Did you know that overeating costs the average family approximately $500 a year? It also shocked me to discover what poor eating habits and weight gain cost you:

• Just three dollars ($3) spent on junk food per day costs you $1,000 per year
• Buying plus-sized clothing costs you 10% - 15% more than standard-sized clothing
• Carrying just 10% of excess weight costs you between $2,000 and $5,300 in future health care costs

If you are wondering where your money is going, then a good place to start looking is your eating habits!

As Christians, God expects us to be good stewards of the resources He has given us - which includes our time, talents, money, and physical bodies. 

I have a guest article that will help you better manage the last two resources. It was written by Jill Cooper, excerpted from her eBook "Groceries on a Budget." In this article, Jill discusses an overlooked strategy for cutting your grocery bill up to 50% and trimming your body down too! Yes, you heard that right.

Not only that, but you can implement this strategy immediately.

Check it out:

******************************************************************************

A Big Money Saver by Jill Cooper

Recently, we have heard a lot of "experts" talk about portion control as if it's a new concept. Logically, portion control should be a main factor in trying to lose weight or eat healthy. Even though it has been talked about before, it is not as popular as fad diets because many people don't want to feel restricted in any way when it comes to their eating habits.

If you don't think that this is true, consider how often you hear  someone assert that, "On our diet you can eat all you want and anything you want and still lose weight". Let's face it -- We hate the idea of not eating all we want and anytime we want it.

People want to eat all they can and still have healthy, skinny bodies, in the same way that they want to spend like crazy and never pay their bills. We are, at some point, going to have to face the fact that it just doesn't work that way.

What does any of this have to do with saving money? 

Pay attention now - this is important! If you are eating 50% more food than you need and you stop doing that, you will buy 50% less food and that will cut your grocery bill in half instantly. 

Yes, it is that simple.

Your first reaction may be, "My family really doesn't eat that much extra, so I don't think I can cut back". You will be surprised. I thought the same thing until I put these things into practice.

Another reaction you may have is, "My family won't put up with not eating everything they want". Try them and see. Talk to them. Explain that you need to save money and explain your plan. Ask for their opinions and suggestions. People work harder at making something work if they are part of the plan. They feel more invested if you use some of their ideas to make it happen, rather than simply imposing new rules and demanding that they follow. Kids and spouses are alike in this way. Keep this in mind if you have to have things your way.

Yesterday, I was watching a show on TV that absolutely shocked  me. The producers took one family's food for the week and laid everything out on the table at once. There were huge piles of food and even more drinks. For two other people, there was not enough space on one large dining room table for all of the food.

The people were shocked, too. They had no idea that was how much they were eating. I think all of us would be equally shocked at the amount of food we eat and, even worse, the amount of food we eat  that we don't need.

Here's your Homework

1. Look at the MyPlate resource to determine the amount of each food group you NEED each day:

http://www.choosemyplate.gov/myplate/index.aspx

2. Write down the five food groups and indicate how many servings each person in your family needs from each group. Write it down instead of just looking at it because it will help you to remember it. Then refer to this guideline when serving your meals.

3. Measure serving sizes and compare that to what you are really eating for 2 days.

********************************************

You may be shocked but now that you know about it, you can do something about it!

Be blessed in Health, Healing, and Wholeness,

 

Kimberly Taylor
Take Back Your Temple
www.takebackyourtemple.com

P.S. I just discovered Jill Cooper and her daughter, Tawra Kellam's website this weekend. What a helpful resource! Their goal at 'Living on a Dime' is to help readers save money and get out of debt. You can learn more about their series, "Groceries on a Dime," which shows you how to save money on groceries without clipping coupons here:

http://bit.ly/13iZ3rD

I got it this weekend myself just in time for my next grocery trip and saved at least $25 on my grocery bill based on the tips I read:

http://bit.ly/13iZ3rD