Eating Vegetables Can Save Big Bucks

I have always been a big meat eater. So foregoing all meat for Lent was a hard choice - but it has had the pleasant perk of saving me tons of money. I’m not really religious but I think it is important to remember what it feels like to want something you cannot have. My deprivation is artificial, but reminds me of all I have in my life.

In February I spent $364.96 on groceries. In March my grocery bill was just $157.78, but that drop is partly due to the fact that I was out of town for two weeks. So I wasn't buying as much food and when I'm gone Hubby eats most of his meals at work (which provides dinner to get employees to work late).

A better price comparison is the cost of vegetarian protein v. the cost of animal protein. For $.89 I can get a can of black beans that will generate 3 meals. A big pack of tofu that will make 5 meals costs $1.19. The total cost for 8 meals of vegetarian protein is $2.08, or $.26 per meal.

A whole chicken cost me for $7.48 ($.99/lb) and will make 6 meals. A pork shoulder was $6.88 ($2.99/lb) and will make 5 meals. Total cost for 11 meals $14.36, or $1.30 per meal.

Meat is expensive! Getting protein from meat costs roughly $1.05 cents more per person per meal. That adds up quick for a family of four that eats meat 7 nights a week at dinner. Eating vegetarian could save this family $29 per week or $1,522 per year. If you regularly buy pricey cuts of meat, you stand to save even more.

I will never completely give up meat - I am already day dreaming about breaking my fast - but now that I know how much I can save eating vegetarian, I’m going to eat meat less often.