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When we made the switch to eating organic, whole foods, I was really worried about what that would do to our budget. As an avid couponer, I was used to getting steep discounts on groceries and filling up our refrigerator and pantry for very cheap.
While there are coupons for organic foods, they are not as plentiful and the foods themselves cost more. I had to figure out how to make the switch without breaking the budget. After six years of eating organic, I can say that there were several key tricks that helped me make the switch without spending a paycheck just to feed my family.
When we first started eating more organic foods, it was just me and my husband so we could try out different foods, recipes and shopping strategies to figure out what works best for us. I spent countless hours scouring books and articles on how to eat healthy, organic food and tailoring the tips I unearthed to fit our grocery budget.
Now that we are a family of four, I’m still able to apply most of what I learned in those early days of eating organic on a budget. Since our boys are little, they don’t eat quite as much as we do but my older son can definitely put me to shame in the portion department so he’s already holding his own.
If you would like to learn more about how I feed my family of four a (mostly) organic diet on a $125/week budget, check out this article for some tips and tricks you can apply to your own budget today.
Below are some of my best suggestions for making the switch to organic foods without going completely over budget.
1. Start slowly
When you first make the decision to eat organic, I know it can be very tempting to jump right in and switch everything over from conventional to organic. While you can definitely do that, your budget will suffer.
I’d recommend a slow and steady switch to organic foods as you figure out all of the different options. The sales of organic foods are reaching new records as families fill their shopping carts with the exploding variety of organic foods, from produce to cereal.
2. Figure out what would be the best ROI for your family right now
An important first step is to take an assessment of what your family eats on a regular basis. This will help you determine what is the best change you can make right now to have the biggest impact.
For example, if your family eats a lot of salads, you can start switching to organic salad greens. Spinach and lettuce both rank high in pesticide residue according to the Environmental Working Group’s database so this would be a good place to start and would have a significant impact on your family.
Make an assessment of the types of foods that your family eats the most and try to focus your organic dollars on those areas at first. This will help you start including organic foods in your diet and make adjustments in other areas without going over budget.
Related: How to Manage Your Money the Right Way
3. Change one thing at a time
Change is hard and going from paying for conventional to organic products is going to take some adjustment. Organic tends to be a lot more expensive, which you will notice quickly if you suddenly start buying everything organic.
In some cases, there isn’t much of a difference between organic and inorganic (for example, if a fruit or vegetable is in season), so in those cases, go for the organic option. However, the majority of organic products command a premium for the increased time and money commitment it takes to produce or grow them.
Changing one thing at a time allows you to slowly introduce an alternative food in your family’s diet so they can get used to the switch. In some cases, such as with fruits and vegetables, the switch should be easy. However, if you are making the change from Wonderbread to an organic whole wheat alternative, it may take a little longer for everyone in your family to get on board.
4. Calculate the per ounce price
Just because you are switching to organic foods, does not mean that you should not apply the grocery tricks that help you get the best value for your dollar. Once such trick is to calculate the per ounce price for what you are buying, be it applesauce or coffee. This will make it easier to find the best deal when it comes to the variety of different sizes and brands of organic foods that are populating the shelves of grocery stores.
Related: 4 Simple Grocery Hacks That Will Save You Money Today
5. Know your prices
One of the best tools for saving money is knowing the best price for your most frequently bought items. Sometimes referred to as a “price book,” this basically consists of the type of item you buy, the size and what is the best price you have paid for it. You can do a Google spreadsheet or you can keep it in your head (that’s what I do, ha!). That way when you run across a great sale on something you normally buy, you will know if it’s a good deal or a great deal and you can stock up.
6. Find the best places to buy each item
While going to different places for different items can be a pain, it is one of the best ways to save money on groceries. For example, if you buy gallons of organic milk on a regular basis, find out which store has the best everyday price for organic milk.
Make sure you look at both half gallons and full gallons and calculate the best per ounce price. That way you can still get a good deal on the milk you buy every week without having to wait for a sale on a perishable item.
7. Group your trips
One way to make going to different stores less of a pain is to group your trips and visit certain stores only once or twice a month. For example, there is a smaller organic grocery store that is on my way home from work. I stop there on my drive home and stock up on certain groceries that I know are a good deal there. On the flip side, I usually only go to Aldi or Costco once a month and stock up on organic deals that will last me the rest of the month. I try to combine these trips with other errands to save on gas and time.
8. Shop alone
As a parent, I can’t tell you how much this one simple tip helps me stay on budget. Having kids (or even another adult) can be a distraction. It can cause you to overspend by going off your shopping list and buying stuff you had no plans to buy when you first walked into the store. Shopping alone lets you focus on what you are buying so you can zoom through the store and checkout quickly.
