later. We try to get healthy
    and I really think that can save money. Thanks

    Reply

  176. I have to look at the ads and coupons and see what I can budget. I also try to find family packs that are cheaper and get meats when they are about to expire if they aren’t on sale so I can get them cheaper.

    Reply

  179. I shop stores sales with coupons and stock up on groceries, I also buy on bulk , rice beans , condiments, it is more affordable this way , and the meat I buy it when in store put the meat on sale too.

    Reply

  189. I buy extra items when they are on sale and have coupons to match the sale item. I only buy meats when they are at their best prices and then I stock up on the meat. When I cook the big family meal on Sunday I like to cook extra of everything and then use the leftovers throughout the week, which saves me time.

    Reply

  194. I often use store brands instead of name brands; many are just as good and cost far less. I also stock up when things are on sale and freeze what we won’t use right away. Buying in bulk from club stores and repacking meats myself saves me money too.

    Reply

  208. Check your grocery store sales flyers or emails and plan affordable meals based on what is on sale and what you have coupons on.

    Reply

  212. To say money on groceries I’ve been relying more on whole grains for protein.
    Thank you.
    barbara dot montyj at gmail dot com

    Reply

  222. When practical (and it almost always is), I double or triple recipes and freeze into family-sized portions. This allows me to shop in wholesale clubs and take advantage of bulk buying discounts. It also helps save energy.

    Reply

  228. I cook from scratch for most things, buy ONLY on sale (except milk), seasonal produce, grow lots of my own fresh produce and stockpile!

    Reply

  232. I don’t buy ANYTHING unless it’s on sale and/or I have a coupon – I also shop at different stores to maximize my dollars, as well as hit up the local fruit and veggie stands at least once a week!

    pricousins at aol dot com

    Reply

  248. We shop sales and use coupons, some items we buy in bulk, certain items, like pork and beans for baked beans we buy in #10 cans, make up a batch and freeze the rest in meal size portions.

    Reply

  255. We always buy part of a cow which really helps to keep the cost down. Also use one of the local produce stands. The guy goes to the produce auction twice a week and his prices are awesome. We have lots of fresh fruits and veggies daily. I can buy so much more than I could ever afford at the grocery store.

    Reply

  264. I try to buy a meat that I can cook one day and carry into the following days, make a pork roast on sunday, have pork tacos later in the week, and bbq sandwiches another day!

    Reply

  267. We buy all our meat at Bj’s in large quanties and then seperate into serving/cooking amounts like several chicken breasts or a pound of beef–wrap in butcher paper and label and date.

    Reply

  283. I plan my meals around the weekly grocery store sales, taking into account what I already have in my pantry and/or freezer.

    Reply

  292. I find if I cook from scratch, meals are much cheaper even though it does take way more time. I also plan meals on grocery stores sales and try to check a few different circulars.

    Reply

  294. I like to create meals on other meals like making tacos and then making taco salad with the leftovers or making spaghetti but cut the meat in half to use for meatloaf the next day kind of like a piggy back off the previous days meal it cuts half the cost each week!

    Reply

  304. I make a menu for the month and shop accordingly….no sense buying products that will sit in the pantry forever 🙂

    Reply

  309. I try to coupon and buy in bulk if the price is right. I really like go get my fruit from a local market or whole foods/trader joe’s. The prices seem to be better and the fruit fresher!

    Reply

  317. Bulk Cooking usually makes the most sense if you can set aside the time for it. Save up, buy larger quantities of items, and make enough to last a week or two. At the very least, having a plan will stop you from buying extra. If things go well, you have more time later because you planned ahead and even had some leftovers. If you can line the shopping up with sales you can maximize the savings.

    Reply

  320. my best tip is dont over cok that meat that gets thrown out can be used tomorrow for another great meal. and the one thing my grandma taught me was to freeze leftover chili and soup or sauce!

    Reply

  321. We use coupons whenever we can. I’ve also learned to make only enough that we’ll eat that night, we’re not a huge leftovers family (most of it tastes ick to me and hubby the next day lol). I learned to save money by not throwing out food that we would “eat later” that would sit in the fridge for a week.
    We also stick with the same 10-15meals a month, low cost, quick and easy. We live on a food budget of $300 most months sometimes we can afford upto $400.

    Reply

  323. Save leftover meats, chicken, beef, sausage, any type in a freezer container. When you have enough, chop them into small pieces and add them to a pasta sauce or soup base and serve with pasta or rice.

    chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  324. I combine sales with coupons. I use those sale items in my recipes. I try to keep basics that I bought on sale in stock.

    Reply

  327. My money saving meal tips: go through the local grocery store ads, match-up coupons to the sales and plan your weekly menu around what is on sale that week.

