Thursday, February 4, 2010

Frugal Food Budget

In my last post I wrote about WHAT I eat on a daily basis but left out the cost factor. Here it is:

To start, I keep a spread sheet to track exactly where my money goes. Last month, my total bill for food was $107.93. A further $8.98 was spent on other items that I must have.

The most important of the non-food items is the $3.99 I expend on cat food. Unfortunately, it is the cheapest brand the stores have to offer. Fortunately, my precious feline resident doesn't seem to mind, bless her furry little heart.


The other is toilet paper costing $4.99 per month. Imagine having to find an alternative for that! I have contemplated cutting up worn out flannel pillowcases and sewing piles of hankie-sized 'sheets'. However, after considering the extra laundry soap and electricity to operate the washer that would be consumed, not to mention the yuck factor, I opted to buy the bathroom tissue. And I refuse to entertain the idea of scrunching up bits of unprinted newspaper....

The largest portion paid out is for produce at $83.71. Nuts and seeds are $15.91. Finally the three food 'have-to-haves' that don't fit in the first two categories are tea at $3.99, nutritional yeast at $2.72 and spices at $1.60.

6 comments:

Chrystal Ocean said...

One should mention that Daphne's is a three-person household - including Kitty in that number, of course.

Daphne Moldowin said...

This is true. However, the figures I've listed are for my share alone. My roommate eats many things that I do not.

Chrystal Ocean said...

Ooohh, I like that. Keep expenses separate between the two - er, three - household occupants, each being accountable to, and accounting for, his/her own self.

Chrystal Ocean said...

And Kitty does well for herself, too, doesn't she, foraging hither and yon.

Unknown said...

what about oatmeal, and other grains u eat?

Daphne Moldowin said...

Melissa,

I sometimes add kamut to the raw cereal mixture which changes the taste. Other than that, no other grains. I gave up eating whole wheat bread in July 2009.

Yes, Kitty does go hunting. I occasionally find rats and bird carcasses she so thoughtfully brings to the door. If she eats them, I am usually unaware of it, thank goodness.