How can I eat healthy with very little money avail
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AUNT_BEE_1945 3/18/07 4:07 P
There are alot of different kinds of beans one can try. I love most of them, They can be added to soups. They can be doctored up with just a small amount of meat. Served with corn bread or french bread. Beans can also be a topper for salad. Made in to a dip used with bread.
Frozen peas, make a great pea soup. Tomato juice, is good to add to a meal. Can freeze it in cubs, to use in tomato jusice, that way the tomato juice is not water down, when made extra cold with frozen, tomato cubs the same way with other juices.
Home made cusdard, uses eggs and is a healthy treat. If one has a double boiler, it is a snap. Make sure the eggs get whiped up good. Don't over whip them the whites become dry they don't cook smooth.
You know if you are short on money you can buy 2 potatoes , two carrots one onion est, and a small amount of meat to make a soup. You don't have to but big bunches. I have done that many times.
Also, I use to peal the potatoes, leaving a lot of white on the skins, I would put them in water. Then the next day I would dry the peels off and make fried potatoes peels for the kids they loved them, they can be baked or microwaved. My kids are grown and they still like them. Bee
NAHNAH 3/18/07 4:57 A
Just a quick tip. Do your kids like eggs? I find them a really good cheap and easy to cook alternative to meat. Once a week my family has a n egg based meal. We eat quite a bit of pasta and sauce meals because the meat seems to go further. Also Baked Beans are cheap and quite nutritious.
AUNT_BEE_1945 3/15/07 3:59 P
If you have a fruit & vegetable stan near, buy from there if you know your store prices, you can save by buying a bit extra, blanching the vegetables and freezing them.
The same way with meat. Buy in bigger packages and divide the meat up and freeze it. Remember we don't need a lot of meat. Two - Three - ounce servings per person.
If you buy a large jar of asy tomato juice or orange juice, freeze the extra using ice trays. Bag the juice cubs once they have frozen. Us these to make smoothes or to chil one drink with out watering down the juice.
Read the ads/ Remeber to ask your store if they except other stores coupons!
Make or keep extra ice on hand, to have extra cold water, instead of sweet soft drinks.
KATIENAP 1/4/07 4:25 P
I would have to agree on bankruptcy being a bad idea. DH and I were forced into it back in 2003 because we were making just enough to pay our living expenses (food, mortgage, one car, utilities) between what he drew in unemployment and what I made at my job. Though we both have really good jobs now, it has been extremely difficult getting our credit re-established and put back in order. Not to mention, with the change in the bankruptcy law you will still end up paying something on your debts under Chapter 13 as it is now much more difficult to file Chapter 7 (the one that erases all of your debt). Beg, borrow and go to credit counselling (Consumer Credit Counselling is very reputable) before you decide to file.
SNOWKAT 1/4/07 4:07 P
All good ideas except for "bankruptcy" - the lingering effects are not worth it. It should NEVER be entered into lightly or as a way to start over.
KATIENAP 1/4/07 1:53 P
When I was 16, my dad lost his job and my mom taught me to feed SIX people on $50/week (my parents didn't qualify for food stamps). Some of these are tips my mom shared with me, others I discovered on my own when my DH lost his job three years ago, was out of work for a year and we had two kids to feed (we didn't qualify for food stamps).
1)Take the sale ads that come in the mail or the paper every week and make a list of what you need from each store. Take those sale ads to the Super Wal-Mart--THEY PRICE MATCH COMPETITOR ADS!!! It takes a little longer at the checkout, but it's worth it. 2) Clip coupons and only use them when the item goes on sale. Trust me, it will go on sale somewhere before the coupon expires. 3) Get one of those vacuum food sealers. If you can't afford it, request it as a gift. The initial cost will pale in comparison to the amount of food (and money) you will actually end up saving. 4) Get a friend or family member to take you to the warehouse club and buy meats in bulk and freeze them. Stock up on soups, pasta and other non-perishables there too. 5) If you have kids under 5, check into WIC. It's a lot easier to get that than food stamps and what you get on that (milk, cereal, eggs, juice--even formula depending on the age of the child) can help the entire household.
I hope things get better for you very soon! :)
AUNT_BEE_1945 1/4/07 3:25 A
These are all good ideas. I over ate on beans and corn bread to night now I am up suffering for the lack of good eating judgement. Everyone have a most wonderful New Year. Bee
CUDA440 11/13/06 9:18 A
Those were all great Ideas.
My sister in law works part time for the local college and can take free classes. So she takes at least 1 class a semester and works part time too. Also nice to have Christmas break and summers off. I think this year she will finally have all of her pre. classes done and can start taking the nursing classes she wants to do. ALL FREE!!!! Her kids are older and don't need a sitter.
