How much do you spend on food weekly?

[dvcgirl]

I am trying to teach myself how to make & stick to a budget. I have so far been keeping track of how much we are spending. Now I need to know a good target amount. It would really help me out to get some baseline data from others who are actually able to budget effectively.

My food budget pays for all groceries, but not fast food or restaurants or school/work lunches (should it)?

I am supporting a family of 5.5, 3 adults, ds17, dd11, dgd 13 months (1/2 time).

I am operating on the premise that if I control my spending better, I will have more $$ for things I like to do, for example vacationing at WDW.

Well, for one thing, if you're looking for ways to save money, cut out the fast food and restaurant trips.

Our grocery budget is the one place that I really don't bother trying to trim any longer. We are just two adults and I spend anywhere for $700-$800 a month just on groceries (not including toiletries). We tend to eat out 3-4 times a month, and that is also not included in that figure.

The only way that I can see substanitally cutting back on our food budget would be to totally change our diet which we're not willing to do. Our health is the most important thing to us. Unfortunately, cutting way back on the food budget would mean eating mostly processed foods laden with empty calories, refined carbs, high frutcose corn syrup and trans fats. And we're just not willing to do that.

It's really tough to measure your food budget against another similar sized family's budget unless you know what they are eating from day to day.
I often see food budgets here for families with an additional 2 to 4 people who feed a family for literally 1/2 of what we spend on just two of us. I don't know how that's possible. I've tried to learn from those threads, because I'm always looking for ways to save money. But in the threads where folks give the recipes that go along with those frugal grocery budgets, well, the quality of what most of them are eating is not ideal. Yes, you can get five pounds of ground chuck on sale at BJs for next to nothing, and sure, it will make nearly 20 meat servings in some meal. But it's just awful for you. In the end, some things aren't worth the sacrifice.

 

[hollyb]

It depends on your priorities. For us, food is the one thing we can cut down on right now.


We spend around 250 mo. for a family of 4. We stock up at a discount grocery here in Charlotte. We didn't have that in CA. They have snack foods from the health food store for a fraction of the price.

We have started using AngelFoodMinistries.com. You get a box of food with everything except milk and produce for $25 ($75 worth of food). It is NOT needs based. It is for anyone wanting to save on groceries. The only thing is, if you are picky, it won't work. They have a "menu" and you get what is in the box!

I buy produce during the summer at the produce stands and can/freeze for winter.

My friend spends less than $200 month for a family of 3 and uses "The Grocery Game" and Sunday's coupons. She sometimes spends $100 month! I have been amazed. It is just a lot of work!

I am also now mostly vegetarian. I buy quality rice and lentils and even though they are more than reg. rice or lentils, they are still way less than meat or junk food.

I used to spend over $600 month, so this is a HUGE change for us.

Dawn

Your right about prioritys. I refuse to serve food to my family is less then the best quality. I have 2 growing children who need it and my husband who works hard everyday for us. I will not give any of them food that is old, discounted or however we can save cents.

I would rather cut back on cable, internet, eating out. Instead of good food.

 

[MEM]

We spend about $125 per week, about $22 of that is school breakfasts and lunches for DS11 and DD10. We are a one-income family with Mom (me) as the bread-winner and DH as the SAHD looking for a job with Mother's hours.
DH does all of the grocery shopping since he has more self-control than I do. We buy groceries on a cash-only basis and are very careful at the beginning of each week to make sure the money lasts until the end. We joined Costco this year but the only item they sell cheaper than the grocery stores is milk - we will not renew. We buy loss-leaders like solid white albacore tuna (no "catfood-grade" tuna for us). We stopped buying soda except for birthdays and purchased an iced-tea maker that will make a pitcher of decaf tea for 50 cents. When buying produce we always buy what is in-season. I work in Boston's Chinatown and there are often good deals to be had in the Asian markets on fresh produce and 25 pound bags of Jasmine rice -- I just have to be flexible. We have at least one vegetarian meal per week and that is pasta with jarred sauce. Meat and fish are used more as condiments than the main entree and I will pay more for lean meat and boneless, skinless chicken since there is less waste. A pound of salmon will feed the four of us.

We rarely eat out, except on vacation and buy less and less junk food and prepared food each time. I bring my breakfast and lunch to work and can often get a free meal here at work from business meeting leftovers - better than it sounds!

Decent coupons are rare here so I no longer bother buying the Sunday paper. Darling Dachshund eats prescription food from her vet but that comes out of the "dog" budget.

 

[Disneymaniacs]

Well, for one thing, if you're looking for ways to save money, cut out the fast food and restaurant trips.

Our grocery budget is the one place that I really don't bother trying to trim any longer. We are just two adults and I spend anywhere for $700-$800 a month just on groceries (not including toiletries). We tend to eat out 3-4 times a month, and that is also not included in that figure.

