Are people like me able to do grocery budgets?

[Eureka]

lol Pinterest says to hide the snacks in a tampax box

That is hilarious! If I get desperate, I may try it.

 

[bettymae1121]

Honestly we don't have a budget. I have found out I have Celiacs disease so I can't just eat regular boxed food like everyone else. So we eat whole and fresh foods, organic veggies, bison or grass fed beef, organic chicken, organic pork and eggs. So it is hard to budget for that. We limit ourselves to going out once a week.

We eat like that too (only we do eat grains since we don't have food issues, I try to stick to organic whole grains, including making my own breads and deserts) and we have a budget. It's a higher budget than many on the Budget board, but it IS a budget. For a family 3, it's $175 a week for food/household items and another $12 per week I put aside to purchase 6 months worth of beef/pork from a local farm 2x a year.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Good info on budgets. It would be interesting to keep track of quarterly and seasons esp since we do grill out a lot more in the summer and winter I can really stretch money by making soups but then there are also the holidays. I'm going to spend some time entering everything into YNAB and will tweak as I go. Need to get my DH completely on board with not just buying whatever we want though. I truly need to keep him out of Costco as he loves to come home with the precooked rice containers and things like that which are helpful but expensive.
Overall, we don't eat out that often but we do like to go to Starbucks a few times per month which really adds up for the whole fam. Plus in the Spring we travel for sports one day of the weekend (usually overnight) so we do eat out then so trying to figure out in my food budget whether to include eating out or have that be "Spending money"? What do you all do? I'd also rather inculde pet supplies, paper products, cleaning products, etc. all in the budget instead of having them separate.

 

[figment3258]

It's always possible I personally think its mind over matter make it a fun game. Set a budget and see how well you do. I always write down a menu for at least a week look at what's in sale and plan ahead. I too have sports a few nights a week so we do love the crock pot find a new recipe make it exciting also don't feel bad if one night everyone fends for themselves cereal is always ok
We are a family of 6 dh myself my mil dd's 11,7,2 so I usually make meals for 8 dh takes leftovers for lunch and the kids and I finish wants left we homeschool so we are always home for lunch
We are in ma and spend 200$ or under every week
Good luck and have fun with it

 

[SM101]

What do you all do? I'd also rather inculde pet supplies, paper products, cleaning products, etc. all in the budget instead of having them separate.

Separating out non-food groceries tends to get things more complicated than necessary for me. I do what I can to keep the costs of non-food items down - I make many of my own cleaning products from less expensive items, I buy sale and store brand paper and HABA products - because the healthier foods we eat are a bit more expensive. I can compromise and buy CVS face wash for myself but I can't eat a box of mac n cheese for dinner.

For the pets, I would say it depends on where you buy their food. If at the grocery store, include it in groceries. If it's from a pet specialty store, have a separate budget.

We are getting a pet bird soon and I'll buy most of it's basic food, toys, etc online so I won't put that in the food budget. I will also be feeding it fresh fruit and veg so that will be included in the food budget - I'm not going to figure out if the bird ate 1/4 of the fresh kale and if so how much would that be.

 

[TravelingCoopers]

I'm glad I ran into this thread. There are lots of great ideas here that I could really use in trying out. I am honestly so surprised how often I have to throw out some vegetables that go bad or get rid of leftovers. I feel like it's hard when I only cook for 1-2 people all the time. I really need to get better at perhaps shopping for non-perishables when on sale and going more frequently to the store and buying fresh food in smaller amounts so they don't go bad so quickly.

I found some great ideas in here from all of you. Thanks!

 

[estherhead]

You guys have great ideas. I have a family of 5 too. And I work more than full time. I took our budget last December down to $120-130 a week. I was really unsure if I could make it or not. But we have done it. One thing is I eat produce that is in season. Period. So I can have all the avacados I want. But only in season.

I also have a very nice bulk food store that has healthy basics for really cheap. Brown rice and almond meal, for example, I can get for almost half price. As for Costco, I only get things that I really love but are too expensive. For example I like Electrasol tabs for my dishwasher. I know I shouldn't afford them on my budget. But I can get 100 day supply for under $10.00 there so I do. And my low cal treats, like Fiber One brownies. I probably spend $100 every three months.

I also bulk cook about one weekend a month. Then I can make hummus (so expensive!) for about $1.00 when it's $5.00 in the store. And homemade salsa, homemade meatballs, etc. The key to bulk cooking is to never cook and shop on the same day. And don't bite off more than you can realistically do. And it really should be just to give yourself breathing room for the next 2 weeks, I've always run into trouble when I try to do a whole months' worth.

