Smart Shopping for CBD: A Budget-Conscious Guide to CBD Products
Most people nowadays are on a tight budget, and sometimes CBD products can feel expensive.
If you browse around, you will find that CBD product prices vary wildly from very dodgy bargains to outrageously expensive prices. The secret lies in finding quality CBD produced by reliable and trusted manufacturers at a price that fits your budget. If you are looking to maximize the value you get from the purchase you make, our guide will help you make the most of your money and still benefit from quality CBD.
Understanding Price vs. Value
That £20 CBD oil might seem like a bargain, but the real value lies in understanding what you are really buying.
Most people compare CBD products and assess their value based on the price. And yet, there are other factors that affect the value you are getting. A 30ml bottle with 1500mg of CBD often provides better value than a 60ml bottle with 1000mg, even if the larger bottle costs less. In the first case, 1ml contains 50 mg of CBD, while in the second case, 1ml contains 16mg of CBD. You will finish the second bottle much faster than the first one, which means your pounds won’t stretch as much as you want.
Now, let’s turn to the price. If you are buying CBD oil, you need to do a little bit of math to calculate the price per milligram of CBD, not per bottle. For example, if a 30ml bottle containing 1500mg CBD costs £70, each milligram costs about £0.047. Compare this to a 60ml bottle with 1000mg that costs £50 (£0.05 per milligram). While the larger bottle has a lower upfront cost, you are actually paying more per dose.
Quality CBD matters
CBD comes in many qualities, shapes, and sizes. Ultimately, you want to get quality CBD from a dependable source. Certain features are worth paying extra for.
You want your CBD to be third-party lab tested, which can be verified through QR codes or batch numbers. The test tells you how much CBD is contained and whether there are any heavy metals, chemicals, or other unwanted contaminants. The test also tells you about the presence of other helpful compounds like cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
Organic CBD is always better than conventional cultivation mainly because industrial hemp has an uncanny ability to clean up soils of contaminants. Many farmers use hemp to clean their soils. This is helpful for the farmer, less so for the CBD consumer.
Money-Saving Strategies That Actually Work
1. Start low, go slow
The “start low, go slow” approach isn’t just a safety principle, it’s also financially smart.
If you are just beginning your CBD experiment, there is no reason to buy high-concentration CBD products. Begin with more affordable, lower concentrations and assess how you feel. The initial low dosage should be around 10 to 15 mg of CBD. Keep that dosage for a few days and increase it slowly.
The start low, go slow method helps you find your personal dosage without waste, as many people discover they need less than initially anticipated, or you might find that CBD is not working for you.
We suggest starting with a 500mg concentration before moving to stronger options. If you are taking CBD pills or capsules, select lower-concentration ones that are also more affordable.
2. Choose your CBD product
If you are careful with your finances, choose the right product for you.
Different CBD products have varying bioavailability rates, which affects their ultimate value. For example, sublingual CBD (which is placed under the tongue for a minute until absorbed) has an absorption rate of 20 to 30%, while edibles have a lower bioavailability of around 10 to 15%. Sublingual CBD may be more expensive, but more beneficial substances end up in your bloodstream compared to edible CBD. It makes financial sense to go for sublingual CBD.
Likewise, topicals provide localised effects and can be more cost effective when used for specific areas rather than full-body application. If you have painful joints, apply the CBD topical on the joints and assess the effect. If you have eczema, apply your CBD product to the affected areas rather than your whole body. This will make your CBD topical last much longer.
For edibles, consider their convenience factor against their lower bioavailability. While gummies might be easy to take, you typically need more CBD content to achieve the same effects as a tincture. However, their pre-measured doses can prevent overuse, potentially saving money in the long run.
3. Storage and Preservation: Extending Product Life
Store your CBD product properly to extend its shelf life.
Keep bottles away from direct sunlight and store them in a cool, dry place. The ideal storage temperature ranges between 15-21°C. The refrigerator isn’t necessary but can help keep oils fresh longer, especially in warm climates. Good quality CBD products have amber bottles that block sunlight and protect the content better.
