My mother was never a 'Cordon Bleu' chef, but she did make fantastic meals. Nothing was wasted.
She showed me how to gut and clean fish, kill, pluck and clean any fowl, what were the cheaper cuts of meat and how to cook them.
Those skills have stayed with me, such that I do the majority of cooking in our house, as my wife maintains that the only reason we have a kitchen is because it came with the house!

I too am amazed over the processed and 'convenience' packet food that people buy, but also the fact that most of todays shoppers would be unable to distinguish one type of meat from another, if its wasnt labeled on the packet.

I make a rough menu for the month, then buy in bulk accordingly to save money. For example, I bought a half pig from the local butcher for £55, which will last us 2 months easily.

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Frank
....never buy a dwarf with learning difficulties - it's not big and its not clever!