Are You Eligible for Free File with the IRS?

by MMarquit · 0 comments

One of the ways that you can save money is by using Free File to prepare your taxes. You can file your taxes online for free, with the help of online forms, and even use commercial free file software from IRS partners.

Free file is a great way to get help on your taxes for free. You can check with the IRS free file site to get started, and get a list of participating partners who are willing to help you file their taxes.

In order to take advantage of the Free File program, you need to have an Adjusted Gross Income of $57,000 or less for 2011 (this changes each year, adjusted for inflation). You can choose a software provider and use the Free File software to help you figure your taxes, and then file them. This can be a good way to avoid paying fees for someone else to figure your taxes.

It is also worth noting that many tax preparation offices will prepare a 1040-EZ and file it free of charge, and some will even help those with low incomes file a simple 1040 Form. Ask different taxes offices what their policies are, and what programs they offer. There is no reason to pay to file your taxes if you are eligible for Free File, or some other program.

Free Fillable Forms

Even if your AGI is more than $57,000 for 2011, you can still take advantage of free fillable forms. These online forms allow you to fill in your information online, and some of the forms can even perform some of the calculations for you. These forms are great for those who like to do their own taxes, and would like a free way to access simple tax filing tools. However, these forms don’t follow the same pattern of asking you questions and having you answer them to fill in automatically. These are the forms that come if you pick up a regular paper packet.

Once you are done filling out all of the forms, you can use free eFile from the IRS to file your taxes. The fillable forms are a way for some filers to avoid paying for software and still be able to fill out their forms electronically. This method is free to anyone, regardless of income level.

Getting Free Help with Your Taxes

It is also possible for the elderly, and for those with low incomes, to find help doing their taxes. There are community organizations, including VITA and Tax Counseling for the Elderly, that provide low cost and free help to do your taxes. Many colleges also provide free help for tax questions as a way for business and accounting majors to get practice.

On top that, you can always contact the IRS for free help with your taxes. You can check with the instructions on the IRS web site, or even call the IRS for free help with a toll-free number (1-800-829-1040 for individuals).

File electronically, and designate direct deposit, and you can get your tax refund within as little as seven to 10 days.

You Can Afford to be Fashionable

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

These days most of us are having difficulty paying the bills and buying groceries, so even though we’d like to splurge on a new wardrobe, it’s not in the budget and gets penciled with a sigh onto our list of wants.  If you’re a mom, clothing for yourself is even further down the list, since any extra money you end up with is instantly applied to purchases for your children.

Although meeting the needs and wants of your household before your own is a great priority to have, don’t let it lead you to totally neglect yourself. Every woman needs to invest time and money in herself once in a while, too. This not only benefits you, but those around you, since you’ll be happier and more fun to be around when you’ve had time to relax, regroup, and pamper yourself a little.

Maybe you understand this need, but still don’t think you have the money. Shopping on a budget is not only entirely feasible; it is the best practice because it doesn’t result in the guilty feelings of a several-hundred-dollar shopping spree. You can add great pieces to your wardrobe while still staying well within a budget. Here are some ideas of how to do it.

Learn to love the clearance racks… but not how you think. You might admit that when you think of clearance racks, you think of picked-over, off-season rejects, especially if you’ve only ever shopped new merchandise. This is a common stereotype which can cause you to miss great deals on cute, in-season clothing.

  • Shopping the clearance racks doesn’t mean you have to buy ugly clothing nobody wants. Neither should you assume you have to buy a season behind. Sure, if you find a classic pea coat at half price, snatch it up for next winter, but don’t buy many items like this. Next year may come and you’ll be a different size or simply not like the item anymore, and you’ve just wasted money on something you can no longer return.
  • Learn to shop the clearance racks for all-season pieces that are interesting and will go with other items you already own. Buy only things you know you’ll wear, not items you might work up the courage to wear someday or don’t fit you right. At the same time, don’t hesitate to try a new style. You may be surprised at what you like once you’re wearing it.

Another tip is to take advantage of store coupons (not store credit cards – this is a trap to spend money you don’t have). Once you find a store brand you like, sign up for email or mail offers. You may have to sort through some spam, but it’s well worth the prize of a ‘50% off your next purchase with a promotional code’ coupon.  You will also be alerted to any limited-time sales so you can pick the best times to shop.

