Assalam-o-Alaikum dear sisters. The second Ashra of Ramadan Mubarak has begun, and with it, the second half of this blessed month. Only about 18-20 days of Ramadan remain, and Eid is also approaching. Today I want to share with you how to plan your grocery shopping, save money, and manage your budget in a way that your Eid expenses also become easy – especially for middle-class families.

10 Tips for Your Healthiest Ramadan Ever – A Fitness Trainer’s Guide

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1. Start with a Budget – Know Your Income

The most important thing to manage your monthly expenses is to create a budget. Before anything else, look at your monthly income. According to that, create a budget that includes:

• Household grocery (essential items)
• Utility bills (electricity, gas, water)
• Other essential expenses that cannot be avoided

When you set aside money for grocery, first check what items you already have at home. Ramadan is a month of such blessings and mercy that Allah sends more provisions than we can imagine. So before making your grocery list:

• Take inventory of what you already have
• Check how long these items will last
• Identify what items you actually need to buy

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2. Make a List Before You Go Shopping

This is a golden rule. Never go to the market without a list. When you make a list:

• You avoid extra, unnecessary purchases
• You stay focused on what you actually need
• You save money and time

Important tip: Never take children with you when doing grocery shopping. They get excited, they ask for things, and even when you don’t want to, you end up buying extra items. Ramadan is already tiring with fasting – don’t add extra stress. Go alone or when children are not with you.

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3. Choose the Right Market – Wholesale is Best

I always prefer wholesale markets (mandi) for grocery shopping. There you get:

• Better prices – much more reasonable
• Better quality – fresh and good
• Better quantity – you can buy in bulk

If you compare supermarket prices with wholesale market prices, the difference is significant. Especially for vegetables, fruits, and dry goods, wholesale markets offer much better rates.

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4. Plan for the Full Month – Including Eid

When you make your grocery list, don’t just plan for the remaining days of Ramadan. Plan for Eid too! Because Eid is coming in this month itself. Here’s why:

• Prices go up as Eid approaches
• Limited items become available
• Last-minute shopping is always more expensive

So when you go for grocery shopping now (during the normal days of Ramadan), add the following to your list:

• Items for Eid sweets – vermicelli, khoya, dry fruits
• Special Eid dishes – whatever you cook for Eid day
• Eid shopping – clothes for children and yourself

When you buy these things now, you save money. When Eid comes close, prices become uncontrollable and items become limited.

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5. Freeze and Store – Save Time and Money

One of the best ways to save money is to buy seasonal vegetables in bulk and freeze them. For example:

Peas (Matar):

• Buy fresh peas when they are in season and cheap
• Blanch them (boil for 2-3 minutes)
• Cool them, dry them, and freeze in small packets
• They stay fresh for 4-6 months
• Taste and color remain fresh

Coriander (Dhania):

• Wash and chop fresh coriander
• Dry it completely (pat dry with a cloth)
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge
• It stays fresh for 8-10 days
• You can also freeze chopped coriander

When you prepare these in advance:

• You save time during fasting hours
• You save money by buying at low prices
• You always have fresh ingredients ready

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6. Portion Your Meat – Freeze in Batches

Meat and chicken are used frequently in Ramadan – for iftar snacks, for sehri, for dinner. Instead of buying small quantities repeatedly:

• Buy in bulk when rates are good
• Marinate the chicken with spices (tandoori masala, black pepper, red chili, salt, ginger-garlic paste, yogurt)
• Divide into portions according to your family size
• Store in ziplock bags – this saves freezer space and prevents smells
• Label and freeze

For boneless chicken, make separate portions. When you need it, just take out one packet. You save:

• Time – no need to marinate every time
• Money – bulk buying is cheaper
• Energy – especially during fasting hours

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7. Keep Your Iftar Menu Simple

In the beginning of Ramadan, we feel like our iftar table must have everything – pakoras, samosas, chana chaat, dahi bara, fruit chaat, and more. But as the days pass:

• Our stomach adjusts
• Our body changes
• We naturally want simpler food
• Digestion becomes easier with simple meals

So simplify your menu. When you keep things simple:

• Your budget stays under control
• Your time is managed better
• Your health is better
• You can focus more on worship

You don’t need 10 different dishes. Two or three simple, good-quality dishes are enough for a blessed iftar.

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8. Do Your Eid Shopping Early

I did my Eid shopping before Ramadan started. Why?

• Ramadan is for worship, not for running to markets
• Fasting makes it difficult to go shopping
• Prices are lower before the last few days
• More choices are available

What to do:

1. Make a budget for Eid
2. Set aside money after accounting for bills and essential grocery
3. Shop for clothes, gifts, and special food items early
4. Avoid last-minute rush and high prices

When you do this, your Ramadan passes peacefully and your Eid is also full of joy.

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9. Save Time with Meal Prep

One of the smartest things you can do is meal prep. For example:

Chicken Bread (Pizza Dough Recipe):

• Make the dough in advance (pizza dough recipe is already on the channel)
• Let it rise for 3 hours
• Prepare chicken filling (boneless chicken with spices, capsicum, onion)
• Fill, shape, and bake

Baking options:

• In an oven: 20-25 minutes at 180°
• In a pot (patila): 45-50 minutes on low flame
• If you have a small oven like mine (50 years old!), it bakes in just 4-5 minutes!

When you prepare in advance:

• You save time before iftar
• You have fresh, homemade food
• You avoid expensive outside food
• You know exactly what you are eating

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10. Summary – Your Action Plan

Step	Action
1	Know your monthly income
2	Check existing grocery at home
3	Make a list – including Eid items
4	Go to wholesale market
5	Buy seasonal vegetables in bulk
6	Freeze peas, coriander, etc.
7	Portion and freeze meat/chicken
8	Do Eid shopping early
9	Simplify iftar menu
10	Meal prep in advance

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Final Reminder

Dear sisters, Ramadan is a month of Allah’s mercy and blessings. The expenses we manage, the money we save, should not just stay in our pockets. Use the savings to:

• Help those in need
• Give extra charity
• Make someone else’s Eid happier

When you plan well, your Ramadan passes peacefully. When you save money, you have more to give. And when you give, Allah gives you back even more.

May Allah accept our fasts, our prayers, and our efforts. May He put barakah in our homes and our budgets. May our Ramadan be full of blessings and our Eid full of joy. Ameen.

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Share this with your family and friends – together we can make this Ramadan a month of smart planning and abundant blessings.