What are the ways to stretch your money?

Cooking from scratch using a crock pot cuts costs way back verses using 'ready made' meals you buy at the grocery. That is especially so when you talk of things like Campbell's Chunky Soup or Denisens (sp) Chili Beans that can cost upwards of $3 a 16 ounce can. As a lone person, I make several meals at one time per pot then freeze them, thaw them out as I need them through the week. * Other things to have on hand are a European hand blender, a salad shooter shredder, and a microwave oven. A second crock pot is a good idea too. * Crock pots are convenient, surprisingly so, as you toss your ingredients in and forget them while you are at work. Perhaps one prep day a week, or month on how far ahead you need to plan. A roast turkey can get a single person by on meat for an entire month if required. Potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, pasta, whatever else you want can be tossed in or microwaved along side for variety can keep you eating quite well. * If you work, you can pull out your ready cut ingredients from the freezer the night before to defrost in two pans, meat separate from non meat, dump them all in the crock pot, add water and seasonings, put to cook, come home, eat. Clean up, set up tomorrow's meal, repeat. Whole chickens can also be crock pot fodder.