I also make my own laundry detergent. It's so easy and $16 lasts almost 6 months. I use the Purex crystals in it and it smells SO good.

Here is my recipe:
http://www.enchantingbeginnings.com/loads-of-fun-making-your-own-he-laundry-detergent/

I use Fels Naptha soap now, though, instead of the ivory. But I still have a kid shred it.

Now that my girls are big I have them do a lot more cooking. My eldest LOVES eggs. They are cheap (and even cheaper and healthier if you have a friend who has chickens you can just reimburse) and she can do them herself. She most often makes deviled eggs.

We don't buy soda (but I do buy beer and wine.) Hard liquor isn't taken out of my grocery budget. I don't drink coffee and my husband's sister works at Starbucks so he gets beans for free from her constantly.

Also, I stopped throwing food away. I can't tell you how much fruit and veggies I trashed before this budget. Now I only buy something I know we'll eat within the next few days. People always would say to shop just once a week. But I try to go twice a week. Once I spend $90-100. Then I go back a few days later and spend $20-40 on more fruit and dairy. I swear I think I was throwing away $45.00 worth of food before every week or two.

We also don't have the animals and I couldn't do it if we did.

My biggest advice is this: don't be unrealistic. I didn't think I go down $ wise. But I could. But just baby step it. I've been budgeting for years. When I first started I went crazy. It's not sustainable.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

You guys have great ideas. I have a family of 5 too. And I work more than full time. I took our budget last December down to $120-130 a week. I was really unsure if I could make it or not. But we have done it. One thing is I eat produce that is in season. Period. So I can have all the avacados I want. But only in season.

I also have a very nice bulk food store that has healthy basics for really cheap. Brown rice and almond meal, for example, I can get for almost half price. As for Costco, I only get things that I really love but are too expensive. For example I like Electrasol tabs for my dishwasher. I know I shouldn't afford them on my budget. But I can get 100 day supply for under $10.00 there so I do. And my low cal treats, like Fiber One brownies. I probably spend $100 every three months.

I also bulk cook about one weekend a month. Then I can make hummus (so expensive!) for about $1.00 when it's $5.00 in the store. And homemade salsa, homemade meatballs, etc. The key to bulk cooking is to never cook and shop on the same day. And don't bite off more than you can realistically do. And it really should be just to give yourself breathing room for the next 2 weeks, I've always run into trouble when I try to do a whole months' worth.

I also make my own laundry detergent. It's so easy and $16 lasts almost 6 months. I use the Purex crystals in it and it smells SO good.

Here is my recipe:
http://www.enchantingbeginnings.com/loads-of-fun-making-your-own-he-laundry-detergent/

I use Fels Naptha soap now, though, instead of the ivory. But I still have a kid shred it.

Now that my girls are big I have them do a lot more cooking. My eldest LOVES eggs. They are cheap (and even cheaper and healthier if you have a friend who has chickens you can just reimburse) and she can do them herself. She most often makes deviled eggs.

We don't buy soda (but I do buy beer and wine.) Hard liquor isn't taken out of my grocery budget. I don't drink coffee and my husband's sister works at Starbucks so he gets beans for free from her constantly.

Also, I stopped throwing food away. I can't tell you how much fruit and veggies I trashed before this budget. Now I only buy something I know we'll eat within the next few days. People always would say to shop just once a week. But I try to go twice a week. Once I spend $90-100. Then I go back a few days later and spend $20-40 on more fruit and dairy. I swear I think I was throwing away $45.00 worth of food before every week or two.

We also don't have the animals and I couldn't do it if we did.

My biggest advice is this: don't be unrealistic. I didn't think I go down $ wise. But I could. But just baby step it. I've been budgeting for years. When I first started I went crazy. It's not sustainable.

Thank you for the laundry recipe. I did make my own years ago after a thread was started on here about making your own cleaning products, but then I went back to store buying. But I may give it a shot again! I like your idea of going twice per week actually. I always end up having to go get milk or coconut milk or bananas again during the week. We do buy sparkling water, which I love. I found a cheaper version at Smiths that I've been buying. I am revamping everything but not trying to get frustrated that it isn't happening fast enough. Baby steps are easier for sure. Thanks!!

 

[LovesTimone]

I am a list maker which is a huge help with grocery budget.

Frist take a look in your pantry and organize it, you will be surprised at what you have. Check under your sink and any other storage area for supplies, toilet paper, paper towel, personal care products, get them organized, It might help to have a dedicated space for these products so that it is easier when make the list instead of having to run all over the house to check what is needed.

