I’ve been looking back at what I spent in January. I spent more than I expected. Unfortunately, I have a few big expenses coming up in February that I don’t think I can avoid. However, I’m going to do what I can to mitigate those expenses. Let me share with you how I’m saving money in February.
Strictly Cutting Back on Food Spending
I can’t believe how much money I spent on food in January. Honestly, I know that this is a really problematic area of spending for me. Despite how much I know it’s a problem, I just seem to keep letting overspending happen. Therefore, I need to get really strict about it this month.
Hungryroot Deliveries
In January, I only ordered my Hungryroot delivery twice. This is my meal prep / grocery delivery. It’s healthy food that I should be using for almost all of my meals. I spent about $150 on that. I should really have doubled it, gotten that every week, and avoided spending on other food costs. So, I’m planning to actually increase this spending in February to about $300.
Grocery Stores
I spent another $200 at the grocery store. Ridiculously, most of that was on alcohol. I’ve actually decided to take a break from alcohol in February, so I’ll be saving money on that. I did go to the grocery store today and spent about $60. I usually get dairy and a few other staples from the grocery store instead of from Hungryroot. I expect to go to the grocery store once more during February. I’m budgeting $100 for that.
Grubhub Deliveries
This is the single biggest area where I waste money. I get so much food delivered, it’s absurd. I get cravings, and I indulge them. Honestly, I don’t really like to cook. I prefer the convenience of food made for me. So, I naturally end up ordering a lot of delivery food. I thought I’d gotten better at this.
However, when I looked back at my January spending, I discovered that I’d spent over $400 on Grubhub deliveries. This is absurd. So I’m saving money in February by deleting the Grubhub app. I already placed one order this month. I’m going to try really hard not to order any more food delivery at all in the month of February. If I stick to that, it would save me at least $300 as compared to January.
Restaurants
You would think with all of that dining out that I wouldn’t also spend money at restaurants. You would be wrong. I took a friend out to a meal in January that cost over $100. I also spent another $300 at restaurants in January. I’ve already spent a nominal amount at restaurants in February.
I do have at least one birthday meal I’m going out to. Plus I’m spending a weekend away with friends, so I’m sure we’ll dine at a restaurant. I think the key here is just to be careful with my spending when I do go out. It helps that I’m not drinking so I won’t pay for pricey cocktails. I’m going to stick to the rules of getting just an appetizer when that makes sense. We’ll see how I do in this area.
My goal is to spend less than $700 on food in February. That would save me almost $500 as compared to January.
I Don’t Need to Buy Anything Else
Also, I really don’t think I need to buy anything else in terms of materials good in February. The truth is that I don’t typically spend a lot of money on material things. Clothes and craft supplies are my two biggest spending areas. I have plenty of both of those.
Other Ways I’m Saving Money in February
There are a few things I expect to do this month that do require spending some money. However, I think I have plans for mitigating most of those costs:
Weekend Away
I’m spending a weekend away with friends. However, they’ve generously offered to let us, including the dog, stay with them. Therefore, I won’t need to spend anything on lodging. As a result, the getaway should be pretty affordable.
Free Entertainment
I’m going to make it a point to attend only free events. I do love spending money on entertainment and performance art. I have tickets to one event. However, there are a lot of free options here in San Francisco. There’s no reason that I need to buy pricey tickets to anything right now. Just because there are tons of amazing things to see and do here at varying price levels doesn’t mean that I need to pack my calendar with the ones that cost a lot of money.
Dentist
Unfortunately, I do need to go to the dentist this month. There’s no avoiding spending that money. I’ll be honest, too, it’s not cheap. I’m the kind of person who needs lots of extra TLC or I won’t go to the dentist at all. As a result, my appointment is going to cost about $400. The one saving grace here is that one of my credit cards is offering 5% back on health appointments this month. So, I’ll pay the bill with that credit card, then I’ll pay that credit card off right away. In that way, I’m saving money in February on the things that necessarily cost me money.
Eye Doctor
Ditto on the eye doctor. I have to have an appointment because it’s been years. However, I don’t need to spend an exorbitant amount of money, which I’ve been known to do at the eye doctor. Instead of going to the very expensive exam place I usually go to, I’ve booked at a much cheaper place. Moreover, even if I get a new prescription, I don’t need to get new contacts or glasses right away. I have plenty of contacts right now. Therefore, I will postpone spending more than just the cost of the exam until at least March.
Will There Be Moving Costs?
I may or may not move to a new apartment soon. I’m looking at options. If the right one comes up, then I’ll take advantage of it. However, I’m not in a rush to move. If I do move, though, there could potentially be moving costs. At least if I’m saving money in February on other things then I’ll have some wiggle room for those costs if they arise.
Read More:
- Can Saving Money Be Bad For You?
- Financial Psychology: Do you Have a Money Disorder?
- How Mental Health Issues Impact Finances
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Kathryn Vercillo is a professional writer who loves to live a balanced life. She appreciates a good work-life balance. She enjoys balance in her relationships and has worked hard to learn how to balance her finances to allow for a balanced life overall. Although she’s only blonde some of the time, she’s always striving for total balance. She’s excited to share what she’s learned with you and to discover more together along the way.
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