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Eating healthy can seem impossible, especially when you are on a tight budget. But with these 6 easy ways, there’s no reason why you can’t eat food that is good for you and your wallet too.

How to Eat Healthy on a Strict Budget

Eating healthy can seem impossible, especially when you are on a tight budget, but it doesn’t have to be. It is important to know what goes into the food you eat. Everything from the ingredients in the dish to how the items were prepared is essential information if you are trying to eat a well-balanced diet.

There is only one way to be certain of all of this: you need to cook your food! It is so much easier to call a restaurant or even go online and order a delicious meal to be delivered right to your door, but this isn’t doing your body or your wallet any favors.

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Cooking your food is an essential step towards eating healthy on a strict budget because:

  • You can make multiple meals for the price of one
  • You know everything that goes into your food
  • If you shop locally, you can know exactly how your food was grown
  • You will waste less food and save more money

Try any of these 6 easy ways to eat healthy on a strict budget, and you’ll never want to eat fast food again.

1 – Shop Multiple Stores to Stretch Your Strict Budget

While it can seem convenient to just go to a superstore like Walmart and buy everything you need in one place, this habit can weigh down your wallet and you may not even know it. What is cheaper at one store might be more expensive at other stores. Chances are you have several different grocery shopping choices within a few miles of your home, you just have to make the most of them.

Different grocery stores have sales and get their items restocked on certain days. Take some time now to scout out your local grocery stores and get a feel for what’s going on throughout the week. Better to buy fresh bread on Tuesday that will last you well into next week than to buy bread on Monday that is going to be hard and stale in a couple of days.

If you don’t already, consider shopping at the grocery store, Aldi. If you haven’t been to Aldi before, you are missing out on incredible prices. A 16oz bundle of strawberries at Aldi costs about $1.79, or you can go to Walmart and spend about $2.98 on the same berries. Shoppers found that including Aldi in their grocery shopping routine can help them save up to 50% on their basic weekly shopping.

2 – Plan Your Meals to Save Time and Money

Don’t wait until it’s 5:30 pm when you get home from work or school to start thinking about what you are going to eat for dinner. That’s when the enticingly convenient burgers from the Wendy’s drive-thru start to call your name. You may intend to make healthy choices, but when you’re hungry after a long day the last thing you feel like doing is running to the store to pick up some fresh veggies.

Instead, take an hour out of your week to sit down and think about what you’re going to be eating. Make a grocery list to plan what you are going to cook, and what you are going to need to make it. That way you can do all your pre-meal shopping beforehand and have all your ingredients ready to go in your home.

After a few weeks of doing this, you’ll never know how you functioned any other way. It’s nice during the week when you can turn your brain on auto-pilot when it comes to your food.

You can even pre-make several of your meals to make things even easier for you. You might even become a morning person when you don’t have to deal with the stress of frantically putting together things to eat throughout the day.

3 – Eat Your Leftovers to Save More Time and More Money

How many times have you made a lovely meal and took the time to put the food away in containers only to have them sit in the back of the fridge for days … or weeks? And who can forget that fateful day when you open those containers and can’t even tell what you made because everything is covered in a layer of interestingly colored fuzz. It is estimated that 53% of American households throw away leftovers every week.

It’s easy to forget that if we eat our leftovers that means we don’t have to cook because we already did! Keep your leftovers front and center on the top shelf of your fridge so they aren’t forgotten. You will be more inclined to eat last night’s stir-fry if you don’t have to dig around searching for it.

Making an effort to eat your leftovers will not only save you time, it will save you some big bucks in the long run. According to the American Chemistry Council, each American household throws away $640 worth of food a year. You could probably gas up your car every week for months with that kind of money.

And if your Tupperware cabinet always looks like a tornado just blew through it, take the time to organize it–your life will be much easier.

