The Paradox of Budgeting and Buying for one

Where I last left off, I had $12 left for my second week of groceries. Well, I unfortunately spent more than that. However, my total expenses on groceries so far have totaled approximately $80. That averages to $40 a week. While it is still over my original budget, I think I have still stewarded my resources well to keep my costs down and the flavor up!

However, something puzzling has emerged in my lone, LOGOFF adventures! And it is something I really didn’t anticipate happening – I have too much food!

I have found that certain items, while inexpensive, are too much for one person! For example, I decided to make some pesto. I already had garlic and oil, I just need basil. The bushel, not just a bunch, the bushel of basil was gigantic! But it was only $1.50! Now this is a great deal, but there was no way I was going to eat all that basil.

I also found a similar problem when buying lettuce. I would usually eat a salad with dinner each night, but the one head of lettuce is only good for 2-3 days. I found that I am unable to the whole head of lettuce in that amount of time. But, a head of lettuce is usually between $1 -$2 depending on the farm. It’s not an expensive item, but the problem lies in that I either don’t have the use for the large amount of produce I am buying or it is too perishable.

To remedy this, I started buy heartier and longer-lasting produce, like potatoes, carrots, and apples. I have also added dry, non-perishable items like lentils and pasta.

But then arises another issue – I am eating the same thing over and over again. While this isn’t the worst thing, I tend to like a variety of flavors in my meals. The meal I usually have ½ a bake potato, some roasted carrots, sautéed kale, and some lentils. It is good, but I eat this at least once a day.

It’s the essentially the same problem, it’s too much food for me to eat in just one serving. I buy a bushel kale and one bunch of carrots and it is enough 2 weeks! I’m buying a large amount of food and its lasting for a while. This is good! But it results in me eating the same thing over, and over, and over again.

I realize this sounds bratty. I realize that I am blessed to be able to eat such fresh and healthy food. Shoot, I am blessed to just have food! But it is a difference that I was not expecting. At the convent, with all the NYCUP interns, we made a different dish almost every night! There was a great variety of flavors to taste. 

Now, I am eating the same meal, with the same flavors each day. I could easily get more creative with how I cook, but that would require more ingredients that I don’t have the budget for.

Really, it’s wasting food I hate. Sure, the bushel of basil was only $1.50 but I only needed 50 cents worth of it; same with the kale! While challenging, it is helping me appreciate the variety I once had and is encouraging me to be more creative with how I prepare my food!