14 Simple Ways to Eat Paleo on Your Regular Grocery Budget

On a mission to eat healthier this year? You may want to try the diet you’ve been hearing so much buzz about: paleo.

In case you’ve been living in a cave and haven’t heard of this diet (which would be super ironic), it’s based on the idea we should eat what our ancient ancestors ate.

There’s one big problem, though: Going paleo is expensive.

Of course, there are long-term benefits of better health, but purchasing paleo-friendly food can quickly eat up your food budget.

To help you try this new style of eating, we scoured the web and found 14 tips for eating paleo on a budget.

What is the Paleo Diet?

“The Paleo Diet is based upon everyday, modern foods that mimic the food groups of our pre-agricultural, hunter-gatherer ancestors,” explains ThePaleoDiet.com.

It promises eating like this “will help to optimize your health, minimize your risk of chronic disease, and lose weight.”

Paleo-friendly foods include meat, seafood, fruits, vegetables, eggs, nuts, seeds and healthful oils.

Paleo no-nos include grains, legumes, dairy, sugar, processed foods and refined oils.

How to Eat Paleo on a Budget

If you want to go paleo on a budget, here are some general tips. A little further below, we’ll get into finding produce and meat on the cheap.

1. Go Part-Time Paleo

Want to dip your toe in paleo? Go ahead!

No one’s saying you have to go all-in right away. By going part-time paleo, you can slowly let your body and budget adjust to your new diet.

“If the idea of switching to a completely paleo lifestyle sounds too scary or expensive, try switching to 80% instead (heck, even 50% is better than 0%),” explains Joel Runyon of Ultimate Paleo Guide.

“Just try it and see what happens,” Runyon says. “Something is a whole lot better than nothing. And you might just find out firsthand that things aren’t nearly as expensive as you expect them to be.”

2. Purchase Items in Bulk

Buying in bulk is good advice for any grocery-buyer, but it’s particularly true for paleo — the diet features expensive oils and flours.

You’d be surprised what you can buy from warehouse stores like Costco and Sam’s Club.

Think: olive and coconut oil at a fraction of the grocery store’s price!

3. Use Coupons and Rebate Apps

If you think coupons are only for processed foods — a total paleo no-no — read this post about finding discounts on healthy, whole foods.

One of our favorite tools is Ibotta — the app gives you rebates on things like eggs and vegetables!

4. Get Creative

Just because the paleo gods say you’re supposed to eat something doesn’t mean it’s the only thing you can eat.

Finding cheaper substitutes for common paleo foods will greatly reduce your costs.

On his site, Runyon suggests:

• Getting protein from hamburger patties, pork, chicken and eggs
• Getting healthy fats from avocados instead of nuts
• Substituting apples for berries

5. Find Inspiration Online

The online paleo community is huge. There are tons of blogs and forums dedicated to supporting and informing you in your paleo journey.

In addition to the many sites in this post, check out 30 cheap main dish paleo meals from The Paleo Mama, as well as Paleo on a Budget’s archive of recipes and meal plans.

How to Buy Paleo Produce on a Budget

Fruits and vegetables are the staples of a paleo diet. Here’s how to get them cheaper:

6. Buy in Season

Don’t try to buy green beans in January — they’re not in season, so they’ll be both expensive and hard to find.

Instead, join a CSA to receive produce boxes with whatever’s in season.

Also, try visiting your farmers market near closing time. Barter with farmers trying to offload their extra items.

7. Grow Your Own Garden

One of the best ways to save on veggies? Starting your own garden. It’s a great workout, too!

You can also can, freeze and pickle your garden’s bounty and can reap the benefits all year long.

8. Don’t Buy Organic

The jury’s still out on whether organic food is actually better for you. It seems like it should be, but there’s not really any scientific evidence to back up the claim.

It’s probably better for the environment, but strictly speaking about your health and wallet, you can probably opt for non-organic.

I’ve read time and time again it’s important to consume more fruits and vegetables — organic or not.

