Despite being "high income", having no debt, living off rice and beans, and making minimum repairs on the one car my partner and I own, we are still only *marginally eligible *for a mortgage. It's absolutely insane!
I've been keeping groceries at $50 ea/wk by switching to frozen veggies, making bread at home, increasing cheap proteins (like lentils/ricotta cheese/beans/whole milk), avoiding processed foods, and grocery shopping around sale or deal items. I also started an indoor herb garden because fresh herbs are an easy expense to avoid and are a delicious way to spruce up frozen veg.
I've managed to replace potato chips with home made croutons (from last week's left over bread). I make myself wait a week before buying things, and try to get things used when appropriate.
Despite being "high income", having no debt, living off rice and beans, and making minimum repairs on the one car my partner and I own, we are still only *marginally eligible *for a mortgage. It's absolutely insane!
I've been keeping groceries at $50 ea/wk by switching to frozen veggies, making bread at home, increasing cheap proteins (like lentils/ricotta cheese/beans/whole milk), avoiding processed foods, and grocery shopping around sale or deal items. I also started an indoor herb garden because fresh herbs are an easy expense to avoid and are a delicious way to spruce up frozen veg.
I've managed to replace potato chips with home made croutons (from last week's left over bread). I make myself wait a week before buying things, and try to get things used when appropriate.
It's not easy, but we can find a way!