Comments on: What Makes a Meal Frugal?

By: Sharon J

Sharon J — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:09:01 +0000

Like most of your other commenters, to me frugal food means a combination of cost, taste, nutrition and availability. Here’s an example: a few days ago my OH was asked to bring in half a dozen best butcher’s sausages. He didn’t. Instead he’d bought the cheapest they had, being “frugal”. The result was that nobody ate the dinner because the sausages were so awful and put us off not only the toad-in-the-hole but we lost our appetites for everything else on the plate too. That was obviously far from frugal.

Sharon Js last blog post..F is for Family Meals – Spaghetti Bolognese

By: Ryan @ SpillingBuckets

Ryan @ SpillingBuckets — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:31:50 +0000

I agree with Dana's total package view. Was it healthy, simple to make, relatively inexpensive, enjoyed by all, and maybe even fun? Ryan @ SpillingBucketss last blog post..To the Presidential Candidates and the American People:

By: elle

elle — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:02:28 +0000

oh, for us it definitely depends on the meal and/or the situation. sometimes, a frugal meal is the bottom line cost per serving; sometimes it is that we have a metric ton of it and can freeze / reheat for a long time to come; sometimes it’s making something that we initially were craving out but “recreated” at home – even if it’s bacon-wrapped shrimp goodness… many times to me a frugal meal means that i had everything i needed in my pantry/freezer/fridge and didn’t have to make an extra trip anywhere. very thought-provoking question, thank you!

elles last blog post..bloom (sc) – 9/3-9/9

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:37:25 +0000

I agree on the “cheap” vs. “frugal” distinction! We’re surrounded by food that is relatively cheap, but is absolutely horrible. I also think that a frugal meal is one that doesn’t use a lot of unnecessary ingredients, and relies on fresh, seasonal produce. I also find that treating meat as a flavoring or condiment rather than the center of a meal helps keep me on budget.

Amys last blog post..Back to Basics: Replace Bad Habits

By: Amiyrah

Amiyrah — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:48:09 +0000

By the definition you originally thought, a hot dog on the corner of New York City would classify as a “frugal” meal but I wouldn’t think of that as one. To me, a frugal meal is not only inexpensive, but feeds your family with healthy ingredients and can be re-used for other meals. Most of my meals during the week follow these “rules” because being frugal and not being wasteful go hand and hand with me. But when we have those “hot dog and fries” meals that only cost me a few bucks all together, I just count those as cheap rather than frugal. There won’t be leftovers to make into another meal and the nutritional values leave something to be desired.

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By: neimanmarxist

neimanmarxist — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:01:30 +0000

ha! I said two and then i put three. you know what i mean.

neimanmarxists last blog post..Ten Reasons You Should Learn To Cook

By: neimanmarxist

neimanmarxist — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:00:48 +0000

I think cost certainly has to do with making a meal frugal, but I think that there are two other things (that are related to cost, but not necessarily).
1) The meal doesn’t use any overly processed items (for example, one of my favorite dishes, vegan portobello-chard lasagna, uses rice cheese. Not only is rice cheese expensive, but it isn’t something easy to find. I get it in the refrigerated section of the natural foods store. )
2) It uses seasonal ingredients, preferably from the farmer’s market. For example, when I make courgettes with beans and bulgar wheat, that is frugal, because I make it in the summer when these items are readily available from farm stands.
3) It is really filling and satisfying. I associate frugal food with a big warm bellyful. I make a vegan shepherd’s pie that has carrots, potatoes, and lentils, and for a big nutritional punch you also end up feeling really full and happy.

So I think there is more to take into account that just cost. Like frugality itself, frugal food is about the way resources are deployed for maximum benefit. Not just about small expenses. That’s just being cheap

neimanmarxists last blog post..Ten Reasons You Should Learn To Cook

By: Denise

Denise — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:46:19 +0000

well, it wouldn’t be frugal if no one ate it and you ended up tossing the meal and eating cereal. (not that we ever do that).

Frugal would be less than $10 for my family of five for a dinner. It really is so much cheaper to eat our meals at home vs. out no matter where we go.

I bought a “pre-packaged” meal at Costco yesterday. It was 11.99. It was lettuce wraps with chicken and some rice noodles. I made some rice to go along with it. I was short on time so it was perfect. Everyone ate it and I even had leftovers today for lunch – a good frugal purchase I thought.

Denises last blog post..I didn’t think I would go there

By: strawberrygal2007

strawberrygal2007 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:17:08 +0000

A frugal meal is one that uses readily available foods to obtain the quality and satisfaction that comes from a more expensive meal. For some it is adding an extra potato or two in the pot when an unexpected guest presents theirself at dinner. Perhaps it is enhanced with fresh herbs from the garden or table linens or candlelight. It is getting the most enjoyment and nutrition for the minimum amount of money and effort. Ambience is every bit as important a factor as the entree. Just turning off a nearby tv can enhance the dining experience.

By: Dana

Dana — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:02:11 +0000

What makes a meal frugal is the value I get out of it. Did everyone eat it and enjoy it? Did it have some nutritional value? Are there leftovers for another meal? Did it break the bank for me? A frugal meal generally will cost between $5-$10. Was it also frugal with my time? I guess I'm looking for the total package. Danas last blog post..Will we survive?