Grocery budget for a family of 3?

[havaneselover]

The rotisserie chickens you get in the store pre done are good for pretty much one meal in my family. However, if I roast my own chick (larger size) I can easily get 2 meals off of that, possibly three for my family of 4. I usually can get a very large chicken for well under $10. The pre done ones are pretty scrawny in my opinion and loaded with fillers. I prefer to do my own.

The ones at Costco are not the least bit scrawny. Still, I can't see getting more than 2 meals out of them. But they're only $5.

 

[TwoMisfits]

As for the inflation, you are failing to consider product sizes...if you look at meat, eggs, and other "can't change the size" products, you can easily see the inflation. If you look at boxed items, find one you bought last year and check it to this year's product - cake mixes down 2 oz, large chip bags, down 1-2 oz (now only 8.5oz from 10.5oz for my favorite), etc. That's 20% inflation without a price change. If you haven't noticed, then the size decrease works...they normally change the package 1st and give you a "free" bonus that equals the same original size or they clearance out the old package and bring in new vibrant colors...even juice has gone from 64 oz to 60 oz...

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/05/24/U-S-Food-Inflation-Running-at-22

 

[havaneselover]

As for the inflation, you are failing to consider product sizes...if you look at meat, eggs, and other "can't change the size" products, you can easily see the inflation. If you look at boxed items, find one you bought last year and check it to this year's product - cake mixes down 2 oz, large chip bags, down 1-2 oz (now only 8.5oz from 10.5oz for my favorite), etc. That's 20% inflation without a price change. If you haven't noticed, then the size decrease works...they normally change the package 1st and give you a "free" bonus that equals the same original size or they clearance out the old package and bring in new vibrant colors...even juice has gone from 64 oz to 60 oz...

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/05/24/U-S-Food-Inflation-Running-at-22

Sorry, that's incorrect. And I notice size but most stuff I buy has not changed (I make a lot of stuff from scratch so I buy bags of flour, sugar, blocks of cheese, etc.)
http://www.bls.gov/cpi/cpifaq.htm
And even if it were correct, 22% is absurdly high.
And Breitbart is a slightly partisan site with an agenda.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Even the products you site - flour, cheese, sugar, etc - have all gone for size decreases. Flour is now sold by 4lb vs 5lb bags - same for sugar. Prices haven't changed at the lower size, even with the 20% decrease (although that decrease happened 1-2 years ago). This year, shredded and sliced cheese have dropped from 8oz to 7oz...no price decrease, in fact, it slipped up a little.

And the "inflation" number the government cites for food does not include any "inflation" increase if a package size is cut, but the price stays the same. That's zero inflation (you can look up the definition). When I found that out a few years ago, I was floored. The lb box of Cheezits I used to buy for $2.50 is now $2.50 for 7oz after 10 years while the "family" size is 13.7oz and sells for $4.99...but there will have been zero inflation recognized for this product since as the box decreased year after year, the item stayed the same price and they just added a "new" product at the higher price which crazily enough, was the old product after a few years, and then that shrunk, too...

 

[Sadie22]

DH loves Cheez-its. I can get that 13.7 oz box of Cheez-its on frequent sale for $2.49 here and sometimes $2.00. Are prices that much higher where you are?

 

[TwoMisfits]

That's a sale price - I'm talking regular price - back in the day (about 7-10 years ago), the regular price of the 1lb box was $2.50 (and would go on sale for roughly $1.50), now that box has become 7oz and they put in the family size box which has again shrunk from 16 to 13.7 oz and has a regular price of $4.99 (but goes on sale for at best $2.50). The inflation is based on how the 1lb box shrunk to 7oz over the years (slowly) and stayed at $2.50 - zero inflation. Someone else might correctly say they are now paying more than double, since 7oz isn't even half of 16 oz, but that's not what's in government food inflation figs...

So, if you want "true" food inflation, you need to find figs that measure both package shrinkage and price increases...

It's why people joke there will be a new "dozen" eggs coming soon b/c egg prices have also skyrocketed and it would be easier to make the price increase (and the inflation) disappear if a dozen only had 10 eggs...try to find a dozen eggs for $1.29, what it was only 3 years ago...now you can't get them less than $2, even on sale (and $3 not on sale)...

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I think $300 is low for three people, I think $400 is much more reasonable.

