Food budget

[Kaustikos]

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I'm completely serious and I don't steal food or eat out. I can post my receipts haha. I also live in a cheap city though so that helps. I'm a single guy and I eat around 2000-2500 calories a day (I'm 5'9, 138 lbs, ~10% bf). In June, I spent around $106 on food.

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Tea and toast diet doesn't count.

 

[baxt1412]

See this. https://www.reddit.com/r/OutOfTheLoop/comments/2or0gi/whats_up_with_all_the_with_rice_910

Gotcha. Had a not so perfect encounter with him earlier so I figured it was continuing to this thread.

Nutella with rice.... Hmmm

 

[Psai]

Tea and toast diet doesn't count.

damn i just did 2 questions on that

 

[slopes23]

For me the best way to cut expenses was to eliminate pop/tea. I was going through a gallon of iced tea daily or if I bought Mt. Dew a 6 pack every 2-3 days.

I gave up soda when I was like 15... What do I do now? [emoji20]

 

[turrgavi]

I'm completely serious and I don't steal food or eat out. I can post my receipts haha. I also live in a cheap city though so that helps. I'm a single guy and I eat around 2000-2500 calories a day (I'm 5'9, 138 lbs, ~10% bf). In June, I spent around $106 on food.

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But are you a rabbit or not?

 

[baxt1412]

Definitely not. I almost never run, and the only exercise I get is weight lifting. Unless you were referring to some other kind of rabbit..

silly rabbit

 

[MatCauthon]

1. I don't drink coffee, but you can get coffee pretty cheap. Even better, you can get a 100 pack of tea from Costco for $5 which should easily last a month. Even if you have to buy two, that's only $10/month. A lot cheaper than coffee.

2 + 3. I set aside $200/month for 'entertainment/others'. That goes towards buying new clothes/shoes, date nights, fast food, or whatever else that doesn't fit in my normal budget of groceries, rent, insurance, gas/transport, and utilities. Sometimes it's also a back-up if I go over in other fields. I go out about once a month and am able to easily keep my tab under $25. The other option is to just not drink when you go out or go places that aren't expensive. Also, if someone's partner "requires" fancy things and other expensive items, I would highly question the foundation of that relationship and that person's values in general, but that's just me.

4. Partially true. You can still get a meal off of various dollar menus for under $5, but it's still easier to just limit how often one eats there to once a week or less.

5. True, but you don't have to buy organic or free-range foods to eat healthy. Fruits and veggies aren't always cheap, but they are certainly affordable.

6. Prices may have gone up, but so has everything else. Can't really do anything about this one.

7. I'm sure this will come off the wrong way, but being overweight is not an excuse for overeating. I'm not overweight, but I'm basically a walking garbage disposal and I still manage to spend less than $200/month on food with $20 or $30 to spare in most months. Besides, I'd say being a healthy weight so you can be a role model for your patients and being on a budget are some pretty decent motivators to not eat as much.

I agree with everything you said. I only wrote this thread to show the opposite perspective. Most people don't have great discipline-- I'm sure you see the same people drinking the daily double espresso from Starbucks that they spent $6 on. A lot of single guys would rather indebt themselves later on than give up their social life now. Live like a doctor, even while they are still a student. I can't tell you how many people in my class took fancy vacations on loan money and then expect the government to forgive the balance later on. Student loan money is funny money for them.

Many (most?) doctors have horrible financial management skills. High food budgets are just one extension of this. You guys are to be congratulated for your discipline, but know that a lot of people got into medical school have expectations of making big money and spending big money. They are getting early practice at spending big money so they know what to do once they actually make the big money.

But even on a budget, it is hard to keep costs down-- especially if you have a spouse and a family to take care of.

 

[SClENCE]

Lots of people in my class are driving brand new cars on what I would assume is student loan money.

 

[bobaoversoda]

Lots of people in my class are driving brand new cars on what I would assume is student loan money.

