A couple from Columbus, Ohio, recently took to Reddit's r/budget after realizing they spent a jaw-dropping $1,541 eating out and $956 on groceries in a single month.
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Shock Over Spending Habits
“Guys… I checked my monthly food spending for March and I’m freaking out,” the person wrote. They explained that even after subtracting $180 for household items from their grocery bill, they still spent $776 just on food.
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While the couple said they cook about 60% of their meals, it's clear that fast-casual stops like Chick-fil-A and Chipotle, where meals cost about $15 per person, added up quickly. “I have the impression that we cook at least half our meals,” they wrote, wondering if their spending habits were out of line.
The Big Question: Is This Normal?
The overwhelming consensus is that “normal” isn’t the point; affordability is. As one user put it, “‘Normal’ is kind of a useless metric here. The question is, can you afford what you're doing?”
Many commenters shared their own numbers for comparison. Most two-person households reported spending around $400 to $800 a month on groceries and another $200 to $500 on dining out. Even in high-cost cities like New York and Los Angeles, people said they kept their restaurant spending much lower than $1,500.
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Some pointed out that fast food is no longer cheap. “Chick-fil-A and Chipotle are not inexpensive. Fast food is very expensive,” one commenter said. Others suggested that part of the problem could be food waste. Buying groceries but eating out often can result in spoiled food and wasted money.
Health concerns also came up. “Eating out every day at chains will get you heart disease if not many, many other problems by age 50 or 55,” one user warned. Another advised, “Go out 1-2 [times] a week for fresh, healthy food and spend as much as you fancy and really enjoy it.”
Solutions: Cut Back Without Cutting Fun
Several commenters encouraged the couple to set precise budgets and a meal plan to avoid last-minute fast-food runs. “Food expenses will expand to fill all available space. If you don’t keep them in check, they will wreak havoc,” one user said.
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Others recommended making simple swaps like frozen meals or easy-prep options for nights when cooking feels like too much work. “Sometimes I just have girl dinner—snacky foods like cheese and crackers, cereal, pickles,” one commenter shared.
In the end, users agreed that if the couple can afford their current lifestyle while saving for their goals, it may not be an urgent issue. But many suggested that cutting back could free up money for better things, like vacations, retirement, or simply peace of mind.
“Imagine how much you can save for a vacation each month if you change your eating habits,” one Redditor pointed out.
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