Cheap Eats
If you’re like me, when I first look at starting to do a budget I usually get to the point where I say “well if I don’t eat I think I can do this.” You can get away with this in your 20’s (at least I did for a few days at a time) but in your 50’s – um not so much.
The frugality blogs are filled with tonnes of ideas on how to save on shopping etc. But by now, in our 50’s, we pretty much know most of that stuff – we have just chosen to ignore it, live large, or just not had time and motivation to get organised.
But here it is folks. D Day. We are all on the downhill run of life and if you want to achieve your retirement goals starting from nothing, or very far away from where you should be, it’s time to do those hard yards.
About 6 months ago I became vegan. This was more as a necessity than a choice because I had developed a significant dairy intolerance. My body was also having a really hard time processing meat. After I watched What the Health I was totally converted as well. Things I knew but chose to ignore, became urgent and I just quit eggs and a lot more after watching that movie.
I’m not judging you. You do you. I’m just telling you of my experience. Instead of calling myself Vegan I prefer to say I eat a whole food plant based diet. This is a term you will hear more and more over 2018 and moving forward. Vegan has a few (unfortunately) negative connotations connected to it and although I applaud activism, I don’t want to be judged if I occasionally have a mouthful of meat.
At first glance in the supermarket it feels like going plant based is going to cost you way more than what you are eating now. Everything organic and ‘good for you’ costs more because it is in the health food aisle, and that’s where they hit you up.
I’m here to tell you nothing could be further from the truth. Plant based eating is far, far cheaper once you get your head around the things you like, learn how to cook them yourself, get organised and prepare ahead of time. This feels so daunting, I know. It feels easier just to stay the way you are. And that’s fine if you can afford to. But if you’re here reading this, it probably means that you are looking for ways to get you to your retirement goals faster.
On the plus side, plant based eating will also help you live longer, apparently, if you believe all the studies and medical information now becoming available. It has huge benefits for diabetes, heart disease, asthma – you name it. All I can say for myself is that I lost 7kg without trying, my skin is clear for the first time in my ENTIRE LIFE (that’s 52 years of acne) and my hypoglycaemia is not bothering me at all, unless it’s an extremely hot day and I do a little too much physical stuff.
I spend about $50.00 on food and ingredients for the week and I eat well the entire week. I have overnight muesli or porridge packed with nuts and thawed frozen fruits for breakfast most mornings, a sandwich of some description for lunch, and whatever fantastic plant based deliciousness I make for an evening meal. I have also conquered the vegan cheesecake (made from nuts) and worked out custard powder is vegan so mixed with plant milk (I love almond milk but again you do you) I finally have custard deliciousness for dessert. This was one thing that I really had a hard time finding a replacement for but I’m ecstatic now that I finally have.
Meat alone used to cost $40.00 for the week along with all the easy frozen bits and pieces I would throw into the trolley. My son still eats meat but I only spend a fraction of what I used to and he is also introducing (or participating under duress) plant based meals into his diet. He has a whole thing about protein. When I told him that cow protein comes from the grass they eat first, he kind of started to get it.
Once you conquer your kitchen, meat eater or plant based, the financial world becomes your oyster (get it? Oyster? Kitchen?). Planning is key. Use Sunday to do bulk cook ups and have your meal prep done for the week. If you’re working, have your lunches made and ready to go in the freezer as well. I used to play tupperware roulette and whatever was in my plastic box was a total surprise until I got to work. That was many years ago but I still remember it fondly. I used to give myself tuck shop day every week on a Thursday. I could buy and have anything I wanted for lunch, including dessert, as a little reward for being frugal and disciplined every other day. I think it’s important to factor at least one day in a week to splurge on yourself because once you’re over 50, you really never know how long you have, so you have to enjoy life as well as trying to save for your goals.
Along this line of thought, factor in the lazy night where you just can’t be asked, and get takeaway. I did make an allowance for going out to a restaurant or something, but as I haven’t been asked out for over 8 years, I just use this allowance for the kids birthdays where we go out for a big extravagant birthday dinner at the restaurant of their choosing. That way I don’t have to worry about the cost. I just enjoy my babies and a lovely meal and celebrate without worrying about whether this is going to affect my ability to retire.
It’s about balance, ultimately. Keep your eye on the end goal, take small consistent steps to reduce your food budget, but allow yourself to live a little.
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