Practically from scratch

I have tried and tried again to make my own dough from scratch without much *consistent* success. I have found the best alternative is to pick some pre-made dough at Winco (a discount grocery store similar to Foodmax and FoodForLess etc). It is about $1.50 and makes a good size pizza that feeds our family. I usually buy two, but honestly one usually feeds us (without leftovers), because it is so dense once all the toppings are on.

There is a real learning curve when it comes to working with dough and making pizza at home, but my best recommendation would be to keep trying, because eventually your pizza will taste even better then what you can purchase at the pizza parlor and it won't cost nearly as much.

Here are my hot homemade pizza tips that I have learned from the "school of hard knocks," but hopefully you won't have to if you take these into consideration when making your own pizza at home:

1. Start with mini pizzas. Since the process can be a bit tricky, I have found that it is best to pull the dough apart to make two medium pizzas rather then one large one--at least until you really get the hang of it. It is a fun to personalize your pizza and each member of the family can add their own toppings to their individual pizza. The reason why I recommend this is because not only is it easier to handle, but it cooks better and you are less likely to come out with soggy under-cooked/doughy pizzas.
2. Tap the dough lightly with flour while handling it so it doesn't stick to your hands.
3. Don't over handle it. Let it stretch gently by pulling at the sides until it is at your desired thickness. I personally don't need to ever use the roller.
4. Butter the bottom. The butter really makes a difference. I am sure that you could use olive oil as well if you are trying to watch your calories.
5. Don't use too much sauce. Otherwise it will get soggy and won't cook right. This truly is an occasion when less is more! 

The real cost savings comes by way of ingredients. It is so pricey to buy a fully loaded pizza, but when making one at home, the more the merrier. You can also make your own sauce to save even more.

I am not one to make homemade pizza sauce, but last night, I found myself without any sauce and only diced tomatoes with spices and jalapenos in them...gasp. So I did what any desperate woman would do: I popped out the blender and started experimenting! So out of necessity and my flair for a-little-of-this and a-little-of-that experimentation, it turned into the BEST pizza I have ever made.  Here is the recipe as recalled from my squirrel memory and do also note than I cook as if throwing things into a cauldron because measuring after-all is for suckers LOL. (Actually measuring is a very good thing, and I am trying in earnest to justify my lackadaisical cooking practices with good old fashion humor):

SPICY Supreme Pizza 
1 package of pre-made dough
Spicy peperoni
bell pepper
mushrooms
olives
shredded mozzerella cheese

Sauce
1 can of diced tomatoes with green pepper/onions (drain if you like your sauce chunky). I kept the water in there for easy blending, but if I had to do it over again I would have drained it just a little bit.
pepper and salt to taste
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tablespoon pizza seasoning (you can buy this in the spice section. At Winco it is available in the dry goods bins)

Work the dough as instructed above. Preheat the oven at the temperature instructed on the dough packaging. I always have to cook it longer then the suggested time because my oven sucks.
Add the sauce sparingly (about 4 spoonfuls for a large pizza and 2 for a medium/small pizza) spread evenly, then sprinkle on the cheese and the toppings and pop it in the oven.  Viola. You made your very own pizza practically from scratch and everyone will LOVE it!

Easy factor: D 
Money saving: B+ (depending on ingredients)
Taste: B (although this particular pizza got a resounding A+ from my taste-testers)