In this episode of Your Money Playbook, a Michigan State University student calls in with a question about how to eat healthy without overspending on groceries. Joined by Lansing‑based coach Josh Pompey (Vice President of Lansing Market), the conversation breaks down realistic strategies for shopping smart, meal prepping, and avoiding impulse food purchases. From farmers markets to frozen foods and homemade snacks, the advice focuses on practical, budget‑friendly choices anyone can make.

 

 

0:00:05.0 Lynne Jarman-Johnson: Welcome in to Your Money Playbook. I’m Lynne Jarman-Johnson and with me today is our coach, Josh. He is from Lansing, we’re in Lansing today. Josh Pompey is our vice president in our Lansing market, home of Michigan State University. Josh, welcome.

 

0:00:13.7 JP: Go Green!

 

0:00:22.5 LJJ: [chuckle] Go White! Hey, you know what, Josh? We have a caller from East Lansing, Michigan State, who wants to ask us a question about making sure that we’re financially secure and, you know, how? Budgeting for food and for household budgets. Let’s listen in.

 

0:00:31.5 JP: Sounds good.

 

0:00:40.4 [caller] Zach: Hey, this is Zach. I just started my junior year at Michigan State and living on my own for the first time without a meal plan. Pretty into fitness, I’m at the gym every day and I try to eat clean to support my gains. But now that I’m kind of buying my own groceries, I’m realizing how expensive it is to eat healthy. All my buddies, you know, are kind of eating junk food, you know, McDonald’s, Arby’s, you know, that stuff. So, I don’t really want to go down that road. I was wondering, how do I keep eating healthy without blowing my budget?

 

0:01:07.4 LJJ: Zach, thank you so much. What an amazing journey that you’re on at Michigan State University. Congratulations. I’ll tell you what, we’ve got some great coaching advice for you. Let’s take a look.

 

0:01:18.1 Coach Jen: Grab your shopping carts and put on your game face. I have a few tips for you health-conscious folks that want to dial it back on the grocery bill. Right off the bat, look for whole foods. They’re less expensive than processed foods and twice as healthy. Plus, if you can find them in season, there’s a good chance that you can get them even cheaper. Farmers markets are another great spot to find local snacks. You might be able to get them in bulk, again, saving on the cost. The last way to cut costs might sound a little too easy, but it really does help. Grab a bite to eat before you head to the grocery store. Shopping for food when you’re hungry will only lead to impulse purchases. So, grab a meal first. Trust me, your wallet and your gut will thank you later. Want to learn more? Let us know. Consumers, we’re your team to count on.

 

0:02:07.5 LJJ: Wow. Thank you, Coach Jen. I’ll tell you what, that tip about eating before the grocery store, Josh, have you ever faced that?

 

0:02:15.3 JP: Yes. Eating, going into the grocery store hungry is real dangerous for the budget. And I think Coach Jen’s points were really spot on. I really love the farmers market comment because here in East Lansing, the Meridian Township Farmers Market is absolutely outstanding. I think it’s one of the best ones in the state.

 

0:02:33.8 LJJ: Wow. You know what? You are somebody that I really look up to in how you live your life. Not only physically, you know, you’re very active, but you truly do take very focused measures on how you shop and how you eat, and you share that with us. That’s why you’re our coach today. Josh, thank you.

 

0:02:52.2 JP: No, it’s my pleasure. And I love the opportunity. And Zach, your comment about your friends, fast food and junk food, I think it’s really easy to fall in that trap, especially if you don’t have food ready. You know, you’re in your junior year, things start really ramping up with school. And if you don’t have groceries in the refrigerator or a meal ready to go, it is really easy to stop by and grab one of those less healthy options. So, I think meal prep is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy and stay on budget.

 

0:03:17.0 LJJ: I have to admit this, at Michigan State University, go green, when I went there, I think we ordered, and I’m not joking, this is so embarrassing, crazy bread every night. Okay, not healthy. That’s not what we’re talking about. Josh, tell me some of the tips that you have to stay conscious on money but also stay really healthy.

 

0:03:38.3 JP: Sure. So, you mentioned the gains. You got to make sure we have enough protein. I’m a huge fan of homemade protein balls. Keep you from buying the prepackaged bars.

 

0:03:43.9 LJJ: They’re so expensive.

 

0:03:49.4 JP: They are so expensive. And you can make a batch with just some oats, a nut butter, peanut butter works on a budget. You can get fancy if you want to, throw a scoop of your protein powder in there.

