This makes an awesome crock pot recipe; brown the bacon, onions, and beef, and leave to simmer all day long.

A 16oz bag of black beans at Walmart is 78 cents. A 15oz can of black beans is about 68 cents. However, the bag will produce at least three times the number of beans when soaked & cooked (usually four). Even with the electricity factored in, this is a major savings.