 

[delmar411]

That's a sale price - I'm talking regular price - back in the day (about 7-10 years ago), the regular price of the 1lb box was $2.50 (and would go on sale for roughly $1.50), now that box has become 7oz and they put in the family size box which has again shrunk from 16 to 13.7 oz and has a regular price of $4.99 (but goes on sale for at best $2.50). The inflation is based on how the 1lb box shrunk to 7oz over the years (slowly) and stayed at $2.50 - zero inflation. Someone else might correctly say they are now paying more than double, since 7oz isn't even half of 16 oz, but that's not what's in government food inflation figs...

So, if you want "true" food inflation, you need to find figs that measure both package shrinkage and price increases...

It's why people joke there will be a new "dozen" eggs coming soon b/c egg prices have also skyrocketed and it would be easier to make the price increase (and the inflation) disappear if a dozen only had 10 eggs...try to find a dozen eggs for $1.29, what it was only 3 years ago...now you can't get them less than $2, even on sale (and $3 not on sale)...

I think.these are extremes.And I pay $1.25 for a dozen eggs. Thats the everyday price.

 

[mefordis]

ONly you can answer this. You should track what you spend in a month and see if you can make any cuts anywhere. Without knowing what you like to eat, or the prices in your area it is difficult to say whether or not you could get by on $300 a month.

The videos on youtube I have watched where families spend very little on groceries, I finally found out they were eating a lot of carbs and cheap processed food. However, if one is careful it is possible to eat healthy on a low budget. It just takes work to find the deals and go to the different stores.

With just a 4 year old that eats like a bird, and with you probably not eating that much, I'd say it is possible.

If you don't mind my asking, are they offering you a pension pay out? I only ask because my dh just got offered that from his former job! It seems to be common these days.

Good luck on your pursuit to be a sahm!

I'm strongly considering taking an early retirement offer from work next month, and becoming a stay-at-home mom. Anyway, I haven't paid close attention to my grocery budget for the last several years. I would consider myself somewhat thrifty when it comes to grocery shopping - I stock up at Aldi once a month, do most of my other grocery shopping at Super Walmart, stock up on meat when it's on sale, usually buy in-season fruits and veggies, and buy certain things at Sam's Club. At one point, I used a lot of coupons, but I haven't really done that since DD was born, due to lack of time.

Anyway, we're a family of 3 at home. Me (average eater), DH (big eater), and DD age 4 (typical appetite, would survive on only fresh fruit and veggies if I didn't insist she eat some protein). I'm estimating $300 a month for groceries (not counting pet food, paper/plastic products, personal products, etc). Do you think that is a reasonable amount?

 

[Marionnette]

I think.these are extremes.And I pay $1.25 for a dozen eggs. Thats the everyday price.

It's totally a regional thing, as well as based on the size of the eggs you are buying.

One dozen large eggs cost me $1.79 at Target yesterday. That's a better price than what I would pay in my local Acme grocery store, where a dozen large eggs go for $2.19.

I agree with a PP that the reduced size of packages has an influence on what you're paying at the grocery store (reduced size = more frequent purchases) but a pound is still a pound and regardless of whether that sack of flour weighs 5 lbs. or 4 lbs., you're still paying more per lb. than you were just a few years ago. I think the 22% price increase is a bit skewed in order to make a point (and I'm a Breitbart fan). The amazing thing about statistics is that you can pick and choose what you want to include in order to prove your point. Both sides do it and the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

 

[robinb]

I think.these are extremes.And I pay $1.25 for a dozen eggs. Thats the everyday price.

... and I paid $4 for a dozen organic "nest run" eggs at my local farmer's market on Saturday. I think there is a big difference in taste.

ETA, of course $4 eggs certainly contributes to my high grocery bills .

 

[ellone]

... and I paid $4 for a dozen organic "nest run" eggs at my local farmer's market on Saturday. I think there is a big difference in taste. ETA, of course $4 eggs certainly contributes to my high grocery bills .

And at least the chickens that lay those $4 eggs were able to move and saw the light of day. Poor chickens laying the $1.25 are lucky if they can move their head in their cages.
Maybe they taste better because the chicken is just happier.

 

[pfp258]

Always hard to tell anyone how much a budget families need for groceries each month..instead of asking strangers to weigh in with their predictions, ideas, thoughts why not simply start to track for yourself? Only you know how your family eats, where they shop, how often you eat out etc.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

We live in a low COL area, and I couldn't do it on $300 a month. We spend about $200 a week on food, toiletries, paper products, ect for a family of 3. even if omly half is food that is still $400 a month.

