Staying Healthy and Wealthy Altogether!
Since I promised that this is going to be fun, I will make sure that this is going to be really fun! Before we get started, can I ask you a favor? I need you to do this for a second. Grab a clean, empty, transparent jar. Draw a "SMILEY" with a text that says, "It's growing!" Whatever you have saved and will be able to save, put them all in this jar. This jar will serve as your trigger icon to encourage you even more. I'm pretty sure, you'll be delighted to see money saved piling up!
Are you Ready?
I am a firm believer that there's always an exception to every rule. As I strictly adhere to applying my advocacy, which is SAVING, I don't exclude myself from the majority of the population to often indulge in delicious and fancy food servings - which would mean more spent money. But, having said this, we can still find ways to economize while doing our vicious eating itinerary. Here are some of the basics:
- Make a list. When buying groceries, always plan ahead. Check your shelves what needs to be bought. Making a list prevents you from doubling what you already have in stock. List it!
- Stick to your list. When in the grocery store, try not to window-shop. Pin your head up and walk ahead. Walk straight!
- Do couponing. Use coupons/deals with your necessary purchase, but don't make your coupons an excuse to buy items that you don't really need. Coupon it!
- Sampling & do own research and survey. When thinking of trying a new product, always consider a free taste or a free sample; because chances are, you might not like the new one. So, if not able to get a free piece, ask friends and relatives if they have already tried it. Word of mouth almost always is reliable. Do your own survey. It's worth trying first before buying it. It's like taking any written test, the elimination and multiple-choice types. Choose the best answer!
- Bring limited money. Though some may not agree, but this will give you great confidence that you'll not end up spending beyond your budget. Leave credit cards or any other source behind. Bring only cash that's intended for your listed purchase. Stick to the budget!
- Buy bulk only when necessary. This is one of the misconceptions that most shoppers think in terms of grocery-shopping. Some thought that buying in bulk in almost everything saves money, but in reality, this practice makes you spend even more especially when they are not consumed on a daily basis. Cereals, for instance, are a good example to buy in bulk for a family of more than four whose members consume regularly. You also need to consider not buying items that are to expire immediately, so it's preferable to buy in retail or in smaller amounts for this type, unless, as I mentioned above, you are in a family of more than four that consumes bigger amounts constantly on a daily basis. Limit it!
- Consider buying store brands. This is where my big savings come from. I normally buy generics and store-branded products, which I find working just the same as the branded ones. Take note, there are times that branded items also go on sale. So, keep your eyes open wide all the time. Be an owl!
- Buy refills. Most manufactures have designed items in sachets or refills. Ketchups and mayonnaise and other condiments are best examples. These are most beneficial especially when you have your own dispensers at home or workplace. Replenish!
- Consider Combo Packs. Again, most manufacturers offer combo packs when they want to launch or introduce new products. But this will also apply to their old products to boost their marketing strategy. For example, pasta; manufacturers will combine it with a free pasta sauce and vice versa. So, combo it!
- Transfer tin can contents. This tip is not only to save you money but for hygienic purposes. Opened tin cans will create molds and rust inside and out. For instance, sauces and pastes for making pasta or pizza, make sure to transfer to a clean and dry container and cover tightly. Even putting inside the refrigerator will not stop these fungal growth and bacterial elements from growing and multiplying. So, do you really want these elements to be part of your meal? I don't think so. Metal out!
- Do-It-Yourself. A lot of people are so creative doing their own pasta sauces, dips, and syrups according to their taste and preference. Give it a try!
- Never settle for produce that are on sale. Most of the time, grocery stores put produce on lower prices because they are no longer fresh and about to rot. Remember, you can be economical but can still get the high quality. Be critical!
- Limit purchase of produce that are off-season. Prices are higher for produce that are not on season, especially fruits. Another downside is, they will not be as delicious and as succulent when bought off season. Wait for a moment and get another kind that gives the same nutrition. Diversify!
- Check and weigh produce. Though most of the fresh produce and items are already packed with prices and weight written, some items still don't. To make sure you're still falling within your budget, make sure to weigh them. Reminder: Be mindful that the weighing scale is not dysfunctional, so you'll get exactly what you have paid for. Observe!
