Category: Money Savers

Christmas Planning

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I never think it is too early to start planning for Christmas!

As you can see from our food budget we are pretty strict on what we can spend on food, much less on other things.  I try to work on Christmas throughout the year, but definitely start sometime in the summer.  I often try to make things that I know family and friends would enjoy and appreciate it. Continue reading “Christmas Planning” →

Baltimore – Part II

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So after a FANTASTIC start to the trip, we really enjoyed the rest of our stay.

The beautiful hotel is in the historic building that used to be the headquarters for the B&O railroad.

The Hotel Monaco Baltimore was amazing!  While we were checking in they had a treasure box full of all sorts of things kids would like.  Each of the kids got to pick something out!  Tonchi picked an art kit from [amazon_link id=”B00005JNS0″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Disney’s Cars movie[/amazon_link], Koa picked a flashlight (not surprising if you know him at all!), and Aisling picked a pack of 1000 stickers.  These kept them occupied during any spare moment we had and they didn’t even play with the few matchbox cars or books that we brought with us! Continue reading “Baltimore – Part II” →

Our Whole Foods Budget

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So many people want to know how to eat beneficial whole foods without breaking the wallet.  Yes, it is possible to do it on a budget, but definitely not easy.  There are also some sacrifices to make as well.

We don’t go out to eat, we don’t have TV, we don’t use our AC in summer and keep our heat at 60 in the winter, we don’t have a gym membership, we take advantage of free community opportunities or entertainment, we use family cloth, dry laundry on the clothesline, grow as much food as we can in a townhouse lot, make as many of our personal use products (toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo) as possible, use homemade laundry detergent and enjoy life together!  I know that list can sound for a miserable existence, but we really are happy and very content!

We have a very limited income, but we both enjoy our jobs and the amount that we work and we love spending time with our kids in our small townhome. If we tried to find other jobs or if I went to work as nurse full time we would definitely have more income, but we agreed that it wouldn’t make our family life any better.  We are so glad to be where God has us.  We are so thankful that we have so much on so little.  God has been so good to us.  Over the years things have gotten better little by little and it is definitely because of God’s work for us!

So here is our monthly food budget:
Monthly food allowance: $468

Farm co-op: Meat and milk ($120/month)

  • Raw Milk: We currently are part of a farm co-op where we can purchase raw milk, raw dairy, grass fed meats, free range eggs and a few other products like celtic sea salt, coffee, apple cider, apple cider vinegar, oils, and other fantastic foods. We typically go through a little more than 1 gallon of milk in a week. I also order cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese on occasions and for something special.
  • Mixed Meats: I also order most of our meat from the co-op as well.  They sell most cuts of pork, poultry, beef and occasionally lamb or goat.   I usually just order what we need for that week of meals, but sometimes if I can get a bit in advance to have on hand I do that as well.  I’ve also thought of purchasing a ¼ cow, but we don’t have a 2nd freezer and I would have no space to store it.  Once we move this will be a better option for us.  Also Brian likes to hunt and we were hoping this fall that he will get a deer or two.  We do love venison and it’s truly free and organic (as long as they aren’t eating the farmer’s GMO corn!)!


Eggs ($36 – $48/month)

  • Pasture-raised Eggs: Each week we purchase three dozen eggs.  During the school year one of my mom’s students raise chickens and sell eggs and we purchase through her ($3/dzn).  During the summer when she no longer has class with my Mom we order through the farm co-op that provides our dairy ($4/dzn).  So the price fluctuates depending on where we order from.


