10 Tips For Slimming Down On A Budget

Is the high cost of food getting you down? Do you think trimming your food budget means an expanding waistline? My weight loss clinic is filled with patients who want to eat healthy, but believe it's just too expensive. Do you feel the same way?

Food prices continue to rise - everything from produce to pantry items. Plus, with such busy schedules, many of us look for "convenience" when food shopping, which adds up to a lot of extra money.

Watch the segment from TODAY A few pointers before you even get to the store:

• Avoid shopping on an empty stomach! Go after a meal, or have a snack - to help resist temptation.
• Make a list and stick to it. That helps to avoid impulse buying.
• Shop once a week and pre-plan your meals.
• Use coupons for foods you regularly use.

Here are 10 tips to trim your waistline on a slim budget:

1. Drink tap water. No bottled water, or other low-calorie drinks. Good for your wallet and the environment. If you have concerns about your tap water, get it tested, and add a filter to the tap, or a pitcher if needed.

2. Shop seasonally and locally. If it's local, and in-season, the shipping costs are largely reduced, with the savings passed on to you.

3. Look for frozen foods (fruits, veggies, poultry, fish) without any added sauces. The same nutritional quality as fresh products.

4. Make your own "single-serving" snacks. Portion control is great, but you don't need to pay more for it. Buy some snack size, re-sealable plastic bags, and be creative. From cereal, to fruit, to chips, you produce a double duty snack - calorie and cost controlled.

5. Avoid the exotic. Stick with standard colors of fruits and vegetables. Green peppers don't seem as fancy as yellow or orange, but are a fraction of the cost.

6. Cut up your own produce. The shelves are filled with pre-cut vegetables and fruits. Don't waste money for this "convenience" - which only saves a minute or two at home.

7. Look for sale items - but read the label first! A variety of foods are in the "sale" sections - and can include fresh meats and poultry, dairy products, and produce. Check the expiration dates - often the markdowns occur with a date that's closing in to "use by" or "sell by". it's a great savings if you can use the food in the right time frame. Think ahead.

8. Buy store brands These are often produced by the "name brand" companies.

9. Be flexible with "in-store" specials. Planning a fish dinner, but chicken breasts are a great buy? Change your menu!

10. Purchase foods in larger bags from your local supermarket, or even the "big box" stores like Sam's Club and Costco. Go in with a friend or two, to save money and reduce spoilage. You might not need 18 pears, but 6 or 9 would be perfect. The bag of small apples might not look at gorgeous as the giant single fruits priced per pound, but the nutrition content is the same.

One BIG money waster: Driving from store to store for all the "best" bargains. You'll spend extra gas money, for small savings, and lose the frequent shopper advantages. Pick one major market, and become a mindful shopper there. Plus, when you get a "store card', you'll get coupons for frequently purchased foods, and other money-saving perks for your loyalty.

What are some of your money-saving diet tips? We need all the help we can get!!

UPDATE: Thank you for all the comments on losing weight on a budget! I have addressed some of your questions and concerns so take a look and leave any other comments you may have.

Comments

My biggest money saver is to never buy boneless-skinless chicken breasts. They have little flavor and too much cost. Instead, I buy whole chicken and cut it apart myself with poultry shears, or bone-in split breasts and remove the skin (before or after cooking). It takes very little time to do! The same goes for buying a roast instead of a steak or chops.

Some of the healthiest foods are the cheapest - carrots, cabbage, dried beans, long-cooking rice, whole potatoes, bananas, unsweetened applesauce... Be willing to find ways to cook a new food if the price is right!

I like to purchase organic foods, even if my budget permits me to buy it only for my 2 year old daughter. I live real close to NYC, so it's not like I have farms all around that I can go pick up some organic veggies & fruits. What suggestions do you have for someone in my situation?

Try joining a local community supported agriculture group--you pay up front and get fresh fruit and vegetables every week from May through October or November, which you pick up at an agreed-upon local place, like a church or school. Google Community Supported Agriculture and you should get one. We've belonged to two different ones in Brooklyn, NY. Good luck!

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Here are a couple of tips from a fellow mom with a small grocery budget!

People always think that buying healthy will cost you more, but I have found that I spend the same amount because I'm not wasting money on things like chips, soda, and other unhealthy snacks.

Also, I can't really afford to buy everything organically, so I use the "Dirty Dozen" list from Environmental Working Group. It is a list of fruits and veggies that are the most important to buy organically if possible.

