When I posted  this article a few weeks ago about purchasing an organic nursery on a budget, I had all good intentions in posting a follow up before too long! I' m working on the post...I haven't forgotten. But as I said back then, you have to be on a budget to purchase higher end goods within a budget.  I began a more serious journey in purchasing organic goods and food about a year ago.  I need to be gluten free too so it sometimes gets tricky! I went the route of coupon cutting, but since I buy organic products, this became tricky to stay on a budget and feel as though I was getting enough food. I came home spending the amount within my weekly budget but frankly it wasn't enough for a family of four.

I live in Southern CA.  Although we have great organic stores, for food it is pricey. I'm in  the process of looking for a co-op or starting my own where we can purchase organic foods in quantity such as  fruits, veggies and meats within a budget. What I am really excited about this week is telling you my new find for buying bulk organic foods and cleaning products including home bedding, and vitamins!

Before I tell you my resource; I'll tell you why it works for me and keeps me within budget. I purchase bulk from  a on-line store which carries a multitude of products and resources. Each week I have my budget for purchasing. Before I purchased from this on-line store most of the money budgeted went towards food and that just wasn't cutting it. Because they carry everything I need for my home ( well almost), I can even fit purchasing shoes, basic tee's for me and the girls into that budget. When you buy bulk, you don't need to purchase the same thing each week. One week I may spend 25.00 on 6 boxes of organic cereal but this will last me a while, at least 6 weeks. So, the next week I purchase organic coffee (3 bags for about 30.00) etc, etc...while I am paying more per item, I am still staying within my budget.

This fits with my philosophy of buying organic on a budget not on the cheap!

• One thing true of purchasing organic....planning is necessary. It's tough to stay within a budget when we are compulsive shopping...

• Which brings me to having an organic nursery on a budget. It's all in the planning!

• You can have it all, have the best, safest, healthiest lifestyle. On a budget!

shop here for organic and home items you will get a lot and stay within your budget

Last week I posted Less Is More, purchase on a budget not on the cheap. This week I promised a post on purchasing an organic nursery on a moderate income budget. Then I got to thinking.....what if most are not on a budget? I know there was a time I either just did without or purchased on the cheap but I still lived pay check to pay check and was not saving. Our family is bringing in the same amount of money but because we have a budget in place we are getting more for our money. We don't just have more items but we have better quality items with the same amount of income.

So.....I will be posting this upcoming week the steps towards purchasing an organic nursery on a moderate income budget but for today I thought I'd post tips on budgeting.

Here are some tools for budgeting:

1) Don't use credit. (Yes, we all know we shouldn't. But don't unless you know it will be paid off soon.) Most tend to purchase high priced items such as furniture on credit. This to me is the trap. Lower priced items can add up on credit too but I think most use their debit/credit cards for the lower priced items.

2) I've recently learned the way to saving money is to start a savings account right now. Don't wait until you've paid off debt to start the savings account. Pay into your savings a small amount each week then move on to paying off your debt. Otherwise, the savings will never happen. The savings will become your emergency fund. When big emergency expenses come up; you will not have to place the emergency item on credit.

3) Yes, this is something you know...stop eating out or at least stop purchasing your high priced mocha's. Funny how this is the hardest for so many. I honestly could not have imagined not eating out and not purchasing a coffee on the run! It was when I began eating organic and gluten free that eating out became non-existent. We all know it's tough to eat healthy on the go....

This in turn was a double blessing. My family is eating healthier and I can afford organic items because we are not eating out!

The above are really basic tips towards budgeting.  I'm definitely not an expert. I suppose this is another look into my life. My personal journey in becoming debt free and living within a budget.

It's fun for me to share this journey with you! I was looking for a guest writer in frugal living. It never came about so I thought I'd tackle the subject. You don't have to give up quality to live within a moderate income budget. I was determined to purchase organic items and not go into debt doing so. I am amazed that when it comes down to it, spending more on health for your family is well worth the effort of budgeting and "finding" the money to live a natural, organic lifestyle!

  Site find this week: Budgeting Tools is a great site for practical ideas on setting up your family budget!

This month you'll find the following posts on purchasing organic within a budget:

• purchasing an organic nursery on a moderate income budget
• turn off the lights, recycle for cash, walk instead of driving etc..get the picture? Let's learn what we can leave out of our lives...so we can add in quality, healthy items for our household!
• tips and tricks to purchasing organic within a budget. Stomping out the myth "organic is too expensive. I could never go green" Oh, yes you can....

I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for." I have a friend that grew up in a low income family and she learned through her life experience that less is more but cheap is not always cheaper...She watched her parents purchase household items of poor quality just because it was cheap. She noticed that they would purchase the same thing over and over because the product gave up, broke, became useless.

 Our household lives on a budget. I will spend more on a quality item by budgeting in areas that don't matter as much. I purchase quality, organic items for my family such as bed linens, towels, lotions etc.  What I find helpful when buying higher priced organic goods for your household is this....Look at your calendar. When will you need or use the item you desire? Budget that item in. Purchase one organic item for your household per month. This will fill the need of having quality care and items for your family without taking a second on the house! There are many of us on an organic journey. Slowly, switching over items in our household to organic goods. When you're not in a rush you may even find a deal every now and again!

When I became pregnant with my first baby over 5 years ago; Heather designed the organic Nesting Pillow  for me and my baby. This was the beginning of my organic journey. Both of my children have allergies but my second child has a sensitivity to dust. She is now 3 and sleeps on her Nesting Pillow. When she doesn't she coughs through the night. The Nesting Pillow with it's organic fabrics and organic buckwheat fill does not attract dust mites which allows a clean organic surface for her head to sleep on!

I'm switching over to organic sheeting as well. Look what I found this week....

Organic Cotton Crib Sheeting by Pottery Barn Kids

Pottery Barn is adding more and more organic items to their mix. I love their quality and style! My daughter sleeps in a toddler bed using her crib mattress. The crib sheeting works perfectly. We have a beautiful comforter made by Auntie Heather so all I need is the sheeting. Another way to buy organic; look for separate items on sale instead of thinking you need to purchase the whole ensemble!

• I've extended our June Promo here at Blessed Nest through the weekend.. I don't have time to change the product page right now...Because I want a fun weekend in the sun with my girls.. so, you get our Nesting Set in Harmony Aqua which includes the Nesting Pillow and Nest Egg travel Pillow for a deal! Getting more for a little less and the quality can't be beat!
• Next Week..how to purchase an organic nursery on a moderate income budget, not on the cheap!