typealice

1 | Danielle

August 19th, 2008 at 8:28 pm

I haven’t owned a television in over 10 years and while I enjoy watching it elsewhere I don’t miss its din and constant churn of nonsense at home. If I do need a fix, there are plenty of places to view shows online, including network homepages and the shady corners of the internet. My local Rogers rep stops by to try to sell from time to time and he cannot believe that after all this time, I still don’t have an idiot box.

At $40/mo for basic cable, I have avoided paying $500 annually and over time it has added up.

Good on you for getting started!

2 | Tayla

August 19th, 2008 at 9:03 pm

we spend about $300-$400 a month on food, not including trips out. However, we TRY to eat all organic fruits/veggies/meat due to the fact that Jared has an allergy to supermarket fruits and veg (his mouth gets itchy and swollen) and Emmalee is fed ALL organic food (on Dr. Sears’ advice, because we’re not vaxing)

We need to start budgeting better though. Thank GOODNESS for Interest Relief with student loans.

3 | siobhan

August 19th, 2008 at 9:46 pm

We spend $340 a month on groceries (feeds two adults). I’d say between 50-75% of what I buy is organic. Cohen and I each have a budget of $400 a month that we live off of after rent and bills. That grocery money comes out of that $400 each. That leaves us each with $230 for gas, entertainment, restaurants, and extra spending money. Anything that I make over and above that I save for trips, car insurance, and unforeseen expenses. We feel pretty comfortable living like this. Some friends of ours see us and crazy saving machines and other people think we are living large.

4 | yuri

August 19th, 2008 at 10:04 pm

I lived with a girlfriend for four years, and we had a similar system, although it was a hollowed-out book on the bookshelf instead of jars on the counter. Anyways, at the end of each month, we’d estimate what our combined household expenses would be for the next month (guessing on the high side), then each put half into the book, in cash. I didn’t have bank account, and she left her debit card stashed at home to avoid temptation.
We would fund our day-to-day lives out of The Book with very few squabbles over who was paying for what, as we had each contributed half the budget in advance. Occasionally, we came up short. Occasionally, we had extra; these tended to balance out.

As far as the elimination of unnecessaries, well… of the first three (of five) years I lived in my bus, I kept very close record of my spending on Food, Shelter, and Clothing; the least was $1600/year, the most $2200/year. I’ve come away from that experience with the surety that I can survive on $2500/year pretty much anywhere, any time.
I hate hate hate stressing about money, but am also so very lousy at budgeting; my solution to this dilemma has been to refine the art of “de-neccesitizing” to a bloody cutting edge…

5 | Clare

August 19th, 2008 at 11:28 pm

You might find some helpful suggestions at http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/

There’s lots of information there on every imaginable subject — plenty on getting grocery bills down!

6 | ambera

August 20th, 2008 at 4:29 am

Sis, you make us sound like pigs! We spend upwards of 7-8 hundred a month on food…it might be more. One of these days we’re going to keep every food receipt and add it up at the end of the month, just to see.
Poor Clive’s innards are probably rotten with all those HungryMan dinners, though.

7 | Allahkat

August 20th, 2008 at 5:29 am

We spend about $70 a week on groceries. No organic. Once a month food for the pets and non-food supplies are purchased too (paper-towel, cleaning supplies, etc).
This is pretty much bare bones for us, but we don’t buy frozen dinners or any pre-made items and prefer to make everything ourselves since we’re both pretty okay in the kitchen.

8 | typealice

August 20th, 2008 at 6:16 am

Ambera: Not meant to make you sound like pigs. What I wouldn’t DO to be able to spend that much money on delicious food every month! Clive doesn’t eat those microwave meals anymore, either. He only ate them because they cost $1- I don’t think he ever liked them. Oh, and Hungryman meals are like $5!!

I HATE cooking lunches, so Clive eats whatever he wants to for lunch- usually some kind of frozen meat or a sandwich made with salami or something. He should eat more food, but often leaves the house without anything and just eats dinner. I try to cook enough dinner for leftovers, but if it’s there, Clive just eats and eats and eats until it’s gone.

9 | rhiannon

August 20th, 2008 at 7:14 am

I think we spend about £500 a month on food and wine – sounds insane but i don’t think that it’s really that much for 2 people in London. Food here costs a fortune! That includes a couple of takeaways but not going out… oh, and cat food!

I like the idea of jars of cash for weekly or monthly budgets – i might try that and see if we can bring our total down to £100 a week

10 | superblondgirl

August 20th, 2008 at 7:16 am

We spend more then $400 a month on groceries, which breaks my heart a little to type. This is for three people – two grown-ups and one 6-year-old – and supposedly it’s only $100 a week, but we always, always run out of something and have to run out to get it. Part of it is trying to eat healthy, since healthy IS more expensive, but part of it is probably laziness – we could drive around and find sales and use more coupons and stuff.
We have free cable with our apartment, otherwise I think I’d have it turned off again – the husband turns into TV Zombie when we have cable for too long, and I get tired of the stupid flashing screen.

