From time to time I hear from Primal Blueprinters that the cost of the PB diet can be challenging. What with the cost of grass-fed/finished beef, wild caught fish and organic produce things can add up pretty quickly, they say. Apart from the fact that you’ll likely end up saving money in the long run (it’s an invest in your healthy – think no monthly medication bills and doctor visits) there are numerous ways to pinch pennies, cut corners and otherwise follow the PB diet on the cheap without compromises.
I’ve published numerous articles (How to Eat Healthy and Save Money, The Depression Diet, Healthy Eating on a Budget and many others) on the topic of eating 100% Primal without breaking the bank. It turns out that it isn’t nearly as difficult as it might seem at face value. In fact with a little common sense and forethought it is pretty easy.
Click through to view my list of 99 ways to save money on food.
I’ve simply listed the various tactics one could take to save money on food assuming that the reasons are self apparent. If any clarification is needed hit me up with a comment in the boards!
33. Do all your grocery shopping on one day of the week, and don’t spend money on food the rest of the week, no matter what.
34. Give yourself a per-day rate. $12/day? $8/day? $5/day? Once you’ve spent that much on food, you can’t spend anymore until the next day.
35. Pay with cash. People tend to spend less when they pay with cash.
36. Don’t be tricked by the “5 for $5.” Most grocery stores give the discounted price even if you buy a single item unless the tag specifies otherwise.
37. Ask for a rain check if the store is out of the sale item
38. Check for purchase limits
39. Check for sale offer requirements (need to buy 2 to get deal)
40. Get cash back rewards from your credit card company
Prepare Your Own Food
41. Prepare your own food. Clean and chop your own greens instead of buying pre-packaged. Grate your own cheese. Dice your own veggies. Make your own ice. Food manufacturers charge a premium for convenience.
52. If you must dine out and you have children use this iPhone app: KidsEatFree
53. If you eat out, share a dish. Many restaurants serve enough food for two people.
54. Don’t buy appetizers, desserts, or drinks at a restaurant
55. Avoid Starbucks at all costs
56. For fine dining, go during lunch. Many four star restaurants have separate lunch and a dinner menus. The dishes are all the same, it’s just a change in price.
57. Don’t pay for other peoples’ food. If the server won’t split the check, don’t be the person to be paid back later. We all know how well that works out.
58. 1 Beer at an L.A. Bar = 24 beers from the Liquormart = 48 generic cans of vegetables. Just stand around with a glass of water in your hand and pretend to be drunk.
83. If it is bite sized and you have to unwrap it, it’s probably not worth buying.
84. 90% of all meals can be prepared with a knife, a pan, and a flame. Don’t buy the de-crusting 5 minute magic grill cheeser. Don’t buy the juicer. And don’t, DON’T buy the slap chop.
85. Let the kids help with dinner. Don’t let them help with the grocery shopping.
86. The value meal has no value. Avoid this junk food at all costs.
87. Antioxidant juice? No. Try an antioxidant multivitamin supplement: orders of magnitude stronger, half as expensive, and 0 grams of sugar.
88. Substitute meat for eggs in some meals
89. Raid your great grandma’s recipe book. She cooked during the Great Depression. She knows the ropes.
Just for Fun
(because coming up with 99 ways to save money on food is much more difficult than saving money on food)
90. Stock up on free condiments from fast food joints, truck stops, cafeterias, and yes, churches.
91. Go to funerals. There’s always food at funerals.
92. Sign up to be on email lists for churches, support groups, political causes, and enthusiast clubs. Social groups often arrange get-togethers with free food to entice people to show up.
93. Abuse buffets
94. Want cheap eggs? Buy a chicken. You’ll be surprised at how many they can pop out.
95. Dumpster dive. Many grocery stores have a policy of throwing out certain foods after a certain number of days. Befriend your grocer, and ask him/her to set aside the toss-outs for you.
96. Try Responsibly Slim (shameless plug ;)). Where else can you get a well-rounded, delicious, quick and easy meal replacement for a buck and change?
Can you come up with number 100? Share you thoughts on ways to save money on food in the comment board.
About the Author
Mark Sisson is the founder of Mark’s Daily Apple, godfather to the Primal food and lifestyle movement, and the New York Times bestselling author of The Keto Reset Diet. His latest book is Keto for Life, where he discusses how he combines the keto diet with a Primal lifestyle for optimal health and longevity. Mark is the author of numerous other books as well, including The Primal Blueprint, which was credited with turbocharging the growth of the primal/paleo movement back in 2009. After spending three decades researching and educating folks on why food is the key component to achieving and maintaining optimal wellness, Mark launched Primal Kitchen, a real-food company that creates Primal/paleo, keto, and Whole30-friendly kitchen staples.