Vegan budget tips: Save grocery money while vegan
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Many people shy away from adapting a healthy plant based lifestyle because they are afraid that they will spend hundreds of dollars each month on groceries. Look no further for some unique and interesting vegan budget tips while grocery shopping.
It is true that many vegan alternatives such as dairy-free cheese or fake meat will cause a raise in your grocery bill. However, I’ve often found myself spending less money on groceries compared to when I ate meat and fish. I adapted these easy ways to keep my weekly bills at a moderate rate and still enjoy healthy and nourishing meals every day. Read on to discover some vegan budget tips and how to save money on groceries as a vegan.
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Photo credits: Matheus Cenali on Pixels
Grocery shopping while vegan does not have to be expensive
Let’s debunk the myth that going vegan will make you go broke. As said before, a plant based diet can have the potential to be extremely expensive if you make it that way. Majority of plants are priced at an affordable rate, especially if they’re in season.
1. Find the cheapest store for products
I never purchase all of my groceries from one store. I go to about 3-4 different shops for certain items. Because I go to so many different stores that consumes a good amount of time, I do this every 2 weeks. Shopping around for the best prices is essential because it can potentially save hundreds by the end of the year. For example, out of the 3 stores I visit, Aldi usually has the cheapest grapeseed oil for less than $5 whereas the same amount in Kroger is almost $11.
2. Vegan Budget Tips: Buy in bulk
Nuts such as almonds, cashews, and hazelnuts tend to be extremely overpriced when pre-packaged. Save a few dollars by locating bulk stores near you and fill up with your own containers. There may also be options for rice or beans to portion a certain amount for the week. Whole Foods and Sprouts are two known stores that offer bulk sections in all their USA locations.
3. Refill water instead of buying plastic bottles
This next one might come as a shock but I spend less than $3 on seven gallons of water each week! Certain grocery stores have water refilling stations that customers often don’t take advantage of. Its not only saving yourself money but also saving the environment from all the one use plastic water bottles.
In order to refill water each week, consumers must be prepared with a large enough container. to Use this link to purchase a good quality 5 gallon BPA free water jug.
4. Vegan Budget Tips: Shop Seasonal
Knowing the seasonal produce in your area is great for your stomach and pocketbook! Seasonal veg are typically very affordable. Whether its juicy .50 cent honey mangoes in the summertime or hearty .69 cent butternut squash in the fall. Seasonal shopping is a great vegan budget tip that just makes sense and will help vegan consumers save lots.
5. Meal Prep and Cook Often
Being on a plant based diet over 5 years, I never eat out for a multitude of reasons. Vegan food in restaurants is typically very expensive. And I personally like to cook my own food to know all of the ingredients going into each meal.
Meal prepping is great for time as well as saving money. When I have a meal prepare grab and go lunch that’s already prepped in the fridge, I’m less likely to purchase an expensive meal on the go.
6. Stay away from fake meats/other vegan alternatives
I know, I know. Meatless meatballs and fake cheese are all too tempting, especially when craving a classic from our pre-plant based era. However, these items are the most expensive vegan foods to purchase. They’re also usually filled with many preservatives, soy, and chemicals that are hard to pronounce. Vegan alternatives can be enjoyed once in a while. However, to stay on budget and good health, alternative meats/cheeses should be avoided often.
7. Purchase frozen foods
Plenty of frozen foods whether it be green peas or strawberries are often half the price of their fresh counterparts. I used to be skeptical of frozen foods until I educated myself on the process of freezing the items. This is a great alternative for vegans on a budget who want to get more fruit or vegetables into their diet while on a budget. Plus, the produce is always frozen at peak freshness and lasts for months in the freezer.
8. Vegan Budget Tips: Buy dried beans/goods
I’ve recently started buying dried beans as opposed to cans. The initial reason was I find when I eat canned beans, my digestion is very uneasy. On top of receiving better digestion from cooking dried beans, they’re so much cheaper! Canned goods are also filled with high amounts of sodium and preservatives. These can easily be avoided and money can be saved by purchases dried beans and soaking the day before preparing a dish.
9. Get rewarded to shop
If you find yourself shopping at certain store often, it only makes sense to sign up for their rewards program. Most of the time its typically free to sign up and the savings are big! Kroger is a known grocery store in US Southern Staes that also offers fuel points to customers who obtain a free Kroger number.
10. Find ethnic produce at Asian/hispanic stores
Exotic fruit/vegetables such as chayote, burro bananas, and coconuts are hard to find in regular grocery stores. When visiting health food stores, these items are extremely overpriced. As a Caribbean American, my hack to finding tropical fresh produce is shopping at Asian and hispanic grocery stores. Their prices are usually a lot less than Whole Foods or Sprouts and offer quality food. I’ve been able to find jackfruit, turmeric, and Japanese sweet potato at amazing rates at an Indian grocery store near my house.
11. Vegan Budget Tips: Replant seeds and grow your own food
This savings method is not only great for your wallet but also the earth! Many Black communities across the USA suffer from food deserts. This means there is a lack of available fresh produce in those neighbourhoods. A great way to combat food scarcity is to start a garden and grow your own food. Seeds can be obtained for free from previously obtained fruit/veg such as tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, or even zucchini.
12. Make your own veggie broth with leftovers
Veggie broth in stores run out after 1-2 uses and create a lot of waste with the cardboard boxes. Did you know that vegetable broth can be made at home incredibly easily? Each time you cut vegetables such as onions, scallions, garlic, or carrots, save the scraps! Place all the items in a large freezer friendly plastic baggie. Once the bag is filled up, place the scraps into a large pot with enough water to cover, season, and cook for an hour.
