What Can I Buy With a $200 per Month Grocery Budget?

I have mentioned in a couple of previous posts that I plan on a grocery budget of $200/month this year. This budget needs to fit the following parameters:

• It is for one person only (I am not trying to feed a family on this budget)
• It must include as many whole foods as possible and minimize prepackaged "food products"
  
• It must include funds for household supplies (toilet paper) and toiletries (shampoo etc.)
• It must include funds for occasionally eating out.

Is that a tall order? I don't think so. I have come across a number of posts and forums where people claim to feed a family of 4 on under $200/month (I'll have to hunt around for those links and get back to you). Some resources that have been recommended are the Grocery Game and Coupon Mom. I haven't used either of the services so I can't say how useful they are.

So how do I intend to pull this off?

1. I know my eating habits and preferences.
2. I am willing to put in the time to prepare my food at home (I think!)
3. I am not an impulse snack shopper; I shop with a list.

Here's the breakdown for the month:

Budget

Meats: $50
Chicken/red meat: $20
Fish: $30

Vegetables: $40
Salad greens: $15
Onions: $5
Tomatoes: $5
Potatoes: $5
Misc. Seasonal Vegetables: $10

Grains/Beans/Lentils: $15 (super cheap stuff and can provide the bulk of your calories)
Rice: $5
Lentils and beans: $5
Oatmeal (old fashioned): $5

Fruits: $20
Berries: $10
Seasonal fruit: $10

Dairy: $30
Cottage cheese: $15
Plain yogurt: $15

Desserts: $10

Oil/Condiments/Spices: $10

Household Supplies: $10

Dining Out: $20

No alcohol, cigarettes, or recreational drugs needed.

When I lay out the numbers like that, it doesn't look like that's a lot of food. However, these numbers are based on actual prices from my local grocery store, and a skeleton menu plan. I didn't do any comparison shopping to find these prices.


Menu

I find a skeleton menu plan very handy. I decide how to balance my meals and then just do slight variations over the weeks. Here's what a typical day would be like for me:

Breakfast
I cup slow cooked oatmeal (takes 5 min in the microwave)
I cup cottage cheese
I cup chopped berries

Lunch
3-4oz meat/chicken/fish (takes 5 minutes to grill in the toaster over, or I can stew up enough for the week)
salad greens
cooked vegetables (spinach or potatoes etc.)
Fruit

Dinner
3-4 oz chicken/meat/fish
rice (bless the rice cooker)
lentils/beans
yogurt
a spicy condiment

Dessert
Ice cream or a piece of chocolate

There are usually some left-overs from the meals so I can have a couple of snacks during the day as well.


Possible Hurdles

1. Laziness (ahem!). If I'm not careful about planning sufficient time to prep my meals, then I will be sorely tempted to resort to using prepackaged items.
2. I may want to hang out with friends at restaurants more often than I am planning. I will have to come up with strategies to deal with that.
   
3. I've been reading The China Study and am wondering if I need to rethink the amount of animal protein that I have in my daily diet. After I spend some time mulling that over, this whole menu might change. Hmmm.
   

Household supplies
I am not a big consumer of household products. My biggest expense in this category is toilet paper. I don't use use chemical cleaners or paper towels. Shampoo and toothpaste last quite a long time. I really don't have to lather, rinse, and repeat. Laundry detergent also lasts a long time. Which TV ad convinced moms in the 1950s that you can't wear your clothes a few times before you wash them? How absurdly wasteful!

Retirement Planning- The Forgotten Component

As I hunker down this year and focus in on retirement planning, I am learning that I will really need to pay attention to health-care costs when I am older. Prescription medications, special procedures, chronic problems, long term care... the list is long.

So what are the things I can do right now to prepare for that?

Obviously, the first thing about retirement planning is saving money right now, investing it and letting it grow.

But the forgotten thing about retirement planning is investing in your health right now. Preventative measures taken early and sustained throughout life will reap huge dividends in old age- in terms of quality of life and significantly reduced health-care costs.

Ramen noodles may be cheap now but eat them long term and you'll be paying big. Avoiding fresh fruits and vegetables may be easier on your wallet and your tastebuds (for some) but eat them anyway! Living on preservative-laden boxed and canned food products because you can get them practically for free with double coupons and sales may bring your grocery budget down to a fraction of what it was... but be careful! Working long hours so you can bring in more money at the expense of your mental and physical health may be a huge source of regret later.

So when you're tempted to save a few bucks by short-changing your health, don't do it!

Make time and room in your budget for:

• healthful foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, lean proteins (and supplements if you want)
  
• menu planning and meal preparation so you're not tempted to buy and eat the easy but not-so-healthful prepackaged or fast food meals
  
• daily exercise where you break a sweat and provide resistance to your muscles
• relaxation and mental health
• quitting addictions such as smoking, drinking, drugs, and sugar (mine!)
  

What would you add to that list?