The Great Grocery Challenge

We completed the Great Grocery Challenge and ended up with the answer to the question, “How long can we go on a $25/week consumables budget?” Our answer? Five months. Ultimately, as we left spring and summer, it got harder to buy fresh fruits and vegetables on a $25/week spending plan. It accomplished its goal, though, and we’re much more aware of what is a need and what is a want when it comes to consumable spending. We bumped up the budget to $140 a month, which allows some flexibility while still being well under the USDA $450/month "Low Cost Plan" for a 2-adult food budget. And thanks to CVS, I haven’t purchased a toiletry type product with real cash in 6-7 months.