Part of it is two additional paychecks - he based her monthly budget on getting paid bi-weekly, which would usually mean 2 checks a month. Since there are 52 weeks and a day in a non-leap year, that means getting she's really paid 26 (once in a great while 27) times a year, so some extra money there.
The rest, between exemptions in federal tax and the Earned Income Tax Bracket, she's probably in a situation where she'd get thousands back form the government without paying. The EITC alone for someone in her position could be as much as 5700. What might screw it up is if she's still technically married, still filing jointly and her husband makes money that she has no access to, while providing no support and she can't afford a lawyer to get anything from him. I suspect that's not the case here, but I don't know.
I find his estimates to be somewhat flawed - for example, even not getting expensive groceries, groceries for herself and three children would probably be significantly more than his estimates, she's also paying more for gas than his estimate of a full tank 2x/month. One other thing not discussed is any liabilities she's responsible for by having an admitted drug addict for a husband - did he ring up thousands in debt on credit cards she has to pay, for example. But because I don't know her entire situation, Im' not about to write her off as a whiner who doesn't plan to fail but fails to plan either.
Correct. There are 2 (and every 4 years she would get 3) extra paychecks not allocated in that budget.
I'm not sure how $600 per month is not a reasonable allocation for a household of one adult and 3 children.
But, to put some thought into that...
Weekly Meal Plan
Breakfast
Mon - 4 Eggs, 4 slices of toast and 1/2 lb of bacon, 4 8oz glasses of milk, 4 6oz glasses of orange juice, coffee
Tues - Cereal with Bananas, 4 8oz glasses of milk, 4 6oz glasses of orange juice, coffee
Weds - Scrambled Cheesy Eggs with Sausage. 4 Eggs, 3 slices of cheese, 1/2 roll of breakfast sausage, 4 8oz glasses of milk, 4 6oz glasses of orange juice, coffee
Thurs - Cereal with Strawberries, 4 8oz glasses of milk, 4 6oz glasses of orange juice, coffee
Fri - 4 Eggs, 4 slices of toast and 1/2 lb of bacon, 4 8oz glasses of milk, 4 6oz glasses of orange juice, coffee
Sat - Waffles, Strawberries and Syrup, 1/2 roll of breakfast sausage, 4 8oz glasses of milk, 4 6oz glasses of orange juice, coffee
Sun - Pancakes, Bananas, 1/2 lb of bacon, 4 8oz glasses of milk, 4 6oz glasses of orange juice, coffee
Shopping list for breakfast:
1.25 dozen eggs per week ($2.68 * 5 for the month = $13.40)
1 loaf of whole grain bread per week (assume 15 slices) ($1.41 * 4 = $5.64)
3 slices of cheese per week = 1 pack of premium cheese per month (4.75)
2 large boxes of cereal per month (3.75 * 2 = $7)
1 lb of bacon per week ($6 * 4 = $24)
1 tube of breakfast sausage per week ($5 * 4 = $20)
3 gallons milk per week (3 x $3.50 = $10.50 * 4 = $42)
3 large containers (59 oz) Tropicana Orange Juice per week (3 x $6 = $18 * 4 = $72)
1 bunch (approx 8) bananas per week ($1.50 * 4 = $6)
1 large tub of strawberries every 2 weeks ($3 * 2 = $6)
4 cups of flour per week for pancakes and waffles means around 10 lbs of flour per month ($3.50 per month)
8 tablespoons sugar (waffles and pancakes) + 7 tablespoons for coffee = 15 per week * 4 = 60 tablespoons per month = 3/4 of a pound of sugar per month ($5)
4 tsp baking powder * 4 = 16 tsp of baking powder per month mans about half a container of Calumet per month ($3.5 / 2 = $1.25)
1 tsp per week of salt for recipes, 6 tsp of salt for cooking means 28 tsp per month of kosher salt, which is about 10% of a 42 oz container ($5.50 * .10 = $0.55)
1 stick of unsalted butter per week = 4 sticks per month ($4.50)
4 tablespoons of vegetable oil = 16 per month = 6% of a gallon of Veggie Oil (5.25 * .06 = $0.32)
1 large container of Maple Syrup per month ($5.75)
1 large container of Honey per month (4.50)
2 large containers of jelly per month ($3.75)
1 half gallon of whipping cream per month ($4.25)
8 teaspoons vanilla extract per month which is about 3/4 of a standard 2 oz container ($3.50 * .75 = $2.63)
8 tablespoons of confectioners sugar plus 6 tablespoons for sprinkling per month is around 1/4 of a lb ($4.25 * .25 = $1.06)
2 bags of whole bean coffee per month ($6.5 * 2 = $13)
So, breakfast total, monthly...with a menu planned for very little waste, and quite a healthy menu with variations and options, and also including running ingredients like sugar and flour which would carry over month to month.
