OT: How much do you spend when you go Grocerie Shopping??

[Grendalynn]

((I just realized I spelled "Grocery" wrong in my title- Lord, I apologize.... I must be more flustered than I though))

How much do you all spend when you go grocerie shopping for your family?? How big is your family?? What do you buy, whattypes of meals do you plan and do you do all one trip or do you split between walmart/BJs or wherever for household items and such and/or do you order from Schwans....

Ok, so I just got back from Grocerie Shopping. Granted we have a little one now, as many of us on here do, so that is an added cost for a little while, but I almost passed out when I got my total today!!! $260.40 for a family of 4 1/2!!!!!! YIKES!! Thank goodness it was a good week for us and I am sure that was a subliminal factor when I was shopping - but WOW ... DH almost had a heart attack when I told him how much I spent... All of this has got me thinking about what the average family buys...

I did not have a list this time so I think that could have been a factor. I had to buy Formula, Diapers, Babyfood and wipes this week... I buy the jumbo packs so i dont buy those items on a weekly basis. I buy enough meat, veggies and meal items to get us through the weekend (DH and I are doing a little experiment - skimping on take out and not going out for dinner to see what we can save). Stuff for school lunches and snacks... nothing overly frivilous.... it was a paper towel and toilet paper week, along with garbage bags and cleaning stuff.... I have even tried shopping for 2 weeks at a time, but I still ended up going back to the store for things the 2nd week and picking up more items i might not have needed.

I feel like i am trying to rationalize my spending, but i think that the cost of groceries has just sky rocketed lately. Fuel prices or whatever else, I am not sure.... I used to be able to get out of the grocerie store right around $125... Is anyone else in the same boat???

 

[ndgqccmiller]

I don't think you did bad at all. My family is made up of dh, me, ds10, dd7, and dd2. We are still buying diaper, but no special foods. Formula is very expensive! I usually spend 175.00 a week and about every 5 weeks, I will have the family eat whats left in the freezer. That week I usually spend about 100.00. Also my husband is a firefighter so he does not eat dinner with us every night, but he does take leftovers for his dinner at the fire hall. I do shop at Walmart, our local grocer is 1.25 more for milk and everything else is high. If I save 10 by going to Walmart thats 520 a year.

I do take a list. I make out a meal plan out each week and then make out my list. I really try to stick by it. I wish there was away to lower my grocery bill, but we would all strave!

 

[jjj444]

I spend about $250 for the whole month!!!! We have a 2 year old still in diapers and the 2 of us. I plan out my menu for the month and shop only with the list. I plan my meals by what is on sale too. I clip coupons and buy a lot of off brand. I always go to Kroger for food and paper products.

 

[brergnat]

I spend anywhere from $100-175 per week just on FOOD. It's me, DH, DS (2.5) and DS (1).

I break up my shopping at Costco, supermarket, and Target.

I always used to buy formula at Costco. Used the Kirkland brand for both my boys. MUCH cheaper and kids don't know the difference between name brand and generic.

Diapers, I do a subscription through Amazon.com. I get two jumbo boxes of size 5 Pampers Cruisers (the size that is $36 at Toys R Us) delivered to my door monthly for a price of $33 per box and FREE SHIPPING/no tax. I never have to think about buying diapers anymore. You get a 15% discount on the price of the diapers if you do a subscription. This is also available for household items like toilet paper/paper towels, etc. You should look into it!

I buy as much as I can at Costco. I get paper towels, toilet paper, all my cleaning stuff, garbage bags, ziploc bags, and ALL toiletries (deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash) etc. I also stock up on meats here and freeze them. Much cheaper than the supermarket. We also buy coffee and soda at Costco.

I usually only buy perishables at the supermarket. Stuff that I have to replenish every week: produce, milk, yogurts, OJ, frozen waffles/pancakes, cereal, etc. as well as some pantry stuff like bread.

