Experiment: Living on $140 for 24 days

Building a new deck is an expensive project, so Erik and I have decided to pool the cash we have and to only spend it until July 1st- 24 days from today. It should be do-able if I buy in bulk and in discount. On Wednesday, my awesome sister in law is going to take me to Costco and let me buy things and then give her cash for the purchases. I was considering buying a membership, but am not certain it is worth it yet. I will check it out and report back. I worry that I will buy things I don't actually need just because it is a good deal.

Here are the meals I have planned out for the next week (click to enlarge):




6/7/10, I went to the grocery store and spent only $28.74. I was able to buy 5 lbs of potatoes, lettuce, mac and cheese, spaghetti, rice, infant ibuprofen, chips, cheese, pork chops, and bananas. And all the produce and meat was organic, too! Not bad :) We should be able to eat on this until Saturday the 12th when I'll have to buy ingredients for stir fry and a frozen pizza. Luckily, I've got some chicken in the freezer that we can eat on Thursday.

$140.00- $28.74= $111.26

6/8/10, On my way back from Camp Hill I decided to take the Toll Road instead of waiting in traffic with a crying baby another 30 minutes. It was worth the $1.75.

$111.26-$1.75= $109.51

6/9/10, Tomorrow I am heading to Costco with my sister in law and plan to spend around $40. I hope to get some good deals!

I'll keep you updated on how our adventure is going.

3 comments:

Jen said...

you are brave trying costco for the first time on that budget. Good luck. Nice menu. I wish we could survive on that kind of budget but you have the advantage of driving a hybrid. Dave has too long of a commute and with four people to feed and two dogs we need about double that amount just in food.

Colleen said...

I think this is great! I just might have to follow suit. Looking forward to more reports.

Shaina said...

This is a great goal. I hope you accomplish it! I need to scale down my grocery money. I tend to make too many big meals. We'd do fine with much simpler ones.

Good luck!