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Saturday 4 February 2012

How to live healthy on a student budget...

    I was approached by a student today who has been following my blog and she thought I should write to all of you about how to live a healthy lifestyle on a student budget. This is a pretty broad topic, but relevant. In terms of living healthy as a student that question pertains more to nutrition than exercise. Universities and Colleges often have available gym space to workout; often included within tuition, so lets focus on nutrition for this blog.
   Eating healthy on a student budget is tricky. Like anything else in our lives, there are many approaches and answers to this question. However, let me give all you College and University students some advice....

1) Be a coupon hoarder. Find coupons whenever you can and hang on to them.

2) Do not go to the grocery store hungry (this applies to everyone as well!). When you go hungry, you tend to buy more and more unhealthy choices are justified by your cravings for food!

3) Save your gas receipts. If you have a car, find a superstore gas bar and keep your recipts. They can be used on grocery purchases at your local superstore.

4) Get groceries with a friend(s). (Splitting the cab fare always helps save money!)

5) Find a discount rack where there are often whole grain bagels and breads which you can throw into your freezer until you need them!

   Now, in terms of what to buy to keep your protein intake high and maximize your caloric energy levels, here are some healthy eating tips..

1) At least by whole wheat Kraft dinner. add in 1 can of flaked tuna to add in extra protein! (College kid casserole!) 

2) By bulk, natural peanut butter. This tip is pretty clear.

3) Buy frozen veggies instead of fresh. Fresh veggies can be fairly expensive so sometimes buying frozen veggies can be easier on your wallet!

4) Switch to soy milk instead of regular milk. It tastes great and is cheaper than regular milk!

5) Brew your OWN coffee.. OMGoodness, I cannot emphasize this point enough. Buying individual coffee is ridiculously expensive so brew it at home! (get out of bed 5 minutes earlier students!)

6) Do not buy pop. Just don't buy pop....

7) Buy cold water laundry detergent. That way, you use cold water in your washer, thus saving on your power bill!

Here are some other pointers for saving money as a student...

1) Avoid using your "overdraft" in your bank account. Banks often charge an overdraft protection fee each month, so stay in the +.

2) Go to the grocery store before you go to the liquor store. That way, you know you have your groceries first!

3) Don't get behind on your credit card payments. Doing this will often accumulate superfluous interest charges!

4) Shower in the school locker rooms instead of at home (Wear sandals though!). This way, you will save on your energy bill!

5) When you travel (athletes) snag the hotel soap and shampoo if you don't use it on your trip. Throw it in your gym bag and use it instead of buying more shampoo/soap when you return from the road.

6) Go to the dollar store. Things like shampoo, soaps, cans of soup, etc.. are often even cheaper there!

    I hope these tips can help you and your wallet get through College/University together without too much debt. A wise man once told me, "Ryan, never regret any money you spend on your stomach!". Spend wisely students. Spend wisely.

Ryan Fahey
B.A Human Kinetics
CPTN Canada
canfitpro
NCCP Canada

1 comment:

  1. I know your link to the natural peanut butter is to kraft, but I particularly like the PC kind. It seems to mix to a better consistency! - Hil

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