Maybe they're just financially well off. Otherwise that's a pretty dumb thing to do, you could finance a car at a better rate than what a government loan would be

 

[pd1112]

haha i dont buy a lot of processed foods so i don't really have a complaint (rice is rice, instant potatoes are instant potatoes, etc). and i typically "spice up" everything i buy anyway so it brings on a new flavor regardless. i'm not sure there is anything that i *strictly* buy name brand only

wut

Lots of people in my class are driving brand new cars on what I would assume is student loan money.

Assumption incorrect. 9/10 this is money from daddy or they're nontrad & worked full time for several years before school.

 

[Wordead]

I agree with everything you said. I only wrote this thread to show the opposite perspective. Most people don't have great discipline-- I'm sure you see the same people drinking the daily double espresso from Starbucks that they spent $6 on. A lot of single guys would rather indebt themselves later on than give up their social life now. Live like a doctor, even while they are still a student. I can't tell you how many people in my class took fancy vacations on loan money and then expect the government to forgive the balance later on. Student loan money is funny money for them.

Many (most?) doctors have horrible financial management skills. High food budgets are just one extension of this. You guys are to be congratulated for your discipline, but know that a lot of people got into medical school have expectations of making big money and spending big money. They are getting early practice at spending big money so they know what to do once they actually make the big money.

But even on a budget, it is hard to keep costs down-- especially if you have a spouse and a family to take care of.

You are confusing financial management skills with being frugal across the board, which is also incorrect.

 

[SClENCE]

wut



Assumption incorrect. 9/10 this is money from daddy or they're nontrad & worked full time for several years before school.

Could be true... though my new car is from grandpa not daddy

 

[MatCauthon]

You are confusing financial management skills with being frugal across the board, which is also incorrect.

The two are interrelated enough that I don't see how my post is incorrect. Most students require frugality as a core pillar of their financial management skills. Its part of the classic millionaire next door strategy, which is heavy on frugality with some small indulgences. Frugality is a timeless strategy for achieving wealth.

 

[Kaustikos]

wut



Assumption incorrect. 9/10 this is money from daddy or they're nontrad & worked full time for several years before school.

Seriously. Every car before medical school was paid by me.
The worst mistake I made was trading my car for a more expensive car. I traded that in for a cheaper car and was happier.
Not everyone is buying cars with student loans or mom/dad. Which is what lots of people in my class thought. Then they find out I had a career and they're all "oh... "

 

[pd1112]

Seriously. Every car before medical school was paid by me.
The worst mistake I made was trading my car for a more expensive car. I traded that in for a cheaper car and was happier.
Not everyone is buying cars with student loans or mom/dad. Which is what lots of people in my class thought. Then they find out I had a career and they're all "oh... "

Could be true... though my new car is from grandpa not daddy

I didn't mean that as a knock on getting a gift car (mine was too, but before medical school) or earning it yourself before school.

 

[Wordead]

I agree with everything you said. I only wrote this thread to show the opposite perspective. Most people don't have great discipline-- I'm sure you see the same people drinking the daily double espresso from Starbucks that they spent $6 on. A lot of single guys would rather indebt themselves later on than give up their social life now. Live like a doctor, even while they are still a student. I can't tell you how many people in my class took fancy vacations on loan money and then expect the government to forgive the balance later on. Student loan money is funny money for them.

Many (most?) doctors have horrible financial management skills. High food budgets are just one extension of this. You guys are to be congratulated for your discipline, but know that a lot of people got into medical school have expectations of making big money and spending big money. They are getting early practice at spending big money so they know what to do once they actually make the big money.

But even on a budget, it is hard to keep costs down-- especially if you have a spouse and a family to take care of.

The two are interrelated enough that I don't see how my post is incorrect. Most students require frugality as a core pillar of their financial management skills. Its part of the classic millionaire next door strategy, which is heavy on frugality with some small indulgences. Frugality is a timeless strategy for achieving wealth.

Do you think physicians are unable to retire or are going broke because of high food budgets and coffee expenditures as med students?

 

[turrgavi]

Definitely not. I almost never run, and the only exercise I get is weight lifting. Unless you were referring to some other kind of rabbit..

