Snack Ideas on a Budget

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Hey snackers! These Snack Ideas on a Budget will keep both you and your bank account healthy!

Snack Ideas on a Budget

If you are trying to eat healthy, plan your meals, and live on a budget you will probably need to find some snacks that are cheap but aren’t junk. Kids always seem like they are starving after school. With busy schedules and crazy days, it’s good to have a plan so you aren’t spending your money on vending machines and drive-thru snacks. The following snack ideas on a budget will give you some ideas that will satisfy without breaking the bank.

Simple and Healthy Produce Snacks

Fruits- My kids love having fruit accessible when they get hungry. I never mind if they grab something from the fruit baskets because it’s not like they’ll “spoil their dinner” when every choice is healthy! Some of their favorites:

Apples- portable and packed with fiber and vitamin C. You can often find apples for under a $1 per lb.

Bananas- high in potassium and a great bang for your buck.

Vegetables- A simple prep can make veggies a very budget friendly snack. Instead of buying the packaged versions, quickly wash and cut your own. Portion out for a great snack on the go. Carrot sticks, bell pepper slices, and broccoli florets are perfect for this. I made cute veggie cups for my son’s birthday a few years ago and everyone loved them.

Smoothies– A perfect blend of the fruit and veggies with great nutritious benefit. Add a bit of peanut butter or greek yogurt for an added boost of protein.

Cheap and Easy Snacks

Cheese– string cheese is a convenient way to get calcium and protein on the go. Or slice up some block cheese with some crackers.

Nuts– Raw nuts like almonds, pistachios, and cashews are great snacks because they keep you full and have plenty of protein and healthy fats. Buy nuts in the bulk bins at your grocery store and pre-portion them out. They are much more affordable this way!

Peanut Butter– An excellent source of protein and inexpensive way to jazz up crackers, celery, or apples.

Hummus– This delicious dip has plenty of protein, fiber, and folic acid. Making your own is an easy way to save some money.

Eggs– Even if you splurge on cage-free organic eggs, they are only about 3-4 dollars a dozen. Boil several up and you have a great snack you can store in your fridge for the week.

Yogurt- Greek yogurt has more protein and less sugar, and at under a dollar a serving it’s a great snack. Plain yogurt is a good option as well. Dress it up with a drizzle of honey or a little homemade granola.

Best Cheap Snacks

Popcorn– Perfect for a quick filling snack, look for the varieties with less butter. Even better option? Pop your own! One package of un-popped kernels can make about 32 cups for under $5.

Pretzels– A fat-free way to satisfy that craving for something salty. Buy a larger bag and portion out into individual baggies.

Tortilla Chips– A great option to pair with a quick salsa or bean dip, I often find chips for a dollar at my grocery store for the store brand. They are also easy to make at home. Buy some corn tortillas, cut and drizzle with some lime juice or olive oil and a little salt, toss and bake until crisp.

Other ways to save money on groceries & shopping:

Use your grocery store’s app to download coupons with just a click. The coupons are applied at checkout automatically.

Order groceries for pick up or delivery (I love this place…join and get some free pizzas with your first order). Less impulse buys.

Sign up for this app (use code: pxwyeri when you join) and add your loyalty cards…then after you make your shopping list go on and click the cash back on any items you will be buying. It will do the rest for you. Or if you shop at a store without a loyalty card…you can go in after you shop and add your items purchased and take a pic of the receipt. Super Duper Easy!

I also just recently found this app (use my referral code to get 3,000 points when you join). Instead of cash, you earn points that you trade in for gift cards. It’s so easy and no preplanning or selecting offers…just snap a pic of your receipt and it does the work for you.

Lastly, for online shopping I use this website to earn a % back on my online purchases from Amazon to hotels to clothes stores. Pretty much every store I shop at is there and I earn a % back just for clicking through their link. Plus, get a bonus $10 back after your first purchase.

It’s little things like these that start to add up. They take very little effort, but if you are diligent you can stick to your budget!