We’re six months into this project already! I can’t believe it!
Emily (who has a fancy new blog design today!) has asked us to list out our learnings over the past six months, so here are a few observations:
- My food buying habits have changed in time. When we started this project, I already bought fairly healthy foods, but, I have trended more and more to the bulk of the grocery order being fresh produce
- I can’t force said produce on 2Chili, and when we go shopping together, my cart is filled with items I wouldn’t normally buy, but it is better to have him participate than not, no matter the budget
- The argument that it is “too expensive” to eat healthy just doesn’t fly. Produce (even organic!) is typically cheaper than most packaged foods – the true cost is in the time to prepare them. I have been able to easily maintain a $325-$350/month budget for two people. Perhaps that is a bit more than the average couple – I just don’t know.
- This week’s damage: $78.32
- Total for the month: $227.47
- Goal for the month: $350
I’m sure you can guess who put what in the cart this week!
Truthfully, this was an odd month. We spent three weeks in Seattle preparing to move out of our house, and in that time, we ate a lot of strange meals to use up the freezer and pantry contents as much as possible.
Menu for the Week
I have been taking the ultimate lazy way out lately and just chopping up various veggies (and even mango!) and putting them in a stirfry. When I say “stirfry,” it’s just a general sautéing of veggies, with some sort of sauce – avocado sauce, hummus-based sauce, or your standard teriyaki sauce. You can turn the same veggies into a different dinner easily by changing the sauce!
Budget Buddies
Want to get in on the budget action? Go here!
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View Comments (6)
(using a different email address this time, since wordpress.com requires sign in to my account when posting a comment, and I need to look up my password!)
Anyway, it’s true, with a little planning and thought, clean eating can be done on a budget!
Now, is this your last week in March, or do you count until the 31st? I am planning on my next post, being end of March and 1st week of April all together. My budget will start again on April 1st. Is that how you are planning?
I’ve been loving Trader Joe’s lately too, in part because of your’s and Kait’s budget posts. It does help! I love their nuts
Anyway, great great great job on the budget. Keep it up!
Hi Debbie,
I am counting March as over now, since I won’t shop again until Sunday, and that’s 4/1. I think you could go either way.
TJ’s is THE BEST! It’s the best place to buy nuts, hands down.
I think I spend better now since choosing organic, bulk, and local produce. Maybe not less, but definitely better, KWIM? And I COOK SO MUCH! Which makes me very happy.
I love stirfries, but the kids need a bit more convincing. Two of the three are still in “food can’t touch” mode. I just give ’em what I make, and let them suss it out. Stirfry is my summer go-to meal! (During the winter, it’s “brinner” — breakfast for dinner).
Hi Dawn,
I think spending BETTER is really the key. At least I feel good about spending better. Believe me, 2Chili needs convincing on the stirfry – he is like a 39 y/o child in a lot of ways! ?
And Brinner is one of my faves!
Way to go – staying on budget during a move. Our move is exactly what killed my budget, but we are back on track!
Love your learning, and agree with all of them!
I am going to experiment with the second half of the project and change my *attitude* about budgeting. I think I have convinced myself that budgeting is difficult FOR ME. And it doesn’t have to be.
PS – Thanks for the design shout out!