And while making your own meals at home is always the cheapest and easiest way to eat healthy, it’s inevitable to want to get out of the house!  That’s okay—you’re not limited to the greasy, fried stuff if you want to keep it cheap.  Even with so many fast food places staring at you, you can make cheap, healthy choices when eating out.

Where To Go

What places come to mind for you when you think of eating healthy?  Subway might be at the top of the list.  Other places like Noodles and Company, Panera Bread, and Cosi might show up, too, and Chipotle has even been mentioned as a healthy option.  The truth is, you can eat healthy just about anywhere.  The trick lies with your personal choices.

Choose the Right Drink

Let’s start with the drink.  Just say no to that almost-expected soda, even a diet one.  It’s overpriced, caffeinated, high-fructose corn syrup.  Your best bet is always water.  It’s free, it’s clean, and it makes up 80% of you.  Coffee and tea can be healthy and cheap options; just keep any additives like cream, sugar, honey, etc., to a minimum.

Plenty of Meal Options

Now for your meal.  You’re not restricted to a boring salad.  In fact, even if you do choose a salad, watch out.  You’ll want to shy away from creamy dressings, too much cheese, and any other ingredients that are notorious for high calorie and fat content.  Also watch out for salads with too much of each healthy ingredient—they may be good for you, but you still need to watch calories.  Stick with simple dressings like a balsamic or raspberry vinaigrette, or ask what their light dressing options are.  So in other words, avoid the taco salad and go with the grilled chicken salad.

If you’re looking for a sandwich, similar rules apply.  Just because you’re in line at Subway doesn’t mean that any sub is a healthy choice.  You still want to look for lean protein like chicken, shy away from the cheese (or at least don’t ask for extra cheese), and say no to bacon and creamy dressings again.  At a place like Panera or Cosi, be sure to analyze the ingredients.  A turkey and artichoke panini might sound perfect, but take a look at additional ingredients like cheese or a cream sauce or anything that could add grease and extra fat.  If you’re at a pasta place, stick with simpler items like pasta with marinara sauce.  Beef stroganoff or mac and cheese are probably not the lightest fare available.

Read the Nutritional Information

It’s a good idea to check the nutritional information before choosing, if possible.  It can help put some of the menu items in perspective—you might see something whose name implies that it’s a healthy choice, but it’ll cost you two days’ worth of calories!  Ask how certain items are prepared, if possible.  An entrée might come with vegetables, but if they’re sautéed in loads of butter and oil, they’re just as bad as the burger you avoided.  Don’t be afraid to ask if something can be prepared differently, or placed on wheat or whole-grain bread instead of white.  Most places will accommodate without an extra fee, but if they do and it’s reasonable, go with it.  This is your health you’re talking about!

If you’re simply dying for a big, juicy burger, don’t deny yourself the pleasure.  Just don’t do it everyday!  And don’t let yourself feel guilty about the times that you indulge.  If you don’t give in occasionally, you’re more likely to go on a binge and let your diet start to slide.  You don’t have to go all or nothing.  Just be sure to watch portion sizes and enjoy your indulgences in moderation.  Happy eating!

• “Staycations.”  You might hate the made-up word, and you were probably expecting this suggestion, but it’s true: vacationing in your own local area can be an easy and cheap idea.  I’ve found through personal experience that many people know more about far away cities than they do about their own backyard.  Do an internet search to find any local festivals or small towns you may never have heard of.  Pack like you’re traveling across the country—in other words, leave home and don’t look back!
• Go camping.  Rates are usually better than hotels anyway!  This can be a great idea for families.  Pitch a tent, start a fire, make s’mores, and tell stories.  Most camping sites will also have many sporting activities available such as swimming or volleyball or trails to go hiking, bike-riding, or rollerblading on.  And you can turn your trip into either a fun party or a relaxing experience.
• Go on a cruise!  Yes, a cruise.  You may need to take an extra day or two on this one, but airfare and cruise rates are extremely low right this very minute.  Some cruises will cost just around $200 right now, and your round-trip airfare could be even less.  If you’ve never been on a cruise (or you have and would love to go again), now is a perfect time to go.