4 – Organize Your Shopping to Fit Your Strict Budget

Don’t just throw stuff in your cart and go, that’s how indulgent purchases tossed in your cart on a whim rack up your grocery bill. Carts at grocery stores are usually giant to trick you into buying more so you fill up your cart. Instead, use this gimmick to your advantage and section off specific areas for your different groceries. About 51% of American households throw away food they bought but never used. You can avoid this by knowing what you’re buying and when you plan to use it so nothing goes to waste.

Try organizing your cart like this: items that are must-haves like bread, milk, or eggs go in one section. Items that are ingredients for meals you plan to make go in another group. Items you think you might use but didn’t write down on your shopping list, go to another part. Finally, items that you just want, like that jar of Nutella, go in another section.

Once you’ve done all your shopping, go through your cart before you check out at the register. From there you can pick and choose what you will actually use and what will go bad sitting unused inside your fridge. Will you actually eat the fancy goat cheese you picked up or were you just feeling impulsive? Can you buy the Nutella and have enough for the onions you planned on using to make soup later in the week? If not, try to hold back your tears as you say goodbye to the Nutella.

5 – Use Coupons to Save Hundreds of Dollars a Year

Often, it seems as if coupons get a bad rep, like using them is a shameful secret best hidden. In reality, a lot of wealthy people use coupons themselves, because saving a little money here and there adds up in the grand scheme of things. Famous and undoubtedly rich actress Sarah Michelle Gellar said she uses coupons because “why should you pay more for something that someone else is paying less for?”

It’s literally free money. Spend a few minutes and browse through the coupons in your local paper, guaranteed you will find at least two things you need.

You don’t have to be on the kind of crazy TLC Extreme Couponing level, but if you make a habit of looking through coupon offers, you could probably save at least $5 per grocery trip. While this might not seem like a lot, a $5 savings on groceries every week is a total of $260 dollars saved every year. Again, that would be $260 of free money, because you were buying stuff you were going to get anyway.

You don’t even always need a coupon with you to get the bargain. Sometimes cashiers have a big book of coupons behind the counter, and if you simply ask if there are any offers that apply to your purchase, they can scan their coupon and give you the deal.

6 – Shop Locally to Help Your Budget, Your Health, and Your Community

Shopping locally is always a good thing because it helps the community you live in. When you shop local something called the “local multiplier effect” occurs. For every dollar you spend at a local independent merchant, like a farmer’s market, an average of $2 to $3.50 will go back into your local economy. That money will go on to improve your local streets, parks, events, and more. Comparatively, when you shop at a big chain like Walmart, the only people who see the profits are the business headquarters in Arkansas.

When you shop locally you can have a real conversation about your food with the actual person who grew or made it. You can ask them how your food was harvested, if any chemicals or pesticides were near the growing area, what kind of soil or environment the food was planted in, and you can even ask them which specific day your food was picked, so you know exactly how fresh it is.

Also, local businesses set their own prices, which means there might be some wiggle room. Instead of getting 5 carrots, perhaps you can buy two carrots, two apples, and an onion for the same price. If you tried to do that at Walmart the cashier would probably look at you like you were crazy.

It’s easy, it’s simple, and you can do it. Your body and your wallet will thank you later.

Use a Title Loan to Purchase Groceries and Eat Healthy

Are you currently struggling to purchase groceries? It can be a very difficult position to find yourself in. Food is one of the most essential parts of your budget and you want to be able to provide a healthy diet for yourself and your family. There are several smart strategies to employ in order to make grocery shopping affordable for you and your family. It’s a lot easier than you might have thought.

Here are some simple ideas on how you can affordably purchase groceries:

  • Shop at less expensive grocery stores
  • Clip coupons or buy based on discounts
  • Become vegetarian temporarily
  • Get some emergency funding

Depending on your current situation, taking out a loan might be the best option for you. Through auto title loans, it may be possible for you to get quick emergency funding for groceries.1 But before discussing all the benefits of title loans, check out these strategies to make grocery shopping more affordable.

Shop at Less Expensive Stores

There are plenty of great inexpensive grocery stores around the United States. If you have been shopping at more mainstream stores or at Whole Foods, considering making a shift to a cheaper store. All it requires is a little research to find out which stores offer the cheapest prices in your area. You could save hundreds of dollars and still get the same quality and amount of food.

