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Many recipes can be frugal if you pay attention to prices, stock up when things are a low price, and don't waste food.

Notice the price of dried beans vs. canned! Yikes! Buy the dry ones and cook them up, then freeze in 2 cup portions. Make bean soups and cornbread for dinner. Serve beans as a side dish.

Notice the price of canned broth vs. FREE! Okay, you have to pay something to heat the stove and it's better with some seasonings...but learn how to make your own broth and freeze it in one cup portions so you can pull it out when you want. (Use cleaned yogurt, margarine, whatever containers to freeze the broth, then take it out of there and pop the portions in a freezer bag.)

Coupons are great if they are for things you normally buy. Most of the ones I see are for heavily processed foods, which are both unhealthy and expensive.

Watch out for the packaged stuff. If you have kids, use that magic younger age to your advantage. My eldest was about 8 before she figured out that "lunchable" was a box you bought in the grocery store. Until then, when she asked for a "lunchable" to take to lunch, we cut up turkey or salami, packaged some crackers, sliced some cheese and she was in heaven! (Of course, she was also about that age when she figured out that the "music truck" also sold ice cream!) Sometimes packaged things can be convenient when you're short on time and money. Try making your own baking mix for a compromise.

Make expensive items treats, rather than everyday standards. Red meat is expensive. Eat it once a week and cut your grocery bill down.

Keep a price book, a little booklet in which you record how much things cost at different stores. If a warehouse store has a good deal on something, make a monthly trip to it and do without if you run out in the meantime. But don't be fooled that the warehouse stores automatically have the best deal on everything. Once you start writing things down, you'll be amazed at where you sometimes find good bargains! Keep your grocery list updated with the lowest prices.

Credit Cards

If you can use credit cards wisely, find one that offers a rewards program you can use. Discover, for example, gives you a cash back bonus for every purchase and has no annual fee. Other cards offer airline miles, a good deal if you are planning a trip. Amazon has a Visa that gives you credit at Amazon. If you are watching your budget because of credit card debt, I'd just stay away from them.

Get more tips and recipes on cheap cooking with my e-book, Getting Started with CheapCooking, just $7.00.

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