10 tips for dieting on a budget :)

These are things I've learned over the years of watching my mother bargain hunt :laugh:

1. Don't be afraid of circulars. In most grocery stores, they have a weekly one right as you enter the front door. Pick one up. Does it have anything you need? Something you could use? Great! If not, no big deal. At least you looked.

2. Befriend your butcher. In most stores that have a proper meat section, there are usually quite a few butchers. Most, if not all, will take "special orders". If they are not out already, ask for bone-in, skin on chicken breast; bone-on, non-trimmed pork chops; and ask for any meat sections that they were going to throw out. A lot of places trim things off that are really too small to sell, but if you can get your hands on the scraps, you can make a great slow-cooked meal (a lot of the time, however, these portions have fat. Be sure to trim it off when you get home!) These things are all cheaper because when you buy B/S chicken or boneless pork, you're paying for the labor of having it pre-trimmed.

3. Learn to love canned goods. Canned veggies, beans, and meat have all the nutrition of fresh, and are usually cheaper. Be sure though, to rinse them thoroughly before eating/cooking, especially the beans. If you're buying canned tuna/chicken/salmon, look for "in water". The oil adds unnecessary fat and is usually more expensive, anyway.

4. Do your research. It seems silly, I'm sure, to do research before something as grocery shopping, but doing so can save you tons of money. A lot of stores have sales on store brands, and store brands are normally cheaper anyway. Wal-mart brand (Great Value) is more expensive for certain items, so this is where doing your research comes in handy.

5. Buy in bulk. Once you've saved up enough money, that is. It's expensive in the short run, certainly, but stocking up on meat in bulk and freezing it is cheaper in the long run. Sam's Club and Costco are great examples of stores where you can buy in bulk. Side tip, when you buy the chicken breasts from Sam's, if you get the B/S kind, cut them in half lengthwise. It's a better portion size and makes your chicken last that much longer.

6. Know what you're getting and where you're getting it. Never, ever, walk into the store without a list. If you have an idea of what you're getting, write it down. Make a game plan of what aisles you need to go down before you get there. Get to know your grocery store. It helps greatly reduce impulse buys and wandering down aisles that you don't need to go down. On the same token, never shop hungry.

7. Don't just plan groceries. Plan your meals. If you plan your whole meals, and know what you need for each, it also really helps to cut down on impulse buys.

8. Know what's in your cabinets. A huge factor in tight-budget eating is knowing what you can use that you already have. For instance, this week I am trying a new chili recipe. Most of the things are already in my house, and after doing some research, I will be making a big pot of healthy chili for about $0.81/serving (10 servings total.) Use what you have!

9. Storage, storage, storage. A big part of making your food last once you have it, is storing it properly. All meats should be on the very bottom shelf of your fridge/freezer. This prevents drippage onto other, non-meat items. Store your veggies in the bags and then in a drawer. It keeps them fresh longer so you don't end up throwing things away. Once you open something refrigerated (say, cheese, for example) store it in an air-tight container or bag to prevent those little hard bits you get from exposure to air (chicken gets the same thing, too, so same goes for that.)

10. Make spices your new friend. Spices are low in calories, and can spice up any thing you may have gotten out of a can. Just because you're eating on a budget does not mean you have to sacrifice flavor.

I hope this has helped someone!