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Are You American, Fat, & Broke? Here's The Reason Why
Authored by Catey Hill via Marketwatch,
If your waistline is expanding while your bank account is shrinking, a new survey may have uncovered the caloric culprit.
According to a survey of more than 1,123 American workers released Tuesday by Principal Financial Group, two in three Americans said they blew their budget in 2014 — and it’s Americans’ appetites for food that are the main causes for this budget busting.
Dining out is the No. 1 thing Americans say they blew their budget on in 2014 (consequently, it also means they blow their diets: a study of more than 12,500 people published by Public Health Nutrition this year shows that on days when people eat out they consume an average of 200 calories more than those who eat at home). Eating out is followed closely by spending on food/groceries, with 18% of American workers saying they blew their budget on food/groceries.
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Perhaps even more relevant today, only 13% said that gas prices bust their budgets in 2014... not exactly the marginal awesomeness that a gas price cut is supposed to save after all?
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Who "blows" their money on gas? Stupid question and answer.
Gasoline party at my house bitches!
Yup, like all Americans, I lack agency. Just a bit of detritus floating on life's capricious sea, at the mercy of wind and tide.
Damn. Well, better have another shooter and see what's on TV.
In much happier news, Former President George H. W. Bush has been released from the hospital...ALIVE!
He is American, Rail-Thin and obscenely wealthy.
Nope,, Not fat, not broke..
But heavily armed.
So yeah I guess I am Merikan!
You can never be too thin, too rich, or too well armed.
Thanks for another great excuse to be on Gunbroker now instead of this shit show!
Anybody got a nice falling block 45-70 for sale??
Yeah, that's "one & done" alright
And no trap doors, thanks.
Wrong.
Wrong.
And Wrong.
I am Chumbawamba.
The cost of dining out over the cost of dining in is unconscionable.
Hope Ted got Magpuls for Christmas.
I do not know Chumba...I'd like to own that much Gold...
There is always more but never enough Gold.
Owning that gold does not have to mean you have wear it. I mean, really.
Quit quoting the Olson twins
Outside an occasional trip to Whataburger I don't eat out and entertainment tends to be books (which I do spend to much) I'm basically a home body. I'm a bit overweight but not anywhere near obese though I am heavily armed.....
I went out for a burger on Saturday, which was the first time I'd eaten at a restaurant the whole year. I expect such un-American, anti-social behavior to eventually be a "red flag" much like not being on Facebook.
I blew my wad this month on a Sig 1911, 1,000 rounds of .45 acp, some Tripp Research mags, MTM ammo boxes and some range time.
Better run that thing hard before you CCW with it.
Hope you have your medical insurance paid up, because you'll have to fix your foot when that plastic box breaks holding all your ammo... I'll trust them to hold empty mags or cleaning supplies, but that's it.
PS, academy routinely has metal cans in stock (new issue, new seals, good to go) for $10/pop. There are plenty of other vendors that have new issue for $12-13/pop...
Create a facebook account, find a decent looking girl with more than one photo on the internet to use as your profile pics. Check in at some places with that "identity". Friend politians first on the local level they will accept anyone as a friend then go through thier friends lisst and invite them to friend you. Make bland comments at first on peoples post like, "oh cool" or that looks tasty. Build your friends list than use it as a platform to spread the truth whatever version you like.
I have the body of a god...
Buddha
Live long and prosper (more) President Bush
Eloquent RafterMan, eloquent.
If more American men were into "Eating out" and were good at it, then more wives and girlfriends could to persuaded to not "dine out". Seriously though...
Americans are going broke and broker because of the CIA: Conveniences, Indulgences, and Appearances. Period!
Cannot recommend the following strong enough:
1. Actually HAVE a Household Budget.
2. Allocate a fixed Dollar amount to the CIA each month (week). This includes the Category of "Mad money", which is.
3. Put said amount in cash into an Envelope. When it's gone, it's gone. No use of plastic for CIA! Ever!
Both/All income earners must "sign in blood". They must have a Recovery Plan whenever one, the other or both break these Rules. Somebody has to make a sacrifice (with denial of future spending) to allow the Budget to recover. If one breaks the rules, and the other is not willing to be the Enforcer, budgetary lawlessness ensues and further events are as predictable as the seasons, solar and lunar cycles.
Convenience: any time you impulsively opt for spending money, with the excuse of "time pressure"
Indulgence: any time your desires cave and you just "gotta" have item X. E.g., Dinner out, DVD, gaming, alcohol, tobacco, sporting or cultural event...
