Vegan Eatin' on a Budget was created to help you discover how easy—and affordable—it is to transition to a more compassionate diet!

MONEY-SAVING TIPS:

• Plan your meals in advance: It might sound time consuming, but it can be as simple as jotting down dinner ideas a few days ahead. Make lists of things to buy for the week (or month!).  This can save you time and money!
• Pack a lunch: Don't be tempted to eat out everyday.
• Buy in the bulk sections of grocery stores: You can often buy bulk pasta, rice, dehydrated meals, spices and beans.  These items are usually cheaper than buying them pre-packaged, and you can get as little or as much as you need.
• Use a crock-pot: Soak dry beans overnight; cook them in the crock-pot while out for the day.

CHEAP MEAL IDEAS:

Recipes linked below can be modified to fit your budget.

Breakfast

• Cereal with soymilk (top with sliced bananas)
• Oatmeal with fruit or maple syrup (or even soymilk)
• Beans on toast
• Toast topped with peanut butter (add some fruit spread)
• Scrambled tofu and potatoes (see recipes for egg-free breakfast scramble and roasted breakfast potatoes). Feel like splurging? Add some soyrizo or soy sausage.
  
• Fresh fruit (Feel like splurging? Buy some soy yogurt.)
  
• Toasted bagel topped with soy margarine, jelly, peanut butter, or hummus
  
• Breakfast smoothie: blend fresh or frozen banana chunks and soymilk (peanut butter or protein powder is optional). Or try this recipe for strawberry smoothie
  

Lunch & Dinner

• Peanut butter & jelly sandwich (try it on a bagel)
• Avocado, lettuce & tomato sandwich (Feel like splurging? Add some vegan bacon)
  
• Bean burrito (see recipe for black bean burritos)
  
• Rice, beans and vegetables (with corn tortillas)
  
• Veggie chili (see recipe for champion chili) & chips (Feel like splurging? Make some cornbread!)
  
• Veggie burger (try it on a toasted bun topped with guacamole or sautéed onions)
  
• Pasta with tomato sauce and frozen veggies (Feel like splurging? Mix in some meatless meatballs.)
• Tacos with beans and avocado or fake meat crumbles
• Brown rice with steamed vegetables and soy sauce
• Baked potato topped with salsa, baked beans, or chili
• Soup: corn chowder, lentil, split pea, minestrone or barley – try some over brown rice
• Veggie hot dogs (top with chili or baked beans for variety)
• Fresh salad (add some zing by tossing in raisins, chopped deli slices, or diced apples)
• Top Ramen vegetable soup
• Hummus and tomato sandwich
• Stir-fry vegetables and tofu (with rice, noodles, or other grain). Just add garlic, oil/water and soy sauce for extra flavor.
• Instant Vegan Soups in a cup
• Roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes (cheating shepherd's pie)
• Mashed potatoes with a little garlic and sautéed greens
• Cheese-less pizza topped with frozen veggies (Feel like splurging? Add soy cheese and veggie pepperoni.)
  
• Quick vegetable plate: mix kale, spinach, broccoli, or other vegetables (steam or microwave) and top with soy sauce or marinara.
  

Snacks

• Chips & salsa (or guacamole)
• Pita & hummus
• Celery, apples or carrots topped with peanut butter
• Popcorn (sprinkle with nutritional yeast and salt)
• Potato wedges (sliced, baked, and topped with spices and/or salt)
• Trail mix (make your own with nuts, raisins, and sunflower seeds)
• Pretzels