Friday, April 26, 2019

How to Save Money on Organic Food and more...

Is it possible to save money on organic food? In this post, I'll share 8 easy ways to save money on organic food — even if you have a tight budget! Looking for more ideas? Check out this post where Jennifer shares 10 Ways They Afford to Eat Organic ...

Intentional finance. Intentional family. Intentional business.

How to Save Money on Organic Food

Is it possible to save money on organic food? In this post, I’ll share 8 easy ways to save money on organic food — even if you have a tight budget!

Looking for more ideas? Check out this post where Jennifer shares 10 Ways They Afford to Eat Organic Foods on a $100 Monthly Budget.
You can afford organic food on a budget! Here's how!!

Can You Save Money on Organic Food?

So many people have a misguided idea that the only way to eat healthfully is to spend exorbitant amounts to do so. If you live in Alaska or some remote part of the country, this might be the case, but in most areas, you can feed your family natural, unprocessed foods without spending hundreds of dollars each week to do so.

Sure, you might spend a little bit more than someone who is eating a diet composed mostly of processed foods, but it really doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg as some people will make you think — especially if you’re willing to get creative and think outside the box.

Here are eight ways to afford organic food on a tight budget:

1. Plan a Menu Based Upon What’s In Season and On Sale

If you want to feed your family on a budget, the first step is to have a plan for what you’ll be eating. Make your menu plan mostly based upon what is on sale at the natural foods store, what is in season at the Farmer’s Market, what organic food is on sale at Aldi or your other grocery store, and/or what you’re reaping in abundance from your garden, you’re going to significantly reduce your grocery bill.

2. Practice the “Buy Ahead” Principle

If you happen to come upon an incredible sale on tomatoes at the Farmer’s Market, or the health food store has organic frozen vegetables on a great sale, or Sprouts has a great weekend sale, or Aldi is offering some great deal on organic products, or you find a great markdown deal on organic food at Kroger, stock up. Buying items you routinely use when they are at their lowest price is another surefire way to savings.

3. Plant a Garden (Or Barter With Someone Who Does!)

Produce is typically only pennies per item from your own backyard, it’s tremendously fresh and you know exactly what you did or didn’t spray on it. Plus, you can can or freeze your extras — or bless your friends and neighbors with them!

Have a brown thumb? Find a friend who loves gardening and trade services (babysitting, bread-baking, car maintenance?) in exchange for their garden excess.

Note: When I’ve done the math on how much time you invest to plant and weed and water and harvest food from the garden, for me, it just wasn’t worth the return on my investment of time. However, if organic food is something you want to prioritize and you love gardening, it might be a great option for you!

4. Stick With Simple Meals

When you’re planning your menu, think about how much your recipes will cost you to make.

It doesn’t have to be a scientific to-the-penny figure, but just having a good idea that there is a $10 difference between the price of making one meal as opposed to another meal can help you decide whether you can afford to make something or perhaps should save it for a special occasion.

Sprouts Natural Foods Market

5. Serve Meat as a Condiment

I shamelessly stole this idea from Family Feasts for $75 Per Week because it’s so brilliant. Serving meat in soup or on pizza is going to be a lot less expensive than serving roast and sirloin, especially if you’re buying high-quality meat.

6. Buy in Bulk

It is usually much more cost-effective to purchase meat and staple ingredients in bulk. Call around to local farmers and see what they would charge you for purchasing half a cow.

In many cases, it’s at least $1 cheaper per pound to purchase in bulk. Buying grains, beans, as well as many other basic ingredients with long storage lives in large quantities will almost always save you at least 20%, if not more.

Costco, as well as many bulk foods stores and local co-ops, offer great pricing. You can also check with your local health food store to see if they’d offer you a discount for bulk purchases.

7. Consider Joining a CSA or Co-Op

If there is a co-op or CSA in your area, check into pricing and details for joining. You might find that it is an affordable and money-saving option for your family. If you can’t find an affordable co-op in your area, you could consider starting your own co-op.

8. Use Coupons on Non-Food Items

I know a number of my readers don’t eat processed foods, but they use coupons to save money on toilet paper, toothbrushes and other non-food items which they purchase. Your savings might not be so exciting as others who use dozens of coupons each shopping trip, but even saving $5 each week by using coupons can start to add up over time.

