Cooking inexpensively is something people have been attempting for years. Recently cheap meals have become incredibly popular due to the current economic troubles. Thankfully there are literally hundreds of delicious and effortless meals to prepare that are also incredibly cheap.
Perhaps the largest expense when it comes to meals is waste. Many people prepare large meals only to realize it was way too much food; they frequently just throw away the extra. To save money, why not take those leftovers to work the following day. This will easily save some money while also eliminating waste in general.
Cooking in bulk can also help trim back food costs as well. Obviously this will leave plenty of extras for the next few days; but it also reduces the original cost of a meal. There are lots of foods easy to prepare in bulk; try some and see what you enjoy.
Shopping smart is another very simply way to save some money on food. Make sure to schedule all meals before you go shopping; that way you'll only purchase what you must have. If you plan meals on a weekly basis you will never have to worry about overspending or purchasing food that you just don't need.
Of course the most elementary way to save money on food is to buy lower cost food. What this means is, purchase cheaper brands rather than the most expensive. The simplest way to do this is to buy cheaper brand foods, they are essentially the exact same, only cheaper. Try shopping at a nearby farmers market too; you will likely save some money here too.