Is Expense your Excuse?
By
JG
11/4/2011 10:45:00 AM
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"Eating healthy is just too expensive. I can't afford to eat right."
Hmmmm. I hear this a lot, and I am sensitive to your plight because I used to let this be my excuse for eating foods from a box. Pasta, rice, all in one dinner "creations." I let these take priority over green leafy things and quality protein and my health and my weight suffered as a result.
Obviously, a shameless plug, RightSize smoothies provide complete nutrition for less than $2.00 a meal, but I don't expect you to live on RightSize - and we don't recommend that you do. But we DO recommend eating a healthy balanced meal or two each day along with a smoothie - so that's where I aim to help you find some balance.
When considering expense of food - have you also considered the expense of health? Before we embark on our money saving adventure, I think some perspective might be helpful. Are you currently taking medication for a condition that could be alleviated by better overall health or weight loss? How much would that save you? How much would reduced doctor visits save you? If you aren't on meds or visiting the doctor regularly yet, are you prepared for that expense later?
Health requires a bit of an investment for the future. But it doesn't have to hurt. Here are some simple tips that you can implement TODAY.
1. Buy a Sunday paper. Line your litter box or bird cage with most of it, but clip the coupons for the items that you NEED. (hint - that is not the marked down halloween candy) Scour the local grocery store circulars and match up any coupons you have clipped to store specials whenever possible. Plan out trips to the store based on what is on sale.
2. Shop with discounted gift cards. Sites like this one allow you to purchase grocery gift cards at 5% off face value. So you can use them like cash to save 5% on your purchase, and combined with your coupons you are moving into some extreme discount territories. This particular site also gives you access to the national grocery chain circulars, a coupon clipping service, and about a 1,000 other deals and discounts that are available every day.
3. Buy meat in bulk. Membership clubs are good for this, and if meat is on sale at your local market it is wise to stock up. But here are some other things to consider. Sign up for Zaycon Foods updates. Zaycon purchases meats from the processors and sells in bulk at great rates. There are minimum purchase requirements, but it is easy enough to find a friend to split the order with. Boneless/Skinless Chicken for $1.49 a pound with no added hormones, chemicals, antibiotics, and comes to you never frozen. They also have 93/7 lean ground beef for $2.89/lb USDA inspected hormone/antibiotic free. When you register - and it's FREE to do - you will get email updates alerting you to sales events in your area. You purchase, drive to the pick up location, and they load it in your car. Done. Another option for those with freezer space or another family to share with - contact a local farmer and purchase an entire cow, pig, or some chickens. Have it processed and enjoy at a ridiculous discount per pound. Most advertise on Craigslist, but other resources include www.eatwild.com This practice even has a great name...."cowpooling"!!!
4. Make ahead, and make extra. When you start buying in bigger quantities, not only will you save more on the food itself, but you can say "bye bye" to take out and eating out expenses. Several books are available for cooking in big batches for freezing and eating later. Some focus on freeze and bake on eating day, others are frozen cooked and reheated on eating day. Whichever you choose, you will never wonder what's for dinner, and if you plan it right, you can have leftovers for lunch the next day. With planning, you can cook two to four days a month and have a month's worth of meals in your freezer ready to thaw and eat at a moment's notice. How much is your time in the evenings worth?
I truly hope you find this information helpful. Eating right is the kindest thing you can do for yourself and your family. Don't let "expense" keep you from your best possible life! With these money saving tips, you'll have more "green" to buy more "greens" to supplement your yummy recipes.
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Tags: saving money, diet expense |
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Categories: Weight Loss |
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