I’m sorry for your cancer experience and hope you are fully recovered.

However, the “evidence” you cite is meaningless. Yes, it is true that well-washed conventionally grown produce does (sometimes) test positive for traces of pesticides. So does organically grown produce, sometimes.

But, no, those pesticides that the EPA has determined to be carcinogenic to humans are not in use. And even for those, most of the evidence of carcinogenicity comes from studies of persons (or animals) with high dosage exposure, far above the trace residues found on the produce you would buy at the store. And one of the most basic principles of toxicity is that it is virtually always dose-dependent. In other words, the amount matters.

There are some pesticides where the potential for carcinogenicity in humans is undetermined, or possible but not certain, that are still in use. By definition, that means the evidence is not clear-cut. On the other hand, both organic and conventional produce contain biopesticides or naturally occurring pesticides. Think basil, mustard, mushrooms, celery – all high in substances found to be carcinogenic in rodents and therefore possibly carcinogenic in humans.

In fact, where organic crops are chosen to be planted for their natural pest-resistance, they may be higher in biopesticides than conventionally grown ones.

So eating organic is no real protection against dangerous pesticides, just a lot more expensive. The placebo effect of organic may be worth it to some people, I guess.

There is clear-cut evidence that even when well-washed, fruits and vegetables still contain traces of pesticides.

I am 33 years old and have had cancer once already.

I don’t require further evidence.

Answer: Good luck finding it!

To paraphrase the old saying; It isn’t what you don’t know that will cost you extra money, it’s what you know that isn’t so!

We ate more simply and ate out less (we eat out once, maybe twice a week).

We drove less. At the time, we could have gotten away with owning only one car, but circumstances prevent that now (my husband is a traveling teacher and drives during his work day every day, and I work 15 miles further than he does, so him dropping me off isn’t a good option.)

If we really needed to, we could use the A/C less (in Phoenix?!?) and change our bill pay so that we used less electricity. At the time, though, there was no way I was going to be housebound in a hot house.

We could reduce saving for home and car repairs.

We could spend less on household items, though our “household” budget is pretty low to start with.

There are always corners that can be cut — we just don’t have most of the quick “easy” ones. Actually, I’m looking at trying to find a second, part-time job to offset our upcoming loss in salary next year. (We’re both teachers, and we’ve both been told we can expect a 10% pay cut next year as well as increase in cost of benefits (or loss of benefits that will end up costing more – my husband is losing his dental plan, for exmaple).)

So the “easy” places to cut corners already don’t exist. Fortunately, as teachers, we’re not yet impacted by the current economic mess, though we’ve both been told already that we’ll be making less and paying more (for benefits and state retirement) next year, and that some of our additional stipends will not be paid again.

Unfortunately, many of the farmers markets around here are people who buy fruits/veggies in bulk then go down to the farmers market to sell it — that stuff isn’t any better than what’s in the grocery store.

I do disagree with Twiggers, though. Chicken and organic chicken are not the same. They might taste the same, but what you’re actually putting into your body is not the same.

I consider eating organic to be part of “preventative healthcare.”

I’d cut our cable before Netflix. Our cable bill is ridiculous. We already don’t buy a lot of new clothes. Rarely buy new books. My only magazine subscription is business related (and a write off).

I love the gadget though. Fun.

Honestly, if you were out of a job ALL of that stuff above could go. We could all live without it if we had to.

I’ve compared meats at the regular grocery stores vs. stores like Walmart/Meijer/Target and there is little to no difference in the quality. The labels on the fruit are the EXACT same as well, yet I’m paying $4.00 for a fresh pineapple at the grocery store and $3.00 at Walmart/Meijer/Target.

So maybe that will help cut costs a little, without sacrificing the cleanliness of your clothes! :)

If you stay away from prepared foods, there’s not a significant price delta in eating local, organic, and free-range over stumbling around in Safeway eating whatever falls into your cart. I stopped going to my local Safeway since there’s nothing there I’m entirely comfortable with eating.

Learn to make your own food, visit the bulk bins and the farmer’s market, and try to not eat things that come in boxes.

cell phone service (can switch to a ‘pay as you go’)
premium internet service (can easily go down to the lowest tier DSL instead of paying premium)
long distance service (use Skype or other free service)
shopping at fancy grocery store (no more Whole Foods!)
vacations