Why I Buy Organic — A Frugal Mom’s Point of View

Hi! My name is Valerie and I live in PA with my husband and our two young kids. We live a very frugal lifestyle with no cable, no smart phones, and LOTS of coupons. I would say the “frugal” lifestyle, and the “green” lifestyle go together rather nicely about 90% of the time. Both lifestyles promote less consuming, less waste, and recycling, to name a few. However, buying organic can often be more expensive, and yet this is something our family does on a regular basis. Why? Well, here are a few reasons:

1. Better for the Planet – Organic food is grown without the use of toxic persistant pesticides, which means cleaner soil and water for our planet. As a mom, this is something that I want to support to help ensure a healthy planet for future generations. One of the easiest ways to support organic farming is to buy organic products.

2. It’s a Priority — While buying organic can cost slightly more, we’ve made this a priority by choosing not to buy soda (which isn’t healthy anyway), bottled water, and other pre-packaged convenience items. We rarely eat out, and we hardly ever waste food. All of these things help stretch our food budget, making the higher price points for organics worth it and within budget.

3. Yay for Gardens – Another great source of really cheap organic food has been our family garden. We have had a rented garden plot through our local township for years. With some work and the right growing conditions, our garden has provided enough organic veggies to last us about 7-9 months of the year (more with canning & freezing). Tending a 600 square foot plot is also great exercise, and provides virtually limitless educational opportunities for the kids (biology, botany, math, sustainability, etc).

4. Feel Good Factor — When I leave the grocery store, I feel good about the purchases I’ve made knowing that I am helping to support organic farming, a healthier planet, and good health for my family. Now that’s something to smile about!