The only way that I can see substanitally cutting back on our food budget would be to totally change our diet which we're not willing to do. Our health is the most important thing to us. Unfortunately, cutting way back on the food budget would mean eating mostly processed foods laden with empty calories, refined carbs, high frutcose corn syrup and trans fats. And we're just not willing to do that.

It's really tough to measure your food budget against another similar sized family's budget unless you know what they are eating from day to day.
I often see food budgets here for families with an additional 2 to 4 people who feed a family for literally 1/2 of what we spend on just two of us. I don't know how that's possible. I've tried to learn from those threads, because I'm always looking for ways to save money. But in the threads where folks give the recipes that go along with those frugal grocery budgets, well, the quality of what most of them are eating is not ideal. Yes, you can get five pounds of ground chuck on sale at BJs for next to nothing, and sure, it will make nearly 20 meat servings in some meal. But it's just awful for you. In the end, some things aren't worth the sacrifice.

I totally agree. Just last month, I began to monitor my food budget. I found that the best way for me to save money is to plan meals and make a detailed shopping list. I also try to shop without the kids. By doing this I am saving at least $200/month but my food bill is still $200 week. This thread was making me doubt myself until I read your post. I buy organic vegetables and low fat hormone free meat and limit processed foods to one sweet and one salty item per week excluding cereal.

 

[RADOPT]

We are not a good sample but - For my daughter and I, we spend $25.00 per week for food only (no soap, etc.) except cereal (I buy that only when it is on sale and stock up). We do everything from scratch. She doesn't like sweets and isn't a snacky person so we don't buy cookies, chips, soda or make cakes etc. Everything canned or bottled we get at a grocery outlet store. We have a large backyard with fruit trees (apples, oranges, peaches, persimmons and plums) and grow our own veggies (we freeze the extra). She eats only homemade soups for breakfast and loves veggies, we eat what is in season.

Like I said - we're not a good sample. But we do save a lot on food while eating well.

 

[golden1]

I used to be in the $700-800/month range for our family of four but have cut back a bit. I am generally running about $600/month now. The biggest change for me has been changing the grocery store I shop at. I used to shop at our brand new Shaws store which is very nice but now I drive down the street to Market Basket and can get mostly the same items for about 25% less. Seriously, they will sell the same items for $1.00 less sometimes. I have been cutting back on the snack items which is better for my diet and my budget. I also have been planning out meals a week in advance and being more disciplined about eating leftovers for lunch. I used to throw away a lot of food. I guess I could cut my budget further by shopping at multiple stores and clipping coupons but I just can't bring myself to do that work. My other tip is to keep a running tab in your head of how much you are spending. I do this so that if I am getting close to $100-150 I can take things out of my cart or decide not to buy something I don't need.

 

[punkin]

We are not a good sample but - For my daughter and I, we spend $25.00 per week for food only (no soap, etc.) except cereal (I buy that only when it is on sale and stock up). We do everything from scratch. She doesn't like sweets and isn't a snacky person so we don't buy cookies, chips, soda or make cakes etc. Everything canned or bottled we get at a grocery outlet store. We have a large backyard with fruit trees (apples, oranges, peaches, persimmons and plums) and grow our own veggies (we freeze the extra). She eats only homemade soups for breakfast and loves veggies, we eat what is in season.

Like I said - we're not a good sample. But we do save a lot on food while eating well.

I am impressed. I have wanted to start a veggie garden for years, but I am a born and bred urbanite (currently living in suburbia with a back yard) and I have no idea where to start. Frankly gardening scares me, but I am willing to try anything for tomatoes that don't taste like cardboard. Any suggestions?

 

[RADOPT]

I am impressed. I have wanted to start a veggie garden for years, but I am a born and bred urbanite (currently living in suburbia with a back yard) and I have no idea where to start. Frankly gardening scares me, but I am willing to try anything for tomatoes that don't taste like cardboard. Any suggestions?

We live in Silicon Valley - little house, big backyard.

You can grow tomatoes in the ground or in a pot. We do them in the ground with a cage and plant marigolds around them to keep away the bugs - especially the tomatoes bug - uck! Also, plant them where they will be the warmest - most if not all tomatoes like heat. There are a hugh number of different tomatoes. I would go to a nursery near you and ask for help. We usually do 3 - 4 different types and have them all year (fresh all summer into the fall and frozen the rest of the year) They are not hard to grow but you need to pick the right type for your taste and area. Green beans are also easy to grow and you can grow them upright which saves space - wonderful fresh! Watch out for squash - you will have more then enough. We do two plants - cook with them, give them to friends and still have enought to donate to the food pantry!