    Reply

  331. Honestly, if you can do it, become a hunting family and hunt your own wild game. It’s healthier for you and helps keep the deer population under control.
    bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply

  333. Rollover leftovers from old meals into new ones. For example, leftover chicken can be chopped up and used as a filling in empanada.

    Reply

  343. I use coupons too, but I save a lot of money by eating the venison my husband hunts (meat is meat but a lot of wives won’t eat it apparently) and by growing my own veggies. Also, if we do have to buy beef we buy it from a local farmer. It’s nice to know where your meat came from and what went in it (I’m pretty sure there aren’t any growth hormone dispensers in the forest).

    Reply

  356. I try to buy on sale and then build our weekly menu around that. Making a weekly menu also helps, as everything is thought out and planned for.

    wolverina401 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  365. buy things like meat and frozen veggies in bulk and thaw what is needed. cook in large portions and use leftovers to cut costs!

    Reply

  368. I shop the loss leaders at the stores and use coupons as much as possible. I almost never buy meat during my weekly shopping, since a local store has large meat sales about every 4 months, so I stock up my freezer during them, buying the cheaper cuts packaged in serving sizes.

    Reply

  370. I use Tuna once or twice a week in my dishes. It’s inexpensive and makes a great meal paired with noodles and vegetables!

    Reply

  375. Hello, I shop the can sales and round out our meals with nutritious beans, rice and diced tomatoes. Thanks for a great giveaway!

    Reply

  376. It’s cheaper to make bigger meals, then freeze the leftovers for another day, than to make two entire meals. I make a huge vat of spaghetti sauce once every few months. Costs me about $15 to make it, and I get about 30 meals worth of sauce out of it. So worth it!

    coriwestphal at msn dot com

    Reply

  387. I find that it is typically cheaper to buy whole cuts of meat. It is not too difficult to learn how to break down a chicken, fish, or whatever else! Then you can separately freeze wings, legs, breasts, nice filets, etc, and use the remaining carcass to make your own stock to freeze. After some time I’ve collected a convenient stock of meat types that can be used for a variety of dishes.
    leanne dot ahronian at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  391. My best tip for affordable meals is to use more pasta, rice, potatos, fresh veggies from the garden and very little meat.

    dlsloveblogs(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  392. I buy in bulk when items are on sale, clip coupons and use my slow cooker a lot to tenderize cheaper cuts of meat.

    rogsdock[at]gmail[dot]com

    Reply

  398. My best tip for making affordable meals is to have more vegetarian meals each week, eliminating meat. reejen at comcast dot net

    Reply

  409. my advice is to buy in bulk, and freeze. You can get chicken for a good price & turn it into so many delicious meals!

    Reply

  422. I grow my own veggie garden, even if you don’t have space to do this you can plant alot of veggies in container boxes on porch or alot of towns now have community gardens available very reasonable. Not only do you save but you eat fresh organic veggies, yum!

    Reply

  423. Ibuy in bulk and cook a lot of one dish at the same time and freeze individual portions so everyone can grab a frozen meal and heat and eat.

    Reply

  436. My best tip would be to have a set of standard dishes with just a handful of ingredients that you always have on hand, and to take advantage of basics like chicken stock and sauces that you can make in large quantities, freeze, and re-use for several dishes in the week to get the most bang for your buck!

    Reply

  442. Pay attention at your local store – you can tell by the expiry dates when they’ll be getting in new stock (especially for meats) and you can buy it on the last day and freeze it when you get home. If you buy hamburger or other ground meats in bulk like this, separate into individual meal portions before freezing so that you only have to defrost as much as you want to use and no more. LABEL them very well!

    Reply

  446. I purchase in bulk, from online stores such as Amazon, iHerb and Nuts online. Yes even with food allergies you can eat right and budget too 🙂 silenttributary at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  447. I started buying my own chicken and using breasts for a meal, use legs for another meal, and create a great stock so easy and much more affordable

    Reply

  454. My best tip to make affordable meals is toy buy large/bulk sizes, create several meals at a time, and freeze the extras.

    Reply

  462. Don’t let leftovers go to waste. We find creative ways to use them. Also make a shopping list and stick to it! The fastest way to make your grocery costs higher is buying impulse items.

    Reply

  464. My best tip would be to make sure you figure out something everyone likes, cause if they don’t you either have to make something else or throw part of it away!

    Reply

  469. Thanks for the giveaway…we stretch our food $$$’s by using protein sources other than meat-poultry-fish a few times a week i.e. beans, lentils, etc.

    senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

    Reply

  470. I suggest using the crackpot to make meals with leftover ingredients. It eliminates waste, and IMO, meals always taste better when they’re slowly cooked.

    Reply

  483. Using a weekly meal plan helps make our meals affordable because we utilize leftovers/extras for another day.

    alsatia23 at hotmail dot com

    Reply

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