- Enroll in Free Loyalty and Rewards Points programs. This is applicable when you find yourself shopping in one and the same grocery and retail store most of the time. This is their way of giving back to its loyal customers to keep coming back by special deals in the form of store credits, greater price cuts on top of the regular discounts, and cash backs that can be redeemed later. Every FREE is awesome. Eat for free!
- Cook and consume according to expiry. Bread, milk, vegetables, poultry, dairy products, meat and its derivatives, etc., always have expiry dates. Expiry dates are indicated on each item that consumers should always check on. It's absolutely throwing away money to the garbage when expiry dates are unchecked. Scrutinize!
- Eat sufficient portion sizes/servings. To avoid throwing to the garbage and spoilage of food, just get the portion size that you know you can only take at a time. Also, this will avoid your tendency to overeat (of course, you'd be pushed to eat the excess rather than throw, right?). Just enough!
- Observe proper storage and use zip containers. It is always necessary to store excess food or leftover properly sealed for freezing or refrigeration to stay fresher. Stay fresh!
- Avoid use of too much oil. Consider using non-stick pans when frying. Too much use of oil is not healthy anyway. Boiling and broiling or grilling are exciting options. Explore!
- Grow own herbs & spices. Benefits include freshness and the joy of growing them yourself. It also gives an inviting ambiance to your kitchen. Get green!
- Recycle. This might sound unfit for food, but what I mean by this is to re-invent another recipe out of leftovers. Experiment!
- Drink tap and not "Pop." We are often enticed to drinking carbonated sodas and pops and bottled drinks. Three main benefits from practicing this include: Tap water is way healthier and safer than any other drinks (closely monitored and tested by Water Management System in your area); tap water is readily available; and lastly, saves you a lot of money. Tap it!
- Avoid instant & ready-to-eat meals. Apart from the high sodium content and preservatives, which are not good for the body, the sizes are usually limited to one serving. Be healthy!
- Make your own desserts and snacks. Bake your own cake and cookies. Make your own salads. Look for what can be experimented. Mix & match!
- Stay away from junk foods. Chips and the like have absolutely no value for your body and considered to be one of the best media towards unhealthy eating. Let children enjoy what their bodies really need; they deserve something healthier. Dump the junkies!
- Make healthy snacks. Relatively, you may want to always indulge eating snacks in between big meals. Your kitchen is overloaded with so many things to create snacks that are healthier and way cheaper from the several ingredients that can be found in your kitchen. Make bigger counts to save for later, pureed for babies, packed lunch for working mom and dad, healthy snacks for children at school. Create it!
- Consider using healthy food extenders. Get the same nutrients from a different source. One typical and economical food extender that serves the same benefit is tofu. Tofu is reach in protein and less expensive than meat. Another common extender is potato. Extend it!
- Dine-out less, eat home more. Though sometimes we need to savor and explore what's the newest in town, we need to consider waiting for special promos to dine out. It is common that every restaurant gives away a variety of good deals especially during special occasions. Take advantage of it. Still, eating at home with your own prepared recipes cannot be beat. Love your own!
- Bring your own prepared food to work, school, etc. This also includes making your own coffee instead of buying from the coffee shop. Bring your own water as well. Have your children bring their own snacks. This undoubtedly will save tons of money altogether for the entire year.Cash it!
- Eat together as a family/group. When preparing and cooking food, the utmost consideration has always been the number of people who are to eat. Eating together simultaneously will lessen the possibility of leftover because of proper estimation. You'll love it!
- Passion into profit. When fond of cooking and loves to experiment in your kitchen, convert your passion to something financially profitable. Monetize it!
In everything, when taken seriously, you can make a huge difference. Exhaust your resources first before considering future purchases.
A Friendly Reminder: Don't forget to visit your SMILEY jar! It's really fun, isn't it?
The next issue will be relating to the next basic need, CLOTHING.
... see you then...
Medical Transcriptionist/Editor/Writer/Blogger/Investor/Saver
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