Yeah I admit it - I am thrifty. I watched my money even back when I had it. People have been talking about how hard it is to eat healthy, work out, etc while on a budget or fixed income. So I thought we could share tips. Here are some of mine.

I always use coupons, and check the sale ads for the grocery. The Sunday newspaper may cost $1.50, but I always get at least $5 in coupons on stuff that I would normally buy. I also do coupon sharing with a few friends. For instance, a few of my friends have kids in diapers. I have a parent in Depends. We swap, win-win. If something is on sale, I try to buy in bulk. So if something is on sale and I have a coupon, color me happy.

I plant a garden every year. This past year I have been pretty sick, so I only planted tomatoes, squash, zucchini, basil, parsley and lettuce. I planted everything in pots or containers, because it was a lot easier that digging up the yard. We had some good stuff, it was pesticide free, and I freeze the extra basil and parsley to use in the winter. Next year I have to get some chicken wire, because we have a lot of deer and they like to eat my food.

I looooove home made pesto sauce from my fresh basil.

I don't have a gym membership, but I have a library, some resistance bands my sister was throwing away and 5 pound weights. The library had some great video resources, and so do my friends. We exchange tapes (the ones we own) so you never get bored with any one workout. Also, I have a friend who has the Fitness Channel on her cable system - I give her blank tapes and she records shows for me.

Another thing I do is when I am at a grocery or any store that has a cart, I walk up and down every aisle for my exercise. Because I have some health issues, I get tired easily, so I use the cart like it's a walker. I'd like to get outside more, but we get a lot of rain here.

I make soup almost every Saturday. I take the leftovers from the week, dump them in a pot with water, celery, onions, carrots, potatoes and some chicken or beef bouillion, and voila - Garbage Stew. Sometimes I will add noodles, pasta or beans.

So, who else has some great money saving tips?

lol

I lost all my weight by walking outside (no need for a gym). When I became restricted to a smaller area when we moved, I bought a treadmill off of craigslist for 100 smackers.

Also, I refuse to pay for support. I lost weight by finding like minded people that were there for the same pure and simple reason, to lose weight, and that asked for nothing in return. While places like the BL Club are cool, they just aren't for me. There are so many good people in the world that helped me, and motivated me for free, I intend on paying that forward.

As far as food goes, once I stopped having fastfood, and buying junkfood, it kind of all evened itself out on the grocery bill. Another score for Katie

I usually buy in bulk, like skinless boneless chicken, its cheaper in the long run, and I cook it up all at once and then I only use alittle bit of it everytime i need it and it lasts me a week or two. And I get creative, I make meals that involve chicken this way I never end up wasting it.
Oh the same thing works for a turkey too, buy a nice size turkey and cook it up, save the left overs and they make wonderful turkey sandwiches.

I quit smoking, that saved about $200 a month.

I've also never, ever set foot in a gym during this process, and have no desire to do so. I've got two legs, and it doesn't cost anything to move them. I did buy some weights, 2 pounders to hold while I run, and 10 pounders for reps, for a grand total of $15. My daughter also has this gigantic bouncy ball that I use as my exercise ball, so I didn't have to buy one of those either.

I found a gym in my area that was opening and took advantage of the super low sign up fee. I pay 18 bucks a month, plus 10 for unlimited child care for my two children.

It's not a fancy place, but it has everything I need, the people who run the child care are fabulous, and I can have some "me time" every day... a sanity saver for sure.

Support has been key in this journey, and my advice is to find a place where you feel comfortable, encouraged, and empowered. Whether you are attending meetings at Weight Watchers, part of the BL club, or other support sites (several have sprung forth from this board).

I do a lot of videos at home, and swap videos with my friends. Be careful if you go this route, though. I loaned out my whole set of The Firm videos, step and weighted bar, and never got them back. Mostly, though, it hasn't been a problem. We share what we've got when we get bored with our current routines. It's a great way to try out a new vid before buying it yourself!

