"Grocery" budget questions for the EXPERT SHOPPERS...

[edk35]

Okay....I would like to know.... when you guys buy groceries for these incredible low weekly/amounts..... do they include paper products, dog food, cleaning products, toiletries..you know the OTHER STUFF we buy?? Do you keep FOOD separate? I am curious because WE HAVE ALWAYS SPENT SO MUCH each week at the commissary. We have gotten better but there is room for improvement.


I am NOT one to shop at different stores to get THE BEST DEALS. I am not about running all over the place to buy the things in the sales flyers...but I do use coupons if they are for things we actually use. WE are fortunate to be able to use the commissary and that is saving us money.

 

[pryncess527]

I calculate those goods separately from groceries. But I average only about $40 a month on paper goods and could probably do less if we didn't buy things like lens wipes for my husband's glasses and some other things we could do without. I do all of that type of shopping at club stores, BJ's is the closest for me.

I also rely heavily on natural cleaning supplies. A gigantic tub of the distilled white vinegar and lemon juice can go along way in my house and replaces a lot of more expensive commercial products.

And dog food is it's own category in our budget. We budget $80 a month for three beagles anything left over at the end of the month goes to the veterinary category

 

[worm761]

Okay....I would like to know.... when you guys buy groceries for these incredible low weekly/amounts..... do they include paper products, dog food, cleaning products, toiletries..you know the OTHER STUFF we buy?? Do you keep FOOD separate? I am curious because WE HAVE ALWAYS SPENT SO MUCH each week at the commissary. We have gotten better but there is room for improvement.


I am NOT one to shop at different stores to get THE BEST DEALS. I am not about running all the place to buy the things in the sales flyers...but I do use coupons if they are for things we actually use. WE are fortunate to be able to use the commissary and that is saving us money.

We are a family of 5. I average around $150 a week for groceries. Groceries in my house are everything: paper products, soaps, shampoo, cleaning supplies, fabric softener, etc. The only thing not included is the dog food.

We eat fairly healthy with very little processed foods. I make almost everything from scratch which is why my budget tends to be small. I could make it smaller if I was willing to eat processed/boxed foods and if I was willing to shop at the discount grocery stores. I tried. They were filthy and grossed me out. Fuzzy produce and meat full of water/liquid. I choose to shop elsewhere.

I shop at Sam's Club, Winn Dixie, Publix, a local butcher and a local farmer's market.

 

[edk35]

We are a family of 5. I average around $150 a week for groceries. Groceries in my house are everything: paper products, soaps, shampoo, cleaning supplies, fabric softener, etc. The only thing not included is the dog food.

We eat fairly healthy with very little processed foods. I make almost everything from scratch which is why my budget tends to be small. I could make it smaller if I was willing to eat processed/boxed foods and if I was willing to shop at the discount grocery stores. I tried. They were filthy and grossed me out. Fuzzy produce and meat full of water/liquid. I choose to shop elsewhere.

I shop at Sam's Club, Winn Dixie, Publix, a local butcher and a local farmer's market.

Do you go to all of those stores WEEKLY? LOL

 

[AquaDame]

Ours is low, but we stock up when we buy toiletries & meats. I buy cows by the quarter, three types of fish when we go to Trader Joe's (cheapest I have found by the lb here), bulk paper products at Costco & never go near a farmer's market without at least one week of planned meals that we WILL stick to INCLUDING lunches. We stick to the shopping list and every couple of weeks I end up deleting a bunch off it when I realize there is still a bunch of tasty things to dethaw and use in the freezer. We have a white board on the fridge that says what we have on hand meat & veggie wise and the meal plan is right there too. We buy toiletries in bulk as well, but all we buy really is soap, shampoo/conditioner and acne products (I gave up on ever outgrowing it). I choose not to wear makeup, so that isn't a concern. We buy only the razors/shaving cream/feminine hygiene items we LIKE when they are on sale at Target with the $5 gift card or stick with Costco where it tends to be cheaper than regular price. We buy generic over the counter medicines in the cheapest containers they have too - paying close attention to the UNIT price of items, not the price of the box itself.