9. Learn to Love the Frozen Aisle

If you can’t afford to buy all fresh fruits and veggies, it’s OK.

Frozen foods are packaged right after they’re picked, so they’re sometimes fresher than what you’d find in the produce section anyway.

In addition to being affordable, frozen fruits, vegetables and seafood are quick and easy, making it convenient to cook even when you’re tired.

How to Buy Paleo Meat on a Budget

The other mainstay of paleo eating? Meat. Preferably grass-fed, but it doesn’t have to be.

Here are a few tips for finding meat on a budget:

10. Rock the Crockpot

The crockpot is your friend.

Why? It turns tough into tender.

“You can buy cheaper cuts of meat and slow cook them for hours, and they will turn out

delicious every time,” explains George Bryant of Civilized Caveman Cooking.

He has lots of crockpot recipes on his site, including one for beef tongue with roasted pepper sauce!

11. Go for Odd Cuts

Which leads perfectly into this next tip, also from Bryant: “Learn to love undesirable cuts of meat.”

In other words, organs.

“They are usually the cheapest cuts of meat since many people shy away from them,” he explains. I guess if you’re putting it in a crockpot with yummy seasonings, who cares what it is?

Don’t forget: You can also eat roadkill.

12. Look for Meat That’s About to Expire

Nearly every grocery store has a section of discounted meat.

Check here first, and you might find great bargains.

“Go to the grocery story just before your evening meal,” suggests Runyon. “Cuts of meat that are coming up to their ‘sell by’ dates are often quite heavily discounted. Don’t worry – they’re still good!”

Another trick? If you’re not ready to eat the discounted meat right away, stick it in the freezer.

13. Leave the Bone In

Not only is bone-in meat cheaper, it also allows you to make stock, which you can use for cooking all sorts of recipes.

“If you always chose your meat bone-in, you’ll have a steady flow of bones to make stocks all the time,” explains Sébastien Noël of Paleo Leap.

“Having stock as the basis of most of your meals won’t just cut your bill, it’s also very healthy. Stocks are full of nutrients that we only find in good quantity in bones.”

14. Buy an Entire Cow

Want to take it a step further? Buy the whole animal!

“Join a cow- or pig-share,” suggests Steph Gaudreau of Stupid Easy Paleo. “You chip in to buy a large quantity of meat, and the price is often cheaper per pound than the grocery store. You’ll need a large amount of freezer space.”

To help you get started, check out this post about buying and storing local meat from Paleo Plan.

Is Eating Paleo Expensive?

It can be. But it also might be worth it.

As Runyon points out:

“Paleo can change your health and your life but you have to engage with it in order to make that happen,” he explains.

“It takes a willingness to invest time, money, and resources… Instead of seeing the extra money you’re spending on your diet as an ‘expense,’ think about it as an investment, and look at the long-term health benefits it could bring and at the long-term expenses it could help you avoid.”

Your Turn: Will you try the paleo diet? How do you save money on your meals?

Susan Shain, senior writer for The Penny Hoarder, is always seeking adventure on a budget. Visit her blog at susanshain.com, or say hi on Twitter @susan_shain.

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What to Do With Your 401(k) When You Change Jobs

What happens to the money in your company retirement account when you leave your job?

Does it have to stay there? Do you lose any of it? Can you take the money with you? If so, what are your options and how do you know which one to choose?

These are all questions that you’ll likely have to navigate at some point in your life, and in this post we’ll dive deep into what your options are, how to decide on the right one for you, and how to avoid some big potential pitfalls.

Four Things You Can Do with Your Old 401(k)

The good news is that the money you saved is still yours no matter where you go. The only question is what to do with it now. Here are your four main options.

Option #1: Keep the money in your old 401(k): Depending on your account balance and the specific terms of your 401(k), you may be forced to move the money (more on that below). But in most cases you will have the option of simply keeping the money right where it is.

