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Veganuary, which started on the first day of January, encourages people all over the world to try a vegan diet throughout the month to protect the environment, prevent animal suffering, and improve health.

We know that switching to a vegan diet can sometimes impact your budget, so if you’re trying to go vegan this month, it’s important to have a plan, especially if you’re struggling with debt.

How to be vegan on a budget

With drastic increases in our living costs, people are really thinking more carefully than ever about what they’re spending. There’s a myth that going vegan can be expensive, but it really depends on what you’re buying. Just like regular food shopping, knowing what to buy and where and when to buy it is key. Plan ahead and stick to your list.  

Plan your meals

Think about future meals instead of buying ingredients for just one meal and look into bulk buying. There are so many ingredients which are worth buying in bulk, including:

  • Nuts
  • Seeds
  • Dried (or frozen) fruit
  • Flours
  • Plant-based butter
  • Spices/herbs
  • Beans
  • Rice
  • Oats
  • Plant-based milk

Stock up your freezer

If you’re stocking up your fridge, why not stock up your freezer too? This will help reduce your food waste – and your food costs – in the long run. If you find a good deal on some items, why not stick them in the freezer so you can save them for longer?

You can freeze fruit and turn it into a vitamin-packed smoothie, and vegetables can be frozen and used to make a soup or stew.

Research before buying

Before going to the supermarket, investigate where it would be best for you to shop. Check out the different offers and discounts in your local shops. Look online for coupons, and make sure you sign up for any loyalty schemes, as they’re usually free.

Instead of buying branded products, try shop-own brands, as they tend to be a lot cheaper and can taste just as good.

Don’t limit yourself to vegan-specific products

Instead of buying from vegan brands only, explore a variety of options, including fresh produce and plant-based alternatives.

Budget

Make sure you budget before going out to stock up. Have an allocation in your monthly budget for your new food shopping bill. Look at your income and your fixed expenses, like rent/mortgage, utility bills, insurance, and travel. Then, see how much you can realistically spend each month on your food shopping.

Look into your income

Make sure you’re maximising your income by checking you’re receiving all the benefits you’re entitled to (even if you’re working).

Contact Us

If you’re struggling with your finances and want to put a plan in place for the new year, call us on 0800 316 1833. Alternatively, you can visit our advice page to speak to us via live chat or for more information.

If you’re looking for ways to make the most of your money, BudgetSmart has hundreds of easy actions you can take to improve your monthly budget.