Weight Loss on a Budget

April 15, 2002

The Big Butt Jar is definitely something I would do, LOL!!

Fawn

by Gina Allchin and Liz Neporent How come fast-food restaurants super-size your hamburgers but not your salad? How come bags of chips keep getting bigger and bigger? The economy packs of food will save you money but not calories. How do you lose weight on a budget? Here are some suggestions from iVillagers: The Most Creative Here's how I'm trying to save money for a deck and how I'm trying to lose some weight by cutting down on eating out every day for lunch. I usually spend about $5 a day on eating out for lunch. I have two jars at home. One is labeled "New Deck" and the other is labeled "Big Butt." Every time I eat out, I get a receipt and throw it into the Big Butt jar. When I bring my own lunch, I throw the $5 I didn't spend on fast food into the New Deck jar. When I see all the receipts in the Big Butt jar, not only do I feel bad about all the money I wasted that could've gone to my new deck, but also I can visually see all money I spend on junk food that should've been healthy, affordable food bought from the grocery store. And I feel worse about my overall appearance because I am, essentially contributing to my butt. --Sarah More Ideas Bring lunch. A delicious homemade salad will save calories and dollars. If you are used to spending as little as $5 a day, you can save over $1,500 a year (based on a five-day week). You can buy a new wardrobe with that money. --Diet & Fitness newsletter Drink water. If you switch your favorite drink from soda and sugary juice to water, you will pump up your metabolism and bloat your bank account. If you used to spend $2 a day on soda, you'll save $600 a year (based on a five-day week). That could send you on vacation. --Diet & Fitness newsletter Learn how to go bulk shopping on a diet. With low-fat meats, buy the biggest pack and freezer-bag it in portions. Also, buying frozen vegetables instead of always buying fresh can save money, and they still maintain most of the vitamins. (Be careful which veggies you choose; some don't maintain their flavor.) Lose the costly low-fat cookies and desserts. Go for the fruits, applesauce and low-fat instant puddings instead. --iVillager Go generic! Buying the "store" or generic brand can save a bundle. In many instances, the store brand is actually a name brand with a store label. The container or packaging may not be beautiful, but does that really matter? --iVillager

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