Working out and eating healthy doesn't have to break the budget. I eat seasonal produce, by chicken in bulk at Costco, and load up on frozen broccoli (currently the only veggie that ALL of us can agree on besides salad )

Dieting can get expensive, but you can make healthier choices by simply substituting items in your favorite recipes and portion control. At the end of the day, it's calories in/calories out...

A cheap alternative for choosing a good fitness video is to sign up for a Netflix or Blockbuster type of rental deal (they usually do a free month, just make sure to cancel in time) and rent videos that you are interested in trying. I did this and that is how I found my video favs .

As far as food goes, I agree...look for what is in season, buy meat in bulk when it's on sale and freeze it... look at websites like Coupon Mom or Grocery Game to show great deals that can stack with coupons...best of luck It's great to be thrifty!!

oooo,I want that recipe. That sounds so good.

Here's a few things that save me a few bucks now and again.

I always shop in season when it comes to fresh fruits and veggies,the only exception is banana's. It cuts my produce bill a great deal. I also freeze some of my in season items so I can have them in the off season. Like blueberries,the key for those dont wash before you freeze and they dont get mushy.

I don't store hop. I stick to one or two stores and get to know the people who work there. I am very friendly with my butcher that I've gotten deals and better cuts for a great deal less. I buy my turkey burger and chicken in bulk and break it into servings for a single soul like myself.

I shop at a discount food store for other items like pasta,rice...etc. canned veggies here are a lot cheaper then regular grocery store.

If I see a 10 for 10,then I stock up on my non food items.

As far as exercising. I admit I did slack off but getting back into slowly. I dont have ways to save money that way. I did dig out a pair of 6lb weights,a stability ball,a couple of resistance bands and a yoga mat today. I have a bunch of dvd's as well.

Love the library the library rocks!

I started walking and going to build up from there.

I download Jillian's podcasts and listen to them and get advice and tips and encouragement from her.

W~

Sara Snow's home made cleaning products right here.



Click the link to see how to use all of the above.

What a great thread.

V, could you give your homemade pesto sauce recipe? I am really trying very hard to expand my cooking horizons, and that sounds yummy.

I don't have much to contribute, as I moreso will benefit from this thread rather than add to it.

The one thing that comes to mind that has been invaluable to me over the years is a "step" for step aerobics. I have used it thousands of times over the past 20 years, and nothing is needed but the step, workout shoes, and, well, a supportive bra.

Can be done anywhere, which is great if weather is a concern in your area and you are stuck inside. Can be stored in a small area, so you don't have to have huge machines taking up the family room, and will last forever. Videos not required once you get the hang of it. Watch tv and see the time fly.

Enjoying reading everybody's tips!

Here is a link to the Cheapskate thread on The Office board - you can get great tips there, too.

This week they had 3lb bags of boneless chicken breasts for $5 at my grocery. I bought 4 of them and put them in the freezer. Usually 1 bag lasts us at least 2 meals, add 2 bags frozen vegetables (I buy them 10/$10), some whole grain bread and you got yourself a meal for the family at around $5.

Recipe for my pesto sauce? That would mean I would have to write it down. It's different every time. Usually I start with a big handful of basil leaves, chop them in the mini chopper, then put them in a medium sized bowl. Put 2 cloves garlic, handful of pine nuts and small handful of feta cheese in mini chopper, add to bowl. Add extra virgin olive oil to make a thin paste. Add sea salt, pepper to taste. I like lots of pepper. Toss with whole grain hot pasta. Mmmmmm!

I like to add grilled vegetables, like onions, zucchini and red peppers on top. We have a George Foreman grill, but I have a skillet that has ridges in it like a grill. I use that because it's easier to clean.

You can use another cheese, like Romano or Parmesan. I like feta better. Sometimes I add chopped black olives in the mix to give it a more Mediterranian flavor. When I was making juice, I used to add carrot juice, then add less olive oil - soooo good.