Are you looking for a specific destination idea?  Again, with airfare low, you have many options available for your weekend trips.  Try a few of these:

• Lake Geneva, WI.  If you’re looking for a quaint little town with a bit of a city flair, this is the place for you.  You’ll find bed and breakfasts and cozy hotels, great restaurants (especially for pizza!), fun little shops, and of course, the lake, which offers a few different beach options.
• Washington, D.C.  If your favorite price is “free,” visit our nation’s capitol.  Of course, you’ll have to pay for your hotel and food, but many of the attractions are free.  This includes the national monuments, the many Smithsonian museums, the White House, etc.  Get a big piece of history for absolutely nothing.
• Los Angeles, CA.  Particularly with fall coming up, you might be looking for a warmer destination.  Just like Washington, D.C., LA offers many free attractions as well, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the California Science Center, the Getty Museum, and a free tour of the original LA area.  Maybe you’ll even come away with an autograph from a celebrity!

The Travel Channel also features a program called “Samantha Brown’s Great Weekends.”  She goes everywhere for just a weekend, including Europe.  She does a number of different activities that you might not know existed, many of them on the cheap.  If you’re looking for more ideas, this can be a good stop on your getaway search.  Happy relaxing!

• Here’s an obvious one.  Recycle!  Nowadays, most cities and towns offer recycling service.  (If not, don’t be afraid to take action and get one started.)  It won’t take any extra time to toss that plastic bottle into a separate bin next to the garbage can.
• Put your car on hiatus and walk, bike, or even rollerblade to work.  You’ll save money on gas, significantly reduce emissions (because you won’t be emitting any!), and get a great workout!
• Maybe you’re like me; you’d love to walk or bike to work, but your commute is just too darn far.  You’d have to start an hour ago to get there by tomorrow morning.  Don’t forget about carpooling.  Many of us did it as kids as someone else’s mom picked us up for school; you can carpool to work, too.  Perhaps someone in your office lives near you.  Offer to drive together and split the cost of gas.  You can also search online—your area may offer a ride-share program.
• This one is really simple, and it will actually save you money: unplug your appliances, computers, etc. after using them.  Believe it or not, simple household items like your toaster still draw electricity just by being plugged in.  So take that extra two seconds to pull the plug so you’re not paying for unused voltage.
• Invest in fluorescent or other energy-saving light bulbs.  They may cost more initially, but they last significantly longer, saving you money in the long run and reducing the amount of wasted electricity.
• Turn down the heat in the winter and turn up the temperature in the summer—or don’t use your air conditioner at all if the weather is bearable enough.  Even a few degrees can make a difference in your energy usage and the cost of your bill.  Open the windows and turn on the fans in summer, and pull out the comfy blankets and sweaters in winter.
• Insulate your water heater and pipes.  They’ll lose less heat, and that means they won’t have to work as hard (read: use as much energy) to stay hot.
• Wash your clothes in cold water.  It will save energy since the water doesn’t need to be heated, and you’ll still be able to take a hot shower at the same time!  And you don’t have to worry about your clothes not getting a clean.  While I personally still use regular laundry detergent with no problems, some brands make detergent designed specifically to work well in cold water.
• Shop for groceries at your local farmer’s market instead of the local supermarket.  Not only will your produce be fresh (and tastier), they didn’t waste any fuel or cause any emissions through being transported from another part of the state or country.
• Get all your business done online.  Pay your bills on the respective company’s website, or even through your bank’s website, and request electronic statements instead of paper ones.

This is just the beginning.  Take some time to consider your daily routine—what else can you modify to go green and save money?