Appearances: any time your purchases for Clothing, Transport, Luxuries, etc. are done to impress others, for the sake of asserting your social and economic status. E.g. it is well known that poor girls will spend more on their high school prom dress than affluent girls. (My high school daughter told me this). Poor people spend way too much on Weddings, to impress and express their social status ("We've arrived!"). The list goes on...
p.s. The time to discover the character of Fiscal Responsibility of your future Spouse is while you're dating, not hope that they will be more frugal afterwards. Cause they won't. They will have the same HABITS of spending on the CIA. Choose your mate accordingly. The ability of a Trophy GF or Trophy wife to outspend the income earner will always be true: If not in the stores themselves, then when the Divorce lawyers come into play. Because virtually all Trophy Chicks become Ex-Trophies.
A MUST-read is "The Millionaire Next Door". The facts and stats will astound you. Or maybe not.
BONFIRE! What the hell, the economy is on "Fire". Let's just burn it all down.
The only thing better than gas for starting a fire is a dried out Christmas tree. Damn thing went up like a fireball.
No doubt.
Perhaps was a typo - should have been beer.
Maybe recreational gas is whats inhaled.
Who "blows" their money on gas? Stupid question and answer.
So you have never been to the desert with your recreational vehicles, as in Motorbikes, and Dune Buggies?
So you do not drive an RV and travel?
So you have never taken a Sunday Drive?
So you have never taken the Snowmobile out for a slide?
So you never flown an Ultralight or an Cessna?
So you have not taken the Cabin Cruiser out for a trek to Avalon, Santa Catalina Island?
So you have not lived?
Go ahead. DRink some more Alcohol, drown your sorrows, and watch some more TeeVee so that you can vicariously live somebody's fictional character's life.
Who "blows" their money on food and groceries? 'Dining out' was a separate category. Everything I spend on groceries goes to preparing something in the oven or crockpot, and I always have two days of leftovers. I guess by blowing money on food they mean the 'type' of 'food' you select (doritos versus fresh produce?).
I think they mean that they're disgruntled they even have to pay for food...
eat at Joe's and get gas
Nope...Rich, In shape...Have it all. Bitchez!! Red arrow away haters of people who work hard.
Yes, although I will had, being wealth and in excellent shape does require due diligence and work.
Yeah yeah yeah.. Rich, good shape is OK
But can you hit a grape with a Hi-Point 40 cal at 100 yards??
Get to work on it!
Yes, but defending my spending on ammo to Mrs. LoP has been getting challenging.
Can you hit a green with a Pro-V1 at 305 yards??
There are many better things to do than smack white balls into little holes...
Besides getting to the Green is not the challenge. Putting it in is where the skill and finese are most demanding.
Take a ride on your Yacht, troll some Flying Fish as bait, and then fight with a Swordfish, or Marlin, for a couple of hours. Then tell me about that...
Or drink yourself into a stupor at the 19th...
You have it all - everything, that is, except something better to do with your time, than to post on ZH! (joking :-)
Sure you are. And I'm a French model.
where's the "Hookers and Blow" category ?
beat me to it. Damn. I don't think the author understands the meaning of the word "blow".
I have to spend a considerable amount on fuel, otherwise nothing gets done.
Nevermind "hookers and blow" - it's a list of ways people waste their money. Why isn't "Taxes" on the list?
Entertainment . . . . 15%
Granted a little low on the budget.
The solution is simple, we must ban all restaurants. I propose we get Bloomturd to form a coalition comprised of former mayors and felons, both of which are one in the same.
I wouldn't demean good, honest criminals with Bloomie....
Except the Four Seasons, Mesa, and Per Se. These solutions only apply to the little people. Not the Bloom-ocracy.
Stupid survey.
Where's the iDrool category. How much does the average family spend each month on their iPhone plans. Stupid fucks drop hundreds or even thousands a month on data plans and app downloads.
Most relevant section of this research:
"This Principal Financial Well-Being Index SM: Employees was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Principal Financial Group® between October 23 and November 3, 2014 among 1,123 employees."
"Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Poll surveys. "
I agree. When I have gone out to a standard American fare restaurant, I am amazed at the masses of food on people plates. Entire tables filled to where there is no room for anything left. It's a wonder they haven't included a barf bag to make the roman aristocracy image complete. Most of it is just crappy cheap carbs. If people are really just consuming 200 cals more at a restaurant than at home I'd hate to see what was an average home cooked meal.
