I love farmer’s markets, but I confess that there was a period of time when I avoided them. I always seemed to spend too much money when I shopped at them. For the sake of our budget, the best thing to do seemed to be to stop shopping at them, which was a shame, since we missed out on fresh items grown or crafted locally.
The problem had to be solved. How could we still enjoy the farmer’s market while keeping on task with our budget?
Here are the strategies that I started to employ. I saw a difference in the amount that we spent at the farmer market, while still enjoying the food and the experience.
Ask for a Bulk Price
If you love the organic farm fresh eggs, ask if you can get a bulk discount for two or three dozen. Instead of one jar of preserves, ask if you could buy four and get a fifth free. Not only will you get a great price, but you’ll also be able to skip a week or two, saving gas and maybe the cost of impulse shopping.
Keep to a List…within Reason
Having a shopping list and sticking to it is one of the main strategies for saving money at the grocery store. This can work well at the farmer’s market, too. Of course, one of the great things about farmer’s markets is that you usually find something new each week, or each time you visit. This means that you should be a little flexible with your list. For example, you can plan on buying a specific amount of fruits and vegetables, not going over that amount, but being flexible with the type that you actually bring home.
Limit the Treats
If fresh artisan bread is your treat, then go ahead and purchase some, but skip the gourmet cookies and the fancy soap. Set a dollar amount that you can use for indulging in a treat, but don’t go overboard. Luxuries at the farmer’s market can quickly eat away at your budget.
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