Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1022
Too many variables to compare family budgets...
3/17/2017 at 12:29 PM
With number of individuals, ages, lifestyle, health awareness, food price increases/inflation and income level as the major variables that constantly changing, family budgets cannot and will not be accurately compared to one another or within itself year by year. Take my family for example. One kid has food allergies, so the meal plan or what actually can be brought in the house is already restricted. My daughter has decided this year that milk is "not her thing anymore" and now wants Soy milk (which never goes on sale). She can go through two cartons a week if I let her. Raw veggies, pure unsweetened fruit juice, whole grain breads, low fat turkey, organic fruits and anything packaged with the labeling "low fat, reduced sodium and low sugar/sugar free. Then I have an active boy who wants protein, high carbs and "good fats" (whatever that is) for muscle development and growth during the weeks he's in competition, training and going to the gym (basically all year). He has recently turned twelve and already obtained a massive appetite that will eventually eat us out of house and home. Two, 4 litre jugs of milk/choc milk can be consumed by him alone in a week. And his dinner portions can that of an additional person (so I'm generally preparing a meal that feeds a minimum of six). And then we have the youngest, who is a fussy eater, but craves for all the "processed/sweet yummies". Granted, plenty of raw veggies get eaten, but refuses starches, most sauces, most fruits, most meats, cooked veggies and anything that looks new or different. But, we're getting better in trying. ...Just don't put a potato on the plate, or it's pure anarchy at the table. And speaking of eating at the table... We have the time table to contend with. The daughters schedule is intense throughout the week, so often her meals are "packed to go" to either be eaten in the car or re-heated if there is a microwave available during her break. Then "Mr. Muscles" doesn't want to eat until after practice or working out, so he scarfs down a protein bar (never on sale) and has dinner after 8:30 four times a week. And of course there's the youngest that needs to be fed before heading out to that ones evening activities. Last, but not least... my wife works shift work. So she may be home 4:00, 5:00, 6:00 or gone all evening 'til after 9:00. So on extreme nights, I may be dishing out three different catered meals at four different times in the evening. However, that only happens only once a week at the most. This year is a crazy year, compared to last, mainly because of "Muscles" and "Health Princess". But last year I had the daughter at the dance studio five or six days a week and rushing off to early piano lessons after school. She ate dinner either at 4:00 or out of a Tupperware container six days a week during the school year. Two years before that the youngest started school and joined the schedule from hell. Our meal plans are constantly changing as the kids change day by day, year by year. How can anyone compare anything when it comes to family meal budgets? Budget? What budget? I'll try to grab things on sale, prepare the meals ahead of time. But if any parent has anything like what I'm trying to do, the budget goes out the window. Most probably hit the drive through once a week or more. Is that still part of the meal budget? I don't do it, but I'm sure many families do it on a regular basis.
So you can see that our lifestyle can't be even remotely related to another family with three younger children because to time constraints/schedules, or dietary requirements, or lifestyle/activities. And many other families would be saying the same. Too many variables to even attempt a comparison between one another. All I can say is... The prices keep creeping up, the packages/containers keep getting smaller and every day I keep loosing more options on what I can make for everyone in the house.
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.