I buy baby food at Target. It's a lot cheaper there, unless the grocery store has them on sale, then I stock up. We're almost out of the baby food stage, though, thank goodness! I also get MOST of my pantry stuff at Target.

It does get expensive. I have found that if I keep the mentality that I only want my kids to eat HEALTHY food, that keeps the food bill down. We don't need cookies, crackers, pop tarts, junk food, etc. When I do start buying this stuff, it inadvertantly costs more.

Make a list, stick to it (easier said than done, I know) and you will find that if you ONLY buy what you NEED, you won't spend too much.

I think I would die of a heart attack if I spent $260 at the GROCERY store for a week's worth of food. The most I have ever spent is $175 for one weeks' worth, and that is when I have bought meats and stocked up on stuff like Lean Cuisine meals.

 

[nessz79]

We spend about $125-150 per week for a family of myself, DH, DS4, and DS2. We shop at Wal-Mart and buy diapers, wipes, and other household goods along with our food. However, that being said, we do eat at MIL's house probably 2-3 times a week b/c we pick up our kids there after work and she's just a nice person. We also pack leftovers for lunches and DH is watching what he eats (and eating less). I can only imagine what things are going to be like with 2 teenage boys in the house!

The funny thing is DH still can't stand how much we spend and we do pretty well I think!

 

[mamacatnv]

My friend and I were just discussing this the other day. I have Me and DH, DS 17(aka bottomless pit) and DD 8 snack food queen if we let her.

I spend on average $1100 a month on groceries between Costco, Winco/Walmart and produce/dairy pick up a couple of times a week at the local grocery store.

We try to limit eating out to 1 time a week. (not included in grocery cost)

We all pretty much brown bag it for lunches.

I do purchase several pre-cooked entries at Costco ie..... Carnitas, PotRoast, Chile Verde, tri-tip etc....this helps on those nights we are crunched for time.

I also utilize my crock pot often.

I don't buy a lot of junk, but I do buy alot of meat and fresh vegetables along with at least a gallon of milk a day!

DS goes thru Gatorade, Nouriche Smoothies, yogurt and Power Bars like it ain't no ones business. (Football player)

 

[aksunshine]

Usually $125+/- per week. There are 3 of us and the baby. We have a little one, so diapers and formula included. I usually split between Wal-mart and local Grocer, sometimes pick a couple of things from Schwan's.

I have to meal plan and budget, but the most I've spent since DS was born was $180.

I can't imagine spending less than $300 in a month, whoever posted that, Great Job!!! My DH would hug me to pieces!

 

[natenapril]

We are a family of 5, me, dh, dd9,dd4, and ds2. We spent 500-550 a month. I buy all my paper products at the grocery store as well. My Dh likes organic food and that usually is more expensive.
Milk here is over 3.00 a gallon and we go through a gallon a day

I am hoping to cut down our grocery bill this summer when we move to PA.

 

[hollyb]

Our family consist of me, DH DS 9, DD almost 7.

We eat out maybe once every 3 months cost $36.00.

I cook everyday, everyone takes lunch to work, wether its cold or hot food. I make a good breakfast during the week, DH cooks it on the weekend. We have 2 cats and a guniea pig and we live in NJ. I don't have time to go to 3 different stores weekly to shop. Having said that we spend around $150 a week. That includes everything. It works out to less then $8.00 per meal and extras. Not bad at all.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

My family is me, DS (22), his GF (19). His GF is celiac, so she needs special gluten-free foods. DS 25 lives nearby but eats dinner here once or twice a week, and the rest of my family often comes for a meal or two on the weekend (DD 28, DS 30, DIL 30 and grandkids ages 5 and 2). I also have two large dogs (Lab and Border Collie). We very rarely eat out. Our weekly grocery bill (includes food, household items, dog food, etc.) is usually around $150 but sometimes goes up to $200 on those weeks when I seem to have run out of everything!