According to cheatsheet.com, these are the top six most inexpensive grocery stores in the United States right now:

  1. Aldi: This chain offers the cheapest groceries you can find, they currently have 1,500 stores nationwide. But don’t forget to bring a quarter for the cart.
  2. WinCo: WinCo charges 50 cents on the dollar compared to Walmart. The store also treats their employees significantly better than Walmart. This chain is a keeper, for sure.
  3. Fareway: This chain is located mainly in the Midwest and offers a robust selection of produce.
  4. Sprouts and Fresh Thyme: These two stores are technically competitors. Sprouts is located in 12 states in the West while Fresh Thyme is a similar store mainly located in the Midwest.
  5. Trader Joe’s: Trader Joe’s has a boutique feel with healthy options, kind of like Whole Foods but at a significantly lower price point. Don’t forget the cookie butter and two buck chuck!
  6. Salvage Grocery Outlets: Salvage stores buy the ‘seconds’ that other stores don’t want to sell, so they can offer extremely low prices. Most of these outlet stores are owned and operated independently so you can look up the one closest to you and check it out.

Become Vegetarian Temporarily

A lot of people decide to become a vegetarian for ethical purposes. However, many people choose to become vegetarian for financial purposes as well. It was recently proven in various studies that eating a vegetarian diet is significantly cheaper than cooking with meat. According to said study, you could save over $750 dollars a year by eating a plant-based diet rather than a diet with lean meat as the main source of protein.

To do this, just fill your grocery basket with vegetables, fruit, beans, rice, and other inexpensive plant-based foods. You’ll be surprised when the cashier rings you up and your total is cheaper than it normally is. By switching to a vegetarian diet for a few months or even permanently, you could save money, help the planet, and prevent animal cruelty.

Get Some Emergency Funding

Another financial option that you could rely on for purchasing groceries is an auto title loan with help from title loans serviced by LoanMart.1

Title loans are a great option for people who don’t want to borrow money from friends or family, fearing that perhaps it would cause tension in the relationship. Also, for those who worry they might not qualify for a personal loan from a bank because of their credit.

Some amazing benefits that come with auto title loans include:

  • Quick funding in as little as 24 hours1, 3
  • Very competitive rates
  • Flexible approval qualification1
  • No balloon payments or hidden fees
  • Excellent customer service

The title loan is secured with the title of your car, as it is used as collateral for the loan. And if you’re concerned because you need your car, don’t worry because you can drive your car throughout the life of the loan as you make your monthly payments.

If you think that an auto title loan might be the right option for you to help you purchase groceries, then considering filling out the online title loan inquiry form to see if you qualify! It’s completely free and there are no obligations.

Pay for a Personal Trainer on a Strict Budget

Personal trainers are a great way to encourage you to exercise more and reach your goals efficiently. Of course, with any type of services, some of the pros and cons in hiring a personal trainer are widely disputed online in the world of fitness.

Here are just a few things to think about to determine whether you need a personal trainer:

  • Health: Do you eat healthy and live an active life? Living healthy is essential, especially if work or other parts of your life involve activities like walking, lifting, or standing for hours on end.
  • Workout Experience: If you already workout at a local gym, then a need for a personal trainer would be less likely, unless you are looking to improve your training regimen in some way.
  • Drive: Every day or occasionally? If you lack the motivation to exercise, then maybe working with a personal trainer can help keep you on a consistent schedule and develop the drive you need to work out daily.

If you feel that you need a personal trainer, then consider the following questions:

  • How often do I exercise?
  • What is my schedule like?
  • What kind of training do I want?

Your answers will help your personal trainer provide you with personalized goals, diet plans, and other health-based endeavors that may change your outlook on exercise.