Lastly, don’t deprive yourself. If you see a cute full-price outfit you know you’d love and be able to wear a long time, get it. One full-price outfit every once in a while isn’t going to hurt your budget, as long as you stay within your spending limit. You make the choice – buy several cheaper items and have more new clothes, or buy one or two special items, and that’s all you get.

Clearance racks and store coupons are two great ways way to afford new clothes within a budget. The most amazing thing is… you’ll look so great, no one will know how little you spent.

Fun and Frugal Ways to Make Learning Fun for Your Toddler

by Tracy · 0 comments

Educational toys and enrichment programs are terrific; unfortunately many of them come with a hefty price tag. However, don’t feel like those are your only options when it comes to helping your child develop intellectually and gain the skills that they will need for formal schooling. There are literally hundreds of activities that you can share with your child to help make learning fun and accessible for them. Here are a few ideas to get started.

Begin at the Library

Most public libraries offer parents and children so much more than books and story-time. Ask your librarian what resources are available for parents. Many offer a parents and educators area that is stocked with books and videos about child development and educational activities. Some even loan out educational toys and have free passes local museums and zoos. Don’t forget the books though – being a fluent reader will help your child their whole life long.

Along with the library, try giving your school board a call and ask if they offer any classes or learning materials for parents of preschool aged children. They should also be able to give you guidelines that detail what your child should be able to do before entering kindergarten along with activities to help them master these skills.

Browse Online

Luckily for us parents, many teachers and child care providers have embraced the Internet and are sharing wonderful ideas for arts and crafts and learning activities on their blogs. If the idea of trying to hunt down these sites is exhausting, try these sites as a jumping-off point:

Pinterest – If you’ve never used Pinterest before, read through this guide that explains step-by-step how to use it. The Education, DIY/Crafts and Kids sections are filled with wonderful ideas for crafts and activities.

Zero to Three is an advocacy group that offers a wide variety of learning materials for parents who wish to nurture their child’s intellectual and emotional development.

Read Kiddo Read offers books selections and tips for parents to help them get their children more interested in reading.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sends children from birth to age 5 one free book a month. You can check to see if your child is eligible on the site. Many areas have no income limits on the program.

Nature Rocks helps parents discover local opportunities for their child to interact with nature and free activity guide downloads.

Remember Learning is Everyday

The most important thing that parents can do to help their young children grow and learn is to simply be available and present. Specific educational activities are nice, but nothing takes the place of spending time with your child, both one on one and as a family.

1. Invite your children to help you with your chores. It might be more work at first, but even little things like folding hand towels or putting spoons in the dish washer helps your child develop hand eye coordination and fine motor skills as well as the healthy sense of self esteem that comes from being a contributing part of the family.

2. Instead of flashcards, use every day situations to teach your child letters and numbers. Label each family member’s napkin with their initial. Ask your child to divide 6 apple slices between himself and his sister. Make numbers and letters a part of your child’s daily life.

3. Limited amounts of screen time are okay, but remember that puzzles, board games and even simple card games offer more interpersonal interaction and also help develop the hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills that your child will later use to learn to write.

4. Look for opportunities for your child to play with other children and to practice spending time away from you.

5. Encourage your child to learn to dress themselves and take care of as much of their daily hygiene as possible.

A good education is crucial to your child’s success. You don’t have to be rich to give them the best start possible – what’s important is that you are motivated and committed to enriching your child’s life.

Saving on Over-the-Counter Cold Remedies

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

The last thing you want to do when you or someone in your household comes down with a cold is to trudge to a drugstore to purchase over-the-counter cold remedies. It’s better to keep an array of remedies on hand so when sickness strikes, you have something to ease the patient’s symptoms. While they won’t cure the cold, they may serve to lessen discomfort and inconvenience while it runs its course.

Of course you can’t keep the whole drugstore in your medicine cabinet. Choosing a well-considered assortment of cold remedies to keep in stock is wise course of action. Rather than purchasing products that combat multiple symptoms, it’s best to get single-symptom remedies you can take to fight off specific symptoms. For instance, you might need something for a sore throat and a runny nose one day and two days later you may be dealing with congestion and a cough. It’s best to treat only the symptoms from which you’re suffering at any given time. Taking something for more symptoms than you have means you’re taking unnecessary medication, which is unhealthy and wasteful.

