Hi Carrots ‘n Cake readers. My name is Megan and I write about running and healthy (delicious!) food on my blog The Runner’s Kitchen. I’m a 20-something living on a budget in NYC, so eating well without breaking the bank isn’t always easy. However, over time I’ve picked up some tips and tricks and I’d like to share them with you!
Produce
Buying in-season
Produce tastes a lot better and is much less expensive if you buy it in-season. If you live in California – lucky you! You’ll be able to get tasty strawberries and lettuce almost any month of the year. However, if you live in the Midwest or Northeast, try buying frozen fruits and veggies during the winter. Frozen foods are flash-frozen immediately after harvesting so that their nutrients stay intact. You could even try freezing your own summer fruits. Buy summer produce (berries, peach slices, peas) at its peak, wash and dry thoroughly, spread on cookie sheets, and pop in the freezer until frozen. Once the produce is frozen solid, place it in air tight zip-loc baggies. Double bag to prevent freezer burn! This is a cheap way to enjoy fresh fruits and veggies throughout the year. If you’re wondering what is in-season and when – check out this website: http://www.sustainabletable.org/shop/eatseasonal/
Fruit Carts
These tips might not apply to all areas, but if you reside in NYC (or any big city) it might be worth a try. I’ve noticed that fruit vendors sell quality produce for a lot less than chain grocery stores. For example, I can usually get 5 bananas for $1 from a street cart vs. 3 bananas for $1 (or 89 cents/Lb) at the supermarket.
Chinatown
Another budget trick I’ve caught on to is purchasing produce from small shops/carts in Chinatown. The other week I was able to get 2 Lbs of cherries for $4!! Meanwhile Whole Foods and Stop & Shop are selling (non-organic) cherries for upwards of $7 for 1 Lb. I suspect that street cart produce is cheaper because the middle-man is cut out, but always inspect quality before you purchase!
Farmer’s Market
Head to the market a few hours before closing. Farmers will be more likely to give you a deal to avoid packing up and carting home unsold merchandise. Buy during peak season. Produce is more expensive at the very beginning and end of its harvest season. Be flexible. You might have your heart set on cherry pie, but perhaps you’ll be able to get blueberries for a better deal.
Pantry Staples
Whole Foods
I love Whole Foods, but the store is often called “Whole Paycheck” for a reason. I definitely think that quality food is worth more, but it doesn’t have to drain your bank account. I’ve noticed that many things at Whole Foods are reasonably priced – you just have to do some research. I’ve found that Kashi cereal, luna bars, clif bars, and lara bars are cheaper at Whole Foods than almost anywhere else. Also, the 365 Whole Foods store brand can be a good deal. 365 brand frozen fruit, peanut butter, olive oil, and cereal are very competitively priced.The store has recently begun producing a bi-monthly newsletter called the Whole Deal. This flyer provides tons of coupons, budget recipes, and money-saving advice. You can read all of the information online, but you’ll have to pick up an in-store copy for the coupons.
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/wholedeal/index.php
Coupons
Check out the following websites for coupons on pantry staples like cereal, cookies, pasta, etc.
Dairy and Meat
Dairy and meat often take the biggest bite out of the grocery budget. You could try switching to a mostly-vegetarian diet (beans cost less than steak!), but that might not be practical all of the time. When choosing meat, purchase cuts that are less expensive. Bonus: Cheaper cuts are often leaner! Pay special attention to how you prepare your meat – leaner cuts need extra marinade time and/or slower cooking in order to make them tender. Get Rich Slowly has an informative article on purchasing and preparing inexpensive cuts of beef: Making the Most of Cheap Cuts of Beef.
When purchasing yogurt, the larger (32 oz) container is a better deal than individual cups. Check out this link: http://coupons.stonyfield.com/new_coupon3.cfm for Stonyfield Farm coupons. Trader Joe’s has a great store-brand Greek yogurt that is much cheaper than the brand names. And don’t forget about sales! In the last few weeks, my local supermarket has had specials on Wallaby, Stonyfield Farm Oikos, and Chobani yogurts. Finally, have you thought about making your own yogurt? It takes some hands-on effort, but I can make 7 small cups of yogurt for less than $1. Read how I did it here: http://runnerskitchen.wordpress.com/2009/05/03/homemade-yogurt/
I hope you can use some of my tips to eat healthfully and stay in budget. If you’re looking for more info, check out The Runner’s Kitchen!