Here is the list:

FRUIT:

1. Apples

2. Cherries

3. Grapes (imported from Chile)

4. Nectarines

5. Peaches

6. Pears

7. Raspberries

8. Strawberries

VEGETABLES:

9. Bell Peppers

10. Celery

11. Potatoes

12. Spinach

To cut on cost of food want to plant tomatoes and peppers on balcony. Does some have experience to share? Website which teaches?
What kinds of tomatoes to get? Do they bring bugs?

Thanks for all information.

I found if you stay on the outer sections in the store and avoid the middle sections where the processed foods are. The outer section has meats,dairy, fruits, veggies and breads.

how do you plant tomatoes, can you only plant it on the outside of the house or can you also plant on the inside, and how would you go about it.

how do you plant tomatoes, can you only plant it on the outside of the house or can you also plant on the inside, and how would you go about it.

I used bottled water when I moved to NJ; then I decided to switch to tap water -- after 2 months, my gastrointestinal system was a mess! I had to go back to bottled water and am currently investigating water filtration systems for our apartment so I can save money, be healthier, & be more environmentally friendly.

The "safety" of water varies greatly from one area to another. New York City water is good, and Chicago water was "safe" when I lived there.

I used bottled water when I moved to NJ; then I decided to switch to tap water -- after 2 months, my gastrointestinal system was a mess! I had to go back to bottled water and am currently investigating water filtration systems for our apartment so I can save money, be healthier, & be more environmentally friendly.

The "safety" of water varies greatly from one area to another. New York City water is good, and Chicago water was "safe" when I lived there.

I used bottled water when I moved to NJ; then I decided to switch to tap water -- after 2 months, my gastrointestinal system was a mess! I had to go back to bottled water and am currently investigating water filtration systems for our apartment so I can save money, be healthier, & be more environmentally friendly.

The "safety" of water varies greatly from one area to another. New York City water is good, and Chicago water was "safe" when I lived there.

Drink tap water?
Have you been reading the reports on tap water?
I would drink it only if you have a double emulsion filter system in your home, otherwise I wouldn't.
My local tap water is a wasteland!!

When you plant tomatoes buy a patio tomato - use a large pot because the plant will develop a large root if it is healthy. Your garden center will have this info too. Use a vegetable fertilizer as directed. They need lots of sunlight and like warm weather. have fun!

Tomatoes are one of the easiest veggies to grow. When we lived in an apartment we grew tomatoes in a large pot. A trick to produce more fruit is to take a small paint brush and gently brush the blossoms. It stimulates the fruit. We had tomatoes through January.

If you shop at "big box" stores like Sam's club and costco, bring a calculator! The prices are not always cheaper, plus add in the price you paid to be a member. You can end up paying more for your purchases than if you shopped at a store you don't have to pay to patronize them. I used to belong to Sam's Club until I brought a calculator and compared their prices with other grocery stores. Sam's was more expensive, even without figuring in the added cost of membership.

If we think back in history, those who ate "gourmet" died of such wonderful illnesses as gout, diabetes and hypertension.

If you eat simply utilizing herbs and spices, not only will you save money, but you will be healthier for it.

It does take time to "plan" and you won't be known as a "gourmet" but your skin, hair and good health (and breath) will be very attractive to those around you!!!!!

If your not a fan of tap water or any other water try using crystal light or another low calorie drink mix, you'll end up drinking more water in turn making you healthier.

My little trick to making tap water (or any water in this case) safe for drinking is adding just a single drop of lemon essential oil for a glass (more drops for larger quantities)(use only the highest grade quality for ingestion and theraputic uses- the brand i use is Young Living).the lemon kills any harmful "parasites" bacteria or anything else that could be lurking, and it adds great flavor. you can also add any of the mint oils for a wonderful cooling drink in the summer! add mints and other flavors to bottled/ filtered water only not sure of the cleansing/germacidal effect of those oils. ALWAYS USE A GLASS OR GLASS CONTAINER when using any true essential oil because they will break down anything "inorgnaic"- i would want to drink broken down plastic bottle and im sure you wont either.

We buy whole chickhens on sale. Cook them in the crockpot, remove, skin and bones and freeze for several meals as needed. We do the same thing with Londen broil, we cut in up and freeze for several meals. Having a large freezer allows up to stock up when meats are on sale.

To go along with eating cheaper, you can exercise cheaply too. Body weight exercises can be just as good as spending the money on a gym membership. In fact, body weight exercises can sometimes be even better.

