We travel in our Keystone 29 ft Travel Trailer with our two cats Ellie and Abby. We started our RV adventure Oct 31, 2021. While traveling we are doing major projects on our travel trailer. So it's a learn as we go adventure. We have name our RV ME GONE RVING ADVENTURES
Summer of 2022 was a challenge for us. Why? It was our first summer as Full Time RVers, and gas and food went sky high. So like everyone, looking for ways to save $20-50 to compensate for the increased cost we had to put into our tanks of our vehicles and generator.
Our first plan of action was food - after all we do eat 3 times a day. I went to the internet to do all kinds of research on cooking for less. And I found this... wooot an answer to our problem. Ummmmm? We shall see. Now in all fairness to the Youtuber who did this, we must warn you it was done two years ago. So it will be fun to see how much this has changed and did it save us??
We went to the cheapest store in town. We went to Ogden, Utah to Winco... I had my husband do that shopping explaining to him, that he needed to follow the list as it was written down and to get the cheapest item possible. So here we go....
- 3 lb bag/package of boneless chicken $11.34
- 9 oz chorizo $1.52
- 1 lb bag of baby carrots $.98
- 2 lb block of cheese (he bought 2-1lb because it was cheaper to do it that way $3.75/$3.30) $7.07
- 1 single garlic bulb .48
- 1 roma tomato .28
- 1 box of chicken stuffing mix $2.28
- 1 can of diced tomatoes $.72
- 1 small box of grits $1.92
- 1 single sweet potato $2.39
- 1 red onion $.65
- 1 green pepper $.78
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken $1.18
- 1 lb box of pasta shells $1.73
- 1 lb bag of white rice $2.46
- 1 lb bag of black beans $1.28
- 1 lb bag of pinto beans $.99
- 1 bouillon cubes container $1.41
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Total bill $39.46 BEFORE TAX
So there was definitely a hike in price since this video was made. Could I make this bill even cheaper. I think so, this was a starting place of better awareness. This is supposed to feed us in for one week. There are no coffee/fruits or veggies (which is an issue for health reasons). Also this was for dinner/lunches - it did not include breakfast.
Eggs in our store right now are almost $9. I kid you not. Utah min wage is $7.50 and that's what Mark is making. So he would have to work 1.5 hours to pay for eggs. Rent in the town we are in is over $1500 for a 1 bedroom. Gas is currently $4.75
I now am cooking things from scratch. I literally research and watch food prices since this shopping project we did at winco. I look online because a lot of locals sell produce/eggs for less than the stores and that has helped. I found eggs at $5 a dozen. We've cut WAY down on meat and I only cook enough for that meal to cut the temptation of eating 2nd/3rds - sorry my husband likes to eat. It's been harder on him, because he no longer gets as much.
Now for me, it's a nightmare because of special items I have no choice but to include in my diet because of my colon cancer. We are ok. But it makes us feel bad for those that are really struggling with what should be a simple cost - food.
We did this project to open our eyes and to learn. There are no debbie snacks, steaks, chips, or types of foods in our home at all. We buy no name brand or whichever is cheaper. Our food budget is $200 a month.
AVERAGE
If you're a single adult, depending on your age and sex (the USDA estimates are higher for men and lower for both women and men 71 and older), look to spend between $229 and $419 each month on groceries. For a two-adult household, the figure above will double: $458 to $838.Apr 13, 2022
How much should 2 people pay for groceries per month?
For a two-person household, start with $300 per month. This will provide $200 for everyday groceries and an additional $100 to stock up on sale items.
Black beans are a power food - it is a major staple in our home. FIBER.... There are millions of ways to prepare this so that it's tasty and not boring.
