Save money and eat healthy during the week!

Americans spend a lot of money on food and coffee every year.  We are social creatures who love to spend time with each other and connect over food and drinks. From lunches to coffeehouse meetings, it can all become expensive. I compiled some of my thoughts, best practices, and experiences while our family has been on a journey to becoming debt free. With a little planning and communication, you can save some money and lose a few pounds in the process too!

1.       Make your own lunch.

According to the Huffington Post, Americans spend close to $2,000 a year eating out at lunch during the workweek. After reading that, this tip goes without saying. Plan a shopping trip and purchase foods that are easy to pack such as sandwiches, salads, and fruits and veggies. Make your lunch the night before if you can to save time in the morning. If you go to work without a plan or a packed lunch, you will be tempted to “grab something,” which can result in spending too much money and eating way too many calories. Think of how much you will save your pocketbook and your waistline!

2.       Don’t eat two helpings at dinner.

If you get bored with your food easily like I do, this tip is for you when making your own lunch. Did you have a delicious soup for dinner? How about a casserole? Was there anything salvageable for dinner? Soups and casseroles can go a long way. Get creative when you make your lunch the next day and reuse the leftovers. If you have the urge to have a second helping at dinner, fill up on fruits and veggies instead. You will save time and money the next day, and your waistline will also thank you.

3.       Pack a “picnic lunch” for lunch with friends.

I have to credit a good friend for this idea! Lunch with friends is always a great idea, so why not pack your lunch and meet up with them at an agreed upon location? The park is always nice. If the weather is too cold, maybe you could open up your house for a lunch meeting. It is nice to get out of the office and enjoy each other’s company on your terms and not the restaurant’s. All it takes is a little planning (see items 1 and 2 above) and communication with your friends.

4.       Make your own coffee at home.

I used to think I was single-handedly keeping our local coffee shop in business with my morning caffeine fix. If you are a coffee junkie like me, this can become quite an expensive habit! Once I started watching my dollars and cents, I noticed I was spending close to $60 a month on coffee. After picking myself up off the floor, I made a small upfront investment in portable coffee cups. Also, I started buying bulk coffee at the grocery store and using our single serve coffee machine. Mix this with a little creamer or almond milk and you have the potential for some great coffee. Be careful with the creamer if you are watching your calories though – it can quickly add up. Do you want to have coffee with friends? See item 3 above and replace “picnic lunch” with “picnic coffee.” Remember to still treat yourself to a gourmet coffee once in a while, but don’t make it a daily habit.

5.       Pack nutritious snacks.

Does your tummy start grumbling around mid-morning like mine does?  How about that mid-afternoon slump? There is a lot to be said about packing your own snacks. Some ideas include Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, granola, protein bars, or sliced veggies and hummus to name a few. If you have friends in the office, alternate weeks where one of you brings a community fruit or veggie tray at the beginning of each week to share. Make sure either of these options include snacks you will eat so you are not tempted to run to the vending machine and purchase empty calories at a marked up price.

With a little bit of planning, each of these practical ideas can make your dollar stretch and your waistline shrink!

"Escape"-ing debt

This past week, our family made a very difficult decision. It wasn't a sudden decision. In fact, we spent a month coordinating schedules and practicing with one vehicle.

We sold the orange Ford Escape.

I loved this SUV. It was the first vehicle I "bought" on my own. In all actuality, I didn't purchase it myself because I had a loan on it. As an Oklahoma State grad, I loved the color and proudly drove it around. After my husband and I started dating, the vehicle transitioned to a fun and reliable family vehicle that we all grew to love. It had equity though, and we were ready to pay off more debt and get rid of another loan.

*POOF!* Just like that, $5,500 in debt was gone along with the SUV.

It was a sad day, but we all knew that it would only benefit us moving forward. My husband and I talk about how one day we will pay cash for a nice, used vehicle. Maybe another Escape with leather seats? Maybe a sports car? The possibilities are endless. For now, we have a duty. That duty is to become debt free and build a solid financial future for our family.

Goodbye, dear Escape. You were more than "just a vehicle" to us. You are now part of the "Escape" from the chains of debt.

Acceptance

My mind races at a speed that I can't slow down. Every time I sit down, I feel like I have to be doing something or that I have to be saying something. I can't be still. I can't. I have tried, but I just can't.

I used to get in trouble for talking in class in school. I never listened. I interrupted constantly. I have to repeat something to myself just to remember it.

I began thinking I had something seriously wrong with me. Square peg - round hole. I must be chiseled to fit into that round hole, right? I must find out what is wrong with me - I must fix ME.

A few years ago, I was diagnosed with ADD. I took a test that indicated I had it. The giveaway? I didn't even read the instructions before I took the test, so rushing over the instructions and jumping into the test was first sign (supposedly).

I tried medication. It messed with me. It made me slow down. I slurred my words. Time passed way too slowly. I felt like I was in a haze where my mind couldn't even process entire thoughts anymore. Some would say that it worked, but I didn't think so. I quit the meds cold turkey after a few months and got back to the gym. The withdrawals from quitting cold turkey were hard, but the workouts felt great. Expending that amount of energy helped me feel great. That is who I am - I need that release!

You see, even if I have ADD (or not) there is only so much I can control. I can't stop my mind from racing. I can control what I eat and how often I exercise. It helps, but I wouldn't say it makes me completely "normal" by society's standards.

I have just had to accept that this is who I am. I have to do a million things at once. I have to get overwhelmed and re-prioritize, because that is how I set my own structure. This is how I test my limits and I have learned I am not like everyone else. Society's standards and structure just don't work for me.

Why am I telling you this? Well, because I have had to learn to love that acceptance of myself. No person or no medication can change who I am. As people, all we can do in this life is work with what we have. We are individuals for a reason and each of us has something to offer the world.

If you're struggling, remember to surround yourself with the people who accept you and let your light shine. The struggle won't last forever, but the lessons you learn from it will.