9. Make a list and check it three times
Let me tell you the best way to waste money – I’d make a grocery list while at work based on what I thought we had at home and plan meals accordingly. Then I’d get home from the grocery store and find out that we are out of something or that I forgot that I had already used up one or more of the ingredients.
This resulted in either making another trip to the closest grocery store (where the price for that item could be higher) and buying whatever I forgot or by changing my meal plan and wasting another one of the ingredients that I had bought for the meal I was planning on making originally. In addition, anytime I’d make a run to the store, I’d inexplicably find more things that I needed to buy and come home with a couple of unplanned purchases.
So now, I make a point to check the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry before I leave for the store.
10. Plan ahead
There are a number of foods that we eat regularly so we tend to run out more often. As we get close to running out of something, I like to add it to the weekly grocery list in my planner so I can pick it up next time I’m at the store. This prevents last minute grocery store runs as we realize that we ran out of something (please see above).
11. Watch the sales and stock up
Conversely, if I see an item on sale that I buy often, I like to stock up if it’s at my “best” price. This works for things like canned goods, frozen vegetables, meat (can also be frozen), pantry staples, etc. With a fully stocked pantry, it makes it easier to plan meals since I already have some of the basics on hand.
12. Consider bulk options
If you need an ingredient that you don’t use often for a recipe that you would like to try, consider the bulk bins. That way you can get exactly the amount you need so you don’t have leftover foods that you don’t know how to use up.
13. Check out organic coupons
Believe it or not, there are organic coupons for products you are looking to buy. There are several ways to go about getting those. First, sign up for the email list of companies whose products you purchase frequently (for example, Organic Valley, Cascadian Farm, etc.).
Bonus tip: It’s best to create a separate email address you can use just for that. Also check out apps like Ibotta, which give you a rebate on groceries you buy, including any brand rebates for things like milk, bread, produce, etc. Check out my Ibotta review to learn more.
Another great source of organic discounts is store apps such as the Target app or the Whole Foods app. Make sure you search the app for the store you are planning to visit for organic coupons and discounts. App discounts and rebates can often be stacked with manufacturer’s coupons for even more savings. In addition, some websites such as MamboSprouts.com regularly feature organic product coupons.
Related: 7 Easy Ways to Find Coupons for Organic Food
14. Loyalty programs
Many stores have loyalty programs and will offer store discounts or coupons to their members. In turn, they get to track your shopping habits and buying history, which does help offer you more tailored offers. It’s a great way to get discounts such as “$5 off $10 on any produce purchase” that can be used toward organics.
15. Buy in season
Buying in season is a great way to stick to your budget. There are many websites and apps that will tell you what fruits and vegetables are currently in season, however, I have found an even better way (in my opinion) to gauge what is in season. Often, fruits and veggies that are in season will be featured at great prices in store circulars.
This also applies to organic produce since both organic and conventional fruits and veggies have the same growing seasons. So when you see a great sale on say organic strawberries (summer months) then you know strawberries are in season and it’s a great time to stock up.
16. Buy frozen fruits and veggies
If there is a fruit or a veggie you would like to buy but it’s currently out of season and very pricey, frozen organic versions are your best bet. Frozen produce is often a better deal than fresh and, since it’s picked at and frozen at its peak, it has great nutritional value. Added bonus: if you forget to use it when you buy it, it will keep for months in your freezer.
17. Don’t be brand specific
I see this all the time and it can be frustrating when people tell me they would like to save money but are not willing to branch out. In order to save money on organics, you have to be flexible. If a store has an organic brand on sale for something you usually buy, I’d recommend giving it a try.
With some products, such as milk, for example, the brand does not matter very much. Milk is milk, for the most part, so buy the brand that has the lowest price point. With other products, it’s always good to try different brands – you never know when you will find some other brands that you like.
18. Go generic
Along the same line, try the generic version. Some stores, such as Whole Foods with their 365 store brand and Safeway with their O organics brand, have their own private label organic products. Those are often cheaper and just as good as national organic brands. I’d highly recommend giving them a try and saving some money in the process.
19. Don’t be fooled by labels (natural vs organic or made with organic)
If you would like to buy organic foods, look for the “USDA Organic” label. Do not get fooled by products labeled “natural.” There are no laws or regulations that governed how the natural label is used so anyone can use it on any product without repercussion. On the other hand, the USDA Organic-labeled products have to comply with strict guidelines before they can add the label to their packaging. Natural products often cost much more than their conventional version with no apparent benefit. Put your hard-earned dollars toward the organic version or go with the “conventional.”
