How to keep food on the table and money in your wallet!

The age old question is how is it possible to feed your family and still pay your bills? The sad part is that a lot of people compromise on their health by buying cheaper food that fits their budget but might not be the healthiest option.

Healthy Options

The easiest way to decide if you have a healthy lifestyle is to check your waistline and number of doctor visits you have had in a year. If you have a bigger waistline than you should and you seem to be always getting sick it might be time to check what you are putting in your body.

It is a ‘no brainer’ that adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Unfortunately some persons decide it is easier and cheaper to buy fast food items or opt out of vegetables since they are an extra cost.

Affordable Groceries

It is always better to prepare your own meals. Fast food options are usually very unhealthy and ultimately end up costing you more in the long run with increased doctor bills.

So how do you afford to buy enough food so that you can prepare meals at home?

Firstly ensure that you buy wholesale. This means that you will always have a ready supply of items that can be turned into simple meals. There is also a discount for buying in bulk.

Reward Programmes

Most supermarkets offer customers the opportunity as a part of a reward programme. These types of programmes allow customers to accumulate points every time they shop. Customers are given a card which they present to the cashier after their items are cashed.

If the customers continue to amass the points over a period of time they can be used to purchase items at a later date.

Market Days

Since we know that including fruits and vegetables in our diet is important. The crucial question is how is the best way to afford them? Well what about going to the market? A number of people shy away from visiting the market but it is still the best place to get quality produce at an affordable price.

Although there are traditional markets there are also a number of places in Kingston where street vendors have quality produce. These vendors are usually flexible and will negotiate especially if you buy a number of items.

If you are buying any item from a street vendor in a structured environment or on the street it is important that  you wash the items carefully when you get home.

Therefore if you buy in bulk and visit your local market you will keep food on your table and money in your wallet!

So what’s your take? Drop me a line! Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner online writer

Tags: budget, market, reward programme