Although Ramadan is already in full swing, you have plenty of time to get in some savings during this sacred month. Many find Ramadan to be hard to budget because of the large meals and celebrations that occur. There’s actually a few ways to keep your budget happy during this time of celebration though. From food costs to gifts, you can find simple ways to cut cents to dollars from your spending without having to sacrifice much at all. With a little shopping know how, your Ramadan can feel like an even larger cleanse that’s sure to leave you feeling amazing throughout the rest of the year. So, put money stress behind you and let the holiday become your joy.

1. Make Dishes In Advance
One of the major issues people face during a fast is feeling overwhelmingly hungry when the fast ends. So, instead of prepping food to eat, they feel as if going to a buffet will ease their hunger a whole lot faster. Of course, doing this every now and then really isn’t an issue, but Ramadan lasts an entire month. This means you’re going to have to pay buffet prices for the entire family, every single day. This will add up and some buffets may not even offer foods that are worthwhile to you. So, you’re spending a whole lot of money for just a little bit of convenience. Instead of heading out for food over eating in, you may want to consider making some dishes ahead of time. If you know you’re going to be starving by the time the fast is over, choose dishes that will heat up quickly. You can make bulk batches of food and freeze them, or simply live on leftovers for a couple of days. Making bulk batches is also a great way to save on some money though, so you’ll end up saving even more in the long run since your ingredients won’t end up going to waste.
2. Use Coupons
When it comes to shopping for food in general, coupons are the best thing you can use to slash the high costs. However, Ramada is going to call for a lot more coupons and some of them may not be available in your local papers. The best thing you can do is look for coupons on online websites as they may be able to offer savings on the specialty items you may want for your meals. You should also ask around local market places to see if they will be offering any coupons or if they know of places you can find them. Often, many stores will be able to provide you websites that simply allow you to print out a coupon, which is pretty handy. Of course, non-specialty items have coupons all over the place, so make sure you look around to find the best deals. If you can find a store that allows double coupons then try to do as much of your shopping there as possible. Also, coupons that allow you to shop in bulk, especially on items you’ll need to make from scratch are a must have. Try to use these over smaller coupons whenever you can.
3. Buffets
If you don’t have time to cook or you want a special treat then a buffet is a great place to go after fasting. Some buffets offer great prices during Ramadan, but you should always make sure you know the fine print. For instance, if a buffet advertises their price with a “++”, that means that there are other fees, so the price presented won’t be the price you’re going to pay. Also, some buffets may charge you extra if you eat too much, so make sure to keep within their range, or find a buffet that doesn’t charge this way. One of the keys aspects to saving money on a buffet is to shop around. Word of mouth is a great way to find a cheap buffet that has great food, so don’t be afraid to talk to others about buffets they enjoy. Also, you can look to online review sites for a quick way to find a great buffet that suits your price range. Of course, as mentioned before, try not to eat at buffets often as the price could really cut into the budget.
4. Potlucks
Keeping up with the large meals can actually be very demanding and pricey. One way to remedy this problem is to work out a potluck with friends and family. You don’t have to host the celebration every night, but if everyone can get together and bring one dish, it should allow everyone to save money and enjoy a variety of foods when it’s time to break the fast. Ramadan is a great time to bring friends and family together and there’s no better way to this than to invite people over to eat. This will allow you to experience new foods, learn about new recipes and maybe even experience a dish that has been passed down from generation to generation. As the month progresses, you’ll have a better understanding of culture and you may even learn more about the holiday from elders. Plus, you won’t have to worry about feeding your family many different dishes. Instead, you can concentrate on one bulk dish, which is easier and more cost efficient.