Jessica? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

 

[Ven0m]

A huge bag of rice..with a rice cooker that won't break.
Weekly trips to the grocery store for spinach, carrots, collard greens, onions.
Bulk chicken breasts, cut and store in freezer.
Sometimes I indulge myself and buy some ground beef, heh.
Boil water and store it in the fridge to save money, lol!

 

[samac]

Lots of people in my class are driving brand new cars on what I would assume is student loan money.

I'm driving a new car, it was a graduation present. I had an agreement if I got a full scholarship in undergrad and kept it for 4 years I'd get a new car when I graduated for medical school.
I kept it, new car for me. Don't assume everyone is financially stupid if they have newer nice things.
My new 40 mpg sure does beat my old mustang's 18. @.@ that was my stupid 16 year old self's dream car.

 

[SClENCE]

I'm driving a new car, it was a graduation present. I had an agreement if I got a full scholarship in undergrad and kept it for 4 years I'd get a new car when I graduated for medical school.
I kept it, new car for me. Don't assume everyone is financially stupid if they have newer nice things.
My new 40 mpg sure does beat my old mustang's 18. @.@ that was my stupid 16 year old self's dream car.

I'm not assuming everyone is stupid for having nice things. I just said myself that I have a new car... I'm making a point that people often spend their student loan money in a stupid way. This fact remains true no matter how many cars your parents bought you.

 

[Kaustikos]

I'm not assuming everyone is stupid for having nice things. I just said myself that I have a new car... I'm making a point that people often spend their student loan money in a stupid way. This fact remains true no matter how many cars your parents bought you.

True.
But I argue how stupid it is to buy liquor to alleviate medical school. I think it's a necessity that should be covered by your health insurance.

 

[SClENCE]

True.
But I argue how stupid it is to buy liquor to alleviate medical school. I think it's a necessity that should be covered by your health insurance.

Filling an Rx for it will at least exempt your from the sin tax if it's not covered. The savings will be significant!

 

[Kaustikos]

Filling an Rx for it will at least exempt your from the sin tax if it's not covered. The savings will be significant!

Right?
High functioning alcoholism is a disease treatable by... Alcohol.

 

[SClENCE]

Right?
High functioning alcoholism is a disease treatable by... Alcohol.

Just like nicotine addiction is treated with nicotine containing products!

 

[NontradCA]

Just like nicotine addiction is treated with nicotine containing products!

Not effectively..

 

[Ven0m]

Not effectively..

Vaping, though. Heard so many nicotine-habit breaking success stories about it. The idea is to switch to a lower nicotine concentration e-liquid that you vaporize and inhale, every week or so!

 

[MatCauthon]

Do you think physicians are unable to retire or are going broke because of high food budgets and coffee expenditures as med students?

Every little bit matters, especially now that physicians have higher loan amounts and lower pay than years past. It is indisputable that saving a little bit of money daily compounds to a large amount after 30-40 years. $4 of saving a day compounds to 1 million dollars after 40 years at 11%. A 25-year medical student can get a large head-start on their retirement if they actually invest their $4 instead of going to Starbucks. Physicians aren't going broke because of high food budgets, but they are definitely delaying their potential retirement age. I know some physicians that are struggling to fund their retirement. This simple advice can help them as well.

 

[turrgavi]

Every little bit matters, especially now that physicians have higher loan amounts and lower pay than years past. It is indisputable that saving a little bit of money daily compounds to a large amount after 30-40 years. $4 of saving a day compounds to 1 million dollars after 40 years at 11%. A 25-year medical student can get a large head-start on their retirement if they actually invest their $4 instead of going to Starbucks. Physicians aren't going broke because of high food budgets, but they are definitely delaying their potential retirement age. I know some physicians that are struggling to fund their retirement. This simple advice can help them as well.

Can I see the math behind this?

Not saying you're wrong, but I'm getting different numbers...

 

[turrgavi]

rice: 10/10
rice with rice: 10/10
pretty much what I expected
Thank you for your suggestion.

Ahhh, a fellow redditor.

