There are a lot of benefits to being a vegetarian. Becoming a vegetarian is an empowering choice that will enhance the quality of your life, boost your health, and prevent environmental destruction. Vegetarians normally abstain from consuming seafood, red meat, or poultry.
Most vegetarians are also vegans. This means that they’ve chosen to abstain from animal by-products such as eggs and dairy products. Being a vegetarian can be daunting and expensive at first glance. However, you can do it, especially if you are on a budget. Here are a few practical tips that will help you realize this goal.
Shop on a budget
1. Buy groceries at cheap supermarkets
This is common and simple advice. But it always works wonders. If you’ve never thought of this, consider giving Wegmans, Trader Joe, and Aldi a chance. In the US, there are a lot of cheap supermarkets that will save you loads of cash in the long run.
2. Always buy in bulk
Buying in bulk will help you plan ahead of time. You’ll need long-lasting staples such as rolled oats, chickpeas, nuts, black beans, and soy milk to name a few. There are lots of amazing online stores such as Amazon that will help you buy food in large quantities. Their prices are usually better than those of grocery stores. Plus, you’ll have an added advantage of home delivery.
If you have an essay assignment, edubirdie will come in handy and help you save money and energy in the long run. To save time and get good grades, you’ll need to buy food in bulk.
3. Pay attention to coupons
It can be annoying to track all coupons. However, some of them will pay back in spades. Checking the newspaper for sales or coupons or looking online will help you save a few bucks. There are lots of websites that collect different types of coupons such as Grocery Coupon Network or Living Rich with Coupons.
4. Don’t invest everything in organic
Although the budget is tight for you, you should always go for the best for you and your loved ones. Some products are absolutely fine when they’re not bought organic. Less organic produce means fewer expenses and more savings.
5. Go to Farmer’s Markets
Thanks to the rapid advancement of technology, you can easily search for the local farmer’s market on Google maps. To save a few extra bucks, go in the evening when everybody wants to sell their produce desperately. You’ll make lots of awesome bargains.
Cooking on a budget
6. Prepare your nut butter
Every vegetarian on a budget knows how expensive nut butter is when it’s store-bought. You can easily make some at the comfort of your home at a lower price. All you need to do is buy the nuts and add some water and maple syrup.
7. Plan your meals
Planning your meals will help you reduce stress, time, and effort when preparing your meals. When you plan your meals, you’ll spend less time at the grocery stores and you’ll have a few extra bucks in your wallet.
8. Prep your grains and vegetables
Prepping your grains and vegetables and storing them in the refrigerator will save you big time during your hour of need. Plus, when you have food home, you won’t be tempted to buy expensive junk food outside.
9. Know your fridge
Knowing what you have at home will reduce the chances of buying double once you get into the grocery store or market. Consider preparing an “eat before bad” list of meals to avoid wastage of food and money.
10. Eat in season
It’s always important to go for the foods at the peak in different seasons. Doing this will not only save you money but also improve your health. All year round, different types of foods will be in season. Every type of food has essential nutrients that your body needs. Visiting your local farmer’s market will help you know what’s in season.
Money saving tips
Here are a few extra tips that will help you save money in college:
Make a budget
It will be extremely difficult for you to save money without a budget. A budget helps you compare your income and expenses and think of ways to reduce your expenses.
Track your spending
Tracking your spending will help you notice your spending patterns and identify what you need to change. There are lots of amazing apps that will help you with this. They include Wally, Mint and Goodbudget to name a few.
Resist impulse buying
You need to differentiate between the things you need and want. Don’t make purchasing decisions that you’ll later regret. A shopping list will help you avoid buying things on impulse.
Choose activities that don’t cost money
Instead of spending money on luxurious hotels and expensive vacation spots, consider taking a walk to the park, hiking or cycling with your friends. Taking advantage of proximity will save you a lot of time and money.
Seek help
Don’t hesitate to seek financial help. Most of the adults around you have gone through what you are experiencing. Letting your loved ones know what you are going through can save you a lot in the long run.
Conclusion
There are lots of vegetarian cookbooks out there for you. How much you read greatly determines how high you go. By following these simple practical tips, you can never go wrong. If you are a beginner, consider talking to your vegetarian friends and ask them about their experiences. Chances are, they have several better tips that you could have never thought of.
Apart from food, we’ve also discussed a few money saving tips Thanks to the rapid advancement of technology, you can download money saving apps that you can use any time. As you’ve seen in this article, saving money is not a complex process. All you need is determination and willingness.
Bio
Michael Turner is an experienced content writer and proofreader. He spends most of his time helping students and young mums realize their health goals easily. During his leisure time, he reads cookbooks or plays with his toddlers.
