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Money & Health: Eating Healthy on a Budget

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Money & Health: Eating Healthy on a Budget

After leaving the military, did you learn how to COOK? Budget for GROCERIES? Many Veterans leave the military not really knowing how to cook simple, affordable meals. On top of that, many Veterans have not had the opportunity to learn how to manage their money for groceries and eating out. Unless you grew up learning your way around a kitchen and doing the household shopping, chances are some of these tips and resources could be helpful.

Family cooking healthy food
    A man delivers groceries to a woman at home A man delivers groceries to a woman at home

    Groceries

    Learn about making a grocery budget, how shopping with a list can save you money, and other tips for stretching your food dollars.

    A man and woman couple smile as they prepare a healthy home cooked meal in the kitchen A man and woman couple smile as they prepare a healthy home cooked meal in the kitchen

    Cooking

    Whether you’ve been cooking all your life, or are just getting started with the basics, the VA Healthy Teaching Kitchen (HTK) program can teach you all the skills, tips, and tricks to help you cook tasty, nutritious meals that fit your budget.

    A couple with a young child enjoys a festive meal dining at a restaurant for a special occasion A couple with a young child enjoys a festive meal dining at a restaurant for a special occasion

    Eating Out

    Eating out can be a convenient, enjoyable part of your food budget, especially for social occasions.

    • Eating out whenever you feel like it, or get hungry or bored can make those expenses add up quickly. For example, did you know that if you skip one night of pizza and drinks a month and invest the savings in your retirement account that you'll have over $22,000 saved for retirement in 20 years?
    • Check out these tips for saving money when eating out.
    • Try to think of eating out as a special expense, something you build into your budget on a regular basis, and which you can then look forward to. When you know you have an eating out occasion coming up (e.g., Pizza Friday, monthly burgers with friends, etc.), you can work on avoiding those impulse stops at the drive-through. If you’re working on some health goals, keep in mind these tips when eating out.
    icon20 Resources to Start Quickly

    These most-recommended financial resources for Veterans are a great place to start if you are not sure which of the five steps is most important to you today.

    Learn more

    Find your path to
    financial success

    FINVET is a one-stop website with a wealth of resources to help Veterans in any stage of their financial journeys to earn more, save more, and protect their money.

    Learn More
    Disclaimer: FINVET does not provide financial assistance. Also, this website is not for emergency or crisis intervention. Instead, FINVET helps connect you to financial resources and tools to improve financial well-being and financial literacy.

    Email Us your suggestions, success stories, tools, or other financial resources for Veterans.

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