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Savy Spending Tips!
Milk, eggs,meat, and produce prices have reached a 17 year high. Here are a few helpful tips for eating healthy and /or organic while saving money!
1. Eat in Season or wait until then!
When food is out of season in a particular area and is shipped from wherever it is in season, usually far away, the cost of the food increases dramatically.
Costs of shipping adds up with every mile the food travels to your market. Try checking with the produce buyer at your market to find out which foods are in season, and where they are coming from if they are not in season in your area. Choose items which come from the closest areas to you. Items in season will be undoubtedly fresher, more nutritious, and usually less expensive than something that comes from very far away.
Instead of buying Strawberries in December, try buying an entire case in July and freezing or canning them for later use. Money will be saved, and you will end up with a better product than will be available out of season. Try eating more root vegetables in winter, and fresh fruit and veggies in the summer. This method is more attuned to the true and seemingly old fashioned way of living. It wasn't until the early 1900's that oranges and bananas were available in all parts of the country. Paying attention to the way the seasons change is a great way to save money on food, and raise your consciousness of what is happening in your own environment.
2. Try cutting back on meat, and look for sales!
Check the meat department for reduced items that can be included in meals in the next couple days. Instead of meals that are based around meat, try treating it as more of a side dish.Try using beans, lentils, or soy to replace the protein that would have been eaten with a full portion of meat. These supply lots of protein and fiber, are low in cholesterol and fat and are also much less expensive than meat per pound.
If you are a fan of chicken, try using a whole chicken instead of just boneless skinless breast meat. When you buy a whole chicken, the price per pound is usually significantly cheaper than the price of the boneless breast meat, and the whole chicken can be utilized in many ways and in many meals.
Other than saving on the price, buying the whole chicken has many rewards. You can use the main parts of the chicken in one meal, use the leftovers in stir-fry or sandwiches and make soup or broth out of the scraps and bones. Try freezing or canning your own broth and soups! The taste is incredible and so is the value! You will never go back to buying expensive canned soups.
3. Cut back on Junk Food and Processed foods.
Next time you are in the chip aisle figure the price per pound. 1 pound = 16 ounces. Chips and snacks are commonly over 4 or 5 dollars per pound, and are usually much less nutrient dense than fruit or vegetables. Try spending the same amount that you would spend on a pound of packaged snacks on fruit or vegetables. It is amazing when you realize the real price that is paid. With a little work, you can make your own chips, fries, and granola for much cheaper than you can buy already made, and you choose the ingredients! No more reading labels for non- hydrogenated oils, MSG, or other undesirable additions to your food.
Hopefully these savy spending tips will help with your budget and the health of you and your family!
Try using one tip at a time, and soon you will have saved money and will be working towards a healthier way of living!
DNF
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