3 Ways to Stretch Your Grocery Budget When You Take Unpaid Sick Days
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When you’re sick, the last thing you want to worry about is putting food on the table. Unfortunately, groceries can be a major source of stress if you don’t have paid sick days.
Living without paid sick leave means your time at home recovering comes out of pocket. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the wages you lose from a three-day absence is the equivalent of your month’s grocery budget.
Losing the money you rely on to fill your fridge can be stressful, especially when you have no choice but to stay home without pay. But don’t worry — it’s possible to make your usual budget stretch further during times of illness. Check out these tips for dealing with unpaid time off.
1. Put it on a Line of Credit
Normally, no financial advisor would recommend paying for groceries with a line of credit. But this isn’t a normal situation. Losing a chunk of your usual pay unexpectedly is akin to an emergency, like when you’re facing an unexpected expense. It’s exceptional circumstances not likely to repeat.
In unexpected emergencies, you can visit an online lender like Fora to see if a line of credit is right for you. Going online simplifies the borrowing experience, so you don’t have to leave your blankets to apply. At-home applying is also easier to fit in between doctor appointments and tests.
A line of credit is best used when you know you can pay off what you use once you’re back at work. You have the option to pay a minimum if this is hard to do in one go, but you should always aim to pay as much as you can by the due date.
2. Assess and Plan
Hold off on borrowing until you check the insides of your pantry and fridge. You might be surprised to find ingredients you can whip into simple meals that will get you through your time at home.
Most major food publications share their top 10 lists of recipes you can make out of nothing. However, you might have better luck with a recipe generator. You can type in the exact ingredients you have at home, and the generator will deliver a recipe that makes use of them.
Be open to omitting or substituting ingredients when necessary. A simple Google search can teach you how to swap out ingredients when you’re desperate.
3. Stretch Your Food Budget
Maybe your time at home knocks out just a portion of your usual grocery allowance. If you have less than you usually spend on food, learn how to stretch the money you do have.
- Shop at dollar stores or discounted shops.
- Find the best deal by shopping from flyers.
- Download coupon and rebate apps.
- Don’t forget to utilize loyalty programs and redeem any cash rewards you have saved up.
- Opt for cost-effective alternatives that promise longevity in the kitchen.
- Avoid pre-made meals, even though they’re easier when you’re sick. Their convenience comes at a premium cost.
- Focus on cheap staples like pot noodles, beans, rice, and frozen vegetables.
The Takeaway:
Dealing with groceries on a limited budget isn’t fun, but it’s possible. Remember these tips if you’re currently at home sick without pay.
Once you’re back on your feet, focus on building an emergency fund. These savings can take place of your line of credit the next time you catch a cold strong enough to keep you home from work.
