“Spend as Much Money as You Want on Groceries”

This is a rule I set for myself while earning the least in my adult life. I was 19, sorting packages part time at a UPS hub, working for a promotion.

I didn’t go broke, max out credit cards, and destroy my financial outlook for years to come.

The basic idea: if there is something at the grocery store that you want, and you’ll eat it, get it.

You gotta eat. You’re going to buy food at the grocery store, generally closest to the source of food for most people. Or, you’ll get it when you’re hungry, somewhere down the line, prepared, almost certainly more processed, and marked up by multitudes.

This single principle has had the greatest positive effect on my healthy eating decisions, and has saved me tons of money avoiding empty calories eating out and junk convenience food. At this time of the year where everyone is starting new diets, and setting ambitious goals, I wanted to share a simple idea that has been a huge benefit for me.