A step in the right direction?

[xaq_the_aereon]

Had to do some grocery shopping today, which kinda sucked because my Bank of America balance for the month is already about $400 over my monthly budget...which got me to thinking that I'm probably spending way too much on food given how often I eat out.

As such, I figured it was time to look at getting some stuff for cooking here in the new house. Since I don't have a microwave, I figured that might be a good place to start..until I saw how much the damned things cost.

If I'd thought about it I probably would've gotten some pots and pans instead, although as of yet I still don't know if the range on my oven works...bit of a Catch-22 mentality I guess; can't bring myself to fire it up without some stuff to cook on it, but I can't bring myself to get stuff to cook on it until I know it works.

...Y'know what, screw this, gimme a minute.

...

Okay, so now I know the range works. Excellent.

In any case, since I didn't have pots and pans on the mind, I went for something that I felt a bit silly buying...a George Foreman grill. I figured at $15 I could afford to take a chance; worst-case scenario I just feel like an idiot for buying it.

Tomorrow night I'm gonna try grilling some pork chops on them and see how they turn out, maybe after I get some sense into myself and pick up some pots, pans, pasta, and salt.

I was kinda hoping I'd be able to save up some money with the excess from my GI Bill stipend...this may finally help me get to meeting that goal, or at least put me back on budget.

Comments

[anher.livejournal.com]

Pull out an amount for 'fun money' or whatever, in cash for your week and use that to pay for fast food and/or impulse purchases. When it's gone, no more fast food/splurging. Having the card to use for everything makes it very easy to go over budget since you don't see it leaving your account.

Another thing to do is when the VA money hits your account it to shift some into savings. Start with an amount you know you won'y miss and slowly increase it until you get to a level you feel comfortable at.

We do both of these and it really has helped curb our excess spending and give us a nice emergency fund.

[davidn]

Buying supplies and preparing meals yourself really does save a ton of money, even if you're giving a bit of outlay to get the equipment you need. I look forward to hearing cooking stories from people who aren't me.