Grocery stores ($200/month)

  • Traider Joes: It depends on the meals for the week or what we are short on as to where I do the bulk of the shopping.  Here I usually shop for certain staples.  I usually purchase raw nuts (for soaking and drying), uncured hot dogs, dried fruit (on occasion or what I haven’t done myself), gluten free snacks ([amazon_link id=”B005E7AY50″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]plantain chips[/amazon_link], [amazon_link id=”B000JIN1H2″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]pirates booty[/amazon_link], etc), olives, cheese if we run out from the farm (they also sell raw cheese), yogurt, almond/coconut or rice milk for Aisling, almond butter, nitrate/nitrite free hormone free bacon and a few other odds and ends.
  • H-Mart:  I almost always get our fresh produce and seafood at H-Mart.  Also since hubby is Asian I can get his preferences here as well ([amazon_link id=”B001AYEUH4″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]tamari[/amazon_link], coconut milk, [amazon_link id=”B004CLCEDE” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]shirataki noodles[/amazon_link], etc). Their produce is far from organic and I’m sure the fish is farmed. This portion of our groceries hasn’t been changed to 100% organic yet.  We haven’t been able to afford to change everything yet.  Little by little we are going to get there!  We started with the dairy and meat because we felt the benefits from having these products were of first importance to us.  That was our reasoning, but not everyone plans or thinks the same!


Costco ($25/month)

  • I only visit here once every 2 or 3 months and save the money I’ve set aside for our trip.  There aren’t very many items I get here, but I’m contemplating changing the budgeting a little to allow for more bulk purchases here.  Currently I usually get raisins, organic dried dates, organic fresh carrots, organic salad greens, wild salmon, wild canned salmon, wild tilapia, fair trade coffee, organic chia seeds, organic quinoa,


Amazon ($25/month)

  • I typically purchase in bulk from here and have found it to be much cheaper than what I can find in stores.  I always price it out and this has been by far the best prices for most of these items.  My usual purchases include [amazon_link id=”B002O1IEII” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]coconut flour[/amazon_link], [amazon_link id=”B0006ZN538″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]almond flour[/amazon_link], [amazon_link id=”B000FFLHSY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]goji berries[/amazon_link], [amazon_link id=”B001CTO0YA” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]stretch island fruit leathers[/amazon_link], [amazon_link id=”B001E5DZIO” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]organic sucanat[/amazon_link], [amazon_link id=”B001ELL4E0″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]steel cut oats[/amazon_link], and [amazon_link id=”B003VYIZT0″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]coconut milk[/amazon_link].


Medications/Supplements ($50/month)

  • Supplements: I usually purchase these from our holistic family Dr.  Brian takes quite a few medications for his health issues.  The kids take [amazon_link id=”B003B3P4PO” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Carlson’s cod liver oil[/amazon_link] and a [amazon_link id=”B000EE9Y22″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Rainbow Lite multivitamin[/amazon_link] which I either get at Healthway or Amazon.  I take the [amazon_link id=”B00115BJ30″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Rainbow Lite prenatal multivitamin[/amazon_link], probiotic, fish oil, and when I’m pregnant I add in calcium/magnesium and vit C.


Wholesale Buying Clubs

  • I don’t have a set amount allotted to this portion of the budget.  In the past I just tried to save from the budget above and save enough to purchase from the buyers clubs.  However, I’m often not having enough, so I’m going to have to rethink that and try to figure out another way!  The Holistic Mom’s Network is part of a couple buying clubs that provide great options at great prices.  We get wholesale prices at Frontiers and Wilderness Family Naturals.  Both are fantastic companies.  I have found that on occasion Amazon can be cheaper that these, so I constantly have to price check.  From Frontiers I purchase most of my herbs and spices.  And from Wilderness Family Naturals I’ve recently been purchasing coconut oil by the gallon, and bulk cacao powder, and sometimes nuts and coconut flakes.


That’s about what we do.  I’d love to hear any new ideas or better deals you’ve found.  I’m always looking for a better price! West Coast bloggers are always talking about Azure Standard as a great place for purchasing high quality organic bulk everything!  I hope they keep moving eastward!  Anyone know of a good substitute for the East Coast healthy eaters?

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No Air Conditioning

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“Did it go out?  Did it just shut off?  How long until it’s repaired?”