I have a list on the side of the frig when you throw something away or use the last of it, you write it down, everyone can write on the list.

Before shopping, take the time to sit-down to compose the list, have the local ad's to go over, look at your calendar, for any upcoming events, birthdays, covered dish events, holiday's. buy a little all along and when on sale, normally right before big holiday most stores start to put items on sale in the weeks leading up to the holiday. Check out the BOGO's, local store coupons, manufactures coupons newspapers and online. Some stores offer price match, but with this read each stores rules.

Meal planning is another great way to watch the budget. Take advantage of seasonal items, fruit and veggies in season are always cheaper. Is there a local farmers market, or a co-op where you can buy from.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I am a list maker which is a huge help with grocery budget.

Frist take a look in your pantry and organize it, you will be surprised at what you have. Check under your sink and any other storage area for supplies, toilet paper, paper towel, personal care products, get them organized, It might help to have a dedicated space for these products so that it is easier when make the list instead of having to run all over the house to check what is needed.

I have a list on the side of the frig when you throw something away or use the last of it, you write it down, everyone can write on the list.

Before shopping, take the time to sit-down to compose the list, have the local ad's to go over, look at your calendar, for any upcoming events, birthdays, covered dish events, holiday's. buy a little all along and when on sale, normally right before big holiday most stores start to put items on sale in the weeks leading up to the holiday. Check out the BOGO's, local store coupons, manufactures coupons newspapers and online. Some stores offer price match, but with this read each stores rules.

Meal planning is another great way to watch the budget. Take advantage of seasonal items, fruit and veggies in season are always cheaper. Is there a local farmers market, or a co-op where you can buy from.

I'm a big list person too. Really helps me get my tasks done! We do have a list on the frig that my girls and hubby have started getting good about adding items. Now when they don't have something, I say, "It wasn't on the list." I've been doing great so far especially with things in our pantry. I've talked with my DH about not buying things from Costco that we haven't tried and said we like which is important since he has bought big boxes of pumpkin flax cereal and boxes of black bean soup that no one likes. He is now helping to finish those items. I really thought there would be better sales in the flyers for Memorial Day Weekend so was a little disappointed with that but am going to go through all of them again today.
Thanks!

 

[Evans Family]

Here's a few things we having been trying to do:

1) cut down on eating out. Get cash out every week for our eating out budget and only use the cash. Don't charge anything in restaurants.

2) I have been discovering Aldi's. I've been trying things and have yet to find anything we don't like. Bread is $.99 a loaf! I bought grapes at Walmart yesterday and spent $6 (yikes, but needed them for a fruit tray I was taking to someone's house.) The same grapes would have been $3.99 at Aldi. The "Captain Crunch" clone cereal at $1.79 a box tastes just like the name brand. I haven't tried their meat yet...I usually buy when on sale at Kroger and put it in the freezer.

3) I plan the weeks meals with the grocery flyers in front of me.

4) an oldie but totally true....don't shop when you are hungry.

5) Make ice tea or put some cucumbers in water and cut down on the soda consumption.

6) stay out of the stores. When I found I was spending too much on stuff I didn't need at Target and Bath and Body Works I stopped going.

7) The same goes for Costco. Bring a list and stick to it. Be realistic on how much you will eat. Don't buy a new thing you haven't tried. You may not like it and waste $5-$10.

8) use cloth towels instead of paper towels

9) try to cut out prepared meals from the freezer section. Make more and use the leftovers for lunches.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I wish we had an Aldi's here! I see it mentioned frequently on the grocery budget threads. We are going to Costco today for lettuce (which is cheaper), nuts (a budget buster but cheaper than in stores and my DH has them every day), cottage cheese, shredded cheese, salmon burgers ($1/patty) for tomorrow's Memorial Day BBQ and soil for planting my flowers. My DH and I are GOING to stick to the list. We are always suckers for buying the samples so have agreed to not to!
Thanks for the great tips!

 

[lovemygoofy]

I don't know if I have really seen this mentioned but I do a lot of prep.

We do a lot of fruit and cottage cheese/yogurts for breakfast or snacks.
I buy the large containers of and I buy the canned fruits for one weeks worth and fresh fruit for another weeks depending on what is in season (I shop two weeks at a time normally). I will cut up the pineapple/cantaloupe/strawberries into small pieces and then put into a large bowl. Every night we make breakfast/lunch for the next day and we just scoop and add to individual bowls.

