SAVING YOUR HIPS & YOUR HIP POCKET

Everybody wants to have a great body, but this goal is a lot harder to achieve when your budget is closer to poverty than prosperity. Cheap options such as noodles and preservative filled generic brands can be a temptation when the cost of healthy, fresh foods is on the rise. Additionally, gym memberships and fees for sport or exercise groups are often far from affordable. So how can you stay healthy while waiting to win the lottery or marry a millionaire? There are a few clever ways to keep your stomach thin and your wallet fat.

Avoiding the Supermarket

When shopping for groceries, find a Farmer’s Market in your area. Often they have a wide variety of fresh local produce available at a much cheaper price than supermarkets. Butchers, Fruit & Veg stores, and other specialty shops can also save money when it comes to filling your fridge.

• Brisbane: Jan Power’s Farmer’s Markets are held in a few locations including Queen Street (every Wednesday), Mitchelton (First Sunday of each month), New Farm (2^nd and 4^th Saturday of each month), Manly (3^rd Saturday of each month) and Stone’s Corner (2^nd and 4^th Sunday of each month).

www.janpowersfarmersmarkets.com.au

• Sydney: Markets can be found in Darlinghurst (Sydney Sustainable Markets – every Saturday), Penrith (Penrith Farmers and Fine Foods markets, 1^st Saturday of Each Month) and Moore Park (EQ Village Markets, every Wednesday and Saturday).

www.localmarketguide.com.au

• Melbourne: Markets are on every Sunday at the Melbourne showgrounds and Mulgrave.

www.melbourneshowgroundsfarmersmarket.com.au

www.mulgravefarmersmarket.com.au

• Perth: Subi Farmer’s Markets are held at Subiaco Primary School every Saturday.

http://subifarmersmarket.com.au/

Smart Swapping

Alternatives are usually available for more expensive food choices that can save money and your waistline. Try making the following swaps:

• Replace your morning coffee with an apple, which is far more effective at energizing your body and will save a few dollars each day.
• Low on Iron? Instead of forking out for meat, green leafy vegetables and legumes are iron-rich and much less costly.
• Fresh Blueberries are an expensive source of antioxidants. While nothing beats fresh food, frozen berries can still provide you with the antioxidants that you need. Alternatively, red kidney beans and cooked artichokes are a great source.
• Instead of purchasing a $6 box of cereal, fibre can be found in multi-grain and brown breads. Have a slice in the morning topped with avocado, which provides essential fats and is a healthy alternative to butter.

Exercising

Gym memberships are costly, but there are ways to stay fit for free. One of the easiest is to find an outdoor area like a park and go for a run or walk, however this doesn't suit everybody's lifestyle. Other options include;

• Roller blades can be hired for a small cost and are a fun way to get outdoors. Other cheap 'old school' activities include ice skating and tenpin bowling.
• Some parks, esplanades and other public areas have exercise equipment along pathways for anyone to use.
• Invest in a Nintendo Wii for some fun exercise in your living room.
• Working fitness into your everyday routine by simply riding your bike to work or going for a walk on your lunch break.

Written By:

Rebecca De Britt is a Journalism student who is passionate about writing and travelling. She has studied at Griffith and Oxford Universities, and is currently embarking on her career in the media world. She loves summer, adventure, photography and eating foods that are really bad for her.