Teresa

 

[kldmom2000]

I generally spend about $175 on food per week-I buy mostly organic dairy, produce, and meats and very little processed food. We are a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 kids with 2 cats)

I also go to Target once a week or so to buy paper products/heath and beauty products, etc for an additional $40-$60 depending on the week...

In addition, DH and I go out once a week for dinner too for date night

 

[Grendalynn]

I generally spend about $175 on food per week-I buy mostly organic dairy, produce, and meats and very little processed food. We are a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 kids with 2 cats)

I also go to Target once a week or so to buy paper products/heath and beauty products, etc for an additional $40-$60 depending on the week...

In addition, DH and I go out once a week for dinner too for date night

This sounds very familiar. I also buy a majority of our grocies from the meat, dairy and produce departments. These things are a lot more expensive and generally last the least amount of time. I too buy very few processed foods; or try to anyway. That is the thing that stinks about all of this - the things that are healthy anf good for you are generally the most expensive items! And the Baby Food/Diaper industry is a rip off as well.. They know you have to buy it, so they prices are waaay up. But we all want what best for our kids, so we do it! It a consipracy I say, a conspiracy! LOL Thanks again for all of your great feed back! I think I will certainly start clipping coupons again and not leave the house without a list of a full belly!

 

[TheDizMom]

Goodness there must be a lot of us on here today it took forever to get to the screen to post a reply . Anyway we are a family of 4, including a DS who is beginning to eat us out of house of home, and I generally spend about $180 for 2 weeks worth of groceries. I buy the standard things like meat, veggies fruit, snacks for the kids and breakfasts, which is usually a combination of cereal and frozen things like waffles for my DS who woouldn't touch a bowl of cereal with a 10 foot pole if his life depended on it. Weird huh ? I still unfortunately have the expense of Pull-ups for my DD who is still unable to stay dry at night. I also have a milk man for milk, eggs and butter (it's a bit more but I found those milk runs were costing me $30 when all I needed was a $3 gallon of milk) and the Schwans man every 2 weeks or so. I guess it ends up being about $200 for the 2 weeks. I of course make a trip after about a week for new fruit and other things I run out of, but I try to do the majority of it on the weeks my DH gets paid. I think my Target runs cost me more when you add them up! I swear the devil gets me when I go there and I always end up buying to much that I don't need, especially from that darn dollar bin. Yeah that would be my face after they tell me how much it is! Can anyone give me any pointers on how to avoid Target ! It's way to easy to go there for a quick run before the DD gets home from Kindergarten when I haven't got anything else to do. At least now the weather is getting nicer I am out walking in the mornings, maybe that will reduce my runs .

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I too buy very few processed foods; or try to anyway. That is the thing that stinks about all of this - the things that are healthy anf good for you are generally the most expensive items! And the Baby Food/Diaper industry is a rip off as well.. They know you have to buy it, so they prices are waaay up. But we all want what best for our kids, so we do it! It a consipracy I say, a conspiracy! LOL Thanks again for all of your great feed back! I think I will certainly start clipping coupons again and not leave the house without a list of a full belly!

I agree! Most of us in my house cannot tolerate the processed foods and buying the healthy stuff is pricey. The produce aisle is my grocery bill downfall.

We are a family of 5 and we spend about $250 a week on groceries at ShopRite. I probably spend another $100 a week at the butcher because I don't like the meat selection at the regular grocery store. DD13 and DS15 are going though their growth spurts and eating everything in sight...so I am sure that contributes to the high food bill. DN is almost 2 and is off of formula and eats table food-whew! We do eat out probably 1-2 times a week and I don't count that in the food bill tally.

For paper goods, cleaning products and health and beauty products, I shop at Costco, BJ's and Walmart mostly and I don't include that in the food bill either.

Prices are crazy! I am guilty of not clipping coupons 99% of the time. I'm sure if I got back in the habit that would help take some of the edge off of our food bill.

