{"id":2201,"date":"2015-11-09T05:35:07","date_gmt":"2015-11-09T10:35:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/runningahousehold.com\/?p=2201"},"modified":"2015-11-05T10:59:14","modified_gmt":"2015-11-05T15:59:14","slug":"how-much-does-your-breakfast-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/runningahousehold.com\/?p=2201","title":{"rendered":"How much does your breakfast cost?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you could use some extra money in your wallet, start with a quick calculation of your breakfast costs.\u00a0 Knowing what you eat and how much you pay can save you money.\u00a0 Whether it\u2019s buying your food on sale, or changing some of the foods you eat, there is certainly room for improvement.\u00a0 Let’s get started.<\/p>\n

A couple of years ago, I was watching a tv show about financial matters.\u00a0 A person called in to discuss her money issues.\u00a0 She was really trying to save money, and at one point asked the host of the tv show how much she should spend on breakfast.\u00a0 The host had no idea, and could not even speculate.\u00a0 Meanwhile, I had the answer.\u00a0 It was $0.20.\u00a0 My breakfast cost\u00a0$0.20.<\/p>\n

How did I know this?\u00a0 At the time, I ate instant oatmeal, purchased on sale for $2.00 a box.\u00a0 There were 10 servings in the box, so that amounted to $0.20.<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s take a look at the cost of some breakfast items:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Product<\/td>\nTotal Cost<\/td>\nQuantity<\/td>\nPer Unit<\/td>\nMonthly Cost<\/td>\nAnnual Cost<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n(Per Unit *30)<\/td>\n(Per Unit *365)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bananas \u00a0 (Costco)<\/td>\n1.39<\/td>\n7<\/td>\n0.20<\/td>\n6.00<\/td>\n73.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Canteloupe<\/td>\n1.50<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n0.50<\/td>\n15.00<\/td>\n182.50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cheerios (Costco)<\/td>\n5.69<\/td>\n40<\/td>\n0.14<\/td>\n4.20<\/td>\n51.10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cheerios (on sale)<\/td>\n2.99<\/td>\n8<\/td>\n0.37<\/td>\n11.10<\/td>\n135.05<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coffee – \u00a0 Starbucks<\/td>\n9.50<\/td>\n25<\/td>\n0.38<\/td>\n11.40<\/td>\n138.70<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
English \u00a0 muffins<\/td>\n3.39<\/td>\n6<\/td>\n0.57<\/td>\n17.10<\/td>\n208.05<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
English \u00a0 muffins on sale<\/td>\n3.39<\/td>\n12<\/td>\n0.28<\/td>\n8.40<\/td>\n102.20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Instant \u00a0 Oatmeal<\/td>\n4.00<\/td>\n10<\/td>\n0.40<\/td>\n12.00<\/td>\n146.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Instant \u00a0 Oatmeal (store brand)<\/td>\n2.00<\/td>\n10<\/td>\n0.20<\/td>\n6.00<\/td>\n73.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Milk (1 \u00a0 Gallon; 2%)<\/td>\n4.29<\/td>\n32 (1\/2 cups)<\/td>\n0.13<\/td>\n3.90<\/td>\n47.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Milk \u00a0 (1\/2 Gallon; organic)<\/td>\n3.69<\/td>\n16 (1\/2 cups)<\/td>\n0.23<\/td>\n6.90<\/td>\n83.95<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Orange \u00a0 Juice (8 oz)<\/td>\n3.00<\/td>\n8<\/td>\n0.38<\/td>\n11.40<\/td>\n138.70<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Raspberries<\/td>\n3.99<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n1.00<\/td>\n30.00<\/td>\n365.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slice of Toast – Bread on sale<\/td>\n2.50<\/td>\n20<\/td>\n0.13<\/td>\n3.90<\/td>\n47.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Whole \u00a0 wheat all natural<\/td>\n3.99<\/td>\n16<\/td>\n0.25<\/td>\n7.50<\/td>\n91.25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

As you can see from just this simple list, prices can vary.\u00a0 It pays to be a smart shopper.\u00a0 For example, buying a small box of Cheerios for breakfast each day will cost you $135 per year.\u00a0 However, if you bought it on sale or in bulk, it\u2019s only $51 per year.\u00a0 That a savings of $84 per year.<\/p>\n

Note: You’ll want to pay attention to the Per Unit cost in the middle column.\u00a0 This tells you how much it will cost to eat one item.\u00a0 For example, one bowl of cereal is $0.37.\u00a0 One English muffin is $0.57.\u00a0 A glass of orange juice is $0.38.\u00a0 A cup of coffee also averages $0.38, although this depends on how you make it.\u00a0 Let’s look at some breakfast meals.<\/p>\n

Sample Breakfast Menus<\/h3>\n

Of course you aren\u2019t going to eat the same food every single day for a year.\u00a0 So, what\u2019s important to know is the price per serving\u00a0of each item.\u00a0 Here are three possible breakfast menus:<\/p>\n

Instant Oatmeal, Canteloupe and Orange Juice<\/h4>\n