I'm spending too much on food!

[betsy]

I feel like I'm spending way too much money on food. I cook meals from scratch, using lots of fresh fruits, veggies and proteins. Last month alone, I spent over $1000.

If that amount ($1,000/month) includes the meals for your family, that's a reasonable expense.

I currently spend around $200.00 - 250.00 a week (considering that prices had gone up since 2015) for groceries for both daycare and family of 2, and that includes cat food and laundry/hygiene items. My daycare is open only from Mon to Friday.

Morning Snack: yogurt with granola, strawberries and blueberries
Lunch: Greek chicken pitas with cucumbers, tomatoes, cheese and tzatziki. Peaches for dessert
Afternoon Snack: Raw veggies (carrots, celery, peas, cucumbers) and crackers with hummus

The expense will depend on the planning of meals, and the number of children you have, and the days you're open for business.

If that amount $1000, is only for daycare - yes, that's way too much. Surely a bag of baby carrots, a bunch of celery, cucumbers, a block or a bag of grated cheese, and crackers, will not all be used up in one meal! Those can be used for another day, and you don't have to serve the same thing.


The meal planning has to include what to do with things that weren't used up.

That left-over celery, cucumbers and carrots can become a stir fry with chicken, or along side Hawaiian (or bbq) meatballs, and served with rice or egg noodles. We can serve gourmet, and still be reasonably priced, with planning.