We now are able to feed a family of 5 for $400 a month. We could probably cut that a little further (say – $100 more) if we were willing to do without regularly eating meat (red / chick / pork / etc), but so far we haven’t been willing!

Judging from both our initial reactions to cost cutting by buying store brands, shopping 2-3 local stores, stocking up on sales, using powdered milk in cooking, etc., it is my estimation that most people (who aren’t forced into it) won’t shop / eat frugally because of the perceived social stigma.

Heck – even the minimum wage worker looks at your weird when you order exclusively off of the dollar (or less) menu. (Keep in mind that there are a few items, such as regular hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and tacos, that are less than a dollar!)

What we’ve discovered is that we’ll hold on to the money and deal with being social outcasts, thank you.

That way, when we retire, we can continue eating and we promise not to look strange at the old people begging us for money.