Eating organic on a budget might seem daunting, but it is easier than you might think. These tips will help you save money on organic food!
If eating healthy food is a priority for you, then you have probably already started thinking about organics.
Organic food is free from genetic engineering/modification, as well as synthetic pesticides. In short, fewer chemicals, fewer pesticides, and fewer preservatives.
One of the biggest obstacles for most of us in buying organic is the price.
Organic products can really add up if you do not know how to shop for them.
When you're first starting out, buying organic can seem expense, but you can save yourself a lot of money (and stress!) with this tips for eating organic on a budget.
Please note: While saving money is important for everyone, please remember how important your health and the health of your loved ones is. Whether we pay for organic food today, or pay for medical treatments tomorrow, our health has a price. Choose organic, buy from reputable companies, and give yourself the reassurance of a long, happy, and healthy life. <3
10 Tips for Eating Organic on a Budget
1. Buy Organic Groceries in Bulk
Buying groceries in bulk always helps save money and organic foods are no exception! Buying in bulk from a local grocer is always most cost effective for us here at The Hippie Haus, Costco is such a blessing!
2. Buy Local Organic Groceries
In the same way that in buying in bulk helps you save money, buying local and organic can help you save! The food doesn't have to travel as far when it comes from local farmers, so you save on a lot of the "middle man" costs by shopping local. And your food will taste better, too!
3. Shop Manager Markdowns for Organic Foods
Manager markdowns are a great way to save money! Always check the expiration dates if you opt to go this route, things are often on sale because they need to sell these items quickly, but you can find some amazing deals! Kroger (LOVE!) has some great manager specials and you can usually spot them by the red and yellow Woohoo! sticker.
4. Buy Organic Store Brands
Shopping store brands is a money saving tip from way back and I like that more stores are making their own branded stuff now. It's like buying the "generic" version of something, so if you love the taste of ketchup and don't care whose name is on the bottle, shopping store brands is the way to go.
5. Buy In-Season Organic Foods
Buying food that is in season helps you save because your local farmers will have an abundance of these items and want to sell them when they're at their freshest. Buying off-season, is convenient, but you will pay more for a mango in the Winter than you will in the Summer, and it is nowhere near as delicious (Trust me, I know! :( )
6. Minimize Organic Junk Foods
Processed, boxed, or pre-packaged foods are crazy tempting! Life is so busy and hectic why would I make food myself when I just grab a bag of Gardein… anything! and have a meal ready in no time?! Because you love yourself and your wallet more than that! These items are great to have every now and again, but if you're trying to maximize your spending chill out on these items.
7. Use the Clean 15 and the Dirty Dozen as a Guide
The Clean 15 is an annual list put together by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) showing the 15 fruits and veggies that have the fewest concentrations of synthetic pesticides. The Dirty Dozen is a list of the 12 fruits and veggies with the highest concentrations of synthetic pesticides. So when you're shopping, if something is on the Clean 15 you can be a bit more comfortable buying it organic or conventional, if it's on the Dirty Dozen buy it organically.
8. Shop Online for Organic Packaged Foods
Online shopping is a great way to save money. You can find deals online that you may not be able to find at your local markets and online stores have things that in-person shops may not have. Thrive Market is our favorite online shop to find Fonio and Organic Brazil Nuts!
9. Grown Your Own Organic Food in the Garden
The ultimate money saving tip - Garden Style! Of course any and everything we grow or make ourselves will always be more cost effective then shopping elsewhere. Gardening is great because not only do you get to save money, you also get the joy of gardening! There's just something about having to slow down and take the time to garden.
10. Make Your Own Organic Food Kitchen Staples
While you're growing your own food, you might as well make your own kitchen staples as well! Flour, bread, tortillas, butter, jam, sugar, nut butters, cheese, wine… The list keeps going!
Do you find these tips helpful?
What are you favorite ways to save money when grocery shopping? Let us know down below.
Y'all know how much I love to talk about food!!
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