1. MoneyCounts: A Financial Literacy Series
Money and Nutrition
11-A Grange Building
University Park, PA 16802
financialliteracy.psu.edu

2. Module Description
Equipping the ability to make sound, informed decisions is the key in managing money and nutrition. 
This includes acquiring knowledge and skills, setting goals, planning, re-evaluating values, taking actions, and changing behaviors to reach a life of financial well-being and health.

3. Learning Outcomes Discuss the basic concepts of money and nutrition
Recognize common elements between budget and diet management
Distinguish major determinants of food choices
Identify different ways shop for healthy foods while saving money
Explain what nutrition management can teach us about money management

4. Why Discuss Nutrition and Money?
gui
The biggest hurdle to healthy eating is …
TIME & MONEY

5. How are “budgeting” and “dieting” similar?
Financial Literacy
Knowledge
Action
Behavior

6. How are “budgeting” and “dieting” similar?
Healthy Lifestyle
Knowledge
Action
Behavior

7. Can You Really Eat Healthy on a Budget?
Source:
The image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0.
Pay now? or
Pay later?

8. Healthy Lifestyle can help you to
Control Weight
Improve Mood
Boost energy
Combat disease
Improve longevity
Source:
The image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0.

9. What factors guide our food choices?
Personal
Health & Fitness
Economic & Environmental
What factors guide our food choices?
Social & Cultural
Marketing & Advertising

10. Create an eating plan that fits your budget
Create an eating plan that fits your budget? Create a budget that fits your eating plan? Either way, you need a budget!
Income
Expenses

13. Find balance between money and nutrition

14. How to save money and shop for healthy foods
Plan: Plan ahead before you shop
Purchase: Shop for healthy foods
Prepare: Make cost- cutting nutritious meals
Image retrieved from

15. PLAN
Shop for healthy foods

16. Planning is the most important step
You may currently be doing this “backwards”
Source: (free)
What can you do?
Shop in your own fridge, freezer, pantry, etc. first
Make an inventory of things you need to use up
Figure out what’s on sale at supermarkets
Make a list of ingredients you have and ones that are on sale
Plan meals for the week: be realistic about dining out

17. Plan ahead before you shop
PURCHASE
Plan ahead before you shop

18. Go for a shopping challenge: Only one store, once per week!
Tips for shopping
If something is on sale that you usually buy, get 2 or 3 (be reasonable)
Avoid processed foods
Compare per unit pricing for the best deal
Buy in-season fruits and produce, visit farmer’s markets
Frozen veggies carry the same nutrients as fresh
Source:
Go for a shopping challenge:
Only one store, once per week!

19. Make cost-cutting nutritious meals
PREPARE
Make cost-cutting nutritious meals

20. Plan your meals on the fridge on a whiteboard, stick to it!
Learn to cook!
Plan your meals on the fridge on a whiteboard, stick to it!
Be realistic with your schedule
Prep healthy snacks
Freeze leftovers from big meals for an easy meal later
Store successful recipes in a notebook or binder
Collection of “go to” healthy foods that you know you love
Source:

21. How to Deal with Other Challenges?
Time: Set aside time at beginning of week to meal plan & prep
Motivation: Focus on your “why”. Achieve a healthy weight, have more energy, etc.
Balancing Health & Social Events: Scope out menus in advance to make a solid healthy choice, treat yourself on occasion
Too exhausted: Change one small thing in your daily life
Where do I start? Start small. Focus on incorporating real food, swap a cookie for a banana, sodas for water

22. Quick Tips

23. What can nutrition management inform us about budget management?
Collect reliable information 1
Gain a complete understanding 2
Set goals 3
Honor your goals and commitments 4
Be realistic 5
Source:

24. How Are Money Management and Nutrition Management Different?

25. How can I budget my meal points? (cont.)

26. How can I budget my meal points?

27. Quick Tips
When swiping into the all you can eat at commons, eat a full meal and then grab a banana to go, you can save it for tomorrow’s breakfast.
Instead of buying bottles of water for over $1, use a reusable water bottle and fill it up at the filling stations found all over campus
Budget a certain amount to buy groceries/snacks each week to spend less meal points. For example, get a box of 10 packets of oatmeal for $2-4 to provide 10 breakfasts
Instead of treating yourself to Starbucks, settle for coffee in your commons to save a lot
Make healthy choices that will keep you full and energized!

28. MoneyCounts: A Financial Literacy Series
Comments and questions
11-A Grange Building
University Park, PA 16802
financialliteracy.psu.edu