With drug prices going up and incomes going down, many people are having a hard time affording their prescriptions these days.   Consumer Reports recently released a report stating nearly 1/3 of Americans are having trouble paying for their prescriptions and have taken dangerous steps as a result.  According to the survey people are skipping doses, not getting prescriptions filled, cutting pills in half and sharing with friends without their doctor’s approval.  Here are a few money-saving strategies to keep from going to these extremes: Read more »

You don’t have to sacrifice your health to eat frugally.  Save money and get healthy with these cheap foods:

1. Oats – Buy in bulk.  Contain lots of healthy soluble fiber.  Get the old-fashioned or steel cut oats – not the quick-cooking or instant.
2. Brown Rice – Buy in bulk.  High in fiber and vitamin E.
3. Lentils – Buy dry in bulk. Excellent source of fiber and vegetable protein.  Take less time to cook than other dried beans.
4. Split Peas – Buy dry in bulk.  Take less time to cook than most other beans/peas.
5. Raw Carrots – Buy in large bags.  Forget the baby carrots.  Not really “baby” carrots and not worth the extra cost.
6. Canned Salmon – Great source of omega-3 essential fatty acids and protein.  Also a great source source of calcium if you eat the bones.  Wild red salmon is the healthiest.
7. Sweet Potatoes – Great source of vitamin A and high in fiber.
8. Water – It’s free and very healthy.  Drink lots of it.
9. Eggs – Cheap source of protein and can be eaten lots of different ways.  Boiled eggs make a great high-protein portable snack.
10. Whole-grain Pasta – Contains lots of fiber, protein and iron.
11. Apples and Oranges – Cheaper to buy in large bags.  Store in refrigerator to make them last longer.
12. Popcorn – Inexpensive whole-grain snack.  Buy in bulk.  Put 1/3 cup in a brown lunch bag with a little non-stick cooking spray.  Fold over top of bag several times and put a small tear in fold.  Cook in microwave for around 3 minutes or until popping slows down to several seconds between pops.
13. Bananas – Great source of potassium.  Eat them whole or freeze them and make smoothies.
14. Frozen Broccoli or Spinach -  Loaded with vitamins and minerals and frozen at the height of freshness.
15. Canned 100% Pure Pumpkin – Excellent source of vitamin A and fiber.  Low in calories and fat.  Don’t confuse with canned pumpkin pie mix – this is very unhealthy.
16. Sprouts – Sprouts are rich in vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes, and fiber.  Grow your own in 3 – 7 days for pennies a serving.