Eating Healthy on A Budget

Every single month when I look at my budget week to week, besides my rent, food is where I spend the most money. I LOVE to cook and sometimes I can really spend a lot if 1. I go in hungry 2. I have no plan and 3. if I shop NO sales. It can really add up for two people! But as I’ve lived on my own for a few years now and have to meet a goal with groceries so I can do fun adult things like save for retirement, I have found a way to make the most of the budget I have.

Often times people say healthy eating costs a lot of money, and it absolutely can, BUT it doesn’t HAVE to. Here are a few tips to make those healthy food choices and not break the bank.

Here are a few tips I like to follow:

• 1. Plan, plan, plan!

First I make a list. Breakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinners. Once I have that, I make a list to follow when I am at the store. Then to get even more organized I’ll plan my list to go my section: produce, dry, fridge, freezer and other. That way, bing, bang, boom out of the store in no time.

• 2. Shop sales + use rewards programs

If your store offers rewards USE IT! That’s getting better deals and even sometimes money towards gas, no harm in giving it a try. Also take weekly sales into account and figure out when those sales turn over week to week, or even if your store overlaps. Can be a busy time to shop, but can be SO worth the savings!

• 3. Take Seasonality into account

Typically I don’t try and buy things like asparagus or berries in the winter, you will break the bank! They are summer items, so give it a quick google and see what is in season in your area at a given time of year.

• 4. Get Veggie with it

I base pretty much ALL of my meals around veggies and get things that can be versatile. Things like spinach, can have it in a smoothie as a snack, eggs for breakfast and as a side salad with dinner. Let’s me stretch it SO far throughout the week. Pick a few veggies, mix and match and find ones that can really go well with your meals throughout the week.

• 5. Use frozen where you can

Coming back to seasonality, frozen is almost always going to be a cheaper choice but still able to keep that quality. Plus when it comes to things getting busy and not using items right away, frozen stays good MUCH longer. I personally like to keep a few frozen items on hand so when things get low or other foods go bad I have some great options t turn to.

• 6. Make note of items that are ALWAYS a good deal

There are items at the grocery store that are almost always a good deal, take note and make them staples! Bananas, rice, canned beans, oatmeal. The options are endless.

• 7. Try Store Brand

I’m no snob when it comes to brands! Actually 9/10 I think store brand it better than name brand options. They are almost always the EXACT same product, so save a little by buying something that you enjoy just not as fancy of a brand.

• 8. Buy Versatile Ingredients

Buy more plain foods like protein sources, grains, etc. and change them up with different seasonings and sauces throughout the week. Seasonings are your friend and they may be a little pricey up front, but they can help really extend and add variety throughout your week.

These are my tips! I don’t always follow each one, I’m human. But I try my best and stick pretty close if not on cue with my budget.