Comments on: The Real Challenge of Weight Watchers on a Budget http://www.northerncheapskate.com/2010/03/real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on/ Frugal. By Nature. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:18:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anonymous http://www.northerncheapskate.com/2010/03/real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on/comment-page-1/#comment-93 Anonymous Sat, 03 Apr 2010 16:49:15 +0000 http://gator524.hostgator.com/~brownco/2010/03/the-real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on-a-budget/#comment-93 I did WW online for just a week as part of a free trial offer. It was great, and I was able to take a lot from it without having to pay the monthly fees. In that process, I made my own Xcel sheet for calculating and tracking points. I've posted it to share as a google doc (http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0As2vxJErNEOvdExkZUFFMm1XVVNQb2R6dUc3dl9sZkE&hl=en) <br />You can download it straight to your computer and then enter your own information - much like you do w/ WW Online.<br />Additionally, I've found sparkpeople.com to be a great FREE online resource that's similar to what WW has to offer... but again, FREE. It'll track your calories, your goals, fitness, etc.<br />Finally http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php is an easy way to calculate the nutrition value for all of your home cooked meals.<br />There are so many great online resources that don't cost a dime. So, no real tips for cutting food costs, but this could be an option for cutting the WW fees down the road. I did WW online for just a week as part of a free trial offer. It was great, and I was able to take a lot from it without having to pay the monthly fees. In that process, I made my own Xcel sheet for calculating and tracking points. I've posted it to share as a google doc (http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0As2vxJErNEOvdExkZUFFMm1XVVNQb2R6dUc3dl9sZkE&hl=en)
You can download it straight to your computer and then enter your own information – much like you do w/ WW Online.
Additionally, I've found sparkpeople.com to be a great FREE online resource that's similar to what WW has to offer… but again, FREE. It'll track your calories, your goals, fitness, etc.
Finally http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php is an easy way to calculate the nutrition value for all of your home cooked meals.
There are so many great online resources that don't cost a dime. So, no real tips for cutting food costs, but this could be an option for cutting the WW fees down the road.

]]> By: jen http://www.northerncheapskate.com/2010/03/real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on/comment-page-1/#comment-80 jen Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:49:54 +0000 http://gator524.hostgator.com/~brownco/2010/03/the-real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on-a-budget/#comment-80 Well, I'm not on WW, but I am a vegan, trying to lose weight, and a couponer! So, I have some experience in trying to get the healthy stuff for less. I definitely always stock up on frozen fruits/veggies when I can, since they are as nutritious as fresh and often cheaper (especially for me when I consider how quickly produce can spoil). Also, I always scan ALL of the ciriculars for good fruit and veggy prices. I then often prepare them and freeze the meals, but some can be frozen with minimal preparation. I also am always on the lookout for other deals on healthy foods, like Progresso soup as someone mentioned. Also, I receive a free subscription to WW magazine and they always have WW coupons in there :) I guess as far as finding the deals goes, it's the same as everything else- keep an eagle eye out for a deal and then stock up! Well, I'm not on WW, but I am a vegan, trying to lose weight, and a couponer! So, I have some experience in trying to get the healthy stuff for less. I definitely always stock up on frozen fruits/veggies when I can, since they are as nutritious as fresh and often cheaper (especially for me when I consider how quickly produce can spoil). Also, I always scan ALL of the ciriculars for good fruit and veggy prices. I then often prepare them and freeze the meals, but some can be frozen with minimal preparation. I also am always on the lookout for other deals on healthy foods, like Progresso soup as someone mentioned. Also, I receive a free subscription to WW magazine and they always have WW coupons in there :) I guess as far as finding the deals goes, it's the same as everything else- keep an eagle eye out for a deal and then stock up!

