Bf and I sat down a couple of weeks ago to do a budget. Because we’re not married we’ve continued to budget separately, but save together-ish, sort-of (but that’s a different post). Basically we just wanted to make sure we’re both on the same page in terms of our budgets and to make sure we aren’t spending money on the same things. Everything was pretty much what I’d expected except for our grocery and dining out budgets.
Here’s what I planned would happen:
- I spend $100 (or less) per week on groceries. Most of our food is natural (some of it organic, if we can afford it and it seems, “worth it”). I use coupons and pair them with sales to get the best deals.
- I cook and prepare several nutritious meals on Sunday and portion them out into chemical free containers for us to heat and eat for lunch at work Monday-Friday. I pack them in bf’s lunch box with sweet little notes letting him know how much I love him.
- I make a lovely meal each evening that we share by candlelight (just kidding). If I can get an actual meal on the table we don’t need ambiance. Most nights we eat separately while we work, blog, study etc. Shameful, I know.
Here’s what’s actually happening:
- I buy $100 worth of groceries at a local supermarket on Sunday afternoon. Bf drives us home then we take turns lugging bags up the first flight of stairs and dropping them in the lobby (while the other stays with the car to make sure it doesn’t get towed while it’s doubled parked on the street). Bf parks the car and I drag the food up the remaining 2 flights of stairs (our condo is a 3rd floor walk-up).
- I make one meal on Sunday (If I’m motivated enough) that the bf usually doesn’t like (He complains I never cook any, “meat” which is true because I don’t eat red meat or fish). I eat the meal (chicken usually) that I made for two-three lunches, then can’t stomach another portion, and end up eating hot pockets or crackers and cheese for the remaining two lunches of the week. Bf buys takeout lunch most days-this is not cheap in NYC!
- I get home from work, walk and feed the dog, read for my class, catch up on a few blog things and attempt to prepare a meal. However, there’s, “no food” and nothing sounds good to me. By the time I finish with the dog and the reading I’m too tired to cook and end up waiting for the bf to come home. He’ll ask what I want to eat and we order a take-out meal that bf usually pays for (bad girlfriend, bad!).
So basically what we, “learned” is our plan doesn’t really work. My goal to cook one new meal a week has basically been a flop. Not so surprisingly, when we looked at our spending on food in February I was spending $100 a week (or so) on groceries (most of which we didn’t eat) while boyfriend was eating takeout for lunch every day and ordering food for dinner each night. Let’s just say I was stunned by how much money we were spending per week on food.
The good news out of all of this mess, is we discovered we have an additional $300 (or more!) per month that we can put towards our savings. But don’t worry, we haven’t cut out take-out all together (bf’s reading and he was worried!). Instead, we’ve decided that we’re only going to order take-out, or go out to eat on weekends. Monday-Friday we will eat at home. Imagine that, eating at home? Who knew there’s this room in your home called a kitchen where you can make meals?
How we plan to do this…Fresh Direct. Stay tuned for a post next week describing our, “Fresh Direct Challenge”. I think the challenge is really going to revolutionize the way we eat and the amount of money we spend on take-out.
How Do You Avoid Take-out Temptation? What are Your Tips and Tricks for Cooking and Eating at Home?