Option #2: Move the money into a new 401(k): If you’re starting a new job that also has a 401(k) or other company retirement plan, you can likely move the money from your old 401(k) into the new one. You’ll just need to check with your new plan to make sure it accepts transfers from other plans.

Option #3: Roll the money into an IRA: You can also transfer the money into a new or existing IRA. If you have a traditional 401(k), you’ll likely want to transfer the money to a traditional IRA in order to avoid taxes. Similarly, money within a Roth 401(k) would be transferred to a Roth IRA.

Option #4: Withdraw the money: You are allowed to withdraw the money from your 401(k) when you leave your job, though this typically isn’t a good idea. Unless you’re already 59-1/2 or older, the entire withdrawal will be taxed as income, and you’ll be hit with a 10% penalty on top of that — plus the money will no longer be invested for retirement. So this usually isn’t the best move.

How to Choose the Right Option for You

Any of those first three options could be the right choice depending on the specifics of your circumstances. Here are some things to consider when making your decision.

Fees

401(k)s are notorious for having lots of fees. And since cost is one of the biggest obstacles to investment success, this is a great opportunity to make sure your money is in an account where the fees are minimal.

To be honest, this is a big reason why transferring the money to an IRA often makes sense. You don’t have much control over the fees your 401(k) charges, but you absolutely have the option of using a low-cost IRA provider.

The flip side is that in some cases your employer plan may give you access to lower-cost funds than you could use yourself. A good example of this is the government’s Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which offers some fantastic, low-cost funds you won’t find anywhere else. In that kind of situation it can make a lot of sense to stay put.

Here are a few specific types of fees to watch out for.

• Administrative fees: The worst 401(k)s charge all kinds of administrative fees for things like account maintenance, investment management, legal services, and more. You can find these fees laid out in your 401(k)’s summary plan description, or you can ask your HR representative for a list of all fees associated with the plan.
• Expense ratios: All mutual funds and ETFs have something called an expense ratio, which is the fee charged for managing the investment. It’s calculated as a percentage of your money within that investment and is an ongoing cost you have to pay. If your employer plan only offers investments with high expense ratios, that might be a reason to use an IRA instead.
• Other fees: Honestly, there are any number of other fees your plan might charge, so be on the lookout. In general, the less you have to pay the better.

Investment Options

If you’ve done the work to create an investment plan that meets your personal needs, you’ll have a good idea about the kinds of things you want to invest in.

So the big question here is which of the options above makes it as easy as possible to choose the investments you want?

If you’re 401(k) has them, then great! Using that might be the easiest route. If not, it might make sense to move the money to an IRA where you have full control over what you invest in.

Simplicity

The more accounts you have, the harder it is to manage everything. This isn’t about being lazy or anything like that. Making it easy to both implement your investment plan and keep it on track makes it more likely that you’ll actually reach your investment goals.

Unless the other factors heavily favor complexity, I would err on the side of having as few accounts as possible.

Asset Protection

Money within a 401(k) is fully protected against bankruptcy and lawsuits, while the protection offered to money within an IRA varies from state to state. This could come into play if you have a large balance in your retirement plan (typically $1 million or more), and you either:

1. Have a significant amount of debt, or
2. Are susceptible to being sued, such as if you own a business.

To be honest, this probably shouldn’t be a big concern for most people. But if you fall into the categories above, you should consult your state rules about IRA protection and factor them into your decision.

Cashing out your 401(k) when you switch jobs will usually trigger taxes and penalties. Photo: e.t.

Pitfalls to Avoid

Assuming you’ve considered the factors above to decide what you want to do with this money, here are a few things to watch out for that could throw a wrench into your plan.

Time limits: In most cases you’ll be allowed to keep the money in your old 401(k) for as long as you want, giving you plenty of time to make your decision. But in some cases your plan may force you to make a decision within a certain time period or else it will simply send the money directly to you. Since that would come with taxes and penalties, you’ll want to double-check whether your plan has any time limits so that you can be sure to work within them.