Keep track of purchase dates and expiration dates. Most CBD products are good for consumption for 12-18 months when properly stored. If you have multiple CBD products, consume the older one first.
4. Smart Shopping Strategies and Timing
If you know that CBD as a supplement works for you, time your purchases to make savings.
Many CBD companies offer discounts during major sales events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Buy a reasonable quantity of CBD products. Remember that CBD expires after a while, so don’t buy more than you can consume.
Newsletter subscriptions can give you access to exclusive discounts and early sale notifications. Some brands also provide subscription services with regular deliveries at reduced prices, which can be financially wise if you have found a CBD product you trust.
5. Bulk Buying and Long-Term Planning
Bulk buying is a good way to save money on your CBD purchases. Purchase larger quantities if you find a product that works well for you — but first consider the product’s shelf life, which is usually 1-2 years when properly stored, and your usage rate to avoid waste.
Create a monthly budget to help you assess your actual CBD costs and plan purchases around sales, as buying in bulk ties up more of your budget upfront.
6. Avoid False Economies and Market Traps
The market is flooded with CBD products, so you need to be careful about your choices.
Stay away from extremely low-priced products as they often mean lower quality. In many cases, the CBD content is much lower than what is stated.
Products that make medical claims should raise red flags. While research often shows promising results, more research is still needed. CBD is not a medicine and should only be taken as a supplement to support your health. There is no proof yet that it works for specific conditions or illnesses.
Also, a product label that doesn’t clearly state CBD content and the presence of other ingredients may be a signal of poor quality and false savings. You don’t want to spend money on poor-quality CBD products.
Finally, read the label carefully to make sure you’re actually buying CBD. For example, ‘hemp oil’ is produced from the seeds of CBD. While highly nutritional, it contains minimal CBD. CBD is produced from the leaves and flowers of hemp. Hemp oil is much more affordable than CBD but lacks the potential of CBD. The label should clearly state that it contains CBD and not hemp oil.
7. Efficient Usage Practices and Dosing
Use measured droppers for consistent dosing: this way, you will know exactly how much you are getting.
Spread smaller doses throughout the day instead of taking one large dose. This could maintain the CBD in your bloodstream for longer and extend the benefits.
If you feel that droppers are not practical and you want to be in full control of your dosage, choose CBD pills and capsules: the quantity of CBD is pre-determined and you know exactly how much you are taking at any time. It’s also easy to calculate your daily intake by just adding up the number of pills or capsules you are taking.
The Long-Term Perspective on CBD Investment
It’s up to you to find value CBD products and save money at the same time. The most expensive product isn’t necessarily the best, just as the cheapest isn’t always a bargain. Focus on CBD products that deliver consistent results for you and fit with your budget.
If you feel that CBD is a supplement you will be taking long-term because it works for you, you should weigh that against other wellness practices or supplements. If CBD makes you feel better, you can reduce or eliminate other supplements you take, which saves you money.
When you buy quality CBD, it often pays off because it delivers better results. Buy from reliable and trusted brands and check out CBD oil reviews and our list of the best UK CBD stores to be sure that the CBD you purchase is as pure and effective as possible. Take time to research products and understand their features. That’s how you can make the most of every pound you spend. Some people find that lower doses work better for them; others benefit from stronger concentrations less frequently.
It is up to you to assess which CBD product helps you the most. The right CBD product at the right dosage will help you the most and save you money in the long run. Don’t get fooled by false savings or unrealistic product claims. Listen to your body, find the product that fits your budget, and keep to the dosage that works for you. That’s how you save money when you shop for CBD!
Nicholas Rossis, PhD is a specialized, NSF-trained writer who has written hundreds of posts on CBD and nutritional supplements. His work combines critical acclaim with the analysis of the latest news, studies, research, and legal developments in the world of CBD, providing readers with valuable data and insights.