11 | Jordan Meeter

August 20th, 2008 at 7:52 am

Congrats on getting rid of the TV! I got rid of mine about 5 months ago… Sometimes in the evening I wish I had it though, just to veg out and watch some History Channel. But so much of TV is available on the Internet for free anyway, so it all works out.

12 | Liz

August 20th, 2008 at 8:12 am

Well, it’s just me that I’m feeding now, and instead of buying Lean Cuisines and stuff to take to work, I make a casserole on Sunday and divide it up to bring for lunches during the week. I spend maybe $120 a month for myself, with a few restaurant trips and some extras thrown in there, so maybe $150ish total? For just me.

13 | Asheo

August 20th, 2008 at 8:48 am

We rarely ever actually go and do groceries… often we have nothing in the apartment at all to eat besides maybe bread. When we do groceries it’s about $300, which lasts us maybe 2 weeks… for 2 adults and a baby! Then the rest of the time we’re running to the store to pick up a little something every day for our supper.
We eat too much and not very well… then I complain about still being 14lbs more than pre-pregnancy.

14 | Jenni

August 20th, 2008 at 9:41 am

i live with my boyfriend and we spend around £240 ($472.00) a month, we live in central london and it smore expensive than anywhere else. We spent half of that on food a month when we lived in other parts of the UK. That feeds two people.

We try to cut costs by planning our meals and we ALWAYS take a packed lunch to work or when we go out, this cuts our costs a lot.

Im not sure that any help, due to the different countries, but it gives you some idea of how much you are saving by not living in london, UK!

15 | Jen

August 20th, 2008 at 9:52 am

We spend about $50-$75 on food weekly, and generally only buy a week’s worth of food at a time. We splurge on things like organic items and high quality cuts of meat and fish. I spent $22 on some fresh cod the other day – and that was one meal! We have stopped going out to restaurants. My one excessive item is Starbucks Chia Tea Lattes – and I realized i was spending a ridicuolous amount – so I started getting a starbucks card, loading it with $25 a month, and that is all I can spend on Chai teas. It works great.

16 | Maggie

August 20th, 2008 at 12:57 pm

we spend about 2-300 on groceries every month. This feeds 2 adults, one 2 year old and a dog. That averages out to about $50 per week, which is pretty good, I think. We’ve started using coupons and shopping around a bit more since the second baby was born because I’m not going back to work this time. We buy mostly organic produce and meat so that adds to the expense, but I think it’s worth it. I also splurge sometimes and get treats like ice cream and chips that we don’t really need. Our biggest weakness is eating out, although that’s been cut now, too. Luckily we save on gas because the store is within walking distance!! We also invested in a bulk store membership (Costco) so we can get deals on some things. Mostly cereal or canned/boxed items but they have good deals on meat sometimes, too.

We’ve never had cable, we mostly just watch PBS anyway. They have a few shows we like (signing time is cute!) but the TV is off most of the time. We have way too much else to do!!

17 | Caitlin

August 20th, 2008 at 3:42 pm

We spend probably $500 on groceries, which seems ridiculous to me since it’s just myself and my boyfriend, though we tend to buy in bulk and “groceries” also includes non-food things like shampoo / aspirin / what have you.

We should probably budget, but we don’t. I use a credit card that my dad pays for (I really need to learn not to depend on that much longer, haha.)
If there are things on sale, we’ll usually go for them.
Since summer began we spend more on fresh fruits & veggies, which adds up. We also buy around 5 pounds of meat (ground beef, chicken and sausage) probably every two weeks.
We buy two things of milk at least once a week (he drinks an insane amount of milk) but he’s 6′4″ and a pretty big guy, so.
We very rarely eat out (we order pizza probably once a month, maybe not even) but that’s about it.

That’s likely more than you care to know about our eating habits, hahaha.

18 | J.

August 20th, 2008 at 5:44 pm

My grocery bill is very high – a lot of this is due to living in a remote, Northern area, and is also due to using lots of fresh organic produce and meat (chicken) and no frozen, canned or boxed (crap!) foods. For example, today I spent a bit over $40 for chicken, a green pepper, an avocado, strawberries, blueberries, pasta, oatmeal and milk. Ouch! I also include baby supplies (diapers – my one evil concession to “the man” is using disposables), and pharmaceutical items (shampoo, tylenol, etc.) into the price… We budget $200/week ($800/month) for two adults and a toddler. At least $60 to $80 of that is chicken – bloody expensive fresh chicken breasts, since the frozen ones are just too high in sodium. Yup, it’s a lot of money, but it’s very important to us to eat well/clean and feel good. We rarely eat out, and the money also encompasses the occasional Tim Horton’s coffee indulgence. We have also recently gone to cash to curb the indulgent impulse buys which were getting too frequent.

