money saving tips

Learning that you have an allergy or sensitivity to products containing gluten — anything containing wheat, barley, or rye — can be stressful in and of itself, let alone trying to find the extra funds to support your new diet. If you've given up gluten, you've probably noticed after trips to any health food specialty stores that gluten-free food items are not cheap. Even though it's estimated that one in every 133 Americans is afflicted with celiac disease (that's roughly 2.8 million people), premade gluten-free foods are significantly more money than their gluten-filled counterparts. Which is why I've come up with some tips for how to live gluten-free without breaking the bank.

1. Buy the Basics: Rather than get caught up with all of the shiny, expensive new gluten-free items your local grocery store has started stocking its shelves with, stick to the basics. Vegetables, fruits, fish, meats, brown rice, potatoes, corn, quinoa, and nuts are all gluten-free, so try getting creative with foods that are gluten-free to begin with.

Keep reading for more tips.

With the threat of credit card rates rising and the US dollar at record lows, for many, having the luxury to travel means adhering to a strict budget. If keeping a regular exercise routine is important to you but the extra expense of paying for classes or a gym while traveling is not in your budget, here are a few ways to stay fit when you're away from home without it costing you a thing.

• Borrow Fitness DVDs — Before you leave for your trip, visit the local library. Public libraries keep a wide variety of fitness DVDs, which are perfect for borrowing while traveling. If there isn't a DVD player where you're going, remember to pack your laptop or portable DVD player. I recommend choosing a fitness DVD that incorporates both cardio and strength into a single workout and alternating that with a yoga DVD. If you don't want to borrow DVDs, sites like Exercise TV and Hulu stream free fitness videos.
• No Weights? No Problem! — Get creative and use regular household items in place of weights. Laundry detergent bottles and soup cans are favorites of mine. There are also a ton of strength training moves like squats and lunges that don't require the use of dumbbells. Check out our recommendations for do-anywhere exercises that require no equipment and a hotel room workout video that only requires a towel and phone book to do. If you do own your own fitness equipment, consider packing a resistance band, small dumbbells, or a jump rope.

Learn how to get free gym memberships and more after the break!