Shopping On A Budget
One of the greatest things about cooking & preparing your own meals at home is that it actually saves you a lot of money in the long run! Healthy eating can be affordable. While eating organic and cage-free is optimal, it can quickly become expensive, particularly when feeding an entire family. Here are some cost-effective ways to eat, while keeping your fridge and freezer stocked with healthy foods.
Chicken
- Don’t be afraid to buy your chicken frozen if you are in a pinch.
- Frozen chicken tenders make for a great and quick dinner option.
- Ground chicken is typically less expensive & can be made into some tasty burgers.
- Chicken thighs are a great source of protein and are usually less expensive than the breast. They go great with roasted vegetables.
- Canned chicken can be incredibly cost-effective too.
Turkey
- Ground turkey can be inexpensive and delicious with the right seasoning. You can also make tasty turkey burgers out of them too!
- Frozen turkey burgers are great and make for a super quick meal.
Quinoa
- Quinoa is a great protein source that goes great in big salads & veggie stir-fries. It can also make for great breakfast porridge.
Beans
- Garbanzo beans & lentils are excellent plant-based protein sources and can be bought in bulk. They are a less expensive alternative to animal meat.
Complex Carbohydrates
- Yams, oatmeal & brown rice can make a meal more filling and are often inexpensive.
Vegetables
- Shop the vegetables that are in season.
- Check out a local farmer’s market if possible.
- Shop the sales.
- Buy in bulk and freeze.
- Purchase frozen vegetables.
Fruits
- Shop the fruits that are in season.
- Check out a local farmer’s market if possible.
- Shop the sales.
- Purchase frozen fruit.
Snacks
- Almonds and nuts make for a great snack, plus you can buy them in bulk and then pre-package yourself.
- Rice cakes are tasty and cost-effective snacks.
- Apples, oranges, carrots, and celery are typically inexpensive and make for great portable snacks.
- Low-calorie popcorn is always a great option & makes for a healthy late-night snack.
Additional Suggestions
- Write out your meal plan for the week and then make your grocery list. Only purchase things that you need.
- Cook a batch of chicken and then use it for different dishes. For example, you can make one piece of chicken into a chicken salad for lunch and another into a healthy chicken dinner dish.
- Have dinner leftovers for lunch the following day.
- Taking an hour of your day over the weekend and one day during the week to prep meat, veggies, and fruits will save you both time and money in the long run.
- Download grocery store & coupon apps to help you save money. Hit up multiple grocery stores & outlets for your shopping. Shop the sales, too!
Fitness
You don’t need an expensive membership to a gym or a fancy studio to get into optimal shape, as much as both options can be very nice!
Here are some free to small-cost ideas on how to stay fit. Most of them you can do in the privacy of your own home.
- Go for a run or do the stairs
- Do bodyweight workouts
- Jump rope
- Go for hikes
- Go to community classes (they are typically offered free of charge)
- Jump rope
- Build your own mini-gym
Mini Gym Purchases
- Jump rope
- Resistance bands
- Medicine ball
- Free weights
- Pull-up bar
- Kettlebells
- TRX band
Download our Grocery Shopping on a Budget Comprehensive PDF HERE
Start Growing Your Own Herbs, Veggies & Fruits
Don’t have a green thumb? Don’t worry, either did I! I actually started GROWING from my apartment. For a good laugh, my apartment gets horrible lighting and has a covered balcony. Check out our GROWING Kits to help get you started. With purchase, you get a one-year membership to our premium nutrition, fitness, and GROWING content and support!
For our list of healthy frozen items check out our Healthy Frozen & Pantry Items To Have On Hand
For programs and products that fit into today’s busy lifestyle, check out our SHOP!