We don't count our pet's items since we don't buy those in the grocery store - we buy the high end stuff from the pet store... less filler = less poop & stinkiness.

 

[hsmamato2]

for me it depends on where I find a good price on pet food... some months it will be where I get groceries, and get tossed in that budget category, other times it will be on it's own, like some specialty dog food from the feed store.... Ours is lower than many people I know, but not the lowest- I like Aldi,and Price Rite- I stay out of regular grocery stores for the most part,unless there is some excellent quality meat on sale, then I'll stock the freezer.... I think the real key to an overall budget is buying what you need on sale, and making sure you actually use it. I buy a 6 pk of paper towels maybe once every month or two...we use either cloth napkins or dishtowels.(gasp) I make my own simple cleaning/disinfectant spray that is all purpose, Shampoo is not expensive to buy once a month,likewise for toothpaste...

 

[worm761]

Do you go to all of those stores WEEKLY? LOL

Most of the time but I shop every two weeks. I am very organized about it. I have a list that goes by store, then aisle. DH pushes the buggy with DD in it and I man the list tossing things in the buggy. DH loads the belt organized by where it goes in the house. Makes it easier to put it away at home. It sounds a bit crazy but we have it down pat.

Sometimes with a trip to Target in there too but Target is in the same shopping complex as Winn Dixie. And I forgot we go to Joe Patties for fresh seafood every Saturday.

 

[edk35]

Ours is low, but we stock up when we buy toiletries & meats. I buy cows by the quarter, three types of fish when we go to Trader Joe's (cheapest I have found by the lb here), bulk paper products at Costco & never go near a farmer's market without at least one week of planned meals that we WILL stick to INCLUDING lunches. We stick to the shopping list and every couple of weeks I end up deleting a bunch off it when I realize there is still a bunch of tasty things to dethaw and use in the freezer. We have a white board on the fridge that says what we have on hand meat & veggie wise and the meal plan is right there too. We buy toiletries in bulk as well, but all we buy really is soap, shampoo/conditioner and acne products (I gave up on ever outgrowing it). I choose not to wear makeup, so that isn't a concern. We buy only the razors/shaving cream/feminine hygiene items we LIKE when they are on sale at Target with the $5 gift card or stick with Costco where it tends to be cheaper than regular price. We buy generic over the counter medicines in the cheapest containers they have too - paying close attention to the UNIT price of items, not the price of the box itself.

We don't count our pet's items since we don't buy those in the grocery store - we buy the high end stuff from the pet store... less filler = less poop & stinkiness.

Our dogfood is purchased at a pet store too..... so that is never included in groceries. I think my problem is MY HUBBY loves to go to the commissary each weekend....it's like FUN to him. LOL ME not so much. He enjoys that and we spend way too much!!

 

[pigletto]

Our dogfood is purchased at a pet store too..... so that is never included in groceries. I think my problem is MY HUBBY loves to go to the commissary each weekend....it's like FUN to him. LOL ME not so much. He enjoys that and we spend way too much!!

If he enjoys it that much, would he be willing to take over the shopping budget?
I do it in our house (and the bulk of the cooking) because it's almost a game to me. I used to skip down the aisles gleefully buying whatever looked fun or yummy or new, and subsequently we spent a small fortune. When I started using YNAB (budgeting software) I was determined to get the number lower. Our budget for a family of four with one dog and one cat was over 900 which included everything and eating out last month.
This month it is looking like we will come in around $650 and that is for two households technically because my husband rents a place for weeknights because he works so far from home.
We only have 3 stores in town and I will go to all three stores. Typically I only get the loss leaders from the flyer at two of the stores, and do the rest of the shopping at my regular store.

It is a bit of a pain to get it all organized and working well. However I am working hard to save for a February Disney/Universal trip and anything I shave off of the grocery budget goes into the Disney fund.. Thats my incentive.

