or is this just the beginning?
So. In Conclusion we made it. Sort of - we had a few cheats. However, the good news is that I estimate we spent $468 less than we normally would in the last 90 days. That figure includes all "allowed" eating out, and the "cheats". If you go with the fixed $5/day value than the savings sounds much more dramatic - but not a full picture.
What did we enjoy? or not enjoy.
We enjoyed eating at home more. Of course we enjoyed this before as well, but it really wasn't a habit. I think this challenge converted us. I think we will still be the types of people that eat out twice a week er so, but that is still and improvement.
I enjoyed making coffee at home, but I certainly prefer it with "must be bad for you" liquid creamer, and "must be bad for you" liquid creamer was not always an option. However, even with "must be bad for you" liquid creamer... it's still much cheaper than the Caribou Coffee sold at my work for $1.75/cup.
We missed steak - sorry can't help but say that. However, we learned how to cook whole chicken and chicken broth. Two things I would do in the future.
Enjoyed getting more comfortable in the baking arena - with things such as bread, tortillas and pizza dough.
I enjoyed blogging (and hope to continue). However, I am happy to longer feel obligated to report nearly everything that goes into my mouth. That has been tiresome at times.
Will we continue to eat on less than $5/ day?
Short answer - No. However, I think we will be eating for less each day than we were, as we really enjoyed eating many facets of the whole eating on the cheap program. Our previous cost for food was about $20/day (or $10/person) - This was largely due to eating out frequently, some food waste, and a fair amount of pre-packaged easy to prepare food. I perceive that our cost will go up the $5/day, as social lifestyle makes it difficult to avoid eating out (and I'm not saying that isn't fun), and few other factors that may make for blog posts of their own.
What were the hardships?
Aww... not really - as I've already talked about. However, there was a pretty unique circumstance:
Our roommate was most definitely eating our food. While the effects on us cost wise during the challenge are hard to quantify. I am pretty sure my coffee-mate creamer would have lasted longer, along with Huzbun's cereal... and I do wish those skinny cow ice cream treats (purchased pre-90 days) hadn't decided vaporize. Many other food-related items were taken as well. Worth mentioning, one batch of chicken broth was sabotaged, a pan was broken (one that was luckily under warranty), and a kitchen scale was melted (yes-melted). In case you are interested, we no longer live with this person, which is an even longer story that doesn't presently relate to the theme of this blog.
Will I continue to blog?
Yes - I have had so much fun blogging my way through this experience, and have met a bunch of people as result - both virtually and IRL. Details to follow, but I hope to continue this using this space to talk about economic factors and food, (hopefully) delicious recipes, new challenges, and maybe boring you with some more running tales! Most of all I hope to keep learning - as this experience has connected me to so many intriguing places in the blogosphere.
First- How on earth do you melt a kitchen scale? I thought melting the edges of the cutting board was bad, but...
ReplyDeleteThen- Yay! You maked it! Now you know that if you ever *have to* eat on a budget, you can! Everyone has stuff they like to eat. sometimes you can't buy it (chips, I'm talking about you here) But that just makes it taste better when it goes back on the menu.
Just promise me one thing- when you have that steak, Promise you won't cook it beyond death. Charred (well done? medium well? Not pink or bloody?) steak is a crime against both food and poor dead cow. And it ruins the taste.
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ReplyDeletelol - I grew up eating charred meat as a kid, and actually didn't like steak that much when I was a kid. My Huzbun introduced me to something called "medium rare"... and while I still like my meat a little less pink that that - I do enjoy steak much more now.
ReplyDeleteAlso, we probably won't be going crazy with eating anything one particular thing (steak included) - just more than before. Hopefully, we can maintain those feeling of satisfaction for "good tastes" though.
Yay to you and Huzbun!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you will keep blogging, though. Definately share recipes - you have added a couple of "favorites" to my repertoire, that is for sure (mmmm.... lasagna soup!)
I hope that you enjoyed a nice medium steak over the weekend.
My motto for steak is "Show it the stove long enough for it to cower in terror, then serve it on a plate."
I am so glad your still going to be blogging. I would love to see your input on a cost analysis of a meal(s) that you make from buying in bulk and making 3 meals vs. buying the same ingredients to make 1 meal x 3. To answer the question, Do those bulk quantity store really save you money.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great ideas over the last 90 days.
~Jenny