Grocery Budget for 2 - How are we doing?

[hsmamato2]

yes...but that doesn't change the fact that OP's budget is high.... I don't think anyone has said 'change your eating habits,cut out all extras' I think what I was saying is 'your budget is high, it costs less to eat in than eat out, and if you plan meals,shop with a view to sales,and adjust small things it will go down. like....say you always buy oranges for fruit, but one week, apples are on sale for 1/2 that price. And you like apples too....what to do? no brainer....save $$$ and eat apples this week!
fits any budget or idea of what is 'good'....or you shop specific items for the sales.... and buy in bulk when it cheaper,vs. grabbing it as you need it whatever the price..... I spend a chunk of our grocery money on lunchbox foods knowing that it is cheaper than eating out 5x a week for lunch.... but still more $$ than heating up leftovers at home....

 

[Marionnette]

There are ways to cut down your budget, but probably only so far. It's always a trade-off of "if I stop buying x, will I then no longer want to cook and just eat out?" Then, you've compounded the spending, since eating out is almost always more expensive than whatever groceries you buy.

As an example, if buying $10/lb lunch meat (like roast beef) for 5 sandwiches for lunch each week keeps you from buying 5 $8 sandwiches out, you're ahead. Yes, you could cook and slice your own beef cheaper, but if you plan to try it by buying a chunk of beef and never get to it, now you've bought the chunk of beef sitting in your freezer AND you're buying lunch all week.

So, I guess I just wanted to send the following advice...If you're buying what you like to eat (and thus not eating out), if you're eating all the food you buy (without throwing out a lot of stuff gone bad), and if you're trying to stock up/shop sales where possible, your budget may just be higher than most. Comparing yourself to others may not be the best way to gauge your budget...

It's true that comparing your own budget to that of others may not be useful. There can be big variations in the cost of food from one part of the country to another. However, I refuse to believe that the cost of feeding 2 adults is 50% higher in DC than it is in Philly. We don't live on rice and beans. I don't buy ground meat unless I'm making meatballs, which is once every couple of months. We follow a heart-healthy diet with lots of whole grains, very little salt, lean proteins and lots of fresh produce. I don't spend close to what the OP spends at the grocery store.

The OP does not have to take each and every suggestion and put it into practice. Just like picking a resort for your Disney vacation, you take in all suggestions and make a decision based on what works for yourself. But she DID ask for opinions. Some of us feel that for what she is getting, she is spending too much money. If she felt comfortable with her budget, she would not have even posed the question.

 

[writermommy6]

We are a family of 6 with 4 furbabies. Our budget is $150 a week and that includes toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, pet food. EVERYTHING. I coupon, shop sales, meal plan and generally spend one day every two weeks cooking a few meals ahead for those days when I'm super busy or when we end up with a house full of sickies.

Aldis is my go to place for fresh produce unless Sam's has a really awesome deal.

If you find meat, dairy, or bread discounted really cheap because it's getting ready to expire then grab a few extra because it all freezes. Except eggs. They freeze but they are a pain to prep to freeze.

 

[TwoMisfits]

But you don't know "what" they are getting. Just knowing the numbers of meals and types of food really doesn't tell us anything - that's why comparison to others is pretty useless.

1st - We don't know what exactly is being bought in each categories. Meats could mean free-range grass fed buffalo, ribeye steaks, and duck breasts or bulk packaged bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and 80% ground beef - both sets are meats and both are wildly different costs. Fruits could be organic raspberries, dates, and kumquats or red delicious apples, oranges, and bananas - again both sets are fruits and both are wildly different costs. So, knowing we all eat meats, fruit, and veggies pretty much tells us nothing about what we actually eat.

