> You can't just eat ground beef on its own

That's right. But you can get a microwave for $9.99 at the thrift store. I see bread machines for a similar price. If you can follow directions like "gather the ingredients, dump them in the bread machine, push a button" you can make incredibly tasty fresh bread for next to nothing.

Just yesterday I went to the thrift store, and donated a bunch of stuff I don't use anymore, and bought a bunch that I did have a use for. It's a cheap way to live without compromise.

Even if you have a fully decked out kitchen for free, that doesn't change the fact that you can feed three people for under $3 with a frozen pizza, and it's ready in less than 10 minutes. The variety you can get in processed food for sub $1 per portion that's edible in less than 10 minutes is staggering!

Back when I was younger, a frozen pizza was only enough for one person. They haven't gotten larger.

I shared a link to a Walmart frozen pizza above of a frozen WalMart pizza that costs $2.70 and is 1800 calories; that's easily enough for two adults and a kid, and with a very small side is enough for 2 adults and 2 kids. Two bargain bucket steaks won't feed four people, requires some basic cooking skills, and costs more. Just because prepared food was cheaper when you were a kid doesn't mean things haven't changed since.

3 ounces of steak -- just enough.

A pound and a half of pizza, not even close?

Later on in this thread I pointed out a .58 lb steak in the freezer I bought for $2.90. I can PM you a photo if you need proof.

But that's still more expensive than the pizza, and doesn't feed as many people!