News Taffy

The new year has begun and though the fiscal cliff was narrowly avoided, many people still feel uncertain about their financial prospects. I have written about saving money while eating a healthy diet before but it is worth discussing again. Just like the government, we can cut our spending.

First rule of shopping, always make a list after checking what you have on hand and planning meals for three or four days. Leave anyone at home who will distract you (children) while shopping or cause you to make impulse purchases. Use the store’s sales ad and any coupons when planning your meals. This should take no more than 15 to 30 minutes. When you get to the store, stick to the list unless you see an unexpected sale on staples like toilet paper.

If you seriously need to save money, make some hard choices. Give up sodas and you will save a bundle since the average cost of a six pack ranges from $2 to $4. At least switch to 2 liter bottles to save money or check out the off brands. Give up grabbing that mocha latte on the way to work or that soda from the gas station and save another bundle. Buying a coffee drink every day can end up costing you about $700 per year! Equally important, think what giving up soda will do for your body! Don’t forget about bottled water; use the faucet and buy a nice, reusable water bottle for every family member for much less than the cost of bottled water.

If losing weight is one of your priorities, save money and lose weight by simply buying and cooking less food. Instead of guessing, measure out serving sizes. Use less meat - one butterfly pork-chop or large chicken breast is more than enough for two. Add fiber like beans or cabbage to your meals so you feel full. Learn proper portion sizes for children; we often expect them to eat more than they physically can.

Buy foods that are cheap but healthy for you. Things like oats (not instant!), brown rice, cabbage and dried beans are very cheap but good for you in so many ways. They also help reduce the amount of meat in many dishes. Bananas are one of the least expensive fruits; use them in muffins or breads made from scratch or eat as is. Eggs are nutritious and inexpensive; make omelets or frittatas filled with vegetables. Fresh fish can be expensive but canned tuna or salmon is reasonable and can be used in a variety of ways.

Give up eating out. It really is a myth that you can eat out, save money and eat healthy. Cooking at home saves money unless you rely on prepared, processed foods. Cooking certainly can be healthier. If two adults eat lunch out every working day and spend an average of $8 each, that is $80 by the end of the week and no telling how many excess calories of fat and sugar. You could spend half that on fruit, yogurt, bread, cheese and meat for sandwiches.

For more ideas on ways to save money on food, read these other articles I wrote for Jonesboro.com: $100 a week grocery challenge - May 2 and 9, 2012; coupon challenge - Aug. 1, 2012, super saver Kara Mayfield and her crockpot recipes - Oct. 31 and Nov. 7.

Until next week,
Lisa