At Perception Finance, we regularly share budgeting advice and tips for helping to live a budget lifestyle, in order to help our clients steadily build-up a deposit for their mortgage.
From shopping around in order to find the best deals on your energy bills, to buying second-hand clothes in charity shops: there are many great ways to embrace a budget lifestyle, in order to help you comfortably save for a deposit for your mortgage. One of the best ways to help build a deposit for your mortgage is to cut back on your monthly food budget; eating veggie is one of the best ways to do this.
It seems that ‘veganism’ is the newest eating trend, with many people partaking in ‘Veganuary’ this Janurary – trading in their meat-heavy dishes for vegan meals. Veganism was once seen as unappealing and extremist, but many bloggers are now sharing tasty, simple and – most importantly – cheap recipes online!
As well as providing you with a boost to your energy, health and wellbeing (and reducing your carbon footprint), vegetarian meals are much cheaper than meat-based meals; vegetarians save at least £615.00 on their food shop each year.
Chickpeas, lentils, potatoes, rice and pasta are all incredibly cheap and can be made a lot more exciting just by adding in some spices and seasoning. Trading a couple of meat meals for veggie meals each week will really help you to cut the cost of your food bill.
Chickpea curries, lentil shepherd’s pie, or a lentil chilli are some great options to consider adding to your rotation of weekly meals. A plant based meal may sound bland but with the right seasonings, you can whip up something healthy and tasty for an evening meal.
Vegetarian and vegan lifestyles are becoming more and more popular and there are many awesome veggie and vegan food blogs out there. Dana, at Minimalist Baker, provides recipes that are simple to make and inexpensive. There are lots of delicious recipes to choose from; the curries and veggie burgers are great places to start.
Thug Kitchen is another awesome vegetarian food blog, with flavourful recipes like – Roasted Beer and Lime Tacos and ?Cold Mango Soba Noodle Salad. Both blogs also offer healthier baking options; the vegan ingredients aren’t elaborate and by cutting out butter and eggs you find yourself saving more money, as they can easily be traded in for oil and fruit purees.
Some people also like to bulk out their meat meals with plant foods; if you’re making a spag bol or a shepherd’s pie and you don’t want to totally omit the meat, you can use a mix of lentils and meat; with the right seasonings, you won’t be able to taste the difference.
You can also buy your lentils and beans in bulk, shaving money off of your monthly food bill. Loading up on some basic veggie essentials each month will mean you also have something in the cupboards to cook with when you’ve gone over your budget, or you’d like to make some allowances for some other essentials, or treats. In addition, you don’t have to worry about lentils, beans and legumes going off, like you do with meat and fish, so you won’t be seeing as much food go to waste each week.
Going veggie, or vegan (even just part-time) can help you save a-lot on your monthly food bill and with lots of adventurous plant-based recipes to try, you won’t have to feel like you’re missing out.
For more tips or advice on how to cut your monthly budget, in order to save for a downpayment for your mortgage, or if you want to find out how we can help you get your financial life on track, take a look around Perception Finance site today.