Taking the money directly: If you decide to move the money to either a new 401(k) or an IRA, you’ll want to do what’s called a direct rollover. That transfers the money directly from account to account without you ever having to take possession of it.

You do have another option if you’re transferring it to an IRA, which involves having the money sent to you first and then you contributing to the IRA yourself. But there are two big problems with this option:

1. You only have 60 days after receiving the money to deposit it into an IRA before it’s considered taxable income and subject to penalty.
2. Your employer is legally obligated to withhold at least 20% of the money for tax purposes. But you have to deposit the full amount into an IRA to avoid taxes and penalties, so you’ll have to make up the difference from other sources.

A direct rollover avoids all of that complication. Here’s more info on how to do a 401(k) rollover.

Vesting: This isn’t exactly a pitfall, but it’s something to be aware of. Some companies have vesting schedules that mean you might not yet be entitled to all of the employer contributions made to your 401(k). You will always get 100% of the money you saved personally, but just be aware that in some cases you won’t receive your entire account balance.

Don’t Let It Linger

Whatever decision you make, I would encourage you to make it relatively soon after you change jobs.

This isn’t to say you should rush it. You should absolutely take the time you need to make the right decision for you and your family.

But taking care of this quickly makes it more likely that you’ll actually make the right decision instead of letting an old account linger and potentially be forgotten.

After all, this is money that can help you reach your biggest financial goals. Make sure it’s being put to good use!

Matt Becker is a fee-only financial planner and the founder of Mom and Dad Money, where he helps new parents take control of their money so they can take care of their families. His free book, The New Family Financial Road Map, guides parents through the all most important financial decisions that come with starting a family.

Related Articles: 

• Roth vs. Traditional IRA: Retirement Showdown
• How to Do a 401(k) Rollover
• The Most Important Investment Decision You’ll Ever Make

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Here’s Your Excuse to Be on Facebook All. Day. Long.

If you’re reading this, you’re likely on Facebook.

You probably even found this article on Facebook.

Don’t just use Facebook to see who had a baby or to watch mouth-watering cookie decorating tutorials — although those are insane. Use Facebook to make money.

It’s just a matter of figuring out the right method to earn income from your skill set.

To give you some ideas, I interviewed several Facebook users who’ve made part-time — or full-time — money on the social network.

This list just scratches the surface, but here are 17 different ways to make money on Facebook:

1. Join a Facebook Garage Sale Group

Perhaps the most common moneymaker on Facebook is the online garage sale. There may be several in your area focused on different types of items, like baby stuff, furniture, etc.

Fnd them by typing your location and “garage sale” into the Facebook search bar. People can sell anything not tied down, as long as it includes a decent image and clear instructions.

How Much Can You Make?

It varies, but one woman made $600 selling decor, furniture, baby items and flooring in Facebook garage sale groups.

2. Use Facebook Garage Sales as a Business

Maybe you’re a collector with a ton of merchandise.

Buying yard sale items and reselling them on Facebook can turn a pretty profit, says James Schut, an avid Facebook group participant.

Schut described how several members in his garage sale groups buy and sell large quantities of items at a time, like 50 or more. They then meet at a designated location to make the exchanges.

How Much Can You Make?

Results vary.

Schut says the process takes a time investment — his greatest success comes from selling large quantities of items priced between 50 cents and $10.  

The longer you do this, he adds, the more your network will grow, a significant benefit in this line of work.

3. Join a Facebook Buy, Sell and Trade Group

Along with Facebook Garage Sales, there also are Buy, Sell and Trade (BST) groups.

Again, find these by searching for your location and including “buy, sell, trade” in the search bar.

What makes them different than a garage sale? Trading is the most obvious.

Also, BST participant Robin Mathiasen says, “They’re good for between yard sales, bad weather, for nicer things, etc. You tend to get more than you would at a yard sale.”

How Much Can You Make?

Another active BST group member, Jamie Lynn, said she brings in around $200 each month selling things like clothing, electronics, decor and toys.