Eating out is wonderful. Time to enjoy good food, fantastic company and a great ambiance. Food is sensual and adds to the evening's experience. It should be savored, not a stuffing event which indicates an inner emptiness besides hunger. No, I can't afford to do it often but when I do, it's an event to be remembered.
Miffed
Ah, another piece of advice from 0.01% to plebs: stop eating and driving you will be rich!
don't forget to inflate your tires to their proper amount. it could save you billions annually.
If only you had stuck to just eating your peas.
Yeah, and a tune up too!
Tune ups work great on EFI engines. /s
Today a tune up is reflash/replacement of the ECU.
i don't see many super fatties at the places i eat
Hmm. Lube, poppers, and pot are the three main reasons why I get fatties and bust.
Err, fat and broke. Yeah, that.
I could use a triple baconator about right now.
Eating out sucks....I know how I like my food cooked therefore I do it myself.
Right on, it isn't the cost, it's the cost following what they served you.
To avoid being crushed by health problems and health expenses you must prepare your own food from ingredients you source yourself. It's not even a question of calories, it's a question of nutrient density and toxic load. If you habitually eat out, this is the best thing you can do for your quality of life in general and your finances in particular. I speak from vivid experience.
Yup. Anyone not already following ldsprepper on youtube ought to. This guy's family can live off the garden, no need for a grocery store.
If you like decent beer, then having two beers a day from $10 sixpacks will cost you ~$1200 a year for beer alone.
Like going out to drink? 5x that amount.
Its cheaper just to grow your own pot and better for you than booze if you decide on doing either.
It used to be cheaper to brew your own beer too, even as early as '10, but that differential has now slowly been made null.
Growing your own plants, of whatever variety and purpose, is really the best you can do in today's world.
Worth it. Beer keeps me from being donkey brained.
Brew your own brother, and cut that tab in half. Only it's a lot like cooking, but more involved.
As I said in the comment above, the savings of brewing your own have gone down considerably. I've brewed before - it's great stuff. Brewing:Buying used to be 1:4. Now it's 1:2 at the best. With Sierra Nevada and Lagunitas around, and a lack of enough free time, I'm not so keen anymore.
Here here Skateboarder and two lady friends took care of that for me ... Ms. Indica and Ms. Sativa!
I certainly miss to some extent knocking back fine beers & whiskies with friends ... but do I miss the $100 drinking charges appearing magically the next morning on my cc; usually while I was coming to grips with the hangover and piecing together the previous night's damage ... ?
It's a major jump and for me the main issue is managing dosage. The herb they are synthesizing these days is a religious experience and most are not looking for that depth of commitment on a casual outing ... I get very high on $8 worth of hash oil but its not something any of my inner circle to date are ready to share ... so I do it alone and wait for the landing before stepping out into social life ...
This is yet another reason for the War on Drugs: decriminalization of MJ would definitely cut into the fortunes of McCain and the other Beer Barons, as well as the Revenuers take.
Right on Hongcha. A single round of shots for the gang at the bar costs $50 these days. Fuck that!
The dosage thing, I had come to perfect upon a good measure of contemplation: three puffs in a sitting, once every three days.
Of course, you must resist the temptation those other two days. ;-)
Oils and waxes are out of my realm of operation - it's too much work, gear, and complication for my taste. Some kids at the skatepark bring the blowtorch and everything...
200 calories X 365 days = 20lbs of fat.
Muricans should learn how to cook their own food. Lazy, fat, and broke bastards!
RE
Because I popped out in my mother's vagina here by pure luck?
I wish I was born in another country so I could have the dual citizenship.
I'm still trying to figure out who ordered 25% of my dick cut off.
I sometimes used to wonder about that but more importantly, I wondered what happened to my foreskin.
After exhaustive research, I was elated to learn that it's still around and apparently doing quite well and living the high life as a guy named LLoyd Blankfein.
Cheers.
I always spent way to much money on women....they busted my budget..and then some
Most restaurant food is absolute shit these days....garbage ingredients covered up with salt and oil.
Not that most American sheep care about that...
Hot damn Tyler son, out of the survey count of 1,123 people, you might have to extrapolate that figure for the 300 million fucking other folk you live amongst.
Seeing as I am thick as fuck when it comes to math, what percentage of 1% of 300 million folk is 1,123?
Now talk sense mate. Just as I'm wandering around the kitchen in a bowler hat with a three piece suit on wearing a monichle eyepiece. All the while talking in posh English with my mates about fox hunting. And the fucking Queem.
A sense of proportionality is needed here my good man, as seeing not all of us buggers are what we are made out to be, are we ?