Still not convinced? Here is a general list of pros and cons of hiring a personal trainer:

The Good

  • Personalized Workouts
  • Personalized Diet Plan
  • Encouragement
  • Specialized Trainers
  • Easy to Find
  • Flexible

The Bad

  • Quality Varies
  • Pricey
  • Push Your Limits
  • Commitment Issues
  • Repetitious Workout Plan

If you have decided to invest in a personal trainer, then what are your payment options? A title loan could help you pay for a personal trainer. They are a fast way to get cash and when you work with title loans serviced by LoanMart, getting a title loan could be done in three simple steps.1

But before discussing title loans and how they can help you pay for a personal trainer, take a look at the different types of personal trainers.

Types of Personal Trainers

Personal trainers are not that hard to come by nowadays, especially as Americans become more health-conscious. Pages upon pages of websites feature self-made, certified personal trainers near you looking to sell their services.

But amidst all the certified personal trainers available online, looking for the one that fits your goals is key. Generally, there’s three types of personal trainers, take a look:

  • One-on-One Personal Trainers: They tend to have the pricier rates of all certified personal trainers but tend to be the most reliable for most people. Most personal trainers make a living off their passion for exercise, and work with you either at home or in a designated area. Always check reviews with these types of trainers and be sure that communication with them is as open as possible to get your money’s worth.
  • In-House Personal Trainers: If you work out at a gym or fitness club, expect to see them hanging near desks. Prices tend to vary between most gyms, but most offer packages that go along with your membership. However you should be wary, as most personal trainers tend to recycle work out plans with the many clients they have, and schedules tend to be more rigid. If you want to learn more about specific exercises, these types of trainers are good to provide that basic knowledge.
  • Group Personal Trainers: Typically known as the most affordable type of personal training, many of these class-based workout regimens have a single personal trainer working a group through several routines. For those who feel more comfortable in a crowd, it’s a great way to work towards your goals with others. Don’t expect any flexibility or one-on-one consulting, but the encouragement and socializing can make the workout just as fun.

Even after deciding what type of personal training is worth your time and money, there are plenty of alternatives and specialized training that may suit your needs in what you want out of training.

These could range from yoga, cardio, strength and even specific athletic-training based on a certain sport. The web has made this process simpler, but always be sure to check before committing to a personal trainer.

But once the decision is made, the best payment plan is the last choice to make.

Payment Plan that is Right for You

There is no baseline price for personal trainers on the market, but the payment structure tends to be the same.

Personal trainers charge by sessions, which vary on how long they train with you, and can range from one or several hours depending on how long each session is.

Personal training sessions can be billed in three different ways:

Weekly: If payment is weekly, personal trainers tend to market these as the less favorable choice by having them be the higher payment. For those who have a little more money to spend, but a less open schedule, weekly should be the last resort.

Monthly: You are likely to see more result with monthly payments, but in the long term, you are paying more. Some personal trainers also charge for four or six-month periods, so if you feel that’s not enough, then understand that it’s only going to get pricier.

Annually: Essentially, you are paying the much more expensive price for your commitment to a regimen and may be the best service depending on the trainer. Expect the best, but also be wary of the hidden prices and additions that may entice you to spend more than you already have.

The rate of how you pay your personal trainer may also depend on how the trainer charges the following:

  • Equipment
  • Travel
  • Supplements

Trainers also tend to factor in the price of their services based on their experience, certifications and reputation. Be aware that although a cheap price for a trainer could be helpful for your budget, it may also equal the quality of the work the trainer puts out for you.

Use a Title Loan to Afford Hiring a Personal Trainer!

When in need of additional funding for a personal trainer, title loans may be a favorable option. Car title loans can be a great way to get fast essential funding without all the hassles that can come with traditional loans.

One of the best things about car title loans is that they may be very fast and efficient. You could even receive your funding as soon as the next business day when you work with title loans serviced by LoanMart!1, 3

Complete a title loan questionnaire online to see if you qualify for emergency money to pay for a personal trainer!

Purchase Your Medical Prescription on a Strict Budget

It is incredibly important to purchase your prescription on time, but it can be difficult with the rising price of prescriptions over the last decade. But there is no reason to fret because there are several financial options available!