No… none of the above.  We just choose not to use it!

“Are you CRAZY?”  That is most people’s responses, but no, we aren’t (at least we don’t think we are, but I’m sure there are others who would say that is up for discussion). Continue reading “No Air Conditioning” →

Coconut Wraps

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A friend turned me onto these coconut wraps a few months ago!  They are great!  They are so much better than any gluten free option for wraps.  They fold and bend well and don’t easily crack.  They are thin and great for veggie or sandwich wraps.  The only downside to them is that they are pricey.  They run about $5.99 for 4 wraps.  CRAZY when it’s less than $2 for eight flour tortillas!  Actually it’s a little sickening to think of it that way. Continue reading “Coconut Wraps” →

Soaking Nuts

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Soaking foods? I know this is good for me, but I don’t really have to time to add one more thing.  AND  I have no idea where to start.  It’s overwhelming, something I’ve never had experience with and don’t know anyone who does it.
Continue reading “Soaking Nuts” →

Hydrogen Peroxide – H2O2

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Did you grow up using hydrogen peroxide?  We did!  And boy did it sting on open wounds!  As I’ve recnetly been working as a nurse, the medical profession no longer advises using it to clease wounds.  The argument is that not only does it kill bacteria, but it also kills the new healthy cells growing to heal the wound. Continue reading “Hydrogen Peroxide – H2O2” →

Packing for a Healthy Vacation

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Last week we went on a week vacation with my family.  We had a fantastic time although the week leading up to it was SUPER busy and stressful trying to get all the preparations ready.  Since I have three sisters and a brother and my parents and grandparents were there we split up the days and each of us took a day!   Continue reading “Packing for a Healthy Vacation” →

Living Local

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This post is inspired by a friend of mine who now lives in Pennsylvania.  She has recently started a website that is called Green Living Co-op of Indiana, PA.  She is compiling information for healthy and local living.  The site is new, but GREAT so far!  I love the information she already has posted!  I think they are planning on having mostly local resources, but also provide healthy food resources as well!  I think Northern Virginia needs a site like this!

I do try hard to buy local as much as possible and to support local businesses.  Sometimes I do well and other times, not so much!  I know there has been a big movement towards this and it can seem very overwhelming to even think about it not to mention the possibility of things costing more.  Although, a higher cost isn’t always true.  Sometimes it dose include some lifestyle changes, but they aren’t all bad!  Usually a lot of great health comes along with it!

I actually prepare or grow as much as I can myself.  I try to make my own condiments like ketchup, mayo, mustard, salad dressings, etc. I also grow as much as I can in my little town house lot!  We did get some strawberries, herbs, tomatoes, broccoli, beets, green beans, peppers, cucumbers and a few other things.  I also make most of my own cleaning supplies and try to make them as multi-purpose as possible so that I can make large batches to go a long way and I don’t have to make so many different cleaners.  I also make laundry detergent, deodorant, toothpaste and more.  But this isn’t the reason for this post.  I list those things because I then don’t have to worry about finding a place that actually makes or produces these things locally.

So what are some of the areas that I try to buy local?
Food is a big one!  We go through a lot of it and we need it on a daily basis! Then there are gifts, housewares, toys, clothing, gardening items, auto repairs, home repairs and so much more.  Below are some of the options we have chosen on our path of commitment to our local community.

