Eliminating meat, eggs, cheese, and dairy often done for various reasons, also eliminates what are often expensive elements in the diet.
Rice, beans, vegetables, fruit and nuts in moderation, produces a relatively inexpensive diet.
Rice, beans, vegetables, fruit and nuts in moderation, produces a relatively inexpensive diet.
Beef and chicken always tend to be more expensive, of course, but you'll be pretty sad if you like food and stick to only things that are "cheaper than meat".
It isn't that good reasonably priced vegetarian and vegan lifestyles aren't possible. The problem it's when you set "cheaper than animal products" as the bar to get under, it becomes very boring very quickly.
I do limit the amount of animal products I consume myself, and unless everything is in season somewhere somewhat local, I don't find myself saving a ton of money.
For baking, chia or flax "eggs" are easy.
For omelettes, chickpea flower can be a good base. Easy to find recipes online.
For scrambles, tofu is a good option.