10 Tips for Thick Wallets & Slim Waistlines

If you are anything like me, then you LOVE to eat. But sometimes that food budget can get a little tight. Here’s 10 tips that can help you eat healthy and stay within that budget. 

1. Buy generic or store brands. Prices of name brand foods are often inflated for the brand, and generally the store brand has the same nutritional value as the expensive versions. Generic brands usually cost less as well. 

2. Don’t shop while you are hungry. When we’re hungry, our eyes are bigger than our stomachs. We’re more likely to buy too much or to buy highly-processed foods when our stomachs are talking. 

3. Stick with whole foods. Whole foods are natural and not very processed. Think produce, meats, beans, nuts, etc. Generally these things are not found in boxes, cans, jars, or frozen, although there are exceptions! Feeling lost? Try shopping around the perimeter of the store rather than the middle isles. 

4. Sales, Sales, Sales. Buy things that are on sale, and freeze things that will go bad. In-season local produce is a great option for this. 

5. Buy in bulk. Again, freezing things that are perishable is a viable option when buying in bulk. This is one of my favorite money-saving tricks. 

6. Have a game plan. Have a shopping list before going in to the store. Just like when we’re hungry, it’s easy to get off track. Remember, whatever is bought on an impulse will be eaten at some point. Having a game plan before going in will help minimize these impulse purchases. 

7. Plan your meals. This is another part of having a game plan. Before the work week begins, sit down and think about what sounds good for the week. Write it down, and then make a shopping list. Taking the guess work out of what to eat every day will also help to reduce some stress— not to mention calories! 

8. Cook at home. Going out to eat is one of the biggest culprits in overeating and sodium intake. Cooking at home will help you save money and help control your caloric intake. 

9. Cook large batches. Cook for multiple meals at once, and then portion out for future meals. Freeze them and reheat when you are ready! 

10. Leftovers are your friend. This goes hand in hand with cooking in large batches. This is great for busy people who may not feel like they have time to cook during the week. Having a convenient, ready-to-go meal in the fridge or freezer greatly reduces the temptation to order take out. 

I hope these 10 tips will help you out when it comes to saving money and calories! 

Make today your best,

Sarah