 

[Wordead]

Every little bit matters, especially now that physicians have higher loan amounts and lower pay than years past. It is indisputable that saving a little bit of money daily compounds to a large amount after 30-40 years. $4 of saving a day compounds to 1 million dollars after 40 years at 11%. A 25-year medical student can get a large head-start on their retirement if they actually invest their $4 instead of going to Starbucks. Physicians aren't going broke because of high food budgets, but they are definitely delaying their potential retirement age. I know some physicians that are struggling to fund their retirement. This simple advice can help them as well.

Right, someone who has a 11% return on their investments for 40 years is having problems retiring. That definitely makes a ton of sense.

Those physicians that are struggling to fund their retirements are not struggling because of purchases they made as a medical student, dude. Just think about it for like a minute and see if that makes sense. They're struggling for a multitude of other reasons. Your thinking is so penny wise pound foolish.

 

[typoncho]

Right, someone who has a 11% return on their investments for 40 years is having problems retiring. That definitely makes a ton of sense.

Those physicians that are struggling to fund their retirements are not struggling because of purchases they made as a medical student, dude. Just think about it for like a minute and see if that makes sense. They're struggling for a multitude of other reasons. Your thinking is so penny wise pound foolish.

Seriously, you don't see a problem with using borrowed money at 5-6% interest to consistently (3-4 x a week) buy an insanely priced $4 cup of coffee? Nobody is advocating living like a hobo through med school, but there is a reason that frugality is a virtue and that most rich people are frugal. I don't understand how it's not a known fact that the sooner you pay off debt, the sooner you can more efficiently build wealth. If that conclusion is made, then it's inevitable to come to the next conclusion: The less nonsensical and useless crap you purchase in med school, the faster you can build wealth.

 

[Wordead]

Seriously, you don't see a problem with using borrowed money at 5-6% interest to consistently (3-4 x a week) buy an insanely priced $4 cup of coffee? Nobody is advocating living like a hobo through med school, but there is a reason that frugality is a virtue and that most rich people are frugal. I don't understand how it's not a known fact that the sooner you pay off debt, the sooner you can more efficiently build wealth. If that conclusion is made, then it's inevitable to come to the next conclusion: The less nonsensical and useless crap you purchase in med school, the faster you can build wealth.

You're talking about not being able to afford a ****ing cup of coffee and that's not living like a hobo?

What is your end goal anyway? To have as high a net worth as possible? To retire at 50? Tell me what your goal is that this ($4 x 4 a week x 52 weeks in a year x 4 years of med school) = $3328 is going to prevent you from doing. It's always laughable when 21 year olds who have never had a real job come in with money advice of "rich people are frugal". Money is a means to an ends, it should not be the end goal. What is the point of being alive if you cant even have a cup of coffee, a meal, or even a vacation? Even if I buy into your false pretenses where all these expenses are compounded with interest, and that $10K extra you spend becomes 30K over your life, you think that 30K is stopping a physician from being able to retire? No. You cant retire if you **** up your practice, if you made poor investments, you get swindled, etc. Not because you took a vacation in ****ing medical school.

 

[typoncho]

You're right. Money is a means to an ends, so if your end is a basic b####h cup of coffee that i can easily make for pennies on the dollar, then knock yourself out. I was using the assumption that if someone is willing to spend $4x4 on starbucks weekly will probably be making other ridiculous choices along the way which would equal much more than $3328 over four years. But then again, assumptions fail. Much like yours that I am a 21 year old....I'd probably laugh at what you call "real world experience".

 

[typoncho]

That's not fair. I apologize. Sincerely, not sarcastically. I don't know you in the slightest.

 

[BadgerBadger]

if your end is a basic b####h cup of coffee that i can easily make for pennies on the dollar, then knock yourself out. I was using the assumption that if someone is willing to spend $4x4 on starbucks weekly will probably be making other ridiculous choices along the way which would equal much more than $3328 over four years.

I totally agree with this. It's not the fact that you buy a $4 cup of coffee for something that can cost less. You can make the same argument with different items and see the counter point better.

"You're talking about not being able to afford a ****ing car and that's not living like a hobo? What is the point of being alive if you cant even have a Bugatti, a 5 star meal every week, or even a helipad on your 5 million dollar house?"

