Advice on food/gas budget
Here’s a concise breakdown of how you can make $228 per week work for food and gas for two adults and one child, plus some advice to help you stretch your budget:
Food Budget
- Estimate: A reasonable weekly grocery budget for 2 adults and 1 child is around $100–$120, depending on how frugal you are.
Tips to Save:
Plan meals in advance: Stick to affordable, nutrient-dense staples like rice, beans, pasta, frozen veggies, eggs, and chicken.
Shop sales and use store apps: Compare prices and use loyalty programs for discounts.
Limit snacks and pre-packaged foods: These are often costly and less filling.
Cook in bulk: Prepare meals like soups, casseroles, or chili to stretch ingredients over several days.
Gas Budget
- Estimate: Since your essential drives are very short (less than 2 miles total for errands), your gas cost should be minimal—around $10–$15 per week, assuming a moderately efficient car.
Tips to Save:
Combine errands into fewer trips to save fuel.
Walk or bike to the gym and store when possible to eliminate gas costs altogether.
Stretching Your Budget Further
Emergency Savings: If you don’t already have an emergency fund, aim to save any leftover money each week, even if it’s small.
Free Activities: Use free local resources for entertainment and socializing (parks, libraries, etc.) to avoid extra spending.
Avoid “little splurges”: Small indulgences like takeout or coffee runs can quickly eat into your budget.