New Year's 2025

This is a bonus article for New Year’s - it can be New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. My family celebrates on the eve and we always have chili so that’s what I’m going to do - a New Year’s Pick Your Budget.

So let’s start with an appetizer, I have picked two or possibly three.
16oz bag of Frozen Onion Rings $3.42

5oz box of Snapps Frozen Mozzarella Cheese Sticks $1.24 (probably enough for one person) or 17.4oz box $4.96

You could also do garlic bread sticks as an appetizer or serve it with your chili.

10.5oz (about 6) Frozen Garlic Bread Sticks $1.97 or
3.02oz (1) Stuffed Bread with Cheese $1.25 from the Dollar Tree

24oz can of Pasta Sauce (garlic & herb - my favorite) for $1.25 from Dollar Tree (used for dipping the appetizers in)

Now onto the Main Dish - Chili:
15 oz can of Southgate chili with beans from the Dollar Tree for a $1.25

How about Five Can Chili for $5.24
15.5oz can kidney beans (.86¢)
15.5oz can pinto beans (.86¢)
15oz can black beans (.86¢)
14.5oz can diced tomatoes (.96¢)
15oz can tomato sauce (.96¢)
1 packet chili seasoning (.74¢)

To make: simply mix everything together making sure to dump the can of beans directly into your pot without draining them. Bring everything to a boil and then let simmer so that the spices can marinate with the beans.


Our Family Chili $21.09-$24.57
3-15oz cans tomato sauce (.96¢)
2 cans water
large red onion, diced ($1.34/pound)
1lb ground beef 80/20 ($6.83)
4 tablespoons chili powder (3oz bottle $1.24 or 2.5oz jar $1.00 from Dollar General)
2 tablespoon salt (26oz Iodized Salt .78¢)
1teaspoon garlic powder (3.4oz bottle $1.24 or 3.12oz jar $1.00 from Dollar General)
1teaspoon onion powder (3.25oz bottle $1.24 or 2.62oz jar $1.00 from Dollar General)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (2oz bottle $2.08)
Sprinkle pinch cayenne (2.25oz bottle $3.77 or 2.25oz jar $1.25 from Dollar Tree)
½ teaspoon oregano (.87oz bottle $1.24 or .75oz jar $1.00 from Dollar General)
1 teaspoon beef bouillon (3.75oz jar of beef bouillon powder $1.93)

Now for Dessert:
No Bake Cheesecake Mix $3.26 & 6oz - 9” Graham Cracker Crust $1.25 from Dollar Tree

16oz Rainbow Sherbet $1.87

10.25oz Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix $1.08

Add-Ins & Other Items You May Want or Need:
20oz Frozen Pepper and Onion Blend $2.84
15oz can of Whole Kernel Corn .76¢
1lb 80/20 ground beef $6.83 or substitute with 1lb ground turkey $1.98
8.5oz Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix .67¢ (use just an egg and water - no milk needed)
16oz (4 sleeves) box of Saltine Crackers $1.84 or 8oz (2 sleeves) from Dollar Tree for $1.25
12oz bag Oyster Crackers for $1.25 from the Dollar Tree
8oz Block Cheddar Cheese $1.87 or 8oz Shredded Cheddar $1.97
9.25oz Corn Chips $1.97 or 9.25oz bag of Fritos $4.48
8oz container Sour Cream $1.24
11.9oz bottle of LaBotanna Clasica Hot Sauce $1.12
6ct Eggs $1.13
12oz Anderson Erickson To Go 2% Milk $1.17 or Shelf Stable 2% Milk $1.25 from Dollar Tree
16oz bottle Vegetable Oil $1.25 from Dollar Tree 

You can turn any chili into Frito Pie by using Corn Chips in the bottom of your bowl and adding your chili on top.

Add the pepper and onions and/or the can of corn to your chili to bulk it up if you desire.

Well I think that does it… I hope you have a great New Year’s Eve and Day! Be safe if you are traveling and I hope to see you in 2026!

 

💗 Jo