Home Economics: August report

Apple tree,  September 1st

Happy September--season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, as Keats said of autumn. I'm sad that summer is drawing to a close, but at least there are apples. 

Yesterday we finished the szarlotka, and on Friday there will be cannoli. Maybe tonight we will have tarte tartin--although I am not sure we should have pudding every night. We are becoming what we eat. 

Also yesterday I finished the August accounts, and I budgeted for September. It was great fun, but in the end I ran mad and ordered a pair of boots Made in England. As it happens, I do need a pair of boots for the autumn, and I cannot wear my navy blue granny shoes day in and day out.  

The expense of this purchase is sweetened by the knowledge that we came in under budget in August, including for food. On August 1, I thought the Restaurant, Cafe, Bar and Takeaway bill would be about £250 as we were spending five days in England, but in the end it was not.

August 2021: Groceries--£288.35; RCBT--£153.22 

This comes to a grand total of £441.57, which may sound like a lot for one couple, but 1. this is Britain,  2. we like fresh food, 3. it includes wine and beer,  4. I will pay up to £5.75 for a bag of coffee. (I will switch to supermarket stuff for Advent and Lent, weep weep.)

Meanwhile, we spent £30 less on food than we did in July:

July 2021: Groceries--£321.52; RCBT--£150.80

Adding in the list below, I see that we have spent an average of £347 a month on groceries (not including the coffee subscription), and an average of £121 a month on RCBT. That is an average £468 per month on  food costs, but that's not so bad given that I took a laissez faire attitude ("It's Christmas!") in January and that we had a blowout during a trip south to see friends in May. Lent evened things out.

January 2021: Groceries--£455.47; RCBT--£112.65; Coffee subscription: £12.95 

February 2021: Groceries--£299.70; RCBT--£45.15; Coffee sub.: £12.95

March 2021: Groceries--£308.75; RCBT--£25.30; Coffee sub.: £12.95

April 2021: Groceries--£361.71; RCBT--£69.03; Coffee sub. £12.95

May 2021: Groceries--£350.34; RCBT--£344.45; Coffee sub. £12.95

June 2021: Groceries--£389.75; RCBT--£67.60; Coffee sub.--CANCELLED

Projected food expenses for September are £300 for groceries and £151 for RCBT.  Let's see how we get on.