Cutting the food budget

My husband and I would spend $50 a week total at the grocery store on fruit/veg and whatever staples we would need. We would and still buy store brand when ever possible (Kroger) and ususally we can doctor it up with the $1 spices from the store and make it really yummy.

We'd hit costco for a bulk protein purchase, fish, chicken, beef and then take it home, break it apart and freeze it. The important part was to label our frozen meats with dates so we could be sure to eat the older stuff first. We would spend a bit there (no more than $200) but it would last 4 to 5 plus months so the weekly average would be about $12. We would also be sure to check out the clearance section and the sale meats to see the deals.

We would and still buy store brand when ever possible (Kroger) and ususally we can doctor it up with the $1 spices from the store and make it really yummy.

All told we did this for 2 years so help pay off some bills and it worked well. Once the bills were gone we upped the budget to about $75 to $80 but we still shop in bulk for meat and we still buy sale only items and Kroger brand. The change is we buy a bit more organic than we did in the past.

It is very doable to eat well and be healthy on a tight budget with very little compromise over all. I suppose the most important part is we talked and worked out the budget then we would grocery shop together with a fixed list and weekly meals planned out in advance based on the advertised specials. This was the key I believe to making it work.

I also use a ton of rice and frozen veggies, I can make a bunch of meals and season them differently so I don't get bored.
I also keep my eyes out for coupons and price matching. For example if shoprite has turkey hill ice cream on sale for 1.99$ and you have the store add , Wal-Mart will give you the turkey hill for 1.99$ . Some stores will also double coupons. I don't spend a lot of time looking for the coupons, but if I come across ones that are for items I like, then I definitely use them!
I've also found that buying certain things in bulk helps cut down a little bit. I got Scott toilet paper (like 32 rolls) on sale for 13$. So now instead of spending 1.50$ per week on a roll, I have 32 weeks worth for 13$.
For other household stuff like bleach and window cleaner, I go to the dollar store(dollar tree has a lot of name brand cleaning items like glass plus and comet). It does save money, but does take a little more time and thought.
I'm in the process of rebuilding my credit, to buy a home (homes aren't cheap here at the Jersey shore!!) So I'm always looking how to save a few bucks without having to collect coupons for 7 hrs per day like the show on tv!! :-)
Do you have a sams club or bjs club where you live? If so, ask around to see if any if your friends have one of their member cards. (Then you won't have to pay for your own membership) if your able to find someone that will let you use their card, you can try to stock up on any bulk items that will last you a while. I got the 10 lb bags of rice there for less then what I pay for 3 lbs at the grocery store! And it'll last you a while.
Best of luck to you!