An exception to the above rule is if you find yourself throwing out a lot of spoiled veggies and fruit each week. Stop the waste by switching to frozen, which has the same amount of nutrients as fresh since the fruits and veggies are flash frozen at their peak. Use frozen fruit in smoothies or low-fat muffins, or thaw fruit chunks to enjoy with yogurt or in salads. Frozen vegetables can pare precious minutes from your dinner-prep time since washing and cutting isn't required. Be sure to buy plain frozen produce, not frozen convenience foods: the added butter, oils, sodium and sugar will add to the produce’s cost, as well as calorie load.
Money saved per month: Again, the savings vary, in this case depending on what produce you favour, the time of year (berries, for instance, always cost more midwinter then in-season in early summer), and whether you buy your produce at a discount grocer or splurge on high-quality organic produce. But less food thrown out means money saved, either way, and by the way, you can find frozen veggies at all price and quality points, too, from bulk/savings to premium organics.
5. Interval train
Shorter, more intense bursts of exertion interspersed with equal amounts of slower-paced recovery time have been proven to gain faster results than even, steady efforts when it comes to losing weight. Push yourself harder, and you can cut your weekly gym time, say from three or four 90-minute gym sessions to an equal number of hard, butt-whoopin’ 45-minute workouts, giving you more time to:
• work more (making you more money);
• get home faster and cook from scratch (saving calories and money); or
• walk back to work or home afterwards (saving you cash on transit or cab fare).
Money saved per month: Your savings vary, but let's say you took on an extra hour of work – that could snag you an extra $22 per shorter gym session, or as much as $265 per month assuming you pick up an extra hour of paid work for three gym sessions per week. Even if you pull in minimum wage, that's still about an extra $100 per month.
6. Head for the hills
Grab your honey and kids, put on your runners, and go for a walk in the woods. It's a great way to get some cardio, work your core and lower body, and connect with nature as a family. Bring binoculars and bird watch, collect leaves and pine cones and take some photos. If you're making an afternoon of it, pack healthy treats and plenty of water so you can stay fueled and not succumb to a Tim's break on the way back home. TIP: The woods are usually a better choice than the waterfront or city streets since there are fewer restaurant and convenience store distractions!
Money saved per month: If your idea of a once-a-month Sunday treat is going to the movies and chowing down on popcorn and pop, you can save an average of $65 when you trade the flick for the forest.
Read more:
• Easy ways to save money
• 10 ways to save money on gas
• 10 things your wasting your money on
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• CanadianLiving.com Health
• CanadianLiving.com Money
• CanadianLiving.com Life
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