Posted by Naomi de la Torre on Oct.30, 2009

©iStockphoto.com - Patryk Galka

We all want to live an organic, green lifestyle. But we might find ourselves discouraged sometimes because the price of organic food, cleaners and other household items can seem costly and prohibitive. It’s true. If you switch from shopping at Wal-Mart to Whole Foods, your grocery bill will skyrocket and your spending money may disappear. That’s why Whole Foods has received the nickname, “Whole Paycheck.”

But, there are ways to live organic on a budget. The tips and tricks on the list below will help you keep your bills from ballooning, while still achieving the organic lifestyle you desire.

1.    Make organic foods from scratch.

There are many foods that you can buy pre-packaged in the grocery store that are much more expensive when they carry the ‘organic’ label. Bread, yogurt, cookies, cakes, pasta, sauces, juice, salad dressing, fruit jams and nut butters are just some examples of things that can be made easily in your own home. While it may take a little extra work at first, making foods from scratch is a wonderful chance to learn more about the food we eat and teach our children at the same time. My children are always excited when we make bread, baked goods, salsa, pasta sauce, dressings and other foods together. They also enjoy eating the foods much more after they have helped in their creation.

2.    Grow an Organic Vegetable Garden

If you live in an area where you have access to land, a vegetable garden can greatly reduce your grocery bill. Not to mention, vegetables grown in your own garden where they can ripen to perfection are so much more delicious than anything you can find in a store. Most children love to garden and will take enormous pride in picking the fruits of their labor.

3.    Buy Local Fruits and Veggies

Most towns and cities have a farmer’s market where you can purchase fruits and veggies from local farmers that are cheaper and fresher than what you will find at a grocery store. You will also have an opportunity to talk with the farmers firsthand and ask questions about their farming methods and whether or not they use pesticides. Some farms may be transitioning to organic so their produce will not carry the ‘organic’ label, but you may still be satisfied that the food is of the highest quality.

4.    Join an organic food co-op

Sign up for an organic food co-op and you will receive fresh, in-season, local produce. The benefit is that you pay a set amount (generally about $50 every two weeks) and receive a big tub of all kinds of goodies that you didn’t even have to pick out yourself. The only drawback is that you don’t get to choose your own produce. This, however, can be a benefit in disguise, as you will have an opportunity to learn about new foods that you might otherwise not have tried. A co-op is also a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends who have similar lifestyle goals and from whom you can learn new tips and secrets about how to live green in your local area. If there is no co-op in your area, think about starting one of your own. The leaders of most co-ops get their food for free in compensation for the work they do in running the business. Children can be involved in sorting the food and accepting payments, which can be a great learning experience and also a lot of fun.

5.    Compost

If you have your own garden, composting is a great way to reduce trash, while at the same time providing extra nutrients to your soil.

6.    Deep Freeze

If you go to the trouble of making delicious, organic homemade soups and casseroles, you must invest in a deep freeze. A deep freeze will allow you to double your recipes which can be frozen for quick, easy meals in the future. Certain fruits and veggies can also be saved in the deep freeze for winter months when less local produce is available.

7.    Shop at discount stores

Wal-Mart, Sam’s and Costco do carry certain organic products. These products are always cheaper than their counterparts at your local organic grocery. Scout out what is available to you and make sure to take advantage of all the discounts.

8. Reduce your waste.

Don’t throw away the fruit your children didn’t eat at breakfast. Toss it in the blender and make a smoothie that they can enjoy after they return from school. The same goes for uneaten vegetables and other table scraps. They will make a delicious soup the whole family can enjoy tomorrow. Try to re-use all your leftovers in creative ways and you won’t need to purchase as much food in the long run.

9. Make your own non-toxic household cleaners.

Baking soda, white vinegar, borax, lemon, isopropyl alcohol and plain old soap are effective against most household bacteria, odors and stains. They can be used efficiently in most areas of your home. Learn more about how these simple cleaners are just as expedient as the expensive and toxic anti-bacterial cleansers available in most grocery stores.

10. Make your own glycerin soap.

Glycerin soap is gentle on the skin and even recommended for people with skin disorders. It is not complicated to make at home and a fun project to do with older children. Essential oils, natural dyes and other spices can be used to make the soaps beautiful and fragrant.

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Posted under Living, Money Savers.