Monthly spend so far = $250.85 with a per plate average cost of $2.24, a per meal average cost of $8.96 and an average weekly average cost of $62.71.
Lunch (assuming day care / school does NOT provide lunches)
Mon - Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches. 8 slices of texas toast sauteed in 8 oz of butter, 12 oz of peanut butter, 3-4 bananas (this uses up the leftover bananas from the previous week), Drizzle of honey, Baby Carrots with ranch dipping sauce, 3 8 oz juice packs and 1 16 oz bottle soda
Tues - Turkey Breast and Bacon Sandwiches. 8 slices of texas toast, 1/2 lb of bacon, 1/2 lb Sliced Turkey Breast, 4 leaves of iceberg lettuce, 6-8 slices of tomato, 4 tablespoons of mayo, 2 tablespoons of mustard, 4 red onion rings, 4 bags of chips, 3 8 oz juice packs and 1 16 oz bottle soda
Weds - Tuna Pitas. 4 pita bread halves, 16 oz of canned albacore tuna, drained, 1/2 cup chopped sweet pickles, drained, 3 tbls plain yogurt, 3 tbls mayo, 1 chopped red bell pepper, 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion (approx 1/2 an onion), 1/2 cup chopped granny smith apple (approx 1/2 apple), 2 tsp apple cider vinegar, Baby Carrots with ranch dipping sauce, 3 8oz juice packs and 1 16 oz bottle soda (there will be leftover Tuna Salad)
Thurs - Ham Sandwiches. 8 slices of texas toast, 1/2 lb Sliced Ham, 4 leaves of iceberg lettuce, 6-8 slices of tomato, 4 tablespoons of mayo, 2 tablespoons of mustard, 4 red onion rings, 4 bags of chips, 3 8 oz juice packs and 1 16 oz bottle soda
Fri - Chicken Ceasar Pitas. 1/2 lb sliced turkey, leftover Ceasar Salad (see dinner menu), Celery Stalks with ranch dipping sauce. 3 8 oz juice packs and 1 16 oz bottle soda.
Sat - Tuna Salad Sandwiches. 8 slices of whole grain toasted in 4 oz of butter (which will finish the whole grain loaf from the breakfast menu), leftover Tuna Salad from Weds, side of chips. 4 8oz glasses of milk.
Sun - Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. 2 10 oz cans of tomato soup with 20 oz of milk, 8 slices of american cheese, 8 slices of Texas Toast. 4 8oz glasses of milk.
Shopping List for Lunch
12 oz of butter per week = 3 sticks per week = 12 sticks per month (4.50 * 3 = $13.50)
3 - 4 Bananas (no additional cost, already included in the breakfast spend)
Drizzle of Honey (no additional cost, already included in the breakfast spend)
Whole Grain bread (no additional cost, already included in the breakfast spend)
24 oz of Baby carrots per week or 96 oz per month or 6 lbs per month (1.75 * 6 = $10.50)
84 oz of milk or about 3/4 of a gallon per week or 3 gallons per month (3.5 * 3 = $10.50)
1/2 lb of bacon per week, or 2 lbs per month ($6 * 2 = $12)
1/2 lb of turkey breast per week ($7.50 * 4 = $30)
1/2 lb of ham per week ($5.50 * 4 = $22)
2 loafs of Texas Toast (assuming 16 slices per loaf) per week (3.50 * 8 = $28)
2 packages of Pita Bread per month (4 pitas, using 1/2 per week) (3.50 * 2 = $7)
11 tablespoons of mayo per week = 44 tablespoons per month = 1 22 oz container per month ($3.75)
4 tablespoons of mustard per week = 16 tablespoons per month = around 1 10oz container per month ($4.50)
4 tomatoes per week = 16 tomatoes per month (.75 * 16 = $12)
1 red onion per week (.55 * 4 = $2.20)
2 sweet onions per month (.55 * 2 = $1.10)
8 3oz bags of chips = 24 oz of chips = approx 3 bags per month ($4 * 3 = $12)
2 stalks of celery per month (.45 * 2 = $0.90)
2 cans of tomato soup per week (.90 * 8 = $7.20)
1 head of iceberg per week (.75 * 4 = $3)
15 juice packs per week = 60 per month or 6 packs per month (4.25 * 6 = $25.50)
5 bottled sodas per week = 20 per month (.75 * 20 = $15)
3 tbls of yogurt per week, 12 per month, or 1 6oz package per month ($2.30)
4 red peppers per month (.45 * 4 = $1.80)
2 tsp apple cider vinegar per week, 8 per month or approx .08 of a 16 oz bottle per month (2.50 * .08 = $.20)
24 tablespoons of ranch dressing per week = 96 per month = 3 16 oz dressing bottles per month (2.50 * 3 = $7.50)
Caesar Salad (leftover from Thurs Night Dinner, costs are assigned to dinner)
Lunch monthly spend is $232.45. Per plate average is $2.08, and a per meal average cost of $8.32 and an average weekly cost of $58.11.
