It's my wife verses me to see who can eat on the tightest budget. The Great November Challenge started when we were walking through the grocery and my wife mentioned how we were spending way too much on food each week. We discussed how the price of food has gone up as well as our taste in food, then we came up with an idea. Starting the first of November we will buy separate groceries and keep track of our purchases. We will not be able to eat each others groceries, and at the end of the month the person that spends the least wins. Any food in the house bought before the start date is open to both of us, which will be a key strategy tool.
Her strategy is to eat like she did in college, which I understand was a diet of mostly grilled cheese, cheap milk, eggs, and cookies. She will for the most part be sacrificing quality for quantity. My strategy on the other hand is to try and strike a balance of cheap sources of protein, carbs, and veggies for nutrients. I have to admit, especially after our first trip to the grocery, that she may have the more budget friendly strategy, but even if I don't win, at least I will eat better during the month of November.
Today was the first grocery trip. Andrea's receipt came to far less than mine, but I expected this. I am playing the long haul game so a lot of what I bought will last in the subsequent weeks while her list will be used up very quickly. Here is the breakdown of each of our bounties:
Mine: $61.66
3.34 lbs Bananas
1 lb Broccoli crowns
2 Packages of frozen peas
.24 lbs of jalapinos
1 pkj Colby cheese slices
1/2 gal milk
1 can natural peanut butter
5 lb bag of rice
1 pkj baby carrots
1 lb bag black beans
1 lb bag pinto beans
1/2 lb cashews
1 lb lentils
1 dozen organic eggs
1 lb shelled sunflower seeds
1 lb almonds
1 lb campari tomatoes
2 small avacados
1 pkj sandwich buns
1 lb quinoa
1 pkj chopped mushrooms
1 bottle Sriracha sauce
Andrea's: $16.84
1 loaf generic value bread
1 loaf honey oat bread
2.5 lbs bananas
1 gal milk
1 dozen large eggs
1 lb trail mix
1 pkj butter chicken sauce mix
1 lb American Cheese singles