Here’s a list of the general categories of cold remedies to keep in your medicine cabinet:

NOTE: It is vital that you check with your doctor about which ingredients to look for – and which to avoid – in products in each category to take into account your personal health profile.

If you don’t have any particular health concerns, talk to the pharmacist for recommendations. There are store-brand versions of most medications, so once you know what the active ingredients are, you can usually find the medicine you need for much less money.

  • Analgesic - This combats pain, like headache, sore throat or body aches. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen or even aspirin will do the trick. These medications can also lower fever.
  • Cough remedy - A cough suppressant helps relieve the urge to cough (though if it’s “productive” and helping you to expel excess mucus from your lungs, coughing itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing). Take a cough remedy when coughing is excessive.
  • Expectorant - An expectorant aids in “loosening” the mucous which may cause coughing, making it easier to expel. Often cough remedies include an expectorant, but you may not always need these products together. Get an separate expectorant for the treatment of an unproductive cough.
  • Decongestant - These relieve the swelling (congestion) of nasal passages caused by a cold, opening up your airway, thus making it easier to breathe through your nose.
  • Antihistamine - When you have a cold (or an allergy) your nose releases chemicals called, “histamines,” which make your nose itchy and runny and causes sneezing. As the name implies, an antihistamine combats those chemicals, thereby relieving the symptoms they cause.

Once a year, take inventory of what cold remedies you have on hand. Check their expiration dates. Most expired cold remedies lose some of their effectiveness after the expiration date has passed, so you’ll want to replace them with fresh medications. Once you know what you have on hand, fill in your symptom-battling arsenal so you’re prepared to treat any symptoms that attack. Stocking up in advance enables you to shop at your leisure, rather than when you’re anxious to get home to the patient. Purchasing them before they’re actually needed will provide time to research products, price-shop  and find coupons, all of which will make buying these pricey medications more affordable.

Colds happen. When illness strikes, being prepared with what you need to relieve symptoms can help you – and your wallet – feel healthier.

How do you save on over-the-counter cold remedies?

Smart Ways to Invest in Yourself

by MMarquit · 1 comment

One of the best investments you can make is in yourself. If you are looking to invest in yourself this year, there are some smart things you can do to help you improve your life — and your ability to earn.

Invest in Your Education

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to keep learning. Invest in a good education. This doesn’t mean that you have to go in debt just to go back to school. The idea is to keep learning. Whether you learn more about starting a business, or learn more about something that interests you, an education can be helpful. Get a certification, finish a degree, or just read up so that you are more knowledgeable about a hobby of interest. The more you know, the more powerful you have the potential to become.

Invest in Your Health

You can take better advantage of opportunities if you are in good health. Work to improve your health this year, and you will find that you have more energy, and that your mind is sharper. You can improve your health by exercising more, as well as eating better. Make a plan to cook healthy meals, and to engage in more physical activity. There are plenty of frugal ways to work out, as well as eat right.

As part of investing in your health, you can also sleep better, and remember to relax adequately. You need to reduce your stress level in order to improve your health, and you need enough rest. Your mind will work better, and your emotional state will be improved.

Invest in Your Relationships

A good support system is vital if you want to succeed in life. With the right support system, you can get through health troubles, emotional difficulties, and even financial problems. Your emotional well being will be improved, and you will experience less stress. Invest in relationships with your friends and family, especially your life partner and your children. Take the time to develop a few key relationships, and you will enjoy life better, and improve yourself.

Invest in Your Future

Look ahead to what you want to accomplish in the future. Consider what plans you can make to reach your objectives. If you need a certain certification, or if you need to make a plan to start a business, figure out how you can make it happen. Look at your current financial situation, and decide how you can improve, whether you pay down debt or look for ways to increase your income. Start now to take the steps to prepare for what’s next. This is an investment that can pay off big down the road.

Bottom Line

You are your best asset. Take a step back and determine what you can do to improve yourself. Improve your mind and your physical health, and create a support system. Plan for the future. Figure out what you need to do in order to change your course. When you take the time to improve yourself, you will receive big dividends.

6 Tips to Redecorate Your House on a Dime

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

Right about the middle of January, scores of women across the country get that familiar urge to redecorate their homes. Maybe it’s the cold weather, the dreary winter colors, or being cooped up too long indoors staring at the same four walls, but something inside most women screams for change this time of year more than others.