19 | Shannon

August 20th, 2008 at 7:24 pm

I figure we spend ~$400 a month on food… I think I could cut that down to about $250 if I wanted to increase my prep time and make a few more things (sauces, etc.) from scratch, and still eat very well…

It drives me crazy going out to a restaurant (not included in the above) and getting a bill and thinking about how many meals — quite likely better than the one we just ate — I could cook for that money.

20 | typealice

August 20th, 2008 at 7:28 pm

We generally only do pizza out because it tends to be the only thing that I’m not dissapointed with (see: restaurant curse). I am the same as you- I always, always look at our $25-$40 bill and think to myself, “well, that could have fed us for a week.”

21 | mojavi at Simple Things

August 20th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

we spend about 100 a week on food and household goods. We also spend about 50 a week on eatting out.

However since we moved to a very small town the eatting out is getting greatly reduced.

I have read some of your other posts and I have to say I love them. I am a total no CIO believer and I am an AP mama.

I have had some negative feedback on my belief that CIO and sleeping far away from your parents causes attachment disorder.

anyhoo…. I have enjoyed reading your blog

22 | Ali

August 21st, 2008 at 12:09 pm

I probably spend around $300 (US) a month for Jason and I. We also have a garden which produces cucumbers, zucchinis, herbs, tomatoes and peppers, so that helps a little. I buy mostly organic and healthier versions of food (whole wheat, low-fat, etc.). The only time we really eat out is to get a pizza maybe once or twice a month.

I’m really trying to cut costs in our house because we are getting married next fall and I also will be paying my student loans back starting this December. I would like to cut down the television cost, but our provider has few options (basically have 8 channels or have 75 channels) and I do enjoy being able to flip through the channels. Oh, and our Internet price would jump up if we cut down our television program.

It’s really encouraging to hear how little Ash costs you! It sounds like you’re being a very price-savvy mama.

23 | siobhan

August 21st, 2008 at 7:49 pm

Cohen and I usually eat out on Friday and Saturday nights. I try to order things that I don’t think that I could make better myself. For us, eating out is our entertainment. We don’t smoke. We don’t drink. We don’t go “OUT”, so going to restaurants fill that for us.

24 | BusyBee

August 22nd, 2008 at 4:45 am

Thankfully our cable is ‘free’ (a.k.a, wasn’t disconnected when we removed digital cable and therefore we don’t pay a cent, but it could be gone at any time without warning). We would not have cable if we had to pay anything for it, I have never paid for cable a day in my life and wouldn’t waste the money.
But I do LOVE having tv to keep me company during the days home with Colin.

Our grocery bills vary, depending on what we feel like eating. We are generally sale shoppers, if it is on sale, we will find a way to incorporate it into a meal. I have never mastered the art of cooking small amounts as I am from a large family, so we always have leftovers, it’s just working to eat them that we need to focus on.

We can spend anywhere from $150-500 per month on groceries. Unfortunately, it is one of the bills that the total depends on how much money we have available, other things get paid first. No point having food if there is no hydro to keep it fresh! LOL.

I know a big way to save and stay organized and less stressed is to plan meals. Acutally have a week set up where you know exactly what you will be cooking, shop for what you need for those meals and use leftovers in meals later in the week. It takes time to master, but it is worth it in the end.

25 | Sue

August 22nd, 2008 at 4:49 am

We’re probably a poor example… there are just two adults and we probably go grocery shopping 2 times a month and spend between $150 and $200 per trip, so somewhere around $400. But we also run to the store for things in between, and that is usually $50ish each time. And we eat out on average 3 times per week (I cook the other four). Adding in CVS trips for toiletries and stuff… all together we probably spend a bit over $1000/month on food, toiletries, etc. But we have two incomes so we don’t really watch it that closely.

26 | Lynn

August 22nd, 2008 at 8:01 am

We don’t spend all that much money on grocery, in comparison to everyone else here. We spend anywhere from $250-$300 (at the very most) on groceries alone. This feeds two adults, and does not account for toiletries and cleaning supplies or other household necessities. We also spend (on average) at least $50 a week on takeout/fast food. Landphone is 33$/mth, and my cellphone combined with J’s cellphone costs about $110-$130/mth which I think it ridiculous, because we don’t use them all that often at all. That’s where I know we can cut back a huge deal.
This post has inspired me to take a greater look at where our money goes to, aside from the monthly bills. Thanks for this post!

