In hot weather, water is your friend.  But after a while, plain water can get boring. No problem! In the summer many stores have lemons and limes on sale. This past week I saw limes on sale, 15 for $1. One lime wedge can give you a little zip to your water.  Limes aren’t the only fruits that add extra flavor to your water. You could also use some frozen mixed berries. Also, there are single serve packages that you can add to a pint or 20 ounce glass or bottle of water, which are convenient for people who have their own bottles of water on the go.

Freezing your own water so that you can take it on a picnic or to have with you at work is a nice treat as well. Some containers you cannot freeze but don’t fill the bottle to the top. Add your lime wedges or other fruit before you freeze your water and you will get a nice little lift to your water for less than the price of packets.

Ever notice how the water in a restaurant always seems like a treat because it is extra cold? Add ice and a wedge of fruit. Even a splash of juice like cranberry, grape or grapefruit will convince you that you aren’t just drinking ordinary water.

There are some good unsweetened water additives, but many are not unsweetened. Check the label. Sugar free does not mean without sugar. Sugarless means no sugar. For people who want a little more zip to their water, try unsweetened beverage mixes (i.e. punch mix) and just use a dash or two. A package that is supposed to make a half gallon or so will work for several quarts of water – this is for flavoring not to make punch.

Embracing or maintaining a healthy lifestyle in the midst of an economic downturn can be difficult especially when healthy foods cost much more than fast foods. Banning fast foods completely is not something you need to do, but it is important to trend toward healthier eating than to make your regular diet consist of fast foods.

One problem with fast foods is that many restaurant chains are now trying to get business by offering cheap fast meals. Fruits and vegetables are more expensive than some other foods, but think about the long term cost. How much does the added sodium, low fiber, nutrient poor meal cost you in terms of health benefits long term?

Dining out cannot only wreak havoc on your budget it can also cause you to overeat. Why is this important to being frugal? Eating well and getting some exercise allow you to maintain health which can prevent disease and health problems later in life. Even taking maintenance medications for a year can be costly.

This does not mean that by eating healthy you can prevent any genetic predispositions to certain diseases but for a generally healthy person, eating fast food every day, or several times a week may be a cheap alternative to making a meal at home, but can cost you later.

Even if you are unemployed or working fewer hours and can’t afford a health club membership, walking a couple of miles a day or running can also provide some health benefits for very little money.

For some tips on improving or maintaining a healthy lifestyle, go to Small Step which features more than 100 tips on how to have a healthier lifestyle.

Don’t forgo fresh fruits and vegetables when shopping. Fresh is best and may cost more but in the long run, for health reasons, if you decide to skip fresh fruits and vegetables you will be doing a disservice to your diet and health. 

To maximize your budget:

• Buy only the fruits and vegetables that are on sale
• Shop at a fruit/vegetable market – often the quality and price are much better
• Look for fruits and vegetables that are slightly bruised, often they are packaged for quick sale
• If you buy packaged greens on the sell by date they are generally discounted, this is a great deal if you use them the same day
• Try different varieties of fruits (applies, oranges, plums) Some of the standard varietals have been overshadowed by newer ones – look at Red and Golden Delicious apples instead of Braeburn