There are tons of benefits when you start living with a natural and organic lifestyle on a budget. It is healthier, chemical-free, and in many ways, it allows you to have a better awareness of your environment. You and your family can have a better life. On top of that, it promotes great sustainable living that does not ruin the world’s natural resources. Unfortunately, if you look online, you will see organic living often has a bad rap on a daily basis for being more pricey.

Yes, organic products may cost more than their conventional counterparts, but this is because producing these things came from a rigid and more quality process. For instance, organic food is produced without the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides. This means the organic farm producing them follows strict protocols and only ensures the food they produce is great.

Nonetheless, living an organic and healthy lifestyle is definitely possible on any budget! You can still eat and find organic food or get organic products without paying a fortune.

Here are ten great and handful tips you can follow to start living an organic lifestyle on a budget.

Eat less meat.

Organic meat is quite pricey compared to other organic products such as fruits and vegetables. You can still follow an organic lifestyle by cutting your meat consumption and increasing your fruits and vegetables. However, if you really love your meat, you can go shopping for cheaper cuts like belly and shoulder. They may take longer to cook, but they are considered tastier compared to prime cuts.

Grow your own food.

The best way to save money on good food is to grow your own – one that’s free of chemicals. It is healthy and nutritious. You don’t necessarily need to build an entire garden for it. You can even involve your family in it. By simply taking a little effort to grow a few pots of your favorite herbs and vegetables, you will be able to save more on foods and groceries. Shopping may be fun, but growing your own can be more fun. Moreover, it is also a rewarding experience to have an organic garden of your own. You will be eating meals from your own hard work. You can get your seedlings in groceries and transfer them in old bean cans or ice cream containers as plant pots.

Make your own cleaning products.

There are a variety of organic cleaning products available in grocery stores but these things are also quite expensive. With regards to cleaning products, you can easily make them using things from natural and affordable ingredients – most of which are already in your kitchen! For example, you can make your cleaning solution using white vinegar and baking soda. If you want to add some nice scent to it, you can easily add a few drops of essential oils in it such as peppermint, lavender, or lemon. Your organic cleaning solution can work effectively and may only cost you much less than their commercial equivalents. Search online for tutorials on how to do it.

Make your own beauty products.

Sure, you can shop for organic beauty products out in stores. There are a variety of good and affordable ones to choose from in stores, but it doesn’t hurt to save some cash by making your own. For example, you can make your own face scrub with a mix of brown sugar, honey, and olive oil. Another one would be using coconut oil as a hair mask. It’s effective and is actually more healthy for your body.

Reduce your waste.

Overbuying fruits and vegetables can result in poor storage and eventually increase your kitchen waste. If you plan on shopping and eating a lot of organic fruits and vegetables, make sure to cook the oldest one you got and build your meal plan around those ingredients. Enforce this with your family so they can do the same.

Buy in bulk.

Shopping your organic food in bulk from stores is often cheaper and may save you money in the long run. The key here is to get items in bulk that have a long shelf life. Some of these include dried foods, dried vegetables, pasta, potatoes, onion, among others. You can store them in containers and if you properly store it, they will not go bad for a long time. You can also buy organic meat in bulk from a store for a good price and then freeze them in portions so you can easily defrost them when you’re ready to cook your meal.

Buy fresh produce directly from the farm or from your local market.

Find your nearest market. It may be more convenient to get your foods online and just delivered right to your door or from the store, but they can also get more expensive. If you are on a budget, you can get your organic foods directly from organic farms or you can also buy from your local market. You can also help your local economy.

Ditch the synthetic fertilizers.

If you’re growing your own food, use organic fertilizers instead such as vermicast or goat dung. You will be eating at peace when you know your meal is free from it.

Buy seasonal produce.

Fruits and vegetables are usually cheaper when it is in the season as they are more abundant. Find out what’s in season and buy it.

Shop wisely to live an organic lifestyle on a budget.

Some schemes lure people into buying stuff when they are not truly organic. Always note down the cost of the product and read the labels. The key to living an organic lifestyle on a budget is to be smart about it.