Here are some of my tips: buy fruits and vegetables which are in season; for your drinks try hot or iced tea with various kind of flavors; try also oatmeals/cereals in different kind of flavors; these are all healthy foods yet delicious and most of all it fits your budget...promise!
P.S.
problem with tap water? before drinking, boil it first then let it cool

Having survived the depression & wartime rationing, I suggest you search for your grandmothers' cookbook to learn how to create inexpensive one pot meals from cheaper vuts of meats and serving lots of whole grains and beans. Yummie!

Very tight budget many years, clip coupons, haunt sales; Meal plan Sunday based on pantry/freezer/sale/coupon
/rebate items 2.cook lrgr amts, freeze portion sizes 3.multiple meals from one 'meat' ON SALE; EX:Oven Stuffer:a. Chix Dinner-mash potato,veg b.Chix Soup-noodles/dumplings, veg c.Stew-thicken add mashed taters, cut dumplings, peas d.Chix Potpie-thicken more, pie pan w/biscuit dough top, bake, freeze leftovers. Oven Roast:a.season, slow cooking bag w/taters, carrots, onion, b.do same as chix din: Cheaper cut Stew Beef:a.divide amnts b.Stroganoff-c.crockpot Veg/Beef/Barley Soup-d.Stew w/Dumplings-freeze leftovers. Hamburg/ Italian Sausge:a.Ital Saus Soup-barley, chop spinach, zuchini, onion, celery, spices etc, to freezer b.Sauce w/meat-freeze for Ziti, Lasagne, etc Always date, freeze airtight, have freezer full of ready-to-go meals, save tons of money! Store brand on some things, not all. Low fat, salt, high fiber! Some items at drug stores cheaper. Always send in rebates. Can be addicting, enjoy!!

To the user who suggested adding lemon essential oil to water - this is an unsafe process. The chemistry involved in extracting the essential oil from the lemon (or any other plant) can result in hazardous or inedible byproducts being extracted simultaneously - this is true even with high quality, "pure", and organic extracts. You would be far better off adding a small quantity of lemon juice which is an acid and will do the same job without the added risk.

I go to Publix.com and write down the sale items I have on my list. Then I go to Super Wal Mart and buy all my non-perishables comparing the sale prices from Publix (I once saved $5 on toilet paper!). Then I stop at Publix and buy the perishable items. I only do this because they are a block apart. When I run out of milk and bread, I walk down to CVS which always has TG Lee milk $2 less than Publix. We also started a veggie garden bc my son got tomato seeds and soil for his birthday. We planted them and now have 50 tomato plants. This prompted my husband to build a small garden and we now grow 3 kinds of lettuce beans and peppers, squash, herbs, cantalope, and collard greens.

We have a very large family, which is hard to buy food for on a budget. Last year, the price of vegetables was so high, my mom and I decided to plant a veggie garden. With the addition of 4 new members to our family this year, and the rising costs of food, we added 3 more raised beds, and added blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries to the mix! And, we all go out and work the garden in one way or another, and we all reap the benefits in the end!

I seriously would think twice about drinking tap water! Here in NZ they pump all sorts of weird and wonderful chemicals into it, including copious amounts of fluoride which is definitely NOT good for you. A family friend of ours did a lot of research after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she is a science teacher and believes drinking tap water was one of the main causes. Also drinking out of plastic is harmful. The best is rain water!!!

I seriously would think twice about drinking tap water! Here in NZ they pump all sorts of weird and wonderful chemicals into it, including copious amounts of fluoride which is definitely NOT good for you. A family friend of ours did a lot of research after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she is a science teacher and believes drinking tap water was one of the main causes. Also drinking out of plastic is harmful. The best is rain water!!!

Thanks for the great information everyone! I just lost my job so saving money on food is important.

tap water? depending on what part of town I am in, the city water tastes like chlorine, and the "well" water outside of town tastes like rotten eggs (sulfur), water filters don't seem to help and I don't have $300 to buy those reverse osmosis water filters for the faucet; so I prefer bottled spring water. I buy the gallon jugs and recycle them. I am considering doing a mini veggie garden on my apartment balcony, but since summer has started in FL, I don't know what survives 85-100 degree weather.

I keep a container in the freezer and when I have small amounts of cooked vegetables left over from a meal I add them to the container. Then when I am ready to make a soup or stew I just add the leftover frozen vegetables. Sometimes I just mix them with cooked rice.

Yes, you can grow tomatoes indoors - I put cherry tomato seeds in a giant pot in the south window. After they are the desired height, add one gallon of water with a teaspoon of epson salts one time to make it bloom. All you need is a lot of water and a lot of sun! I've even started them from other cherry tomatoes!

