I really really recommend getting a pressure cooker to cut down on bean costs! Around me, beans are about $1.30 for a 16 oz. can and dry beans go for about that much per pound, with a pound of dry beans coming out to about 8 cans. I usually make a pound every two weeks and put half in the freezer, and scoop the other half as needed. Most beans cook from dry in 40-50 minutes, so most of the active time is just picking spices, bagging, and cleaning.