"There are no better budget stretchers than dried beans, whole grains and rice. These are high in protein, low in fat and calories and fiber rich and they all come under a dollar a pound when you buy them in dry form," said Susan Westmoreland, Good Housekeeping Institute.
The magazine suggests adding celery, bell peppers and slices of bacon to add a nice smokey flavor to your beans.
Another budget saver is to stay away from buying supermarket rotisserie chickens. Roasting your own bird is just 99 cents a pound versus $7 dollars for a cooked chicken.
Also look for value cuts of meet like beef chuck roast and pork shoulder.
"They've between 3 and 5 dollars a pound, sometimes less when they're on special. And with some tender, slow, long cooking they become mouth-wateringly delicious. They feed a crowd for a small amount of money and make great leftovers," said Susan Westmoreland, Good Housekeeping Institute.
Good Housekeeping has put together a two-week dinner plan for a family of four that costs $135 over 14 nights. That's less than $10 a dinner.
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