I could probably get it lower with fewer convenience items. I am still buying them for packed lunches. But school will be out in a month and being able stop sending so many packaged snacks and lunch items will save a good amount.

 

[chris31997]

Our dogfood is purchased at a pet store too..... so that is never included in groceries. I think my problem is MY HUBBY loves to go to the commissary each weekend....it's like FUN to him. LOL ME not so much. He enjoys that and we spend way too much!!

Something else you can try is menu planning. I do it by the week. I cook what I plan some time in the week.

A friend has her grocery list on her fridge, dry earse marker. As things are used it is marked. That is what she buys.

I would compare prices. Commisary prices are not always cheaper. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy somewhere else, especially if you get generic. Of course that will depend on where you are. If cost of living is high, then commisary will be your best deal.

 

[QVCshopper]

I usually spend $380ish on food a month for a family of five. I frequent two stores and sometimes add in Target and one other food store. I've also started gas deals and that's working out great--last month I spent $203 at the grocery store and got $170 in gas for free!

I buy the loss leaders, sale items, use coupons, buy bulk meat, buy about to expire meat, add in corn to tacos, eat cereal for breakfast, only buy in season fruit, cut my own fruit, etc.

For the most part, I do not use many paper products and those aren't included in my food budget. That amount also does not include my kids' lunches they buy at school, which is about 3x/week.

I think the BIGGEST thing I do is only buy if I NEED it. For example, this week I've only spent less than $45 at the food stores because we are pretty well stocked right now. I also try not to waste much at all.

 

[java]

I used to be able to do $100 a week for our family of 6. But over th last few months it has creeped up as prices have skyrocketed. I've eliminated several items because of cost. Bu I am now closer to $135 a week. Including toiletries, paper and food. But not dog food, that is $30 for a 40 pound bag. Feeds 2 dogs for about a month.

Price and size changes are so rampant now. 20% reduction in sizes but same price are the ones that bug me the most. I have a recipe that calls or a block of cracker barrel cheese (10 ounces for years!) bought it recently and surprise it is only 8 now!sneaky. Hate that!

 

[hsmamato2]

just wanted to add to some degree all those who 'expertly' manage to keep the grocery budget low must shop around for the best prices, that includes multiple stops sometimes...... unless you're happy with 100% of the food at Aldi, then you must stop elsewhere.... (I personally like 98% of Aldi groceries, just not the meat selections) And since my other discount grocery store actually beats Aldi for cheese,eggs, I switch it up, one week I hit Aldi,the next,Price Rite (ex.- Aldi eggs are 1.99 per dozen-PriceRite is 4.49 for 2 1/2 doz., shredded chs. at Aldi is 3.79 for 3/4 lb,PR is 2 lbs for 5.99) Plus PR carries the free range grass fed beef from NZ (non US) that I buy,divide,and use....

 

[edk35]

If he enjoys it that much, would he be willing to take over the shopping budget?
I do it in our house (and the bulk of the cooking) because it's almost a game to me. I used to skip down the aisles gleefully buying whatever looked fun or yummy or new, and subsequently we spent a small fortune. When I started using YNAB (budgeting software) I was determined to get the number lower. Our budget for a family of four with one dog and one cat was over 900 which included everything and eating out last month.
This month it is looking like we will come in around $650 and that is for two households technically because my husband rents a place for weeknights because he works so far from home.
We only have 3 stores in town and I will go to all three stores. Typically I only get the loss leaders from the flyer at two of the stores, and do the rest of the shopping at my regular store.

It is a bit of a pain to get it all organized and working well. However I am working hard to save for a February Disney/Universal trip and anything I shave off of the grocery budget goes into the Disney fund.. Thats my incentive.

I could probably get it lower with fewer convenience items. I am still buying them for packed lunches. But school will be out in a month and being able stop sending so many packaged snacks and lunch items will save a good amount.

