I told my family we would be on a strict food budget: $720. As we have enough vegetable and animal protein to last us two weeks, I figured this would be easy. But I did a Costco run, and even though I missed about four items it came to $106.84, with $15.24 of that being vitamins (that should save me the $15 I would have spent on B-complex separately). So we have spent $182 so far in the first seven days.
With the Costco run we have $10 left in the month for coffee. I went to Cash&Carry for whipping cream and saw that the price went up by 10% since my last visit in July, and butter went up by 20%. These are the lowest prices around, according to my price book. So my coffee now looks like early Michael Jackson instead of later. I may have to run to the supermarket on the pretense of buying a doughnut and slip some half'n'half from the Starbucks kiosk into my drip.
We also ate out last night, as I was occupied creating a stock comparison worksheet, but at a highly-rated burger joint with very inexpensive offerings. $29.08 for three, and that included fresh and hand-dipped milkshakes.
So today I buy vegetables, fruit, luncheon meat and a little more dairy, and hope to spend less than $23, with a $5 coupon from a weekly circular.
Update: $40.11 I spent, but got $5.00 back. The males went with me, and we bought frozen vegetables. Other than eggs, I should not require any food items this week.
Debt so far:
VISA $583.66 due Sept. 27
Signature Visa: $61.24 due in mid-October (I did enable online bill payment, so I anticipate this will be paid on time)
Target: $120.93 due Sept. 21
Already behind on the food budget
September 8th, 2012 at 03:46 pm
September 8th, 2012 at 04:13 pm 1347117204
September 8th, 2012 at 06:26 pm 1347125176
I'm used to reading comments from people who live well that the cost of living where I live is higher. Except from people who live in New York City, Alaska and Hawaii, of course. But in most parts of the country electricity rates are higher, and our fuel costs and property taxes are comparatively lower to offset some of the food costs.
September 9th, 2012 at 09:29 pm 1347222575
Sometimes sticking to a budget is like sticking to a diet. The minute you try to cut back you go nuts, anyway I have done that! Haha.
September 9th, 2012 at 10:40 pm 1347226835