Is Robb Wolf's Paleo on a Budget Guide worth the money?

First, I have to say...I LOVE this message board. I know I'm asking a billion questions, but everyone has been SO helpful.
Any opinions on this book? Is it worth the $20.00?

Replies

  • Howbouto
    Howbouto Posts: 2,121 Member
    I haven't read it, but can you get it from the library. I get all the books I can from the library 1st then decide to buy it.
  • bostonwolf
    bostonwolf Posts: 3,038 Member
    I haven't read it, but can you get it from the library. I get all the books I can from the library 1st then decide to buy it.

    This is my strategy is well. I'm fortunately to live in an area with a great library system where you can get books online, choose from about 20 different libraries and have them delivered to your local one.
  • neweuquol
    neweuquol Posts: 62 Member
    I have not bought it but I am sure it's just a book that includes advice like:

    Buy conventional meat when it's marked down;

    Buy food at ethnic markets where prices are lower;

    Buy in bulk when on sale;

    Do not let perfection get in the way of good enough;

    etc etc

    I like Robb Wolf but I am willing to bet the book is all advice you can find by googling "paleo on a budget"
  • zellagrrl
    zellagrrl Posts: 439
    I haven't read it, but I'm guessing that most of the advice is common sense.

    Costco has been a great resource for cost savings for us. Also, if you have a deep freezer, look into buying 1/4 cow, pig or other animal-- the upfront cost is high, but the per pound price for grass fed meat is generally much lower than buying piecemeal at the store.

    And as neweuquol, perfection is not required. Do your best, but don't stress too hard about being some paragon of budget Paleo.
  • brenbrenm
    brenbrenm Posts: 81
    We just don't live anywhere near a Trader Joes, Costco, WholeFoods, etc.... Just 2 tiny natural food stores that cost a FORTUNE. I've about spent all I can to stock up on almond butter and flour, coconut flour and oil, nuts, etc.... As much as I would love to buy 1/4 pig or cow, the upfront cost is way too high for right now. Hubby isn't interested in this plan and he's the breadwinner right now! The area I live in isn't exactly proactive in healthy foods! I just didn't know if the book really helped or not.
  • shar140
    shar140 Posts: 1,158 Member
    I haven't read it, but can you get it from the library. I get all the books I can from the library 1st then decide to buy it.

    This is my strategy is well. I'm fortunately to live in an area with a great library system where you can get books online, choose from about 20 different libraries and have them delivered to your local one.

    3rd!

    What about growing some of your own produce? I'm eagerly awaiting my tomatoes, cucumbers, cauliflower, lettuce, peppers and eggplants to grow faster. :)

    There are also some online resources - just google paleo or primal on a budget.
  • craudi
    craudi Posts: 126 Member
    Adding to the advice already provided....

    Find a local farmer's market for your produce...SO much cheaper, you know where your food is coming from, it's clean, support local farms, etc.

    My fiance and I bought a deep freeze and got a quarter cow (so awesome), and now too when other meat is on sale we have the room to stock up. Also, this summer we'll freeze any extra veggies from our CSA and garden to have during the winter months.

    Also, we can a lot...so this summer we'll create our stock of tomato sauce, salsa, pickles, sauerkraut (hopefully!), green beans, etc. (Sidenote: Our wedding favor is homemade canned goods, so we may end up losing quite a bit in September...but it will be special! And extra work. :))

    Also!! Stock up on your almond flour, coconut flour, coconut oil, etc, through Amazon or other online companies instead of from the dinky health food stores. I'm all about supporting local businesses, but if you're planning to stock up, it will be much more cost effective to get it online. Then throw that 5 lb bag of almond flour in your deep freeze with the cow!!! :) haha :)
  • craudi
    craudi Posts: 126 Member
    There are also some online resources - just google paleo or primal on a budget.

    Just goggled it and the first thing that came up was this: http://paleoonabudget.com/ Might be worth a shot! :)
  • zellagrrl
    zellagrrl Posts: 439
    We just don't live anywhere near a Trader Joes, Costco, WholeFoods, etc.... Just 2 tiny natural food stores that cost a FORTUNE. I've about spent all I can to stock up on almond butter and flour, coconut flour and oil, nuts, etc.... As much as I would love to buy 1/4 pig or cow, the upfront cost is way too high for right now. Hubby isn't interested in this plan and he's the breadwinner right now! The area I live in isn't exactly proactive in healthy foods! I just didn't know if the book really helped or not.

    I'm the breadwinner by far, but what we want to eat is jointly added to a grocery list and then I shop for what's on it, and we just stick to an overall budget for food. IMO breadwinners do not get to dictate how money is spent-- if you're a couple, you should figure that out and jointly come up with a budget that serves both partners' needs.

    We had to save for a couple of months in order to afford our 1/4 cow (paying cash for our wedding and cow parts, not cheap!)-- I just moved cash into savings until I had enough for it (we made this a joint decision and agreed on a set amount to spend, then looked for a farm that fit our budget).

    Adding to what craudi said, Tropical Traditions is always posting sales on stuff, and if you search for "store name" coupon codes, you can usually come up with something, even for the more obscure places.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    I haven't bought it because I think that's too much for an ebook and I live in a place where I am already doing what I can and don't have many other options. I'm not sure that it's hard to figure out how to save money eating Paleo. I save $200-400 per month now because my food is nutrient dense and I eat so much less. Go figure.

    You definitely do not have to shop exclusively at all the "health" stores. Grow your own, get to know local farmers, join a food coop, get to know the dirty dozen produce and only buy those organic, etc. I eat some wild meat too. (Deer are over-populated in many places...)

    Find a friend or two to go in with you on a pig, cow, whatever.

    Health is priceless and worth extra effort.