4. Resell BST Items to Amazon

Some people buy items on Facebook and sell them for a profit on Amazon.

I interviewed magazine collector Nate Cox, who buys used magazines on Facebook, then resells them on Amazon for a profit.

“You just have to know your market, and you can sell anything,” Cox says.

How Much Can You Make?

This varies depending on your time and products. Cox invested $75 over the last six months to procure 450 magazines. He is currently averaging a $2 profit on each sale.

According to Cox, it’s not his day job, but this side hustle will enable him to become debt-free faster.

One man made $10,000 selling flip flops on Amazon.

5. Start Your Own Facebook Auction Group

Becky Segerstrom started off frequently using BST groups, and eventually started her own.

She says she launched a Facebook auction group, where she sold furniture and decorative items purchased at yard sales and thrift stores.

She’d also refinish, repaint and restore them to increase the value.

How Much Can You Make?

Here are a few of Segerstrom’s success stories from her Facebook auction endeavors:

“I bought a large wooden bowl for $0.50 at Goodwill, painted it black, and distressed it, and it sold for $15!,” she says.

“I also bought a number of wooden bread boxes for $1 to $2 each, and after repainting them, they sold for $20 to $25.”

6. Find Freelance Work

Are you a writer, virtual assistant, graphic or web designer? Or do you have another web-based trade?

There are groups designed just for sharing these types of freelance opportunities.

How Much Can You Make?

Each vocation brings in a different income, but the possibilities are tremendous. It’s as simple as sharing content.

For example, I recently read this freelancing article. I immediately shared it with one of my freelance writing groups so more writers could benefit.

7. Share Advice in Your Field of Interest to Gain Clients

Many online entrepreneur Facebook groups like The Smart Passive Income Community or Inspired Bloggers Network are great for virtual assistants, web designers and the like.

People have many questions and are willing to pay for answers. You can find work just by keeping your eyes open for needs that present themselves.

How Much Can You Make?

Virtual assistants earn $15.83 per hour and web designers cash in anywhere from $29,000 to $74,000 per year, according to Payscale.

8. Promote a Brand or Product You Love

Are you passionate about a brand or product and want to increase your network?

Many people become direct sales consultants for products like jewelry, cosmetics, cleaning products and weight-loss programs.

Many Facebook groups have clear rules about direct marketing. But, if you abide by them and your passion for the product is authentic, Facebook can be a great place for you to find new clients.

Keep in mind that this trend has been around for a while, so odds are your friends have been approached before — you don’t want to annoy anyone.

How Much Can You Make?

Earnings may include cash, possible benefits, bonus incentives and free or discounted products.

9. Run Live Direct Sales Events

Work-at-home mother of two Stephanie Gerhard became a consultant for Usborne Books & More, hosting live Facebook events to sell children’s books.

She told me these events last two hours, so the time commitment’s manageable.

Guests join the event by clicking on a Facebook invitation sent by the consultant at the allotted time.

During the event, the consultant posts information, images and videos describing products, and answers questions — just like a discussion thread.

There are often multiple prizes and giveaways to encourage guests to comment and interact.

How Much Can You Make?

“It is possible to be successful without ever even doing a home party, book fair or event,” Gerhard says. “A consultant [for Usborne] makes between 25% and 30%, based on your sales volume that month.”

In her first month, she made $300 doing live events twice a week.

10. Host a Live Event for a Consultant

Perhaps you don’t want to dive into direct sales for Jamberry or Usborne Books or some other company, but you’re willing to host an event.

Gerhard says opportunities are ready and waiting on Facebook:

“Most consultants have a consultant Facebook page…,” she explains. “We post deals, specials, new books, opportunities for extra rewards for booking parties, and things like that on those pages, but people are free to book a Facebook party anytime they like.”

What does a hostess do?

Becca Kriesel, another hard-working mother of two, hosted one of Stephanie Gerhard’s Usborne parties.

“I can tell you that, as a hostess, it was very worth it,” Kriesel says.