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.northerncheapskate.com/2010/03/real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on/comment-page-1/#comment-63 Jennifer Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:53:17 +0000 http://gator524.hostgator.com/~brownco/2010/03/the-real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on-a-budget/#comment-63 In Southeastern PA, we have a chain called Produce Junction. It works similar to a farmer's market but the produce and fruit come directly off the farm with no commercial packaging. This in turn, lowers the prices drastically. An example of the savings would be: 5 lbs of bananas for $1.25. I find this to be an incredible asset to my monthly food bill and shop there exclusively for all my fruits and vegetables. I don't believe the chain can be found outside of my local area but if I were you, I'd look into local growers markets and farmers markets for better deals. Often these places are only open 2-3 days a week but it can be worth the savings to rearrange your shopping schedule. Good luck with your goal! In Southeastern PA, we have a chain called Produce Junction. It works similar to a farmer's market but the produce and fruit come directly off the farm with no commercial packaging. This in turn, lowers the prices drastically. An example of the savings would be: 5 lbs of bananas for $1.25. I find this to be an incredible asset to my monthly food bill and shop there exclusively for all my fruits and vegetables. I don't believe the chain can be found outside of my local area but if I were you, I'd look into local growers markets and farmers markets for better deals. Often these places are only open 2-3 days a week but it can be worth the savings to rearrange your shopping schedule. Good luck with your goal!

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.northerncheapskate.com/2010/03/real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on/comment-page-1/#comment-62 Anonymous Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:27:02 +0000 http://gator524.hostgator.com/~brownco/2010/03/the-real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on-a-budget/#comment-62 I have emailed a few compliments to companies such as Earthbound Farms and also emailed to ask for coupons only to be sent many in the mail. Try Morningstar, Earthbound Farms, Stonyfield Farms, Annie's and Amy's or any others you like and chances are they will send you some great long exp. date coupons. I have emailed a few compliments to companies such as Earthbound Farms and also emailed to ask for coupons only to be sent many in the mail. Try Morningstar, Earthbound Farms, Stonyfield Farms, Annie's and Amy's or any others you like and chances are they will send you some great long exp. date coupons.

]]> By: The Rudstroms http://www.northerncheapskate.com/2010/03/real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on/comment-page-1/#comment-61 The Rudstroms Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:03:19 +0000 http://gator524.hostgator.com/~brownco/2010/03/the-real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on-a-budget/#comment-61 In the long run being a healthy person will save money. Just buy fruits and vegetables you like and will eat. I'm really careful about not letting produce go to waste. Store fruits and vegetables properly to get the longest life from them and plan menus around what you have so it gets used up. Letting things rot would of course be a waste of money.<br />--AnnMarie In the long run being a healthy person will save money. Just buy fruits and vegetables you like and will eat. I'm really careful about not letting produce go to waste. Store fruits and vegetables properly to get the longest life from them and plan menus around what you have so it gets used up. Letting things rot would of course be a waste of money.
–AnnMarie

]]> By: Forest Parks http://www.northerncheapskate.com/2010/03/real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on/comment-page-1/#comment-60 Forest Parks Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:38:09 +0000 http://gator524.hostgator.com/~brownco/2010/03/the-real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on-a-budget/#comment-60 I'm vegetarian but if you eat from fresh (ideally), canned or frozen veggies then it can be cheap and the lack of meat really helps keep cost and calories down.... Never trued weight watchers so not sure how it would work with them.<br /><br />I like your new design by the way.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Forest.<br />http://frugalzeitgeist.com I'm vegetarian but if you eat from fresh (ideally), canned or frozen veggies then it can be cheap and the lack of meat really helps keep cost and calories down…. Never trued weight watchers so not sure how it would work with them.

I like your new design by the way.

Thanks,
Forest.
http://frugalzeitgeist.com

]]> By: Kaye http://www.northerncheapskate.com/2010/03/real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on/comment-page-1/#comment-59 Kaye Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:09:03 +0000 http://gator524.hostgator.com/~brownco/2010/03/the-real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on-a-budget/#comment-59 I've just started using <a href="http://e-mealz.com/amember/go.php?r=103801&i=l0" rel="nofollow">e-mealz</a> just to save time and noticed that they have a points system plan. They have it for Walmart, Publix, or "any store" based on store sales. It might be worth checking out. At $5 a month, I'm willing to give it a try (my time saved is worth that!). And use "Dave" as a coupon code to get $2.50 off your first $15 order. (by the way...I'm not highjacking your comments with advertising...I really do use them and I really don't work for them! I just thought it might be an option for you.). =) I've just started using e-mealz just to save time and noticed that they have a points system plan. They have it for Walmart, Publix, or "any store" based on store sales. It might be worth checking out. At $5 a month, I'm willing to give it a try (my time saved is worth that!). And use "Dave" as a coupon code to get $2.50 off your first $15 order. (by the way…I'm not highjacking your comments with advertising…I really do use them and I really don't work for them! I just thought it might be an option for you.). =)