Now consider the fact that college costs continue to rise, even right now, despite the recession.  Colleges are losing money and donors just like other businesses, and the difference is made up in tuition payments.  When your child enters college in 18 years, expect to pay $250,000 over 4 years for a public school and $500,000 for a private school.

Start Saving Right Now

Such high numbers can seem a little frightening.  Who has that kind of money?  Should you even bother saving anything?  The answer is yes.  And your first task is to stop worrying—nobody can realistically save up enough money to cover all four years.  (If you do believe you can reach that goal, absolutely go for it; just don’t let the idea cause stress.)  Anything you can afford to save will add up, even if it’s only $50 or $100 per month, and the earlier you start, the more you’ll have in the end.

Different Savings Options

You can opt to stick with a regular savings account, but you won’t yield as much growth as you could with other options.  Especially if you’re starting soon after the birth of your child or in the toddler years, you might consider investing in stocks or mutual funds to get the highest returns on your money.  Of course, doing so is a little riskier since there’s the potential for loss, but the gains over time can outweigh any minor losses you’ll encounter.

At any point before your child enters college, you can also check out a 529 savings account.  You deposit money like normal, but any interest earned is not taxed if it is used for education expenses, and that includes anything—tuition, room and board, textbooks, etc.  You can also try programs like U-Promise (www.upromise.com).  This is a credit card rewards program that helps you save for college by rewarding you for eligible everyday purchases.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

It’s true that the amount you have saved up will affect how much financial aid your child is eligible for.  Financial assistance programs take an “expected family contribution” into consideration, and this is based on your income and your savings.  Don’t let that discourage you from saving—you want your child to leave college with as little debt as possible.  The amount you save will offset the amount your child would need in the way of financial aid.  And don’t forget about scholarships.  Encourage him or her to apply for as many as possible before resorting to student loans.

And even if your child enters college next year, it’s never too late to start saving (and teach your child how to save, too).

• Support your local musicians!  Go check out a band.  All it takes is a quick look in the paper or an online search to find the right band to suit your tastes.  Are you open to hearing new music?  Look for original bands.  Do you prefer to sing along to songs you know?  You’ll want a cover band.  You’ll find all of them at bars, clubs, and festivals, and you can dance the night away for a small cover charge or even for free!
• Speaking of venues, attend local festivals during the summer months.  You’ll find a range of possibilities, from church festivals to county and state fairs.  Admission can be cheap or even free, and you’ll get to hear those bands you found, try out new food (perhaps on a stick—chocolate-covered bacon or deep-fried Snickers, anyone?), and maybe experience a taste of other cultures.
• If movies are your thing, consider a matinee instead of an evening show.  It’s the same movie no matter what time you go, and matinees are always cheaper.
• If you’re an active person who prefers to be outdoors, then get outdoors!  Go play in the park—you’re never too old.  Round up a few friends and get a basketball, volleyball, baseball, or Frisbee game going.  You’ll get some great exercise, and you don’t even have to pay for this one.
• Find your local hiking trails or bike paths and hit the pavement.  Go for a walk or a bike ride or rollerblading.  This one is free, too (bonus if your trail has a little café or ice cream shop along the way).
• Take a class!  Go ahead and take the time to learn a new skill or talent that you’ve always thought about learning.  Take a look into your libraries, schools, and community centers.  Many short classes such as cooking, drawing, dancing, music, etc., can be relatively cheap and only last a few weeks.
• If you’re not the outdoorsy type, there are still many options if you’d just like to stay home.  Invite a few friends (or just keep it you and your significant other) and have a game night.  Play cards or board games, even videogames.  Or keep it low-key and rent a couple movies, get some popcorn, a settle in!
• Stay home and get the grill going.  Host a cookout with family and/or friends.  Have everyone bring a side dish and hang out!

This is just the start.  Get creative and be sure to search every available local source.  Some events may be listed only in certain newspapers or on certain websites, but you’ll never find them if you don’t look!  You might be surprised at the number or cheap (or free) fun activities you’ll come across when you just dig a little deeper.