Unless you are expecting a hefty income tax refund, spending money on re-decorating your home is probably not a budget priority in the bleak midwinter, and you are stuck with what you have. Or are you? Here are some ways you might be able to afford a home makeover, after all.

Spruce up the furniture and décor you have. Perhaps what is needed is a new look for something old. One suggestion is to pick one item you are bored with (say, a dresser) and refinish it or give it a bright new coat of paint, and change the knobs. Voila! You have a ‘new’ dresser for the fraction of the cost of a new one. The best part is you get to use your creativity, and the changes you make are personal expressions which give more meaning to otherwise ordinary pieces. The craftier you are, the more freedom you will have. If you can’t come up with ideas on your own, browse home improvement magazines.

Keep it personal. Rather than buying wall art from a store, consider making your own. This not only simple and money-saving, but again, adds personal touches to your home. Some suggestions are framed scrapbook pages, picture collages in interesting frames, shadowboxes of heirloom items, your own poetry or favorite sayings. If you enjoy scenery wall art, enlarge and frame a picturesque view from your last vacation.

Rearrange and rediscover. Rearranging furniture is a must if you’ve lived in a house for any length of time. You may think you’ve re-arranged your present furniture in every possible combination, and still aren’t satisfied. But sometimes it’s good to think ‘outside the box.’ Do you have a piece of furniture which just doesn’t seem to fit its intended purpose? Find a new purpose for it. Move it to a different room, put books or a vase in it, find a new use that fits it. You might be surprised what you come up with if you don’t limit yourself by what something’s ‘supposed’ to be used for.

Simplify. Modern décor is trending toward simplicity; so ironically, you can update a room by taking stuff away from, rather than adding to it. Take a look around your home. Are there rooms which are too ‘busy’? By sticking to one theme and a few well-chosen focus points, you’ll be amazed at how fresh a room can feel by minimalism.

If you must buy, shop for deals. Garage sales are great places to find décor and furniture in good condition for dirt cheap. What someone else is bored with may be just what you’re looking for. Check your local newspaper regularly for sale notifications. Estate sales have especially good deals because many items will be in mint condition but bargain- priced because of the need to liquidate. If you’re too busy to garage-sale, check online for sites which allow people to display and sell personal wares.

Sell off so you can change out. Speaking of liquidating, consider items you are ready to get ride of and post them for sale online, in the newspaper, or in your own garage sale. This will convert your unwanted items into cash you can spend on new décor, after all.

Re-decorating your home does not have to be costly or out of reach. By using a little thrift, ingenuity, and unleashing your creativity, you can transform your home into an interesting and tasteful expression of yourself.

5 Ideas to Help You Avoid the Temptation to Spend

by Tracy · 0 comments

Does money burn a hole in your pocket? Some people just seem to be more naturally inclined to spend money the minute they get it while others have a knack of squirreling away any excess for a rainy day. If you’re a spender at heart, don’t feel like you are doomed to live paycheck-to-paycheck. Instead, accept that you will have to make conscious decisions to take actions that will help you channel your urge to spend in other directions.

Here are five ideas that can help you spend less and save more:

1. The best savings tip I know is to stash away your savings first before you have a chance to spend it. Of course, you could always take the money out of savings, so to make that less attractive, find ways to keep yourself focused and motivated. As cheesy as it might sound, one of those charts that charities have to track progress towards their fund-raising goals could also be a good way to look forward to watching your savings grow. It’s also a good idea to make your savings reasonably difficult to access by not linking it to your checking account and either declining an ATM card or keeping it locked away.

2. Find other activities that will keep you busy without requiring you to spend extra money. Exercise is great for this! Many people find that the exhilaration they feel after working out is a great substitute for a shoppers high or spending big cash on going out to restaurants and nightclubs. Just be mindful that you don’t use your new exercise routine or hobby as an excuse to give your credit card a workout from buying every piece of gear or enough supplies for a year.

3. Make good use of your local public library. For many, it’s not only a great source of entertainment and information, it’s also a good way to satisfy their urge to “acquire” something without spending cash or cluttering up their home. If you’ve been spending lots of money on lattes so that you can hang out in the coffee shop with your laptop why not try the library instead to fill your need to be around others while you work? Most libraries these days have free wireless Internet access and many also offer comfortable areas with cafe-like seating as well as traditional desks and tables.

