More on Budget Dieting

I see that I just scratched the surface with ways to slim down on a budget. You wrote in an amazing number of really helpful suggestions to slim down while watching your dollars. Here's a summary of some of the top responses. Others you'd like to add? Please post away!

1. Start a vegetable garden. Many people suggested growing your own vegetables. Whether in your yard, or some pots, from seeds or plants - it's really easy. No green thumb necessary! Most popular choices for this season are tomatoes, green beans, and zucchini.

2. Cook some one-pot meals in bulk. Making a large pot of a chicken and vegetable stew and dividing into several meals is a big money AND time saver.

3. Use dried beans and other vegetable proteins to replace meat. Whether it's a one pot meal, or a stew, many people save lot of money by going the vegetable protein route. A low cost and low fat option, for sure.

4. Select plain grains and season on your own. Whether it's plain oatmeal, rice, or pasta, you liked the idea of cooking the basic product (a very economical pick!), and adding your own seasonings. For oatmeal, additions from raisins to cinnamon to apples doll up a simple cereal. Rice can have seasonings, veggies, or anything else you feel like adding (even leftover ingredients from another meal!).

5. Pack a lunch: Lots of folks choose this option. The extra time saves money. Whether it's leftovers, or an intentional supermarket purchase, it's a sure way to save money. A major plus if you bring your own beverage.

More on tap water........

A lot of people were up in arms with my suggestion of drinking tap water. Of course, the quality of water varies in many parts of the country. But I still stand by my original view that once you've tested your tap water for safety, it's a major money saver. Get rid of juices and sodas, and stick with water. If you don't want to use a water filter on your tap, use a filter pitcher. Both are very economical. If you're not comfortable with tap water under any circumstance, then look for the cheapest store brand around, or stock up on your favorite when it's on sale. Sometimes a 24-pack is marked down to around $4!

I'd love to hear more!

Comments

I'm so on board with tap water! Saves money and saves the planet. :)

Need A 1000 Visa

http://www.e-ResearchCouncil.com/get.cgi?sid=100876&cid=74140&e=w&k=1&mid=131727504

Great, Thanks for the post on Budget Dieting , I love to follow this tips to reduce my weight from 90kg to 60kg...One more thing, if you drink more than 6literes water per day that also will make you to loose your weight . Check it out

Try Square foot gargening, www.squarefootgardening.com
You use less space and water. lost most of my garden due to the storm we just had w/ lots of hail, hopefully it will come back. Also try for household money saving, The Tightwad Gazette, Amy Dacyczyn. So you can save money on things, for when you can't go cheap on certain food items. Enjoy.

i'm new to ivillage and i don't have a comment on this subject - but i do have a question - where do i actually send a question about a diet food - get a real answer to my question ?
thanks,
pam

You can post a question to a nutritionist on this message board.

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhnutrition

forget the individual bottles of water. most stores have gallons of water. you can get a gallon for 70 some cents at walmart. we started drinking gallon water when we lived in a rural little town that had black stuff in the water.

Could someone please help me? We are moving shortly and packing is becoming a major nightmare - I'm also planning on having a yard sale - have no idea how to do this, or what to charge - could someone please help me???

Could someone please help me? We are moving shortly and packing is becoming a major nightmare - I'm also planning on having a yard sale - have no idea how to do this, or what to charge - could someone please help me???

Could someone please help me? We are moving shortly and packing is becoming a major nightmare - I'm also planning on having a yard sale - have no idea how to do this, or what to charge - could someone please help me???

Also, splurge one time on a water cooler. Great to have access to cold water 24/7 plus hot as well! Makes me drink water even more, then buying bottles every month of smaller size water. I just buy one huge jug and it lasts me about 3 weeks. Recycle it in for $$ off a new one!

Bottled water has become so expensive!! But I did buy a water filter for my faucet and the water tastes very good!!! Dollar Tree which I have seen even in MA (I'm from NJ) Has the 6pack bottled water for $1!!! Quite a savings when nothing is on sale at the supermarket!! See if there is one near you.... http://www.dollartree.com/

She is so sexy with the gorgeous dress on her. Is she single now? Her profile was found on the on the wealthy dating club RICHLOVING.COM for hot guys and girls to hook up for Hot Love and Sexy Dating, "she is so picky about guys!" according to officials of that site, "they have to be fertile douches or she won't date them!"

instead of buying small bottles of water. Buy a gallon and fill your own small bottles. Quite a money saver

When dining out, share! My husband and I share at most restaurants, cutting the bill and calories in half. Most places give you much more than you should eat anyway.