I could NOT hand him over the grocery budget. LOL

 

[danygirl]

I include paper goods, detergents , soaps, all the h and b and household stuff. I am for a max of 75 per week for 3 of us plus car and dog.

Many weeks I am at $50 because the $75 is an average but my monthly number stays pretty constant.

I shop at the grocery store, target, drug stores and farmers market. We eat a lot of fresh fruit.

I buy when the price us best and stockpile - not a giant one but two closets . I got a years supply is shampoo recently combining clearance and coupons and paid $5. That is how you keep your budget low

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

I include paper goods, detergents , soaps, all the h and b and household stuff. I am for a max of 75 per week for 3 of us plus car and dog.

Many weeks I am at $50 because the $75 is an average but my monthly number stays pretty constant.

I shop at the grocery store, target, drug stores and farmers market. We eat a lot of fresh fruit.

I buy when the price us best and stockpile - not a giant one but two closets . I got a years supply is shampoo recently combining clearance and coupons and paid $5. That is how you keep your budget low

You spend 50 a week on food for 3 people including all breakfast, lunch, and dinners, plus snacks? This includes eating out? Also includes all TP, paper towels, soap etc?

 

[blessedby3]

I start by making a menu for 2 weeks at a time (DH gets pd every 2 weeks). After making the menu, I go to the panty/fridge and see what items we need to make those meals.
I start my grocery list with those things and then add in the normal stuff we buy for lunches, snacks, etc. My DS works at Kroger, so we get an extra 10% off Kroger brand products so I do the bulk of my shopping there and buy their store brand and use coupons on other things.
I buy cereal, granola bars and pop tarts at Walmart (they have the bigger boxes). I buy ground beef, chicken and a few other things at Sams. I get my tp and paper towels at CVS when they run the "but $20 worth and get $5 back" sale on Scott and Bounty. That will last us a good while.
I just went to Kroger and Walmart yesterday and spent $160 between the two for the two weeks. Don't need any meats until next payday.
We are a family of 5.
I don't mind hitting up 3 different places every couple of weeks to get the best deals on what we need. Kroger and Walmart are just 4 miles down the road, and I go to Sams when I am out that way.

 

[rdevine10]

I budget between 600-800 a month for groceries for our family of 4. I do MUCH better sticking to it when I am able to do 2 big shops a month, with the other weeks just picking up a few perishables..

During the 2 big shops, I do stop at several stores- typically Aldi, Trader Joes, Walmart (for mostly paper products) and stop and shop.

When I do the big shops, I already have my lists ready- STICK TO THEM, and go by myself. I can usually get it done in a pretty short amount of time. I buy in bulk and freeze what needs to be frozen.

We do not eat a lot of processed foods- but some fresh foods last longer than others- ie: a buy several bags of apples & sweet potatoes- often melons will last another week as well- and I buy meat and freeze it.

On my small weeks its usually just more produce and milk and sometimes yogurt.

I love this method as every other week its a very quick shop!

 

[Misha72683]

Those things are a seperate entry on my budget. I have "groceries", "toiletries" and "household" (paper products, cleaning supplies, etc). I can generally keep my grocery budget to around $100/week for 2 adults, 1 toddler and 1 infant (we also don't have awesome coupon deals here though).

 

[kmaria]

I am so bad at budgeting. Newlywed here. We've been living together for about 10 months now (got married in December) but we waste so much money because I have so much trouble for some reason wrapping my head around planning meals.

DH is also a new teacher who hasn't found a permanent position yet, so our income is spotty while he is subbing (I work too, but my income isn't enough for everything) and I never know how much money we will have at any given time, it all depends on how often he gets called out.

In the month of April, we spent $267.96 on groceries (not including cat food) and $250.63 ordering food and/or morning coffees/buying lunch at work.

I know I can almost eliminate the takeout/fast food, but it's still hard having all the money at once to get some decent shopping done some weeks.

Anyone know of a thread with advice for a situation like that? Lol