The kids ate my budget!

**Daisygirl** · 02-16-2008, 10:30 AM

Ok, I might've done some of it.

This month I resolved to do all of my spending with my debit card so I could better track where all my money is going. What an eye opener! It's all going to stuff our faces!

A couple of times each week I ran errands on my lunch break and grabbed something to eat while I was out. I have also been slacking on food prep on the weekend because I have bbeen so busy taht I am just exhausted.

Are you sitting down???? So far this month I have spent $408 on food. Yes food, in all its various descriptions: drive thru, pizza, coffee, groceries and snacks.

I am horrified. At least I can stop the bleeding since I know where it is coming from. That is nearly the entire budget I have planned for a trip to visit my family next month! Don't you hate it when you catch yourself wasting money like this?

**frugalfriend** · 02-16-2008, 10:37 AM

We are absolutely guilty of the same thing. It doesn't seem like much at the time, but it sure adds up to be a shocker if we're not careful! Glad you were able to realize it now, and can get a handle on it for the rest of the month.

**Marie78** · 02-16-2008, 10:42 AM

I agree, it all adds up. Food is the area we spend our entertainment money. We will get a sub and come home and watch a movie on tv for entertainment.

**amykhar** · 02-16-2008, 10:45 AM

Same here. I've been pretty good about no fast food at night. But, I have been blowing money at the drive-thru on the way to work in the morning. And, I've been buying lunch out.

But my biggest downfall is watching the food network and spending spontaneously on ingredients for recipes I want to try. I love to cook, and I struggle with the rigidness of a planned menu. Menus seem to kill my joy.

Amy

**rachelMcK** · 02-16-2008, 11:07 AM

We spend the most money on food, its usually when we don't plan anything that we end up going to the store everyday for something quick.

**wulong32** · 02-16-2008, 11:39 AM

EEK! What an eye opener, huh?

**YankeeMom** · 02-16-2008, 11:52 AM

Wow! $408 just since Feb. 1st

That's almost $40/day!!!

At least you are aware of it now!!

**peanut** · 02-16-2008, 12:01 PM

EEeeek! That is a lot! Our grocery budget is $400 for the month, for 3 people to eat organic! Wow...my heart goes out to you. At least you know where to start cutting back.

Jean

**Daisygirl** · 02-16-2008, 12:52 PM

Gee thanks Yankee Mom. (lol) That'll put it right into perspective. Holy crud - $40 a day.

That scream you hear is me crying out in agony as I post my shame for all to see!

**forHISglory** · 02-16-2008, 12:57 PM

Well, I'll post my shame, also. I'm trying so hard to keep my food budget low so that I can pay for plane tickets to my niece's wedding. And I've blown it during the first half of Feb. Part of me says, "Too late. Go ahead and blow it the rest of the way." And part of me says, "Stand up and fight, girl." Guess I'll fight. I'm such a wimpy fighter.

Anyway, just want you to know that you aren't alone in this fight.

**Royal** · 02-16-2008, 01:20 PM

You know what they say "knowledge is power". So, Daisygirl see it this way: you now know where your money is going and you can now do something about it.

**Lambie** · 02-16-2008, 02:11 PM

Ok, I was just the other weekend looking to find that "cooking on the weekend" type post!!!!! Hey, don't feel too bad, we've all been there done that one more times than we care to count!!! I'm trying to decide our menu for this next week...I swear, if it is not planned out and made up I too, find myself tempted for whatever big time!!! Here's to a frugal menu week, Katy

**zakity** · 02-17-2008, 01:37 AM

Wow... $400 is our whole grocery budget for the month (family of 5, three of which are pubescent boys).

I know what you mean about being able to see the drain. We use our credit card (rewards program and paid off every month). I keep track of what we spend on a spreadsheet. It is very eye-opening.

**3hungryboys** · 02-17-2008, 09:11 AM

We used to have the same problem until we switched to the envelope system-it is really hard to spend more than you budgeted with cash b/c once it's gone, it's GONE. It is really easy to overspend in the food area-esp with 3 growing boys at home!!! Actually, realizing how much money we were spending on food is what led me to start living frugally...and how I chose my screen name! LOL BTW, our food budget is now $300/mo-HUGE improvement!

**guest002** · 02-17-2008, 09:55 AM

My grocery budget has always been higher than almost everyone in here. $600 month. It's down from the $800 month I was spending when I wasn't tracking. With ds's food allergies it's hard to go cheap. I also make sure at least 1 or 2 I don't feel like cooking options are around.

The only thing I'd do is try to cut back on the eating out.