I love the idea of a vegetable garden.
http://www.yuppiegurl.blogspot.com

I go to ALDI's grocery and buy what I can before going to a regular grocery store. I can buy eggs, cereal, cheeses, milk (which is always $1.99 a gal.), vegetables, etc. for half the price that I would pay at a big chain grocery store. Yeah, almost everything is off-brand but the taste is still the same as the name brands. I calculated we save about $200.00 a month just by shopping at ALDI's first. Check out their website: www.aldi.com. Just have a quarter for the cart deposit (you get it back when you return the cart and bring your own bags or buy them there).

Re: Expiration dates/best by dates and markdowns. Stores get deliveries of some items on a regular basis. Then these things must be pulled by a certain date. I figured out that seafood is delivered on Thursday (for Friday and weekend sales) and has half price stickers on Tuesdays. I get scallops, shrimp, filets for less than the price of chicken! Just have to freeze it or eat it (a Feast!)within 24 hours.

Re: Expiration dates/best by dates and markdowns. Stores get deliveries of some items on a regular basis. Then these things must be pulled by a certain date. I figured out that seafood is delivered on Thursday (for Friday and weekend sales) and has half price stickers on Tuesdays. I get scallops, shrimp, filets for less than the price of chicken! Just have to freeze it or eat it (a Feast!)within 24 hours.

Re: Expiration dates/best by dates and markdowns. Stores get deliveries of some items on a regular basis. Then these things must be pulled by a certain date. I figured out that seafood is delivered on Thursday (for Friday and weekend sales) and has half price stickers on Tuesdays. I get scallops, shrimp, filets for less than the price of chicken! Just have to freeze it or eat it (a Feast!)within 24 hours.

Isn't it amazing how obesity is either slashed with a "handicap or disability" to it?

Seriously, if you find yourself with a weight problem, then get treated for it. But don't whine when you have to pay for your indulgence or lack of restraint.

If you are going to travel, and you are over weight and don't fit in your one seat, then yes, you should pay for the people around you to be comfortable. I realize most people don't care if they themselves are comfortable, as long as they can endure the flight, but as a frequent flyer, I do not want to be bumping into someones flab just because they don't want to pay for the extra room they ARE taking up.

Obesity makes you pay with your health, so maybe when it makes you pay in your pocketbook, people will be more apted to do something about it. Same should be for riding on a public bus, train, or whatever. Not all in the world see your weight as a disability, more like lack of determination. Pay or do something to reduce it. You might feel better.

Isn't it amazing how obesity is either slashed with a "handicap or disability" to it?

Seriously, if you find yourself with a weight problem, then get treated for it. But don't whine when you have to pay for your indulgence or lack of restraint.

If you are going to travel, and you are over weight and don't fit in your one seat, then yes, you should pay for the people around you to be comfortable. I realize most people don't care if they themselves are comfortable, as long as they can endure the flight, but as a frequent flyer, I do not want to be bumping into someones flab just because they don't want to pay for the extra room they ARE taking up.

Obesity makes you pay with your health, so maybe when it makes you pay in your pocketbook, people will be more apted to do something about it. Same should be for riding on a public bus, train, or whatever. Not all in the world see your weight as a disability, more like lack of determination. Pay or do something to reduce it. You might feel better.

Isn't it amazing how obesity is either slashed with a "handicap or disability" to it?

Seriously, if you find yourself with a weight problem, then get treated for it. But don't whine when you have to pay for your indulgence or lack of restraint.

If you are going to travel, and you are over weight and don't fit in your one seat, then yes, you should pay for the people around you to be comfortable. I realize most people don't care if they themselves are comfortable, as long as they can endure the flight, but as a frequent flyer, I do not want to be bumping into someones flab just because they don't want to pay for the extra room they ARE taking up.

Obesity makes you pay with your health, so maybe when it makes you pay in your pocketbook, people will be more apted to do something about it. Same should be for riding on a public bus, train, or whatever. Not all in the world see your weight as a disability, more like lack of determination. Pay or do something to reduce it. You might feel better.

to lisa not all handiecap people eat to indulge. I am a vegaterian. I still am heavy cause i have a tyroid problem, and medications that have steriods in them so i can still breath. I do not smoke either. its from past jobs that i worked where others smoked.

Before you make some comments on disability or disabled people ya may get to know some of them and posibly help them in their own garden since they recieve no money on SSI.

The one pot idea will help me out. I'm on a mission to eat healthier and keep my budget in tact at the same time.