When cooking on a smaller budget the first step is to plan ahead. Last minute shopping or impulse buying are costly habits. Always make lists and stick to them! When planning meals, think about cutting out meat at least one night a week. Meats usually make up the bulk of a grocery bill, and cooking vegetarian dishes can save a lot of extra money. Start with simple, well-loved items like macaroni and cheese. Branch out to ethnic repasts like lentil dals or pasta e fagioli. For a fun twist, eat breakfast for dinner: eggs and pancakes are very low cost.  Buy in bulk when possible. Cooking is fun and can be affordable, all it takes is some thought and a little extra time!