5. Plan wisely
One problem many people run into during Ramadan is not choosing foods that work throughout the day, or to replenish their needs at night. Suhoor, the meal you eat before the sun rise, should be filled with protein, fiber and healthy fats. Keep in mind, oats, seeds and nuts are a great way to get the slow release energy you’re going to need to make it through the day. Try to mix in a fruit component with your meal to ensure you get a little sugar to give you a boost while the fiber and protein slowly moves through the system. You could consider beans, avocado and other foods you wouldn’t normally have for breakfast. Of course, eggs and toast are always a great idea, but try to dress them up with other foods. You should also consider smoothies that are made with produce that are water based, this will help keep you hydrated. For iftar, after sunset, many people usually have a sugary drink to start off the meal. This is okay, but try to avoid eating too much sugar as you don’t want to cause a spike in your blood sugar which could make you feel sick. For this meal, balance is also a must so try to keep up with vegetables, beans, and grains. Soups are a great item to break fasting with because they add water to your body and cause you to slow down while eating. During the month you should also avoid caffeine and soda as they will dehydrate you faster. Also, make sure to drink at least two glasses of water before the sun rises. Of course, drinks that hydrate faster, like coconut water, may be a good option for both meals.
6. Travel Frugally
Many people like to plan a trip or pilgrimage during this time of the year. However, some of the destinations you may choose could leave you in a bind as far as money is concerned. If you do want to go to one of the more popular locations then book well in advance. You need to make sure you have your airline tickets booked at a time that won’t interfere with prayers, as well as a hotel, because they tend to fill up fast. Instead of simply paying outright for your travel expenses, make sure to take advantage of the travel or credit points you’ve built up. You can easily find a hotel that offers meals or one that offers points or discounts when you stay with them often. Also, make sure to look around for deals or talk to a travel agent because you may be missing out on some huge savings.
7. Research Charities
Ramadan is a great time to give to charities, but it may be beneficial to know what you’re actually giving. Sure, you can make out a check out pass it along to the charity of your choice, but you won’t know how much of that money is actually going for the greater good. So, before you sign over the check do a little research. Also, always hold on to those receipts, they may come in handy during tax seasons as they could lead to deductions that could also be donated to other charities.
8. Volunteer
Ramadan is a time for giving gifts and showing love to the world while cleaning your body. So, rather than spend a small fortune on providing your loved ones with items they probably don’t need, you can easily concentrate your love elsewhere. For instance, there’s many places you can volunteer that are always looking for help. A few ideas would be a soup kitchen, a homeless shelter, a program like habitat for humanity or a food bank. These places will give back to the community while allowing you to bring joy to someone truly in need. You may also want to stop by a hospital or nursing home and visit those who may not get a lot of visitors. Perhaps, bring freshly picked flowers or fruits to give them a little something special that doesn’t cost a bundle. If you want to do good for your family, then help the elderly members with cleaning or yard work. Of course, you don’t just have to concentrate on volunteer work that helps people. You could also help out at an animal shelter, pick up garbage in a park or plant trees. The options are endless and they’ll make you feel like you’ve done something to better the world.
9. Make Your Own Decor
When it comes to decorations, Ramadan is one of the most beautiful holidays. There’s so many stunning things you can buy or make that you may be tempted to leave the decor up all year long. Of course, if you’re shopping for decor then you may want to hold off if you’re on a tight budget. Most of the items bought for this holiday are handmade and imported, which means they’re not going to be as frugal as you like. There’s many crafts that your whole family can partake in to make the holiday fun and beautiful. For instance, you can create a star and moon painting using basic paper and cheap paints. Each person can make their own for a look that will impress guests while showing off each personality. You can also make mobiles or garland using a variety of items found in the home. For instance you can color and cut Styrofoam cups and place them over a string of outdoor lights. There’s also many online tutorials to make your own fanoos or paper lanterns. These items look great and can even be used for gifts.
10. Budget
The best thing you can do for Ramada, and any holiday, is to budget before you spend anything. It’s easy to go overboard with meals, gifts and other supplies, so make sure you know what you can spend before you actually go shopping or plan out a celebration. If it helps, pull out the money you plan to use so you won’t be tempted to make extra expenditures when you’re swept up in the holiday or feeling really hungry. Simple planning can make all of the difference!
Ramadan is a great time to spend time with friends and family as well as cleanse your body and repent. With all of the good things going on, you shouldn’t have to feel the burden of money holding you back. With these simple tricks you should be able to spend less and enjoy your holiday more.