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$200 Food Budget Challenge: March Edition

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Dunkin Donuts - Flickr photo by m01229

You donut-eating budget-buster!

It was Friday, March 27, and I was riding home from an interview. I felt bummed and left the offices feeling oh-so-average. I didn’t do as well as I’d hoped. Traveling by bike, it was hard to miss the “DD” sign ahead; our earthly savior and lord of sugar, Dunkin Donuts. I pulled over, and ran in to buy a donut. I couldn’t resist, and bought two.

The cash register read, “$2.10.” My head rang with confusion and disagreement. My body craved a treat for a tough month and day. Despite the qualms and questions, I stood at the counter, handed over my card, and promptly smashed those two donuts down my gullet. Gosh they were good!

As I pedaled away, I knew what those donuts would mean. They would be an exclamation point on another month above $200. They would be a sugary-sweet failure and reminder that I’m not quite there yet. They would be the stench of another month over budget.

The food budget challenge rules

Over the last couple months, I’ve been working to reduce my food and drink expenditures. Friends and readers have asked tons of great questions about the rules to this challenge. They regularly ask, “What do you count, Sam?”

The answer is simple: everything. Anything with a nutritional value is thrown into the bucket. That’s meant that birthday parties, get-togethers, and random snacks count, too. Nothing gets removed from this budget – for any reason.

The $200 food budget challenge was meant to be fun, but also restrictive. I didn’t want to create other budgets for “entertainment” or “eating out.” That seemed to defeat the purpose for me; especially, because much entertainment includes eating and drinking.

Reviewing my efforts thus far

I would love to be writing today with beaming pride. I would love to say, “I did it!” I would love to say I’m the perfect food budgeter and frugal guy. Sadly, I have a lot of work to do.

I started the food budget challenge at the turn of the year. Being frugal led me to sell my car, buy a bike, and save money, but there was still this ridiculous part: food. I was shocked at my inability to save in this category. 

When I lumped in food and drink, my monthly budgets were around $400-600. That level of spending was preventing me from being able to save anything. It was an embarrassing realization. I was eating out too much, buying too many prepackaged foods, and opting for organic – when natural would do. I needed to revamp everything.

In the first month, January, I spent $362.69. While down heavily from earlier months, I realized quickly that I had to find other ways to reduce my spending. Then, much to the dismay of my friends, I decided to start up the budget challenge for February. It would mean another month of restrictive splurging and lots of meals at home. I tried to opt for other items that were gluten free, but not at a premium, which helped in February. It was a relative success, and I only spent $211.94. But I still hadn’t reached $200.

$200 food budget challenge: March Madness edition

Here’s a breakdown of my spending from March:

Day 1: $106.03 (Groceries)
Day 2: $0
Day 3: $2.77 (Groceries)
Day 4: $0
Day 5: $0
Day 6: $13.75 (Groceries)
Day 7: $0
Day 8: $6 (Brewery)
Day 9: $0
Day 10: $9.27 (Groceries)
Day 11: $0
Day 12: $4.87 (Sandwich); $5.56 (Birthday party candies); $30.29 (Birthday dinner)
Day 13: $0
Day 14: $10.38 (Groceries)
Day 15: $11.01 (Mexican food)
Day 16: $0
Day 17: $1.25 (Redvines – must have sugar!!!)
Day 18: $7.47 (Groceries)
Day 19: $17.59 (Groceries)
Day 20: $0
Day 21: $0
Day 22: $9.66 (Groceries)
Day 23: $1.52 (Groceries)
Day 24: $0
Day 25: $0
Day 26: $0
Day 27: $2.10 (D’oh! Donuts!)
Day 28: $20.75 (Groceries)
Day 29: $0
Day 30: $0
Day 31: $0

Even from day 1, you can see I was doomed to fail. I spent over $100 in a single day, as my foodstuffs had grown dangerously low in February. I needed to stock up – big time. Unfortunately, that meant spending half the budget.

After the 31 days of March, I spent $260.27.

When I first started the $200 food budget challenge, I expected a linear decline in spending. Wrongly, I assumed that I would be able to gradually drop the costs month-over-month – that it would always drop. While $260 is less than January and well below previous spending, it spiked up from February. And needless to say, moved me further away from the goal.

Lessons learned this month

1. Psychological needs will creep into budgetary needs

A danger zone this month was sugary food. Because I biked to work, school, and the grocery stores, I was constantly burning calories. Despite my experience preparing for odd hunger times, the rush for sugar still hit me. I attribute this problem to a couple unmet psychological needs this month. I wasn’t sleeping enough, which led to tired days, where I was more susceptible to crappy food.

One of the best fixes to this problem is making sure you’re balancing out some of life’s demands. The best solution would be sleep. As a graduate student that can be hard to come by, but in April I want to work on this aspect.