;-)
Dining out is the one thing me and my wife have actually cut right back on over the last few years.
We tend to just go out on special occassions now, like birthdays, weddings, xmas parties etc.
As a result the food bill probably tops 20-25% now, but apart from that I'd say the rest is about right.
Fast food in America.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxY8N_Kp728
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPO9vl5V-mY
Must not be that broke,,, here the filling stations are packed, Taco Bells full, McD's take out cars lined around the building, Chilis packed, Outback packed, whataburgers was so full there were traffic jams inside the parking lot, Wal Mart full, grocery stores very busy, traffic heavy, and so on.
Broke?
Working for a large phone company I drive around eight hours a day trying to avoid these morons.
Put me down for coffee expenses.
Off peak hours are the best.
Dining out and entertainment should be combined. Who spends 22% of their income on food just to survive?
In Bangladesh, a 2-kilogram bag of rice ... now consumes about half of the daily income of a poor family.
... the poor spend as much as 75 percent of their income on food.
That's the idea. The oligarchs want to turn the US into a turd world country.
Did you know antartica is considered a desert since it only gets about 2" of "water equivalet" pet year, this is less than the Sahara.
Want to know what that has in common with your reply? Abso-fucking-lutely nothing. Stay on topic!
If America had Takoyaki stands on every street corner instead of hotdog stands maybe it wouldn't be so fat
That's a great idea! Now all we need is to 'american citizenize' it by double-deep frying every serving with a side of gravy.
a survey of more than 1,123 American workers
Calling BS...not a large enough sample to be a meaningful random sample. If the participants in the survey only spent 10% on housing, they must have sampled folks making well over $100K (or section 8 participants). Where's the medical/insurance category?
Housing at 10%???
My property tax and home insurance is 10%. That doesn't include gas, water and electric and the there are.maintenance costs.too.
If my wife ever dumps me Im moving into a motorhome or sailboat.
"10 Ways Americans blow Their Budget"
Where's the entry for blow and hookers?
Clearly they didn't ask anyone on Wall St.
What category does the new iPhone go into?
People eat out because they are in a hurry and dont have time to cook.
I can cook two weeks of meals in the time it would take me to put on pants, drive to a decent eatery, eat, then drive home.
Quit being so stupid and lazy.
While this is true & I do the same thing there are emergencies or bad choices of work/life balance for commuting and excess hours. When too much time is spent on travel to/from work and too much time is spent at work with no way there to do anything but fast food... some people are left with no chance to even sleep a full night once returning home.
I suppose with a dedicated helpful spouse that could be alleviated. That's frequently becoming less likely for any number of reasons.
Some planning in advance is needed about when to get meals ready, when not to work extra hours and over-all, how close to live near where you work so commute time doesn't kill the entire process. Commute time for most is unpaid time and it also means time you can't cook either. I shudder at fools who think they made it big only to spend 2 hours one-way to/from work every damn day, losing all that time plus the gas cost plus now the initial issue here, the added cost and lower nutrition of take-out food instead of home-made.
I'm not sure about that. My thought would be: to lazy or stupid to plan ahead. In a hurry? Get up earlier and pack lunch to take with you and/or get up early and prep dinner in the morning so it is quick when you get home. The problem is no one knows how to cook anything that's not in a box, can or frozen dinner.
The foodie revolution that has taken place the last decade or so has drastically increased the amount of money spent on dining. People are eating better food out at nicer restaurants (i.e. not chains), and participating in the explosion of the craft beer industry as well.
I blew my wad on health insurance i never need to use. A high end golf trip to Hawaii would have been much more pleasant. Some folks got to go golfing in Hawaii.
By design. The progtards are using HI to hasten the permanent divergence into a two-class society with zero class mobility except for the politically connected.
Get used to it comrade.
I don't go out to eat anymore.
I stay in and eat potato chips and double-stuff Oreos, and maybe order pizza delivery only 2-3 times a week, which is not really considered eating out if you think about it.....
/s
Heard on the Street: "The faster I eat the more time I have to think about my next meal."
Murrikinz, or shall I say 'american citizenism', seems obsessed on over-eating under-nutritious food at double-priced swine-troughs posing as restaurants.
Seriously, folks, just imagine how efficient a farm would be if the pigs built their own troughs, pushed each other to them, filled them with fattening slop and then ran their own slaughter of each other just for the benefit of the farmer.
That sums up the 'american' culture today.
Yep
Bread and circus and enough gas to get from one to the other