4. Adopt a cash-only policy for your day to day expenses. The envelope system is one popular method. Basically, each pay check, after paying all of your big bills (mortgage, utilities, etc) you withdraw the cash you have budgeted  for groceries, gas, clothing and other spending categories and spend that instead of using your credit or debit card. Once the cash is gone, that’s it until the next pay check. Even if you don’t feel like adopting the envelope system fully, do try a cash only policy for incidental expenses like coffee, gum, sodas and other small expenses that add up. Give yourself your “allowance” in cash every week, pay period or month and make it your policy that once that money is, that’s it for little luxuries until it’s payday again.

5. Take the initiative in suggesting free or low cost activities to your friends and family. Often, groups find themselves falling back on going to the movies or a bar or a restaurant when it comes time to plan “hang-out” time. Be proactive and find fun, frugal ways to have fun as a group. Chances are people will be grateful that you’re not only saving them money but you also found something new to do! Learning how to entertain on a budget is one of the best things you can do for your social life.

Awareness of Sales Pressure: A Consumer’s First Defense

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

We’ve all felt the pressure when a zealous salesperson leans on us to make a purchase. Whether it’s at a car showroom, an appliance store or at our own front door or kitchen table, the fact is, it’s difficult to say, “No,” to someone when you’re dealing with them face-to-face. It feels like you’re rejecting them and their efforts to ‘help’ you. No one likes to be the ‘bad guy’ who – sometimes literally – shuts the door in their face.

As consumers, however, it’s important that we realize that a good sales strategy takes those very emotions into consideration and leverages them to prompt us to make purchases. It happens with in-person sales, for cars and televisions and vinyl siding. It happens in a more anonymous – but equally compelling way – with sales and special offers. The key is to realize that saying, “No,” to sales pressure in any form is our only defense in the game of retail. The only way we can win is to be aware of how the cards are stacked against us.

Let’s explore some of the techniques used by sellers to get us to buy. Sometimes these techniques help us get what we need and want at a good price – and sometimes they encourage us to spend more than we want or buy more than we need. Be aware of the techniques and you’ll be a more empowered consumer.

  • Discounts - These come in all shapes and sizes: a sale, buy one, get one free, free shipping, a percentage off of your purchase… While a discount off a regular price can be a good thing, consider what that lower price does to your judgement and resulting actions. There’s nothing wrong with stocking up on a bargain as long as you make sure you don’t buy more than you need or want just because of the discount. Don’t use sales to justify overbuying.
  • Limited time/availability - By throwing the element of time into the buying equation, sellers add additional pressure to buy. “This sale ends January 31.” “There are only 10,000 of these in existence.” These restrictions on what we can get and when we can get it provide an urgency in our minds to buy now so as not to miss out on a deal or item – whether we really want or need the item now. Chances are, any deal you miss out on now will come back around eventually.
  • High desirability - Unfortunately, peer pressure doesn’t end with high school. We want to have those items that are popular and ‘special’ because it’s etched into our psyche that to ‘have’ what is desirable makes us more desirable, interesting or better. By appealing to that part of us that needs affirmation, sellers can wield great power over our better judgement. Sellers are well aware of this and work long and hard at making their offerings irresistible. Consider your rationale for purchases to make sure you’re not falling into that particular trap.
  • Impulse - The reasons we make impulsive purchases are many: boredom, convenience, price, taste/smell/appearance… When our sales resistance is low, impulse buying is most likely. When we’re feeling tired, lazy or stressed, we tend to look for an easy fix – in the guise of a candy bar, fast food, a cute, clever or scented do-dad. Impulse items are rarely on our shopping list and are usually unnecessary or ill-considered purchases.

Sales pressure doesn’t have to sabotage your finances; simply being aware of its potential to influence your purchasing will make you a more empowered consumer.

What’s the most difficult sales strategy for you to resist?

As Your Income Increases, Do Your Expenses Have to Increase as Well?

by MMarquit · 0 comments

Many of us like to consider what we’d do if we had more money. Think about it for a minute: If you had another $1,000 or $2,000 a month, what would you do with it?

Some of the things we think about might include buying a new car, upgrading to a bigger house, buying new furniture, or eating out more. I know that when my dad got a new job that paid more, my mom stopped making as many meals from scratch. All of a sudden, the pantry included a stock of prepackaged meals.

