Lose Weight and Save Money by Eating Less

Two major concerns facing Americans are their weight and their finances. We have too much of the first and too little of the second!

Think about it: The two are related and the solution is the same for each one.

If we eat less, we lose weight and we spend less money on food. It's just a few less calories eaten each day and a few dollars saved per day, but over time we get slimmer and there is more money in our bank account.

Let's get a grip on how we can do this...

1) Think about how much you're eating. Are you eating two portions of the main dish you prepared for dinner? If so, don't eat the extra food. You really don't need it and you won't get heartburn later when you're trying to get to sleep. Put the food into a plastic container and stash it in the fridge. Now you've got lunch for tomorrow. Fewer calories eaten that evening and no additional outlay for lunch the next day. Simple, isn't it?

2) What's for dessert? Is it a big bowl of ice cream, or maybe a slice of apple pie with a big bowl of ice cream on top? Try a piece of fruit instead. Even better, slice that apple or orange in half and share it with a family member. Compare the cost of a bowl of ice cream and the pie, with one orange. It's significantly less. And many fewer calories.

3) What are you doing with leftovers? Tossing them down the drain when you clean up the dishes? Eating them later as a late night snack? Once again, plastic storage containers come to the rescue. I know it's easier just to toss out the extra food. After all, it's just a few spoonfuls of casserole. But it's money in the bank and lunch in the ice box. Lunch is free tomorrow and you didn't consume that food the same evening.

4) Think you're hungry later in the evening? Drink a glass of water. It's free.

5) All of us are going to eat out sometimes. It's just part of our culture. But you don't have to eat all of that megaburger. Split it with a friend or wrap it up and take it home for supper. Or, order the smallest sandwich the restaurant sells. Many fast food outlets offer miniburgers or sliders. Just get one and after you've eaten it, ask yourself if you're full. You probably will be. You'll have consumed a fraction of the calories and spent about a quarter of the money.

I know what you're thinking...

Leftovers are boring. Lunch in a restaurant is more fun. I want a superburger!

True, true and me, too. But that's how we got into the predicaments of obesity and indebtedness.

Bite the bullet now. You won't starve, I promise. You won't miss that extra food and your body will thank you. So will your pocketbook.