The first week came to a close with an unexpected twist. We went over budget the equivalent of two full days worth of food for the whole family.
What put us over? An unexpected trip out of town to see family and the need to eat out on occasion. These were not fancy restaurants. Meals were $5 - $8 each, but add in tax and tip for the family and suddenly you are tipping one family member's entire day's worth of food stamp money. $4.73.
While this experiment is not perfect, any person could be called to make a weekend trip away for family matters. Eating out with any regularity would easily blow up any person's budget. You don't stand a chance at success, even eating the cheapest fast food.
So what do we plan to do? Stop eating out if we can avoid it at all. It is the only hope for success.
What put us over? An unexpected trip out of town to see family and the need to eat out on occasion. These were not fancy restaurants. Meals were $5 - $8 each, but add in tax and tip for the family and suddenly you are tipping one family member's entire day's worth of food stamp money. $4.73.
While this experiment is not perfect, any person could be called to make a weekend trip away for family matters. Eating out with any regularity would easily blow up any person's budget. You don't stand a chance at success, even eating the cheapest fast food.
So what do we plan to do? Stop eating out if we can avoid it at all. It is the only hope for success.
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