Kathryn, 50 tomato plants is going to yield a tremendous amount of tomatos! We generally plant 6 plants, can our tomatoes, and enjoy delicious and healthy tomatos and sauce all year long. Gardens are wonderful but we all should be exploring the benefits and value to preserving the foods we grow. Personally, my favorite tip would be to prepare your tomatos with onions, peppers, garlic, spices, a pinch of sugar and a TB or so of butter. This canned product is delicious as a pasta sause, a great base for chili, and a tasty add-in for most soups and stews.

Everyone should have a vegetable organic garden. I actually live off of mine. I never have to buy that dead, awful-looking unhealthy produce full of toxic chemicals. Also, give up meat. No one has to eat meat. The meat that is produced is full of hormones, antibodies and is fatty, and that includes chicken. The only "safe" protein source would be wild caught fish from the ocean and organically grown beans. You don't need as much protein as you think you do. The old saying: "You are what you eat" is very true. To be truly healthy, be basically a vegetarian, and eat only organically grown food. This saves you lots of money and keeps your health. Organic fruits and vegetables that is the key to longevity.

Our family secret for the summer when our money is tighest - Dried Beans. My kids will really be sick of beans and rice, bean soup, bean salad, and bean anything else before the end of the summer but we've cut everything that there is to cut. People like us are struggling out here. We have to get to work, so we have to have gas and it's a non-optional item. So, we economize ... we turned off the heat in Dec. and didn't turn on the AC yet. It's hot, so I let the kids go around the house in swimsuits. They think it's fun. I think it's not. We do grow food, to a point - but we also have to pay water bills so it gets tricky. There is a point where the cost-return ratio becomes disadvantageous. I really hope the gas prices go back down soon. For now, it's beans ... for later ... meat, we'll go for goat. It's cheaper, when we can get it.

Goat is common in the area where we live. My mother in law raises them and says they are the healthiest meat - although she's a bit biased I'm sure. The fact is, our diet is very much a function of our funds right now, and has been for quite a while. Truely, sometimes I feel like we're so removed from the rest of the country because we live in a very poor, rural area. Where we live was in a very slow economic condition before everything happened, now it's much worse. I see these news reports from cities where people are losing $200 thousand + houses. Where we live people are losing $37 and $40 thousand dollar houses. Regardless of where you are or how much your home cost, I'm sure that losing it feels just as terrible. I'm thankful we're not in that situation, but many are. I guess the fact that the economy in our area was stuggling before has numbbed the blow somewhat. The fact that everyone here has gardens and chickens is a blessing, but still, feed and staples costs are affecting us as well.

tomato plants are wonderful and all you have to do to keep the bugs off them is plant a couple marygold plants near by. Not only are they colorful and pretty but aphids and some other bugs hate them. Your tomatoes will be fine..

tomato plants are wonderful and all you have to do to keep the bugs off them is plant a couple marygold plants near by. Not only are they colorful and pretty but aphids and some other bugs hate them. Your tomatoes will be fine..

tomato plants are wonderful and all you have to do if you are worried about the bugs is plant a couple marygold plants near by.. Not only are the marygolds pretty and colorful, they will keep the aphids and bugs far away from your tomatoes.. I container garden a lot.

You Americans are really great, full of ideas. Glad to hear that you are creative and we europeans want to be friends with those folks.Unfortunately gas will not go down so local work is the only answer, whether it is gardening or services. For the guy that cannot pay the water bill;add a tank and filter for rain water. We use new septic tanks buried with a clean clay block inside to boost the PH.
Think globally and live locally!

For slimming keep a photo of dying unfed babies in your kitchen. Every time you eat badly pay into a "Save the Children" kitty.At least your bad habits will feed someone who really is starving because we are stealing their food by eating too many refined foods and meat!

The problem with the tap water where I live is not parasites or germs. I'd take dirt anyday, our water is laden with chemicals. Many of the animals around here die young and almost everyone I know who has lived here there whole life has thyroid disease. So be careful with tap! Saving money is not worth your health.

