(GF)² on a Budget

 

Living a gluten-free lifestyle can be expensive. Gluten-free products sometimes cost double of the cost of the gluten version. Be prepared to spend more on your gluten-free items, but don’t go bankrupt. Here are some ways I save money feeding my gluten-free family of eight:

  1. Buy in bulk. One of the best ways to save up some dollars is to buy more for less. Gluten-free flours can be stored in the freezer for 6-12 months so you have time to use it up before it goes bad. Here are some places I like to buy in bulk:
    • Amazon. I set up a subscribe and save account and I have my gluten-free flours, gluten-free steel cut oats, rolled oats, coconut sugar, and other pantry items delivered monthly at a 15% discount with free shipping.
    • Azure Standard. I order with a group of friends and we split the cost of shipping as well as some of the bulk items. I buy dried beans, flours, organic popcorn, and much more.
    • Costco (or a warehouse type store). I find so many bulk items for a good price and most of them are organic. Almond butter, organic sugar, dried fruit, etc.
    • ThriveMarket. I have yet to try it, but I have friends who order from there and have been very satisfied.
    • Vita-Cost. I like to buy my raw honey in bulk from here. I also buy some of my starch flours like tapioca and potato starch because it is the cheapest I have found so far. Once you shop there they send specials, free shipping and discounts via email, so be sure to sign up.healthy eating
  2. Stick to natural gluten-free foods. Try more fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, potatoes, eggs, meats, and dairy. These prices will won’t affect your budget like buying a loaf of gluten-free bread for $6-8! Try to replace your bread-based foods with whole foods. For example, instead of having a sandwich with bread use a lettuce wrap. Or, instead of toast with your eggs, have breakfast potatoes. Be creative and think outside the box (the bread box that is!).
  3. Create your own flour blends. Making your own flour blends is a quick and easy way to save a lot of money. Not only are you in control of the flavor and texture the flour provides, but you can save a lot of money mixing it yourself. You can try my DIY flour blends or create your own. kitchen
  4. Get in the kitchen. If you have more time than money, spend it in the kitchen! Get your apron on and get dirty. You will not only save money, but making homemade gluten-free baked goods beats anything I have tried on the market. I started out using prepackaged mixes and that lasted one time. Then I was off to figuring things out on my own. You can easily whip up pancakes, waffles, muffins, cookies, cakes, and so much more.
  5.  Keep it simple. It is easy to get over zealous and buy every gluten-free flour on the market (trust me, I’ve been there). After buying a bunch of different flours to try out a bunch of different recipes, I got burnt out and so did my wallet! Find a few gluten-free websites you like and stick to it for a while. Usually gluten-free bakers try to keep things simple by using 2-5 different flours. Start there and save yourself money! You an always change things up if you get bored! Check out my gluten-free pantry to see what I like to keep on hand.
  6. Make your own bread. You can save almost half your dollars by making it yourself! Plus, your results will be an all-natural, soft, pliable, tasty bread. It is what kept me going on my gluten-free adventure. I had many, many, many flops. So many recipes were duds. The first time I had a successful loaf, I was soooooooo happy I was flipping out! I personally don’t like the gluten-free breads on the market or the prices. I have always loved the taste of homemade bread right out of the oven. It is so worth it! If you don’t like baking bread, invest in a bread machine with a gluten-free setting and have it do all the work for you. I personally have not tried one, but I have friends who have one and they like it.