If you’re trying to make debt management progress, cutting costs is critical. Groceries are a necessary expense that can take up a big chunk of any budget, and any extra savings can make a big difference towards paying down debt. Starting a summer veggie garden is an economical way to free up funds to eliminate debt and maintain a healthy diet all the while.
A veggie garden can be a good way to save money on food.
Save by Starting a Veggie Garden
The recommended spending guidelines outline expenses like food, insurance, medical bills, and other miscellaneous expenses as 20% of any given budget. Exceeding the spending guidelines can create a deficit in your budget. A veggie garden is one way to keep your costs down in this category.
Benefits & Costs
Starting a veggie garden has a number of benefits. Gardens not only provide food, but a new hobby, a fun way to stay active, and a family friendly activity. Gardens can help teach children patience, nurturing skills, and the importance of eating healthy and valuing where food comes from. Not to mention it can be exciting for kids to engage in a process from start to finish: planting, watering, picking, and eating!
As you make your decision, keep in mind the start-up costs associated with a veggie garden. Soil, seeds, watering can, and a trowel are some of the basics. Starting small is a safe way to get the hang of this new venture. There’s no sense in starting a large garden until you’re sure you can care for it and reap the benefits (literally). Add the supplies into your budget and weigh the cost compared to how much you’ll eventually save on fruits and vegetables from the grocery store. It might be better to save some money for next year or more aggressively save for this growing season.
How a Veggie Garden Helps you Save
The starting cost of a vegetable garden is small compared to the amount of money you could save on food over the course of several months. However, be sure you fully commit to the idea before buying supplies that you wouldn’t otherwise need. Or better yet, borrow supplies to get started. Then, the cost of your garden is decreased, freeing up more money towards getting out of debt.
Here is a sample breakdown of common veggie garden supply costs:
- Seeds – $2-$5
- Soil/Planting Mix – $6 – $20
- Garden Trowel – $3 – $10
- Watering Can – $2 – $10
You can find most of the supplies at your local outdoor store or any large box/department store. Depending on what you want to grow in your veggie garden (and where you shop for supplies), costs can vary.
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
