How to Sensibly Buy Organic Products in Tough Times

What a bummer! We're all feeling the effects of down markets and economic uncertainties. One big challenge is figuring out how to balance those negative forces against the positive force of our desire to live an organic or natural lifestyle.

We appreciate and desire the benefits of fine organic products, but such products usually come with higher price tags. So what's an organic fan to do in these tough times??

Here are some suggestions that might help you sensibly go organic -- or at least go all-natural -- and save some money in the process:

1. If you seek a new organic mattress, consider one without all the fancy "bells and whistles" of high-end models. For example, seek out one of the more affordable latex and innerspring mattresses on the market -- but see the warning below about substandard materials!

2. If your existing mattress has a little more life in it, extend that life with a mattress pad or topper, preferably one that is organic or all-natural.

3. If you have a sudden unavoidable need for a new mattress, start with an affordable, well-made organic mattress. We recommend organic because of the dangers posed by fire-retardants and other chemicals in conventional mattresses -- you don't need those dangers even if budget is tight! Beware of prices that are too low (see below). Later, when budget permits, add a topper for that extra plush feel.

4. If you're shopping for bedding or pillows, substitute a more affordable all-natural, non-organic product for an organic one. Wisely selected non-organics are reasonable, affordable alternatives to pricey organics. For example, one manufacturer's non-organic bedding and pillows typically feature unbleached cotton and have no fire retardants -- close to organic, but not quite there.

5. Buy seconds for your bedding or pillow needs. These have small manufacturing defects but are still perfectly usable -- and quite affordable. The downside to buying seconds is that they do not come with warranty protection -- you know up front that there is something wrong with the merchandise. And you do not want to give seconds as gifts, unless you want to look really cheap to your gift recipients!

6. Shop for special offers. For example, if you are searching for a great deal on a high-end organic mattress, ask the dealer for his best offer.

7. Consumer Alert #1: Look for manufacturers that have been in business for a respectable period of time, producing high quality products. In recent years, we have noticed certain companies marketing themselves as organic that use inferior ingredients, such as latex that quickly disintegrates, and have inferior workmanship. Naturally, their prices are lower, but product life spans are dramatically limited.

8. Consumer Alert #2: Beware of online "super-discounters," which often mislabel non-organics as organic or sell used and reconditioned merchandise as new. These days such shameless scammers are more common than ever.

In summary, know that you can afford organic or at least all-natural products, and these bad economic times will eventually pass! We wish you all the best in your organic search.

For an excellent source of affordable organics and all-natural products, we recommend Natural Beds Direct.