When being healthy becomes expensive

#plantbased #budget #healthy #grocerybudget

We live in a world where health has become a privilege instead of a right. So many of us struggle with our health, simply due to the fact that we cannot “afford” to be healthy. Doesn’t that sound… well ridiculous? It doesn’t have to be like this though, there are multiple things you can do to succeed on a healthy, plant based diet without breaking the bank.

1.PLAN AHEAD OF TIME

You can’t expect to stay without a certain budget if you don’t have a game plan. When going into these grocery stores, it is a battle against the prepared and the not prepared. We all know (especially us women) how easy it is to fall into the trap of marketing, sales, etc. Start to plan your meals for the week, and then create your grocery list. Consider even adding the amount of each item that you need. So for example. I will have cauliflower on my list, but I will take it an extra step further and put the amount of 2 or 3, depending on what I need.  You can grab a free weekly meal planner here, for additional support. 

2. PURCHASE WITH INTENTION

When going grocery shopping and creating your grocery list, make sure that you are shopping with intention. Everything on your grocery list should be there for a reason. It’s smart to even organize your meals by the ingredients, so that you know what ingredients are needed for each meal, this will stop you from buying stuff that you do not need. 

3. USE GROCERY BUDGETING APPS

Grocery budgeting apps allow you to keep track of how much you’re spending while you are doing your shopping. These apps allow you to scan or type in what you are purchasing, and also allows you to type in the price of the item. That way you can know when you are about to go over your budget. A few apps you can use are “shared grocery shopping list,” “basic grocery list + price,” “grocery-smart shopping list,” and “Wise list.”

4. USE GROCERY STORE REWARDS PROGRAMS

Most if not all grocery stores have rewards programs where you can save on specific items. Many times you may see a lower cost of an item, but it’s only if you have that reward, otherwise you pay full price. I suggest joining multiple rewards at different grocery stores, to get the best possible outcome/ multiple deals. 

5. START A GARDEN

Starting a garden may be a bit of an investment at first, but a couple of months and years down the road, you will save an abundant amount of money due to not having to buy it at the store. If starting a garden is a bit much for you, consider growing some herbs that you can eventually dehydrate and turn into a powder/seasoning. You can grow them indoors near a window sill or in a small pot in your backyard. Whichever you prefer, you are cutting down on grocery cost and this way, you can either purchase other products instead, or completely bask in all the money you are saving due to gardening.

6 . DIY

Do it yourself! There are many things you can actually do yourself to save money on groceries. For example you can make your own peanut/ nut butters, make your own granola or cereal, make your own bread, etc. I have found that by making things myself allows me to save more rather than purchasing from the grocery store.

7. STEER CLEAR OF PROCESSED PLANTS

    When first going plant-based, it’s easy to get caught up in the processed plant food   section. This typically has your vegan cheeses, vegan meats, soy based products. These products are typically much more expensive than if you were to stick with purchasing fresh plants and produce. 

8. COMPARE PRICES

Consider shopping at 2 or different grocery stores and comparing the prices of the items you get more often. For example, I like to get my peanut butter from Walmart, my frozen fruit from Whole Foods, etc. It may seem like a bit much, but the savings are worth it. 

9. BUY THE STORE BRAND

Don’t get too caught up in the name brand of these products. The store brand products are always going to be cheaper, and they are pretty much the same, the only difference is the actual name of the product. 

With all these tips, you will be well on your way to a healthier, plant based diet, without going broke! Remember to assess your needs and wants, focus primarily on your needs, and consider what you can do without.