Eat a diet that is good for your body and your wallet.
Saving for a big purchase? Downsizing? Just trimming the fat to save more? You don't have to cut down on healthy food in order to cut your budget.
Counting pennies can actually motivate you to cut back on unhealthy junk foods, replace your daily bus ride with a refreshing jog to work, or kick a ball around the park with friends instead of checking into the gym.
Cut Back
When eating healthy and eating cheaply go hand-in-hand.
Try to avoid:
- Ready-made food – it often contains extra sugar and salt which can cost more than buying the individual ingredients and making it yourself
- Individually packaged or pre-cut foods – Even if you have to cut it yourself, the extra effort puts dollars back in your pocket
- Bottled water – tap water is cheap and you can ask for it in restaurants too
- Alcohol – cutting back on booze not only benefit your bank balance, it also helps your heart, liver and waistline too
- Junk food – have you got a soft spot for sweets or chips? Cut down, or cut out, on salty, sugary snacks
- Exotic fruit and vegetables – buying local, in season vegetables is cheaper and there is lots to choose from too
Shop Smart
Eating on a budget isn't only about what you buy. It's also about how you buy it.
- Make a shopping list – Try to resist impulse buying. Think about what you need before you hit the shops. Make a shopping list and try to stick to it and don't shop on an empty stomach. You're more likely to buy more unhealthy food when you are hungry.
- Be supermarket savvy – Keep your eyes peeled for money saving deals and stick to the less expensive supermarket brands when possible. However, don't buy items just because it's cheap! Only buy those you actually like
- Buying in bulk – Items are often cheaper if bought in bigger packages. You can always freeze food that easily expire, such as meat, bread and even milk. But make sure you're actually going to eat it
- Shop around – Buying fresh fruit and vegetables may be cheaper at your local farmer's market than your local store
Fit for Free
You don't have to pay for the gym to exercise. There are lots of ways you can adapt to get fit, for free.
- Change how you get to work – instead of taking the bus or driving, get up a bit earlier to walk or bike to work. If that's not possible, then get off the bus two or three stops earlier than normal, and walk the rest of the way
- Take the stairs – Walking or jogging up the stairs instead of taking the elevator
- Make it fun – cleaning the house, weeding the garden while listening to a favorite tune will help keep you fit
- Get up, get on up – don't email the person sitting across the corridor, get up and talk to them. Put trash in the bin furthest away from you and print on the printer downstairs. Every step adds up
- Do it with friends – it doesn't cost a penny to gather together a group of friends for a game of football in the park. But this will help keep you in shape
- Dance – swap your pint in a pub for a dance in a club
Even a few modest investments like an aerobics DVD, free weights, or a jumping rope could help you exercise at home without breaking the bank.