Primal on a budget? page

[pandasaurus]

Is going primal possible on a budget? I've never been to a farmers market, but I'm wondering how much cheaper it is to buy produce there than to buy at a grocery store? I really want to go primal, and so does my boyfriend but we are on a budget. Is it possible and any tips for us?

[Diana Renata]

You have to get a bit thrifty and learn to be a little bit of a scavenger I think.

Farmers Markets can be cheaper than the grocery store for good organic food, but compared to conventional produce the grocery store is usually cheaper. Here's how I save money.

1) Buy in bulk- especially meat. Cowpooling, and/or investing in a chest freezer will be a huge benefit. It was one of the first things I did when going Primal. You can get tons of great cuts of meat for as little as $2.50/lb

2) Look for waste. People don't like certain cuts. I get heart, tongue, liver and other organ meats from my butcher VERY cheap.

3) Check your local Craig's List farm section. I've found local farms selling pastured eggs at $2/doz or less, chicken hearts and livers for $1.50/lb. Don't be afraid to expand into the "weird" either. I got chicken feet for $1/lb.

4) Look for a local Crop Mob organization in your area. You work at a farm for a day, and they give you a meal. Make friends with your local farmers and help out. At the end of the season they're apt to be giving away surplus produce. If you don't have a local crop mob, start one, or simply approach farmers and offer to help out in exchange for surplus during harvest, or a discount.

5) Local farm stands are awesome. Farmers markets can be pricey since vendors often have to pay to set up, but small local farms may have a roadside stand.

6) Look for "U pick" fields. You pick your own produce from the field and pay a discounted rate.

Just doing this stuff, I generally can live on less than $150 a month for food.

[brahnamin]

Check out this post. It's not Mark's best post on saving money on Primal, but it ends with a list of links to other budget-primal posts at the bottom and the *related posts* section also links to budget-primal posts Mark has put out.

This is also worth a look.

But ultimately it was this post that woke me up and made me stop making excuses about how I couldn't afford to live/eat primal. Money was the big thing holding me back. It's a trick. Don't let it hold you back if you can help it.

[handgallop]

The thing that's interesting around here is that it is cheaper to get eggs and meats from local small farms than from the grocery store (and WAAAAY cheaper than a place like Whole Foods).

The main issue is more of time and convenience than money.

Look into produce co-ops/CSAs, beef/pork sharing, etc.

It might be worth looking up if there is an FFA or 4H clubs in a drivable radius. My grandparents get ALL their pork products from a local 4H kid (and let me tell you, it is the BEST bacon I've EVER had in my WHOLE life). Again, cheaper than the store.

In addition to "cheap/off" cuts of meat, explore random or unusual vegetables.

Lastly, spend a day shopping around at all local stores. I do use the regular grocery store all the time, but I know where to go for the cheapest stuff (that is still of good quality). For instance, in the same town, one store sells bell peppers for $2.50-$3.00 EACH. Another grocery store 1/4 mile away (if that) sells them for $2.00/lb (though the other day they had ten for $10)

And consider getting to know hunters in your area. I know a couple that usually have extra venison and they're happy to sell it for reasonable prices (another guy I know gives me free venison balogna which I really like, though I guess now I have to check on what's in it. heh).

[healthy11]

I'm finding that I am spending less on food than before going primal... even buying better quality meats. I am not buying all the extra stuff I used to and plus I am eating less so I think it either evens out or you save money.

[seaclam]

The thing that's interesting around here is that it is cheaper to get eggs and meats from local small farms than from the grocery store (and WAAAAY cheaper than a place like Whole Foods).

The main issue is more of time and convenience than money.

Look into produce co-ops/CSAs, beef/pork sharing, etc.

It might be worth looking up if there is an FFA or 4H clubs in a drivable radius. My grandparents get ALL their pork products from a local 4H kid (and let me tell you, it is the BEST bacon I've EVER had in my WHOLE life). Again, cheaper than the store.

In addition to "cheap/off" cuts of meat, explore random or unusual vegetables.

Lastly, spend a day shopping around at all local stores. I do use the regular grocery store all the time, but I know where to go for the cheapest stuff (that is still of good quality). For instance, in the same town, one store sells bell peppers for $2.50-$3.00 EACH. Another grocery store 1/4 mile away (if that) sells them for $2.00/lb (though the other day they had ten for $10)

And consider getting to know hunters in your area. I know a couple that usually have extra venison and they're happy to sell it for reasonable prices (another guy I know gives me free venison balogna which I really like, though I guess now I have to check on what's in it. heh).

This is all great if you live in a semi-rural area but what about us big city dwellers? Yes, I got to the local farmers market but I am pretty much stuck buying meats from Whole Foods or Trader Joes. Even the non-primal cuts are expensive.

[puddlefoot]

This is all great if you live in a semi-rural area but what about us big city dwellers? Yes, I got to the local farmers market but I am pretty much stuck buying meats from Whole Foods or Trader Joes. Even the non-primal cuts are expensive.

I live in Seattle but I have found many farmers on Craigslist who sell grass-fed meat very cheaply. I just got a quarter beef for $2.45/lb (steaks and all) --around here even ground grass-fed beef is $5-6/lb retail and steaks are much, much more.

[john_e_turner_ii]

Chicken, Chicken, Chicken! It's always cheap. Keep that skin on though, and go for the dark meat, or even better, buy a whole chicken and roast it yourself.

[Balance]

I live in Seattle but I have found many farmers on Craigslist who sell grass-fed meat very cheaply. I just got a quarter beef for $2.45/lb (steaks and all) --around here even ground grass-fed beef is $5-6/lb retail and steaks are much, much more.

That is the best way to do it. Buy 1/4 beef from a local farmer and you save so much money and time. I have friends who live in Southern California where you are at and that is how they do it. I live in San Francisco and there are tons of farmers within 45 minutes from me selling beef like this.

[pandasaurus]

I've already found a Farmer's Market and a CSA farm that I'm definitely interested in contacting. All of the help is greatly appreciated!