2. Challenges become fun, but also competitive

I call this a “challenge” intentionally. Budgets can be boring and monotonous, and the reward isn’t short-term. Budgets help people accomplish long-term goals. Challenges, on the other hand, encourage people to work towards something in the shorter-term. For me, I needed this push to reduce my food budget.

Now, three months down, I’ve realized that the competition isn’t just internal. When I bring up the idea with others, I constantly hear comparisons. Some people assume it’ll be easy to accomplish, while others doubt themselves. Let me assure you, if you aren’t regularly around $200, it’s difficult.

Then there are the negative comments from others, unfortunately. Challenges sometimes bring out the one-uppers. These are the people that aren’t providing constructive criticism and suggestions, they’re just making it clear that they can do better than you. Generally, I find this feedback to be debasing and detract from the main goal: a fun challenge that we can strive for, together.

3. Food budgets should be averaged month-over-month

When I present my results, you only see one month of activity. In reality, food budgets are averaged over your lifetime. As such, people can buy huge foodstuffs from Costco and other warehouse-style retailers for deep discounts. This bulk buying can save money over the long-term, while ostensibly increasing a single month’s budget.

Because of the power of bulk buying and saving, next month I intend to account for my food budget in servings, when possible. For example, I purchased a 10-pound bag of rice, and I’ll account by 1-cup scoops next month. Although, with more perishable foods, I’ll account for those by receipts, as I’ve done.

As I enter my fourth month of the frugal food budget challenge, I’d love it if you’d join me! Even if you fail, as I have, it’s a great test to see how much you’re spending. To those who are struggling to wean down their budgets, try it out! To those who’ve succeeded, what have you done? Cheers to April and good luck!

$200 February Food Budget Results

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Food Budget Meals Salmon

My food and drink budget was broken

A couple months ago I would’ve been ashamed to show you my food and drink expenses. They were atmospheric. I’d regularly spend over $400, with the occasional $500 or $600 month here and there. It was my one budgetary weakness, but something moveable and malleable. I decided to aim right at it.

In January, both to celebrate the New Year and form a resolution, I decided to set my first hardcore food and drink budget. I wanted to reduce everything: eating out, eating in, drinking out, and drinking in. I wanted to get down to $200 for anything food or drink related. I wanted to prove it to myself, and feel the budgetary benefit; frankly, I needed this change.

As the month came to a close, I reflected on what had worked, what I bought, and how much I spent. I was over budget — big time. My expense tracker showed a glaring total: $362.69.

What I learned from last month

While I had significantly reduced my food and drink budget compared to prior months, I was bummed. Here I was, trying to shape up and save. Heck, I’m the guy who runs a site about frugality and simple living, and even I couldn’t reduce these expenses enough.

Despite overshooting my budget by about $160, January provided some important lessons.

First, go to the store and buy strategically.

If you constantly go to the store and are exposed to new stimuli and purchase options, you’ll spend more. Go when you need to and bring a solid list of must-haves — not wants. This lesson is harder for me to implement, and you’ll notice how many trips are made because of it. I tend to go whenever I can, as I carpool with friends to the store.

Second, reduce date expenditures and eating/drinking out.

I’m a single guy, and in January I went on a few too many dates. Both of these killed my budget, but when decreased, they’d be an opportunity to save in February.

Third, with dietary restrictions, look for common products before speciality options.

I don’t eat entirely gluten-free, but I’m low-FODMAP, which often means less gluten-laden products. In January, I bought gluten-free pretzels and other assorted products that were made to taste and feel like normal foods. Buying naturally gluten-free items would save me a lot.

February’s results are in — drumroll please!

February is the shortest month of the year. I only needed to stay at or below $200 this month for 28 days. As the days rolled on by, I could feel it, I was going to be close.

Day 1: $54.81 (Groceries for self and hosted a party)
Day 2: $0
Day 3: $0
Day 4: $37.53 (Groceries)
Day 5: $0
Day 6: $0
Day 7: $24.52 (Groceries)
Day 8: $0
Day 9: $5.57 (Groceries)
Day 10: $0
Day 11: $0
Day 12: $1.77 (ARGHH, SO HUNGRY! Clif Bar)
Day 13: $28.50 (Groceries)
Day 14: $33.79 (Groceries)
Day 15: $0
Day 16: $3.66 (Coffee drink)
Day 17: $10.47 (Groceries)
Day 18: $0
Day 19: $0
Day 20: $4.32 (Groceries)
Day 21: $0
Day 22: $0
Day 23: $0
Day 24: $0
Day 25: $0
Day 26: $7 (Groceries)
Day 27: $0
Day 28: $0

Today, I’m happy to report I spent only $211.94! While that’s about $12 over the intended budget, I could not be more content. Woo!

