When you have a family, with children, you are no stranger to take-out dinners. There are nights when you just don't want to cook, and for one reason or another you decide that running through a drive through or calling in for delivery is a better idea than another homemade meal.

However, the biggest reason families eat take out is not the simplicity and certainly not the cost (ordering out can be very expensive) but the temptation. Your family wants burgers or pizza.

Even better, when a family orders out, everyone can have what they want. Homemade meals usually involve compromises, take out doesn't. Wouldn't it be nice if you could satisfy those unique cravings without spending so much money?

Pizza

To order pizza for a family of four, the bill can rack up to more than $20. To have a make your own pizza night, it can cost under $5, and the best part, everyone, even kids, can make their own.

It all starts with pizza dough. You can easily buy pre made pizza dough in a grocery store, usually for $1 to $2, or you can make your own using the accompanying recipe.

And yes. It is that easy, and the dough is the hardest part. You can divide the dough into smaller portions so everyone can make their own personal pizzas however they like.

As you may already know, the next step would be to roll out the dough and then top with sauce. It is not necessary to heat the sauce, but it is very tasty if you do (and season as you like).

Next you can top with cheese. I recommend using a very light sprinkling of cheese, then add the toppings of your choice before adding the rest of the cheese. For extra flavor you can sprinkle basil, red pepper, Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese or any other seasoning of your choice.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes, until cheese is fully melted and crust is cooked to perfection. (Watch smaller personal pizzas closely) and enjoy.

Burgers

Homemade burger night may not be as quick and simple as waiting in the drive-through lane and taking out a second mortgage to feed your family for one night, but everybody can still get what they want if you offer more options.

There's no need to wait until the weather is warm enough to fire up the grill. Try this tasty and fun burger buffet for an alternative to the yellow arches no matter what the weather.

Be creative and you may find that toppings are what make the burger.

Serve with fries on the side and you'll have a family meal that is sure to satisfy both individual taste buds and the wallet. These ideas are also great for having guests over for dinner.

Caryn Murray is a mother and frugal food shopper.

Very, Very Easy Pizza Dough

1 teaspoon yeast

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 cup warm water

1 cup flour

Mix the yeast and sugar into the warm water then let sit for about seven minutes until the yeast and sugar are dissolved.

Add the flour and mix into a firm dough. (You can add extra flour as necessary.)

Burger Buffet

Grill up some patties and set out on the kitchen/dining room table. Set buns on another plate. Choose from the following extras to place on the table as well:

Toppings

Lettuce

Tomato

Onion (Red or Sweet)

Bacon

Mushrooms (sauteed in garlic)

Pickles (bread and butter chips or dill)

Chili

Cucumbers

Grilled Peppers

Radishes

Pepperoni

Cheeses

Swiss (Try Jarlsberg for an unbeatable taste!)

American

Mozzarella

Sharp Cheddar

Feta

Sauces

Ketchup

Mustard (plain, Dijon, spicy brown)

Steak sauce

Marinara sauce

Barbecue sauce

Italian dressing

Guacamole

Cream cheese