This is my current problem. I am starting out and trying to plan meals is pretty expensive and confusing.

Yup, now all meat are expensive, so I have to find some not meal-but-proteine ingredients.

Fish is definitely one of the most expensive things on the market, especially when they're smoked ahead of time for you. I would recommend checking out a local fishery since their fish is the freshest, and often their prices can be more reasonable. If they're not I would try checking to see if there are any fish markets around (near the bay or harbor) where many restaurants go to purchase fish. Not only will you get the best quality but you'll also get it at the most competitive price since that's what most restaurants and fisherys are buying and selling for a profit. As far as the other meats like chicken, if you head to a restaurant supply store, they often sell huge cases of boneless skinless chicken breast for almost as little as .99c a lb...you'd just need to either sign up for a card or find a friend that has one. I bought a 40lb box of chicken breast for about 39.00 and all i did was slice it up, package / vacuum pack and freeze whatever I wasn't using immediately. I hope this helps, because I am in the same boat and this is what I've been doing. Good Luck!