  1.  Meat – we purchase from a local farm buying club that has a local drop directly from the farm.  We are able to get all the grass-fed beef and pork, free range poultry, and raw diary that we need through them.  The prices are actually very similar to purchasing organic at the grocery store.
  2. We also like venison which provides very inexpensive meat to the table!  It is organic… unless it is feeding of the GMO corn in the fields around us!  It’s benefits are two fold.  We obtain great meat and we are able to help the local farmers to keep the deer from eating their crops!
  3. Produce – In the spring, summer and fall I grow as much as I can and also purchase from the farmer’s market as much as possible. Wegmans also purchases locally!  A variety of produce is labeled, indicating the farm it came from and where it is located!  They also have local meats!  This makes it a lot easier when they label it so clearly!
  4. Gifts – I often make my own or I purchase a lot from Etsy.   I love this site!  I know most of these items are made on a small scale and some of them are re-purposed and it’s easy to tell where they were made and are shipping from.  This is often my first place to go for gifts.  I also use it to give me ideas of what I can make myself!  I also purchase gifts at the farmer’s market – like a scrumptious jellies, beautiful knitted items, hand dyed fabrics, fragrant, fresh flowers, natural soaps, etc.
  5. Gardening – often my new flowers or perennials come from Freecycle, Craigslist or friends who are trying to weed out or thin their own plants.  Almost all of the plants in my garden haven’t been purchased. I did purchase my heirloom seeds for the vegetable garden from a place in southern Virginia, but then I have just seed saved for the last 5 years and haven’t had to purchase any more seed!  I also try to have plants that are native to the area to ensure they are easy to grow and don’t take over!
  6. Housewares – these are a little harder.  I try to look at the tags and at least make sure they are made in the USA.  I do like antiques and will often look at yard sales for old ice cream scoops, measuring spoons, etc which are often cheaper and I’m giving them a second or third or fourth life!
  7. Toys – Same as above – I at least try to purchase USA made.  We did have a toy kitchen built for our kids that was from re-purposed wood from northern Virginia and made by an Arlington, VA dad who likes to work with wood!  We have loved this and it is sturdy, will last a life time and be able to be handed down to our great grandchildren.  For Christmas the boys received swords and shields that are made from wood that I purchased from a local artisan from a craft fair in the summer.  These are a huge hit in our home! Craft fairs are a great place to find wooden toys for kids.  I also did a more detailed post on natural toys and our decisions regarding toys for our family.
  8. Clothing – It is a huge blessing that my mother-in-law supplies the majority of the kids wardrobes!  It is so helpful!  For the few things that I need to supplement I frequent consignment shops, thrift stores, yard sales, hand me downs, Freecycle, Craigslist, or even Etsy.  There are some great ways to purchase locally and to reuse clothing that others no longer need!  If I choose to purchase new, it is much harder and I usually settle for USA made.
  9. Auto repairs – obviously this does have to be local… I don’t think I know of anyone who ships their car overseas to get the windshield repaired!  It’s also hard to find out where the parts come from and if you can chose to have parts made elsewhere… however we can be choosy on the labor.  My brother-in-law is a mechanic and it is great to be able to help support their family. He  will often work on our cars at his home or after his work hours. He  makes a better hourly wage that way and we pay less.  This is a great arrangement although I know a lot of people may not have options like this!
  10. Home repairs – This is similar to the car repairs note above.  We do try to hire repairmen who own smaller businesses and are local.  There are a few that we know of in our neighborhood and who have been helping us work on our home.

Get to know your neighbors!  One of ours makes dog collars which we purchased two from her this year as a Christmas gift for family!  Another of our neighbors does home repair and is working with us to redo our carpet and counter tops in order to get our house on the market.  Another neighbor knows a lot about working on cars and motorcycles and has given my husband advice and help on multiple occasions, I’m a nurse and I’ve given medical advice to our neighbors before.  Build a community with those around you and you will be surprise at how much you can bless and help others and how much they in turn will bless you!

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Nourishing Traditions Book Review: Part X – Stocks

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This is a great chapter!  Like I’ve found any that aren’t!  I guess I probably like this one because I already make my own stocks and who doesn’t like a pat on the back every now and then!  I haven’t make fish stock, though, so that is going to be added to the to do list for the year!  We eat fish every now and then, but seafood isn’t super popular in our home… or should I say, not popular with the cook!   Continue reading “Nourishing Traditions Book Review: Part X – Stocks” →