When I was growing up my Mum made 'Chili', A tin of baked beans, a tin of Campbell's Tomato Soup, some chopped onion and a teaspoon of chili powder. Yuck. Almost no flavour. This was during the time of recipe books using canned soup in everything.
I started to make Chili when I was a teen and I vary it all the time. I make a wicked vegetarian Chili, that I used to bring to pot lucks.
Now it is just my son and I and he is not too fussy about Chili, so when I make it, I freeze leftovers for my lunches.
I like to use mixed beans, diced tomatoes, beef (ground or chunks), onion, celery, garlic, sometimes fresh peppers, and a variety of dried chilis. I go for medium hot spice.
Always serve it with homemade cheese biscuits.