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I’m beginning to believe that poverty and obesity are connected.
Healthy food, including fresh produce, non-processed, and organic options, are generally more expensive then all the pre-packaged choices. I get downright frustrated at the grocery store. I’m buying for ONE person (well, sometimes two since Troy seems to always be hungry when visiting my place and three if you count all the dog food Tilly chows down on) yet I almost always go over what I have allotted for my grocery budget. Why? I don’t buy more than I need to but I do try to buy lots of fresh fruits and veggies and healthier options. It’s no wonder people are overweight with the unemployment rates of our country. And it’s no wonder health care is such a hot topic because people are needing to deal with the complications of obesity! What a vicious cycle.
Now, keep in mind that all this rambling is strictly MY opinion, stemming from how much it costs me to eat right. I am not stating that you have to be rich to eat healthy nor am I saying that only poor people deal with weight problems. I am simply complaining that I think it’s a crime to charge me $3 for 4 oranges or $4 for organic soy milk. Don’t even get me started on $1 menus. I have found tricks to saving money and still eating healthy options but I can still dream that one day the word “organic” won’t be one that I automatically exchange for dollar signs. Wouldn’t it be nice if products full of partially hydrogenated oil and high fructose corn syrup would be the most expensive thing on the shelf? I’m not asking for solutions. Just venting.
(source)
(another example of irony = compare this post to my last post :))
I have $12 left from original $40.
Can I make it until September 1? I think so. :)
Not to be all gushy but I love this bloke so much!
I can’t wait for him to be my hubby.
Today I’m starting a self-created challenge.
I will live on $40 for the entire month of August.
After recently looking through my bank statements online, I’ve come to realize the abuse my debit card receives. Since college I carry little to no cash and depend on using my debit card for nearly everything. Because of this convenience/laziness, my spending seems to be frivolous. With loans and a wedding in the future, I need to be more mindful and disciplined about my money. The coffees out, lunches and dinners with friends, movies with Troy, more clothing I DEFINITELY don’t need…it’s adding up and depleting what could be savings. I want to take a break from the worrying of money by simply…not spending any.
Details:
I have a total budget of $40 to spend on anything I would buy for myself this month.
Not Included:
- Living expenses – rent, bills, insurance, health, etc.
- Gas
- Tithes (and gifts, if I have to buy any)
- $20 to replenish fresh produce
Included (must be spent with $40):
- Eating out/Coffees to Go
- Clothing
- Household items
- Entertainment
What’s my starting point?
At the moment my car is completely fueled up and my refrigerator/pantry is stocked (which never happens!). A goal from this process is to not eat out as much when I (or we, if you include Troy-boy) could make food at home.
What’s the point?
What’s the point of depriving myself? Shouldn’t I be able to enjoy life and the money I earn? Yes, and that’s exactly why I do it. When I take a break from spending, I learn to appreciate what I have. The convenient restaurant dinners become a special treat and every time I go see a movie I’m thankful for the money to do so. I want to stop taking things for granted. (And obviously, it will be nice to save money from this process and hopefully grow into a more mindful spender.)
I know some may think, man, a lot of things are not included in her $40. It’s the little things that have been adding up for me, though – especially in the summer when I have more free time to hang out with friends and family.
Step 1: I plan on leaving my debit card at home when I go out.
Step 2: I’m going to spend the least amount in the beginning when I’m still very motivated. :)
I’ll update on the progress!
