Here are some great tips to save calories, money, and time! The first, very obvious thing to do is eat at home, rather than eat out, but there are even more ways to save even if you are currently doing this. Tackling the grocery store can be a challenge, but if you follow this advice, you will be on your way to a smaller waist and more room in your pockets from all the money you are saving!

The first step to saving is planning. Go to the grocery store with a list so you do not get distracted and aimlessly browse the isles. Also check the newspapers/online ahead of time for products that are on sale and incorporate them into your list. While you are shopping, choose generic brands that tend to be located out of eye level, usually on the tops and bottoms of shelves.

Buying in bulk is key. Stores like Costco and Sam’s Club allow you to purchase large quantities at lower prices. Buy produce by the bag, not individually, and remember that canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious as the fresh kind and they are much cheaper and will last much longer. It is even smarter to buy big containers of yogurt and add your own “fruit on the bottom” as well as big bags of snacks to make your own “100 calorie packs” for the week, rather than buying them prepared. Lean cuts of meat and other things should be purchased when they are on sale and then you can freeze them for future uses. On this note, keep your freezer organized and even make a list of what is in there so you do not buy that same food next time.

When you have the time, it is much cheaper to prepare your own breads, hummus, dressings, pizza doughs, pasta, and other things that most of us buy already made. This way you can control portion sizes, eliminate unnecessary fats, and substitute whole grains whenever possible. Soups, stews, and chili’s are also very easy to make and contain many health and cheap ingredients that can be very filling when added all together. With a little time and planning, homemade meals taste better and are much more inexpensive.

The use of spices is also a great trick to save money. You can buy cheaper cuts of meat and with the right flavors and spices it will be even more delicious than expensive cuts that are plain. Also, using spices rather than fatty dressings and marinades will eliminate many calories. There are now a lot of delicious flavored stocks and mixed spices for seafood and poultry that make a world of difference when cooking on a budget. On this note, try not to buy an excess of spices that you may only use a “dash” of in one recipe. Try to be creative if the recipe calls for a less common spice, substitute with something you have or will use again.

Finally, get the most out of your calories. Nutrient rich foods will help you stay fuller, rather than the empty calories found in refined sugar products. Also, drink a lot of water. Fruit juices and soda can add up on the grocery bill and in your calorie count, but filtered water is free!

The next time you think there is absolutely nothing to eat in your house, sit down and prepare a mock healthy menu for the week using only what is currently in your house, no extra purchases. Combine things you never thought to before and really use up every bit of food you have to offer. You will definitely save the money for a week’s worth of groceries and you may even come up with a delicious, new recipe in the meantime!