31. Posted by A R on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 4:03 pm PDT

I have all these in my kitchen.Except those beans

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32. Posted by hildazaidan on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 4:12 pm PDT

garlic and olive oil soooooooo trueeeeee

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33. Posted by gypsywoman35 on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 4:16 pm PDT

I have a few tweaks to add to this list. #10 You don't have to use name brand Bisquick see if the store has their own brand. You will save a few cents and it tastes/cooks the same. #8 Buy canola or vegetable oil and add in whole pieces of garlic or chopped onion. The oil will take on the flavor of the added ingrediants. #7 Not just soup, buy chicken/beef broth each time you shop, stock up. Also buy gravy and creamed soups each time. one or two cans each time you shop and you will have them on hand all the time. #6. Not just pasta sauce, cans of tomato sauce, follow the same rule as for #6 that i have posted. #5 a few cans of chickren breast work well too. Can't go wrong with either tuna or chicken in the cupboard.

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34. Posted by Hiberi on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 4:32 pm PDT

These items may come in very handy if [when] our economic structure collapses - stock up ladies, hint hint.

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35. Posted by kdbarberkd@sbcglobal.net on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 4:35 pm PDT

There really isn't anything new to this, pretty much the same stuff they teach in High School Home Ec but I guess we all need the review.

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36. Posted by mmarschinke on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 4:38 pm PDT

I'm annoyed by all the haters of Bisquick! It's a great alternative for those who don't have time to make it from scratch, and a lot better for you than going to breakfast at IHOP or McD's or any frozen waffles or pancakes you can purchase. If you're that concerned about the trans-fat, Bisquick also makes a Heart Smart version which has no preservatives and added vitamins.

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37. Posted by bintap on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 4:48 pm PDT

wow ,interesting

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38. Posted by ccffss_650 on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 5:04 pm PDT

I just pick up the road-kill on the way home from work everyday.

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39. Posted by wa on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 5:11 pm PDT

is taurus 1971 as hot as her icon? interested readers want to know.

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40. Posted by TJ on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 5:19 pm PDT

Bisquick is to pancakes like Tang is to OJ

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41. Posted by gracehatter on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 5:25 pm PDT

Another thing for broke folks to have...those cheap dried onions, garlic and other herbs/spices sold at the dollar store for fiddy-cents. Wonderful for ANY soup, sauce, baked goods and so on. A must have!

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42. Posted by trevorwgoodchild on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 5:26 pm PDT

man...there is nothing new or original in this article about eating cheaply, i've been doing this my whole life being on the lower end of the financial spectrum...they didn't even mention tacos or quesadilla this just goes to show this wasn't ever written by anyone who has lived hand to mouth their whole lives but by bored over privileged middle to upper middle class yuppies that have nothing fresh to offer

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43. Posted by lola101504 on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 5:36 pm PDT

1 star. Who put together this garbage? Most of the stuff is stuff that tends to b pricey or unhealty. Has anyone priced Olive oil and rice lately? have u checked how much sodium is in a lot of soups? Do u really think alot of people like this stuff?

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44. Posted by sarita_dimples on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 5:37 pm PDT

Tell me something I don't already know.

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45. Posted by IAmMe on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 5:39 pm PDT

Are these ladies wicken? They have a "Charmed" look and seem to enjoy throwing stuff in a pot.

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46. Posted by jenigigi on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 6:12 pm PDT

My choices would be eggs milk potatoes cooking oil rice canned fruit flour yeast carrots apples If I was on a serious budget, I know that these foods would give me all the necessary nutrients.

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47. Posted by Lorne B on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 6:25 pm PDT

As a Canadian having lived in China for many years, my pantry has some of the items on your list... One thing I always have in stock is fish. Canned tuna, while it has its uses, is simply crap. There are so many varieties of canned fish that are cost-efficient and much more tasty. You may also consider a family outing to go fishing and eat a meal or two for free :) Frozen veggies are also cheap, versatile and delicious. (even in China) Add 'em to almost anything and you get the added benefit of no fats and health. Canned baked beans (now finally popular in China) go well as a side dish (cold or hot) but they also mix well into soups, salads and casseroles. Also inexpensive and fairly healthy. BBQ sauces (on sale after the warm sunny season but always expensive in China) are also cheap and add flavour to so many things. Fruit juice, garlic & olive oil with a little of your favourite BBQ sauce makes a great marinade for many meats (my apologies to the animal lovers but in my family we prefer a balanced diet without the need for costly chemical vitamins/minerals to make up for not eating meat). Fruits, when on sale (not a problem in China) are great for salads, side dishes and even sandwiches. French or Italian loaves are really cheap and can be used with diced tomatoes & onions with the addition of oregano, olive oil and garlic (butter the sliced bread if you like) to make a fancy, but cheap, appetizer to help make your inexpensive dishes like tuna casserole more stylish and tasty. You don't have to spend like a king to eat like one.. Just use some imagination and experiment with flavours, colours and healthy foods, just like that French restaurant you once could afford does :-)