What other tips do you have to add for saving money on organic food? I’d love to hear!

    
 

How to Save Money on Organic Food

Is it possible to save money on organic food? In this post, I’ll share 8 easy ways to save money on organic food — even if you have a tight budget!

You can afford organic food on a budget! Here's how!!

Can You Save Money on Organic Food?

So many people have a misguided idea that the only way to eat healthfully is to spend exorbitant amounts to do so. If you live in Alaska or some remote part of the country, this might be the case, but in most areas, you can feed your family natural, unprocessed foods without spending hundreds of dollars each week to do so.

Sure, you might spend a little bit more than someone who is eating a diet composed mostly of processed foods, but it really doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg as some people will make you think — especially if you’re willing to get creative and think outside the box.

Here are eight ways to afford organic food on a tight budget:

1. Plan a Menu Based Upon What’s In Season and On Sale

If you want to feed your family on a budget, the first step is to have a plan for what you’ll be eating. Make your menu plan mostly based upon what is on sale at the natural foods store, what is in season at the Farmer’s Market, what organic food is on sale at Aldi or your other grocery store, and/or what you’re reaping in abundance from your garden, you’re going to significantly reduce your grocery bill.

2. Practice the “Buy Ahead” Principle

If you happen to come upon an incredible sale on tomatoes at the Farmer’s Market, or the health food store has organic frozen vegetables on a great sale, or Sprouts has a great weekend sale, or Aldi is offering some great deal on organic products, or you find a great markdown deal on organic food at Kroger, stock up. Buying items you routinely use when they are at their lowest price is another surefire way to savings.

3. Plant a Garden (Or Barter With Someone Who Does!)

If you can pull it off, plant a garden. Produce is typically only pennies per item from your own backyard, it’s tremendously fresh and you know exactly what you did or didn’t spray on it. Plus, you can can or freeze your extras — or bless your friends and neighbors with them!

Have a brown thumb? Find a friend who loves gardening and trade services (babysitting, bread-baking, car maintenance?) in exchange for their garden excess.

Note: When I’ve done the math on how much time you invest to plant and weed and water and harvest food from the garden, for me, it just wasn’t worth the return on my investment of time. However, if organic food is something you want to prioritize and you love gardening, it might be a great option for you!

4. Stick With Simple Meals

When you’re planning your menu, think about how much your recipes will cost you to make. It doesn’t have to be a scientific to-the-penny figure, but just having a good idea that there is a $10 difference between the price of making one meal as opposed to another meal can help you decide whether you can afford to make something or perhaps should save it for a special occasion.

Sprouts Natural Foods Market

5. Serve Meat as a Condiment

I shamelessly stole this idea from Family Feasts for $75 Per Week because it’s so brilliant. Serving meat in soup or on pizza is going to be a lot less expensive than serving roast and sirloin, especially if you’re buying high-quality meat.

6. Buy in Bulk

It is usually much more cost-effective to purchase meat and staple ingredients in bulk. Call around to local farmers and see what they would charge you for purchasing half a cow. In many cases, it’s at least $1 cheaper per pound to purchase in bulk. Buying grains, beans, as well as many other basic ingredients with long storage lives in large quantities will almost always save you at least 20%, if not more.

Costco, as well as many bulk foods stores and local co-ops, offer great pricing. You can also check with your local health food store to see if they’d offer you a discount for bulk purchases.

7. Consider Joining a CSA or Co-Op

If there is a co-op or CSA in your area, check into pricing and details for joining. You might find that it is an affordable and money-saving option for your family. If you can’t find an affordable co-op in your area, you could consider starting your own co-op.

8. Use Coupons on Non-Food Items

I know a number of my readers don’t eat processed foods, but they use coupons to save money on toilet paper, toothbrushes and other non-food items which they purchase. Your savings might not be so exciting as others who use dozens of coupons each shopping trip, but even saving $5 each week by using coupons can start to add up over time.

    
 

Any questions? (Last chance!)

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow is the very last day to register for Your Blogging Mastermind! We won’t be opening it up again to new members until Fall so I don’t want you to miss out on this opportunity if you’re ready to jump in.

