Time: 30 Minutes - 1 Hour 

STEP 1: Use cookbooks or cooking websites for low cost meals to make at home. Select a number of recipes for the week, both tried and true as well as some new ones. Decide which meals you’ll be cooking at home and for how many, so you’ll know what to buy and how much you’ll need.

STEP 2: To save time (and money) at the store write out your menu for the week, so you can buy all of the ingredients at one time. Stick to your list and don’t get caught up buying extra items.

STEP 3: Let’s go shopping! You can go to a big box grocery store for easy ingredients, which will save you money, but for grass fed meat or organic vegetables, you may want to go to a health food store or grocery store with more natural options. Local farmers markets are also great options to purchase fruits and vegetables at a good price, while supporting your local community.

STEP 4: If you have kids or a significant other, let them help you cook. Turn on some good music, maybe open a bottle of wine or make Shirley Temples and work together to make your special dinner. (Hint: many kids enjoy breakfast for dinner. Eggs and frozen waffles are easy and they’ll love it!)

STEP 5: Set the mood. Candles and fun glasses, a picnic in the backyard, on the trampoline or in a tent are all fun ideas, depending on your audience.