Over the last couple years, I’ve cheated and procrastinated away thousands of dollars in food and drink expenses. I’ve rationalized the spending every time (“Oh, my week is difficult, I’m tired, and need some food.”).

Looking at the past, with $400-600 months of spending, I feel guilty and saddened. I was trying to save and build a better future, but one of the weakest parts of my budget stayed untrained. I was spending too much, and needed to do more than admit it — I needed to share it with you all.

Important strategies going forward

1. Get creative with social opportunities

Don’t be afraid to host and create social gatherings! Bring on the friendships — these are too important to miss out. Instead of going out on the town, stay in-house and when possible, make them potlucks. Likewise, game nights and good ol’ conversation doesn’t cost a thing.

2. Bring protein-heavy snacks to reduce cravings in a pinch

This particular strategy was vital to my success this month. If you don’t like protein powder, then I’m sorry, this tip doesn’t apply. For me, it’s a terrific mood and nutrient source. Protein makes you feel fuller, longer. By having dry powder on hand — ready to mix — I was able to stave off cravings, which could’ve led to outsized spending. Nowadays, I carry it nearly everywhere I go.

3. Intentionally cook and plan for leftovers

In past months, I’ve opted to cook for a single sitting. I totally exploded this mindset, and made more than enough every time. The extras went into tupperware to go. Lunches were constantly pre-planned and packed the night before. It made procrastination a difficult excuse, as it was too easy to cook more than enough.

4. Living simply means cooking simply

These days I’m living simply. I don’t have a car, rarely travel, and run to and from work. I’m trying to live within my means. But even greater, I’m trying to embrace these moments. This simple living includes basic meals. I’m not cooking anything fancy or with exotic ingredients — just wholesome, healthy foods. My tummy and budget love it!

5. Wealth can actually help decrease food budgets

Buying in bulk, storing foods, and planning for the store are all privileges. As a commenter noted in January, those in poverty and/or forced to stick strictly to $200 for one month would have it more difficult. I was able to buy more than enough every time, and the average month-to-month allows me to save more money. This is yet another example of how wealth and space can provide unique advantages.

This March I’ll be continuing the $200 food budget, and I’d love for you to join me again! The adventure begins today. Who’s with me?

Resisting The Urge To Buy, Buy, Buy

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Shopping at the mall resisting the urge to spend

I scanned the bookshelf and held a new copy of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo in my hands. The binding was unbroken, and the pages were cut like perfect rectangles — the book hadn’t been read.

It’s a favorite of mine, and it was being sold for the bargain price of $3.99. Looking at the back cover, I could see that this regularly cost $9.99. Alarm bells pinged in my head and I thought, “This is a steal! Does anyone know about this? Oh, I can’t let this stay on the shelf; Stieg, you shall be mine.”

I promptly proceeded to carry the new book around the store. My insides smiled as I clutched this deal that others had stubbornly missed. It was my prize, and I had won the shopping game.

But nowadays, in my frugal state, I’m a bizarre shopper. Instead of purchasing that “steal,” “find,” and “treasure,” I held the book throughout the store, and when it came time to actually checkout, I stuck it on some random piece of furniture (no doubt, annoying the shop’s attendants — I’m sorry!).

This goes against everything we are told about the psychology of shopping, but it feels oddly exhilarating. See, marketers know that if they can just get you to touch, feel, and hold an object, your likelihood of purchasing said object skyrockets. If their cameras were trained on me they would’ve seen me flip out about the deal with my friend, predicting a subsequent checkout — book in hand. But in the end, they’d be dead wrong.

There’s an oozing potion that comes from having things. To covet and hold seems so… American. We buy bigger vehicles for bigger homes to fit more stuff. We are a nation of filler-uppers; yet, the favorite part about shopping is in our imaginations — that split second when our minds scream, “buy, buy, buy.”

When I pick up that book, I imagine flipping through the thriller’s tantalizing pages and having the book forever. I picture it sitting on my shelf, a testament to that one time I read it and a beacon of conversation among friends. “Oh, yes, let me tell you about crime, affairs, and sordid protagonists in Sweden,” my imaginary voice already quips to a non-existent audience. The reality is far simpler and boring. I’d read it, stick it on a table, and be done with it.

There’s an alternative choice. I could rent it from the library for free. The $4 — deal of the century — is still more expensive and takes up more room than a temporary library book. What could be a better deal than free?!

To hold the book is like picking up a favorite drug and almost getting high. And at the last moment saying, “No. I’d rather spend my money on something else. I’d rather travel to France with my rudimentary language ability. I’d rather save up for a more comfortable future — one not spent working endless hours on a treadmill that always runs towards death.”

These days, I can hold the magic potion that I struggled with so much — spending wantonly. I can smell the elixir that is the rush of a purchase.

And I can say, “I don’t need this.”

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