Quick, Easy, Great Tasting and Cheap Crock Pot Chili

This post is especially for Marty, who's trying to kick up his frequency of cooking and just bought a crock pot. This recipe is sans onions so both you and Emilie can benefit:

Ingredients:

-1 packet French's Chili-O Seasoning (Cub carries it; Fareway doesn't. I found it online. There are other chili mixes you could try. All the grocery stores have a half-dozen brands. You can always just use 1 tablespoon of chili powder in a pinch, instead.)

-1/2 ground hamburger (you can use 1 whole pound, but since you are trying to save money, 1/2 pound will do and then make hamburgers or Maid-Rites with the rest and get two more meals out of it.)

-1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes

-1 can Mrs. Grimes Chili Beans (We get these in the midwest and they are awesome. If you don't get these in California you'll have to experiment. Your grocery store probably has several brands. Some people use kidney beans. I prefer not. Emilie likes them without beans at all. If you go that way add another can of diced tomatoes or tomato juice

-add as much Tomato juice or V-8 as you want to get the texture you want. If you want it thick, don't add any. If you want it a little juicy add a couple of cups.

Directions:

While you fry up the crumbled hamburger, empty the cans and spices to the crock pot and turn on low. When the hamburger is near fried (don't burn it or over cook it) add to the crock pot. Stir, cover and go to work. This can cook all day on low and will taste awesome. It makes four servings. Eat one serving tonight. Take one to work tomorrow. Add some Velvetta cheese and have it with tostata chips for the next night. Freeze one and have it for lunch the following week. When microwaving a serving a few days later or after freezing it, add a little water to get the consistency you want. Enjoy.

Serving Suggestions:

-add shedded cheese or sour cream or both to the hot chili, in your bowl right before eating
-serve with corn bread, crackers, tostata chips, or oyster crackers
-add to a hot dog for a chili dog
-melt one part chili and one part Velveeta cheese to make a party dip for tostata chips. If you are by yourself, have your own party. Be sure and invite yourself!

Cost:

1 packet of chili seasoning 1.29
1/2 pound hamburger $1.25
1 can diced tomatoes .89
1 can chili beans .89
2 cups tomato juice .50
Total cost: 4.82
Cost per serving $1.21, unless you add sour cream, shredded cheese or crackers or tostata chips. If you use chili powder instead (cost est. at .25 per batch) your cost per serving would be $.95.

Challenge:
Can anyone of you come up with a better tasting meal for less money? I'd love to see it.

This is your faaaather.