I live in a complex with town homes. And I do not have ground to start a garden, so I started a Patio Garden. I have 3 different kinds of Tomatoes, 2 kinds of peppers, zuchini, and eggplant. Its still cool at night here, so they are, incased in plastic. Its acting as a atrim. I only watered twice, once when they where planted into 5 gal. planters and there cages, and the next day. Cutting a hole in the plastic, and feeling the soil, watering and then taping it up. I have not watered in 6 days. And only bring plants close to Patio wall, if temperatures are closer to the lower 40 degree temp. There are no yellow leaves and they look very healthy. They have not needed my attention, but to only watch them grow. In about 2 weeks I will take off the plastic. Then I'll have to be attentive to them. The weather up till then is supposed to be cool and wet. It is my way of helping with my food budget. And get fresh vegetables.

while it is true that most essential oils that you can get here in the states are not good to use in food or water, the Young Living actually are food grade and very good for you. Mr Chemist...you should really check them out. They are very high vibrational also. Try doing a little research on them(the young living ones that is). Did you know that they do away with cancer when taken internally and also there in research being done with three oils that can be used in surgery instead of the usual anethesia?...there is so much more that these oils are good for and while I realize that the ones you are familiar with are like you say, you cannot lump them all in one group.

while it is true that most essential oils that you can get here in the states are not good to use in food or water, the Young Living actually are food grade and very good for you. Mr Chemist...you should really check them out. They are very high vibrational also. Try doing a little research on them(the young living ones that is). Did you know that they do away with cancer when taken internally and also there in research being done with three oils that can be used in surgery instead of the usual anethesia?...there is so much more that these oils are good for and while I realize that the ones you are familiar with are like you say, you cannot lump them all in one group.

while it is true that most essential oils that you can get here in the states are not good to use in food or water, the Young Living actually are food grade and very good for you. Mr Chemist...you should really check them out. They are very high vibrational also. Try doing a little research on them(the young living ones that is). Did you know that they do away with cancer when taken internally and also there in research being done with three oils that can be used in surgery instead of the usual anethesia?...there is so much more that these oils are good for and while I realize that the ones you are familiar with are like you say, you cannot lump them all in one group.

One great saving tip that gets me by is using a local store we have here in NC. (Im no sure how far this chain goes) But the name is ALDI. They dont take coupons and you have to bring your own bags to take your purchases in, but the savings there are GREAT!!! You cant get EVERYTHING on your list but you will be suprised to see what they have.

Yes we have Aldi here in Australia too.

Great collection of tips from everyone! I have some good ideas for my next shoppping trip - more meals with beans, checking the prices of frozen veges vs fresh, and I can't wait to have a vege garden.

That stuff about "young living" oils curing cancer and acting as anaesthetic?? I will stick to the traditional medicine and healthy living.

That stuff ab

HI, I am cooking like my Mom did, using veggies to make stews, i.e. mushroom stew, potato stew, turnip stew, eggplant
stew, zucchini stew, tomato stew and all
served with side of rice or bulgur. Or
excellent casseroles with any combinations of the above veggies cut to fit the pan and have some ground meat, s/p and 2 or 3 dashes of allspice.
This ground meat is made to fit between
each veggie,1 hour. Serve topped w/yoghurt. Serve yoghurt with some fruit preserves instead of icecream....
Fruits in season only.....Enjoy

HI, I am cooking like my Mom did, using veggies to make stews, i.e. mushroom stew, potato stew, turnip stew, eggplant
stew, zucchini stew, tomato stew and all
served with side of rice or bulgur. Or
excellent casseroles with any combinations of the above veggies cut to fit the pan,ground meat alternates in between each veggie, s/p and 2 or 3 dashes of allspice.Add tom/sauce+water.
Bake 1 hour. Serve topped w/yoghurt. Serve yoghurt with some fruit preserves instead of icecream....
Fruits in season only.....Enjoy

THE WATER IN AUSTIN I DON'T TRUST. I RATHER BUY BOTTLED WATER. I KNOW THAT TAP WATER IS JUST AS GOOD IN SOME PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, BUT I DON'T TRUST ANYBODY TODAY THAT WILL TELL ME THAT IT IS OKAY DRINK TAP WATER. I LIVED IN ARIZONA AND IT IS THE WORST. IT HAD MORE CHLORINE IN THE GLASS THAN I EVER IMAGINED. EVERYBODY THEIR DRINKS BOTTLED WATTER OR FILTERED WATER. IF YOU ARE SAYING THAT TAP WATER IS GOOD, MAYBE 35 YEARS AGO IT WAS, BUT NOT TODAYS WATER.

FOOD IS GETTING SO EXPENSIVE AND THE PRICES ARE GETTING OUT OF HAND. I AM A TYPE II DIABETIC AND THE FOOD THAT I HAVE TO BUY IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO CONTROL MY BLOOD SUGAR. I'VE DECIDED TO BUY ONLY FISH LIKE COD, FLOUNDER, TILAPIA, AND SALMON. THEY ARE AT WALMART AND VERY INEXPENSIVE. CHICKEN IS GETTING TO EXPENSIVE TO BUY. I DON'T BUY CHICKEN ANYMORE, BECAUSE IT'S GETTING EXPENSIVE LIKE RED MEAT. IF THIS CRISIS DOESN'T END, THAN WE AMERICANS WILL BE PAYING ALOT FOR FOOD LIKE THE DEPRESSION YEARS.

tape water has got many side effects iwould lather bnuy than taking it.

tape water has got many side effects iwould lather bnuy than taking it.

tape water has got many side effects iwould lather bnuy than taking it.

