Erin Chase may just be the cheapest chef around. Nightly she creates dinners for her growing family (baby three is due on Thanksgiving day) for less than $5. But Erin, of Dayton, Ohio, doesn’t keep her frugal recipes to herself– she shares them with the world on Twitter and on her blog, 5dollardinners.com. Today’s Twitter Tuesd ay Profile is all about Erin.
OODC: How did you get started blogging and tweeting?
@5DollarDinners: I started blogging when my second son was born. Our family blog morphed into a blog about our experiences with our children and their speech and developmental delays. $5 Dinners was started after I learned the art of saving money at the grocery store about a year ago. I challenged myself to make meals for our family that cost less than $5… and the rest is history!!!
OODC: Your blog is all about making meals for under $5. What’s the cheapest meal you’ve ever made?
5DollarDinners: Rice and beans type meals generally come out around $2.50 for the entire meal, including fresh vegetable.
OODC: Are your $5 dinners always tasty?
5DollarDinners: Probably about 97% of the time. Every so often there will be a meal that “just doesn’t cut it.” And when it doesn’t cut it, then I don’t share it with readers! On occasion, I’ll post an “alright” recipe and make suggestions for what I’d do next time to make it better!
OODC: How much money do you think you save compared to the average American family?
5DollarDinners: Our grocery budget dropped from over $500/month to around $300/month. My goal budget for each week is $80, and I’m usually under that goal!
OODC: What kind of feedback do you get from readers?
5DollarDinners: Mostly positive! Readers generally love the concept and share how they “did this” or “bought that” at the grocery store. Oh, and I love that readers are trying the recipes and enjoying them! Every so often, I’ll get some skeptics about “how can that really cost that much” or “this isn’t enough food,” but it does cost that… and it is enough for our family!
OODC: You worked as a missionary in the Dominican Republic. Do you see this blog as a mission field, too?
@5DollarDinners: Yes. I started this blog as a ministry, having no idea that it would turn into a business, cookbook, and career! I’m here to inspire and encourage others in their grocery store saving endeavors and in their adventures in their kitchens! I very much still consider the site a ministry, as it is my passion to share with others what I’m up to in the kitchen and how I’m stretching my food dollar as far as I can!
OODC: What do you hope people get out of your Tweets and blog posts?
@5DollarDinners: I hope people see that with a little extra effort, a LOT of money can be saved at the grocery store… without sacrificing quality of ingredients. Healthy cooking and eating ARE possible on a budget… and I hope others can see that example in me!
OODC: Who are some of your favorite money tweeters?
@5DollarDinners: Oh boy. The list could go on and on! @mommysnacks, @stretchingabuck, @moneymethods, @crystalpaine, @freebies4mom, @dealseekingmom, @momadvice, @merchantships.
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