I'm trying to plan menus for a family of 4 on $5-$7 per meal. I'm not talking socially responsible, local food; chemical free, organic and fresh food. Just food. Good to eat, reasonably nutritious, and cheap.

Sausage and Rice

• 1 pre-packages smoked sausage, sliced


• small onion, chopped


• garlic


• 1 can dices tomatoes (the kind with garlic and basil flavor is extra good)


• 1 can green beans, drained


• 1-2 cups prepared rice per person

Saute the onion and sausage for a few minutes. Add the tomatoes and beans and season to taste. (I like a little basil and red pepper.) Allow it to simmer until everything is hot all the way through. Serve over rice. If you have a bit of extra money, add mushrooms. My husband loves a slice of provolone cheese between the rice and the rest.

Eggs 'n' Bread 'n' Potatoes

• 2 cans sliced nwe potatoes, drained


• 2 eggs


• 3 slices of bread (this is a good way to use up bread that's getting close to stale)


• 2 slices of bacon per person


• fresh fruit

Break the bread into small pieces, about half the size of your thumb. Set aside. Beat the eggs, add a little salt and pepper, and set aside. Fry the bacon in a saute pan. Remove the bacon when its done and add the potatoes to cook in the bacon grease. (I do pour out some of the grease depending on how lean the bacon is.) Once the potatoes are warm all the way through and start to look a little darker, add the bread pieces. Pour the eggs over the bread and stir so that the bread gets soaked in eggs. Continue to stir being careful to scrape cooked eggs off the sides of the pan. Its done when the eggs are cooked to your preference. When we have it, we cook in a handful of shredded cheddar cheese, added at the same time as the eggs. Serve with fresh fruit.

It's you're turn! What do you do for cheap eats!?!