It's the fact that you can live comfortably with a car, food, and house that's not extravagant, but also not trashy. That's the essence of frugality. I would argue that it also includes not spending money on "designer coffee" aka Caribou and Starbucks, when brewing your own is sufficient.

 

[Wordead]

You're right. Money is a means to an ends, so if your end is a basic b####h cup of coffee that i can easily make for pennies on the dollar, then knock yourself out. I was using the assumption that if someone is willing to spend $4x4 on starbucks weekly will probably be making other ridiculous choices along the way which would equal much more than $3328 over four years. But then again, assumptions fail. Much like yours that I am a 21 year old....I'd probably laugh at what you call "real world experience".

People can make decisions on what they allocate their money towards. I personally spend my "excessive" amount on scotch and eating out. You passing judgment on whether coffee is a justifiable expense is what is absurd. I'm sure I could easily pick apart your life and find areas you could cut back on until you live a life of austerity. But again....whats the point. Like I said, even if it's 30K rather than 3K it's not going to make an appreciable difference in your quality of life down the road.

I'm not even going to bother responding to the other guy whose post is just nonsense reductio ad absurdum.

 

[Ven0m]

I just buy coffee grounds and extract the caffeine in my homemade chemistry lab, saving tons of money and learning chemistry everyday...

 

[drjay16]

I just buy coffee grounds and extract the caffeine in my homemade chemistry lab, saving tons of money and learning chemistry everyday...

Or you could just buy bulk caffeine pills...


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[Giovanotto]

Me? ~450/month on groceries in an expensive city. I'd rather eat good food and be poor than vice versa.

 

[hmockingbird]

Since third year with free lunch at most hospitals, I spend about $40/week. If I am rotating somewhere without free lunch it goes up about $20-30. I usually pack my lunch. How much I eat out depends on what is going on. Some months I barely eat out at all and other times I eat out maybe once or twice a week, it just depends. I did one of my core clerkships at an alternate site and I ate lunch out about every other day just because they had a lot of cheap and healthy local restaurants.

ETA: I also subscribe to some things online... my favorite flavored water and some healthy snack items, both of which are hard to find locally so it saves me time and the total is about $25/month for both of those.

 

[Ven0m]

Or you could just buy bulk caffeine pills...


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Haha I was kidding about extracting caffeine, in fact, I do buy caffeine pills.

 

[Kaustikos]

Okay. Stop saying coffee is $4 a cup. If you mean those expensive sugar things, don't call it coffee.
Also, gas stations sell coffee. And it's fine if you get it when they brew it. And it's cheap.

 

[BadgerBadger]

FWIW, here's about typical month's worth of food. I will need to pick up some other stuff throughout the month if I need it (probably some cheese later, and/or a few more veggies). There's no reason to spend even $300/mo if you're not eating a ton of processed, unhealthy foods.

• Collard Greens (lg can) (1.99 ea) $5.97
• coffee (5.99/lb) $7.19
• Apple butter 28oz $2.69
• Olive oil 16oz $4.99
• PB 28oz $2.99
• Peanuts (2.19/ea) $4.38
• Soy sauce $1.99
• Black beans 1lb $1.19
• V8 juice (24 oz) $1.98
• Car. ground turkey (1lb), 1.98/ea $9.45
• Shurfine chicken breast (2.5lb), 5.99/ea $17.97
• Bananas (.49/lb) $1
• Sweet potatos (.69/lb) $2.7
• Broccoli (.69/lb) $0.6
• Large eggs (18 ct.) $3.43
• Oikos triple zero yogurt (4.29/tub) $12.87
• Coconut milk (2.59/ea) $7.77
• Cottage cheese (2.33/ea) 22oz $4.66
• Frozen peas (.89/ea), 1lb $1.78
• JJ pierogies (2.50/package) $5
• Bread (loaf, whole grain) $1.89
• Protein bar (5.88/6 bars) $11.76
• MetRx meal replacement bars(1.89/ea) $5.67
• Lentils (4 lbs) $4.99

Total - $124.91

 

[Psai]

Okay. Stop saying coffee is $4 a cup. If you mean those expensive sugar things, don't call it coffee.
Also, gas stations sell coffee. And it's fine if you get it when they brew it. And it's cheap.

i only drink free trade organic all natural coffee hand picked by authentic guatemalans

 

[Giovanotto]

FWIW, here's about typical month's worth of food. I will need to pick up some other stuff throughout the month if I need it (probably some cheese later, and/or a few more veggies). There's no reason to spend even $300/mo if you're not eating a ton of processed, unhealthy foods.

