[Yeti]

I find recipe books useful for ideas, but feel perfectly free to modify as I go.

I agree. Some of my best stuff is derived from recipes I get from the internet and books.

[AnAmericanMother]

Yeah, I've been there too! (young college student and young married trying to get through law school on my husband's first job's pay . . . :-( )

I would spend a little bit of the weekly grocery money on fresh herbs in little pots, and grow them in a sunny spot in a tub or whatever earth is handy. I had all sorts of herbs on our little apartment "balcony" (it was about 12 inches wide). Fresh parsley in the pot roast or basil in the spaghetti sauce perks it up like you wouldn't believe.

[DugwayDuke]

"Some of my best stuff is derived from recipes I get from the internet and books."

I also take some enjoyment from trying to recreate something I've been served at a resturant. Of course, I feel free to "improve" these.