I also have a small freezer and stock up on frozen foods when the sale price is really cheap. Also use coupons, even better when on sale and use coupon. I don't do it, but you can also print free coupons from the internet. I have a sams club membership and buy 7 LBS of hamburger that has only 10% fat in it. For about $2.00 a lb. Also 6 LB bag of boneless skinless chicken breast for about $11. I have a Food saver vacuum sealer and seperate the hamburger into 1 LB and put into each bag that I make. Then freeze. Also great for left overs too. The new sealers have buttons and you can buy canisters too. You can marinade your meats before you freeze so when you thaw it, it's ready to cook. Also buy chunk cheese in bulk and shred myself. It's a lot fresher. Just cut a piece off to shred and vacuum seal the remaining cheese last a LOT longer.
Beckie
C160474 11/12/06 10:29 A
Dear W,
I really know how you feel. I have less between 100 to 150 per month to feed myself and my two children. Something tells me that you hate the idea of going to any food pantry or going on food stamp, but if it helps until you can improve your finances maybe you should suck your pride and just do it. It would mean less stress on you.
I do have some advice that would help you. 1. When you get your income tax, stock up on pasta, rice, and can goods like green beans and soups. Ask around your friends if they have a Sam's card and ask if they would take you, or talk to your grocery store manager and ask what kind of deals they would give you if you bought a bulk amount from them and don't take no as a answer.
2. Take your plate and cut it into four sections. 1/2 for your salad 1/3 for meat 1/3 for side dish 1/3 for veggie
3. Save your yogurt cups and use them to make sugar-free jello for the kids; they can help make it on the weekends if they are enough, if not just let them choose what flavors they want that week. It is a good way of teaching fractions and reading skills at the same time.
4. Go back to school and get a college degree to make more money. If you go back to school full-time most state will give you full-time child care assiantance while you are in school. Work part-time somewhere to the basic stuff. Most four year colleges have family housing that are small but they are cheaper and they include everything except cable and phone. It better to struggle through school then the first two to three years after school until you are in a good job status. But in the long run, it will increase your income and living standard.
4. If you have more bills than income and olds bills you feel you may never be able to pay off, just declare bankrutcy or see a finanical couslor. Most banks have them.
5. Be Honest with yourself with how you got this way. Own up to it and move on. It should your children that you are truly to make a better life for yourself but as well for them. Because if your life is better and a little less stress so is theirs.
6. Find people who are or were in a similiar situation you are in now, and ask them how they are getting or got out of it.
7. Go back to church, it good for the soul and get builds a good chartcer fountain for your children.
8. Be patient with this process, it may take up to ten years to completely cover from this mess from beginning to end. It sounds like a long time but it really isn't.
9. Find local parks for warmer weather and buy or make physical games for yourself and your children to do together or alone.
10. Decide what kind of life you want and write it down. For example, like the kind of school you want your children to go to what kind of clothes you want to buy without having to go to Wal-Mart, or the kind of house you to buy or where you want to retire. I bet that is one thing you haven't thought of, your retirement.
11. Get yourself and your children into good eating habits, because it has been proven over the years that it leads to less health care problems and cost, so it will save you money in the long run.
12. Eat a good meal before you go to the grocery store. Go in the early morning hours if you can and don't take your kids. If your kids have to go with you, take along a color book for them to color in.
13. Take cash only, leave your debit, credit, and checking cards as well as your check book at home. If one of your kids ask for something, tell them the truth; before you leave home show them exactly how much the food budget is for the month, and tell them they get to hand the lady the money if they are really good little boys and girls. If you have older kids, about three and up, they can get the food products for you. If they chose something that is too expensive, help them find a cheaper one by pointing out the unit price. When they find it, point out the difference in prices by the numbers in the price; tell them they did are doing a great help and couldn't do as well without their help.
14. Pick one night out of the week to be junk food night like pizza or mcdonlds but add a healthy salad to the meal so it won't be too bad.
15. Look at the school menu monthly, and see if you qualify for free or reduce meals. Get the kids early to school, so they can eat breakfast there and save you money on ceral.
16. Use measuring cups for portion control, not only for calories so you have a better idea what portions are.
17. Don't take the food to the table. Take fully made plates to the table. Save one plate serving for you, so you can have something for lunch the next day or but it in the frezzer for the weekend. If there are anything left over in the pot, put it in ziplock bags or bowls and put them right into the frezzer; it will make cleaning up a lot easier to.