 

[LSUmom4kids]

Last week I spent $180 for 1-1 1/2 weeks worth of groceries for 6 PEOPLE - 4 kids are 19, 11, 8 and 6.

I got yelled at by DH for spending too much money! That's it! I'm taking him shopping with me so that he can see our weekly supply of milk - 6 gallons - alone costs $21.00!

Maybe then he'll see how much his beer and his diet cokes costs - I dont' drink either!

We go through fresh fruit, cereal, bread and other things quickly even though the kids buy lunch at school. I'd rather the kids eat fruit, cheese, applesauce, etc. then "scarfing" chips and other junk food!

How can I show DH that $30 per person for 1 to 1 1/2 weeks is really good!!!

 

[yrdlyprincess]

I spend about 100-150 on food, 80 on gas every week & every other week 150-200 @ BJ's, DS is almost out of diapers, but I try to use coupons, NOT buy stuff that we don't use, don't go to the store when I am hungry (big mistake & big bill!!) My DSister does much, much better than me, really watches the ads, uses coupons like crazy.

 

[hollyb]

Give your DH a complete list of what you need, add a child or two to go with him. Let's see how he does. I bet he will NEVER complain again. I think $160 for that long with that many people in your household is great.

 

[Starr W.]

I agree! Most of us in my house cannot tolerate the processed foods and buying the healthy stuff is pricey. The produce aisle is my grocery bill downfall.

We are a family of 5 and we spend about $250 a week on groceries at ShopRite. I probably spend another $100 a week at the butcher because I don't like the meat selection at the regular grocery store. DD13 and DS15 are going though their growth spurts and eating everything in sight...so I am sure that contributes to the high food bill. DN is almost 2 and is off of formula and eats table food-whew! We do eat out probably 1-2 times a week and I don't count that in the food bill tally.

For paper goods, cleaning products and health and beauty products, I shop at Costco, BJ's and Walmart mostly and I don't include that in the food bill either.

Prices are crazy! I am guilty of not clipping coupons 99% of the time. I'm sure if I got back in the habit that would help take some of the edge off of our food bill.

The Produce and Dairy aisles are killers aren't they? To eat healthy it costs more, especially since DH got on the bandwagon! Leaner cuts of meat are more(I go to our local butcher shop too). DH laughed when I came home with 4 bags of Whole Grain wide noodles, because they were $1(not the $2+ regular price).

I come out with about $250 per week at the grocery store(I buy paper, cleaning and health & beauty items also since Kroger & Meijer usually are priced well and I am loyal to certain brands). Waiting for our Costco to open in the fall!

I am a compulsive coupon user, but only for stuff I buy(so sometimes the clipping is at a minimum) Only came up with a one from the 2 flyers this weekend.

 

[5fordisney]

Hi. We have a strict $125 a week budget for our family of 5 plus occasional extra family members for dinner (sister, aunt, grandmother, etc.). My youngest is still in pull-ups at night. The $125 has to cover groceries as well as all toiletries and paper products. It's a hard budget to keep but we made a choice to live on one income so I could stay home with the kids until they all are in school. There are weeks when it's frustrating trying to work within our budget but it is doable. We shop largely at Wal-mart, buy generic for almost everything, plan meals around what the specials are, and always stick to a list. It's funny, one of the things I look forward to most when we finally go back to being a 2 income family is having more grocery money! Who would have ever thought that would be my dream!

 

[feedindy]

I shop for DH and I, 3 girls (including 1 in diapers), a dog, a cat and a ferret. We are also gluten free so I have some specialty items that cost more. (i.e. a loaf of bread is half the size of the wheat variety and costs $4.39!) I budget $125 each week. Sometimes we spend more, sometimes less, but I keep it in an envelope labeled grocery so I take out the same each week.

I shop sales and use coupons. I visit the grocery twice a week (to keep our fresh fruit stocked), but it is usually a different store each time depending on where the deals are.