[Orange Underpant...]

So WDYT... any great tips? We are renting and there is very limited space to grow vegies etc.

[Bobsygirls]

First stop buying any processed foods, if you do. Second join a coop, something like food connect is good. Organic local food you pick up from a local contact. Third bake your own bread, I use a book called Artisan Bread in Fine Minutes a Day. And only buy in season of course.

If you can grow herbs they don't take up much space and they are so expensive to buy.

I also make my own pickles with a Pickl it fermenting system and home made soft drinks like water kefIr and kombucha.

I also buy dry good in bulk from honest to goodness and meat in bulk and on special from feather and bone.

We only eat organic and all our meat is pastured free range.

[jessie123]

ethical.org.au

There are some household items that manage to be ethical and cheap.

Biggest $$ for me is meat.

[DarylDixonismyhe...]

You'd be surprised what fruit/veges/herbs can be grown in pots or large tubs.

I belong to a fruit & vege co op, buy free range meat and poultry and eggs. Buying the meat in bulk works out cheaper.

As a general rule we don't eat breads/grains, but pantry staples like raw honey we also source locally.

[Mumma3]

Don't let renting stop you growing vegies!

I picked up some wooden crates from our local green grocers for $3 each, and they are perfect for growing vegies. I currently have carrots and capsicum in one, and tomatoes in another. Very portable, and easy to access, too.

You can also grow things like strawberries and hebrs in hanging baskets. Have a look on kerbside collections for old clamshell sandpits as well. They make great herb gardens, too.

Agree with the PP about home baked bread, too, although I find when I bake it they eat it straight away, so we probably go through more bread than we otherrwise would!

[Fire_fly]

I agree ethical.org.au

I would also look at cutting down on the meat meals if you are on a tight budget. Finding a good butcher that sells organic free range meat can help.

[divineM]

First stop buying any processed foods, if you do. Second join a coop, something like food connect is good. Organic local food you pick up from a local contact. Third bake your own bread, I use a book called Artisan Bread in Fine Minutes a Day. And only buy in season of course.

If you can grow herbs they don't take up much space and they are so expensive to buy.

I also make my own pickles with a Pickl it fermenting system and home made soft drinks like water kefIr and kombucha.

I also buy dry good in bulk from honest to goodness and meat in bulk and on special from feather and bone.

We only eat organic and all our meat is pastured free range.

I'm in melbourne - does anybody have details of co-ops that operate in Melbourne?

[~Supernova~]

We rent, and every house we are in, we build a vege patch. DH made a large wooden box, was I guess 2 x1 metres, and put it up on besser blocks. We've just moved, and so far just have a bunch of things in pots, need to get another vege garden going.

[axiomae]

This is my conundrum! Ethical everything is so expensive! It's easy to say "buy organic meat" etc but in reality the budget often doesn't stretch. We cut down on meat and buy the organic range of basics (muesli, yoghurt, pasta, tinned tomatoes, beans etc) from ALDI, which is actually quite cost effective. Meat is a treat, and although we can't afford organic we shop from a locally sourced butcher, which makes me feel better. Free range eggs from ALDI cost half what they do in the supermarkets.

[MakeLoveNotBacon]

Going meat-free covers all of your concerns OP. It's enviro friendly, ethical and budget friendly. Aim for all meat-free dishes, or X amount of days.

Cleaning products that are enviro friendly are often quite inexpensive. I only buy wash up detergent and laundry powder. I buy it when it's on special - usually Planet Ark - and it last forever as I use a little less than they say. Everything else just gets cleaned with hot soapy water. Recycled toilet paper is just as cheap or cheaper than the other stuff.

Shop locally - a local fruit & veg is usually cheaper than the big stores and the quality if far better. Go to your local Sunday markets if you can, then you can buy it straight from the farmer. Buy in season, buy when on special and stock up (for non perishables). Grow a few things in pots - I've successfully grown herbs, strawberries and tomatoes in pots.