I wrote in a previous post about my goals for October, and two categories of that list come to play in today’s article: Finances and Fitness.
Like the majority of post-college individuals, I’ve put on a bit of weight. All of it has been my fault, though! S and I love to eat-out, and go to breweries. A lack of motivation to be fit partnered with a bottomless stomach has left me +20 pounds (yikes.)
Not to mention the financial implications.. oh boy! Eating out and ordering takeaway adds up quickly and quite frankly, is no longer in the budget.
So on a quest to eat healthier and live a more sustainable lifestyle, here it is. a $25/Week grocery challenge.
BULK ESSENTIALS:
I bought a few items in bulk prior to the start of this challenge, which don’t factor into my weekly grocery spend.
Rice – Both S and I eat rice nearly every day, whether it’s as a lunch or dinner side. For a 20 pound bag, I paid $10.44 at my local Walmart. We stored this in an airtight plastic container to prevent mites.
Oats – The majority of mornings, I have oatmeal with ground chia seeds, and sliced fruit. Sometimes I even mix in a scoop of protein powder! Buying oats in bulk is the most economical option for breakfast for me. 42 oz of Great Value Rolled Oats sets you back $3.28 in my region, so I bought two to keep in my pantry.
Eggs – When kept in the refrigerator, eggs keep for about 4 weeks. While it’s always best to be cautious with eggs, I find we go through them before then. Eggs go on sale and are cheap, but my goal is to not hit the grocery store more than once a week. I bought 36 eggs for $6 at my local grocery store.
Pasta – Not exactly a “health food”, but a good staple. S and I usually eat the Barilla Protein Plus pastas, but at nearly $3/box, it’s out of the budget right now. 5lbs of Great Value elbow pasta set me back a mere $5.48.
Pantry staples like these, along with herbs, spices, and other bulk foods are crucial to eating on a low budget. Beans and lentils are also great bulk pantry food, but S and I are not a huge fan. Stay tuned on Sunday for my first $25 grocery haul and meal list! x
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