Last year, I left my job to launch one business and relaunch another. During this time, my husband has been carrying more of the financial weight in our household. Over the course of our marriage, I have happily been the primary breadwinner and at other times we have contributed equally. Now, he is keeping us afloat financially while serving as my tech guy, proofreader and all-around sounding board as I build my businesses. Admittedly, I have struggled with the idea of him carrying so much of the load and so I keep our household costs to a minimum.
Then, I started GLP-1s, which has allowed us to significantly reduce our food costs. So now, with the loss of income and the major reduction of spending on food, it might be a push.
When I started GLP-1s in April, I did so for the health benefits. In the past year, I had already made significant changes in my health and well-being. GLP-1s gave me an additional boost in keeping my numbers going in a positive direction and reducing “food noise,” that ever-present desire to contemplate every bite I take. While I was advised about the health benefits, I hadn’t heard of the economic perks of being on these meds.
At a time when groceries are more expensive, we find ourselves buying fewer of them. In fact, we’ve been able to cut back on all food spending. We dine out less frequently. Our delivery apps have taken a hit, too. So has my neighborhood liquor store where I would regularly load up on vodka and wine.
Medically, my numbers and weight continue to be headed in the right direction. Financially, after three months of monitoring our budget, I’m noticing a difference there, too. In previous posts, I shared the outrageous amount of money we spend on food each month. Since I have started this therapy, our food costs have shrunk, even with our son home from college for the summer.
Dinner out, our biggest food expense, has gone from full meals to half an entrée or just appetizers. I love the experience of eating in restaurants, but what’s the point of getting dressed, finding parking and going into a restaurant for what amounts to a few bites of food, most of which comes home with me in a takeout box. At home, I always eat dinner with my husband, a time where we connect and discuss our day. However, I often find myself doing this more for the experience, not necessarily the meal. I am also drinking less alcohol, rarely finishing a cocktail.
Grocery shopping has taken on a new identity, too. In the past, we typically shopped two or three times a week, allowing cravings to drive our shopping list. Now, we shop about once a week and for fewer items. We are more meal focused, buying fewer snacks when we shop.
One completely unexpected benefit of taking GLP-1s is my reduced interest in gaming. Two of my favorite games feature incredibly realistic images of food that would often trigger cravings. Now, I rarely open these games to kill time between projects. It makes me wonder if food noise was driving my gaming habits.
At some point, I will have to spend money to update pieces of my wardrobe. So far, despite some weight loss, I have not had to buy new clothes, although I am seeing a looser fit with some items in my closet.
So as my husband keeps us afloat today, I am carrying my weight—and the vision—in the ways I can. I’m building two businesses that I hope will strengthen our future. And in a way I never expected, I am helping reduce one of our biggest monthly expenses simply because our relationship with food has changed.
Sometimes carrying your weight isn’t about matching dollars for dollars. Sometimes it’s about easing the load however you can until you’re strong enough to carry even more.
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