 

[mefordis]

Just went to the supermarket. Maybe someone is interested in what I bought/ paid on this quick trip:

1/2 canteloupe - 2.74
Hass avocado - 2.49
Vermont burger rolls - 2.50
Organic english cucumber - 3.99
Just Great Stuff powdered, organic peanut butter (for smoothies) - 10.00
Applegate Farms smoked turkey - 8.49
Stoneyfield Yogurt ice cream bars - 7.79
Organic peaches (4) - 7.79
Organic eggs 4.79
Alexia Waffle Fries - 5.49

= 54.29

Of course this is not everything for the month - I went on a Costco run yesterday. Just to give you an idea of some prices.

 

[MrsPooh]

... and I paid $4 for a dozen organic "nest run" eggs at my local farmer's market on Saturday. I think there is a big difference in taste.

ETA, of course $4 eggs certainly contributes to my high grocery bills .

There is a huge difference in the eggs. I've been getting fresh, free range eggs locally for about a year. The shells are harder, they cook differently, and the taste is hugely different (better). I always cringe at the cost but now that I see what others are paying I don't feel as bad about the $2.50/dozen I've been paying.

I love that I know the person who raises the chickens and can see how they are cared for. I've been wanting to purchase beef from this person as well but just can't fit a side a beef into my budget all at one time.

 

[delmar411]

And at least the chickens that lay those $4 eggs were able to move and saw the light of day. Poor chickens laying the $1.25 are lucky if they can move their head in their cages.
Maybe they taste better because the chicken is just happier.

I don't really care about the chicken's happiness, I care about feeding my family. I can afford $1.25 eggs and I would never pay $4 for the same eggs just because the chicken runs around. I'm not into all that crunchy, free range, organic stuff. I feed my family what I can afford and don't feel bad about it at all.

I have eaten those $4 eggs and they taste exactly the same to me FWIW. We all have things that are important to us but if someone has a tight grocery budget, advocating free range, organic, locally sourced, expensive foods, isn't terribly useful or helpful IMO.

 

[sherry7]

ONly you can answer this. You should track what you spend in a month and see if you can make any cuts anywhere. Without knowing what you like to eat, or the prices in your area it is difficult to say whether or not you could get by on $300 a month.

The videos on youtube I have watched where families spend very little on groceries, I finally found out they were eating a lot of carbs and cheap processed food. However, if one is careful it is possible to eat healthy on a low budget. It just takes work to find the deals and go to the different stores.

With just a 4 year old that eats like a bird, and with you probably not eating that much, I'd say it is possible.

If you don't mind my asking, are they offering you a pension pay out? I only ask because my dh just got offered that from his former job! It seems to be common these days.

Good luck on your pursuit to be a sahm!

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I'm going to shoot for $300, and see how I do. I have a large stockpile of boxed, canned, and frozen food right now, so my goal is to use most of that up in the next few months and buy minimal groceries in the meantime. If I follow that plan, I'll just be buying perishable foods for at least 3 months, and will likely spend just $150 or so a month during that time. I might need to increase the budget to $400, so I'm leaving the leeway in the budget.

I haven't really kept close track in what I've spent in the last 3 or 4 years, and since it's been a variety of cash, debit, credit card purchases for groceries, it's hard to go back and track it.

Yes, I'm being offered a pension buy out, and a sizable bonus along with that. My company does it frequently to downsize, but it hasn't been offered to my department for over 4 years. I only have 13 days of work left after today, and I'm getting soooooo excited! I'm sick and tired of spending less than 2 hours (awake hours) a day with DD during the week.

 

[sherry7]

Just went to the supermarket. Maybe someone is interested in what I bought/ paid on this quick trip:

1/2 canteloupe - 2.74
Hass avocado - 2.49
Vermont burger rolls - 2.50
Organic english cucumber - 3.99
Just Great Stuff powdered, organic peanut butter (for smoothies) - 10.00
Applegate Farms smoked turkey - 8.49
Stoneyfield Yogurt ice cream bars - 7.79
Organic peaches (4) - 7.79
Organic eggs 4.79
Alexia Waffle Fries - 5.49

= 54.29

Of course this is not everything for the month - I went on a Costco run yesterday. Just to give you an idea of some prices.

Omg, those prices are ridiculous! I'm not sure where you live, but my groceries are about 1/2 that price.

 

[kelly3927]

Omg, those prices are ridiculous! I'm not sure where you live, but my groceries are about 1/2 that price.

I was just going to say the same thing! I am in Michigan and know our cost of living is lower than a lot of areas but these prices listed are insane. We go through a ton of avocados and I never pay more than $1.25 for them and usually get organic cucumber for around $1.50 each!