I’ve gotten a number of questions over the past few days about the Mastermind and I wanted to address them in a post, in case you were wondering the same thing, too.

Who is this Mastermind For?

Your Blogging Mastermind is for you if you are:

  • A newer blogger who wants to learn how to better monetize your blog, produce consistent and inspiring content and grow your readership.
  • A intermediate blogger who wants real, actionable advice to help you increase your income and develop a more effective social media strategy, all while having a great work-life balance.
  • A more advanced blogger who is stuck in a blogging rut and paralyzed by the overwhelming noise of advice from “online experts” — who wants clarity and tangible steps to move forward and reach their blogging goals.

What If I Don’t Have a Blog?

If you don’t have a blog set up, you’ll want to wait to join the Mastermind until you have your blog set up and running (unless you don’t have a desire to blog and qualify as an “online influencer” instead… see the next question.).

I recommend that you start by taking my free online blogging class here where I’ll teach you the nuts and bolts you need to know to get started as a successful blogger.

Can I Join If I Don’t Want to Blog, But I Want to Make Money Online?

Some of you don’t have a desire to blog, but you want to build up your online business and you’ve asked whether this might be a good fit.

Probably 80-90% of the coaching I’m sharing would be extremely helpful for those who want to grow an online email list, be more strategic on social media, or who have online products they want to sell.

If you’re not a blogger, there will be some of the discussions and content that won’t relate to you, but most of it can be transferred to helping you be more successful and make more money as an online influencer. (Any questions on your specific situation? Hit reply and I’m happy to try to help you out!)

Do I Have to Have Social Media?

I am a big fan of the strategic and intentional use of social media. I believe that it is one of the most powerful — and FREE! — tools to connect with your audience and grow your following.

However, I’m not going to insist that you have all forms of social media; I think you need to figure out what works best for you. In addition, we’ll be talking about tactics to put in place to make sure that social media is helping our lives instead of consuming our lives.

Will We Have Direct Access to Crystal?

Yes! While I can’t promise to spend hours and hours each month coaching you individually, I am very active in the private forum and try to answer every single question that is directed at me there. I also offer opportunities every single month for you to have your blog/work critiqued by me live, if you so choose.

In addition, because of your commitment as Mastermind members, you’ll have more priority in my inbox and direct messages. There may also be special opportunities throughout the year for you that we aren’t offering to the general public.

How Long Do I Have to Commit To?

When you sign up, you don’t have to commit to any period of time. You can stay as long as you’d like!

My hope is that you’ll find it helpful enough that you’ll want to stay for months and years to come, but I also want you to do what is best for you and understand that there are different seasons for different commitments.

What If I Want to Cancel?

While we don’t offer refunds, you can cancel at any time by going into your account and just choosing to cancel. It’s easy-peasy!

When is the In-Person Event at Your House?

The first one-day private event at my house is scheduled for July 27, 2019. You get a free ticket to this event as a special bonus for being in the Mastermind!

Note: We will be live-streaming parts of the event for those who can’t attend live. There may also be other in-person meet-up opportunities for Mastermind members in the future this year. Stay tuned!

What Other Questions Do You Have?

I’m going to be available in my inbox to answer your questions about Your Blogging Mastermind today. What other questions do you have? Hit reply and ask — and I’ll do my best to answer them promptly!

Ready to Register?

I want to help you pay down debt, save more money, get in a better financial position, have financial freedom, and be able to give generously through the money that you earn online.

I want you to help you get your works and your products and your story out to the world!

Most of all, I want to help you make a difference and impact online — and I want to help you do it without hustling or working 24/7.

Ready to stop dreaming or wishing you could take your blog to the next level? Let’s go do it — together!

Remember, registration closes at midnight on Saturday night (April 27, 2019)! Don’t miss out!

P.S. If you haven’t started your blog yet, this Mastermind isn’t for you — yet! But I’d love for you to sign up for my FREE blogging class where I’ll teach you the 3 Steps to Start a Successful Blog.

    
 

Brigette’s $90 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

My older sister, Brigette, shares her shopping trips and menu plans every week! You can go HERE to see all of her weekly menu plans and you can go HERE to read all about her family!

