Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

DoubleF · 08-04-2016, 01:14 PM

I'm curious on what % waste some of you would say your monthly groceries entail. The reason I ask this, is because I had a conversation with someone the other day about how he and his wife don't ever do left overs and how cooking at home likely wasn't much cheaper than eating out due to this habit, and I just wondered. Are some families who purchase $1k actually only consuming $700-800 food per month?

For instance $500-600 a month probably has 1-5% waste at most for the wife and I (usually a small portion of a packet of veggies we didn't get to in time, or a small tub of yogurt I forgot I had). That puts me out between $10 to $30 in wasted food per month or effectively consuming $490 to $570 in actual food consumed.

This exercise helped my wife and I adjust and save money. Sure, bulk might give better cost per unit, but if units are thrown out, take cost per unit x units thrown out and that's money wasted. Smaller packages might not be that calculation in terms of money saved, but even a few bucks here and there long term add up. (plus that poor kid in Africa comment the parents keep making.. no guilt because I'm not wasting food)

We even do it for eating out now. No upsizing of combos if we think we will just chuck out that last bit of pop or fries or buying small/med beverages that end up being poured out or thrown out when it melts/gets cold vs "best value" large or XL. Lower calorie intake and if saving a a bit here and there, it'll add up in the long run in other ways.

08-04-2016, 01:14 PM	#92
DoubleF Franchise Player Join Date: Apr 2014 Exp:	I'm curious on what % waste some of you would say your monthly groceries entail. The reason I ask this, is because I had a conversation with someone the other day about how he and his wife don't ever do left overs and how cooking at home likely wasn't much cheaper than eating out due to this habit, and I just wondered. Are some families who purchase $1k actually only consuming $700-800 food per month? For instance $500-600 a month probably has 1-5% waste at most for the wife and I (usually a small portion of a packet of veggies we didn't get to in time, or a small tub of yogurt I forgot I had). That puts me out between $10 to $30 in wasted food per month or effectively consuming $490 to $570 in actual food consumed. This exercise helped my wife and I adjust and save money. Sure, bulk might give better cost per unit, but if units are thrown out, take cost per unit x units thrown out and that's money wasted. Smaller packages might not be that calculation in terms of money saved, but even a few bucks here and there long term add up. (plus that poor kid in Africa comment the parents keep making.. no guilt because I'm not wasting food) We even do it for eating out now. No upsizing of combos if we think we will just chuck out that last bit of pop or fries or buying small/med beverages that end up being poured out or thrown out when it melts/gets cold vs "best value" large or XL. Lower calorie intake and if saving a a bit here and there, it'll add up in the long run in other ways.