Thrifty Shopping?

Chunky_As_Charged
Chunky_As_Charged Posts: 64
edited February 4 in Food and Nutrition
Short Version:
I was curious about how my food spending compared to my peers. I found this chart* on the USDA's website.
http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/FoodPlans/2013/CostofFoodFeb2013.pdf

As a 22 year old single female living alone, I usually spend between $150-$170 on food each month. This places me firmly between Thrifty and Low-Cost.

So where do you fall?
_____________________________________

Long Version:
I tend to cook once or twice a month, freezing everything in individual or 2-3 serving containers.
For the month of October I spent $150.66 and I made (or am in the process of making):
- Berry Croissant Puffs (10 Servings)
- Potato Omelet Bites (12 Servings)
- Blueberry Lemon Oats (4 Servings)
- Choco-Banana Oats (4 Servings)

- Root Vegetable Soup (6 Servings)
- Tomato Mac 'n' Cheese (8 Servings)
- Pea Soup (6 Servings)
- Italian Peasant Soup (6 Servings)

- Sloppy Joe Meat (4 Servings)
- Cheesy Hamburger Casserole (8 Servings)
- Homestyle Chicken & Noodles (6 Servings)
- Easy Taco Melts (8 Servings)
- Shepherd's Pie (6 Servings)

*According to their website... "The Thrifty, Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans each represent a nutritious diet at a different cost. The Thrifty Food Plan is the basis for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) allotments."

Replies

  • Kanuenue
    Kanuenue Posts: 253 Member
    My partner and I spend between about $400 a month on groceries, so we sit in the low cost plan pretty solidly. We are lucky enough to have a farm stand market where we get almost all our produce from local sources. It keeps our costs down and allows me to get weird stuff like protein powder and specialty items when I need them. It is definitely sad when I get two to three bags of groceries at the farm stand for every one bag from the traditional grocery store for the same bill.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    My partner and I spend between about $400 a month on groceries, so we sit in the low cost plan pretty solidly. We are lucky enough to have a farm stand market where we get almost all our produce from local sources. It keeps our costs down and allows me to get weird stuff like protein powder and specialty items when I need them. It is definitely sad when I get two to three bags of groceries at the farm stand for every one bag from the traditional grocery store for the same bill.

    That would be so cool.

    In my area - in the heart of the Midwest, ironically - they only have fancy, hipster-y farmer's markets where a single tomato is $6.00 and next to Farmer Bob is Amanda's Organic Skin Cream and Jill's Weight Loss Miracle juice.
    My fiancé and I do not shop there. If we go, we might buy local honey or a baked treat because the produce is ALL ridiculously priced :-(

    I am a thrifty shopper. Aldi is my go-to place for most staples and produce. I hit up the really authentic natural food store aka Asian market but the others are super fancy and expensive.
  • aNewYear123
    aNewYear123 Posts: 279 Member
    The website is interesting, I'll have to track better and see where I generally fall.

    Although I think you skipped the fine print.
    "3 The costs given are for individuals in 4 person families. For individuals in other size families, the following adjustments are suggested:1 person add 20 percent;"

    As a 22 yo single female that puts you below Thrifty - which for 1 person goes up to $195.
  • bridgew24
    bridgew24 Posts: 143 Member
    OP I don't see any snacks or basics like bread, milk, general fruit etc in there? Are they included in your monthly budget?
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    I didn't look at the site yet (I probably will) but wanted to chime in. We spend about $600 a month for a family of 6 … including two pre-/early- adolescent boys - you know, the kind who are never full because they grow if you blink :laugh:

    I wonder if, when you are feeding more people together, the price per person may go down a bit. You can buy bulk more with less concerns about waste, and it seems easier/less expensive per person to cook for six than for two.

    Edit … I checked it out. We aren't even at the thrifty plan!!
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    The website is interesting, I'll have to track better and see where I generally fall.

    Although I think you skipped the fine print.
    "3 The costs given are for individuals in 4 person families. For individuals in other size families, the following adjustments are suggested:1 person add 20 percent;"

    As a 22 yo single female that puts you below Thrifty - which for 1 person goes up to $195.