Monthly spend so far = $483.30 with a per plate average cost of $2.16, a per meal average cost of $8.64, a per diem so far average cost of $17.28, and an average weekly average cost of $120.82.
Of course, these numbers change dramatically if the day care / school serves lunch. But, I'm assuming a well rounded menu, little waste, healthy and using premium / quality ingredients (like premium cheese and deli meats) as opposed to cheaper alternatives.
Dinner
Mon - Veal Piccata Sting (chicken) served over mushroom tomato angel hair pasta with a lemon caper sauce. For dessert, make cupcakes. 6 8oz glasses of milk.
Tues - Taco Tuesday! 6 - 8 of taco shells, 2 lbs of ground beef, 8 oz shredded mexican style cheese, 1/2 head of iceberg lettuce, shredded, 1 tomato chopped, 4 oz of sour cream, 1 8oz can of sliced black olives 2 packets of taco seasoning. Side of refried beans topped with cheese. For dessert, 3 burrito tortillas, 2 tbls butter, 2 tbls brown sugar, 2 tsp confectioners sugar. 6 8oz glasses of milk.
Weds - Pot Roast with rice and frozen mixed vegetables. For dessert, leftover cupcakes. 6 8oz glasses of milk.
Thurs - Chicken Caesar Salad with a side of breadsticks. For dessert, fresh cream and mixed berries. 6 8oz glasses of milk.
Fri - German Night! Bratwurst, sauerkraut, grilled asparagus and speatzle. For dessert, banana splits! 6 8oz glasses of milk.
Sat - Steak and Baked Potatoes topped with butter, sour cream, chives and bacon. Served with sauteed Green Beans with pine nuts and bacon. For dessert, make a cake. 6 8oz glasses of milk.
Sun - Tilapia and rice served with frozen mixed vegetables. For dessert, smores! 6 8oz glasses of milk.
Shopping List for Dinner
8 boneless, skinless chicken (8.82 * 2 * 4 = $70.56)
8 cups of flour per week for cooking and baking means around 20 lbs of flour per month ($3.50 * 2 = $7)
.75 tablespoon of cayanne pepper per week, or 4 per month, which is around 1 container of Zatarains per month ($1.25)
4 tsp per week of salt for recipes, 6 tsp of salt for cooking means 40 tsp per month of kosher salt, which is about 16% of a 42 oz container ($5.50 * .16 = $0.88)
4 lbs chuck roast per week ($7.25 * 4 = $29)
1 packet of dry onion soup mix per week (.50 * 4 = $2)
3 carrots per week (.75 * 4 = $3)
1 red onion per week (.55 * 4 = $2.20)
7 potatoes per week (3 for pot roast, 4 for steak and potatoes), or approximately one bag (3.50 * 4 = $14)
1 stalk of celery per week (already included in the lunch budget, so no additional cost)
1 box of taco shells, 10 shells per box, use 6 per week or 24 per month, or approx 3 boxes per month ($3 * 3 = $9)
2 lbs of ground beef per week, 8 per month ($4.50 * 8 = $36)
2 packets of taco seasoning per week, 8 per month (.50 * 4 = $2)
1/2 head of iceberg per week (.75 * 2 = $1.50)
2 cans of refried beans per week (.75 * 8 = $6)
4 oz of sour cream per week, 16 oz tub per month ($2.25)
1/2 bag of shredded mexican cheese per week, 2 large 20 oz bags per month ($4.50 * 2 = $9)
1 package of burrito sized tortillas per month ($2.50)
16 tbls of butter for cooking, or 2 sticks per week. 8 sticks per month (4.50 * 2 = $9)
2 lb of rice per week ($3.50 * 2 * 4 = $28)
2 large bratwurst ($5.50 * 2 * 4 = $44)
1 jar of sauerkraut every 2 weeks ($6 * 2 = $12)
3 gallons of milk for drinking and cooking per week(3 x $3.50 = $10.50 * 4 = $42)
1/2 box of brown sugar per month (3.30 * .5 = $1.25)