Be warned - once you have backyard fresh the stuff in the store is awful and will be a waste of money for you. I NEVER by tomatoes in the store anymore - they never taste like tomatoes. good luck!

 

[donnajon]

I have to respectfully disagree that TheGroceryGame is a lot of work. I spend maybe one hour per week to clip and sort my coupons - I use a binder and the thing that takes the longest time is filing my coupns in the binder. But, with the GroceryGame, it tells me what is on sale at the rock bottom lowest price, what coupon I need to have (so I have my coupons pulled before I go to the store) and how much I am saving. We're a family of 5 and I might spend $60-$65 per week and this includes toiletries and cleaning supplies. I always thought I could get that stuff cheaper at Target or Wal-Mart. That was before I learned how to buy a large bottle of Spray N Wash for $.45 or Edge shaving gel for $.35. I recently paid $.35 for a for pack of razors that retailed at the same store I bought them at for $6.69! I actually enjoy going to the grocery store now that I have learned to play the game. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. I just figure that hour of clipping coupons is worth the $100 or so that I save at the store.

 

[dvcgirl]

I totally agree. Just last month, I began to monitor my food budget. I found that the best way for me to save money is to plan meals and make a detailed shopping list. I also try to shop without the kids. By doing this I am saving at least $200/month but my food bill is still $200 week. This thread was making me doubt myself until I read your post. I buy organic vegetables and low fat hormone free meat and limit processed foods to one sweet and one salty item per week excluding cereal.

I do this too....make a list, and buy organic. It's expensive, but so worth it. Forget even eating organic, it's expensive just to eat well. Fresh veggies, fruit, whole grains....all expensive. Healthy food is considered a "specialty" it seems. We pay nearly $5.00 for our Nature's Path cereal! It's crazy!

Good for you for limiting the sodium and sugar content for your kids. The diet for many children today is totally out of control. I was just reading an article recently that stated many physicians believe that our children today will be the first generation that will not live longer than their parents did. That's amazing when you factor in the medical breakthroughs we've had. Think about when we were kids (I'm 38). There was always one or two heavy kids in your class right? Look at classrooms today....*way* more kids are overweight. Go anywhere and look at kids. There are just a lot more kids today with weight issues than there were thirty years ago. Too much fast food, processed foods, sugar, empty calories....it's frightening. Have you ever seen "Honey we're Killing the Kids" on TLC? Watch that sometime if you haven't....it's eye-opening.

 

[dvcgirl]

We are not a good sample but - For my daughter and I, we spend $25.00 per week for food only (no soap, etc.) except cereal (I buy that only when it is on sale and stock up). We do everything from scratch. She doesn't like sweets and isn't a snacky person so we don't buy cookies, chips, soda or make cakes etc. Everything canned or bottled we get at a grocery outlet store. We have a large backyard with fruit trees (apples, oranges, peaches, persimmons and plums) and grow our own veggies (we freeze the extra). She eats only homemade soups for breakfast and loves veggies, we eat what is in season.

Like I said - we're not a good sample. But we do save a lot on food while eating well.

That's very cool. We had another poster around here who was a SAHM...I think her DH was military...and she made everything from scratch as well. Baked all of the bread for the family...made pasta from scratch, everything. That's great if you can do it...nothing better.

 

[shaylahc1]

Wow some of these costs seem really low!!! $5 a week for household supplies? I couldn't even get a box of tampons for $5 where I live! Seriously, we are a family of 6 and we spend about $200-300 a week for ALL food & non-food groceries. That does NOT include pet food I live in an area where groceries are very expensive....the cheapest gallon of generic milk is $4.80 a gallon. Produce is very expensive as well. 1 lb of chicken breasts can easily run $7-8 a pack I HATE spending so much money on food, but we eat well, buy organic when we can and load up on fresh produce.

I am curious as to how many of these low grocery budgets include things like buying lunch and eating out? When my kids are home for the summer all 6 of us eat almost every meal at home. I estimate the average cost to feed my family 1 meal (made with good meat and fresh produce) is at least 10-15 dollars.....

 

[CJRN]

shaylahc1: What state/country do you live? Are the incomes high there as well?

 

[shaylahc1]

shaylahc1: What state/country do you live? Are the incomes high there as well?

We are in Apex, NC (about 20 min outside of Raleigh). I do think the cost of living here is high. When we lived in Columbus in 1998 our grocery budget for 3 people was $50 a week One of the first things we noticed when we moved was how expensive food was.

I wanted to add that I do shop sales and clip coupons...but it's never enough or so it seems!

 

[marthachick]

I also use Angel Food Ministries for food. It is not needs based. It is for anyone who wants to save on groceries. Go to AngelFoodMinistries.com and click on "Host Sites" to find a location near you. There are several TX places listed.

