Fiscal budget

[JimProdz]

Based on very rough calculations, if I had a girlfriend and we lived together for ten years earning about $500000 between us in that time, we would spend possibly as much as a sixth of that on food if we shopped at supermarkets.
Is there a better way?
Although I must admit it might not be that bad, like I said they are very rough calculations.

[StarkRavinMad]

Either eat less or recalculate. $650 a month on grocery store bills for 2 people is a huge amount.

[SynjinSmythe]

Originally Posted by StarkRavinMad

Either eat less or recalculate. $650 a month on grocery store bills for 2 people is a huge amount.

yeah, that is insanely high. unless you have some special dietary requirements.

[JimProdz]

well lahk ah said it were a rough calculation

and don't forget the cost of living in England is much more expensive than America, especially near London.

In fact it's more than double in London what it is in rural parts

[SynjinSmythe]

Originally Posted by JimProdz

well lahk ah said it were a rough calculation

and don't forget the cost of living in England is much more expensive than America, especially near London.

In fact it's more than double in London what it is in rural parts

I know how much it is there, I used to stay in the Knightsbridge area across the street from Harvey Nichols. So basically you're saying about £300 per month, I can understand that a little better now. I didn't notice you were in the London area earlier.

[Silver Wolfknight]

That is still fooking high even for Icelandic standard's and we are one of the most expensive country's in the world !
Also for Austrian, German and south African standard's!!!

[JimProdz]

Orkeh wll lahk ah sed it were ornly a rough idea.
Ah dorn't really know, I'm not a "food-actuary"

[Pb]

Originally Posted by JimProdz

we would spend possibly as much as a sixth of that on food if we shopped at supermarkets.
Is there a better way?

What do you buy at the supermarkets? Processed, ready-to-eat meals? Or raw material for cooking? Any expensive items like wine and caviar? Do either of you shop impulsively? Do you buy stuff but have to throw out half of it because it wasn't consumed in time?

[JimProdz]

Originally Posted by Pb

What do you buy at the supermarkets? Processed, ready-to-eat meals? Or raw material for cooking? Any expensive items like wine and caviar? Do either of you shop impulsively? Do you buy stuff but have to throw out half of it because it wasn't consumed in time?

I go for material for cooking. There's no "either of us" at the moment ...

Well I generally feel that I do not eat if I don't feel hungry.

[Wadi]

Originally Posted by JimProdz

Is there a better way?

A better way of what?

[JimProdz]

I meant like basically manufacturing your own food...

[Wadi]

Originally Posted by JimProdz

I meant like basically manufacturing your own food...

Growing food is hard work! Supermarkets are great, especially now that they're on the net and deliver right into the kitchen. But even that is too hard for my spoiled family, I spend a fortune on restaurants.

[Pb]

Originally Posted by JimProdz

I go for material for cooking.
Well I generally feel that I do not eat if I don't feel hungry.

Need details. Still not getting any clue where you are haemorrhaging money.

Some links for you:
http://www.frugal.org.uk/foodtips.html
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/...omemade-meals/

You don't necessary have to starve yourself of the niceties. As a comparison, I shop for household necessities (toilet rolls, shampoo) and expensive food items (wine, seafood) when they are on sale at the supermarket, in bulk. ~$150 each month. Once a fortnight, I get organic staples like milk, vegetables and cereal from the local food co-op/farmer's market. ~$50 a fortnight.

Wadi is right -- growing your own vegetables is way too much effort -- I tried it one summer and decided that it's not for a city dweller like me. I can spend my time watering and weeding on activities which can make me money to pay for the food. I do grow a few herbs like basil, cilantro and rosemary because they turn bad easily once they are plucked and packaged -- I think the reason they cost so much at the supermarket is due to the tremendous amount of spoilage.

[Wadi]

Originally Posted by Pb

I think the reason they cost so much at the supermarket is due to the tremendous amount of spoilage.

I really don't think of the cost of food. Every time I sit for a meal, it's a blessing and I thank God for it.

We live in a time of plenty, but if history is a guide and repeats itself, eat, drink and be merry, for one day such blessings will cease. - Debby Downer strikes again!

[Silver Wolfknight]

OK I´m a chef and i have worked in a couple of country's if you have questions about food just ask me

[JimProdz]

No questions really. It must be cool to be a chef; I imagine it's cool having a repertoire of many different recipes.

[Yellowfin]

Shop in Asian markets, which are often much cheaper and give you more ingredients to play around with. Cook a lot of food in the slow cooker, which allows you to use much cheaper cuts of meat and it comes out tasting better anyway. Eat more beans and lentils. Use chicken thighs more and breasts less--thighs cost half as much or less. Swap pork for beef as much as possible, as pork is half or even a third the cost of beef. Canned tomatoes instead of jars of sauce can do wonders.