2nd - We don't know what kinds of even the specific product the op buys AND what they are willing to trade down to. Take bread - you can make your own, you can buy the cheap store brand white bread, you can buy the expensive 9 grain brand bread, or you can hit the bakery and buy the fresh-baked bread...and this will wildly vary your costs. If the op has time concerns (which were mentioned), that takes out the cheapest option - making their own bread. If they want more health benefits than mere white, that takes out the 2nd cheapest option. So, while many on the boards may spend under $1/loaf for bread, op may spend $3-$4/loaf and that may not be a cost they are willing to trade off. This is also easiest to see in coffee. Personally, I only drink Caribou coffee (in k cups), so I know comparing what I spend on coffee to what someone might spend on store brand instant coffee is nuts, no matter if we live in the same place or not.

Op has mentioned their 1st trade off is time, so buying lots of products in bulk (which for 2 people would involve lots of time breaking down and space in storage), making lots of items from scratch, shopping multiple stores, and couponing (which was tried and abandoned) are likely 4 areas they wouldn't consider viable.

So, the 1st things they should consider are what I mentioned (do they eat out less b/c of what they buy, do they throw out any of what they buy, and do they buy the items they eat on sale) - just analyzing these areas may bring down costs. If it doesn't or the op wants to go further, they should consider what trade offs they can and are willing make in their grocery buying habits which won't increase costs elsewhere...when money becomes more of an issue, people are willing to make more trade-offs (I know - I didn't always get to drink Caribou)...

This is all JMHO, but I think it needs to be said. I've seen many posts with so many budgets for food that for many (due to time, dietary needs, location, family size, family food preferences, cooking ability, or heck, just plain foodie pleasure) would be unrealistic and that would depress most people and make them unwilling to take the 1st step at looking at what they buy and why.

 

[RookieLady]

But you don't know "what" they are getting. Just knowing the numbers of meals and types of food really doesn't tell us anything - that's why comparison to others is pretty useless.

1st - We don't know what exactly is being bought in each categories. Meats could mean free-range grass fed buffalo, ribeye steaks, and duck breasts or bulk packaged bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and 80% ground beef - both sets are meats and both are wildly different costs. Fruits could be organic raspberries, dates, and kumquats or red delicious apples, oranges, and bananas - again both sets are fruits and both are wildly different costs. So, knowing we all eat meats, fruit, and veggies pretty much tells us nothing about what we actually eat.

2nd - We don't know what kinds of even the specific product the op buys AND what they are willing to trade down to. Take bread - you can make your own, you can buy the cheap store brand white bread, you can buy the expensive 9 grain brand bread, or you can hit the bakery and buy the fresh-baked bread...and this will wildly vary your costs. If the op has time concerns (which were mentioned), that takes out the cheapest option - making their own bread. If they want more health benefits than mere white, that takes out the 2nd cheapest option. So, while many on the boards may spend under $1/loaf for bread, op may spend $3-$4/loaf and that may not be a cost they are willing to trade off. This is also easiest to see in coffee. Personally, I only drink Caribou coffee (in k cups), so I know comparing what I spend on coffee to what someone might spend on store brand instant coffee is nuts, no matter if we live in the same place or not.

Op has mentioned their 1st trade off is time, so buying lots of products in bulk (which for 2 people would involve lots of time breaking down and space in storage), making lots of items from scratch, shopping multiple stores, and couponing (which was tried and abandoned) are likely 4 areas they wouldn't consider viable.

So, the 1st things they should consider are what I mentioned (do they eat out less b/c of what they buy, do they throw out any of what they buy, and do they buy the items they eat on sale) - just analyzing these areas may bring down costs. If it doesn't or the op wants to go further, they should consider what trade offs they can and are willing make in their grocery buying habits which won't increase costs elsewhere...when money becomes more of an issue, people are willing to make more trade-offs (I know - I didn't always get to drink Caribou)...

This is all JMHO, but I think it needs to be said. I've seen many posts with so many budgets for food that for many (due to time, dietary needs, location, family size, family food preferences, cooking ability, or heck, just plain foodie pleasure) would be unrealistic and that would depress most people and make them unwilling to take the 1st step at looking at what they buy and why.

Thank you for this post. I was beginning to feel totally incompetent, but I really dont know how else to cut. We follow most suggestions on this board, except I dont have time to visit more than one store a week. Therefore, I shop the weekly circular online and choose the store that has the most on sale for me that week. I also dont have time for coupons, but I do belong to the various rewards programs so get coupons that way. We are a family of four, with two furry friends, and when I include all household costs including paper, etc, I have a $250 per week grocery bill.