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48. Posted by Daniel J on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 8:54 pm PDT

This is good info to know in this day and age with food prices being high. I'll be sure to remember these things. Thanks

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49. Posted by Jink on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 8:58 pm PDT

wow, you all sound angry...

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50. Posted by Jink on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 9:06 pm PDT

Make eating a part of life that equates the amount of life you have...

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51. Posted by MeganAmy on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 9:16 pm PDT

I agree with the people who say to leave the Bisquick behind. Just as easy to mix up the flour and whatnot yourself, and tastes a heck of a lot better. The one thing I can't believe hasn't been mentioned here is canned tomatoes. They are great for making pasta sauces, chilli, curries, and other various useful things.

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52. Posted by angcat.ch2000 on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 9:52 pm PDT

I must be doing something right, because I have all ten at all times in my pantry. Maybe I should start my own page, since I also seem to be an expert lol!

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53. Posted by Veggette on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 11:17 pm PDT

Bluepearlmorpho is exactly right: there are many environmental, health, economic, and political reasons why we should not be eating "meat." (Read "Diet for a New America" by John Robbins.) Have a Gardenburger with mashed potatoes, or spaghetti with marinara sauce and Trader Joe's meatless meatballs for dinner. It's so easy to live meat-free--- and be healthier too!

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54. Posted by Veggette on Sun, Oct 05, 2008, 11:36 pm PDT

Hiberi, "These items may come in very handy if [when] our economic structure collapses - stock up ladies, hint hint." Stock up ladies? I don' think only "ladies" will be hit by the economic recession.I have men friends who will need to stock up too. Our best bets are rice, pasta, beans, and vegetarian sources of protein like soybeans, tofu, and meatless burger types of meals.

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55. Posted by sillyonetwothree on Mon, Oct 06, 2008, 12:39 am PDT

For healthy alternatives, try BROWN RICE, WHOLE WHEAT PASTA, FLAX PASTA, and a wonderful grain called QUINOA which is high in protein...I do not believe that "eating them gives them purpose" referring to eating meat. Animals were not put on this earth for us to eat them.

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56. Posted by bbb on Mon, Oct 06, 2008, 12:39 am PDT

Most people that need to follow these "tricks" to strech thier grocery budget, don't have the flexabilty to worry about nutrional content. My husband defends our freedom, and we struggle to make ends meet. No vacations, few and far between special treats, minimal spending. Not being able to turn the ac or heat on, cause we can't afford for the bill to get too high. Think about that before you judge what people have in thier pantry.

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57. Posted by Brittles on Mon, Oct 06, 2008, 12:54 am PDT

I thought this article was going to tell me something new.

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58. Posted by mark s on Mon, Oct 06, 2008, 12:55 am PDT

Wait a cotton pick'n minute.....what about beer? How can you possibly have all those things...or anything for that matter, without having beer too. Makes no sense at all.....

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59. Posted by Anthony G on Mon, Oct 06, 2008, 1:32 am PDT

Wow, other than rice, I think it is pretty much a list of non-sense. My list would be more like 1. rice 2. kosher salt 3. EVOO 4. pepper 5. red pepper flakes (or paste if you prefer korean food) 6. powdered milk 7. curry 8. stock (veggie, chicken, and beef are good ones to start with) 9. mirin 10. vinagar

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60. Posted by hypergirl4d on Mon, Oct 06, 2008, 5:45 am PDT

press canned biscuts into the bottom of a casserole dish. cover with refried beans, salsa, tomatoes, and sprinkle cheese on top. bake for 30 min at 350 and you have "mexican pizza". ramen noodles cooked add ground beef, a can of corn and the seasoning packet...delicious and cheap. oh and by the way,,,,whats with all the bisquick haters???

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