Anywhoo, this only makes enough for one or two people, so multiply if you are feeding a family. My parents won't eat green sauce on pasta, so I just make it for myself.

Oh, and my hair color was on sale last week for $4.99, and I had a $2 off coupon so I colored my hair for $2.99.

Dh and I plant a garden each year bc I have to have home grown tomatoes, basil and green onion, we also grow green bell peppers.

I also got videos from the library to try out, I'm a Netflix member already so I get work out videos from there to try ( they have the BL videos) or dot eh watch instantly videos (Jillian's are there)

I bought a $5 pedometer at Walmart and try to walk 10,000 steps a day and track it at America on the Move (it's a .org) and totally free.

I buy in bulk as well, I also take boxes of goldfish and cheez-its, pretzels and chips and make them into 100 cal packs. Much more cost efficient to do it myself.

Thank you thank you thank you! I am going to copy that and give this a try! Sounds just delicious!

I also buy frozen veggies when they are on the 10/$10 deal. Just no way to go wrong!

In many cases (except those of you who have your own garden full of fresh veggies), frozen is actually better than fresh, since they freeze it very soon after picking. Same with fruit. Fresh is iffy.

I am going to try the garden though, and living in Tucson, I can start really soon.

I have a question: just how much can be done in pots? Is that a good way to start? Our soil is so incredibly dry, hard, and rocky and not nice at all. Desert landscaping. I'd like to grow a thing or two in pots, just to try this out.

You guys are the best, and thank again V, for the pesto recipe!

You're welcome.

You can do just about anything in posts, except maybe carrots and other tubers. I did lettuce last year in a planter box, and I usually do my herbs in pots so I can bring them inside when the weather gets cold.

Here is a box similar to what I planted most of my stuff in last year, including lettuce. It's a window box, but I have them lined up on the stone wall in the backyard. That way I don't have to bend over.

Perfect! Going to get some of those, and thanks for the pic, because that is not what I was picturing but that's what I want.

To correct my typo above I just noticed, I meant 10/$10...as you know, but still wanted to correct.

Thanks again VB. I promise I am going to Lowes for this stuff and not HD!

Veeb, can't you also spread some predatorial animal's urine around the garden? Isn't that supposed to ward off deer because they smell it and think the animal's there? That's weird, I know!

Today I had 8 deer in my yard! It was like a herd. 7 of them jumped over my 5 foot neighbor's fence, even 2 little ones. One couldn't make it, so she walked up the steps to the patio and used the walkthrough we have between our patios, then down the steps into the yard. I think it was the grandma.

I've heard about spreading urine around flowers, but I really don't want to do it around stuff I wanna eat. I'm gonna try hair first.

my sis-n-law spread cayenne pepper around her apple trees to keep out the animals. Her vet told her to do that b/c a huge majority of animals don't like the smell/taste, and it's non-toxic.

Thanks, jenatgym! That sounds a lot better than urine.

no problem, it worked for her with the deer but her dogs loved the taste of it, so they kept going to her trees.

I wonder if I can grow cayenne pepper so I won't have to buy it - cheapskate that I am.

What a great thread VB! Lot's of good tips. My wife and I learned the hard way. After we were married, we moved to California with my first real job out of college. We thought we were making more money than Rockefeller and tried to live that life. We were so naive..we didn't take into account how expensive it was to live in the San Francisco Bay Area and the pressure to keep up with the Jones's. After almost 3 years, we were massively in debt and our marriage was really stressed. We finally had a come-to-Jesus meeting with a good friend of ours about how this could ruin our life, so the next weekend we bought a copy of Quicken for our computer and spent the WHOLE weekend entering every bit of financial data we had to understand where our money went. We then used that to make a plan to pay off our debts. It took almost 5 years of living very simply, but we were able to do it. It was hard because we had to resist so many temptations..hmm sound familiar...but once we got into the habit, it became a lot easier.

