tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post4309858307713693536..comments2023-11-18T01:21:55.631-05:00Comments on My Open Wallet: $800 a Month on Food = Obese??Madame Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536189690094235926noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-84065613578178956662011-03-30T11:35:26.384-04:002011-03-30T11:35:26.384-04:00I have raised 5 children on a family food budget o...I have raised 5 children on a family food budget of $1,000.00 per month and we ate very well. You need to trim and stay home more often the eating out. $800.00 a month for one person has room for trimming the fat. Buy bulk and save at your discount markets. Also, keep watch for coupon adds.Andy Berardhttp://www.thejavarush.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-32266268679994596812009-06-16T12:31:37.557-04:002009-06-16T12:31:37.557-04:00There is merit to everyone's comments. I made ...There is merit to everyone's comments. I made very little money until a couple of years ago and got into bone-crushing credit card debt. Since I'm on the short side of retirement I paid everything off, including the house, and am in a rampant savings plan so I can quit work by the time I'm 70 (8 years).<br /><br />I spend an average of $50 per week for me, 4 cats and my pet possum. Eating in all the time can feel like a prison, but if you have goals, it's doable.=^..^= Kitty =^..^=https://www.blogger.com/profile/11558784791266013864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-77410382606117027432008-09-27T03:12:00.000-04:002008-09-27T03:12:00.000-04:00It definitely takes more money to eat healty foods...It definitely takes more money to eat healty foods and therefore be "skinny". In fact, my dad jokes about it all the time. He says that in the Philippines (where we are from), people can tell you're rich because you're fat and therefore are able to eat the necessary 3meals a day and then some, whereas the skinny people are the ones begging for food and barely have enough to eat more than a meal a day. In America however, it's the opposite. Those who are obese are considered poor or lower class because all they can afford are mcdonald's, cheap t.v. dinners and other fast food meals which are filling, cheap, and packed with carbs, fat and other fillers. However, those with money can afford to shop at whole foods, pay more for "organic" and fat free foods and on top of it all they can join the gym and hire personal trainers! When my dad first mentioned this I thought it was quite funny but the more I think about it the more it rings true!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-67551889705091022552007-11-28T16:05:00.000-05:002007-11-28T16:05:00.000-05:00I am actually in the middle of a study trying to p...I am actually in the middle of a study trying to prove that poverty is no excuse for obesity by living on about $4 a day in food. I have been eating healthy for about two years and have been price costing what I eat. When you boil everything down, two things are apparent- portions are out of control and Americans choose convenience over anything else. People really only need between 1500 and 2000 calories a day and many people get eat that in one meal. For an extreme example, I make my own bread. Sure the ingredients may cost $10 out right, but my homemade loaf of bread cost about 1.20 with 18 servings at $.07 a serving. Not only is it cheap, the bread isn't going to kill me with high-fructose corn syrup.erin louhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10724737407796685552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-62984422894789567882007-11-12T11:58:00.000-05:002007-11-12T11:58:00.000-05:00My wife and I live in Brooklyn and spend maybe $10...My wife and I live in Brooklyn and spend maybe $100-$150 a month on food. We try to buy food with the most health bang for the buck. That is, not organic stuff but we try to follow the food pyramid and don't buy junk food. So lots of pasta, whole wheat bread, beans, fruit and vegetables, but cheap ones. We work in Manhattan (but no car expenses since we don't own one), but never eat lunch there--it's too ridiculously expensive. Instead we bring lunch from home every day. Also we eat out only maybe once or twice a month.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-8297719117550738812007-11-11T02:06:00.000-05:002007-11-11T02:06:00.000-05:00I'd say unless you are VERY obese, then there is v...I'd say unless you are VERY obese, then there is very little correlation between weight and spending. Especially if you consume alcohol =)<BR/><BR/>Food is both a need and an area of disposable income for us, and we have been spending a lot more than is "needed" since it gives us great joy. I don't keep track specifically any more, though.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07195115656709730058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-64818767735918529102007-11-10T02:53:00.000-05:002007-11-10T02:53:00.000-05:00Bronx Chica- Well as a skinny person, I say both s...Bronx Chica- Well as a skinny person, I say both skinnier ppl. Money is spent on healthy foods. If you have a high metabolism, eat right, and go to bed the same time, then you aren't fat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-50767841075280176952007-11-09T21:20:00.000-05:002007-11-09T21:20:00.000-05:00How much a person spends on groceries does not dic...How much a person spends on groceries does not dictate whether or not they are obsesed or skinny. There are a bunch of different factors. I work in lower Manhattan where I can get a cup of hot chocolate for $1.25 or $4 depending on where I go. <BR/><BR/>Choice of food and where you shop is what dictates a persons budget.Tired of being brokehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02026029030939029254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-31459782886100242992007-11-09T20:17:00.000-05:002007-11-09T20:17:00.000-05:00Rich people are usually skinny, because they have ...Rich people are usually skinny, because they have the time and money to afford personal trainers, gym equipment, lyposuction, and gourmet food. <BR/>But a lot depends on the metabolism. We all know lots of skinny people who eat a lot and never gain weight. <BR/>Unfortunately, I'm not one of those lucky ones. My husband and I spend about $250 a month at the supermarket, plus some $100 on carry-out food (mostly Chinese). We live in Detroit.