How To Cook Healthy, Nutritious, Tasty Meal for $.50, Save Money on Food Expenses

One of the cheapest, healthiest and best meals on the planet is available for the cost of around $.50-.75 in your area depending on prices, quantity, and quality of food.

Ingredients for Healthy, Nutritious, Tasty meal for $.50

1. Potatoes: Russet, Idaho or the many varieties of healthy, nutritious potato. In my area (North Valley of Albuquerque, New Mexico) I have purchased a 10 lb bag of potatoes for $2.00 or $.20 per lb from a local "Village Market". Most of the time the price ranges from $.35/lb (Costco) to $.99/lb (Whole Foods). At these prices, a 8 oz (1/2 lb) potato is $.17 - $.50. Cost: $.20
2. 4 oz of milk and/or 2 oz of sour cream and/or 2 slices of butter, depending on recipe and personal preference. Cost: .13
3. 1 oz Shredded cheese. Cost: .08
4. Salt/Pepper. Cost: .03
   

   Total Cost for Healthy, Nutrious Meal: $.43

5. BONUS/EXTRA: Ham/Bacon/Shredded Beef. Cost: $.67

Recipe Ideas for Inexpensive and Healthy $.50 Meal

 Experimenting with a variety of recipes with potatoes can be a fun way to save money on your food bill. Many of the following recipes are my personal favorites and I enjoy a baked potato as both a side dish and a main entree.

1. 5 ways to bake Potatoes
2. Terrific Tin Foil Recipes for Potatoes
3. Potato Side Dish Recipes
4. Allrecipes.com Potato Recipes (Great Ideas!!)
5. How To: Soft and Pillowy Mashed Potatoes

What are some of your favorite potato-based recipes?

Inexpensive Food to Stretch Food Budget and Reduce Food Expenses, Healthy Inexpensive Food, Save Money on Groceries

 Ultimate How To Save Money on Food Guide, Cook great food inexpensively 

After housing, food is the most expensive item on your monthly and yearly budget. The average person can expect to spend between 4,000 - 8,000 per year on food, depending on your diet, location, and how often you cook. The best resources for healthy, nutritious, inexpensive meals are below:

http://www.reddit.com/r/Cheap_Meals

http://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/u13qa/we_rfrugal_week_1_frugal_food/

http://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/

http://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/1fmepp/official_i_have_x_for_x_days_advice_thread_tips/

http://erinonabudget.wordpress.com/2014/01/09/my-6-sweet-and-spicy-chili/

 My Top 5 Favorite inexpensive foods are:

1. Potatoes : Very versatile (Mashed Potatoes, Baked Potatoes) Healthy, and I have purchased for as low as $ .20 in my area.
2. Eggs - Full of protein, can be cooked many different ways. Great food all around.
3. Milk - around $2.50 in my area, Milk is a very inexpensive source of calories and a staple food. Requirement for many different recipes.
4. Chicken Thighs/Whole Chickens - as low as $ .99 per lb , can be roasted and turned into chicken soup, roasted chicken, many different ways for a very low price.
5. Beans - my personal favorite is pinto beans but many types are great cooked in the crock pot.

More Inexpensive, Frugal Foods: http://wegotreal.com/inexpensive-food-help-stretch-food-dollars/