A woman eating a bunch of unhealthy fast food to represent how to stop spending money on fast food.Photo byDoucefleur via Shutterstock

I spend way too much money on junk food.

And by junk food, I mean snacks, fast food, and eating out.

A few days ago, I spent thirty dollars on junk food because I was in the mood for pretzels! Did I just get pretzels? No, of course not! I also got some Flaming Hot Munchies, chocolate chip cookies, Sour Punch Bites, and tortilla chips. And I got a rotisserie chicken just for good measure (and because I was starving and hadn’t eaten dinner).

I may have a junk food problem.

Does any of this sound familiar?

Read on to learn how to stop spending money on fast food (and junk food in general). Let’s kick the habit together.

The Struggle to Reduce Spending on Junk Food

Food is one of the largest budget categories. It eats up over 12% of our budgets, second only to housing and transportation.

A lot of that is junk food.

We don’t realize how much the pop, cookies, chips, and trips to fast food restaurants add up.

And I get it.

After a long day, sometimes it’s easier to grab fast food on your way home than to make a healthy dinner. When you’re bored or stressed, snacking can fill the hole in your life, at least for a moment.

But the satisfaction is fleeting, and we feel worse about ourselves.

How To Stop Spending Money on Fast Food and Junk Food

It’s time for us to collectively gain willpower and stop spending so much money on fast food, junk food, and other unnecessary foods.

Here are some tips for turning that dream into a reality.

Be Realistic

If you’re a snacker, you probably won’t be able to cut out all junk food entirely. It takes a lot of willpower, and if you’re relatively healthy, there isn’t a need.

Instead, shop with realism.

You can avoid spending too much on junk food by including snacks in your grocery budget. Give yourself one or two of your favorites each week.

Having snacks available will prevent you from splurging when a craving hits.

Plan for Cheat Days

Stop spending too much money on fast food by preparing ahead for those hard days when cooking seems impossible.

You have the best intentions at the grocery store. The week ahead will be smooth sailing, so you buy a bunch of stuff to cook healthy dinners.

But then the week starts, and you must work overtime on Tuesday. You’re starving and don’t want to spend an hour cooking. Thwarted again!

Plan for these days by buying easy meals. Frozen pizza and lasagna are my go-to favorites, but you could also opt for pre-packaged salad, fresh deli meals, or even cereal or peanut butter and jelly.

Knowing you have these easy, prep-free meals waiting at home will make it easier to skip the drive-through.

Learn to Say No

I’ve saved so much money by saying no when my co-workers ask me to join them for lunch.

It’s not easy. I long to join them. The socializing and comradery are far superior to lunch alone, and the food is usually better than whatever I packed.

But it’s not worth it.

My packed lunches cost about $2 per day. I can’t find anything for that price eating out.

I find other ways to engage with my coworkers, like attending potlucks, hanging out with a glass of water at happy hours, and going out for lunch on special occasions.

Give Yourself a Treat

Humans aren’t robots. We need treats when we do a good job.

The trick is to include your treats in your budget so you can reward yourself for being good without jeopardizing your financial goals.

The treat can be a monthly night out, a cheat meal at home, or anything that motivates you.

Swap Healthy Snacks

I spend too much money on junk food because I never considered swapping it with healthier alternatives.

Now, I eat carrots, apples, oranges, pistachios, and rice cakes instead of chips and cookies.

These healthy snacks cost a little more than their toxic alternatives, but it’s worth the price for improved health and wellness.

Feel Full

Many people resort to junk food when they feel hungry but don’t want to eat a full meal.

You can avoid over-indulging by keeping yourself full throughout the day.

Start by eating heartier meals. When I started eating avocado toast for breakfast, I stopped snacking. The fatty avocados kept me full until lunch.

Next, drink more. You might not be hungry; you might be thirsty. Have a cup of water or juice before pulling out the snacks. It might be just what your body was craving.

Make it at Home

Sometimes, you’re craving a pizza or a big juicy burger.

Why not make it at home instead of spending extra money at a fast-food restaurant?

Although making it at home requires more effort, there are many positives. First, you know exactly what’s in it, which is great for folks with health concerns.

It’s also usually cheaper to buy the ingredients and make something, and the result tastes better. If you have the time and energy, that's a pretty good deal.

Coupons and Apps

If you don’t want to give up fast food altogether, consider purchasing it only when you can score great deals with apps and coupons.

Most fast food places heavily promote their in-house apps, offering bargains on your favorite meals.

Use these in moderation, though—it’s not an excuse to spend your entire paycheck on fast food.

Consider the Total Cost

That greasy cheeseburger sounds delicious right now, but what will it really cost you?

Think about more than the upfront cost of your value meal. Consider how you will feel two hours after eating it and the cost to your long-term health.

Think about the food that will spoil if you don’t cook it and how much that might cost.

If you have children, consider what you’re teaching them about health and wellness and whether you’re instilling them with the same bad habits you have.

For most of us, the cheeseburger is far more expensive than it seems.

Save Money on Groceries

Are you spending too much money on food in general? Discover how to save more money at the grocery store.

How Do You Control Your Spending on Junk Food?

We want to hear from you!

Drop your secret hacks for giving up junk food in the comments!

This article was produced and syndicated by Partners in Fire.