I used to buy all organic produce. This year I've returned to buying conventional, due to my budget cuts. I grow vegetables and fruits, so at least those are organic. I look a the big picture, financially. Do I have enough saved for retirement? Is my emergency fund fully funded? Am I living beneath my means?

I do buy grass fed beef and lamb, but don't eat it very often. It's very expensive. I also buy soup bones from farmers who sell grass fed beef. Now that I buy my produce on sale at Vallarta, I'm spending a lot less money on groceries. They have excellent specials. I wash it in baking soda.

My father is in perfect health, is 84 years old, and he doesn't eat organically. He has good eating habits, though. I would like to buy all organic, but I just can't afford it right now. It's more important to me to stay in budget.