<BR/>By the way, have you seen a recent study saying that overweight people live more than obese, skinny and normal weight people? I was amazed!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-25538060365921892532007-11-09T09:57:00.000-05:002007-11-09T09:57:00.000-05:00I was saddened to learn that in restaurant budgeti...I was saddened to learn that in restaurant budgeting, the actual cost of food should equal one tenth of the entree price. Restaurants tend to buy their foods from commercial wholesale distributers, so the costs are a little lower then my grocery / bodega options here in NY, but I say I'm saddened because it's hard to swallow the 90% mark-up. More kitchen inspiration for me I guess.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-55156923846480259372007-11-09T06:56:00.000-05:002007-11-09T06:56:00.000-05:00Thought: If you enjoy wine 'with' a meal, why not ...Thought: If you enjoy wine 'with' a meal, why not opt for a boxed or large bottle of dinner (cheaper) wine? Save the better ones for your entertaining. It could save $20+/month and you might not even notice the difference.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-10187726705235238002007-11-09T01:24:00.000-05:002007-11-09T01:24:00.000-05:00i agree with jay. eating better will save in the l...i agree with jay. eating better will save in the long term regarding health issues.<BR/><BR/>i always say if you are willing to spend a few bucks here and there on other things you can afford to spend a little more on what goes into your body for nourishment. <BR/><BR/>~unabashedly ashedlyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-20415264694044742112007-11-09T00:59:00.000-05:002007-11-09T00:59:00.000-05:00One of the reason obesity correlates with being po...One of the reason obesity correlates with being poor is that high fat / high sugar foods are less expensive than healthy alternatives.<BR/><BR/>Consider a box of generic mac and cheese vs. an organic salad... the mac and cheese will cost you under $2.00 and feed a small family. An organic salad to feed the family will be at least $10.00, if not more.Inside the Philosophy Factoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12255753259090709877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-40350767745864707612007-11-08T22:35:00.000-05:002007-11-08T22:35:00.000-05:00I'm skinny and single and most of my fun money goe...I'm skinny and single and most of my fun money goes towards eating out or drinking out. I enjoy it, so I don't skimp. I do carry my lunch to work on the weekdays. :)<BR/><BR/>-TashaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-26866043904068792182007-11-08T22:15:00.001-05:002007-11-08T22:15:00.001-05:00P.S. - I wanted to add a note about your comment o...P.S. - I wanted to add a note about your comment on on bulimia; money going down the drain is a huge source of guilt for an already tormented person but the real problem is with the way their life is lived, not with the $ impact...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-85929892922307250732007-11-08T22:15:00.000-05:002007-11-08T22:15:00.000-05:00Our average monthly spending for food (local super...Our average monthly spending for food (local supermarkets, dinners out, lunch, wine) for two adults is $580. We live in NYC. The other night we treated a family of three to a dinner at a decent Italian place and the tab came to $300, which was hard on our budget but sometimes paying for a nice dinner out is worth it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-85498250261046207902007-11-08T20:14:00.000-05:002007-11-08T20:14:00.000-05:00I lost track of the post when I saw this:"Then the...I lost track of the post when I saw this:<BR/><BR/>"Then there was the liquor store: 3 trips, $55, 6 bottles of wine."<BR/><BR/>HA HA<BR/><BR/>Interesting...<BR/><BR/>Care to share your wine selections? You know I'm a a wine newbie trying to perpetrate like a connoisseur. LOLSingle Mahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02304629601616898196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-38548719275882061822007-11-08T17:56:00.000-05:002007-11-08T17:56:00.000-05:00$800 a month is not a lot if you have a good netwo...$800 a month is not a lot if you have a good network of family and friends. I easily spend $400/mo for dinners out, $200 for bfast/lunch, and then $200 groceries. But, that $400 is really all I spend socially. I work a lot of hours during the week, so $100/week Fri - Sun for meals out with friends is my personal time. I budget for it and unless I lose my job, that will NOT be cut!