Save a Dollar, Make Ya Hollah!

My little sister shared the following post on Facebook:



Save a buck or two!



"Let me share my frustration with you, Facebook. So, I'm not the best eater, but I do what I can. Every now & then, I splurge & buy a little something for myself. Keep in mind I'm an unemployed college student, so I can't afford to trick off in the grocery store all the time. Last week I decided to get some fancy deli meats & cheeses. Even got some fresh produce & fancy 9 seed & grain wheat deli bread for my sammiches. Cool. Sammiches are DELICIOUS. Fast forward to today, I go to make a sammich. I have a whole half of MOLDY deli bread. Lemme tell you something. I don't eat sammiches enough to eat an entire loaf in one week, but I'm TIRED of wasting money & food trying to eat "healthier." $4 on bread that molds in 7 days. I could have spent $2 on bread that would last 2 months. This is why people buy cheap stuff. We don't have time or money to waste buying expensive food that doesn't last."

And of course, Big Sister is here to help. I know she's not the only person out there feeling the strain and frustration of eating healthy while on a budget. Let's face it, the grilled chicken wrap is not on the Dollar Menu. A box of my favorite quinoa costs $6.99 while a bag of white rice costs about five dollars less. So what's a F2F'er to do??

 

There are a few rules and tips I use when I grocery shop that I hope will help you.

What is your goal/purpose?

It can be confusing to decide on the best options when you hear so much about gluten free, organic, whole grains, farm raised, farm fresh, non-GMO, non-growth hormone injected, etc. etc. etc. With all of the studies and options out there, you have to decide your goal. Are you concerned about gluten? Then that should be a priority when you shop. Are you adamant about using and eating organic products? Then that should be a priority when you shop. However, if you don't really understand the hype and don't really know the difference, then don't spend the money. Do a little research, try a couple of products and then decide if you want to make it a shopping priority.  

Save then Plan, Plan to Save 

You see it all the time. Experts say plan your meals then go to the store, but I beg to differ. What works best for me is having staples on hand--which for me includes things like cans of black beans, eggs, egg whites, tuna, frozen chopped onions, canned tomatoes, high fiber oatmeal, frozen fruit, raw sugar, almond milk, etc.--and checking to see what items are on sale at my ususal grocery stores. Sometimes I luck up on deals while I'm in the store then I'll create a recipe using the things I have on hand.

 

For example, my local Walgreens had cans of pumpkin on clearance for like 24cents a can. I grabbed about six of them and then created pumpkin protein shakes, pumpkin protein muffins, and a crustless pumpkin pie for my boys. And yes, they all turned out great.

 

It may be helpful to you to have a couple of meals in mind but don't stick to those plans if they are harmful to your pockets.

 

Speaking of sales. I personally check Publix's (www.publix.com) weekly BOGOs and Kroger's (www.kroger.com) 10 for $10 or the coupon booklet they send me. I love Arnold's bread but it can be expensive, so I catch it while it's on BOGO at Publix. And to preserve it (because we really don't eat a lot of bread in my house), I keep it in the fridge. Also, check out some of the discount grocery stores. We have an Aldis near me and they have some name brand items for less than what I would pay at other grocery stores. You don't have to shop at Whole Foods or specialty health stores unless that is a priority for you (see the previous section). And don't forget to comparison shop. "Save a buck or two!"  

Keep It Simple

I fully admit that I skip past recipes that have more than ten ingredients. Seriously, "ain't nobody got time for that!" The beautiful thing about eating whole foods is that they already taste good. Cooking it should enhance their flavor, not hide it. Oh, and if it calls for crazy stuff like rolling out dough or requires some fancy equipment beyond my food chopper, a knife, a mixer, or a blender then I say, "No way, Jose."

 

One of the ways I create is by using recipes as a starting point. I'll read over a couple, check what I have on hand, and think about how I can change the recipes to suit my tastes. Keeping both the ingredients and the prep simple means you're more apt to create again. Remember, you're doing this eating healthy thing for the rest of your life.

Try One New Thing

My journey to fit has evolved over time. There are still times when I mix the good with the not so great, but for the most part I've overhauled my "diet" from what it used to be. One of the ways I've done that is by exploring food options.

 

I like to meander through the produce department and see what veggies are there that I haven't tried. Sometimes I'll google recipes while I'm standing there to see what the possibilities are. Who would have ever known that I would love spaghetti squash? Asparagus?? I don't ever recall eating that growing up, but now I absolutely love it. There was a time in my life when I hated spinach and now a bag of fresh spinach is a staple for me.

 

I encourage you to pick up one new item every time you shop. It will help you add variety and expand your palate. And think about the benefits to your body! Have your read all the wonderful news about lentils?? (I have a blog entry about it, check it out) Power packed, baby!

 

My one word of caution is to make sure that the new item fits into your budget. If it's on sale, sure, throw it in the cart. If it's going to break the bank, try it another time.

