Healthy Does not Mean Breaking the Bank

With a little thought and some creativity, a buck can go a long way! Cheap does not always translate into unhealthy food purchases. These tips will help you save money and splurge on healthy, tasty food:

1. Plan your meals for the week and make a grocery list: Write down everything you’re going to buy and try your hardest to stick to it. It is not always easy since stores may try to get you to buy the over-priced pre-packaged gourmet “featured item” using pretty signs and attention-grabbing colors.

2. Use coupons: often you can find fliers at the front of the store so you don’t even have to bring them with you.

3. “No name” brands or generic brands are okay: in fact, often store brands are on par in terms of quality with the national brands. Some of the store brands are actually the national brands disguised in less chic packaging. You can save quite a few dollars if you give up on your loyalty to a certain box or can design and instead shop based on the product.

4. Look for foods on sale: you don’t always have to stick to what the recipe calls for. Swapping ingredients for those you find on sale saves you money and adds variety to the same old recipes you cook each week.

5. Buying in bulk: Buying in bulk might make sense since you’re paying less per dollar. However, if you don’t have the space to store the stuff or you’re never going to finish that mega-sized crate of string beans, maybe it’s not worth it. Toilet paper? Good to buy in bulk. Snack cakes? Not so much.

6. Avoid the Pre-Cut, Pre-Washed and Pre-Assembled: There are a lot of chi-chi products out there. Salads that come pre-washed and cut and sandwiches that are already assembled save time, but cost more.