Dawn

Hi Dawn,

Another NC'er here. From north of you... we recently started hearing about Angel Food Ministries. What is some of the food you get? Is it good quality? TIA!
Lisa

 

[lindakmonty]

I have to respectfully disagree that TheGroceryGame is a lot of work. I spend maybe one hour per week to clip and sort my coupons - I use a binder and the thing that takes the longest time is filing my coupns in the binder. But, with the GroceryGame, it tells me what is on sale at the rock bottom lowest price, what coupon I need to have (so I have my coupons pulled before I go to the store) and how much I am saving. We're a family of 5 and I might spend $60-$65 per week and this includes toiletries and cleaning supplies. I always thought I could get that stuff cheaper at Target or Wal-Mart. That was before I learned how to buy a large bottle of Spray N Wash for $.45 or Edge shaving gel for $.35. I recently paid $.35 for a for pack of razors that retailed at the same store I bought them at for $6.69! I actually enjoy going to the grocery store now that I have learned to play the game. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. I just figure that hour of clipping coupons is worth the $100 or so that I save at the store.

Sorry... What is the grocery game?? Sounds like a great way for dh to save us some $ he retires in a few days so he'll have plenty of time to save us $ w/things like that. That sounds great! TIA

 

[mom2my3kids]

We spend about 500.00 a month on grocery's, this is a family of 5 my children are 12,8,3.

 

[mudnuri]

$400.00 a month including household supplies. Well, thats the budget but I usually end up between 325 and 350. Family of 4, 2 DD's 10 and 8

What I do-
discount food for canned and boxed foods- cereal, ketchup, condiment types
I also clip coupons and our price chopper doubles up to 99 cents. They also have triple coupons every now and then up to 4.00 face value..

I buy meat from a butcher. Usually $100.00 box at a time. There are some items in it we dont eat, so we swap them out for Chicken breast with him. I freeze the meat.

I use a monthly menu- it is basically a 10 day menu that rotates. We have breakfast dinner every 10 days or so, when we have pancakes or omelletes,
DBF's father gets eggs at work- so those are free

I'm a diet coke freak, so I wait until they are on sale- 4 12 packs for 9 and I generally have a coupon and stock up.

In general I dont buy generic foods, for the simple fact that I dont like them. I have signed up for just about every national food companies newsletter on line and recieve coupons and idea's from them monthly, generally with expiration dates 6 months out. I save those until they are on sale.

I go to the gas station across the street on Monday and take the coupon flyers out of the recycle bin. That way I dont pay for the paper I'm not going to read.

Very seldom do I buy a product without a coupon, except maxwell house smooth roast coffee. The big can is only 4.97 at our walmart- thats 4 bucks less than anywhere else so I always grab it at walmart.

Household items I get when I have coupons and they are on sale. Most of the time they end up being closer to free!

We do not eat pre-packaged food very often. And I cook at home every night except Sunday- DBF and I go out to eat on Sundays.

Brandy

 

[DawnM]

Lisa,

I am not sure. This is my first month to try it! Now, my friend who have used it say it is great. The food is just like you would get in a supermarket and as long as you aren't too picky, you can eat well off of it.

How far North are you? My friend 90 miles away comes up to Charlotte once a month to go to the Discount Grocery Store and stocks up. She says she finds it well worth it. If you want more info email me: KenyaMK@aol.com.

Dawn

Hi Dawn,

Another NC'er here. From north of you... we recently started hearing about Angel Food Ministries. What is some of the food you get? Is it good quality? TIA!
Lisa

 

[DawnM]

Ah, well, you see.....it is probably mostly laziness on my part! My friend tells me the same thing....that it is NOT time consuming.

I just really need to figure out a way to get the paper delivered for less $$. We don't currently get it.

Thanks. You are most likely right and I just need to start DOING it!

Dawn

I have to respectfully disagree that TheGroceryGame is a lot of work. I spend maybe one hour per week to clip and sort my coupons - I use a binder and the thing that takes the longest time is filing my coupns in the binder. But, with the GroceryGame, it tells me what is on sale at the rock bottom lowest price, what coupon I need to have (so I have my coupons pulled before I go to the store) and how much I am saving. We're a family of 5 and I might spend $60-$65 per week and this includes toiletries and cleaning supplies. I always thought I could get that stuff cheaper at Target or Wal-Mart. That was before I learned how to buy a large bottle of Spray N Wash for $.45 or Edge shaving gel for $.35. I recently paid $.35 for a for pack of razors that retailed at the same store I bought them at for $6.69! I actually enjoy going to the grocery store now that I have learned to play the game. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. I just figure that hour of clipping coupons is worth the $100 or so that I save at the store.