Who isn't on a budget these days? Unless your last name is Trump, you're probably one of the many people who has to plan out where each of their hard earned dollars goes. In the short time I've been on a plant-based lifestyle, I've been told, "Oh, Matti, I'd love to go vegan-- but it's just too expensive. We're on a tight budget and we simply can't afford it." Now, I could preach all damn day about how expensive medications like Lipitor, Cymbalta, and Viagra are-- they can cost several hundred dollars a month. I could go on and on about about how expensive open heart surgery is. (I hope you have about 60 grand laying around.) However, truth is, most people do not think in the long term. They want to know how to save money NOW. So here they are: my best tips for living vegan on the cheap!
First of all, you need to recognise that certain things are going to cost you. Vegan cheese, faux meat, vegan baked goods-- these are considered luxury items. There are some vegans who can afford to eat these kind of things almost daily. (Alas, I am a poor college student. ) If you are cash conscious like me, you must learn to limit these to an occasional treat. For a newbie vegan this may be a bit tough, but I assure you it's worth it. Rice, beans, and tofu are very cheap, nutritious and filling; they can be prepared a variety of ways. When grocery shopping, check out the bulk section of your grocery store. You can often find great deals on vegan staples! Not to mention, dry bulk items keep for a very long time. If you cannot afford to have fresh produce all the time, stock up on frozen. Stay away from canned produce as much as possible, as nutrients are often lost in the canning process.
Invest in a rice cooker or a slow cooker. You can use these to make large batches of cheap vegan meals! One idea is filling the steamer basket of a rice cooker with tofu and vegetables, cooking it alongside the rice. You can use the slow cooker to make vegan chili or stew. The wonderful thing about these appliances is that since it takes some time to cook the food, you can literally ignore them for hours while you get important things done. Of course, though they'll save you money in the long run, rice cookers can be very pricey upfront. Check out local secondhand shops. I found a rice cooker at Goodwill for $5.99.
Sometimes, in our efforts "to keep up with the Joneses". we take on more financially than we can realistically handle. We may have expensive cable or satellite TV, we may go out to eat too often, or we may buy impulsively buy stuff we can live without. Does this sound like you? If so, consider moving towards a minimal lifestyle. (I've got a great beginner's guide on minimalist living right here). You'll not only de-clutter your life, you'll save money, and be able to afford the crazy 15 dollar shipping fee for St Martaen's vegan cheese. Kidding, but the possibility is there.
Health food store prices got ya down? Check out your local ethnic markets! Many Asian and Indian markets are chock full of vegan options. I live in a rural farm town where you can expect to pay about $8 for a pack of vegan hot dogs. However, I can vegan ramen, tofu, hard-to-find spices, and so on for cheap at my local Asian market. Why, I once found a quart of the tastiest coconut milk ice cream for just $4. If you're not sure about an ingredient on the package, just ask one of the staff. I have found that most folks at ethnic markets know what "vegan" is and can tell you whether an ingredient is suitable or not.
Now that you have the general idea of how easy it is to be vegan on the cheap, check out the following websites for some easy meal ideas:
http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=07budget
http://photos.happyherbivore.com/pdf/7-Day-Meal-Plans-Sample_Day.pdf
http://www.cheapandsimpleveganrecipes.com/how-to-be-vegan-on-the-cheap/
Being poor is no excuse not to be vegan. Now you know. Get cooking!
M/