 

0:04:00.4 LJJ: How important is it to look at your ingredients in advance and really have a pantry that’s stocked in a way that isn’t going to break the bank?

 

0:04:09.5 JP: I think it’s super important. Like Jen said, buying whole foods is your best option and then you don’t have to worry about ingredient lists on prepackaged items. But when you find yourself in the store, there are choices out there. Usually, they get more expensive the fewer preservatives. But one good hack you can do is frozen vegetables, frozen fruits. If you’re doing smoothies, that sort of thing for breakfast, just check to make sure there aren’t a lot of added sugars. But you can buy frozen, don’t have to worry about shelf life, don’t have to worry about things going bad and still eat really healthy that way.

 

0:04:39.1 LJJ: You are famous in Consumers Credit Union for making amazing snacks and amazing foods right out of your own kitchen that are very healthy.

 

0:04:52.4 JP: And cheap, because I am on a budget, too. I’d rather spend that money on getting outdoors and being out in the wilderness. So, my favorite is granola.

 

0:04:58.9 LJJ: You make your own granola?

 

0:05:00.4 JP: Make my own granola every Sunday. House smells great and it’ll keep you going all week long. Super simple.

 

0:05:05.6 LJJ: Okay, time out. Did you hear that? The house smells great and you get great food.

 

0:05:09.2 JP: Can we share the recipe?

 

0:05:10.3 LJJ: Yes, we can.

 

0:05:11.1 JP: Would that be good?

 

0:05:12.0 LJJ: Absolutely.

 

0:05:13.6 JP: Awesome, it’s super simple. Three cups of oats, a third of a cup of some sort of oil. I like avocado oil. I think that’s a good healthy choice. A third of a cup of maple syrup is all I use to sweeten it. And then do about two cups of a mix of your favorite nuts and seeds. And one cool little hack: shop for your nuts by the baked goods. They’re always cheaper. I don’t know why, but it’s way less expensive to buy your nuts in the baked goods, baking supplies section of the store.

 

0:05:42.2 LJJ: And then what do you do?

 

0:05:43.1 JP: So, you set the oven, preheat it to 300 degrees, mix everything up. Mix the dry ingredients first, mix the wet. You can splash some vanilla in there if you want for extra flavor. Mix everything together, lay it out flat on a cookie sheet with some parchment paper, and bake it for about 50 minutes. The trick if you like those chunky clusters is to let it completely cool, and then you’ll have this just brick of granola. Break it open and off you go. And for, I mean, a huge fraction of the cost. No added processed sugars. Super healthy, super good.

 

0:06:13.8 LJJ: Doesn’t take that long.

 

0:06:15.0 JP: Doesn’t take that long. And then if you really need to add the protein, if you’re really pushing to bulk up, add some Greek yogurt to it and some of those frozen veggies in the morning, or frozen fruits, and you’re off and running.

 

0:06:27.8 LJJ: You know, you just mentioned something that I think some people fear, and you said protein and bulking up. And yet protein truly is really what everybody does need. And the chances of bulking up are …

 

0:06:40.4 JP: Unless you’re trying, you’re probably not going to. You have to eat an absolute ton and be making the effort. So, yeah, don’t be afraid of too much protein. Your body needs way more than you’re probably giving it, especially if you’re active.

 

0:06:50.9 LJJ: Okay, Josh, before we wrap up, great advice so far. Now let’s hear your three tips to make sure we can stay on budget in the household at any age.

 

0:07:00.1 JP: Absolutely. So, if we’re in growing season here in Michigan, shop your local farmers markets, shop local roadside produce stands. And if you’re just driving around, keep your eye open. There are always stands out there with free vegetables that you can take home. Tip number two: don’t be afraid to freeze things or even buy frozen when you catch them on sale. Most of the nutritional value stays there. It’s a great way to save money, keep from wasting your food. And the final one: meal prep. Have something ready to go. Spend a little bit of time getting your meals ready for the week, and then when you get tied up, you don’t have to worry about making bad choices and blowing the budget on fast food.

 

0:07:35.1 LJJ: Josh, thank you so much. This has been just incredible and a delight to talk with you.

 

0:07:37.8 JP: Oh, it’s my pleasure.

 

0:07:40.4 LJJ: And Zach, thank you for calling in. If you’d like to call in, please do so because our Consumers coaches are standing by with your playbook. 269-213-3360. Give us a call and we’re going to answer your questions and help you in the Money Playbook.