What are some really good ways to save money and eat healthier?

[AmberP]

I spend most of my time going out to eat and such, and of course
that is really expensive and not always the healthiest. So, I was
wanting some really good tips on great recipes and just good advice
on how to stay disciplined and save money. Thanks!!!

 

[aknaswonder]

I only have a bit of advice, and no recipes since I believe you can create your own.
Locally grown and seasonal produce are normally sold at a cheaper price.
Barley, couscous, legumes and brown rice are healthy and go far in a recipe.
It is sometimes difficult to stay disciplined, but when you have fresh fruit or vegs in the house it's easier to use them than to throw them away knowing you are thowing your money away with the product.
I'm a hoarder. I load up on items which are on sale which I know I will use. I make a bit more than I need and feeze the rest in individual containers for a quick lunch or dinner when I haven't the time to cook.
Nothing is cheap nowadays, so I tend to go to the dollar stores for items which are good quality but at a lower price (usually the price is lower since the box is dented, etc.). Nothing wrong with the product though.
I've learned to cook a lot of things which I normally went out for since it's cheaper and I can control the spice factor.
Good luck. We all need help.

 

[freeyourself1anarchist]

Buy in bulk, you can get things like TVP (textured vegetable protein) for really cheap and it lasts a long time and expands and can feed a lot of people and can be flavored however you like or get lentils plenty of protein and easy to make and again cheap. Same thing with most dry goodies. Also stick too fruits and veggies and if you can grow a community garden or at the very least have a garden in your backyard or somewhere nearby.
My best tip which some people don't understand
Go to your favorite grocery store and check out their dumpsters (if they have them some have compactors, booooo!) A lot of good food gets thrown away each and every day because they cannot legally sell it or give it away or they bought too much or got a new shipment in or one bottle or jar broke and the rest are fine (maybe a little dirty) I have found awesome things in a dumpster from a Tofurky feast too a nearly whole case of jones soda too delicious fruits and veggies (some may not look perfect but many taste ok) too boxes and boxes of Naked and Odwalla Juices too things like cakes and pies and bread and a friend of mine found a entire box of dark chocolate and one friend found 60 pounds of tofu. This country is so wasteful we just throw things out rather than sharing them with people who want the food or need the food. Honestly sometimes things in a dumpster are truly bad and might be moldy or something but with good know how you can avoid that stuff and eat like royalty for nothing.
I was able to convince my father who is a conservative meat eating navy (35+ years) guy that the country is wasteful and that the dumpstered strawberry rhubarb pie he was eating was quite delicious and there was really nothing wrong with it. Honestly those who attack dumpster diving have never done it and don't understand it but it can be a lot of fun, it is like a treasure hunt.

This might be of some help to the novice diver (though in most food dumpsters you will not encounter needles usually just gross meat and some slimy trash or coffee ground or spilled yogurt or something like that but still wear gloves and bring a friend)
http://www.wikihow.com/Dumpster-Dive

As far as other money saving tips, make good food that is really filling and really cheap to make, if people are eating less but are feeling nice and full and satisfied you can save a lot but if you make meals that leave people hungry they will want to keep eating.

Hope this help and happy eating and if you need any more help feel free to shoot me a PM

 

[CalibanLarry]

Buy raw beans in bulk--not canned. Learn to cook 'em. Learn how to spice 'em. Good stuff, they: low in calories; low in salt; high in protein; high in fiber.

I look forward to others' ideas.