I do not like to waste money. I could fairly easily spend
much more on items than I do, but I like the challenge of not paying retail
prices for anything and buying as few things as possible. The primary reason
why I enjoy growing my own food and having chickens is not for the health
benefits of good quality food and exercise but for how much money is saved and
the joy of not participating in the typical consumerist economy. When I ate
primarily from food grown by me I did not have to take medications for
heartburn and saved around $30 per month by not buying medication. For the past couple of months, I have
strayed from my frugal past and down the road of eating more frequently at
restaurants and buying food from grocery stores. The results have been
devastating because I have been forced to resume my medications that I did not
have to use for two years and physically I have gained weight. I’ve also caught
three colds from eating out so frequently. From a psychological standpoint, I
have become unhappier because I’m not experiencing the pride from eating food I
have grown. Saving money is part of my identity, and I do not waste my own
money or other people’s money because life is more enjoyable when I simplify
wants. There is a concept of pleasure versus happiness in Buddhism or for a
more “American” perspective consumerism versus happiness. I’m happier when I
feel more self-reliant by not relying on large corporations to dictate what I
should or should not want.
Below is a chart which includes two trips to grocery stores one is to a “normal grocery
store” and one to a discount grocery store. The discount store has food that
may be close to expiring or foods that have been mislabeled. My boyfriend is
moving into a new house and needed food for his move so I bought him food I
thought he would like. He typically doesn’t eat meat or dairy products.
Discount Grocery Store
|
Normal Grocery Store
|
|||||
Item
|
Individual
|
Quantity
|
Multiple
|
Individual
|
Quantity
|
Multiple
|
Tortilla (80)
|
3.89
|
1
|
3.89
|
4.18
|
1
|
4.18
|
Hashbrowns (lg bag)
|
1.99
|
1
|
1.99
|
2.98
|
1
|
2.98
|
Vegetarian Beans
|
0.69
|
4
|
2.76
|
1.28
|
4
|
5.12
|
Corn (cans)
|
0.50
|
10
|
5.00
|
1.00
|
10
|
10.00
|
Tomato Paste
|
0.25
|
4
|
1.00
|
0.78
|
4
|
3.12
|
Rice a Roni
|
1.00
|
3
|
3.00
|
1.38
|
3
|
4.14
|
Salsa
|
1.59
|
1
|
1.59
|
1.98
|
1
|
1.98
|
Pickles
|
1.19
|
1
|
1.19
|
1.98
|
1
|
1.98
|
Oatmeal
|
1.99
|
2
|
3.98
|
3.98
|
2
|
7.96
|
Juice
|
0.50
|
4
|
2.00
|
0.58
|
4
|
2.32
|
Artichokes
|
1.00
|
1
|
1.00
|
1.88
|
1
|
1.88
|
Crackers
|
1.79
|
1
|
1.79
|
2.88
|
1
|
2.88
|
Caramel Creamer
|
1.39
|
1
|
1.39
|
2.18
|
1
|
2.18
|
Mushrooms
|
0.69
|
2
|
1.38
|
0.96
|
2
|
1.92
|
Grits
|
2.89
|
1
|
2.89
|
3.48
|
1
|
3.48
|
Humus
|
1.99
|
1
|
1.99
|
1.99
|
1
|
1.99
|
Potatoes (8lbs)
|
2.99
|
1
|
2.99
|
4.77
|
1
|
4.77
|
Cucumbers
|
0.59
|
3
|
1.77
|
0.88
|
3
|
2.64
|
Newtons
|
2.59
|
2
|
5.18
|
2.50
|
2
|
5.00
|
Cheetos
|
1.25
|
1
|
1.25
|
1.98
|
1
|
1.98
|
Orange Pops
|
1.00
|
1
|
1.00
|
3.50
|
1
|
3.50
|
Babyruth
|
0.50
|
1
|
0.50
|
0.67
|
1
|
0.67
|
M&M's
|
0.50
|
1
|
0.50
|
0.88
|
1
|
0.88
|
Rice Seasoning
|
0.69
|
2
|
1.38
|
0.69
|
2
|
1.38
|
Total
|
$51.41
|
$78.93
|
||||
Total Savings
|
$27.52
|
|||||
Hypothetical Year
|
$3,000.00
|
|||||
Normal Grocery Store
|
$4,605.91
|
|||||
Hypothetical Savings
|
$1,605.91
|
|||||
Extrapolate 10 years
|
$16,059.10
|
There were products that I couldn’t find at a normal grocery
store so the prices were kept the same. It’s amazing that such a small change
of location to buy food can make such a huge difference in prices. Of course, every
item cannot be found at a discount grocery store but there are enough items
choose from to make the trip worthwhile. ( I enjoyed making this chart J )
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