Whether you are a poor college student, a single mom on a tight budget or finding yourself recently unemployed; there is one common fact. Everyone must eat! Maintaining a healthy diet during hard economic times may seem like an impossible feat. But it does not have to be. Let’s look at some money-saving tips to get your belly full without emptying your wallet.
My Top 7 Rules for Eating Well on a Tight Budget:
- Stop Eating Out! – No more restaurants, no more take out or delivery. Even if the dollar menu seems like a good deal, you can eat cheaper (and healthier) at home. If you have more time than money, you must learn how to cook. Look for some video recipes online and have fun experimenting in the kitchen.
- Shop Wisely! – Looking at store fliers for weekly specials and using coupons can save you money. Having a card from the store you frequently shop can also help you save. Sometimes you can buy an item cheaper at a farmer’s market, dollar store or online.
- Plan Your Meals! – If you can plan your meals ahead of time based on items you buy on sale, you will be less likely to waste food. Only buy what you know you need. Freeze perishable foods for later if you know you will not eat it before it goes bad. Planning the menu puts you in charge and helps to accommodate special dietary needs as well.
- Supplement with Food Assistance Programs! – If you find your food budget will not stretch as far as you need it to, you may want to consider some free food options. Local food pantries can help and can be found in most communities or through churches. You can check here to find a food pantry in your area. There may be some in your area not listed here. You can contact your local health department. They can generally provide you with a list of resources for your area. Health departments are also a great place to apply for WIC (Women Infant and Children) or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
- Community gardens. Local community gardens are another source of free or almost free food. To see if there is one in your area, check out Find a Garden at communitygardens.org.
- Pick-Your-Own Orchards or Farms. If you are up for a little manual labor, you can get a better deal by picking your own produce from a local orchard or farm. Some family-owned farms may let you pick your own apples, peaches, strawberries or other produce. This saves them labor costs and saves you money. Another benefit is you get to hand select your produce. It is also a great way to meet people and spend some time with family.
- Grow Your Own Food. My favorite way to save money on food is to grow my own. It is not as difficult as some might think. If you have some seeds, a pot, some dirt and a sunny location; you can grow something to eat. Starting your own seeds is a cheap way to get lots of plants. But if you are just starting out, buy plants at the nursery. Try growing a tomato plant on a patio or deck. Peppers are also easy to grow. Herbs in containers on a sunny windowsill is another easy way to get started. If you are short on space, containers on your deck or patio are the way to go. If you have space, you can expand into a small backyard garden. You will be amazed at how much produce you can grow in a small space. Freezing or canning the extra produce will guarantee you have food stored for months to come.
Feeding yourself or your family does not have to cost a fortune. Take a little time today and see how you can stretch your food dollars. You might just be surprised at how delicious food tastes when you don’t have to spend a fortune on it. If you find some unique ways to save money, share in the comments below. Let’s all do our part to ensure no one goes hungry.