 

Fresh and Frozen

When I first started eathing healthier I would load up on fresh veggies...and a week later I would stress because I hadn't used all of them. Maybe you have money to burn, but I do not. Then one day I strolled down the freezer aisle and saw bagged chopped onions. Hmm...Add to that, "frozen vegetables may be even more healthful than some of the fresh produce sold in supermarkets, says Gene Lester, Ph.D., a plant physiologist at the USDA Agricultural Research Center in Weslaco, Texas...Fruits and vegetables chosen for freezing tend to be processed at their peak ripeness, a time when—as a general rule—they are most nutrient-packed." (www.eatingwell.com)

I'm sold! Now I buy most of my fruits and veggies frozen not only because it saves money, but because it also works for my life. Everytime I hit the grocery store I usually load up on frozen chopped onions, seasoning blend, 3 pepper and onion blend, broccoli, corn, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, and even brown rice (yes, Publix sells it frozen for a little over $1). Be mindful to get the plain old veggies--no salt, additives, or butter. Frozen fruit is freaking awesome! I mostly use it in my protein shakes or to make treats for my boys.

Typically I buy fresh lettuces (like green leaf) or bags of green leafys (kale, arugula, spinach) because I use those daily. I also buy fresh squashes, avocados, peppers, tomatoes, bananas, grapefruit, oranges, plums, grapes, etc. But I limit my purchases to what I know for sure I will use that week.

 

Hopefully these tips/rules will help you along your journey. Don't let food costs keep you from doing what's best for your body and don't let the plethora of options overwhelm you. You're in this for life, so you have time to fine tune it.

Pennies and Mustard Seeds

Once upon a time there was a 300+ pound woman who wanted to lose weight. She joined gyms, she enlisted personal trainers, she drank fancy shakes, she paid to count points...and then her money started getting funny and she had to be creative. One day this lovely lady thought, "what can I do that doesn't require a gym, doesn't require a trainer, doesn't require fancy equipment, and can be done at any time of the day??" (insert dramatic music) Alas! Our heroine discovered that to walk/run all she needed was a pair of shoes and the open road, er, sidewalk....and she lived happily ever after. 

Well, sort of.

The thing that drew me to running was the cost. You really can run and/or walk without a huge investment of capital. I started this journey in a pair of used Nike running shoes purchased from the Salvation Army. When my toes kept going numb and my toenail fell out I realized that they were too small for running. My mother--not fairy godmother--bought me a brand new pair of running shoes (New Balance WR769 NBXs, orange). Oh, happy day for my toes!  When I realized that I needed some way of timing myself I bought a stop watch on clearance at Target for $1.74--it just needed a new battery.

To this day, I keep my running fairly low-tech and search for deals on the gear that I really want--I save my money for race entry fees. Below are some of the ways I save on shoes, clothing, and gear.

Shoes: 

You do NOT have to have the latest version of a running shoe. The running store will keep the latest on hand and of course they'll recommend it to you. However, once I'm fitted for a shoe and know the brand, I make my purchases online. And I score deals by buying the older versions of the shoe. I just recently purchased a pair of Brooks Ravenna 3s for $79 and a pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12s for  $72.  You can get a great pair of shoes and a price you can afford. 

www.brooksrunning.com

www.amazon.com

www.zappos.com

www.runningwarehouse.com

Activewear:

Starting out I just wore a cotton t-shirt and leggings (fashion leggings, not fitness leggings). Now I know the value of driwick! Most of my activewear is purchased on clearance from Target (Champion is actually a pretty good brand), Old Navy (their stuff is so cute!), Wal-Mart (yes, I said it!), and JC Penny. If you can afford Athleta and Lululemon more power to you. Remember, you're basically paying for clothes that you will stinkup with sweat, just saying. People love my $5 "Super Girl" and $7 "Kiss My Sass" shirts.

www.oldnavy.com

www.target.com

www.jcp.com

Gear:

The most useful gear I've ever purchased has been my Nike pod (before the app was available on your phone), my weight lifting gloves, and my Pyle heart rate monitor. Unless you're an elite runner I don't see the value in other techy gear. You really don't HAVE to have the latest and greatest gadgets to improve your running. Only time and consistenty can do that.

Be sure to check Groupon, Living Social, and Amazon for great deals. I've also found things on clearance at local brick and mortar stores--like my Nathan dual hydration belt for $6.99 (normally $39.99). I scored my Pyle heart rate monitor (with chest strap and watch) for $22 and it works better than the one for which I paid full price. Go figure!

Race Fees:

Yes, I even save on race fees whenever possible. I'm blessed because my company offers a $25 reimubursement for up to five races per year, plus they sponsor a couple throughtout the year for organizations to which we donate. 

Outside of that I've learned to register early whenever possible. Typically I plan for half marathons a year in advance and pay the entry fees in February. The only risk with that is if something comes up and you can't race; you lose that money as they do not offer refunds. You should be mindful of the price increase dates for races in which you're interested. 

If you're traveling for a race, try to get a group to go so that you can split the costs. Also, search out group discount codes. Ask around for Friends & Family discounts on hotels. Register your credit card with frequent flyer programs and start earning points with your purchases. Volunteer with organizations that sponsor race entry (like Girls on the Run). 

As a single-income single-parent I've learned how to stretch what I have and "make it do what it do." Don't let money or lack of anything be a deterrent to reaching your goals. Be creative and think of ways you CAN accomplish your goal instead of excuses as to why you can't. It's easy to give up and sit on the side lines. But it takes risk, effort, and faith to decide to be in the game.