All that said, there are ways to save, and I employ most of the hints about buying whats on sale (particularly nonperishables). But if you must have variety in fruits and vegetables (which we do) and your family drinks four gallons of milk a week, your bill is going to be what it is.

I dont throw out food; we do eat it. I appreciate the OPs comments about us all living differently. PS, I have reduced my weekly bill by about $100 over the last 4 months, using many of these suggestions posted.

 

[Marionnette]

But you don't know "what" they are getting. Just knowing the numbers of meals and types of food really doesn't tell us anything - that's why comparison to others is pretty useless.

1st - We don't know what exactly is being bought in each categories. Meats could mean free-range grass fed buffalo, ribeye steaks, and duck breasts or bulk packaged bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and 80% ground beef - both sets are meats and both are wildly different costs. Fruits could be organic raspberries, dates, and kumquats or red delicious apples, oranges, and bananas - again both sets are fruits and both are wildly different costs. So, knowing we all eat meats, fruit, and veggies pretty much tells us nothing about what we actually eat.

2nd - We don't know what kinds of even the specific product the op buys AND what they are willing to trade down to. Take bread - you can make your own, you can buy the cheap store brand white bread, you can buy the expensive 9 grain brand bread, or you can hit the bakery and buy the fresh-baked bread...and this will wildly vary your costs. If the op has time concerns (which were mentioned), that takes out the cheapest option - making their own bread. If they want more health benefits than mere white, that takes out the 2nd cheapest option. So, while many on the boards may spend under $1/loaf for bread, op may spend $3-$4/loaf and that may not be a cost they are willing to trade off. This is also easiest to see in coffee. Personally, I only drink Caribou coffee (in k cups), so I know comparing what I spend on coffee to what someone might spend on store brand instant coffee is nuts, no matter if we live in the same place or not.

Op has mentioned their 1st trade off is time, so buying lots of products in bulk (which for 2 people would involve lots of time breaking down and space in storage), making lots of items from scratch, shopping multiple stores, and couponing (which was tried and abandoned) are likely 4 areas they wouldn't consider viable.

So, the 1st things they should consider are what I mentioned (do they eat out less b/c of what they buy, do they throw out any of what they buy, and do they buy the items they eat on sale) - just analyzing these areas may bring down costs. If it doesn't or the op wants to go further, they should consider what trade offs they can and are willing make in their grocery buying habits which won't increase costs elsewhere...when money becomes more of an issue, people are willing to make more trade-offs (I know - I didn't always get to drink Caribou)...

This is all JMHO, but I think it needs to be said. I've seen many posts with so many budgets for food that for many (due to time, dietary needs, location, family size, family food preferences, cooking ability, or heck, just plain foodie pleasure) would be unrealistic and that would depress most people and make them unwilling to take the 1st step at looking at what they buy and why.

I understand what you are getting at. You've made some excellent points. However, if the answer were simply "look at how you're spending your food dollars and ask yourself where you can cut back", then this thread (and the hundreds of others just like it) would have been over and done with a long time ago.

 

[mefordis]

I have to say when people post on here that they spend $75 a week for a family of more than two I just cannot believe it. I'm not saying people are lying, I just think there is a miscalculation along the way. Maybe things not accounted for, perhaps the Costco runs or the stops here and there $20 and $30 at a time maybe?

In the early 80's I remember my mom spending $100 a week for a family of six and trust me she was frugal.

I know groceries have gone up in the last 30+ years.

Edit: Okay I came across a lady who I believe might be spending $75 a week on groceries!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hMcMiIIAgA

 

[WantToGoNow]

We are in Ohio and our grocery budget is $100 a week. We are a family of 5 which is 3 adults, a 12 year old boy and a 10 year old girl.