Also I buy a good cheese. I think that using a good cheese makes a difference as you are going to use less to get better taste and texture. I buy in the blocks at Sam's. I will cut some into pieces for crackers, some into thin slices for sandwiches and then I sit and shred with my little hand cranker while watching tv. I grate into a bowl and separate into containers/bags and sprinkle with touch of cornstarch so it doesn't stick together.

I have seen a lot of meal planning mentioned and I do that as well. However I will also sometimes cook two meals in a night. If I know that I'm baking a lasagna or casserole that night, I will also defrost some pork chops or chicken and slip it into the oven after the casserole is done. Heck the oven is already on and I'm sitting for dinner. Make it work for me!

I tend to freeze meats with marinades already so I can just thaw and pop in the oven. Also I will make foil veggie packets and roast those in the oven at the same time and I tend to roast double batches so we can use them later that week.

I also brown up batches of ground turkey and separate into smaller portions. I will brown it up with onions and peppers already in it and then thaw and put back in the skillet with tomato sauce and then whatever else for the meal(sloppy joes, tacos, chili..whatever with a tomato base)

If grilling, again just add on some extra meats for later that week. Every couple weeks I will bake a chicken or grill up few chicken breasts and we put them on salads, wraps, nachos, tacos or whatever else. Makes for quick easy grab meals.

Lastly, I use a lot of in season veggies and I freeze them as well. I have the great little crank hand grater and I will sit on the couch and shred carrots, squash, cheese and whatever else that can. I put into smaller baggies and then will freeze in a large bag. I can pull out small bag and add to soups/stews/stir fry. I also freeze diced/sliced peppers and onions as well into small portions for the same style.

I also think it's about being honest and realistic. We all dream about being the happy everyone eat the greatest and best but hey at my house I'm pleased if we can just eat a sandwich and some cut up veggies. If I know it's going to be a late night, I will stop for stir fry rice/lo mein and at home quick stir fry frozen veggies and diced meat if we have any out already cooked(this is
great with leftover meats just little of this or that in the middle of the week)
Heck there are days I'm "fancy" and unwrap the burgers and put them on a plate and thrilled no one died in the ordering

 

[mermaidwannabe]

I don't know if I have really seen this mentioned but I do a lot of prep.

We do a lot of fruit and cottage cheese/yogurts for breakfast or snacks.
I buy the large containers of and I buy the canned fruits for one weeks worth and fresh fruit for another weeks depending on what is in season (I shop two weeks at a time normally). I will cut up the pineapple/cantaloupe/strawberries into small pieces and then put into a large bowl. Every night we make breakfast/lunch for the next day and we just scoop and add to individual bowls.

Also I buy a good cheese. I think that using a good cheese makes a difference as you are going to use less to get better taste and texture. I buy in the blocks at Sam's. I will cut some into pieces for crackers, some into thin slices for sandwiches and then I sit and shred with my little hand cranker while watching tv. I grate into a bowl and separate into containers/bags and sprinkle with touch of cornstarch so it doesn't stick together.

I have seen a lot of meal planning mentioned and I do that as well. However I will also sometimes cook two meals in a night. If I know that I'm baking a lasagna or casserole that night, I will also defrost some pork chops or chicken and slip it into the oven after the casserole is done. Heck the oven is already on and I'm sitting for dinner. Make it work for me!

I tend to freeze meats with marinades already so I can just thaw and pop in the oven. Also I will make foil veggie packets and roast those in the oven at the same time and I tend to roast double batches so we can use them later that week.

I also brown up batches of ground turkey and separate into smaller portions. I will brown it up with onions and peppers already in it and then thaw and put back in the skillet with tomato sauce and then whatever else for the meal(sloppy joes, tacos, chili..whatever with a tomato base)

If grilling, again just add on some extra meats for later that week. Every couple weeks I will bake a chicken or grill up few chicken breasts and we put them on salads, wraps, nachos, tacos or whatever else. Makes for quick easy grab meals.

Lastly, I use a lot of in season veggies and I freeze them as well. I have the great little crank hand grater and I will sit on the couch and shred carrots, squash, cheese and whatever else that can. I put into smaller baggies and then will freeze in a large bag. I can pull out small bag and add to soups/stews/stir fry. I also freeze diced/sliced peppers and onions as well into small portions for the same style.

