Shopping Tips for budget meals are an important part of our menus these days.

I've managed to really stay as close to my grocery allowance for several years by doing a few things each week when I shop.

USE the COUPONS from the Sunday paper, mailers and online. Buy in bulk whenever possible and always comparison shop. It pays off in the end.

I do a lot of cooking and when I run out of something it really fries me to go to the corner store and pay an absurd price just for convenience sake. So I try to keep a well stocked pantry and freezer. Fresh is best when it comes to bread, fruits, vegi's, poultry, fish and meats, but it's good to keep made ahead meals on hand just in case.

Budget meals can be simple, elegant, hearty or light. While I do use a list when I am shopping I usually spend less if I go into the store that has the products I want on sale and then plan the menu around that. If I go in looking for a pork roast or skirt steak and it's not on sale I end up having to change the menu anyway. Unless of course I'm rich that week and can splurge!

Some really inexpensive cuts of meat that you can slow cook and enjoy for two or three meals are delicious when prepared properly. Chuck roasts (bone in) with celery,carrots, onion and potatoes roasted in the oven at 325 temperature for about 2 hrs (depending on lbs) is very inexpensive and great on a cold day. Pork shoulder roast is about $1.70 lb and can be used for barbeque pulled pork sandwiches with cole slaw. Cabbage the main ingredient in cole slaw is about 60 cents a lb. You'll need sour creme and mayo with a little vinegar, sugar or shredded carrot, and a touch of mustard. Hamburger buns and BBQ sauce and your good to go. I make about 6-7 lbs of pulled pork at a time and a 1/2 gallon of coleslaw. Pickles and baked potato are optional, as is corn on the cob which in season you get a dozen for less than a buck-an-eer!

Good ole Mac & Cheese has gone Gourmet, but it is still relatively inexpensive to conquer. Cooking methods that will stretch the ingredients like adding more sauce, or vegi's and making a large tray of it is well worth the time. It freezes nicely and if you've got the oven on you may as well get the most out of it.

Shopping for Budget Meals is easy when you know what to look for, stock up on, and organize your shopping coupons accordingly.