FAQ — Wallets and Waistlines

Question 1

How can I eat healthy on a tight budget?

Accepted Answer

First, monitor what you’re throwing away. Food waste can easily add up to 35 percent of your budget. Look up recipes for seasonal produce that is often cheaper. For instance, learn how to cook squash in the late Fall and winter.

Question 2

Are frozen vegetables as nutritious as fresh?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Frozen vegetables without added sauces and seasonings are wonderful for your health. They are often just as good quality as fresh veggies and much better than canned vegetables.

Question 3

What are the cheapest high-protein foods?

Accepted Answer

Dried beans, as well as canned salmon are the healthiest and cheapest proteins.

Question 4

How do seed oils and nut oils affect my health?

Accepted Answer

The biggest problem with seed oils is the constant reheating in fast food restaurants. the oil degrades and was never meant to be used for hours of frying. A good all purpose oil that has a high smoke point, point before it disintegrates, is avocado oil. i use it for everything.

Question 5

Can I eat well with food allergies on a budget?

Accepted Answer

Ofcourse, it is. Whole foods are the least likely to cross contaminated with your allergens. Try the 30-Day Precision Nutrition Challenge to find out if a food sensitivity might be making your allergies worse.

Question 6

What is low-injury fitness and who is it for?

Accepted Answer

Low-injury fitness focuses on exercise methods on mind / body exercises that build, strength and flexibility while learning your body enough in slow, controlled movements to avoid injury. They aren’t easy and very effective.

Question 7

How can I get fit without a gym membership?

Accepted Answer

Www.corebarefit.com offers Zoom barre classes and a bunch of free videos you can an do at home. You can also develop your own gym with free weights, yoga and exercise, and variety of home fitness equipment and machines.  You can even buy a basic Pilates reformer for a couple hundred dollars.

Question 8

How do I get the best deal on a gym membership?

Accepted Answer

First, compare your options. Gyms will negotiate more when they know you have choices. Ask for discounts due to employer, being a previous member, or annual membership prepayment discount. Always get a free trial to avoid committing long term to a gym you won’t use. I try for a few days. Check whether your employer or health insurance company covers some level of  gym costs. You may also have an employer who will pay for home gym equipment. Portable memberships such as ClassPass may also be covered, especially if your work requires frequent travel.

Question 9

Is ClassPass worth it compared to a regular gym membership?

Accepted Answer

ClassPass can  is an amazing value for those, like me, like a variety of gyms and classes. I do Pilates, yoga, boxing, and bellydance all from the same membership. If you want one gym you can go to everyday in one location, you’ll likely like a gym membership better. However, you can also get a smaller ClassPass membership to go to a boutique gym once or twice per month or even buy points to use on vacation for fitness.  Checkout our ClassPass article in the low-injury fitness category to learn more.

Question 10

How are health and personal finance connected?

Accepted Answer

Health and finances completely intertwined. Taking care of health as early as possible can reduce expenses by tens of thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime. and get a dog. Dogs boost health. Lol.

Question 11

How can I save money by canceling subscriptions I don't use?

Accepted Answer

Atleast every 6 months, do an audit of your bank statements to look for subscriptions you don’t use anymore. I know I’m not the only one who has had a subscription for a show that’s on for three months billed for the whole year. I use Rocket Money to notify me of all upcoming bills, so i know what to cancel.

Question 12

What budgeting apps actually help people save money?

Accepted Answer

When I use budgeting apps to track all my accounts together, I favor ones that are colorful and clean looking. I used Mint before Rocket Money. I know other people that use Monarch because it’s easier to track family expenses for them. Spend a good hour reading about and trying apps that work for you.

Question 13

How do I talk to my partner about money without it turning into a fight?

Accepted Answer

Without shame and with validation. Always talk about your own money habits you consider negative, too. Talk about priorities and different ways you can both help achieve mutual goals for paying off debt, vacations, home purchases, etc.

Question 14

What is the Standard Repayment Plan for student loans?

Accepted Answer

The Standard Repayment Plan isn’t income-based and spreads your total federal student loan debt into fixed payments over the course of 10, 15, 20, or 25 years, depending on your loan amount and when you last borrowed student loans. Those with only federal student loans borrowed before July 1, 2026 only have a choice of 10 years without choosing a different repayment plan.

Question 15

What are the biggest FAFSA mistakes students make?

Accepted Answer

The most costly FAFSA mistakes is not filing. It can eliminate possibilities for merit based on, too, because it’s like telling a school you don’t need money.

Question 16

What are common myths about FAFSA eligibility?

Accepted Answer

The biggest myth is that federal student aid is only for low-income students. Numbers for qualifying for university-based grants and scholarships varies from school to school.

Question 17

What are Parent PLUS Loans and what should parents know?

Accepted Answer

Parent PLUS Loans are federal loans issued to parents. Limits changed on July, 2026 for parents that didn’t have previous parent loans to $65,000 total per dependent student.

Question 18

How can college students budget for groceries in a dorm?

Accepted Answer

The easiest tip is get a mini fridge to stock on easy breakfast items and snacks. Skipping breakfast in meal plans can save over $1,000 per year.

Question 19

What student loan changes should borrowers watch for?

Accepted Answer

So much changes on July 1, 2026. Call your servicer and go over changes and read the article here in the student loan category.

Your Health & Finance Questions, Answered

Affordable Nutrition

Low-Injury Fitness

Overall Health & Budgeting

Student Loans & College

Still have questions?