hi caity - I know how you feel with the family problems. Food is often the safe place that I run to after an argument or some discouraging situation. This is where I find excersize is key. although I want to just throw in the towel - I put my runners on and get out there - and just walk or runn in a beautiful park - then - surprise I feel more relaxed - I'm loosing weight and stress is released - I have to release the stress because the stress help you keep weigh , especially in your abdominal area - and then it messes with your hormones and ...well, its a trap. So - sweat it out. Regardsing eating healthy - I fell like you can do it very reasonably. I don't eat wheat products so - brown rice is a staple that i eat once a day - not expensive. I found that cooking with vegetables and beans - and using fresh herbs actually saved me money. Plus I gave up drinking alcohol and coffee - I found other areas to cut back. Don't buy packaged or pre-made stuff and you should be prefectly fine. I never buy any unnatural sugar substutite stuff either, if I want sweet I eat fruit...I hope that is helpful