I also think it's about being honest and realistic. We all dream about being the happy everyone eat the greatest and best but hey at my house I'm pleased if we can just eat a sandwich and some cut up veggies. If I know it's going to be a late night, I will stop for stir fry rice/lo mein and at home quick stir fry frozen veggies and diced meat if we have any out already cooked(this is
great with leftover meats just little of this or that in the middle of the week)
Heck there are days I'm "fancy" and unwrap the burgers and put them on a plate and thrilled no one died in the ordering

Great tips, thanks! I love the supplementing the lo mein idea. If I can do really well MOST of the time, I'm going to be really happy. Once in awhile if I fall off the prep wagon, I'll be okay. I was shredding my own cheese for awhile, but I LOVE freshly grated cheese and was eating while I shredded ha ha! But may look into that again. I'm not for sure going to buy the shredded cheese today at Costco. I'm going to look at the weight and compare with the brick cheese price at the store. I can even get my kids to help with shredding. Eating what we have and what I've bought in itself is going to help my budget! Really bad what we throw away sometimes because of poor planning or just not going through the frig to see what needs eating.
Thank you for posting!

 

[Eureka]

Being realistic for my family extends to keeping some convenience "fast food" on hand for the nights when everyone is going in a different direction or when traffic is bad and both of us come home late. Normally I like to make my own pizza, but have started having a couple frozen pizzas on hand now that I'm back to working full time and the kids start swimming every night. Yesterday the white one I like was 2/$8 and Digiorno was on sale for $5 and I had a $1.50 coupon. I got one of each and it's cheaper than ordering in pizza-- we would need two $5 hot and readys and I can't eat red sauce so would still need to find something. I also had a $1.25 coupon on Tyson's chicken strips so got a bag of that which is way cheaper than stopping for KFC on the way home ( and healthier to cut up carrots or fruit instead of fries).

 

[mousefan73]

Almost fell off my seat when I read OP spends 1200 a month and family members are home only in evenings.. I know food is expensive but I was shocked. Are you also buying alot of prepackaged, processed meals??

We are a family of 4, sometimes 5 when mom stops by.. I spend about 500 a month. I do alot of fresh cookings, takes up some more times, but I know what is my food and it saves money and IMO tastes better.

I have also really worked hard in not wasting. was a problem but has gotten better.. Here are my tips

1. Food waste. I make homemade spagetti with meat sauce. cheaper to buy canned tomotoes, paste, add fresh onions and meet. YOU control the salt. In the past I made a batch for one meal.. maybe one or two servings were left over.. with good intentions I would keep as left overs... a week later in the garbage.. NOW I just go ahead and make a double batch anyways. What is left over is enough for another meal. I FREEZE this... awesome as I have a "free" meal later and its already made.


This concept works with chili, gulasch. all one pot things


2. We eat alot of basic "pheasant" foods.. A family fav. is fried potatoes, with eggs and creamed spinach.. relative low cost meal. Or bean based meals.


3, Jogurt! I now buy plain HEALTHY large pints of it ISO of the small flavored yopliat crap... have you ever the ingriedients..?! Take plain add any flavor of jam and you have cheap , healthy version.. get more servings than single things.


4. Buy the season.

5- Bulk does not Always equal cheap ( Cosco issues)

6. Meat.. not sure what farms are by you.. by if you have the freezer space you can buy parts of a cow... sounds wierd, but we once went with 2 families and split a half a cow.. Each got various cuts... need to freeze.. long term savings if you were to buy all that meat indidviual..



7. I know frozen pizza is easy/ time savings. I have some on hand for emergancy needs. but I recently discovered homemade pizza crust.. so easy.. google... just add flour, salt, dash sugar, warm water, olive oil and yeast... If you can plan in the time.. just 30 min. to rise... I had an issue spreading it over the whole pan, so my DD and I made individuals.. each rolled a ball and spread.. One can tomatoes, inions, spices a few secs in a blender. bamm sauce...

was REALLY good. and CHEAP.. made a whole lot....

8. Do we really need to eat meat EVERY DAY!!!! ?????? Savings here huge.

9. My biggest savings are filling my family with one pot stews, vegatable, meat anything. and buying more expensive bread to dip.. everyone is happy. make double and freez rest for another meal.

still shocked by the 1200, does this include household, personal stuff? Then maybe I can see this. Target can get me in trouble.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Almost fell off my seat when I read OP spends 1200 a month and family members are home only in evenings.. I know food is expensive but I was shocked. Are you also buying alot of prepackaged, processed meals?? We are a family of 4, sometimes 5 when mom stops by.. I spend about 500 a month

I'd be like the OP, I spend almost $500/month for just me!

