What preparation difference yields the greatest savings when buying dried beans and lentils?

Buying dried legumes instead of their canned counterparts

The greatest monetary savings are realized by opting for dried versions of beans and lentils rather than buying them already cooked and sealed in cans. While canned legumes offer immediate convenience, the canning process and packaging add considerable cost. The process of soaking dried beans overnight or employing a pressure cooker requires a time and energy commitment, but this preparation unlocks a dramatically lower per-serving cost, making dried legumes a superior choice for maximizing budget efficiency, even though they demand more upfront time investment.