I have been part owner in a bottled water co. in AZ. You are all best worned to test your drinking water! NO MATTER WHERE IT COMES FROM! Many things affect water quality. Spring water is a joke, think of the bacteria on the ground.It gets trucked and clorinaded.
Check your bottles for leaching of chemicals into water. Use good plastic then transfer to glass or none leaching bottles at home. Something has to be done, all that is offered, that is affordable, is RO water, this truly is not healthy it's dead. Good pure water can be bottled just using ozonation, for bacteria, possibly in the bottle, and you have good tasting and pure water without removing the healthy minerals in it. The water is tested and these people know EXACTLY WHAT IS IN THE WATER. There are standards, but they are lax and not watching over the shoulders at bottling co. There are excellent watersources, I have one of the purest in AZ, but the cost has been too much for us to absorb, so we had to close. Test all you drinking water, may get su

I buy the oatmeal that you actually have to cook! it has much better flavor and texture than instant and is much less expensive. Walmart store brand large box
under 2.00 a box.( I suppose this will depend on what part of the country you live in) I mix Cinnamon and vanilla while it is cooking it only takes five minutes. It is a healthy breakfast and tastes really good. You can also add raisins, nuts or chopped apples get creative!

My opinions are:

DONT shop at WalMarts.
that is one of our main reasons for loss of jobs and higher prices in foods and gas. If you wouldnt go to China to buy a dozen eggs then dont go to walmart for 'em either.
O and some say that walmart gives lots of jobs, ummmm lets do the math~ b/c of walmart pushing out 5000 people from the local food sotres, best buys, drug stores music stores, appliacne stroes etc, and hiring 1000 at ONE walmart is NOT helping the other 4000 who were FORECED out of work.
Shop at your local Ma and Pa shops. they need our support.
Thank You for tip on marigolds next to tomato plants to prevents bugs~!
Do plant your own gardens with the frutis and veges that you wish you could afford to buy at stores.
Only shop on outside walls at grocery store. It is true that all the fresh and best is along walls while the middle of store is canned, boxed, refined, and old. Who needs a can of peas that can stay edible for almost a year, when its more than likely in this weeks home menu.

Better check out the fish in the Sea !
Organgic is not organgic ! where do you think all that perfect soil came from ? Nothing is perfect !

I buy large flakes oatmeal and instesd of cooking it I put 1 cup in a large wide mouth thermas,add boiling water, cap it, and let it sit overnight on the counter. In the morning it is ready.Saves power and time and it doesn't get over cooked, gummy or mushy. I use the same method for all cereal that needs cooking. You can even use this method for whole grain rhy, barley,spelt, etc. Use the same ratios used if you are cooking the cereal.

I'm laughing with all the comments on water, it is definately a main source! My suggestion, just move to Canada, it's great up here :) We're just not as fortunate to keep the tomatoes going up until January as another poster commented! *I am envious!!* As for the concern with plastics to a previous post... sneezing the wrong way can cause an epidemic, if you read carefuly only trace amounts of stuff shows when microwaved or heated.

I have a solution... the Chinese confectionaries are FANTASTIC! You can get your teas, noodles for WAY cheaper and vegetables and fruits. There's something to it :) Plus there's nothing better than FRESH fish... yes I am drooling! Support the different ethnic communities within your community.

Cheers,

Personally, I look at the sale's online before hand so I know what's there. And I'm a frequent Winn Dixie shopper because Winn Dixie in most cases is better than our local 'high level' supermarket, Publix (no matter how much people might insult Winn Dixie). I always look for sales. If there's something I usually buy and something very similar on sale, I'll go for that. I also shop Target for food a bit, because they can actually be cheaper than the supermarkets for some things. Also people should definitely not be above buying no name brands. They're often as good if not better than the Name Brand. Ex: Santitas tortilla chips. Cheaper than Tostitos, but taste just as good. Actually made by the same company, so that should tell you something:)

Just be careful what fish you buy.

Cod is practically an endangered species now, because it has been fished to death. You might be helping your wallet by buying it, but you sure won't be helping the environment.

