The Frugal Vegetarian

Covid-19 sucks ass for many reasons, one of which is soaring meat prices.

OK,  I admit, I am a carnivore.

However, I am CHEAP!

Budgeting right now is insane and I'm looking for ways to shop smart and have decent meals that taste good, but don't break my budget.

I'm feeding three adults (and I'm not sure why..but just blame mom, its all her fault..bless her sainted heart) and we all have big appetites.

So far on my meat free menus

Lentil Veggie Soup
Lentil Chili (My chili tastes better than the meat version I used to make)
Kraft Zesty Spaghetti (You know that box stuff with the seasoning packet? OMG I make the best sauce with that. 1 can of tomato paste and 1 to 2 jars of diced tomatoes and you get some really good sauce in a jiffy)
Black Bean Burgers (which I haven't made in AGES but are so good!)
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili
Pasta Bake (Can be done with or without meat, cos my meat is usually pepperoni but its just as good without_

However let me say, getting canned beans is a pain in the bippy!

My must try recipe for this week is Smoky White Bean and Potato Stew

My next step in trying to be less crazy is getting a subscription with Imperfect Foods. My friend Tina, suggested it and I'm going to give it a go, cos frankly I hate the grocery store, and until I can be one with the farmers market, well I'm doing what I have to do. I'm on a waitlist there, but here's hoping I can get some groceries delivered in the coming months.

Hey who knows, maybe I'll even get a little healthier in the long run.

Budget Dinners

My mama would be proud of me I think, when it comes to my dinner ideas these days.

I'm usually cooking for 3 people (don't ask why, my life is complicated...but none of my issues involve romantic entanglements..just family)

I have found several ways to make dinners that are super cheap

Sausage Alfredo

1 lb sausage roll usually $2.00
1 lb rigatoni $1.00 tops
1 jar of Alfredo Sauce $2.50
I also add cajun seasoning to my sauce..but that's pennies really

So this is a dinner for under $6.00 which usually gives me a few days of lunches for either myself or my nephew. Best recipe my cousin ever shared.

Chili Mac

Depending on how much I'm making

1- 2 packages of Mac and Cheese  $1.00 sorry Kraft..I buy Dollar General or Aldi mac
2 cans of chili with beans  $3.00
1 extra can of kidney beans drained

Prepare the mac just as directed...so you need butter and milk
add the chili and extra beans. If you want to do a veggie, some corn works great too

Another dinner in the $6.00 range

Chili Cornbread
1 pack of Jiffy cornbread mix
1 can hormel chili
Cheese


Another great thing if you make a roast, especially a pork roast are fritattas. Love those and you can add so much to them

Tonight's dinner is going to be another cheap one

Saucy Mozzarella Sandwiches

Hoagie rolls
1 package of mozzarella cheese
Pasta Sauce
and probably some pepperoni

I found this recipe in an old Ragu cookbook. 

See even at 45..a girl can learn new stuff

Budgeting Sucks

I am seriously so organized with things its crazy. One of my budget issues is pet food. At least when it comes to the little doggie and the canned cat food that my non-prescription eating cats get.

My kitties get one can a day..for the most part..but I'd say I buy about 40 cans per month. They love the food at Aldi and its very reasonable too. They get 4Health grain free from Tractor Supply for their dry food, which is about as cheap as it gets. $22.99 for an 18 lb bag.

Scratty loves Aldi's Heart to Tail that is comparable to Cesar and again, the price is right, however I don't get to Aldi as often as I used to. 49 cents for her little pans of food.

When you work 60+ hours a week, you try to budget your time. I like to be home sometime so I do my shopping when I'm in my area of work, because that's where a lot of the grocery stores are. I like buying my pet food all in one place so I know I'm not overspending but because its at Aldi I can't do that. The food gets lumped in with my food budget and then I get so confused.

I was thinking of doing a monthly buy at Chewy, but its not cost effective for either pet. Also Pet Supplies Plus hasn't been doing as many sales on Friskies..so when cans of wet food are only 35 cents..well...they get that.

Its this kind of thing that makes me nervous and worry and that wrecks my down time, which I don't have much of these days. I think its the money issues that make my grief so much stronger, because I don't have anyone to talk to about these things.

I just get so frustrated and I want my babies happy and healthy.