20. Check out the farmer’s market or a CSA
Looking for fresh produce and meat from local farmers? The farmer’s market or a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) are often great options for getting local products. Going to a farmer’s market lets you talk in person with the farmers and ask them questions about their products.
Often times a farmer may be growing organic produce but does not have the money to get certified as an organic producer (it’s actually an expensive process for small farms). You can score some great deals and also get to meet in person the people that grew the food you are going to eat. Pretty cool.
Another option is joining a local CSA, which provides in-season products (often fruits and veggies) to its members for a fee. It can often be cheaper to get organic produce this way and you will receive local fruits and veggies that are in season. You will also be introduced to fruits and veggies you have not tried before, which can help you expand your cooking repertoire.
21. Limit processed organic foods
Limiting processed foods is a good idea in general but even more important when it comes to getting the most bang for your organic buck. If you are looking to switch to organic products, prioritize fresh meat, dairy, eggs, fruits, and veggies. Those are areas where you will see the biggest return for your money. Processed foods such as pretzels, chips, cookies, etc. do not have to be organic.
Organic processed foods are still filled with junk even if the label says “USDA Organic” and often command a large premium over their conventional counterparts. Put your money toward the stuff that really matters when it comes to the organic label.
22. Check out Amazon
Amazon can be a great place for staple pantry products. They have a large selection of organic items at great prices and through their “Subscribe & Save” option, you can get an even better price so you can stock up. Not satisfied with something you received? Amazon has a great return policy and customer service so you are not taking a big risk.
Want to try Amazon Prime for free? Here is a 30-day free trial to check it out.
23. Take expiration dates with a grain of salt
You may have read this before on other websites but it bears repeating: expiration dates are mostly guidelines. There are different types of expiration dates such as “Best by” or “Use by,” etc. but they mostly boil down to flavor and not food safety. It’s the company’s way of saying that they only guarantee that their product will offer optimal tastiness by the date on the package.
So if your bottle of ketchup is one week past its “Best by” date, don’t toss it out. Chances are, it still tastes pretty good.
24. Staple meals
It’s important to have a list of what I call staple meals that you can work into your meal planning every week. These are meals that you know everyone in the family will eat and that you can quickly and cheaply put together using mostly staples you have on hand.
This will save you money because you can keep a running list of the staples that you need for those meals and look for deals so you can buy them at a discount. It also saves you money because you know that your family will eat whatever you cook.
My favorite website for affordable staple meals is BudgetBytes.com. Pretty much everything I cook from Beth’s website has been amazing and even my five-year-old and two-year-old will eat it!
25. Meal plan
Planning out your meals for the week or even every couple of weeks is a huge time and money saver. By sitting down and making a list of what meals you will eat on each night, you can take into account the family’s schedule. On nights when you have a lot going on, you can plan on something easy like sandwiches or a crockpot meal that has been simmering all day.
Meal planning also makes it easy to shop since you can check your pantry, fridge, and freezer and write down what you need to buy at the store. That way you’ll have a list ready to go when it’s time to hit the grocery aisles.
Those are some of my favorite ways to save money on groceries, and especially on organic food. While many people think eating organic is outrageously expensive, by following the above tips, we’ve been able to keep our grocery bill to about $550/month for a family of 4 and still buy organic and local meats, dairy, and produce.
Fitting organic food in your budget has a lot to do with careful planning, shopping, and preparing. While not all of these tips will work for everyone, hopefully, some of these will help you bring down your grocery bill.
What are some of the ways you save money on groceries? Share in the comments.
Below are my absolute favorite ways to save money:
Amazon Prime – With free unlimited two-day shipping and no minimum purchase required, Amazon Prime is the perfect solution for saving money on shopping. You get a FREE 30-day trial membership for signing up through my link. I absolutely love my Amazon Prime membership!
Ebates – Get cash back for any purchases that you are already making online. Just go through the Ebates cash back portal and you will get a percentage back of your total order price. You can also use coupons on top of going through Ebates for even more savings. Read my review of Ebates here. You get $10 FREE cash back after you make a $25 purchase for signing up through my link.
Ibotta – Get cash back for purchases, including groceries, clothing and more! Download the app on your phone, check it before heading to the store so you can add any rebates that interest you, then shop as usual. When you get home, just scan your receipt and enjoy the cash back. It’s such an easy way to get some extra cash!
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Wow, you pretty much covered everything here! Thanks for all the solid advice!