More and more I’m moving away from regular couponing (I’m sure you have noticed) and am trying to focus my efforts on local and bulk food shopping. This isn’t to say I’m not still keeping my coupons and won’t be doing some coupon shopping in the near future. I will definitely be doing that, and highly recommend it for saving money.
But I’m being adventurous in my buying habits so that I can not only buy healthy foods for my family, but so that you all can see these experiments and hopefully benefit yourself with what I discover. This week’s shopping was done at a local farm and a local farmer’s market stand.
Total Spent: $30.60
If you are wondering what we are eating as far as meals, remember that I recently bought a whole bunch of things in bulk, and you can look through past shopping trips here. Though buying in bulk was a lot more money up front, it’s allowing me to spend less time out shopping. I can focus my efforts on milk, eggs and produce. Nice, right?
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Are you a superstar when it comes to shopping? I can’t wait to see the deals you snagged! Please link directly to your posts and not the main page of your website. Don’t have a blog? That’s okay. Tell us how you did in the comment section.So that we stay encouraging and inspiring for others, this post is meant for deals that you personally were able to get. Posts that are mainly promoting affiliate links or spamming will be deleted. Thanks! No Giveaways please!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I am absolutely moving away from the coupon FOOD shopping and going to organic/farmers markets/local shopping as well. I know that there are coupons for organic products but those are still packaged items and we are trying to buy as little of that as possible.
Great to see you go along on this venture as well! You have totally inspired me…:)
.-= Adele’ – Our {Rockin’ Crunchy} Life´s last blog ..You Are What You Eat =-.
You are insipiring me to start doing the same thing. Now, the only thing is I need to find these options in my area.
.-= Julia´s last blog ..Making Extra Money From Home =-.
I love this. Exactly what I’ve been thinking to start doing. Especially with all the Farmers Markets now! I would love to hear yours and others experience with buying local/fresh/healthy but staying in a good budget too!
So glad to read, since I’m trying to do the same thing! I’ve been doing a lot of reading (Michael Pollan, Catherine Friend are my faves!) and watching documentaries (Food, Inc., Future of Food, No Impact Man, etc.) and really have come to the conclusion that the most frugal and healthy way to eat is to return to what our great-grandparents did by eating locally produced, natural foods. Forget the processed stuff and their coupons – in the end, they’re not worth it for our health and the environment. I have done some research on locally grown foods and am amazed at how much I’ve found. I can buy eggs for $1-$3 dozen, pastured whole chickens w/no antibiotics for the same price as in the store and raw milk for $3/gallon. There are several places where I can pick strawberries, blueberries, raspberries this summer. I’ve found local farms where I can buy grassfed beef and turkeys, I just haven’t done that yet. I’m so excited! What I’ve also discovered is a renewed sense of community…I have had fun talking to the farmers at the farmer’s markets and I’ve met some other moms who have provided me with great tips on buying local foods. It’s made food shopping a much more enjoyable experience. Combine this with making your own breads and yogurt and using natural cleaning products, like vinegar and baking soda, AND making your own laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent, we’re saving money. I’m excited to follow your journey. Thanks!
I was so excited to read that too! I almost felt bad not shopping as much with coupons, but thinking about most of what I can get food wise – it’s not stuff I want my family eating. I’m buying more bulk organics (Costco keeps getting in more and more organic items!) and will shop some farmers markets too!
Think of it…you aren’t using as many coupons…If any at all but you know what you are doing? Investing in the health of your body and your families bodies.
I can tell you this for the last year or so I haven’t felt that great about myself in general. I was feeling low…Ever since we made the choice to become Vegan and eat healthier in our lives I have done a 180 (although I still have my days). I just can’t tell you how much better I feel. I have so much energy. Well as much as I can have with 6 kids…lol
Best of all…My husband and I are losing weight! We aren’t even exercising and we have dropped a couple dress/pant sizes. My hubby came to me this morning and said “Guess what! I just hit a milestone!” He then showed me that he went down a notch on his belt.
I love this man and I am so glad we can support each other in this journey and I am so happy to see others taking this step.
xxx to all!
.-= Adele’ – Our {Rockin’ Crunchy} Life´s last blog ..You Are What You Eat =-.
I love that you’re doing this. We’ve been shopping at our Farmers’ Market and just joined a CSA, so we are eating so much healthier these days!
Hi, I’m curious if you have any tips on how to transition to bulk shopping. I would love to get away from processed and bulk stuff, but I don’t even know where to begin or where the places to shop bulk are. Thanks.