Take a look at a few different budgeting ideas, loan options, and other suggestions for how to purchase your prescriptions on time so you don’t have to put up with a medical emergency.

Some ideas you might consider include the following:

  • Go to a low-income clinic
  • Use GoodRx
  • Apply for Medicaid
  • Earn more money
  • Obtain a loan

It’s best to research all your payment options carefully before making a decision, so review some basic ways to purchase your prescriptions when your budget is tight.

Go to a Low-Income Clinic for Prescriptions

Perhaps one of the reasons you feel you cannot purchase your prescriptions is because you don’t have insurance or enough money for the co-pay to see a doctor. Some prescriptions, especially of highly regulated medications, cannot simply be refilled. They typically require you to see a doctor or a psychiatrist to get a new write-up altogether. This can be very frustrating when you don’t have insurance or you have a pricey co-pay.

Thankfully, there is another option. Most large cities in the United States have low-income clinics which feature sliding scales if you don’t use insurance for an appointment with a doctor. All you have to do is bring in your last paystub and sometimes they will charge you as little as twenty-five dollars to see a general practitioner (GP). That GP you see should be able to write up the prescriptions you need.

Use GoodRx for Prescriptions

If you go the low-income clinic route to get the prescription write-ups, then using GoodRx afterwards is a great option to get those prescriptions filled for a significantly cheaper cost with or without insurance. The website is simple to use and provides amazing discounts and coupons on common medications, both brand and generic, for those who don’t have insurance or don’t wish to use their insurance because of their co-pay.

Just find your medication, pick your pharmacy, and print your coupon to save up to 80% on your prescriptions. GoodRx can be beneficial to your health and wellness, so be sure to try it out.

Apply for Medicaid

If you qualified for the low-income clinic, then you should perhaps consider applying for Medicaid or Medicare in your state. Even though qualification and benefits tend to differ state by state, it can make a huge difference in the average American’s physical and mental health.

You can apply over the phone or online, depending on what’s easier and preferable for you. If you qualify, your prescription prices are sure to drop significantly. Most likely you’ll only need to pay a few dollars for each prescription.

Even if you don’t believe you’d qualify for Medicaid or you had never considered it before, at least apply to see as it can’t hurt to try. It could make purchasing all your prescriptions significantly easier.

Earn More Money

If the previous options don’t apply to your situation there are still ways to afford the prescriptions that you need. Here are few more ideas to make sure you have enough extra money consistently each month to purchase your prescriptions:

  • Get a part time job on the side to make more money. There are plenty of great jobs you can get for nights and weekends. Become a bartender and save your tips. Drive for Uber or Lyft. Get some dog-walking gigs from Wag or Rover. Keep all the extra money you make in a separate account, so you only use it for your medication costs.
  • Ask your current boss for overtime or ask for a raise. Explaining your situation to your boss could encourage him or her to change protocol and give you extra hours. And if you’ve been working at the same place for a while, it might be about time you received a raise for all your hard work.
  • Change your spending habits and follow a stricter budget. Instead of going to Starbucks every day, make coffee at home and reallocate that money to your savings account. Instead of eating out for lunch every day, pack your lunch and put that cash in a jar on your desk. Temporarily cancel some of your subscriptions for a few months. A bunch of small changes like that can make a huge difference in how much money you have available to purchase your prescriptions.

Borrow Some Money with a Loan

If you decide to get a loan, you might consider getting an auto title loan. With title loans serviced by LoanMart, you may be able to secure emergency cash in as little as 24 hours using the title of your car!1, 3 Funding can be spent on just about any emergency, such as those prescriptions you need.

During the repayment process, a lien is placed on your car title. This gives the loan provider temporary possession of your car. But don’t be concerned, as you can still drive your car throughout the life of the loan when you work with title loans serviced by LoanMart! Just make sure to keep up with your monthly payments.

If you think a title loan may be right for you then inquire today to see if you qualify! In just 5 minutes, you could receive a free title loan estimate!1, 3 Use the title loan calculator online or dial 855-422-7412 to speak with an agent.