Why is it that people are always saying that it costs more to eat healthy? Where are these people shopping? What are these people eating? In my experience, less money = less fat. Here are a few ways to use save some money and shed some pounds.

1. Stop being an alcoholic.

Seriously. Being a (relative) non drinker, I’m amazed at the money my friends throw down on alcohol. I’m not sure what it says about my social group that they have an incessant need to get wasted, but I do know that all good intentions about calorie control go out the window when there’s a bottle of Shiraz in the vicinity. For all you ladies who get your drinks for free…that doesn’t make them fat-free, and drinking them doesn’t make you any less likely to wind up having to pay for cab fare the next morning. Just say no.

2. Drink more water.

It’s free, it fills you up, it helps maintain weight, and it’s amazing for skin & total body. Plus it totally validates the purchase of a super-cute water bottle.

3. Buy fruits & veggies.

I cannot believe how much cheaper it is to buy fresh produce than the pre-made packaged stuff. I took home two BAGS full of fruit & veggies for $12 and felt really smug at the checkout counter about being so healthy (I may have even caught the eye of the guy behind me, who was clearly admiring my selection, and I may have even ended up promising to make him my “strawberry spinach salad.” Let’s be clear – I’ve never made, nor eaten a strawberry spinach salad, but I’ve got his number, and it can’t be that hard). The point is - my fave ‘gourmet guacamole chips’ cost more than my two bags of fresh produce, and have three times as many calories (per 10 chips).

4. Stop snacking.

If your grocery bill is like mine, 80% of it is mostly junky snacks. Cut out the cost (and the calories) of anything encased in plastic wrap or foil packaging. Your wallet and your arteries will thank you later.

5. Learn to cook.

It’s a fraction of the cost of eating out all the time, and a fraction of the calories. Way easier to control what you’re eating if you can control what goes into it. And for those who say “Just eat half and take the rest home” – I won’t do it. That’s like putting me in front of Holt Renfrew with a new credit card and saying “Just look.” You just look. Let me finish my dinner, and screw your window shopping.

6. If you must eat out, eat out cheaply.

Share an entrée. Most restaurants serve portions suitable for an athlete in training, or a sumo wrestler. If you’re neither, then you can afford to share. Split a dish with someone, and skip pricey apps. Better than that bull#*(% “take half home” suggestion.

7. Bring your lunch.

There is no one on the planet who should need this one explained. Buying your lunch everyday is the fastest way to go broke and gain weight. Period.

8. Plan your grocery schedule.

If you only allow yourself to do groceries once a week, you’ll force yourself to do with what you have, and also to buy more than just a pack of Oreos and some low-fat frozen yogurt. It only takes one week of eating canned corn and toast to make you do some strategic thinking before you head to Food Basics for your weekly food run. Trust me.