“I had to do very little work (just engage with the participants, tag people, comment, etc.) and was able to get a bunch of free and half-off books… Several of the free books have become Christmas and birthday presents, therefore saving me money!”

How Much Can You Make?

Each company offers different benefits for hostesses, but free and discounted products are the most common forms of payment.

11. Turn in Facebook Hackers

Next time you notice a Facebook account has been hacked, you might get paid for it.

A website called Bug Bounty pays users who report hackers.

How Much Can You Make?

By helping Facebook uncover bugs and hackers, users earn $500 or more. But, keep in mind only the first user to report the problem receives compensation.

12. Start a Group and Promote Affiliate Links

Many Facebook communities consist of like-minded individuals (i.e. moms, bloggers, health and wellness advocates, etc.).

If you start a community and share relevant products with an affiliate link, you can earn a percentage from each transaction.

How Much Can You Make?

Through Amazon’s affiliate program, you can earn 4% to 8.5% of each transaction, depending on how many people buy items through your links.

Other affiliate options can be more lucrative. If you’re new to affiliate marketing, here’s a guide to getting started.

13. Refer Facebook Friends to Swagbucks

Not only are there a slew of survey sites online willing to pay for your input, but you can use Facebook to earn even more cash.

Swagbucks is a membership site that pays you to take online surveys, use its search engine and make referrals. (Here’s a beginner’s guide.)

For every referral you make, you earn 10% of whatever that person earns on Swagbucks — for life.

Since Facebook is likely your largest network, it’s a key source for sharing your referral link with friends.

How Much Can You Make?  

Swagbucks pays via PayPal or a large variety of gift cards.  

The average person I interviewed earns between $25 to $100 in cash or gift cards each month.

14. Become a Social Media Manager

Full-time social media manager Kelli Hogg creates and schedules content for 20 different Facebook pages.

Her background in marketing and her personal use of Facebook over the years helped to prepare her for the job. Now, she crafts all the text and images for each social media post, scheduling and monitoring them each day.

Managing so many pages at once is no easy task, Hogg says, but her passion is clear.

“I quite literally get paid to ‘play on Facebook,’” Hogg explains.

How Much Can You Make?

Nonprofits can pay $35,000 to $50,000 for a social media manager, Hogg says, and some corporate positions may offer more than $65,000.

15. Post Recurring Product Orders on Your Facebook Profile

If you sell a basic product, like MaryKay or Norwex, or run a business, post a simple status update to tell your friends when you’re taking orders or running a special before a certain deadline.

For example, a photographer might tell announce a special on family portraits before the holidays, or couples shots before Valentine’s Day.

How Much Can You Make?

With this kind of free advertising, you can make a 100% return on your investment. It only costs one simple Facebook status update.

16. Help Friends Sell Stuff with PassUBuy

If you’ve been burned by strangers on Craigslist or Facebook garage sales, then PassUBuy might be for you.

It’s an app that helps you sell items to your friends, and their friends, avoiding scammers.

Also, when someone posts an item for sale using PassUBuy, other friends can share the information and earn a percentage of the item’s selling price.

How Much Can You Make?  

You earn at least 2% of the sale just by sharing your friend’s post. One user earned $1,000 by selling her items in a few months.

17. Enter Facebook Contests, Giveaways or Sweepstakes

These contests are often easy to enter, require minimum involvement — like sharing a post or liking a page — and offer cash prizes.

Plus, you’re helping someone promote his or her business. Good karma.

How Much Can You Make?

Prizes usually range from $20 to $100 in cash or gift cards, as well as free products.

Your Turn: How do you make money on Facebook?

Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. We’re letting you know because it’s what Honest Abe would do. After all, he is on our favorite coin.

Laura Harris is a writer for the Web and mother of two with a background in personal finance. When she’s not enjoying time with her family, or watching insane cookie decorating tutorials on Facebook, you can find her blogging about parenting and personal finance at Piggy Bank Dreams.

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