eating right on a budget

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  • seraphina80
    seraphina80 Posts: 4
    These are all great tips you guys! Made my thinking go into gear. Im going to give it my best! Thanks, you guys rock! :) xx
  • HorseWithNoName27
    HorseWithNoName27 Posts: 188 Member
    Miscellanous pieces of advice from my brain:

    1) Food stamps. Go down to your local Department of Human Services (or equivalent government office) in your area and apply for food stamps. Even an extra $20 a month will help with the grocery bills. It's OK to ask for help.

    2) If your situation gets dire, contact a local food bank/emergency assistance program in your area. Head down to a shelter, church, or soup kitchen. Explain your situation. Someone will be able to help you, or at least point you towards someone who can help you.

    3) Make a strict budget in your life--all bills, all expenses. Cut cable (switch to Netflix if you really want to watch TV shows/movies). Drive less or choose alternative ways to work. Replace lightbulbs with LEDs, keep electronics unplugged or use a power strip to turn them off when not in use, etc. This is not really specific to food, but is something I had to do to get my financial house in order--spend way less and cut bills. I was in a pretty bad financial place a few months ago, but I'm out of debt and saving again.

    4) Cheap food sources:
    --BUY in bulk. This will save you TONS of money, especially if your grocery store has a bulk section (not paying for packaging = savings).
    -Rice, lentils, beans, chicken, tuna, sardines, eggs and some dairy (bulk blocks of cheese, yogurt, etc.) are good cheap protein sources.
    -Frozen veggies (broccoli, spinach, green beans, carrot, etc.) will keep for a very long time and are a cheaper alternative to possibly spoiling fresh veggies. If you do buy fresh, buy superfoods like bagged kale or spinach, green peppers, etc.
    -Fresh fruit is more filling and can be cheaper than canned.
    -If you are eating grains, you may not be able to find quality whole wheat tortillas, bagels, etc. for cheap. Try to find the healthiest brand (read the labels and look at ingredients as well as calories) available, or forgo these grains for right now in favor of rice.

    Good luck and I hope things get better for you.
  • sarabluebell
    sarabluebell Posts: 68 Member
    Not sure of you situation or where you live but do you have a talent or skill that you can barter with..mow lawns for some veggies out of someones garden..or something like that. just an idea

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