You have to be living in a cave not to notice that prices are going up; it’s more expensive to live – and eat – and there's no end in sight. Add to that a few children that devour like locusts ... You can cut down on some expenses, like going to the movies, buying clothes, or eating out, but you can’t stop eating altogether.

You might think of turning to cheap, unhealthful food during these hard times. Before you do, consider the following valuable tips to eat good, nutritious food without breaking your budget.
  1. Grow your own. Some of us are blessed to live in a climate where it’s easy to garden. Others might garden inside. You don’t need a lot of space to grow vegetables, just a patch of yard – or a windowsill – where the sun shines often. With a little weeding and feeding, you’ll soon be feasting on – and sharing - homegrown tomatoes, peppers, radishes or beans. If your goal is to cut back on expenses, while eating nutritionally, a small garden will reduce your grocery bill (and make you popular with your friends, too!). There's another benefit to a home garden – most children enjoy the project of growing a favorite veggie. That's brain and body nutrition!
  2. Eat your leftovers! If you usually throw food away, now is the time to be creative with leftovers from a restaurant. Ask for a doggie bag and get two meals for the price of one.  When cooking at home, make extra and save time cooking.
  3. Have fun clipping coupons. You can save from 10 - 50% off grocery bills with minor effort. Coupons are a great way to save a little here, a little there. It adds up! Invite friends over and share coupons. But remember to buy only products you will use.
  4. Bulk up your shopping! Add some
    muscle to your food budget. Buy a large box of cereal or a big cut of meat and freeze what you don’t eat on Day One. You can help your friends save, too, by buying fresh produce in bulk and sharing it. This will help you both buy more for less! And, it won’t go bad before you can eat it.
  5. Generic vs. brand names. Don’t believe the marketing hype that there’s a big difference between generics (store brands) and brand names. Brand names cost more because you’re paying for advertising. Compare ingredients and you’ll discover you can buy many of the same exact items for A LOT LESS if it is a generic store brand name.
Just because the cost of living is increasing doesn’t mean the quality of your life should decrease. Food is more important than gas, clothes, or entertainment! Don’t skimp on the quality of your meals because they’re costing more. Keep the above tips in mind when you shop and/or eat out. You’ll have a satisfied belly, better nutrition, healthier kids, AND a fatter wallet (and maybe more friends)!

Denise Kennard, RN, Administrator, Competent Care Home Health Nursing.
Competent Care specializes in continuous and visitation nursing care in the home. Our team of health professionals works closely to develop treatment plans for pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients for catastrophic illness and injury.

For more information, please contact Basia Christ, Director of Marketing, (800) 755-4818, email bchrist@competentcare.com or mail your questions to her office at 2900 Bristol Street, Suite D107, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. © 2008 Competent Care Home Health Nursing. All rights reserved.