1) After a year of telling myself that I should, I finally sat down and created a price book. I am happy to say it’s making a big impact already. My memory is pretty good but there is no way I could ever remember what was a low price for grapes, much less every single item on my list. Now when I come across a *super* low price, I buy ahead. If it’s meat, we freeze it. If I find fresh produce, I plan several meals around that find and freeze any leftovers so I am blessed with more meals in our freezer. If I find a pantry staple, I stock up. If I see it is not a *super* low price, I compare it to other produce that are on sale in town that week and only purchase the items we need for that week.
2) I am fortunate to live in an area with several smaller “alternative” grocery stores. Many times I find lower prices in these stores for produce and some meats. These are primarily conventional foods so I pick and choose carefully, but I’ve actually found a few stores that carry a some organic items as well. For example, I bought bunches of organic kale for $1/lb recently and prepared several meals. One caveat, this requires some time since I usually have to visit 4 or 5 stores each week.
3) Stop throwing out food. Maybe you don’t have a problem with this, but many do! I have become adept at knowing how much food I need to feed my family. In the past, I would see a good sale and stock up, but in my rush I would purchase too much and then could not cook it all before it went bad. Or I would buy fruit with the intention of having us enjoy it for breakfast and then, in haste we would reach for toast and jam. Sadly, the fruit would get moldy. I have since decided to buy much more cautiously, even when that means missing out on real savings, rather than having to throw away rotten food.
4) This last one was hardest for me. We are making some financial changes right now, so I’ve decided to buy the “dirty dozen” as organics and the rest conventionally grown. It is not prudent to allow perfect to become the enemy of good. I have found it better for my family to eat some conventional fruits and vegetables than no enjoy no fruits and vegetables at all. I will still purchase organic dairy for us all and organic/sustainable poultry and meat whenever I can afford to. I will not allow myself to obsess about it.
So here you have it. These are some of the things we've been trying for now. Priorities make these choices difficult, for sure! Rely on God to help guide you through them.
What are some of the choices your family has made? I'd love to hear them.
Enjoying Dixie Living,
Melissa