Increasing Expenses to Match Income

It is almost natural to respond to an increase in income with an increase in spending. After all, when you have the money, you might as well spend it! This tendency to spend more as your income increases is called lifestyle inflation.

When you make more money, it seems as though there are things that just have to come with it. A house that is a little bigger. Clothes that are name brand. A bigger car payment. A premium cable package.

Even if you don’t decide to spend big on new things, it is still possible to let lifestyle inflation creep in. In a lot of cases, it’s through small things. On a night when you don’t feel like making dinner, it’s easy to say, when you have more money, “I’ll just go get something.” When you aren’t as worried about pinching pennies and making sure you know where your money is going — because there seems to be a lot more of it — it’s easy to just let it slip through your fingers.

Really, even though it seems like more money means that you don’t have to pay attention to where it’s going, the truth is that you might need a spending plan or a budget even more. An increase in income doesn’t give you a pass to ditch a plan for your money.

What to Do with that Increase Instead

An increase in income can mean that you might be able to buy a few things you need, or reward yourself with a small vacation. However, it’s important not to let an increase in expenses become a permanent thing in your budget. Instead, here are a few things you can do with your increase in income:

  • Pay down debt: If you have debt, this should be a no-brainer. An increase in income should go toward reducing your debt.
  • Increase retirement account contributions: Instead of boosting your monthly cable expenses, boost your monthly retirement account contributions.
  • Build the emergency fund: Your increase in income can go a long way toward building your emergency fund.
  • Create passive income streams: Look for ways to put that increase to work for you. Start a side hustle, or create a dividend portfolio. It’s a great way to begin earning more money on the side and diversify your income streams.
  • Bless someone else: You can also use a portion of your increase to help others. Use your money to donate more to charity, or to find some other way to help others.

Eating Healthy on a Budget

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

As ironic as this seems, it is not cheap to make healthy food choices. The cheapest foods are usually highly processed, high in fat, and high in sugar. Some people link obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease in America to the abundance of cheap fattening foods which lack nutrition. Although we can’t blame our poor dietary choices on the economy, rising fuels costs, inflation, or major food producers, having to choose between healthier food and having enough gas in your car shouldn’t be necessary.

If you’ve started out the new year trying to eat healthier, you’ve probably noticed the impact on your pocket book and might be tempted to give up healthier eating because it’s just too expensive. Although it’s true that fresh, organic, whole grain, less processed foods can be more expensive than their less healthy counterparts, there are ways you can save money and not compromise your health and fitness.

Shop at the Farmer’s Market. Unless you want to start your own garden, then farmer’s markets offer a good alternative. Fresh produce from a local farmer’s market is much more fresh than what you can get at the grocery store, and quite often organic. Not only that, but grocery stores feature high markups on produce in general, so you will save money by purchasing directly from a farmer. Farmer’s markets don’t just have produce, either. You’ll find other healthy and delicious items such as home-made preserves or organic local honey. If you’re unsure if your town has a farmer’s market, check the newspaper or with your chamber of commerce.

Find deals at ethnic grocery stores. Grocery stores which cater to certain ethnic groups are also great places to find healthier foods at lower prices. They frequently carry bulk quantities of basics such as healthy grains and beans. Regular grocery stores charge more for their small selections of ethnic food because they don’t sell as much of it, whereas ethnic grocery stores experience high demand on their products due to the specific dietary habits of their clientele, who are concentrated in the area.

Buy in bulk. Money is not the only thing you save by buying certain items in bulk; it saves you trips (think fuel) to the store too. Just be careful which items you buy in bulk. They should be items you use regularly enough to avoid spoilage and waste, or have specific plans for. Buying in bulk is a great plan if you are too busy to cook or plan meals during the week and find yourself running out of supplies by Wednesday. By shopping at your leisure and buying certain items in bulk, you can even cook and freeze healthy meals in advance to get you through a hectic schedule without being tempted to dine out.

View your food choices as an investment… in yourself. Although these are some ways you can save money while choosing to eat healthier, whether or not you are willing to sacrifice time or a few extra dollars comes down to a matter of priorities. If you prioritize your health and wellness, you will not mind spending a few extra dollars if it means a few less pounds or a few more years on your life. Consider your diet an investment in yourself, and as with any financial investment, you have to spend money to make it.

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