Saving a little "green"!





Not many of us have access to the tree pictured above! As it gets closer to St. Paddy's Day, I thought it would be beneficial to drop a few comments on saving some "green" while eating healthy. I often hear, "I can't afford to eat healthy" and as a mother with a budget, I too agree, that sometimes the grocery bill can be astonishing! On the other hand, there are many ways to eat healthy and still keep that budget in order.

The first step in money savings for groceries is PLANNING. I know people hate to plan a weeks worth of meals, but it is helpful for having the food on hand you need and not giving you one excuse to dine out (which costs more money and is most likely, a less healthy option). I often plan four to five evening meals per week, therefore leaving a few nights (or days) to clean up the leftovers. Since I work M-F, I choose to make a healthy choice at FCMC for lunch and most meals cost around $3 or less.

The next step to saving money in any arena, is making a list prior to shopping and sticking to that list! Do not "shop with your eyes, nose, or stomach". It's important to stick to your meal plan and buy only the foods on your list. Since gas prices are on the rise, save money by only going to the grocery store one time per week. Again, this takes planning, but saves money and time!

Here's my list of money saving tips for a healthy meal plan:

1. Cut coupons, only for the items you actually use! This is not a time to try the new, $4 snack that you would not have typically put in your cart.
2. Shop the perimeter of the store first. Most of the healthy items are placed around the perimeter, whereas the processed foods are in the middle.
3. Only buy fresh fruit and vegetables that are on sale that week. Here in Iowa, we have the luxury of "seasonal produce", which may mean we need to step outside our comfort zone and try the new fruits or vegetables that are in season. Most grocers have suggestions on how to use fruits or vegetables if you are unfamiliar.
4. Try to avoid buying pre-cut and washed produce, as this adds to the price.
5. Buy produce in bulk (bags) to save money, instead of buying by the pound.
6. When in season, buy local! A lot of times you can get local produce cheaper at farmer's markets or from the producer since you are eliminating the "middle man".
7. Frozen fruits or vegetables are also a great option, if you have the freezer space. These products have less salt or sugar than canned and can be much cheaper than fresh.
8. Buy generic in terms of most foods. Although some people prefer brand name products or organics, those can be hard to fit into your budget and most brand names products and generics have very similar nutritional value.
9. Be aware of the sales at the meat counter! This can truly save you lots of money! There are also some great frozen chicken breast packages that are cheaper than the fresh version.
10. Skip the fancy beverages! Milk and water are great options and if you need something for your children, 100% juice diluted with water makes the jug last a lot longer.
11. Lastly, make your own snacks. Use fruits, vegetables, cereals, whole grain breads, etc. As Americans, we tend to spend the majority of our grocery budget on processed foods and/or snack items.

Good luck saving some "green" this month!

(Image of "money tree" from www.schoolloans.org)