3 bags of ceasar salad mix per week, 12 per month (4.25 * 12 = $51)
4 eggs per week for cooking and baking. 1 dozen per month ($2.68)
1 half gallon of whipping cream per month ($4.25)
8 teaspoons vanilla extract per month which is about 3/4 of a standard 2 oz container ($3.50 * .75 = $2.63)
3.75 cups of confectioners sugar, or around 1 a pound per week ($4.25 * 4 = $17)
1 bunch (approx 8) bananas every two weeks ($1.50 * 2 = $3)
1 large tub of strawberries per week ($3 * 4 = $12)
1 large tub of blueberries per week ($3 * 4 = $12)
1 large tub of blackberries per week ($3 * 4 = $12)
1 large tub of raspberries per week ($3 * 4 = $12)
4 Ribeye steaks per week, 16 per month ($26 * 4 = $104)
1/4 lb bacon per week, 1 lb per month ($6)
2 packages of chives per month (2 * 2 = $4)
16 oz of green beans per week ($1.50 * 4 = $6)
1/2 bag of pine nuts per month ($1.50 * .5 = $0.75)
4 tilapia filets per week, 16 per month, or two packages of frozen tilapia (generally had 8 filets) (8.90 * 2 = $17.80)
4 packages of frozen mixed vegetables per week, 16 per month (3.25 * 16 = $52.00)
1 can of breadstick dough per week (4 * 4 = $16)
1 package of marshmallows per month ($5)
1 bar of chocolate per week, 4 per month (0.55 * 4 = $2.20)
1 box of cinnamon graham crackers per month ($3.50)
1/2 bottle of chocolate syrup per month ($3.50 * .5 = $1.25)
1 bottle of sprinkles per week (0.75 * 4 = $3)
2 pints of grape tomatoes per week (2 * 4 = $8)
2 8oz tubs of sliced mushrooms (2 * 4 = 8)
1 package of angel hair pasta per week (1.25 * 4 = $6)
2 bottles of capers per month (1.50 * 2 = $3)
1 dozen lemons per month ($3.50)
2 gallons of Ice Cream per month ($3.50 * 2 = $7)
Dinner monthly spend is $715.95. Per plate average is $6.39, and a per meal average cost of $25.56 and an average weekly cost of $178.92.
Monthly spend so far = $1196.25 with a per plate average cost of $3.56, a per meal average cost of $14.24, a per diem so far average cost of $42.72, and an average weekly average cost of $299.04.
So, there ya go. About twice what I estimated in the budget ($150 per week). However, I have a few notes about this menu.
1) It's very rich. It uses fresh and premium ingredients mostly, veering away from bulk or frozen products.
2) It's probably better then most people eat, even if not low income.
3) Portions were planned for adults, not children. That means 4 adults could eat off this menu. With children, this number changes dramatically.
4) It assumes that 4 adults are fed lunch daily, and that school / day care does not provide lunch.
Many things could be trimmed or substituted to dramatically lower the costs. Not doing steak every Sunday, for example, would have a massive impact on the budget. Also, doing low cost box meals and frozen vegetables would dramatically lower it. Not having such unique lunches would lower the cost. List goes on.
So, for the exercise, I went for a menu that was balanced, appealing, low waste, and as I mentioned, quite rich. Average calorie consumption on this diet would easily be 2000 calories per day. Probably closer to 3000. So, there would need to be a lot of adjustments for a family with children, as well as adults as a whole. But, I did want to run through the exercise to see what a "reasonable" food budget would look like.
) a person will be doing them and getting paid poorly. Pretending the low paying jobs don't exist doesn't make them go away.
