Food Budget

This page tracks my food expenses in reverse chronological order. It’s an attempt to show that you can eat well without spending a lot.

Feb 9, 2006

Harvey’s Restaurant: Large Garden Salad w/ Chicken and Real Bacon Bits: $5.99+ = $6.89

Good for 2 meals. Reasoning: To make the same dish for myself, I’d have to spend two hours on the bus to get to the grocery store, spend time shopping and at least $12-15, then make the ingredients. If I value my time at the highest rate I’ve been paid as a consultant, making my own salad would cost me probably close to $200. So unless I had planned on going shopping, or managed to get a ride with someone, it’s just easier stopping off on my way to work.

Feb 8, 2006

• Canned goods - Chick peas: $0.67
• Fresh veggies

• Red bell pepper: 0.155 kg x 2.80/kg = $0.43
• Carrots: 0.32 kg x $1.48/kg = $0.47
• Greens

• Celery stalks: $1.27
• Mesclun Mix: 0.06 kg x $10.96/kg = $0.66
• Snow Peas: 0.06 kg x $5.45/kg = $0.33

• Sliced mushrooms: $1.47/pkg x 2 pkg = $2.94
• Oyster mushrooms: 0.08 kg x $15.37/kg = $1.23

Total including taxes: $11.47

This is just a partial purchase for this week. Items were bought at a “no frills” grocery store. I also spend a bit at an “Oriental” market on Fridays, or at the local Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. The items above will likely last until the end of the week, supplemented by other purchases.