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-3955217981483380452007-11-08T17:36:00.000-05:002007-11-08T17:36:00.000-05:00Wow. I am amazed at how much more money you and so...Wow. I am amazed at how much more money you and some of your commenters spend on food than my family. We (family of four, both adults thin runners=high caloric need) spend about $300-$350 monthly. That's all our budget can take. We buy almost exclusively food that is on sale, except our Trader Joe's staples. Chicken breast for $1.50/lb? I buy enough for two months, etc. We also fill up on lots of carbs, the whole grain kind (remember, runners need carbs). There's no alcohol in that budget though, can't afford to drink much. We take all meals from home or eat at home and probably eat out as a family once per month. I honestly don't know what I'd spend $800 on, but I guess if we ate out more often, it would be pretty easy. and oh, we're in Philly.<BR/> Enjoy your blog!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-77902383186647166042007-11-08T17:08:00.000-05:002007-11-08T17:08:00.000-05:00Healthier food is definitely more expensive than c...Healthier food is definitely more expensive than cheaper food. Plus there is the additional issue that fresh fruits and veggies can go bad after a while causing you to waste some of your food budget. The cheaper food tends to be more manufactured as opposed to grown, and has enough preservatives to last for a while.<BR/><BR/>I think it is worth it to spend more on food now to hopefully save on health care later on. I probably spend around $400 on groceries/eating out a month.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-87941619247774311182007-11-08T14:47:00.000-05:002007-11-08T14:47:00.000-05:00phantomdata-- I just eat the sardines on buttered ...phantomdata-- I just eat the sardines on buttered toast. It seems kind of boring but I think it's tasty!<BR/><BR/>And yes, anon 12:33, I know I could save a lot of money by not drinking, and I don't always drink every night, but I do enjoy wine, so I like keeping that in my budget.<BR/><BR/>PPN-- absolutely true that my car and gas expenses are basically zero unless I rent one for a trip. I try to buy most of my groceries at regular supermarkets rather than expensive places, but I'm sure prices are still higher than they are in the suburbs.Madame Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11536189690094235926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-13506767728638487442007-11-08T13:35:00.000-05:002007-11-08T13:35:00.000-05:00Skinny people eat more. We have to maintain our o...Skinny people eat more. We have to maintain our outrageous metabolisms. Noting that, We spend quite a bit on groceries,I'm going to say $400 for 2 of us. I absolutely LOVE beef and he likes chicken and we both enjoy orange roughy. Our bills are mostly meat.<BR/><BR/>On a side note, I just went shopping for a food drive. We filled up a shopping cart to the overflow point with 10 for $10 specials on non-perishables. It filled up 5 1/2 copy paper boxes. This whole bill cost us $211.26 at the Jewel in Chicago. Beans, rice, canned goods, pastas, soups, oatmeal.Peachyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315027590748875288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-39119840933135318102007-11-08T13:09:00.000-05:002007-11-08T13:09:00.000-05:00My food budget is $250 a month. I work at home ab...My food budget is $250 a month. I work at home about half the time, so I'm usually able to provide two meals or more a day from my grocery list. Since most of my friends and I don't make much money, when we do eat out, we go to fairly inexpensive restaurants. I don't drink, which cuts out that cost. And, as several people have pointed out, living in New York City, I don't need a car.<BR/><BR/>But, okay, can I just put in a word for fast food? It has changed. I can get a McDonalds grilled honey mustard snack wrap for $1.51 including NYC tax -- 260 calories, 9 grams of fat, 18 grams of protein. Or, if I'm feeling flush, a Premium Chicken Classic sandwich without the mayonnaise -- less than 400 calories, 32 grams of protein. Add some Apple Dippers (without the dip) for 35 calories, ask for a cup of plain water (or a diet soda, if you must) and that's an actual meal.<BR/><BR/>It's not that I don't think the food is better at a better restaurant, but on my budget, I'm not embarrassed to eat carefully at McDonalds if I'm in a rush.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-78796493124185762462007-11-08T13:04:00.001-05:002007-11-08T13:04:00.001-05:00If you are willing to budget for quality food then...If you are willing to budget for quality food then you will pay more. I'm in a book club and we meet in a restaurant once a month and may spend about $40-60 per person depending on where we go. <BR/><BR/>I agree with other commenters... buying vegetables and other good things will cost a bit but you will have better health and save in the long run.<BR/><BR/>urbanfrugal.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-9145966346487959702007-11-08T13:04:00.000-05:002007-11-08T13:04:00.000-05:00My husband and I also live in a large urban centre...My husband and I also live in a large urban centre, are normal weight (I'm actually chronically underweight no matter what I do) and we spend between $450 and $500 a month on groceries. Then another couple hundred eating out.<BR/><BR/>It is true that lower income = increased obesity. It's horrible to say, but there does tend to be a lower level of education, lower quality of life, thus food and knowledge about healthy eating. Also, there isn't as much fresh food available in a lot of those areas -- the stores are mostly filled with junk food and not as much fresh fruits and veg. I lived in a 'crack and BMW's' neighborhood for a couple years and the options for food there were horrible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com