Although the prices of eggs and other foods have slowly come down over the year, they are still not what many consumers would consider “normal.”
As of November, national food prices were up 2.9% from a year earlier, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Eating out is even more expensive, with the cost of eating away from home rising 5.7% year over year.
Everyone buys food differently. People who earn more don't necessarily spend more. Although some high-income earners like to splurge on restaurants, others still look for ways to save money.
That's how much five people making six-figure salaries spend on food in a month.
- annual salary: $130,000
- Monthly food expenses: $1,110 in January 2023
Kelly's job as a traveling entertainer takes her around the world, where she shoots fiery arrows with her feet. However, her monthly income fluctuates because she is self-employed.
Once her foot archery career stalls, Kelly plans to focus on different ways to make money online, such as writing e-books.
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Kelly keeps costs down by renting a room at a friend's house for just $300 a month. That allows her to afford to spend more on the food she loves, including fun with her friends and networking opportunities.
“Spending money on food is a great habit of mine, but probably not a great habit,” she said in April. “But I have so many great experiences meeting people and hanging out with friends, so I don't regret it.”
- annual salary: $210,000
- Monthly food expenses: $662 in September 2023
Rodriguez uses most of her income to save and invest for the future. Still, she loves to travel and experience different cultures, which often contributes to her food budget.
Rodriguez visits his hometown of New York every few weeks.
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“I try to save on things that aren't that important to me, but I spend money on things that are important to me, like food and experiences when I go to other countries,” she told CNBC Make in October. told It.
- annual salary: $194,000
- Monthly food expenses: $363 in June 2023
Although Guonli spends more on takeout from restaurants than on groceries to prepare at home, she is able to keep her food costs relatively low. It helps that he works at his Google, which provides important benefits to its employees.
Guonli lived with her great-grandmother for a year before buying a house about 15 minutes away.
Tristan Pelletier | CNBC Make It
“We have free food at the office for breakfast and lunch,” he told CNBC Make It in August. “I go to the office three days a week, so I eat three or four fewer meals a week.”
- annual salary: $230,000
- Monthly food expenses: $432 in March 2023
Park, co-founder and co-owner of Sara's Handmade Ice Cream, said the prices of items like eggs, milk and sugar can have a big impact on the lives of many food producers. Know better than a product shopper. Additionally, she and her boyfriend enjoy exploring the different restaurants in the city.
Park outside Sara's Handmade Ice Cream in North Bethesda, Maryland.
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“Food is always a big expense for us,” she told CNBC Make It in May. “There is no shortage of great restaurants in Washington, D.C., and we are always looking to go and try new ones.”
Like most people, Park's food budget varies. According to her, she only eats out one to three times a week, and that number quickly adds up. In high-priced months, “restaurants alone can cost $600 to $800,” she says.
- annual salary: $187,000
- Monthly food expenses: $1,440 in December 2022
As a traveling nurse, Ms. Tucker works in various locations across the United States, often for weeks at a time. But he continues to put down roots in his hometown of Spartanburg, where he owns a townhome and his cost of living is relatively low.
When he's not working or traveling, Tucker likes to spend time with his family, play basketball, and play pool.
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Still, if you're on the go or eating out a lot, food costs can add up quickly. Last December, he spent more than $1,400 on food while on contract in Fresno, California. He said food costs were higher than usual this month because he was cooking less.
Tucker and his girlfriend (who is also a travel nurse) try to cook meals while traveling, but their work schedules make it difficult.
“To be honest, my food isn't that good,” Tucker said. march. “So I try to eat out at various places.”
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