When Seren Banks moved to a new city for her first job, she quickly realized two things: one, she was on a strict budget, and two, she didn’t want to live off instant noodles. “I didn’t just want to eat cheap—I wanted to eat well,” she says.
But clean eating often came with the reputation of being expensive. Organic superfoods, fancy powders, and cold-pressed juices? Not in her price range.
So she gave herself a challenge: create a full week of clean meals for under $40. No gimmicks. No trendy ingredients. Just whole food, honest cooking.
She started by picking a few basics that could stretch across multiple meals: oats, brown rice, beans, frozen veggies, and eggs. She bought apples and bananas in bulk and found that cabbage, sweet potatoes, and carrots were not only affordable—they lasted all week. “I learned quickly that simplicity doesn’t mean boring,” Seren says.
Instead of relying on expensive snacks, she prepped her own roasted chickpeas and made simple soups with whatever was in her fridge. She skipped bottled dressings in favor of olive oil, lemon, and salt.
By the end of the week, she’d eaten clean, satisfying meals and spent just $38.72.
Now, she shares her story to show that you don’t need to spend a fortune to nourish yourself. “Budgeting made me more creative, not more restricted,” she smiles. “Clean eating can be accessible—if you make it your own.”