 

[ChiCat]

I'd say it's not bad considering you don't eat out a ton. We spend around a $100 per week and DH eats out for all of his lunches at work. He also will not eat leftovers. We eat out a lot too. Someone just asked us on Sunday how often we eat out per week and he replied two to three (in all seriousness), when in reality we had ate out five times just that weekend.

DH spends nothing on anything else, not video games or tech junk, nothing. His one splurge is eating out. We are DINKs so it's not a problem. I'm getting off topic but if you enjoy eating what you want, buying what you want I wouldn't worry about it unless you NEED to cut back.

 

[bebelle]

we are a family of 5 plus 2 dogs and our budget is $100/wk...... i dont use coupons..... and cook from scratch and meal plan......... and our budget includes toiletries and paper products

Wow! You are doing great. Our budget is $120 for 3 adults and 2 dogs. That includes everything. I meal plan, cook from scratch and never use coupons. I freeze everything except eggs. So when I find a sale I stock up. I shop every other week starting at Aldi, then hit Walmart and finish up at Giant Eagle. Oh, we live outside of Pittsburgh, PA.

 

[QVCshopper]

This thread had me thinking, so I went through my credit card. So far, this month I have spent $343 for our family of five on food. We have additionally spent $75 on eating out. Our credit card cycle ends on Saturday and I have no plans to shop before then.

Now, of course we have spent some cash--like when I buy day-old bagels or ate at Costco once--but mostly we charge everything. It also does not include when my kids buy school lunch because we write a check for that every couple of months. However, I think that what we charged gives a fairly good look at our food budget, which I feel is low. But, I am doing the no-buy month and am trying really hard right now.

We also have spent $155 in gas, but that's a whole other thread... since we moved though, we walk places more and my DH's commute is only 1.5 miles each way.

 

[QVCshopper]

I have to say when people post on here that they spend $75 a week for a family of more than two I just cannot believe it. I'm not saying people are lying, I just think there is a miscalculation along the way. Maybe things not accounted for, perhaps the Costco runs or the stops here and there $20 and $30 at a time maybe?

In the early 80's I remember my mom spending $100 a week for a family of six and trust me she was frugal.

I know groceries have gone up in the last 30+ years.

Edit: Okay I came across a lady who I believe might be spending $75 a week on groceries!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hMcMiIIAgA

That's why I put in our cash purchases and my kids' lunches separately. And at times, I pick up clearance stuff at Target--like cheese or Kraft dinner kits--so it's hard to keep it all separate since those go on the Redcard. But, my cc bill does give me a pretty clear look at our overall finances because I seldom carry cash.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

How do you all who eat only organic spend so little in a month?!? Everybody on here is saying they eat super healthy for only $75/week for multiple people!!

I eat fruit, veggies, meat and some dairy/eggs. No beans, bread, pasta, rice, anything from a box or pre-packaged etc.

I usually spend around $100/week if I eat all at home. (It's just me)

I guess maybe it's cause I just buy what I'm in the mood for and don't pre-shop sales. If something is on sale when I get there I'll usually get that. There just aren't ever that great of sales on the organic meats/produce/dairy.

I looked at cc bill and sometimes spend close to $400/month going out to eat lol so pretty much everybody is doing better than me there!

 

[dpswift]

How do you all who eat only organic spend so little in a month?!? Everybody on here is saying they eat super healthy for only $75/week for multiple people!!

I eat fruit, veggies, meat and some dairy/eggs. No beans, bread, pasta, rice, anything from a box or pre-packaged etc.

I usually spend around $100/week if I eat all at home. (It's just me)

I guess maybe it's cause I just buy what I'm in the mood for and don't pre-shop sales. If something is on sale when I get there I'll usually get that. There just aren't ever that great of sales on the organic meats/produce/dairy.

I looked at cc bill and sometimes spend close to $400/month going out to eat lol so pretty much everybody is doing better than me there!

I am not sure they all said that they were eating super healthy. I know around here if I am looking for a variety of produce it is a good chunk of what I spend. As far as organic it is usually quite a bit more and as organic has become more popular the selections for it have taken over a great deal of room.

I thought that the way OP was eating price wise she was not doing that bad.

