Homemade Bread |
I calculated how much money I could save on the cost of
bread over a lifetime if I make it myself instead of buying it. I will probably
be monetarily poor for the rest of my life, so it is good practice for me to
live on less than $1 a day for food this year. I could not do this project if I
didn’t have a garden or live in a rural area. I realize that bread is not the healthiest
food but it is cheap, calorie dense and versatile.
I eat about 1.5lbs(24oz) of bread per week. If I bought
bread every week, it would cost $2.70 for a low-quality sandwich bread filled
with preservatives and bleach. The cost per year for buying bread is $140.40
and making the same amount is only $53.04. If I use the 5lb flour at $2.44, the
difference for buying bread vs. making it is $87.36/yr. I do realize that it
doesn’t seem like much, but by putting that little bit of money in a low-interest (1.35%) account every year for 35yrs the total adds up the over $4,000. I am
simplifying the effects of inflation and other factors over time, but it is
amazing how one small change can lead to a significant amount of savings.
End balance $4,073.27
Total principal $3,144.96
Total interest $928.31
Here is how the cost breaks down:
Ingredients
|
Cost
|
Amount Used
|
Cost Used
|
Flour (2.27kg)
|
$2.44
|
348g
|
$0.374
|
Sugar (4.53kg)
|
$5.89
|
28g
|
$0.036
|
Sea Salt (500g)
|
$2.68
|
12g
|
$0.064
|
Butter (128tbs)
|
$9.98
|
2tbs
|
$0.156
|
Yeast (908g)
|
$4.68
|
5g
|
$0.025
|
Total (rounded)
|
|
|
$0.680
|
Bread machines are an excellent investment and can usually
be bought cheaply at yard sales or a flea market. All of the ingredients I use
can be bought for much less.
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