Living in the united states as an indian family often comes with the question—how much does it really cost to maintain a vegetarian lifestyle abroad? Recently, an indian woman named Shivee, based in San Francisco, went viral after she revealed her family’s monthly grocery bill. The figure? A jaw-dropping $935 for August! Here are 6 fascinating insights into how she manages her household expenses and why the number has sparked such debate online.
1. A Whopping $935 Grocery Bill in August
Shivee’s instagram post disclosed that her family of four spent about $935 solely on groceries in a single month. While it may sound high, she clarified that her family rarely orders food from outside, which keeps their dining-out bill under $50.
2. Shopping Across Multiple Stores
Her grocery haul wasn’t from just one outlet. Instead, she spread her shopping across different stores to balance cost and variety:
$225 at indian grocery stores
$154 one-time online order from Costco
$351 at Safeway and Trader Joe’s combined
$120 at the local farmer’s market
Adding a 10% buffer for miscellaneous items brought the total to $935.
3. Everything Cooked at Home
Shivee highlighted that almost every meal—from breakfast to packed lunches for her daughters—was prepared at home. This not only saves on restaurant bills but also ensures healthier eating.
4. Viral Conversations Sparked Online
The post triggered thousands of comments from viewers across the US and beyond. Many indian families began comparing their expenses, some claiming they spend more due to frequent dining out, while others praised Shivee for her “affordable” grocery management.
5. Mixed Reactions From Netizens
One user wrote: “Really enjoying your posts. We are a vegetarian family of four, and I use Sprouts and Aldi for good produce at reasonable prices.”
Another added, “Pretty similar to what we spend monthly in Sacramento. Trader Joe’s helps us keep costs under check.”
Yet another countered: “It’s much less if you’re eating at home. We spend around $1,500, including eating out.”
6. A Peek Into indian Families Abroad
Beyond just numbers, Shivee’s reveal offers a rare look into how indian vegetarian families abroad manage food costs while balancing cultural preferences, dietary restrictions, and US grocery prices. It also shows the stark differences between families who rely heavily on eating out versus those who cook everything at home.
🔥 Final Word:
For some, $935 may sound like a big chunk, while for others it seems surprisingly reasonable given the rising cost of living in the US. Either way, Shivee’s grocery reveal has opened a fascinating debate—is eating vegetarian at home in America actually the most affordable way to live?
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