 

[TravelMommy]

We buy in bulk, shop Aldi, which I LOVE for organic produce, shop the sales and we are lucky to have a meat wholesaler close by with great prices and high quality meats/cheeses. I think I spend around $150/week+/-

 

[njcarita]

Wow! You are doing great. Our budget is $120 for 3 adults and 2 dogs. That includes everything. I meal plan, cook from scratch and never use coupons. I freeze everything except eggs. So when I find a sale I stock up. I shop every other week starting at Aldi, then hit Walmart and finish up at Giant Eagle. Oh, we live outside of Pittsburgh, PA.

thanks.. its been really rough... since i dont use coupons........ so going to try and add some couponing this week.............. cause our cupboards and refridge are bare........ one thing that helps is i grow alot of our own herbs.......... and i regrow things like chives on our window sills.............

 

[njcarita]

I have to say when people post on here that they spend $75 a week for a family of more than two I just cannot believe it. I'm not saying people are lying, I just think there is a miscalculation along the way. Maybe things not accounted for, perhaps the Costco runs or the stops here and there $20 and $30 at a time maybe?

In the early 80's I remember my mom spending $100 a week for a family of six and trust me she was frugal.



I know groceries have gone up in the last 30+ years.

Edit: Okay I came across a lady who I believe might be spending $75 a week on groceries!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hMcMiIIAgA

well we went to a cash system.... so we put the 100/wk which avgs to 433/month into our grocery envelope and thats what we have to spend........

 

[4HppyCamprs]

well we went to a cash system.... so we put the 100/wk which avgs to 433/month into our grocery envelope and thats what we have to spend........

We also went to the cash system to avoid the small unaccounted purchases so 240.00 every two weeks is what we have. I never let our cupboards get bare though because it is expensive to do a full restock!

 

[KennesawNemo]

...

 

[crisi]

How do you all who eat only organic spend so little in a month?!? Everybody on here is saying they eat super healthy for only $75/week for multiple people!!

I eat fruit, veggies, meat and some dairy/eggs. No beans, bread, pasta, rice, anything from a box or pre-packaged etc.

I usually spend around $100/week if I eat all at home. (It's just me)

I guess maybe it's cause I just buy what I'm in the mood for and don't pre-shop sales. If something is on sale when I get there I'll usually get that. There just aren't ever that great of sales on the organic meats/produce/dairy.

I looked at cc bill and sometimes spend close to $400/month going out to eat lol so pretty much everybody is doing better than me there!

For a while I was going to the farmers market every weekend in the summer. I don't do a CSA, but I know people who do. In Minnesota, you can't keep that up - fresh produce is limited to a few precious months a year. But $30 at the farmers market goes a long way in terms of organic fruits and vegetables and eggs - adding another $20 and you get two chickens and a pound of hamburger.

Add in milk, which my family doesn't drink lots of, rice and other grains (I'm wheat free, so around here, its a lot of rice and polenta, I used to really enjoy baking bread, but now its a form of torture) and we could eat really well all summer for $75 a week. Organic milk is reasonable at Costco or the coop, and the coop has bulk organic rice, cornmeal, sugar, etc. Coop shopping is a really reasonable way to get organic foods - much cheaper than organic at the grocery store or Whole Paycheck.

(But if you aren't eating beans or grains, which are the staples of a budget diet, YES, you will have trouble keeping full on veggies, fruits and meat at a reasonable cost).

Then, I'd can (by the way, I was working a full time job and had two kids). Applesauce, strawberry jam, tomatoes, green beans, beets, pickles. So add $30 a week, but have a pantry for the winter that would cut down the winter food bill.

If I gardened (I got three tomatoes last year! I'm SUCH a good gardener - I mostly feed the bunnies and deer), we could cut that further. A friend keeps an acre+ garden and the zucchini and squash coming out of it keeps them fed most of the winter.

Now, I'm not always that frugal, last year I wasn't good about the farmers market at all. But I believe it can be done because I've done it myself often enough.

(Several years ago we bought half a cow - that filled the freezer with organic meat for a year.)