Organic Eating is Possible Even on a Tight Budget. Know the Secrets on How It Can Be Done
Organic eating is becoming more and more popular to health conscious individuals and people who wish to go green. Organic products are grown or processed without the use of pesticides and other chemicals that are often used in conventional methods. Organic foods are healthier since they are free from substances that may be harmful to the body. They are also fresh and they taste better.
Moreover, eating organic allows you to help local farmers to earn more. Since pesticides and other chemicals are not used, it also helps keep the environment safe. However, one of the most common concerns with organic products is that they are usually more costly than their regular counterparts. If you wish to adopt this lifestyle, but you’re in a tight budget, there are things that you can do to afford organic foods.
Shop Around
It’s true that organic products are generally more expensive. However, groceries and supermarkets also offer them at varying prices. It pays to shop around and check out their costs to determine where you can get them at the most affordable price.
They also come in different brands, which again may affect their price. Once you found the store that offers the most cost effective price, compare the brands available as well, so you can choose one that lets you save money on your pocket.
Use Coupons
Like with any other products, you may also find coupons that you can use to get discounts on organic products. You can find them on newspapers, magazines, as well as on the Internet. There are several coupon sites online that you can check out. See if they carry coupons for organic foods that you can print.
Find out where these coupons can be used as not all stores may accept them. Moreover, they may have an expiry date, which you should also take into consideration. If you find some coupons, make sure to use them before they reach their expiration.
Watch Out for Sales
Organic stores also go on sale every now and then. You may sign up for a newsletter or check out their website to get the latest update. If you pass by the store while driving to and from work, don’t forget to do a quick check as they often put banners and distribute flyers prior to having their sale. Take advantage of these sales as you could get organic products at an incredibly low price than their regular cost.
Buy in Bulk
If there are products on sale, consider buying in bulk as you’ll never know when you will find another great deal like this. Even if they are not on sale, bulk buying would also save you money as you could usually get them at a lower price.
Many products can be frozen and just used when needed. Their shelf life is usually long so even if they take several months, as long as they are stored in the freezer, you should not have problems using them. You may also cook different recipes using similar ingredients, which you can also put in the freezer to be consumed on the next days.
Purchase Local Produce
If there’s a farm near you or you know someone who grows his own organic produce, purchase from them. Since you get the products directly from those who grow them, they would cost less than those that are being sold in groceries and supermarkets. This is because products that are transported, especially to far locations cost more. The cost for transporting these produce is considered when selling them.
Grow Your Own Produce
If you’re into gardening, make use of your skills and interest to grow your own crops. You may purchase seeds from organic stores as they usually carry them. Even if you’re not a hobbyist of gardening, there are organic produce that you can easily grow on pots. You may place them in your kitchen to be used as herbs and spices.
Order Online
Almost everything is being sold online, including organic produce. Check out popular e-commerce sites to find the products you need. There are also sites that specialize in selling these products. Like with local stores, they also offer organic produce at varying prices. So again, you must do your research and compare.
With the tips provided, you can now start eating organic even on a tight budget.
Photo Attribution:
Featured and 1st image by Alanthebox (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
2nd image by Patrick CharpiatPatrick.charpiat at fr.wikipedia [CC-BY-SA-2.0-fr (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/fr/deed.en) or CC-BY-SA-2.0-fr (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/fr/deed.en)], from Wikimedia Commons
