How do you do your cooking budget/meal budgets?

Actually, we just go with the flow.. but we make sure to stick on our budget.. with the global recession, i think each and everyone of us should learn how to be practical in so many ways.. i mean, just go with healthy foods that are not so expensive like fish and veggies.. what i usually do is i look for new recipes online and try those that are easy to prepare..

Well $200 dollars can go a looonnng way when you're on a Ramen Noodle and Bud Ice diet. pop a mulit vitamin and you're good to go!

I look at the sale add first to see what is on sale. I keep different kinds of pasta on hand. I have gotten so I look at those box meals and those complete microwave meals and then I make my own. Chicken alfredo with broccoli and chicken. This week I'm going to learn to make hush puppies because my grandson like them. I saw a chicken and potato idea on here that I'm going to try this week too. Some one said they had red potatoes and chicken thighs and it was suggested that they use soy sauce and vinegar to cook the thighs and potatoes . Go to cooking discussions and look for dinner question and then to no. 2 mizstress She describes how to fix it.

I use two strategies. First of all I have a look at the websites of the supermarkets in my area to see what is going to be on sale that week. Then I go rather late in the afternoon and buy stuff that has been discounted because it's close to the expiration date. Depending on what I come home with I'll usually have a quick look at some mags I have laying around like Womans Day or such to see if they have a recipe with what I got on sale. Actually one of the supermarkets has an addition to their website that has el-cheapo recipes based on their sale items that week so it's even easier than I thought! One of my favorite pasttimes is watching the cooking shows on tv. They are always coming up with new/different ideas or ways of doing things that can be very inspiring. I read somewhere that 'most' people actually only cook 10 different dishes. I guess that can become pretty boring indeed.

There is a really great list in the back of the Betty Crocker cookback that lists staples one should have in one's kitchen. Not that I keep all of them, but it's a good beginner list for those needing one. I tend to keep all the basics such as salts, seasonings, flour, cornflour, etc on hand. I keep a variety of frozen and canned veggies, as well as rice and noodles. I keep potatoes on hand and onions. I also load up on a variety of meats for the freezer. Then, I simply use my cookbook. I love Betty Crocker because there is always some spin you can put on basic meals, and for a very inexpensive price. Of course, there are personal family favorites, but I try to keep things exciting. I also do a lot of experimenting just mixing different things in order to have something new. One way to avoid not repeating meals too soon is to just create a monthly meal chart like they do at schools. Not only can you then plan a shopping list but you'll be guaranteed not to repeat a meal. Namaste-Anora

Taste Of Home magazine does a section every month on a "budget meal"--usually comes out under $5/serving for the whole meal. Also there are a lot of ways to get your groceries cheaper. For example, MyPoints has printable grocery coupons, and you get points towards free merchandise when you use them.