With the financial system and economy still under strain, many people are trying to conserve money and tighten up their spending. Figuring out just where it all seems to be going is always a great idea, but now more than ever it is time to take stock. But just because we all are trying to limit our spending doesn't mean that we should sacrifice our health in the process. Below are some great ideas for keeping up a healthy way of eating even while paying attention to the household bottom line.

Healthy eating doesn't have to cost and arm and a leg. In fact, eating well can actually help to save you money. Taking the extra time to follow a few simple steps and to stay on the alert for good and healthy deals can make a huge difference in the monthly budge. Below are a few tricks of the trade for eating well on a fixed income.

Tip One: Hit the Farmers' Markets. Farmers' markets are springing up all over the place and especially in the summer time can provide a great alternative to grocery store shopping. Not only will you be getting out and enjoying the fresh air and rubbing elbows with others in your community, but most importantly you will also be getting superb deals on healthy, local and often organic produce. Although many local farmers might not have the organic label on their products, meeting them face to face will give you the chance to ask about how they grow their foods. It's possible that they use organic practices but have yet to have received the official stamp of approval.

Not only are farmers' markets great places to get fresh, local produce but they often also have eggs and other non-produce items. Again you have the chance to speak with the producers directly getting all the information you want that is often impossible to get from other producers. The bottom line is that taking a trip to your local farmer's market will often help you save on your bottom line.

Tip Two: Eat Less Meat. No, this doesn't mean you have to give up meat entirely or even opt for lower quality, lesser meats. Instead, by lowering the amount of meat you consume and substituting for high quality meat alternatives, you can actually save money and afford to indulge in better quality, organic meats every so often.

If you're the type of family that feels you need to consume meat at every supper, you may want to explore some alternatives as a means to save your budge and your tummy. Trying out a great recipe with lentils or soy products is a great way to vary your meals. Lentils, especially bought dry, are exceedingly affordable and easy to cook (avoid the canned varieties as canned goods often contain excess sodium and dangerous Bisphinol A). When you do have a hankering for the real thing, you can afford to buy a better quality meat, one that is ideally raised in healthy conditions, fed organically and free from antibiotics. Choosing less but healthier meats will save your bank balance, your waistline and the planet so this is certainly a win on all fronts.

Tip Three: Skip the Processed Foods. Although it can sometimes seem that processed foods are not only faster, but also cheaper than homemade meals, this is in fact misleading. Processed foods although seemingly at first less expensive are instead often much more costly in both health and financial terms.

When you purchase processed or ready-made foods you are generally purchasing only a meal for one evening. The cost of the meal might therefore look like less compared to having to buy all the ingredients you need for your favourite pasta or stir fry dish, but the truth is that when you purchase the ingredients in bulk you will have them there for tomorrows lunch. Making foods yourself inevitably gives you more bang for you buck and a much better health rating to boot. Packaged and processed foods often contain excess sodium and chemical preservatives that will in the long run have you spending more on your health care costs. So, take the time to save yourself both money and grief and make it yourself!

Tip Four: Skip the Eating Out. Yes, this includes the morning Starbucks coffee you're so fond of on your way to work as well. By making your own coffee in the morning (or better yet herbal tea), you can save a bundle in only a month. Assuming you're spending up to five dollars on your morning fix, five days a week, you can quite effortlessly see that this habit is costing you an extra hundred dollars a month. With this savings you can opt for a better tasting, fair trade brand instead.

Not are the excess caffeine fixes a real money waster, but so too is eating out even when it's only grabbing a sandwich from the local deli near your work. Again factoring this cost per month can be astounding when you actually take a look at it. Buying some good wholesome bread from your local organic baker and making it yourself at home will save you a bundle. Plus chances are you'll be getting a better quality and fresher lunch.

Tip Five: Entertain at Home. Ok, so at first this might sound a little pricier than going out to meet your friends for dinner, but when you alternate with friends it will actually save you money. Preparing a healthy, home-cooked meal for friends and relatives can be a great pleasure. It allows you to experiment with that new recipe you've been meaning to try out and/or to try something entirely new and exotic.

Cooking for your friends will cost a little extra at first, but as you start to receive dinner invitations galore in return you'll soon realize that you are actually saving money by not dining and drinking out so frequently. Restaurant prices especially for wine and other alcoholic beverages can be extortionists, so when possible try to dine and socialize at home.

Making a few simple changes is a great way to cut back on the spending and boost your intake of healthy foods. Simply beginning to keep track of how much you're currently spending on foods that do nothing for your health nor for the health of the planet can be the first step in changing these behaviors.