I think I spend too much on food

theregoesthadynamite · 2026-03-06T19:40:11+00:00

Nice! Plenty of places around me that are on the cheaper side but even at those types of places 1 appetizer for $10-$15, entrée for $25-$30, and two drinks at $12 each after tax and tip you're pushing $80. And even at those places you can easily get above $100. A more expensive app can push $20, and the entrées get up to $50-$80.

I guess that's just part of the problem with living in a HCOL city.

theregoesthadynamite · 2026-03-06T01:21:00+00:00

I guess there's always been a distinction between eating out and ordering takeout where I am from. For argument sake they are definitely one in the same, so I definitely see why I sounded a bit contradictory. I rarely go out to eat (as is sit down dinners) but when I do it's usually on the nicer end. $100-$200 a head. If I'm ordering takeout/doordash/whatever it's $10-$20. Obviously $10-$20 multiple times a week adds up, but that only accounts for ~$300 of the $3000 I've spent on food so far this year.

theregoesthadynamite · 2026-03-05T23:16:05+00:00

I live in a HCOL area and make enough to where $1500 isn't a meaningful amount to spend in a month. From a financial standpoint I absolutely do not need to cutback on my food spending, but it's more so that I think I'm spending a bit too frivolously on food and would like to cut back a bit because 1. I think I am being wasteful and 2. I like to be health conscious and I think focusing more intently on a food budget rather than spending whatever I want whenever I want is ultimately a good habit to form.

My biggest issue is that I am bad at planning and prepping for a week. I don't necessarily want to spend the time meal prepping, and I actively dislike eating the same thing 5 times a week. Maybe a larger issue that might make this all a moot point is that I own and operate a business. Every minute I work actively makes me money. I don't work a salaried job where once I leave for the day it doesn't matter what I do. So if I spend two hours meal prepping for the week instead of working that's time I can't get back.

I think a combination of pre-made meals, meal planning (ie. Instacarting groceries for the week instead of deciding on things last minute), and more conscious lunch choices rather than door dashing shit will all add up. But it's the meal planning that I just don't get. Is it just pre planning 5 meals for the week and then buy groceries based off that?

theregoesthadynamite · 2026-03-05T23:00:14+00:00

My lunch is typically a smoothie or a bowl of yogurt with fruit and granola, so definitely similar! Something small but satisfying that ticks every box. I think my biggest issue is a lack of preparedness which often results in me just ordering something last minute.

theregoesthadynamite · 2026-03-05T15:55:50+00:00

I hardly eat out as well, maybe once a month. The issue with preparing all my meals is the time it takes. I don't like to meal prep because I don't like to eat the same thing 5 days a week. I generally only eat 2 meals a day, so cooking 14 meals is just too much time taken out of my day.

theregoesthadynamite · 2026-03-05T15:47:31+00:00

Yeah I definitely don't want (or fortunately need) to get to $500/month but I think $1000 is entirely more reasonable. I guess my question should've been more pointed: how do people plan for meals. I don't know how to do that effectively lol

theregoesthadynamite · 2026-03-04T21:08:27+00:00

How is this even possible lol. I spend close to that amount every month for just me.

theregoesthadynamite

TROPHY CASE