You’re on a tight budget and every cent matters. Try these cheap, easy recipes that will feed any family of four. Serve slightly smaller portions, and you could probably fit Aunt Stella at the dinner table, too.

Southern Style SOS

1-2 Ibs ground meat

¼ -1/2 cup flour

1-2 large onions, peppers, or other vegetables

2-4 cloves of garlic

Salt, pepper and cayenne pepper to taste

2-4 cups milk or water

In a large skillet fry the meat. If there isn’t much fat in the meat, add some cooking oil, until there is ¼-1/2 cup of oil after it is cooked. After meat is cooked well, add onions, peppers, garlic (or anything else, mushrooms, etc.) Cook 5-10 minutes longer. Add flour. Stir the flour in well and cook until it starts to brown. Add milk or water. Stir until gravy is smooth. Add more liquid if you want it thinner. Milk makes creamier gravy. Add salt, pepper, cayenne or other flavorings. This can be served over mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or toast.

Wonder Wieners

¼ cup chopped onion

¼ cup hopped celery

2 Tbs vegetable oil

Condensed tomato soup (1 can)

2 Tbs brown sugar

Dash garlic powder

2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce

2 Tbs lemon juice or vinegar

2 tsp prepared mustard

1 package of wieners (beef, chicken or turkey)

Lightly brown onion and celery in oil in frying pan over medium heat. Stir in tomato soup, brown sugar and seasonings. Simmer 5 minutes. Add wieners. Cover and simmer 20 minutes.

Salmon Savors

1 large can salmon

1 large onion, chopped

½ cup flour

2 eggs

½ tsp salt

½ tsp baking powder

Mix all ingredients together. Drop by spoonful into hot grease. Cook until brown. Drain excess grease off on paper towels. Serve with French fries, hash browns or home fried potatoes.

Chicken ‘n Dumplings

1 chicken

3 cups flour

Salt and pepper to taste

Bouillon (optional)

Boil chicken. Remove chicken, save water. Allow chicken to cool then remove from the bone. Mix together flour, salt, pepper and enough water to make firm dough. Pinch off a handful and roll thin. Cut into strips. Return chicken broth to a boil. Let dough cook in broth until done. Add chicken and mix well. If hot peppers or bouillon is desired, add to boiling chicken broth.