Your $$
Becoming vegan and enjoying a whole foods diet can significantly decrease the cost of groceries. First and foremost, find a good source for produce. I used to live near a 
produce stand which offered wonderful seasonal values. My community offers a Farmer’s Market which supports local growers, decreases carbon (local means almost no transportation costs) and allows me to participate in supporting neighbors in their endeavors. (The cost may not be decreased at Farmer’s Market, but the quality is usually superior – so shop with care.) Where I now live, the local Asian market offers a wide array of produce at very reasonable prices. And of course, buy when things are in season for the lowest cost.
If you are new to veganism, you may become reliant on the many wonderful substitute foods that are now available. Again, it is important to find a reasonable source for these items. Most grocers now carry brands like Morningstar Farms and Boca, which offer a few vegan selections that are reasonably priced and quite useful in many dishes or for a quick meal. Our local store, Kroger, now offers quite a few convenience items that are vegan such as vegan cheese, vegan butter, tempeh, soymilk and soygurt and deli slices made from soy. Most grocers carry bags of lentils, split peas, barley and dry beans as well as a variety of soymilks. Today I even found vegan pizza at Target! If you don’t find it, I would suggest contacting the store manager and let them know what you need. Most businesses want to curry our favor, and the more demand they get, the more likely they will accommodate vegan customers.
For bulk grain, legumes, spices, nuts and seeds, I go every few weeks to the local Whole Foods Market and alternate with a discount warehouse store like Sam’s Club or Costco — the price for spices, raisins, and nuts is very low but they do not carry the variety that the whole foods type markets provide. Invest in good storage containers for your bulk items or save large jars with screw-tight lids. I have even found a few spices at the local dollar-type store and paid a very low price for them.
Since you will not be spending large sums of money on junk food, fast food, or meat and dairy items, you may notice you can afford beautiful fresh produce that you once thought of as being too pricey. You will also notice that your fridge is very full of fresh food – be sure it is stored well to protect your investment. Rubbermaid makes some green containers that many folks use just for lettuce, but I have found them to keep things like mint, green onions, green beans, and other produce fresh for weeks. (They now offer them in various sizes just for this purpose.)
For non-food items, you may need to do some research. There are a variety of stores online that provide things for the vegan, and the Leaping Bunny site will let you know which companies have earned their seal of approval for being cruelty-free. Shoes that do not use animals products may be significantly less expensive, or may cost more – since the demand for vegan shoes at the present time is not significant. But rubber sandals are cheaper than leather ones, so if you shop carefully, you might find you are saving money in several areas. Best of all, you will not be supporting pain and suffering for your fellow creatures!
