During my poverty days, I became the soup goddess. Everything leftover and scraps went into soup. This time of year there are great things to forage, too. Dandelion greens stirfried with garlic is delicious, and pears and apples are dangling from trees in the park just begging to be picked. Post a query on kijiji or craiglist to see if anyone can teach you to forage mushrooms. While you're on there, ask if any hunters have extra meat they're not going to be able to eat. I once got a whole side of venison free, just had to pick it up.