I could probably cut some of that out by running around to different stores and markets but honestly my time is worth more to me than the savings.

 

[mousefan73]

I'd be like the OP, I spend almost $500/month for just me!

I could probably cut some of that out by running around to different stores and markets but honestly my time is worth more to me than the savings.

Are you single? IMO that is still alot but when I was single and living in a city it was still crazy expensive. I dont remember what I spent .. I just remember my mom visiting me and she told me for singles in the city, you almost come out cheaper eating out everynight and taking left overs home for lunch the next day!

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Almost fell off my seat when I read OP spends 1200 a month and family members are home only in evenings.. I know food is expensive but I was shocked. Are you also buying alot of prepackaged, processed meals??

We are a family of 4, sometimes 5 when mom stops by.. I spend about 500 a month. I do alot of fresh cookings, takes up some more times, but I know what is my food and it saves money and IMO tastes better.

I have also really worked hard in not wasting. was a problem but has gotten better.. Here are my tips

1. Food waste. I make homemade spagetti with meat sauce. cheaper to buy canned tomotoes, paste, add fresh onions and meet. YOU control the salt. In the past I made a batch for one meal.. maybe one or two servings were left over.. with good intentions I would keep as left overs... a week later in the garbage.. NOW I just go ahead and make a double batch anyways. What is left over is enough for another meal. I FREEZE this... awesome as I have a "free" meal later and its already made.


This concept works with chili, gulasch. all one pot things


2. We eat alot of basic "pheasant" foods.. A family fav. is fried potatoes, with eggs and creamed spinach.. relative low cost meal. Or bean based meals.


3, Jogurt! I now buy plain HEALTHY large pints of it ISO of the small flavored yopliat crap... have you ever the ingriedients..?! Take plain add any flavor of jam and you have cheap , healthy version.. get more servings than single things.


4. Buy the season.

5- Bulk does not Always equal cheap ( Cosco issues)

6. Meat.. not sure what farms are by you.. by if you have the freezer space you can buy parts of a cow... sounds wierd, but we once went with 2 families and split a half a cow.. Each got various cuts... need to freeze.. long term savings if you were to buy all that meat indidviual..



7. I know frozen pizza is easy/ time savings. I have some on hand for emergancy needs. but I recently discovered homemade pizza crust.. so easy.. google... just add flour, salt, dash sugar, warm water, olive oil and yeast... If you can plan in the time.. just 30 min. to rise... I had an issue spreading it over the whole pan, so my DD and I made individuals.. each rolled a ball and spread.. One can tomatoes, inions, spices a few secs in a blender. bamm sauce...

was REALLY good. and CHEAP.. made a whole lot....

8. Do we really need to eat meat EVERY DAY!!!! ?????? Savings here huge.

9. My biggest savings are filling my family with one pot stews, vegatable, meat anything. and buying more expensive bread to dip.. everyone is happy. make double and freez rest for another meal.

still shocked by the 1200, does this include household, personal stuff? Then maybe I can see this. Target can get me in trouble.

I really do not buy a lot of packaged food with the exception of crackers and cereal oh and granola bars. I think that's my problem lol! That amount is including everything we buy for the household like food, paper products, cleaning supplies and pet food. We buy walnuts ($19 for a bag at Costco), mixed nuts, avocados, dried mango, fish but not all that often, plain yogurt from Costco that we mix our own jam and sunflower seeds with, etc. We don't buy expensive cuts of meat, I do buy healthy bread but never go over $2.50/loaf since I can always find it on sale. I try to buy corn/flour mix tortillas instead of just white flour and those are $3/pack. I don't know? That's why I just can't believe how much we spend! I usually make my own spaghetti sauce, but if I'm short on time, I will get a few jars of it to add to my meat. I'm going to utilize a lot of these tips and add up my grocery costs for a few months and compare and hope that it's better. We do live in Bozeman, MT where groceries are known to be more expensive unfortunately.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Are you single? IMO that is still alot but when I was single and living in a city it was still crazy expensive. I dont remember what I spent .. I just remember my mom visiting me and she told me for singles in the city, you almost come out cheaper eating out everynight and taking left overs home for lunch the next day!

I live alone so when I cook it's just for me. My partner and I go out to eat fairly often but that's a whole other budget lolol :-/

I am admittedly not that thrifty of a shopper. I won't run around to multiple stores and I do tend to buy more expensive foods.

Unfortunately direct from farm around here is still very expensive as are organics. Not much cheaper than the stores that sell their products. Happy that a TJ is going to be opening up here in Orlando at the end of next month!