I love to bring Salad to work for my lunch and have saved a ton of money on not buying the expensive salads at the local lunch spots. I bought a really cool lunch box online at www.aladdin-pmi.com and its great. They have snack containers too that my husband likes to put nuts in for his snacks at work.

Yes! Bring your lunch to work! You'll save money, gas, and be able to stick to your diet. Think about it, you spend $6 to $8 (depending where you live and work) a day on lunch if you go out. That's $30 to $40 a WEEK you could use for a weekend treat or, better yet, a little (and I do mean a little) gas for your car so you CAN get to work.

Also, when you bring your lunch you can better control the amount of calories you consume during the day and be able to better plan your other meals that day and/or during the week.

Great recipe for beans from a friend who grew up frugal. It's incredibly fast, easy, cheap and versatile:

PASTA FAGIOLI

1 sm can tomato paste
2-3 CANS water
As much FRESH garlic as you like -I use 3-6 depending on size of cloves my mood
1 can kidney beans or equivalent from dried

How do you really know what to believe any more. Its a shame about are food. I wonder if organic food is even worth the money the idea is great but is it really organic?

We are a large family (10 people + pets!) and save HUNDREDS of dollars simply by shopping at warehouse type stores (Foods Co., Kroger etc). The fruit and veggies may not be displayed and all shined up like the fancy supermarkets but it JUST as good for a fraction of the price. Frozen raw chicken has also become a money saving and time saving staple in our home.

I like to shop in the bulk section at my local grocery store. Things like pasta, cereal, and baking goods turn out alot cheaper.

You can make a really good soup by using all canned veggies.Just be sure to add canned tomatoes and at least one can of mixed veggies.Add the flavoring you like such as chili powder or cummin and enjoy. This is especially good with cornbread. Of course fresh veggies can also be used but the cans are cheaper sometimes.

what if you dont eat peppers

what if you dont eat peppers

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We just started using the old bread machine to make our own now.
We eat more canned tuna, canned salmon, and cooked dried beans over rice now.
I use the grocery store websites for weekly ads plus clubs and coupons.
Due to back injury, not planting garden this year but planted herb containers. You can collect enough rain water in very large plastic planter from runoff of shed w/out gutters. It is only enough for small amount of plants as I have to transfer to covered containers to avoid mosquitos.
I also use a damp washcloth put into freezer to cool down, especially in the car. I also only wash and dry clothes very late at night. We also use George Foreman grill, microwave,slow cooker,and outdoor grill instead of stove to cook especially in the summer. I have blackout shades to cover bedroom and den windows to keep those rooms cooler.

I also buy as many household items as possible from dollar stores. I recently started using borax and baking soda or amononia to clean with.
I started using my kitchen towels instead of paper towels whenever possible. We still are using them as napkins too much but we use our dishes instead of paper items.
It is amazing how all these little changes start to add up to significant savings.

I live in Japan. Just beginning to feel the even higher food costs. Try tofu (curd) and scrambled eggs, add onion or chopped tomatoes. Plant soy beans in planter: you can boil in pod and serve as snacks. Mother-in-laws special: Canned salmon (w/water) and cabbage - delightful taste. WWII brought out some great recipes from my new family: serve cold noodles w/ veggies on the side. Soba/buckwheat noodles - make them yourself. Rice: blocks of pounded dried rice-use like a dumpling in soup;bake the rice block & flavor w/ soy sauce. Japanese pizza - first pour pancake batter, then chopped cabbage, two scrambled eggs, can add anything else - cheese, etc. top off with pancake batter and flip. Veggie burgers - had them in India. Miso paste, add boullion to taste and any veggie and add egg to pouch. Bean sweets - add sugar to beans - see recipe book. Heat soy milk add oatmeal for a new taste. Cook white and brown rice together - new flavor sensation.

I live in Japan. Just beginning to feel the even higher food costs. Try tofu (curd) and scrambled eggs, add onion or chopped tomatoes. Plant soy beans in planter: you can boil in pod and serve as snacks. Mother-in-laws special: Canned salmon (w/water) and cabbage - delightful taste. WWII brought out some great recipes from my new family: serve cold noodles w/ veggies on the side. Soba/buckwheat noodles - make them yourself. Rice: blocks of pounded dried rice-use like a dumpling in soup;bake the rice block & flavor w/ soy sauce. Japanese pizza - first pour pancake batter, then chopped cabbage, two scrambled eggs, can add anything else - cheese, etc. top off with pancake batter and flip. Veggie burgers - had them in India. Miso paste, add boullion to taste and any veggie and add egg to pouch. Bean sweets - add sugar to beans - see recipe book. Heat soy milk add oatmeal for a new taste. Cook white and brown rice together - new flavor sensation.