    Aha, I see you answered my question :smile:
  • KhaoticSoul
    KhaoticSoul Posts: 39
    Im a below thrifty plan. Depending on the month and how much I need to stock up on supplies I average from £200-£350 a month as I buy in cycles. My heaviest months being when I bulk buy my meats to stock my freezer, and according to that pdf given my childrens ages a thrifty plan would be $655.2 which is about £400
  • 1longroad
    1longroad Posts: 642 Member
    Not sure if this helps...I hope it does =D, I buy all my veges from a growers market that have their own farm. I did a side to side comparison of how much it costs to eat from a super market VS how much to eat from a healthy growers market.

    2h6sy12.png

    Coles food tends to be rotten or go rotten faster. It has a chemical pesticide taste to it and it is just way to expensive. Where as the market food is fresh no chemically treated or enhanced.

    I also buy chicken breasts on special and when i'm super lazy i may get the odd can of soup (0.80 per 2 serves). My treats are usually just chocolate tim tams with tea.. Or cakes and sweets made from scratch. Milk upsets my tummy so I almost never drink it =(

    I like to think i'm now pretty thrifty. I even take a bag and walk to and from some days to get in some extra exercise =). The only days I really spend a lot is when my family wants take out and I buy it.. Or if i'm out with my partner or friends. Which isn't often now as i'm saving up =). Hope I've inspired some of you to buying from your local farms and growers markets =D Have a great journey!

    I wish our farmers markets were like this!! Reverse your findings, adding about 30% and that is the cost of our farmers markets! Way too expensive unfortunately, as I would love to support our local growers and can't afford to.
  • PJ64
    PJ64 Posts: 866 Member
    Great site, thanks. I do a personal/financial inventory once a year to see where I'm spending money and trim the "fat"

    This will definitely help also. I think slowing down & planning is big, we live in a "I want it NOW" society but when we learn to slow down and take time it makes a world of difference

    Thanks again
  • auntiebabs
    auntiebabs Posts: 1,754 Member
    I've always thought of myself as cheap as $h!t, but it turns out not so much...

    When I lived in the city I spent $50 on groceries every 2 weeks, but I buy my lunches on weekdays and ate dinner out once or twice a week.
    Groceries $100 + Eating Out Lunch/DInner $225 = $325 puts me between Moderate and Liberal

    Now that I moved to suburbia, I spend about $130/month on groceries, but rarely eat dinners out.
    But, still buy my lunches though, so that adds another $140/month = $270 which puts me between Low-Cost and Moderate

    Off-course NYC Metro area cost-of-living is 225% of the national average. I've a friend in Georgia where the cost of living is 52% of the national average. Trader Joe's prices are uniform regardless of location... IN NYC Trader Joe's was cheaper option for me. My friend in Georgia, thinks Trader Joe's is too expensive.
  • auntiebabs
    auntiebabs Posts: 1,754 Member
    went to click through to see what the thrifty plan looked like and got this

    :-0

    http://www.usda.gov/fundinglapse.htm
  • helenrosemay
    helenrosemay Posts: 375 Member
    I spend £160 ($259) on food a month. I don't eat out or get takeaways, I just make my own meals everyday.
  • Chunky_As_Charged
    Chunky_As_Charged Posts: 64
    Milk is included as it's an ingredient in several of the dishes, plus whatever small amount remains. I'm not a milk drinker or a bread eater.

    I will occasionally buy some additional fruit or snacks like cottage cheese, but I usually avoid things like chips and crackers, or other typical snack items.
  • WeepingAngel81
    WeepingAngel81 Posts: 2,232 Member
    HA! I can't get onto the website becuase of the shut down on the hill!

    I would like to think I am thrifty, but I do spend more than I would like. Just like many others, farmer's markets are outrageous around here! I just spend roughly $90 for 2 weeks worth of food for myslef and 2 kids.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    Not sure if this helps...I hope it does =D, I buy all my veges from a growers market that have their own farm. I did a side to side comparison of how much it costs to eat from a super market VS how much to eat from a healthy growers market.

    2h6sy12.png

    Coles food tends to be rotten or go rotten faster. It has a chemical pesticide taste to it and it is just way to expensive. Where as the market food is fresh no chemically treated or enhanced.