18. If the kids are looking for a snack, buy only apples, oranges, grapes, or banannas; these are the cheapiest fruits know to mankind. Also buy raw baby carrots for snack time. It takes a real effort to make changes from chips to fruits but it can be done.
19. Only allow cakes, ice cream, or any deserts like these for holidays.
20. Take their Halloween candy they got, and split it up into ziplock bags and hide the rest in the frezzer. Take it out only on weekends when they are not in the house.
21. Get a complete physical including blood work done; along with a thiord (thigh rord)test, chol count, and dietabete to make sure these don't have any affect on your new healthier life. Tell the doctor what you are planning to do.
22. Get family or friend help with the kids, so you can workout or take the kids on your daily walk before starting dinner.
23. Make all the meals for the week when you are off or up to it, and put them in the freezer. All you have to is pop into the micorwave, ding your main meal will be ready before you even finish making the salad which gives you more time with the kids.
I know this sounds like a lot of things but you know what, they actually are not. Just new ways of doing the things you already know of do. If you have ideas for me, it would be great if you send them my way. I feel you reach for losing the weight but making a better life. Well, take care and good luck on your new life.
Sara
EMI-NALANI 11/8/06 3:26 P
Hello, I'm kind of new here but this post hit home for me. I'm also trying to figure out the healthy food budget thing too & I totally feel your frustration. I'm a Stay at home mommy & living off of one income can be stressful.
I agree w/ the tip earlier to see if you are eligible for assistance. I LOVE the WIC program. They are the best & they've helped me ALOT! I'm also attempting to start a garden & grow some fruits and veggies. We'll see how that goes. Luckily I'm in Hawaii so the weather is the same most of the year.
I'm sorry I dont have any good advice for you. I just know how you feel & would also benefit from healthy food budgeting tips.
Good Luck!
AUNT_BEE_1945 11/6/06 3:23 A
I understand, the food budget thing. My husband doesn't make much money and I am on disability. t never know if we are going to have food in the house that is healthy.
With not having a car, my husband buying the food. I have little control of what is brought in to the house.
Very up setting to say the least. I am to tired to say much more. I am going to be away from my computer for a few days. Bee
SWEETLOUISON 11/5/06 5:24 P
check out www.angelfoodministries.com. for $25 you can get a whole bunch of groceries. they deliver the food to area churches and you have to pick it up. there is a menu at the website that will tell you what will be offered. It is often restuarant quality cuts of beef, chicken and pork. Much of the chicken is breaded and ready for you to fry (i have baked it instead and it turned out fine) so not necessarily the most healthiest food, but it has really cut my grocery budget.
HTH Hollie
BUCKHOLDT 11/5/06 4:30 P
Have you checked for other sources of food? When I was coming up, we got food from vending companies. I doubt if that is available any more. But I did here on the radio that there is a group (in Maryland) that gets food (from restaurants and catering companies) and passes it out under the protection of the Good Samaritan Act. My church has a food pantry.
GREENMAMA 11/5/06 11:04 A
Hi,
I really empathize with you. More and more frequently, my family is out of money at the end of the month. The cost of energy is rising and any time we have a car part to replace or the kids need winter clothing, etc., we run short. We have to plan very carefully, but healthy eating is one of our main priorities.
First, look at your budget for luxuries to cut. If you have cable t.v., but not enough money for food, then your priorities might need to change. My family purchases 100% of our clothing at second hand stores. We don't have cable. Our one luxury is the internet, and we only keep that because my husband needs it for work as well.
Next, find out if you are eligible for food stamps, WIC, or food aid from a food pantry.
In order to get more for your buck, focus on unprocessed foods because they are actually cheaper. Snack foods are actually more expensive. Cutting down or cutting out the meat is another way to save a lot of money. And then focus on the cheapest healthy foods. Cabbage, for example, is a whole lot cheaper than lettuce.
And, for the adventurous, there's growing and foraging for your own fruits and veggies. Of course, in my part of the country, that's over for the winter...
Good luck, Mama. I know how hard it is!
SPARK_COACH_JEN 11/5/06 8:38 A
W,
There's an article in the Nutrition Resource Center called "Eating Healthy on a Budget". You might want to check it out.
Hope that helps,
Coach Jen
POPTARTS 11/5/06 4:20 A
It seems like I KNOW what I need to do to eat better and lose the weight. The problem is, I am flat broke! I have hardly any money, but I have 3 kids to feed. I'd rather give them cheap, processed unhealthy food than no food at all. It is the bad foods that are the cheapest. I don't know what to do, or how to fix this problem. Any ideas or suggestions on how to eat healthy foods cheaply? Thanks!