]]> By: Erica http://www.northerncheapskate.com/2010/03/real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on/comment-page-1/#comment-58 Erica Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:59:52 +0000 http://gator524.hostgator.com/~brownco/2010/03/the-real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on-a-budget/#comment-58 Oh how I completely understand this post. I am just starting my 3 time with WW. It worked the first time when my husband was working out of town. But now that he is home, it is so hard. He doesn't eat any veggies and is a meat and potatoes man. I have had a hard time trying to eat correctly. I have found that my local farmers market has fruit and veggies much cheaper than the stores! Oh how I completely understand this post. I am just starting my 3 time with WW. It worked the first time when my husband was working out of town. But now that he is home, it is so hard. He doesn't eat any veggies and is a meat and potatoes man. I have had a hard time trying to eat correctly. I have found that my local farmers market has fruit and veggies much cheaper than the stores!

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.northerncheapskate.com/2010/03/real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on/comment-page-1/#comment-57 Anonymous Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:20:18 +0000 http://gator524.hostgator.com/~brownco/2010/03/the-real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on-a-budget/#comment-57 Lots of great comments and ideas. For me, I've had to totally change the way I think about my shopping. I did increase my budget by $20 a week. I definitely buy produce that's on sale, but I also buy lots of produce that's NOT on sale--and I'm OK with that--now, but it took me a while.<br /><br />I also shop at Aldi and Trader Joes and stock up on some staples. I know you are in Northern MN--probably don't have access to those stores on a regular basis.<br /><br />But you know, the basic foods are really the healthiest--nuts, basic meat, poultry, yogurt, milk, brown rice, whole grain breads and pasta, and LOTS of fruit/veggies.<br /><br />You can apply the same principles of frugal living--cook meals ahead and freeze them. Make your own smoothie mixes and freeze ahead. Make your own cheap desserts. Take ice cream and freeze in individual portions, etc, etc.<br /><br />For me, it's all about having lots of the basics--the good stuff on hand. And honestly, for me, that means increasing my grocery budget--not easy but worth it! Good luck in your journey! WW is a great program! There are also tons of great weight loss blogs and communities out there--free resources!<br />Jen Lots of great comments and ideas. For me, I've had to totally change the way I think about my shopping. I did increase my budget by $20 a week. I definitely buy produce that's on sale, but I also buy lots of produce that's NOT on sale–and I'm OK with that–now, but it took me a while.

I also shop at Aldi and Trader Joes and stock up on some staples. I know you are in Northern MN–probably don't have access to those stores on a regular basis.

But you know, the basic foods are really the healthiest–nuts, basic meat, poultry, yogurt, milk, brown rice, whole grain breads and pasta, and LOTS of fruit/veggies.

You can apply the same principles of frugal living–cook meals ahead and freeze them. Make your own smoothie mixes and freeze ahead. Make your own cheap desserts. Take ice cream and freeze in individual portions, etc, etc.

For me, it's all about having lots of the basics–the good stuff on hand. And honestly, for me, that means increasing my grocery budget–not easy but worth it! Good luck in your journey! WW is a great program! There are also tons of great weight loss blogs and communities out there–free resources!
Jen

]]> By: musik_okie http://www.northerncheapskate.com/2010/03/real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on/comment-page-1/#comment-56 musik_okie Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:18:40 +0000 http://gator524.hostgator.com/~brownco/2010/03/the-real-challenge-of-weight-watchers-on-a-budget/#comment-56 Now is a good time to start planning to stockpile healthy foods over the summer while they are in season. Start that garden, grow one thing and share with a friend who is growing something else. Go to farmers markets and freeze, can, dry anything you buy in bulk. I have found that eating healthy isn't much more expensive than eating junk if you price it according to nutritional value. Once you begin to look at nutitional value and price, you begin to see that you are purchasing a lot of no nutrition foods! Don't bring low nutritional foods into the house! Also, soups are a great way to get kids to eat healthy and save money. Now is a good time to start planning to stockpile healthy foods over the summer while they are in season. Start that garden, grow one thing and share with a friend who is growing something else. Go to farmers markets and freeze, can, dry anything you buy in bulk. I have found that eating healthy isn't much more expensive than eating junk if you price it according to nutritional value. Once you begin to look at nutitional value and price, you begin to see that you are purchasing a lot of no nutrition foods! Don't bring low nutritional foods into the house! Also, soups are a great way to get kids to eat healthy and save money.

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