I’ve been out of town most of the last two weeks, so it feels great to get back into grocery shopping and menu planning! I spent a little more than normal this week, but that’s what happens when you get back from vacation and there’s almost no food in the house. 😉

Aldi

1/2 gallon Whole Milk – $0.60

1/2 gallon 1% Milk – $0.60

1 carton Heavy Whipping Cream – $1.49

1 can Whipped Topping – $1.69

8 bags (1-lb each) Fresh Asparagus, reduced to $0.25 each!! – $2.00

4 bags (1-lb each) Fresh Brussel Sprouts, reduced to $0.25 each!! – $1.00

1 large tub Organic Spring Mix – $3.49

1 bag Mini Peppers – $1.49

1 bag Frozen Broccoli Florets – $1.09

1 bag Frozen California Vegetable Medley – $0.85

1 Cauliflower – $1.99

1 large bag Organic Kale – $2.49

1 bag Baby Carrots – $0.69

1 bag Mini Cucumbers – $1.99

2 containers Blackberries – $1.78

1 large jar Unsweetened Applesauce – $1.89

1 pkg Radishes – $0.49

2 cans Tomato Sauce – $0.38

1 pkg Flour Tortillas – $0.65

1 pkg Rice Cakes – $0.99

1 loaf Sandwich Bread – $0.65

1 pkg Hamburger Buns – $0.65

1 large canister Quick Oats – $2.29

1 large canister Old Fashioned Oats – $2.29

1 32-oz bag Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – $4.49

1 pkg String Cheese – $1.95

1 16-oz bag Shredded Cheddar Cheese – $2.15

2 24-oz cartons Cottage Cheese – $3.18

2 jars Pasta Sauce – $1.30

1 jar Deli Mustard – $0.99

1 bag Blue Corn Chips – $1.49

1 large box Corn Flakes – $0.99

1 box Crispy Oats – $1.15

1 5-lb roll Fresh 73/27 Ground Beef, reduced – $6.95

1 3-lb bag Hamburger Patties – $7.79

1-lb Sausage – $1.89

1 pkg Pepperoni – $1.79

1 jar Minced Onion – $0.85

1 jar Garlic Powder – $0.85

4 dozen Eggs (accidentally not pictured – I included them in the Harris Teeter picture) – $3.16

3 16-oz cartons Egg Whites – $5.10

Total: $79.69


Harris Teeter

(4 dozen Eggs – See Aldi post)

10 cans Green Beans (B2G3) – $2.70

1 32-oz carton Half and Half  (since Aldi was completely out) – $2.49

1 pkg Lasagna Noodles (I actually found this reduced at Walmart earlier this week when I was shopping for non-food items, but for grocery total purchases am including it here) – $0.49

1 64-oz carton Unsweetened Chocolate Almond Milk – $2.50, used $1/1 Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almondmilk Chocolate Items, exp. 6/30/19 (SS 04/14/19 – $1.50 after coupon

1 pkg Chicken Leg Quarters (5.75lbs @ $0.69/lb) – $3.97

Total: $11.15

Grocery Total for the Week: $90.84

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Everyone is responsible for making/cleaning up their own breafasts. Choices include:

Oatmeal, Trim Healthy Mama Pancakes (my 12-yr old has been enjoying making this recipe for everyone!), Cereal, Smoothies, Scrambled/Boiled/Fried Eggs, Veggie Omelets, Fruit

Lunches

Cheese Quesadillas, Carrots, Blackberries x 2

Peanut Butter Sandwiches/Rice Cakes, Cucumbers, Applesauce, Cheese Sticks x 2

Build-Your-Own-Salad-Bar

Leftovers x 2

Dinners

Lasagna, Easy Italian Breadsticks, Tossed Salad, Roasted Asparagus

Hamburgers, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Blue Corn Chips

Finger Lickin’ Chicken (recipe from Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook), Sauteed Asparagus, Baked Potato Wedges

Crustless Quiche (using ham from the freezer), Homemade Biscuits, Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Mashed Cauliflower with Parmesan, Green Beans, leftover Biscuits

Shepherd’s Pie, Kale Salad, Easy Whole Wheat Muffins

Leftovers