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If you're like millions of American women, you started the year with a resolution to lose weight. But whittling your waistline doesn't have mean whittling your wallet, too. (No, you don't need a $100 pair Lululemon yoga pants.) Here's where to save and where to splurge, so you don't blow your budget while you slim down:
Save: Quit smoking. There are scores of reasons to do this, but the one of the most immediate benefits is financial. The current average price of a pack of cigarettes is $4.22, and as much as $7.50 to $10 in places like Chicago and New York City. If you're a pack-a-day smoker, quitting will put an extra $1,540 or more per year in your pocket while it removes all kinds of gunk from your lungs. (Hmmm, that could buylots of cute Lululemon gear…)
Splurge: Spring for a pedometer. "For the price of two movie tickets and some popcorn, you can own a powerful fitness tool: a step counter," says RealAge cofounder Michael F. Roizen, M.D., who logs 12,000 steps a day on his pedometer. A good one costs $15 to $20 (supercheap models are notoriously inaccurate, Roizen warns). His favorite is the Omron HJ-112 Digital Premium pedometer, which has a tough-to-lose strap, 7-day memory, and easy-to-read display. Roizen says you should aim for at least 10,000 steps a day.
Save: Eat produce in season. One recent USDA study found that you can get three fruit servings plus four vegetable servings a day for a budget-friendly 64 cents, total. Buying fruits and vegetables in season guarantees the best quality for the least coin. And peak produce is easy to spot. Just look for whatever's most plentiful at the grocery store or farmers' market. (Right now, we're gobbling up sweet 'n' cheap satsuma tangerines by the crate.)
Splurge: Upgrade your salmon. Wild salmon is rich in anti-aging omega-3s, yet has two-thirds less saturated fat than farmed salmon (often labeled "Atlantic"). "Wild salmon is a top but pricey omega-3 source," says Roizen. "Go for canned salmon or frozen salmon burgers. They're more affordable and usually made of leftovers from Alaska's wild salmon catch."
(Bonus tip: Love your juicy steak and occasional burger? Make it with high-quality grass-fed beef, which has 25% less saturated fat and 20% less cholesterol than conventional grain-fed beef, plus some heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. But enjoy it in moderation -- just one 3-ounce serving a week is plenty. Grass-fed beef's higher price tag -- about twice the conventional stuff -- will help with that.)
Save: Eat more plant-based proteins. They're a better buy -- and better for you -- than meat. Beans, lentils, and other plant-based proteins are free of saturated fat and rich in fiber, which helps with weight loss. Canned black beans cost about 10 cents per ounce, compared to 34 cents per ounce for New York strip steak. At 6 cents per ounce, tofu is even cheaper.
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