About the Diners
Our household includes me, Robin*, and my spouse, Starling; and the kids, a 12 year old, Hawk, 9 year old, Wren, and a 5 year old Ducky. We live, work, study, play, and create our lives in San Jose, California. *Not our real names
Our household includes me, Robin*, and my spouse, Starling; and the kids, a 12 year old, Hawk, 9 year old, Wren, and a 5 year old Ducky. We live, work, study, play, and create our lives in San Jose, California. *Not our real names
What’s the budget?
Our budget is $2 per person, per day, which works out to $49.13 per week for our family.
Why are we doing this? We live in a high cost of living on a lower-than-average salary. We are getting by on a very modest budget and I wanted to share the tips and tricks that make it possible for us. This is not part of a social project, or poverty voyeurism.
What diet do we follow?
This blog will show you how I do it, and I hope that these tips and techniques are helpful to your family. I do not assume that just because I can do it, you can, too. Everyone’s situation is different and your mileage may vary depending on your circumstances.
I have the privilege of not living with food insecurity. I know that we will always have a next meal. This is not a given for everyone, and food insecurity is stressful and exhausting. I hope this blog can be a valuable resource for someone experiencing food insecurity, which is stressful and exhausting, but there are many reasons that my experience could be difficult to match by someone with the same budget.
I live in a big city with lots of resources for affordable, and sometimes free, fresh food. Food costs vary wildly, and your costs may not be reflected in my recipes. Food deserts are a huge problem; accessible healthy foods are often unavailable in neighborhoods with the highest rates of poverty.
I have a reliable vehicle with which we can shop. Those who need to take public transportation to shop add time, cost, and energy to their shopping trip.
I have a kitchen with working appliances, helpful gadgets, and supplies to appropriately package food so it won’t spoil. Many do not have access to full kitchen, refrigeration, or the supplies needed to safely cook and store food, etc.
I have the time to put into cooking from scratch. The working poor are often exhausted by physically demanding jobs and don’t have the time or energy after work to put into labor intensive, time consuming meals from scratch.
I have room for a small garden, have support for learning how to garden, and live in a region with a long growing season. Apartment dwellers (and again, the working poor) may not have access to gardening space or the time or ability.
I have education in how to cook, and the physical ability to do so. Anyone can grow up without learning how to cook, or lack the physical ability to do so.
I'm spending cash. Those relying on SNAP (food stamps), WIC, or food banks may have fewer options where their food dollars are accepted. There is nothing wrong with needing a hand up. I hope this is helpful to those who are looking to make their ends meet, however their ends get to them.
How did I get that number?
$2 per adult, per day = $730 a year, per person
$1 per kid (because they are here 50% of the time) = $365 per year year
2 adults = $1,460 per year
3 kids = $1,095 per year
Total for the year = $2,555
Divided by 365 days = $7 a day
52 weeks = $49 a week
31 day month = $217 a month
Divided by 365 days = $7 a day
52 weeks = $49 a week
31 day month = $217 a month
Why are we doing this? We live in a high cost of living on a lower-than-average salary. We are getting by on a very modest budget and I wanted to share the tips and tricks that make it possible for us. This is not part of a social project, or poverty voyeurism.
Do we get food assistance?
We do not get food stamps, and our kids are too old for WIC. The kids do receive free lunch at on school days.
We accept free food when it is offered. We have generous friends and family members who have us over for meals on occasion, and sometimes graciously send us home with leftovers.
We accept free food when it is offered. We have generous friends and family members who have us over for meals on occasion, and sometimes graciously send us home with leftovers.
Do we use coupons?
I use coupons but am not an extreme couponer. I shop sales and stock up on loss leaders in weekly sales flyers.
What diet do we follow?
Two family members are gluten free for medical reasons. Otherwise, we don’t subscribe to any particular way of eating (vegetarian, low carb, etc.) We are not trying to change our bodies.
Do we garden?
Starting in 2018, we're participating in a community garden project, La Mesa Verde in San Jose, CA. In exchange for volunteer hours, they are providing garden boxes, soil, seeds, and support for our backyard garden. This is our first garden and I'll be sharing our experience.
Where do we shop?
I most often shop at small ethnic markets, Grocery Outlet, and Sprouts, and occasionally at Trader Joe's, Costco, and Safeway. Every few months, I take a trip to visit my mom and the WinCo in her town, where I stock up on dry goods from their bulk bins and lament that we do not have one closer. Sadly, we do not have Aldi in our area.
Where do we shop?
I most often shop at small ethnic markets, Grocery Outlet, and Sprouts, and occasionally at Trader Joe's, Costco, and Safeway. Every few months, I take a trip to visit my mom and the WinCo in her town, where I stock up on dry goods from their bulk bins and lament that we do not have one closer. Sadly, we do not have Aldi in our area.
Do we eat out?
We rarely eat out, but when we do, it comes out of a separate budget.
An acknowledgement of privilege
I live in a big city with lots of resources for affordable, and sometimes free, fresh food. Food costs vary wildly, and your costs may not be reflected in my recipes. Food deserts are a huge problem; accessible healthy foods are often unavailable in neighborhoods with the highest rates of poverty.
I have a reliable vehicle with which we can shop. Those who need to take public transportation to shop add time, cost, and energy to their shopping trip.
I have a kitchen with working appliances, helpful gadgets, and supplies to appropriately package food so it won’t spoil. Many do not have access to full kitchen, refrigeration, or the supplies needed to safely cook and store food, etc.
I have the time to put into cooking from scratch. The working poor are often exhausted by physically demanding jobs and don’t have the time or energy after work to put into labor intensive, time consuming meals from scratch.
I have room for a small garden, have support for learning how to garden, and live in a region with a long growing season. Apartment dwellers (and again, the working poor) may not have access to gardening space or the time or ability.
I have education in how to cook, and the physical ability to do so. Anyone can grow up without learning how to cook, or lack the physical ability to do so.
I'm spending cash. Those relying on SNAP (food stamps), WIC, or food banks may have fewer options where their food dollars are accepted. There is nothing wrong with needing a hand up. I hope this is helpful to those who are looking to make their ends meet, however their ends get to them.
Take what works for you to save time, money, and energy on feeding your family, and leave the rest. I’m sharing so that I can help those who might be in a similar situation of trying to feed their family or themselves nutritiously on a bare bones budget.
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