Top 7 tips on how to eat guilt-free on a budget

Hungry-Girl

Need help keeping smart eating within your budget? Check out some of Hungry Girl's helpful tips...


Snacks? Bag 'em yourself.

Those 100-calorie packs can be really helpful for portion-control purposes, but they're not very cost-effective. So buy regular multi-serving packages (or jumbo versions), and then use measuring cups to portion out single servings into resealable containers or zip-top baggies. Kitchen scales are also helpful here!


Dining out? Do it right. You REALLY do save money by eating budget-conscious meals at home. But every now and then, it's understandable to want a night out. Keep your eyes open for 2-for-1 deals and other restaurant bargains. Mail circulars can have some hidden gems for local eateries, and big chains are all about the discount dinners. (But PLEASE don't get sucked into eating something bad for you just because it's cheap!)


Take advantage of grocery deals. Clip those coupons from your local paper. And those envelopes and

flyers packed with coupons that frequently get classified as "junk mail"? LOOK AT THEM! There might be useful stuff in there. Or try electronic coupons. Shortcuts.com links savings to your supermarket discount card -- which is a helpful money-saver in itself.


Only get what you NEED. One of the best ways to do this is to make a list before you shop, and then stick to it. Making a meal plan for the week is also a really good idea (if you're super organized like that). And don't shop hungry; it always ends badly. If that means eating a snack bar in the parking lot, so be it.


Two words: Warehouse. Stores.

They can be a little scary (especially the parking lots), but you can save BIGTIME on staple goods with a membership. Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's Wholesale locations are all over the place, so go for it. SuperTarget and Walmart Super Centers have grocery departments where you can catch some good deals, too!


Freeze, sucker! In order to help you keep fruits and veggies on hand ALL the time -- without living in perpetual fear of finding the fresh stuff rotting in your fridge -- go cold! Frozen fruits and veggies are generally iced at their peak of freshness, and they keep for a long time. Frozen seafood is also a smart move; it's generally cheaper than the fresh stuff.


Channel your inner child -- brown-bag it! You don't have to carry an old-school paper sack, but bringing

a meal to work in lieu of grabbing something on the fly is smart. Bring a sandwich, soup, or even prep yourself a salad in a carry-along container. (No mini containers for salad dressing? Make a little pouch out of Glad Press 'n Seal. Fold a piece and seal so that one end is open, like a pocket. Pour in some low-fat dressing, seal it up, and stash it in your salad container. Carefully tear it open to dress your salad. Ta da!)



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