In the comments, Janice points out this article in the NY Times also discussing the math problems people have when trying to figure out what’s reasonable to save on. Mr. Geeky and I have spent hours in the past doing the back and forth of deciding whether to buy something or figuring out how to save money. For me, saving $80/mo. on school lunches isn’t worth the time I’d have to spend making the lunches. But both kids have indicated they’d like me to do this. We’ll see.