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After a friend sent this link to an article about people who took a challenge to eat on $25/week, I checked my records to see how much I typically spend. Well, in 2007 I averaged $24.77 per week in grocery expenditures. And I eat whatever I want. Probably one of the reasons that I am able to eat so inexpensively is that (1) I don't typically eat prepared foods or heavily-processed foods, and those are the most expensive items most people buy (cookies and crackers are something I love, but I go through them very slowly; Boca burgers are the most-processed foods I eat, and not often); (2) I eat mostly vegetarian, though much of my protein comes from eggs and dairy products, and those sources of protein are much cheaper than meat; (3) I eat out only rarely. The $24.77 figure does not include expenditures in restaurants, however, I eat out less than once per month and usually end up splitting something with A or bringing some of it home, so it becomes two meals. The amount includes sharing some things with A and occasionally cooking for friends, but my intake was also supplemented by A sharing with me and friends occasionally feeding me, so I think that aspect of my food expenditures probably broke even. (A related link, this is the communal blog of the challenge participants.)
While I think spending money on good food is important, I want to make the point that one needn't spend a lot of money to eat well. There are people who would dis this contest and the notion of even trying to limit one's food costs, but a friend accurately made the statement that most people neither make an effort to eat well *nor* spend less. There are other benefits to eating lower on the food chain and using less processed foods: the use of meat as a protein source, and the packaging and shipping of processed foods, require more resources than eating a diet limited in meats or outright vegetarian, and rich in more basic (and homemade) foods. And of course, there are the health benefits.
Though my expenditures for 2007 were under $25/week, I expect that my spending this year has probably gone up. I have a CSA share, but even that may not have increased my overall spending. Because I eat more vegetables, I probably buy (and eat) slightly less of other things. The farm share costs $15/week, and I had from April through the end of October (I do intend to renew it, but slacked off in November!) Another thing which might increase my food costs is a renewed pledge to drink more wine! That is a joyful and totally useful expenditure, so I'm happy about it; just thought I should make a note of it.
I understand that some people may have more expensive tastes such that their grocery bill is much higher than mine. I'm not against gourmet foods, but I do have an aversion to prepared foods. I realize that, being single and childless and basically responsible only for myself, it's easy for me to choose to make time to be so involved in preparing much of my food from scratch. Some people don't have the luxury of time and even those who do may choose to spend it differently. Rather than decreasing money spent on food, some would rather minimize time expenditure on food preparation. I can honor that choice, but I firmly believe that the passing of home economics -and our society's addiction to fast food (and by that I don't just mean McD's) - is a step backwards, not just in terms of our nutrition and physical wellness.
This link has nothing to do with Xmas or Xmas Eve; it's just been abrewing for a while and I finally had time today to post it. I'm pretty sure that a night at the wine bar and buying chestnuts this week will have skewed results a tad. Cheers!
December 25 2008, 04:52:19 UTC 3 years ago
My family was on food stamps for a while, and my mom says we actually ate better during that time period because that money can be spent only on food, so you can't give in to temptation to eat even more cheaply to save the money for something else. (Also we got free lunch at school during that period.)
I certainly spend more than this myself (up to double), even if you don't count eating out. My biggest expenses are probably hamburger, cheese, milk, and chocolate. And vitamins. I also spend much, much more than my mother did by buying more organic stuff and more stuff with whole grains. And I don't buy powdered milk (and the only organic powdered milk I can find costs more than regular milk anyway). I spend less than her on spices, now that they can be bought in bulk so cheaply.
I don't actually eat much produce, but canned tomatoes and sweet potatoes are cheap as are frozen spinach and fruits. Potatoes, bananas, carrots, and squash are cheap. And I'll also get other produce when it's in season. (Mmm, strawberries.)