Don't read this post if you haven't read The Beginning. Click here to read and understand first.
So I carried forward $311.99 from July 2023 for August 2023 usage and I'm seriously not sure how long this amount can last even if we casually thrift on our own, not to make us look like pathetic humans living on earth. Anyway, cut the crap. Let's begin.
1 AUGUST 2023 TUESDAY
OUR BREAKFAST & LUNCH EXPENSES: $4.50
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: $8.90
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: $13.40
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| The Cookie and Me for Breakfast |
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| I cooked my own Fried Noodles for lunch |
Cooked my own lunch for Tuesday with the last bits of the beansprouts and a pack of instant noodles. I turn not-so-nice instant noodles into fried noodles instead.
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| His Dinner and the meat were a little hard this time around |
Dinner for me was a pack of French Fries because got pissed off from work and had to make myself happy with sinful food. And I'm good again!
2 AUGUST 2023 WEDNESDAY
OUR BREAKFAST & LUNCH EXPENSES: $2.90
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: $5.30
LOTTERY: $67
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: $75.20
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| Curry Puff for Breakfast $1.40 |
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| His Dinner from our fav stall but the standard dropped |
In the end, it was a waste of money buying the lottery because did not even win a 'horse poo' a.k.a Consolation Prize. So people, don't spend too much money on the lottery. Not good for the pocket.
3 AUGUST 2023 THURSDAY
OUR BREAKFAST & LUNCH EXPENSES: $6.80
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: $29.70
TRANSPORT: $23
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: $59.50
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| His Breakfast for the next few days |
Spreading his breakfast over 2 days (hopefully 3 days) to maximize the value. Heard from the Groupbuy at my side that this shop Bunnies is quite popular with their fresh bakes in that perfect bite size with many different flavours. I got him Raisins and Garlic to try out.
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| Being mindful of my Breakfast and Lunch for Dinner tonight |
I'm saving my tummy for a hotpot dinner with my ladies. An honest review from me and my friends on FuFu Pot here. Their company is way better than the food.
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| Spicy Tomato Hotpot at FuFu Pot |
Even though the two of us went out individually with our own friends, the expenses shot up mostly by me as most of the time, people spent on him. So lovely, right?
4 AUGUST 2023 FRIDAY
OUR BREAKFAST & LUNCH EXPENSES: $16
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: $5.20
SNACKS: $10
ONLINE SHOPPING: $6.28
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: $37.48
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| Breakfast for the Soul |
I got myself a cup of Hazelnut Latte from the kiosk outside my office building. To kick start Friday morning with a bam! Read about this coffee kiosk here. Well-deserving breakfast and lunch for me because WEEKEND IS HERE!
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| Yuan Yang Pao Fan $6.90 for Lunch |
His favourite Fish Cracker (and Belinjo which I can't find anywhere near me) and my favourite Tapioca Chips. Guess what? I finished my favourite in one go. Too addictive to stop and I'm sure is gonna get me into the heaty mode.
5 AUGUST 2023 SATURDAY
OUR BRUNCH EXPENSES: $5.20
GROCERY RUN: $13.20 (including tomatoes $4.20)
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: Zero
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: $18.40
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| Groceries Run that should last a week or so |
To save time and money on cooking (pure laziness especially the washing part), take-outs or dine-outs are ideal for us. What we get on grocery runs is mainly some basics like bananas (part of his breakfast), eggs (for our protein intake), Red Bull (energy boost for his Sunday routine run), fruits, and lettuce. No more fancy cooking condiments or sauces again, which I'm trying to clear as much as possible instead of wasting.
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| His Brunch of the Day |
Finally, he finished the last packet of food I bought one shot on Wednesday. Beehoon Goreng, Mee Goreng, and lastly, Nasi Goreng. All his favourite but the taste-wise dropped. He said isn't the same as the last time.
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| My Weekend Well-Spent on these |
So happy that I have cleared glutinous rice flour for homemade tang yuan. And I thought I can finish the cake flour for a chocolate cake but guess I have another round of baking before it gets out of sight. FYI, our breakfast for the coming week.
Watch my Tang Yuan and Chocolate Cake baking videos below:
6 AUGUST 2023 SUNDAY
OUR BRUNCH EXPENSES: Zero
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: Zero
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: Zero
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| Homecooked Brunch for us |
Making at least one weekend of zero spending which is possible on Sundays. The easiest will be porridge and a can of abalone. Effortless meal, making the rice cooker work for me. Sometimes, a plate of fried noodles but this time I used a pack of Korean instant noodles to do the trick.
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| Our Dinner and My Next Day Lunch |
One dish meal is perfect for couples like us. Easy to cook as you just throw in whatever you have into the wok and fry. Fills up one's tummy with satisfaction.