Dear Dr. Madelyn:
I have a friend who is addicted to sugar, white bread, etc. She has an 8 year old daughter. I have tried to explain the health risks about her diet and nutrition choices, but I am more concerned about what she is teaching her daughter. She will only use white bread for her daughters lunches. What is your opinion about what damage she is doing to her daughter not only in the present but in the future.

Thank you,
Lindamom32

I cut up old towels and use for rags instead of paper towels. I cut down on laundry soap by half just by adding some ammonia. Use ammonia instead of cleaners like windex, it is better! Also vinegar can be used for a great cleaner, just look on the bottle for ideas. I take my own water in my own bottle to the gym, don't buy bottled water. Also take my cup of coffee to work. Take my lunch to work, saves money and gas! We love cornbread a pinto beans for a meal, soak the beans overnight, rinse and then cook in a crockpot all day with a ham hock, yummy!

To avoid excess sugar I have been eating and drinking diabetic food. Is this safe? I like the protein drinks as the regular ones have too much sugar.
Any advice?

hi, Diana, 5/17/08, thank you for the tips on the patio garden. Would you please let me know what you put into the the 5 gallon pots? Thank you.

I sow tomato eeds in small pots then transplant to larger pots and grow them on my South-facing windows. I recently bought a tomato plant and it now has 18 tomatoes on it. I also tok the side shoots off it and now have more plants.I use soilless mix for indoor growing, less mold than in potting soil.

I sow tomato eeds in small pots then transplant to larger pots and grow them on my South-facing windows. I recently bought a tomato plant and it now has 18 tomatoes on it. I also tok the side shoots off it and now have more plants.I use soilless mix for indoor growing, less mold than in potting soil.

Tips for growing tomato plants indoors.
Pick off lower leaves and side shoots.
Use seeds such as Tiny Tim, dwarf cherry tomatoes. I grow both red and yellow, some of them are plum shaped.
Be sure to water carefully and move out of the hot sun in the middle of the day in summer.

Tips for growing tomato plants indoors.
Pick off lower leaves and side shoots.
Use seeds such as Tiny Tim, dwarf cherry tomatoes. I grow both red and yellow, some of them are plum shaped.
Be sure to water carefully and move out of the hot sun in the middle of the day in summer.

ESSENTIAL OIL is generally NOT for ingestion! Lemon juice reconstituted or fresh squeezed can flavor any water and make it more palatable. As far as tap water some is ok to drink check the test results from your city's utility dept they issue reports that are available to the public. If you own or rent check with your land lord perhaps if the tap water is not too contaminated and just is not the most palatable or has an odor you can either install a reverse osmosis system or if not mechanically inclined hire a handy man to install it for you. It may seem a little pricey at first but with the cost of bottled water will pay for itself quickly. Also, read the reports on bottled water much of it is NO
better than TAP WATER!

every one's talking about saving money on food....How bout making your own salad dressings? i put 1 cup red wine vinagar w/ 1c olive oil and add basil i grew in the garden or you can throw in a hand full of rasberries instead. add in scallions diced green peppers....be creative. chill & use or leave over night & use. keeps very well refrigerated up to 1 wk

every one's talking about saving money on food....How bout making your own salad dressings? i put 1 cup red wine vinagar w/ 1c olive oil and add basil i grew in the garden or you can throw in a hand full of rasberries instead. add in scallions diced green peppers....be creative. chill & use or leave over night & use. keeps very well refrigerated up to 1 wk

i buy cheap meat and grind it myself or cook it in a pressure cooker, saves alot. then buy in bulk and seal in sealer. there are so many ways of being very thrifty and still being able to eat good.

i buy cheap meat and grind it myself or cook it in a pressure cooker, saves alot. then buy in bulk and seal in sealer. there are so many ways of being very thrifty and still being able to eat good.

i buy cheap meat and grind it myself or cook it in a pressure cooker, saves alot. then buy in bulk and seal in sealer. there are so many ways of being very thrifty and still being able to eat good.

I don't go anywhere without my coupon box. Our grocery always has double coupons. So I get my list together of what is on sale and that is what we base our meals on for the week, most of the time. There are so many things that you can get for free or almost nothing. I am so cheap it's not even funny. When you make list while going through the grocery ads you can't miss. I haven't paid for deoderant or toothpaste for a year now. Being cheap pays off in the end.

وز كيلو جرام

وز كيلو جرام

وز كيلو جرام

وز كيلو جرام

وز كيلو جرام