Because I never kept track of how much I spent on food (or anything, really) before I began this project, I don’t know exactly how much money I’m pocketing each month by budgeting only $50 a week for my meals. If I had to take a wild guess, though, I’d say I’m spending about $200 a month less than I was before. A few months ago, I wouldn’t think twice before buying a $4 skim latte (or two) each day or going out to a $60 dinner with friends just because I didn’t feel like cooking… even if it meant I overdrew my bank account sometimes, which I did.
I have never been good with money; as far as I was concerned rules were made to be broken and money was made to be spent (I say ‘was’ because I never manage to retain any of it). And while I still sort-of live by those mantras, doing this project has forced me to pay more attention to where my money is going. Sure, I’m still spending it (and still eating well, though it requires a little more work than getting expensive take out, or even using the “best” ingredients when I cook at home), I’m just spending better and I’ve even let myself begin to toy with the ‘B’ word: budget. Read the rest of this entry »
