How to Live Naturally on a Budget

Contrary to popular belief, choosing to live more naturally doesn’t have to leave you with an empty bank account. While organic meat and produce are both more expensive than conventionally grown, it is possible for the natural living enthusiast to cut costs in other areas without exposing their family to toxins or harmful additives. In this article, I’ll share some tips for eco-conscious shoppers who are trying to stick to a budget.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• fresh food
• natural products
• cloth diapers and napkins

1. Cook from scratch as much as possible.
   
   Cooking from scratch is actually a great way to save money. When I quit to stay home with my son, I read The Tightwad Gazette in the hopes of finding ways to be more frugal. She explains in her book how buying processed foods and pre-packaged meals is actually more expensive than cooking from scratch. For example, today I made 3 dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies for about the same amount of money I’d pay for a box of a dozen or so at the store. Of course, processed foods are usually loaded with additives so cooking from scratch is better for you and your wallet. I try my best to cook all 3 meals from scratch because I know this is better for my family and helps me stick to my budget. (If you don’t have much time to cook during the week, look into freezer cooking.)
   
   We do still go out once a week because I need a break from cooking, and that‘s okay. I also do a salad for dinner with bread at least once a week, so preparing foods from scratch doesn’t always require cooking! If you’re used to preparing pre-packaged meals, just start gradually by replacing one per week with a home-cooked meal. You’ll save money and your family will benefit from being eating more nutritious food.
2. Look for a natural food co-op in your area.
   
   In many cities, co-ops exist that allow members to obtain organic produce, meat, dairy, and other natural foods at a discount. Explore all these options and keep a price book for items you buy at the store or order often such as dried fruit snacks, cereal, energy bars, and so forth. It may seem like a lot of work at first but you’ll soon be familiar with the prices and you’ll know what to get at the health food store and what to order through the co-op.
   
   You may also want to look at the individual websites for discounts and coupons. For example, I’ve had good success finding discounts on the Bumble Bar website and order from them once every few months. Also check out the natural online stores for your favorite products and include them in your price book. Cooking from scratch is preferable but you may want some prepared snacks simply because they’re convenient and are great for in the car when you get a craving and are tempted to stop for fast food.
3. Grow your own produce if possible.
   
   I have seen so many books online and in the bookstore about organic gardening. If you don’t have much space, you could try container gardening. This is something I’m planning to try seriously when we get settled at our new house, so I hope to write more about this in the future. I’d love to grow some of the more expensive vegetables in order to save money and to have access to fresh veggies for dinner.
4. Stay away from the junk food aisle--even the natural kind!
   
   Beware of natural sodas and chips since they are so tempting and add up quickly. Buy them as a special treat rather than on a weekly basis. Instead buy popcorn to pop at home and other snacks like fresh fruit and veggies. You can also bake your own muffins and freeze them individually for quick snacks.
5. Make your own personal care products.
   
   There are many homemade beauty recipes online definitely worth checking out.
6. Make your own nontoxic cleansers for your home.
   
   Both natural and conventional window cleaners, toilet cleaners, and all purpose formulas tend to be a bit expensive. Don’t buy cleaning products at the store when you can make your own. Liquid soaps like Dr. Bronner’s are great for all kinds of cleaning jobs and can be diluted in a spray bottle. A little goes a long way. I’ve had one bottle of Peppermint Dr. Bronner’s last me as long as six months! You can also clean with vinegar and baking soda, either by just using them full-strength or by mixing up your own cleaners in a spray bottle. See the related link for recipe ideas. Beware because some homemade cleaning recipes found online are extremely toxic, containing ingredients like ammonia or bleach.
7. Identify wasteful spending in order to free up extra money while simplifying your life.
   
   I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spoken with people who say they can’t afford to eat healthy foods. Meanwhile, they spend their extra money buying the latest DVD or the newest CD by their favorite singer. If you want to live more naturally, I recommend that you look carefully at your spending. You may actually have extra money you could dedicate to your food budget which would allow you to buy more organic meat, dairy, and produce. You may also find that eliminating a few of those trips to your local fast food joint might free up an extra $20 or so a week which could be spent at the health food store.
8. Carpool or bike to work.
   
   These options will save you money and are better for the environment. Try searching the internet for local carpool information.
9. Reduce use of disposable products.
   
   In our house we use cloth napkins and cloth diapers. We keep paper towels in the house but we only use them when we really need to which is better for the environment (and easier on the pocketbook). There are also eco-friendly alternatives to disposable pads and tampons such as the Diva Cup and cloth pads.
10. Clear out clutter and live more simply.
    
    Declutter! Don’t just throw items away. Freecycle them locally or sell them at a garage sale or online. This is an eco-friendly choice because your unwanted items won’t end up at the local landfill, and you may even make a few extra dollars.

Tips & Warnings

• The most important thing to remember is that you do not have to take all these steps at once. Most people who live naturally made the changes over a period of years. Try choosing one step to focus on and see where you end up!