    I also buy chicken breasts on special and when i'm super lazy i may get the odd can of soup (0.80 per 2 serves). My treats are usually just chocolate tim tams with tea.. Or cakes and sweets made from scratch. Milk upsets my tummy so I almost never drink it =(

    I like to think i'm now pretty thrifty. I even take a bag and walk to and from some days to get in some extra exercise =). The only days I really spend a lot is when my family wants take out and I buy it.. Or if i'm out with my partner or friends. Which isn't often now as i'm saving up =). Hope I've inspired some of you to buying from your local farms and growers markets =D Have a great journey!

    I wish our farmers markets were like this!! Reverse your findings, adding about 30% and that is the cost of our farmers markets! Way too expensive unfortunately, as I would love to support our local growers and can't afford to.

    EXACTLY the same situation here. To the penny practically. You could not get one brown paper grocery bag full of produce at my local farmer's market for under $60. Unless maybe it was one watermelon.
  • cleotherio
    cleotherio Posts: 712 Member
    Not sure if this helps...I hope it does =D, I buy all my veges from a growers market that have their own farm. I did a side to side comparison of how much it costs to eat from a super market VS how much to eat from a healthy growers market.

    2h6sy12.png

    Coles food tends to be rotten or go rotten faster. It has a chemical pesticide taste to it and it is just way to expensive. Where as the market food is fresh no chemically treated or enhanced.

    I also buy chicken breasts on special and when i'm super lazy i may get the odd can of soup (0.80 per 2 serves). My treats are usually just chocolate tim tams with tea.. Or cakes and sweets made from scratch. Milk upsets my tummy so I almost never drink it =(

    I like to think i'm now pretty thrifty. I even take a bag and walk to and from some days to get in some extra exercise =). The only days I really spend a lot is when my family wants take out and I buy it.. Or if i'm out with my partner or friends. Which isn't often now as i'm saving up =). Hope I've inspired some of you to buying from your local farms and growers markets =D Have a great journey!

    I wish our farmers markets were like this!! Reverse your findings, adding about 30% and that is the cost of our farmers markets! Way too expensive unfortunately, as I would love to support our local growers and can't afford to.

    EXACTLY the same situation here. To the penny practically. You could not get one brown paper grocery bag full of produce at my local farmer's market for under $60. Unless maybe it was one watermelon.

    Yep, same here. We have a big farmers' market that sells only local produce, but it's very expensive. Switch the columns on the chart and it's pretty what I'd pay at either place. As much as I'd like to support local growers, there's no way I can afford to shop there on a regular basis.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    Mmm...your menu sounds good.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    Not sure if this helps...I hope it does =D, I buy all my veges from a growers market that have their own farm. I did a side to side comparison of how much it costs to eat from a super market VS how much to eat from a healthy growers market.

    2h6sy12.png

    Coles food tends to be rotten or go rotten faster. It has a chemical pesticide taste to it and it is just way to expensive. Where as the market food is fresh no chemically treated or enhanced.

    I also buy chicken breasts on special and when i'm super lazy i may get the odd can of soup (0.80 per 2 serves). My treats are usually just chocolate tim tams with tea.. Or cakes and sweets made from scratch. Milk upsets my tummy so I almost never drink it =(

    I like to think i'm now pretty thrifty. I even take a bag and walk to and from some days to get in some extra exercise =). The only days I really spend a lot is when my family wants take out and I buy it.. Or if i'm out with my partner or friends. Which isn't often now as i'm saving up =). Hope I've inspired some of you to buying from your local farms and growers markets =D Have a great journey!

    I wish our farmers markets were like this!! Reverse your findings, adding about 30% and that is the cost of our farmers markets! Way too expensive unfortunately, as I would love to support our local growers and can't afford to.

    EXACTLY the same situation here. To the penny practically. You could not get one brown paper grocery bag full of produce at my local farmer's market for under $60. Unless maybe it was one watermelon.

    Yep, same here. We have a big farmers' market that sells only local produce, but it's very expensive. Switch the columns on the chart and it's pretty what I'd pay at either place. As much as I'd like to support local growers, there's no way I can afford to shop there on a regular basis.

    Me too. Getting local produce is like a fancy treat because it's way more expensive.
  • iechick
    iechick Posts: 352 Member
    Very thrifty over here (I was even in a magazine and on one of the morning shows a few years back because of it :tongue: ). Family of five and our grocery budget is $90 a week. That includes all the stuff for packing lunches for three kids, 5 days a week. It also includes all our non-food HBA/toiletries items.
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