November designates a time to celebrate vegans. Whether you are vegan or are considering going vegan, this is a time for you! This year is different in many ways, and World Vegan Month is adapting to fit the current climate. Cost is an important factor all the time, but especially during these trying times. Thus, this year The Vegan Society is emphasizing the affordability of being vegan. A vegan lifestyle can be accessible. However, you might need some tools to set you on the path to success. We’re here to share some tips to work towards living a vegan life affordably. Check it out!

 

 

Foods Meant to Last

The first way to save money on the foods we eat is to buy them frozen. This applies not only to being vegan but to grocery shopping in general. Frozen foods are intended to extend their normal life far beyond what it would be fresh. Since freezing foods is a means of preservation, if you look carefully at the ingredients, you may be surprised to find many frozen fruits, vegetables, bread, and more contain very minimal ingredients and no artificial preservatives. Frozen doesn’t always have to mean from the frozen section, either. Buy all of your vegan-friendly ingredients and take some time to cook large batches of some of your favorites. Then pop them into the freezer for convenient grab-and-go meals for later.

Second, buying dry staples like lentils, beans, and grains in bulk is a great way to get your foods for less. When you buy from a bulk bin, you buy only what you need rather than the amount a food company wants to sell you in a package. This means you’re likely to save money and avoid wasting food- a total win-win! Besides, bulk products can be stowed in your pantry for repeat uses, lasting over several months, depending on the item. Having various items on hand and ready to use can be an added convenience for your life.

Lastly, another way to shake up your plant-based meals is by building up a robust spice collection. There are many ways you can change the flavor profile of the same foods simply by switching up the seasonings you use.

 

Find Your Base

One of the most important things about being vegan is making sure to have satisfying meals to keep you feeling full and acquire all of your necessary nutrients. Build your meals around filling staples like pasta, potatoes, rice, and bread – we recommend whole grain as it’s healthier. These are foods that usually come packaged in large amounts but with a pretty low price tag.

 

Being Socially Vegan

Social media can be a fantastic resource. There are many pages, hashtags, and groups solely dedicated to being vegan. Furthermore, there are even pages that are specific to living the lifestyle without breaking the bank. A quick search may offer a plethora of information, tips, recipes, and more. It can also introduce you to people that share similarities with you, and they may end up being an additional pillar of support.

 

Getting Cozy With Your Local Natural Market

Finding a place you love to shop (we know a place!) and sticking to it can help your journey to be affordably vegan. You can sign up to be on your store’s email list to get their monthly sale flyer sent directly to your inbox. You may also be alerted when new products are brought into the store. Additionally, having a go-to place to shop means getting to know the staff. When you know the staff better, they know your eating style, what you like, and what you don’t like. They are also likely to show you new products, products they love, or let you know when certain items are due to go on sale.

 

Got A Green Thumb?

Want to grow some of your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs right in your home? Try your hand at a DIY window farm! Put your recycling to good use, as you’ll need lots of empty water bottles for this project. You will also need clay pellets, plastic tubing, and an inexpensive fish tank air pump. Window farms can be used to grow a variety of plants, including strawberries, basil, cherry tomatoes, peppers, and more. Having your own garden is such a great way to save money on food because it costs very little to get it started but can produce quite a bounty.