Everyone needs to eat. Grocery bills, restaurants, fast food---it's all sustenance that keeps us alive. Before the layoff, our "normal" grocery spend was $1,000/month and our normal restaurant spend was $700/month (about $20k/year). It wasn't interfering with our long-term goals, until 60% of the household income is gone. Now this space is ripe for cuts.
Happiness Through Luxurious Frugality and Financial Independence