Now I keep track of EVERYTHING in Quicken and we have a pretty strict budget. We do splurge on occasion, but now we feel we are in control. As others pointed out, we do the simple things..look for sales and try to buy in bulk when possible. A local grocery store has a really good meat sale about 4 times a year and we try and take advantage of that by buying extra and freezing.

Whatever your plan, it just takes discipline..just like losing weight. When you feel you are in control, you feel you have a really good shot at accomplishing your goals.

With the gasoline prices, the price of produce is skyrocketing. Today on the news, they reported that the cost of tranporting apples from Washington State to Pittsburgh, PA (where I live) has tripled.


So, check out this website where you can put in your zipcode to find locally grown produce. It is fresher than anything in the supermarket and that means it is tastier and more nutritious. And it helps your local economy--buying directly from family farmers helps them stay in business. Some farms are organic, some are natural, some are conventional - the website explains what each farm is. It also lists area farmer's markets and wellness conferences.

Some farms have subscriptions, where you can sign up and either pick up produce or have it delivered to a drop off point weekly, and the website has an online store as well, which is a nice resource for things you can't find in your area.

Bon Appetit!

Garage Sales -

Went to several garage sales the past 2 weeks and these are the types of deals we got...(I think people are giving up on their New Years Resolutions and getting rid of some of this stuff. Sad for them but good for me.)

2 Richard Simmons workout tapes for $1

The Biggest Loser wourkout tape for $2 (I already have it but for 2 bucks I had to take it.)

Sationary Bicycle (like new) $25

Treadmill - started with a price of $75. We went back at the end of the 2nd day and got if for $20. It works perfectly.

Over the next 2 weeks we (my brother and I) are going to be remodeling my parents' bathroom. Pittsburgh has this non-profit store called Construction Junction. When people renovate their homes, they donate their old stuff (furniture, doors, windows, cabinets, etc.), and contractors donate extra good from jobs (lumber, tile, wrong size fixtures for the job, etc.). It's a great place to get unusual things at a really great price. Most larger cities have something like this, or salvage yards for home remodelers.


So we are going shopping there on Friday.

Please excuse the previous post, was having problems and can't delete it.

I have not been to one of the Habitat for Humanity Restores. There is not one close, but hopefully will go soon. There are a few that show some of their inventory online.
Habitat For Humanity Restore

I have received "stuff" and given away "stuff" through both of these groups.
Freecycle
FreeSources

tqo

Done.

I belong to Freecycle, but I forgot about Habitat for Humanity - I'll check that out. Thanks!

Damn vibs..........all that deer in your yrd and you don't cook them...at least one would be cut up, and bagged for many suppers.........my wife has a samll garden in our place too..some corn,lettus,spinach,garlic (yummy) peppers, squash..its doing good

Tucson, really hot and dry..but im sure you could grow something there...they do it in nogals and its hot and dry there too...I just came thru tucson a few days back...should of stopped and had coffee eh...

We try to shop cheap too..we get alot of our veggis from the 99cent store.2 or 3 for 99cents..cans..we buy alot of chicken, bloneless,skinless and buy our ground beef in the 7%fat..alittle more but worth it....we also get turkey...and shop at 1 store 99% of the time...we both hate shopping so we are in and out no games no window shopping just get what we need and go....yes my wife is that way she hates to shop...gotta love her eh....lol

I need to work out more (just doing something is more then i do now) i sit 10-14 hrs a day in my big truck going down the road...the last thing i wanna do is walk a mile after im done...i just wanna sleep....but i will find something to help me...any ideas?

anyway nothing wrong with being cheap....gas prices are gonna make us all be cheap so may as well do it now

We have to start thinking about trying to buy cheaper veggies and stuff like that, particularly with the flooding. I would like to stock up.

Are there any particular exercises that you like to do G? You need to find something that interests you. That is really the only way to keep working out.