Selling to Save

Eating organic and healthier foods doesn’t have to set you up for bankruptcy!
Perhaps one of the biggest battles to overcome is our thoughts on food. Is it really wise to be buying all of those snacks if they do nothing to actually nourish our bodies? My husband and I regularly used to buy 2 bottles of sodas and a half gallon of ice cream each week – whether or not they were on sale.  But even when on sale, those costs add up!  We eventually cut out purchases like these so that we could afford to buy raw milk at $7.50 a gallon.
I also sold a lot of stuff to purchase bulk grains! I went through our basement and garage and pulled out everything that was cluttering up those areas that I could sell. Within just a few weeks I had sold enough on Craigslist to make a bulk purchase at a local natural foods bulk store (Bread Beckers) and bought enough grains and wheat for a year as well as natural sweeteners, oils, beans, staples and salt. I was also able to purchase more than enough herbs and spices for making my own dressings and seasoning mixes. This decision allowed us to enjoy healthier foods without the initial start up costs that many balk at.
We actually went from a “couponing” budget of $300.00 for 2 adults, 2 kids, and a toddler to spending only $300.00 on mostly organic and whole foods.  It can be done!  You could also do the "phase out" method where you replace used up items with only the "good stuff" rather than tossing that brand new bag of evil white sugar!!  I like the idea of selling things to purchase bulk foods. I think that often the mentality is to put your money into things that don’t get consumed, but in reality, this approach will leave you healthier and more clutter-free.  What ways has your family been successful at saving money on "real" food?

Enjoying Dixie Living,
Melissa