With a recession just announced, it's important to get the most out of every dollar without compromising on the quality of your food. Here are some things you can do to stretch the weekly meal budget:

• Learn to cook!
• Adopt a waste not, want not attitude - never let anything go to waste.
• Grow your own food, especially herbs.
• Preserve or freeze! Sauces, fruit, chutneys, butter, milk, etc.
• Buy in season and buy on special.
• Buy off-supermarket - bulk foods, local fruiterers, clearance houses.

Ingredients and food items that will save you money:

• Protein - beans, peas, meats (limit to 100g per person), chicken, etc.
• Tinned and frozen vegetables retains their quality well - corn, peas, tomatoes.
• Meatless meals will always be cheaper; potato & pea curry, tacos, eggs.
• Use lesser cuts and offal - chuck steak, kidneys, etc.

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