I (F35) have seen a lot of grocery posts on here, but I need help from shoppers who put a strong emphasis on organic produce and quality meat, especially those who live in a HCOL area like me. A few months ago, a new doctor and nutritionist helped me understand that many of my health issues may have been exacerbated by being 90% vegetarian for the past 2 years. Now that I’ve added meat back in and started caring more about organic produce, my grocery bill has shot up to an average of $700/month. I want to know if others have found ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality.
Not sure if the cost savings will be worth it, but have you checked out SodaStream? It’s zero waste! Also, cutting back on the AMOUNT of meat you buy could help a bit. Maybe try frozen fish instead of red meat?
@Tal
Actually, the red meat family pack from my farm costs about the same per lb as the cheapest chicken. Frozen fish at Whole Foods doesn’t seem cheaper either. What are you seeing for fish prices?
Ren said:
@Tal
Actually, the red meat family pack from my farm costs about the same per lb as the cheapest chicken. Frozen fish at Whole Foods doesn’t seem cheaper either. What are you seeing for fish prices?
I don’t have the exact prices, but I usually buy fresh salmon in season. It’s healthier too, you know?
Do you use public transport? I used to live in a city where collapsible cart wagons were super handy for grocery hauls. I buy a lot of frozen organic produce. Walmart often has better prices for organic stuff than Whole Foods.
@Colby
Walmart doesn’t exist in my city, unfortunately. I rely on public transport, and it can get tricky with bulky items. I can only store a few bags of frozen veggies at a time.
Ren said:
@Colby
Walmart doesn’t exist in my city, unfortunately. I rely on public transport, and it can get tricky with bulky items. I can only store a few bags of frozen veggies at a time.
Have you considered a community garden? They can be a fun way to grow some of your own produce.
@Colby
I live in a city with no access to personal green space, so gardening isn’t really an option for me.
Your situation makes a lot of sense, and it sounds like you’re doing great balancing health and finances. Have you tried using an app to track spending? It can help you see where you can cut back without sacrificing quality.
@Yan
I’m already tracking carefully, but I might need to reevaluate my smaller purchases. Thanks for the suggestion!
It sounds like you’re spending what you need to meet your needs. Have you thought about utilizing Costco more? They have a lot of organic foods at lower costs, but I get the storage issue.
Ren said:
It sounds like you’re spending what you need to meet your needs. Have you thought about utilizing Costco more? They have a lot of organic foods at lower costs, but I get the storage issue.
I could consider getting a rental car to do a Costco trip, but I usually just fly to see family a few times a year.
Have you looked into community gardens? They can be a great way to grow your own produce and save money.
Thorne said:
Have you looked into community gardens? They can be a great way to grow your own produce and save money.
Yeah, that’s not really feasible for me right now. Just too much going on.