I’m a girl on a budget. Sorta. I’m lucky in that I don’t have a set limit for groceries, but I still save when I can. Here are a few guidelines that I follow that may or may not help you save money while eating healthy.
First up, enough with the coupons. Coupons save a lot of people a lot of money… but not me. I find that most coupons out there are for name brands; I typically save money by regularly purchasing store brands instead. I’ve also noticed that coupons aren’t usually for the healthiest options. (I don’t care if you save $100 on 5 bags of Ruffles potato chips. You’ll save money and calories by not keeping them in your house anyway.) I’m not saying all coupons are worthless, just use them wisely.
Next, utilize bulk bins. If your grocery store has them, don’t let them intimidate you. I’ve tried new (affordable) grains this way, such as wheat berries and millet. My husband had the fabulous idea of re-using old jars for my bulk purchases. Sure, you can buy cute matching mason jars, but you’d have to save a lot of money on bulk items to pay them off via savings.
Pack your lunch. And snack. And breakfast. I know it’s a lot, but who cares if people judge the size of your lunchbox? I pack my lunch for work 99% of the time, and I also pack my breakfasts since I go straight from the gym to the office. PB & fruit sandwiches, overnight oats, protein oats, and protein shakes are all great on-the-to breakfasts. For lunch, I’m a huge fan of big, one-pot meals, which often incorporate grains from bulk bins.
Frozen, canned, and fresh, oh my! I love frozen veggies. Some are better than others, but who can turned down cheap, pre-washed, pre-cut, and storable? I also use a lot of canned veggies, especially tomatoes and green beans. Those are staples in my home. Fresh is good too, but when buying fresh produce, be sure to check your store’s flyer for what’s in sale and/or what’s in season. Eating seasonally is a great way to save money and vary your fruits and veggies.
Nobody puts baby in a corner – bring side dishes to center stage! Lots of recipes focus on main courses, but sometimes I just like to whip up sides as my main meal. These are often cheaper, easier, and healthier – depending on the side, of course. For example, here was yesterday’s lunch. It’s braised cabbage and apple with apple cider vinegar and spices. I could have easily upped the protein by throwing in walnuts, diced sausage, or just bits of chicken.
What are your favorite ways to save money without putting your health on the back burner?
September 25, 2012 at 6:18 am
ok so I SUCK at the money saving when it comes to food BUT BUT BUT I ROCK in stealing it from other areas of my life.
clothes from walmart whatwhat? :0)
September 25, 2012 at 6:35 am
I wish I used coupons, but I never do. Have you ever heard of mambo sprouts? It’s an organic coupon site!
September 25, 2012 at 6:52 am
I save money any and everywhere I can. I pack lunch ALL of the time, and cook my breakfast and dinner’s at home. I hardly ever go out to eat…and I’m totally fine with that! I enjoy cooking! Going out is saved for special occasions.
September 25, 2012 at 7:52 am
Yes! This is a great post! I always pack my lunch and the hus typically takes leftovers.
I typically save money by regularly purchasing store brands instead. — amen! Great tips.
September 25, 2012 at 8:04 am
Eggs are my friend. Seriously.
Also, I love generic brands. No shame.
September 25, 2012 at 8:25 am
Wonderful post, Tiffany. The packing meals was/is a biggy for me. Even without my Celiac diagnosis, packing meals is sensible and BIG TIME money saving. On the way from Maine to NH last week, I had not [for the first time I could remember] packed a lunch for me. We stopped at an Interstate plaza. Your Grampa could get a Burger King meal for under $7.00. To get a salad and a piece of fruit, I paid almost $14.00!! I was aghast, but realized it simply informed me that packing my own lunch was indeed cost effective, and also more enjoyable because I just wasn’t happy paying out like that for such a simple meal. I do enjoy “eating out,” but the traveling/owrk meals kind of eating is simply fuel for the body. So…I bring my own fuel!
I hope you keep writing and sharing, Tiff. I think you have a gift of gathering and disseminating information.
Am really looking forward to being with you and your mom this weekend! Take care ~ Michele
September 25, 2012 at 8:59 am
Sometimes I’m afraid to think about how much I spend on groceries. I try to save money where I can, though, by buying bulk, buying frozen, stocking up when there’s a sale, and shopping around at different stores. It’s kind of a pain in the butt to have to visit more than one place, but a lot of things vary in price depending on the store and you can save a lot of money just by looking around.