• Collard Greens (lg can) (1.99 ea) $5.97
• coffee (5.99/lb) $7.19
• Apple butter 28oz $2.69
• Olive oil 16oz $4.99
• PB 28oz $2.99
• Peanuts (2.19/ea) $4.38
• Soy sauce $1.99
• Black beans 1lb $1.19
• V8 juice (24 oz) $1.98
• Car. ground turkey (1lb), 1.98/ea $9.45
• Shurfine chicken breast (2.5lb), 5.99/ea $17.97
• Bananas (.49/lb) $1
• Sweet potatos (.69/lb) $2.7
• Broccoli (.69/lb) $0.6
• Large eggs (18 ct.) $3.43
• Oikos triple zero yogurt (4.29/tub) $12.87
• Coconut milk (2.59/ea) $7.77
• Cottage cheese (2.33/ea) 22oz $4.66
• Frozen peas (.89/ea), 1lb $1.78
• JJ pierogies (2.50/package) $5
• Bread (loaf, whole grain) $1.89
• Protein bar (5.88/6 bars) $11.76
• MetRx meal replacement bars(1.89/ea) $5.67
• Lentils (4 lbs) $4.99

Total - $124.91

Are you a mouse!? I'd go through that in less than 2 weeks.

 

[olivarynucleus]

Are you a mouse!? I'd go through that in less than 2 weeks.

Probably a 95 pound white girl.

 

[Giovanotto]

Probably a 95 pound white girl.

My favorite is that the calculations for some items have a unit of 1. Like really, you have one loaf of bread a month? I probably buy two loafs of bread a week.

The lack of pasta/rice is also concerning!

 

[ortnakas]

This is really a personal thing. For some people, eating good food is worth taking out a little more loan money; for some people, saving money is worth living off rice and beans. Some couples can give up eating out completely, and some need a weekly date night to preserve their sanity. Some students study 100% at home and drink their own coffee, and some prefer studying in coffee shops and end up spending more on cappuccinos. Whatever floats your boat.

The one technique that seems to save both time AND money is a slow-cooker. Learn to love it.

Vaping, though. Heard so many nicotine-habit breaking success stories about it. The idea is to switch to a lower nicotine concentration e-liquid that you vaporize and inhale, every week or so!

An opinion very much NOT shared by the CDC, by the way.

 

[Elevencents]

Are you a mouse!? I'd go through that in less than 2 weeks.

Seriously. Love how people come on here and say it's so easy to spend less than x amount on food. I'm 240lbs and eat the amount of meat he does in a month in usually a few days. 18 eggs for a month? That's 3 days for me.

It's silly comparing food budgets with no reference point.

 

[Stagg737]

People can make decisions on what they allocate their money towards. I personally spend my "excessive" amount on scotch and eating out. You passing judgment on whether coffee is a justifiable expense is what is absurd. I'm sure I could easily pick apart your life and find areas you could cut back on until you live a life of austerity. But again....whats the point. Like I said, even if it's 30K rather than 3K it's not going to make an appreciable difference in your quality of life down the road.

I'm not even going to bother responding to the other guy whose post is just nonsense reductio ad absurdum.

30k isn't going to make an appreciable difference? If you invest that for 30 years at a 5% interest rate that compounds annually you'll end up making 130k off of it. Make it 8% and you'll make 300k off of it. Neither of those numbers are insignificant when you consider what you can get with that.

In terms of food, my budget is 200/month. If I spent 400/month I'd be spending an extra 10k/year on food, so 40k extra over 4 years. And that's only food. To me, being able to potentially make an extra 300-500k in the long run (or even a million if the investments are smart) is worth living a little more prudently now. To each their own though.