Meal ideas on a STRICT budget

7 meal ideas for the extreamly cash strapped houehold.  With the economy being what it is and hours being cut to save companies money -more and more people are struggeling to put food on the table.  If you are one of these people these easy dinners are for you.  If you are a gormet cook or very picky these will not help at all. These are figured for a family of four, with mostly store brands.  These are not "recipies" but more of a cost guide on these pared down basics that everyone has their own way of doing.  This is just the cheapest way I can make these meals (so far) for my family.

Grilled Cheese and tomato soup with rice

$1.75  Most of a pkg of American cheese

$1.00  Most of a loaf of bread

$1.50 can of Store brand ( or a bit more for Campbell's) tomato Soup - if you are good you can get this on sale for LESS!

$ .25 about a 1/2 C rice ( the rice stretches the soup and makes it more filling)

$4.50  total cost for a meal for a family of 4

Burgers and homemade fries

$3.00  1 1/2# of ground beef (@ $1.99 per lb) - makes 6 1/4# patties

$1.00  burger rolls

$ .50   American cheese slices

$1.00 Potatoes ( cut and fry or bake as desired)

$ .50 Choice of canned Veg ( for a little more you could do a salad)

$6.00 total

Spaghetti and meat sauce

$1.00 1# spag. of your choice ( I can usually get Barilla for $1 on sale)

$1.00 Spag sauce (cans or jar for under $1)

$1.00  1/2# ground beef

$3.00 total

Cheaters Meatloaf and mashed potatoes

$2.00  1# ground Beef

$ .50  3/4 C rice (stretches out the meat and replaces other meats)

$ .25  Breadcrumbs

$ .50  milk, eggs, spices (for meatloaf)

$1.00 Potatoes

$1.00  Milk and buter (for mashe potatoes)

$ .50 can veg

$5.50 total  for an extra .50 you can add a pkg of brown gravy

Poor mans Chilli

$2.25 - 3 cans Pinto beans (.75 each - with sauce if you want)

$2.00  1# Ground beef

$ .75 1 can diced tomatoes

$ .50 small can tomato sauce

$ .25 seasoning ( from large economy pkg)

$5.75 total cost

Chicken and Rice

$2.50 parts from a whole chicken (breasts, thighs, and legs)

$1.00 2 Cups of Rice

$1.00 veggies of choice (or salad)

$ .50 spices ( whatever you likce - lemon pepper, terryki, or even breaded)

$5.00 total

Chicken Pot pie

$2.00 Remaining chicken parts and bits - cooked and chopped

$1.00 Pie crust

$1.00 mixed vegs (fresh carrots, potatoes, and can veg of choice)

$1.50 3 pkgs of gravy mix ( cheaper if you buy bulk pkg from costco type store)

$5.50 total cost

As you can see by the ingredients these are PARED down to the basic necessities.  You can still have meat and a lot of flavor for little cost (on average $5 a meal for a family of four).  I just had to take out all the "extras" you woud normally use in these meals.  But I can still feed my family filling and flavor packed meals that they enjoy with just less in them for a lot less money.