It’s challenging to stick to that diet when you go out to eat, and a burger is half the price of a salad. How are you supposed to choose the healthy option AND spend more money to do so? Eating healthy should be an option for everyone on every budget. In today’s blog from Volt Credit Union, we put together some tips to help you eat healthy without breaking the bank.
Plan for Success
First, practice planning. Consider your daily meals and those for the week ahead of time. By doing this, you won’t find yourself in a situation where you’re forced to compromise either your diet or your wallet, or both. Get groceries for the week ahead of time with specific meals in mind. With an ingredient list, go through your cabinets to see what you have and what you need. There is no reason to double up on something you may have already purchased.
With your grocery list in hand, get your food for the week. Make a plan to cook at home, as this is an easy way to cut costs and ensure that your food is made without unnecessary oils or fats. The easiest way to do this is to plan out meals for the week and work backward, rather than purchasing a sundry group of groceries and trying to figure out what you can make with it. By doing this, you also eliminate wasted food or money because you know that you’ll use the things you buy.
Grocery Delivery
We’ve all been to the grocery store with the best intentions, only to spend too much on impulse items. When you look around and get sidetracked, you can go over budget or come home with things that don’t fit your diet. Consider using the grocery pick-up option, which most large grocery retailers offer for free. Not only can you make sure you’ve gotten everything on your list without the chaos of other shoppers around you, but you can avoid the temptation for an impulse purchase when you’re walking around the store.
Opt for Generic
When you’re shopping, opt for generic brands instead of the more prominent name brands. Often, the two products have the same ingredients. Sometimes they’re even produced in the same factory; one is higher in price because of the company name printed on the front. Go with the generic brand to save money without sacrificing quality.
Look for Sales
Finally, keep an eye out for sales. Whether it’s a coupon or a monthly sale, you can save quite a bit of money by maximizing the deals someone else has set out. It’s an easy habit to pick up, but one can significantly benefit if consistently applied. Make a habit of reading through the circular that comes in your mail and scanning for coupons on the items you’d buy anyway.
There are dozens of ways to save money without sacrificing your health-conscious decisions. Put these steps into practice, and both your wallet and waistline will be thanking you. Volt Credit Union wants our customers and communities to be as healthy and vibrant as possible. If you are looking for a better way to bank, give us a call at 417-862-0471.
