BUDGET is back.

Continuing with the theme of frugal albeit healthy living, I have another post for you about how to shop whilst pinching pennies. The secret doesn't require dumpster diving or searching between your couch cushions prior to frequenting the supermarket, however it does demand flexibility. The secret of buying good-for-you groceries on a budget boils down to CONVENIENCE. see how I snuck that kitchen terminology in there? gosh this is fun. As I was saying...if you want to eat off of $25 dollars a week you can't rely on convenience. Contrary to what you might think, becoming well-versed in the kitchen, making your own meals will keep you healthier and dare I say more satiated than skipping breakfast and indulging in quick coffee-shop lunches or frozen dinners.

Go ahead, try proving me wrong. I welcome the challenge.

Barry Popkin, PHD, author of The World Is Fat also argues that eating healthier can cost less. And while it's true, I'm not talking about the years or quality of life eating poorly will cost you in the years to come. He says, "with many convenience foods, we're paying for packaging and processing that adds fat, sugar, sodium and calories." Read the full article here. 

What do I mean by sacrificing convenience? Here are a few examples:

1. Make a plan. Affordable living means no impulse shopping. Brainstorm weekly meals and make a list of staples you'll need. Check what you already have and if you need food to stretch plan to make things like soup (that you can freeze) and stir-frys - meals that taste great and can be made with a lot of easy, affordable ingredients. 
2.  Forget the one-stop-shop. I promise you that while it may be convenient to pop into Target for...well, everything, the prices aren't the lowest you could find. Aldis is a great find if there's one near you. Farmers markets can also be more affordable than big-chain grocery stores. Know what you can get cheapest and where. Do. Your. Research. 
3. I'm not kidding. RESEARCH. Spices are $3.79 in the spice isle and .99 cents at CVS. 
4. Buy in-season. Everybody would love fresh berries during the cold winter months but for three times the price, is it worth it? Buy seasonal produce. Introduce yourself to new foods or at the very least get more creative with familiar ones. 
IN SEASON now: apples, cranberries, squash, avocado, beets, pomegranate, chard, cabbage, etc. 
5. Become that crazy coupon lady for 5 minutes. If you can buy something for half the price, isn't it worth it? Look for the deals! Don't get the paper? The internet is a fabulous resource. Use it!
6. Buy generic, not name brand. Because let's be real - Crunchie O's are really just Cheerios in a different box. My grandfather was a stickler for Welches grape juice. ONLY Welches. If you're an 80 year old man and you want name brand, go for it, but regardless, I'm pretty positive Weiss' grape juice is still made from grapes. 
7. It's almost always cheaper to buy in bulk. If you're buying for one it's not always practical, but with things like meat and frozen veggies, get the 4-for-2 deal and keep them in the freezer. 
8. Don't be afraid to get messy. Buy a whole chicken and remove the skin. You pay more money for a smaller amount of boneless, skinless chicken than you do a whole chicken. Pre-cut veggies are an unnecessary and expensive product of the 21st century. Chop your own  *#$% vegetables!! Buy unseasoned items and make your own seasoning using the spices you purchased for .99 cents. Ready-made meals save you time at the cost of your dollar. 
9. At the risk of sounding like your mother, "don't let your food go to waste". If you have leftovers but aren't hungry for another grilled chicken salad, use the leftover chicken to add to quinoa or rice and beans. Keep one eye on what you have in the back of your fridge and make sure you're storing produce properly so it doesn't spoil!!
10. Two words: Unit Price. Just because you picked the cheaper bag of spinach doesn't mean you got the better deal. The unit price is listed on the store shelf label, explaining how much something is per oz or lb. Don't get cheated! 

Here are a few more tips for buying affordable fruits and veggies. Be smart. Don't fall into the trap of convenience. Plan. Purchase and Prepare. Don't let someone else take your money simply because they chopped your veggies or added spices to your rice. You can do that.