Bite Sized Budgets Reference
STUDENT NAME:
DATE: CLASS:
Buffalo, NY • 2026 Price Index
Bite Sized Budgets
A real-world planner and price index for designing your monthly food budget.
Personal Finance Guide
OPTION 1: GROCERY STORE TIERS
Monthly Cost
Grocery store costs cover all meals prepared at home. Your monthly bill is determined by your household size and selection:
Tier A: Basic Staples Budget Value Choice
Focuses on essential nutrition and home cooking. Includes bulk grains, milk, eggs, store-brand items, seasonal fruits, and basic proteins.
× Excludes: Name-brand sodas, energy drinks, premium meat, or candy.
First Person: $350 / mo
Each Extra: +$180 / mo
Tier B: Premium Pantry Budget Premium Choice
Includes brand-name snack packs, organic produce, carbonated sodas, specialized gluten-free/vegan foods, bakery items, and high-end meats.
✓ Includes: Premium snack food, energy drinks, and luxury snacks.
First Person: $430 / mo
Each Extra: +$260 / mo
WNY Grocery Insights
Shopping in Western New York offers several paths. Aldi offers the most affordable store-brand prices for a Tier A budget. Wegmans provides organic options and premium brand selections, fitting best within a Tier B budget. Tops falls right in the middle!
OPTION 2: LUNCHES & SNACKS
Convenience meals and quick afternoon snacks eaten outside of the home:
Deli & Café Lunch $15.00
Sub sandwiches, salads, café plates.
Fast-Food Combo $12.50
Burger combos, tacos, or local sub shop.
Snack & Drink Run $3.00
Sodas, chips, single candy bars.
OPTION 3: EATING OUT
Going out for sit-down dinners. Rates include 8.75% sales tax and 18% gratuity:
Casual Sit-Down $20 / person
Chicken wing joints, pizzerias, local diners.
Standard Restaurant $32 / person
Sit-down family restaurants or bistros.
Fine Dining $55 / person
Upscale Italian or downtown steakhouses.
MY CUSTOM MONTHLY FOOD PLANNER
Use the price indices above to design a custom monthly food budget for your household. Write down your choices, quantities, and calculate the estimated total cost.
| Food Budget Category | My Selection & Options Chosen | Estimated Monthly Cost |
|---|
| 1. Grocery Tier Selection | | $ |
| 2. Lunches & Snacks (Outside Home) | | $ |
| 3. Eating Out (Restaurants & Dining) | | $ |
| Estimated Grand Total: | $ | |
Erie County Budgeting Project • Student Price Reference Guide Formula: Total Cost = Groceries + Lunches & Snacks + Eating Out