Sooo…I was going through the dreaded bills and I realized something…I spend more on food than I do on anything else.
But I am a foodie…so how does this work?
Between snacks, coffee, lunches out, dinners, etc…we’re talking a pretty big bill.
What do you all do to save money on food during the work week?
Re: Money Saving Tips for a Foodie?!
Spend more money on clothes so that you have less to spend on food. Eat less, wear more.
Re: Money Saving Tips for a Foodie?!
Re: Money Saving Tips for a Foodie?!
I realised the exact same recently! I don't do anything to save that money though. Food's food lol.
However, you can try reducing the snacks you eat and just fill yourself up on the lunches and dinners.
^ I have tried to do this and failed countless times lol.
Start your day with a heavy breakfast from home. Replace snacks with fruits and veggies. Take lunch from home.
Re: Money Saving Tips for a Foodie?!
I guess the easy and common sense answer is to simply stop, right?
But its NOT that easy!!! God!!!
Re: Money Saving Tips for a Foodie?!
Start your day with a heavy breakfast from home. Replace snacks with fruits and veggies. Take lunch from home.
I think I'll be trying this out for one week.
I realize that taking lunch from home not only saves money, but not importantly saves time. Going out for lunch means at least an hour long lunch. I finish my much at my desk in 15 minutes. I rather leave my work earlier to go home, than to spend one hour at lunch.
Also, some of the coffee lovers at work pooled in and bought a keurig machine. K cups are usually 55 cents a cup, and depends on the brand you are using, makes a pretty decent cup of coffee.
When we go to Costco, we buy some snacks to take to work. Wife and I both have a drawer, full of snack. Though I don't snack that much, it's there in case of hunger or craving
My husband and i were the same... right before we went to Pakistan last summer (abt 6 months before), we decided to set aside $100 every month cos we needed to save more for our trip. That was our eating out money. If either of us had to go out we had to plan based on that $100. We've kept it up since coming back and it's saved us a bunch of money lol. Obvs once in a while we splurge and go to a proper restaurant or if it's an anniversary/birthday... but generally we stick to the budget.
The amount we set works for us cos we barely eat out... coffee out is non-existant as well. Figure out what amount works for u guys and stick to it. Also i think cash works better rather than using a card. My husband is horrible with credit/debit cards...when he's on cash he spends MUCH more wisely.
And TLK is totally right... making ur own lunch, coffee etc saves a bunch as well.
Re: Money Saving Tips for a Foodie?!
That budget of $100 is pretty good S!
About $25 a week is what it looks like...I cannot give up my coffee though. I need that pick me up badly these days with the baby. My trusty coffee machine gave out a month ago so we've been getting coffee out. Mine is around $2.75 and his is around $2.00.
I think I am going to try meal planning and budgeting for a week and see how it goes. If I do well, I'll continue.
Re: Money Saving Tips for a Foodie?!
Meal planning is suh a help! I plan out meals for 3 weeks and every week i grocery shop according to the menu I've set. Soooo easy... put the misery of "what should i cook today" to an end as well lol.
Re: Money Saving Tips for a Foodie?!
Adopt Hindu practices and do upvas at the drop of a hat.
Or go to Komala Vilas - prices are reasonable.
Re: Money Saving Tips for a Foodie?!
OP, fikar ma karo... Ramzan aanay wala hai.
That is still ridiculously cheap coffee. Starbucks?
Re: Money Saving Tips for a Foodie?!
Overvalued?
Re: Money Saving Tips for a Foodie?!
Buy groceries at cheap places like Aldi's and Walmart. Saves a bundle!
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^ have to admit used to shop at Walmart. But they pay staff measly wages. Stopped going there.
Re: Money Saving Tips for a Foodie?!
That is still ridiculously cheap coffee. Starbucks?
Yes...my grande iced coffee with a little bit of cinnamon and 2%...I need that.
His is a large coffee from McD's...$1 and some change...rounded up to $2.00.
Re: Money Saving Tips for a Foodie?!
Meal planning is suh a help! I plan out meals for 3 weeks and every week i grocery shop according to the menu I've set. Soooo easy... put the misery of "what should i cook today" to an end as well lol.
Thank you for the tip S...can you give me an example of how you plan?
I really want to plan meals...I would so love to get out of the misery of "what should i cook today"! Story of my life these days!