What's your food budget?

[opendoor]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Still. Once a week eating out for four people at $150/month is $37 a meal. Not possible

He said couples. $150 a month for two people to eat out once a week is reasonable.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by opendoor

He said couples. $150 a month for two people to eat out once a week is reasonable.

Two people at $37 is really low. A decent sit down restaurant with one drink each is $70 or more

[opendoor]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Two people at $37 is really low. A decent sit down restaurant with one drink each is $70 or more

I guess it depends where you eat. For me, for every one time I eat out at a restaurant where I'd be spending $35+ per person I probably eat 20 times at a sushi, Vietnamese, Szechuan, etc. place where you can get great food for under $15 + tax and tip. Never mind the odd time where I might spend $6-7 eating fast food or cheap takeout.

Sure if you only eat at fancier places or if you eat at overpriced chain restaurants like Moxie's or Earls then $150 a month is basically impossible, but not everyone does that.

[indes]

We are about 250$/mo but we do our own eggs, chicken and pork. (About 800$ for 2 years worth of each) and this year we got 2 cows! So probably be at 1200$ for the next 2 years of meat. Family of 3.

[Regorium]

$1100 for me last month (includes groceries, dining out and liquor). This month is going to be worse considering I just spent $600 for 4 meals in New York. The restaurant credit card is up to $1450 with 6 days left in the cycle.

A lot of disciplined people on CP for sure.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by V

I'm really surprised so many people know what they spend. Considering so many people are terrible at budgeting, I wouldn't expect people to know.

They are terrible at budgeting and they don't know - this thread is proof.

$250/month for food including going out?

[rubecube]

I've found one way of reducing waste and saving money while still eating relatively healthy is to buy frozen veggies. Yeah, they're not as tasty as fresh veggies but if you're not home very often or don't want to go to the grocery store every other day to avoid wasting produce, buying frozen is the way to go.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I never included watermelons in my original estimate. At least an extra $20 a month from July to November. And it all goes to waste.

[Sluggo]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I've found one way of reducing waste and saving money while still eating relatively healthy is to buy frozen veggies. Yeah, they're not as tasty as fresh veggies but if you're not home very often or don't want to go to the grocery store every other day to avoid wasting produce, buying frozen is the way to go.

I also parboil fresh veggies (beets, carrots, potatoes, etc) and freeze for later. I can break off a serving sized chunk and nuke it for whatever I need. It helps to plan meals in advance so when I go on the weekly milk runs for meat and other perishables I can buy exactly the number of onions, garlic, and other ingredients that are not good frozen for my specific needs.

I think many people fall into the trap of needing food for the next dinner and going to the store after work --when you are hungry-- and buy too much. If you plan ahead before you get hungry you can make more economical buying decisions.

I do look for sales too and buy TV dinner style frozen lunches if they are 4 dollars and under per meal ill get them for lunches at work if I do not have leftovers.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I've found one way of reducing waste and saving money while still eating relatively healthy is to buy frozen veggies. Yeah, they're not as tasty as fresh veggies but if you're not home very often or don't want to go to the grocery store every other day to avoid wasting produce, buying frozen is the way to go.

They are awful, but you are right. The wife has been away, and I have been taking the challenge as set here - so far about $30 on food the last week.

Mainly subsisting on cheap eggs, frozen veggies, ramen, lentils, and rice. Not so bad but this is the definition of privilege.

[Inferno]

About $25-$50 a week for myself. I pretty much only buy what I'll need for the week and most of it is stuff that's on sale that week. I maybe eat out once a month if that.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by peter12

They are awful, but you are right. The wife has been away, and I have been taking the challenge as set here - so far about $30 on food the last week.

Mainly subsisting on cheap eggs, frozen veggies, ramen, lentils, and rice. Not so bad but this is the definition of privilege.

Yeah eggs are pretty good way to save money too. I usually buy a pack of Chorizo for $6 and then make one sausage per day with two eggs in a scramble and dump some Sriracha on top. Pretty filling breakfast and I'd estimate it costs about $1.75.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Yeah eggs are pretty good way to save money too. I usually buy a pack of Chorizo for $6 and then make one sausage per day with two eggs in a scramble and dump some Sriracha on top. Pretty filling breakfast and I'd estimate it costs about $1.75.

I recall when I was at U of T, and my spending habits were horrific, I had to go to a RBC ATM because that was the only ATM that spit out $5's - I had $5.22 left in my account to last a week until the next student loan advance. At the time that bought me a cheap pack of hot dogs and 2 or 3 packs of pasta (buying at a local grocery store in Little Italy), so I was able to live a week on $5.

[peter12]

Well old-timer, these days, $5 would get you the two boxes of pasta.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by peter12

Well old-timer, these days, $5 would get you the two boxes of pasta.

I would expect some inflation since 1987. You could still survive on the same $5 - just no more protein for you.

[peter12]

I don't think you could make it a week on $5.

[Kiran403]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I recall when I was at U of T, and my spending habits were horrific, I had to go to a RBC ATM because that was the only ATM that spit out $5's - I had $5.22 left in my account to last a week until the next student loan advance. At the time that bought me a cheap pack of hot dogs and 2 or 3 packs of pasta (buying at a local grocery store in Little Italy), so I was able to live a week on $5.

Ahh the good old RBC ATM's. I remember the one at U of C by the old arcade used to give out $5 bills long after all the other ones had been converted to $20 only. That helped keep me fed on more than one occasion.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by peter12

I don't think you could make it a week on $5.

Well, you could buy a 10 lb bag of potatoes, ~3 2 lb packs of pasta or a bag of rice. I think any of those would let you last a week.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Well, you could buy a 10 lb bag of potatoes, ~3 2 lb packs of pasta or a bag of rice. I think any of those would let you last a week.

Reminds me of a book I read about a New Jersey school teacher who bought a crappy house 30 miles from his school, rode a bike every day to school, went o the shore to collect clams and lived on boiled potatoes and clams for 3 years. Cost him 50 cents a day and took up all his spare time.

He did become wealthy one day and eventually snagged a wife who took it to her ex.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

I never included watermelons in my original estimate. At least an extra $20 a month from July to November. And it all goes to waste.

I started dehydrating watermelon this year.

Stuff is like crack, I can't get enough of it. I've never bought more watermelon in my life.