Tight Budget

[Petunia]

My husband and I are on a really, really tight budget, as we just bought a house and our first child is due in June. Does anyone have any recommendations for how to be raw, yet do it cheaply? Thanks!

[Veganforlife]

Sure! Check local farmers' markets for "seconds" produce. Also my local HFS carries produce that they reduce.
Grow your own.
Freeze your own (fruits and such, then you'll have then available).
Go in with other families. There ARE ways.

[spicyfull]

Sprouting is also an inexpensive way to go RAW.

[luckitri]

Sale items. I really lucked out this last week because they had strawberries for 50 cents a lb! Also canteloupe was really cheap. I am fortunate that my body usually craves what is in season so that tuning helps the budget since the in-season items go on sale. Of course these items were not organic.

[jgunn]

im not sure where you are located but here are some links for you .. farm markets , u-picks , and work for trade

canada
http://marketplace.chef2chef.net/farmer-markets/canada.htm
usa
http://marketplace.chef2chef.net/farmer-markets/index.htm
upicks
http://www.pickyourown.org/
uworks
http://www.wwoof.org/

[lavendarJ]

You and your hubby might create a list of your favorite veggies, fruits, and nuts and then pick a certain number off of that list and shop. Then the following week rotate out some of your choices for those things still on your list as a way to have variety and maintain a budget.

For example, let's say you have a list of
spinach
romainne
tomatoes
cucumbers
zuccini
avocados
raisins
plums
watermelon
oranges
bell pepper
grapes
corn
pineapple
brazils
pecans
cashews
almonds

You can pick 5 fruits and 5 veggies and 2 types of nuts for family and then work with what you have for the week:
spinach
bell peppers
tomatoes
cucumbers
carrots
grapes
plums
raisins
oranges
nectarines
cashews
brazils

Spinach will be your base for your salad one week and you can switch it out with romaine on the next shopping trip. You can have a couple of different salads during the week, spinach with tomatoes and cucumbers or spinach with bell peppers, or maybe shredded carrots, bell peppers with a "slaw" type of dressing. You can do mono eating by simple have 2 or 3 oranges for a breakfast, etc. I don' t know how often you eat or how much you eat. With the nuts, you could base it on price or if you really want a certain kind just buy that for the week.

I had a spinach/tomato/avocado salad that was really really good, smaller than most salads that I make and way more filling. Certain food combos will satisfy you and keep you feeling fuller longer so there won't be the issues of snacking all the time and eating up your resources before the next shopping trip:)

[Elizabeth]

HI, Petunia!! Congratulations on your first child and on finding RAW!!! :D It is just great that you have found out about the Raw lifestyle, and your baby can get such a wonderful start in life.

Here is a thread that has some info. that you might find helpful.....

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=26182&highlight=poor (http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=26182&highlight=poor)


and a website you might find interesting....

http://frugalunderground.com/use-a-pricebook/ (http://frugalunderground.com/use-a-pricebook/)



Have a Beautiful Day!!!

[magglepie]

I am on a tight budget as well, and I find that alternating what I eat from week to week (as lavendar suggested) really helps because that way I am getting a variety of foods in my diet, but I am not eating expensive foods like strawberries every week. Plus, that way, you don't get sick of eating the same foods over and over and over.

[Dj 247]

Someone told me about Aldi suppermarket had cheap produce and they really do. I pick up fresh pineapple on sale for .49 cents each. Whole fresh pineapple! Avocado was .49 cents cents. Tomatoes were .99 for a four pack. I don't know if you have one in your area, but they sure are cheaper.

[luckitri]

I have been fortunate in having a vehicle and several major grocery chains nearby. I would often just go and purchase the sale items. Dh was craving tomatos and I happened to be by a Safeway anyway so I stopped in and some beautiful Roma tomatoes were on sale for $1 lb.

I try to just go shopping just once a week but for fresh raw that is difficult.

[Somtam]

You've had some great suggestions already. I just wanted to add my two cents' worth. In the beginning, you have no idea how much food and money I wasted on recipes that didn't turn out. My advice to you is to keep it simple. Don't go crazy with the "gourmet" dehydrated stuff. Take time to research and invest in only tried and true recipes -- those that have gotten great reviews.

Good luck! I hope your pregnancy goes well!

[luna99]

Someone told me about Aldi suppermarket had cheap produce and they really do. I pick up fresh pineapple on sale for .49 cents each. Whole fresh pineapple! Avocado was .49 cents cents. Tomatoes were .99 for a four pack. I don't know if you have one in your area, but they sure are cheaper.


you know, people keep telling me to try aldi's and I never have... but now that I see those prices... :eek: I think I'm gonna start going there.... 49 cent pineapples? MMMMM!!!

thank you.. I guess I should have listened to my co-workers and gone there in the first place! I love this thread! yay for saving some cash! Even if you AREN'T on a tight budget.. it doesn't hurt to save some money ! $$$