Losing Weight & Saving Money – Part 3

So now that we have learned to control our portion sizes and have quit eating out, we can move on to the next step in our quest to lose weight and save money which is to watch what we drink.  Here are some of the things we may be drinking and their downfalls:

1. Coffee – Whether brewed at home or bought outside the home, the price of coffee can put a dent in your wallet.  Add in the unnecessary calories and caffeine and it’s just all around a bad choice.
2. Soda – Here is where I’m going to be a hypocrite and tell you that you should drink soda while I continue to gulp it down.  Seriously though, it’s full of sugar, caffeine, empty calories and the stuff is expensive.  At .50¢ to $1 a pop (pardon the pun), one a day adds up to $182.50 – $365 a year.  I know some better things to spend that kind of money on!
3. Juice – Chant this mantra with me – everything in moderation, everything in moderation.  Yes, juice probably seems like a healthy choice, but it is PACKED with calories!  And again, the price is high so this becomes a bad choice.
4. Milk – Around my area, a gallon of milk costs more than a gallon of gas – need I say more?  Plus we won’t even discuss the amount of fat in milk which makes this choice doubly bad.  But don’t cut out milk altogether unless you have another source of calcium in your diet.

So what are some alternatives?  Here are two that will cost less and won’t affect your waistline.

1. Water – yep, good old H2O.  Buying bottles of it can get expensive, so if you don’t have good tap water, you may want to look into getting a reusable filter for your faucet.   Add a slice of lemon for even more flavor.
2. Tea – There are many different flavors and types of tea to choose from.  You can make a gallon of iced tea for less than a dollar and if you get a decaf variety, it’s even more beneficial.