September 25, 2012 at 9:31 am
I think just packing a lunch saves hundreds a year!
September 25, 2012 at 9:40 am
I do EXACTLY this! I bring my breakfast, lunch and snacks to work every day (except the occasional time I go out for lunch). I buy store brand (and shop a LOT at Aldi) and I often use one-pot meals or side dishes! Now just to buy in bulk – that’s a good idea I need to get on. Thanks!
OH, and for all you coffee (or tea) drinkers – make your own at home! SOOOO much cheaper, and you can cut down/out the calories of milk and half/half. I can’t remember the last time I bought something at a coffee shop, saves tons of money.
September 25, 2012 at 10:08 am
I agree with the bulk bins. I also try to stay open to not name brand, which is pretty east since I mostly shop at Whole Foods, which surprisingly enough there store brand 365 is pretty cheap! I love using canned beans at $.99 cents a can, it makes for some cost efficient meals. I also try to only buy 1 meat product a week.
September 25, 2012 at 10:19 am
I totally agree on the coupons! They make me buy more!
I try to shop at the farmer’s mart when possible. Produce is MUCH cheaper (and more fresh) there.
September 25, 2012 at 10:19 am
I need to pack a lunch more. When I’m at my house I always eat from my fridge but when I’m at Joshs we go out to eat all the time.
September 25, 2012 at 10:42 am
I’m with you on pretty much all the above.
Coupons don’t do me any good if they aren’t for the stuff I want to buy right?
Currently I have my oatmeal in my lunchbag, my lunch, a pear, and some nuts. I have all the way up until 4p covered.
Frozen veggies are the way to go. They have the same nutrional content and store forever. Perfect.
September 25, 2012 at 11:09 am
Great post! We do the same thing with reusing old jars for bulk goods… makes so much sense. And lots of packing food as well.
September 25, 2012 at 12:39 pm
I absolutely bring my breakfast, lunch and snacks- and I usually bring my coffee, too! Let’s be honest, if I can brew my own coffee at home for probably 30-40 cents a pop, why spend $2.25 if I’m just ordering regular coffee? My big money saving trick is to avoid “convenience” items. I buy my carrots whole, for 80 cents. Baby carrots are $3 and don’t taste as good!
September 25, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Great, informative post, my love!!
September 25, 2012 at 2:44 pm
I’m terrible with coupons, it’s a rare day that I find one that works for me AND remember to bring it to the store. For me, I try to pay attention to what I’m actually eating, use a list, and always pack my lunch.
September 25, 2012 at 3:44 pm
I totally agree with you on the Coupons not really being “all that” since they usually are for junk food anyway. Also, sure you may save a little bit of cash using them, but a lot of people fail to take in to account the “time cost” associated with searching for, clipping, and organizing coupons. Not how I want to spend my time!
September 25, 2012 at 4:04 pm
I think making things in bulk and freezing them is such a good tip- I like to cook a big pot of veggie chilli or stew, and then freeze it in pots. For one it saves time, but also you can buy a big pack of veggies which works out cheaper, plus you have no leftovers. I also think making a list is good, and sticking to it saves me money- I am terrible at impulse purchases and that is where I waste most money really!
September 25, 2012 at 4:35 pm
I pack all of my meals for the day and bring them to class with me. My backpack is more food than it is school supplies, because I have really long days! I think my best money saving time for eating healthy is to MAKE SURE YOU EAT THE FOOD YOU BUY! Don’t let it go to waste! It’ll also help you get more creative.
September 25, 2012 at 7:45 pm
I do most of these things AND I still spend a lot. I guess that’s what happens you you only shop at Whole Foods and buy everything organic? Haha
September 25, 2012 at 7:48 pm
BUT just imagine how much more you’d be spending if you didn’t do these things!!
September 25, 2012 at 7:47 pm
I’m the WORST person to invite to dinner b/c 90% of the time I’ll say no. I’ll happily invite YOU over for dinner at my house and make just as delicious a meal for half the cost of one entree, most often. All about the frozen veggies, AND cooking in bulk. Cooking once can not only save money BUT time, which I love.
September 26, 2012 at 7:27 am
Love these tips and I pracitce them regularly.
October 2, 2012 at 11:03 am
I think people who don’t believe you can eat healthy on budget are just snobs. I LOVE utilizing frozen fruits and veggies, and I also LOVE the bulk bins, even if I don’t have a ‘brand name’ attached or a flashy jar of spice on a spice rack to show for it.