7 AUGUST 2023
OUR BREAKFAST & LUNCH EXPENSES: Zero
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: $3
VITAGEN DELIVERY: $10.50
FRUITS: $60 (oranges + durians)
GROCERY + SNACKS: $11
TRANSPORT: $10
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: $94.50
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| My mini home-packed lunch with lettuce |
Not sure why he doesn't like broccoli and cauliflower but I love them so much. And ended up choosing all my favourite food for his dinner, without any meat because I know is cheaper that way and I love it!
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| Favourite Mamee and a big slice of Pork Shoulder |
I saw it at Sheng Siong selling this big pack of Mamee and I couldn't resist not to buy. On the same day, I have already finished almost 10 packs. Damn! And also make Char Siew with the slice of Pork Shoulder in an attempt to finish the Char Siew Sauce. Recommend this sauce to make Char Siew at home. Just need to add a little Five Spice Powder. And that is one meal for us!
Note to self: Preheat 250°c for 10 mins. First 20 mins at 200°c (10 mins mark, brush with the sauce), last 15 mins at 250°c.
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| 王中王 |
Why on earth did he go buy durians in such drastic hot weather? I don't have cravings for that although thought of it before. Sigh... another big amount that burst our budget. Lottery and Durians. Never mind. Just enjoy! And now my fridge smells durian.
8 AUGUST 2023
OUR BREAKFAST & LUNCH EXPENSES: $0
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: $10.30
ONLINE SHOPPING: $9.41
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: $19.71
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| Salad for my Lunch |
At this time, I'm left with a pathetic budget of $13.71 on the 14th day of the Challenge. Plus my lottery winnings, I have in total $44.71 to stretch till the end of this week! Super determined! Thank God for the small win as a supplement.
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| His Dinner for the day with a bowl of rice |
At times, I really feel that buying roasted meat on its own is expensive with a small portion. But the behind the scene of this delicious roasted meat probably counts. However, still prefer making it our own.
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| My Orange Yogurt for Dinner |
Mix a yogurt bowl with a cup of Low Fat Natural Yogurt and one orange. It tastes so good. Cleared that yogurt finally after hanging around so long in the fridge.
9 AUGUST 2023
OUR BREAKFAST & LUNCH EXPENSES: $7.90
GROCERY RUN: $8.80
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: Zero
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: $16.70
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| Grocery and Food Run |
So went to the market to pick up some stuff for Rojak-making and I can't believe even at the wet market, the tau pok can cost the same as in the supermarkets. Then may as well buy it at the supermarket then. Need to buy the right thing at the right place.
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| Homemade Rojak for Brunch |
A new dish was unlocked and the total cost was only $2.60 for 2 pax.
- Taupok: $0.90 (used half pack)
- Cucumber: $0.50
- You Tiao: $1.20
- Cuttlefish and Rojak Sauce: Free
- Sesame Seeds: Current in the kitchen
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| Homemade Char Siew for Dinner that cost half the price |
Why bother spending $10 or more for Char Siew or Roasted Meat when we can make it at home which cost half the price and you get a bigger portion too? I rest my case.
10 AUGUST 2023
OUR BREAKFAST & LUNCH EXPENSES: $2.30
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: $4.10
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: $6.40
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| Got $0.80 direct pay to my account from the game |
My schoolmates are my saviours of the day especially when I'm on a challenge. At this moment, I'm left with $6.80 (including the above $0.80) to stretch after deducting my breakfast. Hey, every cent count.
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| His Dinner with a home-fried egg |
I was thinking since I have eggs at home so I got him other sides with the bee hoon. Then just fried an egg for him to make up for the small portion of bee hoon. Nowadays the portion is quite pathetic for the price. Sigh. Gonna do a blog on what is worth making or cooking at home than takeaways.
11 AUGUST 2023 (1ST HALF OF THE DAY)
OUR BREAKFAST & LUNCH EXPENSES: $2.40
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: Zero
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: $2.40
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| My Breakfast and Lunch all together |
OMG! I'M LEFT WITH $0.10 JUST HALF A DAY ON THE 17TH DAY OF MY CHALLENGE!
BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES CATEGORY:
- 🏡Home Expenses: $455.36
- 🚌Transport: $53
- 🍕Food: $272.75
- 🛒Grocery: $51.19
- 💆Beauty: $97.20
- 🛍Online/Offline Shopping: $35.20
- 🎲Lottery: $67
Another considerable portion goes mainly to Food after Home Expenses. The most regretful expense will be on Lottery. If I just buy $5 for 4D and $7 for TOTO, I will still have $55 more to stretch the challenge further. Sigh. So don't spend so much on the lottery. Bad for the pocket.
Also, you might think that I don't eat but I do. Because of dieting, I stick to my salad for most dinners, unless we cook over the weekends.
I will continue with a final post for the remaining 14 days to see how much exactly is enough for the 2 of us to survive per month comfortably these days. Stay tuned.
Disclaimer: Based on the writer's budget in Year 2023 at 8% GST. All the above were paid by the writer. Not sponsored post. The post does not represent anyone else other than herself. Personal opinions may differ as time passes. And applicable for couples (2 pax) only. But still vary due to different lifestyles.