Track Your Food Spend

January 2, 2021

We’ve learned the hard way — nearly everything changes during a pandemic. Where we can go, who we can see, and yes, even the food we eat.

While many are trying to support our favorite restaurants and cafes, most of us are eating far more at home. That can mean more trips to the grocery store, larger grocery purchases at each visit, more cooking (or more fast food), and lots more dishwashing.

To help you reconnect with your food bill, Portico staff recommend this small step.

Small Step: See What You Spent on Food Last Month

Pull out last month’s credit card statement, check book, and/or banking app
Tally up your food costs — groceries and dining out (both eat-in and take-out)
Record your totals in the food section of our downloadable monthly budget worksheet

Get the Worksheet

If you’re curious, track your food spending for the same month one year ago and compare. You can also fill out other sections of the worksheet to gain a broader understanding of where your money’s going. Only when you know what you’re spending can you make informed decisions going forward.

Motivated to do more?

If you have an ELCA retirement plan account with Portico:

Use the Savings and Spending Checkup offered by Fidelity, our recordkeeping services provider for Portico’s retirement plan.
You have free access to a range of financial counseling services provided by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) Financial Counseling, including up to six budgeting consults per year with an LSS Financial Counselor.
Read this Broadridge Communication Solutions, Inc. article, “How COVID-19 Has Changed Consumer Behavior and the Future of Retail,” prepared for Portico in late 2020.

This information should not be considered or used as a substitute for professional health care advice. By providing this information, Portico Benefit Services is not providing any medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Each individual is responsible for his or her own health and medical treatment decisions. You should talk with your doctor to determine the lifestyle changes and health care treatment options appropriate for you.