How does one eat vegan on a budget? Eating vegan can be very expensive. Fresh produce, vegan substitutes for meats… It can add up. However, it is possible eat vegan on a budget too. How? Well, we have a few tips for you. Have you tried any of these yet?

1 Check and compare prices

When shopping for any food, but especially for vegan food, you should always check prices at various supermarkets. Try finding whether they have discounts at the moment or whether some produce might be on sale in your local supermarket. Usually, supermarkets put prices of fresh products per kilogram or ounce. Find out how much you need and see how prices at a variety of supermarkets compare. This might take some time, but it is so rewarding when you find something that’s cheaper or on sale. A secret tip: visit the (farmers) market at the end of the day. Produce usually goes for a lower price, as they have to get rid of the items before the end of the day.

2 Look for alternatives

Shopping at you local supermarket might be expensive. Looking for cheaper alternatives is a great way of finding new and cheaper vegan products. For example: try finding a Turkish or Maroccan local supermarket. You’ll find all kinds of products, usually for a good price. Another way of eating vegan on a budget.

3 Plan your meals – the smart way

There is a ton of vegan recipes available online. Look for cheap vegan recipes and try to recreate those yourself. Make a plan for the week: which meals do I want to cook this week? And stick to it. Doing this means having a set schedule for the week. No straying away from your list then means no unnecessary buying at the supermarket.

4 Buy in bulk

Buying in bulk is a great way of saving money on your food. Buy in bulk in a moment of prosperity – see it as an investment. Buying larger pack of food that is going to stay edible for a long while can make eating vegan on a budget a lot easier for you. Some foods to buy in bulk: a variety of grains, pasta or even tinned foods like chickpeas.

5 Cook with friends (or in bulk)

Just like our last tip – buying food in bulk is usually less expensive, and so is cooking. Cooking for one person can become very expensive. Cooking with your friends can thus not only save you money, it’s more fun as well. No friends around for dinner? Cook in bulk and freeze your food for later use. If you have leftovers, use them for lunch the next day!

6 Grow your own food

Do you have a garden or balcony? Grow your own food. Buy some seeds and plant your own produce. It’s a fun activity, the food is organic and you don’t have to go out and spend money on produce. If you don’t have a balcony, you can use a pot to plant your own herbs in your kitchen. Some fresh basil, thyme or rosemary does wonders for your meals.

There are so many ways to save money when eating vegan. These are only a few tips to help you eat vegan on a budget. And remember – eating vegan should be fun. However, it can be difficult when you’re low on cash. Use your creativity and imagination. Enjoy!