How much $$$ on groceries?

cwilliams080676 · April 2013

Family of 9 here. I spend about 1400 a month in food. That myself, and 7 kids ages 14 to 2 yrs.

chubbychristianchick · April 2013

We spend about $600 for 2 people. My husband is a big eater and typically eats several servings of food... Even though we mostly buy healthy foods are main money goes to meat, cereal, and beverages because he refuses to drink anything but sweet tea!

FitSuga · April 2013

We are a family of 6 and spend about 800$ a month for food. I don't include dog/cat food or toiletries in that. I just shop the perimeter more than anything. I don't use coupons or anything. Buy as little proceed food as possible. I buy things like my Coconut oil on amazon and we also do some stocking trips up to Tucson to go to a Sam's. I meal plan and I know that helps a lot.

Eating healthy here can be pretty pricey though, that's really a lot to do with the location. Getting fresh produce is where all the money goes.

bcattoes · April 2013

Eating healthy can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want it to be. Eating a lot of dried beans, oats, brown rice, frozen fruits and vegetables, cheaper fish and meat, canned tuna, eggs, etc. vs. eating organic grass fed meat, fresh out of season or out of region vegetables, fruits and fish, quinoa, etc. will make a huge difference in your healthy food budget.

DesireeLovesOrganic · April 2013

$1000 for us (2 adults, 2 kids aged 10 and 7.) I am very picky about things being organic though so I know that adds a little bit. We don't buy meat but seems I am at the store every 3 days because we run out of produce like mad. No cans, no frozen. I think we eat a lot. Haha We don't have any doctor bills though and I think that is due to eating healthy.

belligerent599 · April 2013

I would say for just me I spend in a given week anywhere from $35-$60. Depends if I need to get any bulk items that last for weeks or months. I would say a normal week would be $45-$55 though.

Same here, although if we don't count stuff like foil or garbage bags or whatever, it's nearer to the $35 end, usually.

Blochner · April 2013

thats a really great idea to only do the "inside ailses" once a month!! totally going to use that:)

mhiggi02 · April 2013

Family of four, two adults and a 11 and 13 year old girls, around $800/month for groceries. Does not count any eating out. It does include toiletries, paper goods, etc.

allie491 · April 2013

We spend from $500 - $600, for a family of four. My boys are young 3 and 5. And I do A LOT of couponing! I probably save us around $150 - $200 a month.

This is does not include eating out, I really wish we could cut back on that.

MammaParadise · April 2013

My husband and I with 2 kids spend about 400 a month. We freeze the salads from Walmart and most produce to help save money. Nothing is ever frozen over 2wks here. We do spend about 50 more in the summer months because we buy watermelon and corn on the cob. Not to mention we grill more too in the summer.

MammaParadise · April 2013

I spend about $350/month on all groceries for two adults, a toddler, and two doberman pincers. I shop primarily at Costco and the local grocery store.

1. I do all my own baking, thereby paying only $.71 per loaf for whole grain bread. I don't eat as much bread as I used to because I have to take the time to make it first.
2. I make all my legumes from dried rather than canned. It takes a little longer, but I do all my prep on weekends.
3. I buy my meats bulk and re-cut and freeze them myself.
4. I tend to buy only fruits and veggies that are "in season." I have had to learn more recipes to accommodate things like squash that I didn't previously cook with.
5. For whatever reason, Walgreens charges $.75/gallon less for milk consistently than any other grocery store in my area... We drink a lot of milk.

That's super smart!! I do the same things with our meats at Sam's club and local stores here. I wish I knew how to bake real bread, we eat 3 loafs every 2-3wks.

leotardbanshee · April 2013

Need to learn how to make dried beans!

prattiger65 · April 2013

Family of 5, 2 adults, 2 teenage boys and an 8 year old boy. We spend between 250-300 per week. We meal plan in advance and buy only for those meals. This does include paper products, cleaning produces, dog food and household goods, so all in all not bad. For me, the biggest thing is to go to the store with a list and only buy what's on it. I have a spreadsheet that is laid out just like the aisles in the store, start on aisle one and move left to right going straight down the list. I can fill a cart to overflowing and be finished in 20 minutes. I say all this to say, use what ever tools it takes to make you behave in the store. If I go without a list and a plan I will certainly over spend.

MsBobLoblaw · April 2013

Seems reasonable to me. I try to keep our grocery budget to about $1200 for me and my two teenagers. It probably depends a lot on the cost of living where you are and what kinds of foods you buy. In the past when I needed to be more conscious about my spending, I could get our food budget down quite low.

dogo187 · April 2013

that does seem like a lot...for myself and two kids (5 and almost 9) my budget is $80/week...

I cook mostly everything, shop sales and use coupons...

I always stock up when I can get a great deal on something so often we just eat from the pantry and I just shop for fresh additions...

Planning eat meal based on seasonal produce, and actually sticking to what you write on the list is a great help!