27 | wendy

August 22nd, 2008 at 10:04 am

Except for a pint of strawberries and some ketchup, my fridge is empty! So sad. When I buy groceries, it’s usually to pick up some watermelon and crackers. I live alone but my best friend lives 3 floors above me and we’ll make dinner together sometimes, and on those days we pick up the supplies. So for my home I probably spend $150 per month MAX. But then… there’s the lunches I buy every day. And the morning beverage sometimes. Oh, the humanity.

28 | typealice

August 22nd, 2008 at 11:08 am

The guy came yesterday to cut off our cable and only removed the cable wire and left everything else hooked up, so within 30 minutes we had cable access again because we had cable wiring stashed away in a cupboard. Yay for free cable!!!

29 | amanda

August 22nd, 2008 at 2:57 pm

I spend anywhere from 30-65$ a week on groceries depending if i need litter/food/treats for the cats, and if i need to stock up on baking/cooking goods. Come September I am going to be getting (not removing) internet and am very excited.

30 | michelle

August 23rd, 2008 at 3:23 am

hiya Gillian! I’m a lurker un-lurking, just this chick who think you’re alright ‘n all. So, HI!

We have 2 girls, ages 16 & 12. We have ceased to try to budget food because, as you’ll find in the teen years, it’s rather futile… you can plan as much as you want, but you absolutely cannot predict when growth spurts occur. There’s no entertainment budget or clothes allowances… we have to buy when we can & when we do, it’s hard with a one-income family. It’s alright, we (husband ‘n I) manage, but it’s not an easy path to management if you know what I’m saying.

With a boy, I dunno… I’d say keep that “fun jar” empty until he’s 16 because it’s not going to get any easier from here. And since you guys are somewhat athletic? Your little guy is gonna chow through your resources but of course you’ll never know because you’re so delightfully into watching your baby grow. Even when he’s 30.

I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for the last 16 yrs & I’m now heading back into the work force, finally. Follow your heart, despite all the financial woes. Money will never equal love.

And if you’re thinking of another baby? Make sure you’re ready & your intuition is as straight as your direction. Shit works out when you’re true & you really seem to be.

All the best, Mrs. Congrats on the nups!

31 | Allahkat

August 23rd, 2008 at 4:35 am

You have actually given me pause for thought on the idea on cancelling my cable and just torrenting everything.
My husband is so into sports though I’m sure he would protest the idea. (Ugh, football season!)
I’ve also been thinking that $300 a month on groceries is reasonable. I don’t think it’s overly frugal, as long as you know how to shop right.

32 | Jill

August 24th, 2008 at 8:40 am

I spend around $100-150 a week on groceries (including toilet paper, laundry soap, etc) for my husband, myself, Ivy and my stepson who is only here 3 days a week. We don’t really have a set budget, but I pay for groceries, anything Ivy needs (like diapers), daycare, my gas and our cell phones. My husband pays the mortgage and all other household bills. He occasionally gives me an extra $80 a week since he makes more.

33 | Michelle

August 24th, 2008 at 7:14 pm

Well we’re another one income family, so I can totally identify with needing to budget carefully. Not that we do it that well, but we try! We don’t have cable anymore, either – we used to just shut it off for the summers only but after one winter without we realized we didn’t miss it that much after all, so we never brought it back. (Internet, now, that’s a whole ‘nother story!). Anyhoo I think we budget about $500/mo for food and “HBA” (health/beauty aids). Some months when my planning goes to shite we spend more on takeout, but hey. So $500 to feed two adults (one of them 6′4″ with lunches for work, too) a preschooler and a kindergartener (who eats more than me at many meals!). The 6-month old hasn’t started on solids yet and won’t really make a difference until he’s a year.

I find doing things like baking as much as possible and planning (or even pre-assembling/cooking) meals is the lifesaver for not wasting money on restaurant food (which, I agree, usually disappoints!). We also cloth dipe, line dry as much as we can, stick to water for beverages, make our own popsicles, shop in bulk (which is great for sticking to whole foods).

We’re also trying to follow Dave Ramsey, and I lurk on http://www.frugalvillage.com to get tips and motivation…..

P.S. Your slings are gorgeous! (put a link on my site, yeah?) – (oh, and speaking of, I never did get you that ‘about’ page update, sorry! will do…)

34 | angellee

September 2nd, 2008 at 7:54 pm

I spend about $200 a month on food for myself. I also keep kosher which means all meat and dairy I eat costs double what most other people pay. I pay $200 a month for gas, mostly because it would take two hours each way for me to get to work by bus, and it’s only 20 minutes to drive there.