You feed your family in a very healthy way, and that can be expensive. Don’t beat yourself up about it. You should definitely just up the grocery budget so you don’t feel bad every month. You are doing the best you can, and I think everyone spent more on groceries than they expected to in 2024
Food is essential to survival! It is a necessity and eating well is such a blessing. If we have the income to eat good "the cut the food budget" advice is not always best for everyone. Don't feel bad for eating good girl, you will see that investment in your health. ❤
Yes, and also there is a psychological and lifestyle benefit to having healthy food that your family enjoys. The fancy cheese and everyone having their favorite flavor of jam is a little thing that adds to quality of life and may prevent you from impulse spending in other areas.
For groceries you could probably not buy individually wrapped portions/snacks and just do the portioning yourself. That would probably save you a bit of money. Likewise you could make your own snacks and they would probably be healthier and cheaper without all the extra added sugar and oil. But it's just a trade off of time and money because making/portioning would take a little bit longer and only you would know if that trade off is worth it. (I just made my daughter teething cookies that will last her weeks and it took about an hour with the bake time and probably cost less than $3)
I recall seeing your grocery hauls from the past. I noticed a lot of premium brands, small package sizes , individually wrapped snacks or already prepared items. Do yourself a favor, switch to a big box store, buy larger packaged items that are generic. Then you will be doing what you can to reduce the bill and stop feeling guilty. Also, study up on organic, might not be all you think it is.
Agree. Lots of ways to buy what you enjoy and also eat well. Especially since you have young children- fresh fruits and vegetables can be brought in season and also provide great snacks and cost less !!
You feed your family in a very healthy way, and that can be expensive. Don’t beat yourself up about it. You should definitely just up the grocery budget so you don’t feel bad every month. You are doing the best you can, and I think everyone spent more on groceries than they expected to in 2024
You’re totally right! Thanks for that perspective
I feel like as long as you're not wasting food (and it sounds like you aren't) you spend what you spend on food. time to up the budget!
Food is essential to survival! It is a necessity and eating well is such a blessing. If we have the income to eat good "the cut the food budget" advice is not always best for everyone. Don't feel bad for eating good girl, you will see that investment in your health. ❤
Thanks for this! I need to stop thinking of it as an expense and more as an investment in the health of our family
@laurensmoneymindset definitely it's a bummer when the personal finance world shames us for not living off rice and beans lol
You’re doing great!!!!! Spending more money on healthy food will save you money in healthcare costs❤
Yes, and also there is a psychological and lifestyle benefit to having healthy food that your family enjoys. The fancy cheese and everyone having their favorite flavor of jam is a little thing that adds to quality of life and may prevent you from impulse spending in other areas.
For groceries you could probably not buy individually wrapped portions/snacks and just do the portioning yourself. That would probably save you a bit of money. Likewise you could make your own snacks and they would probably be healthier and cheaper without all the extra added sugar and oil. But it's just a trade off of time and money because making/portioning would take a little bit longer and only you would know if that trade off is worth it. (I just made my daughter teething cookies that will last her weeks and it took about an hour with the bake time and probably cost less than $3)
i agree! like making bread for example is cheap compared to buying organic bread ($7 a loaf!! crazy) at the store every week
Well done!
I was thinking today how much of my budget goes to food. We don't splurge, but we do eat healthy. Oh well, you have to eat.
I also round off my mortgage and like seeing a round number :)
I recall seeing your grocery hauls from the past. I noticed a lot of premium brands, small package sizes , individually wrapped snacks or already prepared items. Do yourself a favor, switch to a big box store, buy larger packaged items that are generic. Then you will be doing what you can to reduce the bill and stop feeling guilty. Also, study up on organic, might not be all you think it is.
Agree. Lots of ways to buy what you enjoy and also eat well. Especially since you have young children- fresh fruits and vegetables can be brought in season and also provide great snacks and cost less !!