In a recent credit.com article that we were asked to write, during the research phase for the article, we stumbled on to some interesting facts from Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Spending Survey.
This from the article ….
What is not showing in the BLS graph is the breakdown of at home and away from home food. According to the same 2014 BLS report a whopping 41% of our TOTAL food costs are away from the home. This is a stunning number. Eating out is fun but rarely as healthy or as cost effective a way to spend your monthly income. Staying at home, planning in advance, eating healthy, and spending time with family or friends may be a great way to lower that bulging food budget.
YIKES !!!
We are including the full article in our Newsletter, which is in the works. My family hates this discovery … the belts have been tightened .. financially and physically (for not eating out.) It’s not easy !
How much do you and your family eat out ? Might be more than you think !
John A. Kvale CFA, CFP