I envisioned my apartment fridge being stocked with produce and wholesome foods. I saw myself meal planning and trying new, delicious recipes.
But, for the most part, my meals over the past week have resembled last night’s dinner.
That would be a Hot Pocket and a bowl of cereal. Both on sale at the grocery store.
I have to get this food budget revised. Stat.
When I moved into my first apartment last year, that was my life, too. It takes a while to get the food situation together!
THis looks like what my husband lived on before we were married. Minus the cereal.
Oh man, we used to constantly struggle with this when I lived in Pittsburgh. Green Monsters, eggs and lots of salad were our go-to! Also, we’d cook a couple times a week and just eat that for lunches. It’s boring but cheap (and better than hot pockets.) Farmers markets have great steals, too, if there are any still running near you.
Jessica @ Jessica Balances says
LOL! It definitely takes a while to get into the swing of things, but you’ll be there in no time. I’ve finally got into a rhythm of only purchasing my “essentials” when money’s running low - bagel thins, cheese, hummus, pita chips and sugar snap peas. Sounds weird, but I love eating these items and can stretch them pretty far!
Haha, I can relate. I have all kinds of stuff to make good food in the apartment, but the last three times I’ve eaten at home I’ve had cereal or a cheese sandwich. It’s gotta stop.
i wish my food budget could be higher than my rent. ugh. that would be the life!
I ate soooo many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in college and missed them so much when I had to go GF. Now, I’ve found a new GF bread I like and feel like a college kid again making PBJ and toasted cheese sammies!!
I feel ya. I haven’t been able to grocery shop since getting back to Houston after the holidays, and my meals are a total joke! And when I’m broke, it’s even worse. Well, it’s not BAD, exactly, it’s just all eggs and potatoes.
Ah yes, the “I now have a crazy high rent” meal. I’ve been there too.
Hot pockets are good
But yea food is expensive when you have to pay for it!
Ah yeah it might take a while to get settled! There are a lot of once-in-a-while buys like ketchup, mustard, salad dressing and such that once you get started on those, your grocery bills will go down after that.
I struggle with my food budget. I used to be horrible at sticking to it, but lately, I’ve been pretty good. It just takes some time.
My favorite cheap meals are ones where I get creative with rice (or another grain like quinoa) and beans or lentils with some sort of vegetable. Potatoes are cheap! I used to eat so many baked potatoes!
Haha! You will get there! It just needs some time. And always remember, at least you have a higher food budget than a grad student!
Stephanie @ LoveLaughterLight says
Unfortunately, it seems food takes a backseat to the whole moving process. You focus on geting all the boxes and furniture into your new place and grab what’s convenient while doing so. When you’re finally done moving stuff and are struggling to unpack, the thought of running to the grocery store for pantry/fridge restocking is at the top of the list for things that could very well send you into a homicidal rage!
Can’t wait for that to happen to me in a couple of weeks!
hahahah. Youll get there girl! Hang in!
It’s hard trying to stock a house with food and various food related items that you need. My advice is to definitely check out some coupon blogs so that you can print out coupons and get some great deals! That is what I do to save money on food purchases.
You just moved- give yourself a break
You should blog about your grocery budget. Is it odd I find knowing what others spend on food fascinating?
ahahah it will sort out !I’ve never had this kind of experience so I dont’ have any advice.. but I sure bet its harder than we think!
Most important question…what type of hot pocket?! Seriously though, when I had my own apartment, that was the biggest adjustment for me- making a grocery shopping budget and sticking to it…ok and maybe eating my produce before it went bad!
Oh my ! It was ramen noodles over in our house last month towards the end of the month when we were saving! Lucky though the boys like them, they are so cheap, but I know they are not the BEST for health! lol!
Leah @ Why Deprive? says
Im still trying to master my food budget. I have a habit of buying every single thing that looks good. I mean, its great in the way that I have loads of options, but my bank account kind of hates me.
hahaha my boyfriend makes plenty of money and his dinner 4/7 nigghts is a pb and J sammie! hey, to each his own!!
food budgeting is definately something that takes some practice but you can do it girl!!!
ahhh I love it. My dinners last week looked the same. Who has time to cook right? Hot pockets rock!
Living at home throughout my university education, I haven’t yet had to worry about buying my own food (apart from splurging on the things my mom refuses to buy… ehem coconut butter?!) but I’m honestly afraid for the day that I have to buy EVERYTHING myself. I don’t know how well that will go over…though I am a sale item junkie AND the principle coupon clipper of the household so I just might fare alright. You should try browsing flyers and ordering coupons online. I’m a bit coupon obsessed , but it’s so gratifying to have saved multiple $$ off a single grocery bill…even if I’m not the one paying it haha.
Danielle says
When I had my first apartment, I had lentils/whole wheat pasta a lot… Buying the dried lentils and cooking them yourself stretches them out…Also, dried beans can come in handy.
Hey, there is nothing wrong with that meal! It’s actually funny b/c I just read a chapter out of Chelsea Handler’s book where she said how much she loved hot pockets =P
Natalie S. says
Oh girl I know how that is. Moving is tough… focus on relaxing, THEN go grocery shopping and start cooking again
Grace says
I think hot pockets are hilarious! I won’t judge you for eating them in a crunch. But really, have you seem Jim Gaffigan stand up comedy material on them??? I love his approach to food comedy.
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/4653268/12437422