hi all! i'm a friend of lori's and a first time poster here. i've been loving all your great tips! here is my inaugural tip: i often buy cheaper (and thus tougher, less tasty) chicken and beef and then use it in slow cooker recipes. the slow cooking makes even the toughest meat tender and tasty. there are oodles of slow cooker bookazines out there but one of my faves is: Better Homes and Gardens Ultimate Slow Cooker. bonus: there are like 20 recipes in there under 10 bucks! here's one to try on a cold winter night:

Cheeseburger Soup
Total cost: 9.62
Prep 25 minutes
Cook 5 to 51/2 hours on high, 10 to 11 hours on low

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups coarsely chopped russet potatoes (about 2 medium)
1/2 cup sliced carrot
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 serrano chile pepper, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 14 oz. cans beef broth
1 10.75 oz. can condensed cheddar cheese soup
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. Brown ground beef with onion and garlic. Drain fat.
2. Combine beef mixture and all ingedients but shredded cheddar in 4 to 5 quart slow cooker.
3. Cover and cook on low for 10 to 11 hours or on high for 5 to 5 1/2 hours.
4. Top each serving with a little shredded cheddar.

happy saving!