Takeout pizza is pricey, but making your own can save some dough. Toss around our idea.
It's fun, easy and thrifty to throw a make-your-own-pizza party. Buy refrigerated pizza dough and shape into single-size crusts. Let everyone "decorate" their own pizza with tomato sauce, reduced-fat mozzarella and nutritious toppings like lean diced ham, peppers and mushrooms.

Out of an ingredient? Check your pantry, fridge, or freezer for something just as good.
Are you out of an essential recipe ingredient? Make use of what's on hand. For instance, in whole-grain muffins, different types of dried fruits and nuts are interchangeable. Ditto for beans or greens in soup. Don't forget to add missing ingredients to your shopping list!

Shop meat department sales and cook with multiple meals in mind.
See a big sale on poultry and beef? Buy two chickens and roast them—enjoy one for dinner and use the other tomorrow diced in a salad, or shredded in soup or tacos. Or serve a big roast, and stretch the leftovers in an economical hash or sliced for lunchtime sandwiches.

Cooking dinner with tomorrow's lunch in mind is a smart savings strategy.
Dinner ingredients have a real feature in tomorrow's lunch. Slice lean leftover roast pork for sandwiches. Toss a salad made of cubed turkey, brown rice, diced tomatoes, cucumbers and light dressing. Tote a thermos of steamy-hot soup or chili.