Made in Richmond

As I got like a billion inquiries as to how Ross and I managed to get a week’s worth of food for $34.75, I thought it might be interesting to let you all in on how much we spend each week AND how we keep the cost down. Ok, that’s a lie. It’s totally about holding myself accountable, and we all know that the only the opinion I care about is that of the Internets.

So, starting this week, I will post our weekly planned menu as well as the total cost of the fixings to prepare said menu. But before we get to that, let me give you a few tips that will give you an idea as to how we can keep our budget so low and our bellies so, so full…

(Note: Some of these appeared on a previous post that somehow got jacked up so is now deleted. So this is a semi-do-over.)

1. I eat breakfast at work five days a week. This doesn’t mean I bring my breakfast to work; my work feeds me. Our office kitchen is beautifully stocked with delicious breakfast bars and fruits. So not only do I start the day healthy, I also start it without bleeding money. Thanks, BossMan.

2. We don’t keep snacks in the house. While I snack all the live-long-day at work, I just don’t in the evenings or on the weekends. We know our fatty natures, so we just don’t buy it. So, the only thing we keep in our fridge or pantry are the ingredients for our meals. That’s it. Don’t come over. We won’t have anything to feed you.

3. We prepare meals that can be eaten as leftovers. Lots. That chicken chili from last week? I ate off of that FOUR TIMES (actually five because I’m taking more for lunch tomorrow). I wear it like a badge of honor - funny coming from a girl who used to gag slightly while watching her sister eat day-old spaghetti. What a stupid brat I was! Leftovers! Magical!

4. I’m married to Ross. While generous with love and in spirit, Ross comes from solid mid-western stock that refuses to spend money frivolously. He’s perfected his father’s over-the-glasses look (even though Ross doesn’t wear glasses) that makes you feel shame for even suggesting that we purchase something as decadent as cheddar cheese. While this can be frustrating at times, I know that in the long run, I’d rather have a nice house and children in college than all of those bags of Doritos I’ve wanted to buy over the years.

We’ll most likely be going to the store tomorrow, so I’ll be sure to post our menu, totals, and even pictures so you can marvel at our stinginess.