If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to eat healthier but you are worried you can’t do it because you’re on a budget, think again! Read on for ways to keep your waistline, and wallet, in check.
Bargain Shop. Save money on food items by reading the sales flyers. If you don’t get the weekly newspaper try locating flyers at the store’s entrance, website or app. Clip coupons for items you could use, being cautious not to buy something just because it is on sale. If a sale item is out of stock, alert customer service and get a rain check so you can purchase the item at the sale price once it’s restocked. Most stores offer a free loyalty program for special offers and discounts, be sure to sign up if you can.
Plan Ahead. Take time to plan your meals for the week and make a list of what you will need. Consider meal planning around what is on sale to maximize savings. Before you go to the store, check to see if you already have any of the ingredients. Also, remember to eat before heading to the grocery store! If you go when you’re hungry, you’re more likely to grab unhealthy food items, adding unnecessary expenses to your bill. Stick to your list and resist the impulse buys.
Stock Up On Basics. Keeping staple items like flour, canned or dry beans, legumes, rice and pasta on hand will give you a jump on creating nutritious meals while saving you valuable time. When you find these items at a good price buy them in bulk to save money. Don’t forget you can use your freezer for more than meat and your ice cream stash. Frozen fruits and vegetables are a great, healthy option to keep on hand and can reduce the amount of fresh produce you may throw away when it goes bad quickly.
Try Going Meatless Once Or Twice A Week. Try going meatless one or two days each week for added savings by using inexpensive, protein-packed staples such as eggs, beans, lentils or quinoa in your meals.
Think Twice About Ordering Meal Subscription Boxes. Meal preparation subscription boxes like Hello Fresh and Blue Apron have become increasingly popular with families desiring healthy meals that can be made quickly. Subscribers get to choose from a wide array of recipes online and enjoy the convenience of having that meal’s ingredients delivered to their door on a day of their choice.
Depending on how often you use the service, meals-by-mail may not be the most frugal option since some of the least expensive services cost about $9.95 per meal. However, there are other things to consider. Since everything to make a particular meal is in the box and pre-portioned, a meal subscription service may save extra trips to the grocery store and could cut back on food waste. It might also make you less likely to stop for a quick dinner out which can end up costing more than the subscription service itself. Another option to consider for simple, hassle-free meals may be slow cooker recipes.
Shop Farmers Markets. Farmers markets are not just for warmer months. Many cities offer indoor options during the winter. Save money and help local growers by buying your produce from a farmers market when possible.
Some markets and retail food stores offer “less than perfect” veggies at a discount. These “ugly” veggies can be a great money-saving option.
Healthy Foods Under $1 - Try these inexpensive food options for a bounty of healthy nutrients:
Dairy
Whole Grains
Fruits
Veggies