Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I have recently starting working on managing my food and discretionary income budget. I have made great strides in reducing the amount of money I am spending on food. I went from eating out for all meals to preparing all of my meals. For the last couple of weeks, I have only spent money on food once a week. It seems to be working out well. I have decided to only allow myself to buy food on the weekend.
I have been doing the same with my discretionary income. I am so annoyed with myself for spending $2.00 on my company's lottery tickets. I could not pass it up. Imagine if we won. You never know.
I would really like to limit spending to once a week. Perhaps twice a week when I do laundry. What do you think?
I don't work outside my home so every time I go out I spend money. I try to stay home as much as I can , lol.
Usually when I go out it is to purposely shop and it's about once a week.
When I was in an office it was the hardest. Many times people wanted to go out to lunch. That will break a budget in a heartbeat. Stay put of office "sales" and bring your own lunch. You can get by with grocery shopping once a week and laundry once a week.
I actually only do major grocery shopping twice a month. I may run to the store for a couple of things weekly but not often. I do go out to my bridge luncheon almost weekly. That is my big splurge. Otherwise I rarely spend money throughout the week. I also rarely have more than a couple of $$s in my purse unless I am going to play bridge. When hubby goes to the bank he usually takes out $20.00, $10 for each of us.
If I'm understand your question correctly, then I spend money daily. I have numerous bills that I have to account for. I go grocery shopping once a week but i eat out probably ten times a month. (way over my allocated budget but im trying to cut back) Eating out ranges from a $2.00 meal at mcdonalds to a $25.00 meal at my favorite chicken and waffles place.
If I go out, I will spend money. If it is to the grocery store, then of course I spend on groceries. If I go shopping (other than groceries), I usually find something to buy and then after shopping, I am either thirsty or hungry and get a coffee, a water or something to eat: i.e. a couple chicken strips from Chick-Fil-A or a McDouble extra pickles from Mickey D's. They're all pretty cheap. If I decide that I want to tighten the belt regarding spending, I just do not go out of the house, or I will take a walk or a bike ride. They cost nothing! Cooking at home is way cheaper then eating out unless you find "specials" at local restaurants or get "cheap eats" during happy hour. (ex. $5.00 burgers, 1/2 price appetizers, $7.00 pizzas on Wednesdays, etc).
If I'm understand your question correctly, then I spend money daily. I have numerous bills that I have to account for. I go grocery shopping once a week but i eat out probably ten times a month. (way over my allocated budget but im trying to cut back) Eating out ranges from a $2.00 meal at mcdonalds to a $25.00 meal at my favorite chicken and waffles place.
I have to ask you: what is a chicken and Waffle place? Is it all one eatery?
I used to spend money several times a day. Now I grocery shop once a week and that is it. For first time, I feel like I have a true handle on my finances.
I try to be frugal but I have always struggled when it comes to food. It is nice to be in control.
I make a list all week and then compare and shop the sales ads to my list to determine where to go. I am fortunate enough to have 5 grocery stores and a Target and Wallmart supercenter CLOSE by.
But that doesn't quite mean I spend less. I do fewer ideas for 'lavish" meals while there as I am only there once a week. {I used to be a line cook in a restaurant, coming up with specials is fun, but can be expensive choices due to impulse buying,}
Only if we run out of milk and bread do I stop more. good planning makes that rare.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
