How much do you spend on groceries per month?

[misskitty100]

I am looking at our budget and trying to see where we can cut back. Just wondering if there is an average on grocery spending on this board? Not sure how widely food prices differ across the country but I wouldn't think it would be too much. We currently spend about $350 per month (not including Costco purchases) and that is for 2 adults and a toddler. We eat out only once or twice a month and never pay more than $30 dollars for all 3 of us if we do eat out. We make all our own lunches and don't frequent Starbucks or places like that either.

What about you?

P.S. I don't use many coupons because they seem to be mostly for processed prepared foods or frozen dinners which we don't eat.

[tbb113]

This has come up before and its really hard to compare since everybody has a different family size, meals eaten at home, etc.

That said, I spend approximately $150 a week at Safeway plus $20 - 30 a week for produce (farmer's market, delivery service). That feeds me and two teenage boys. My BIG splurges that could definetly reduce the bill are 2-12packs of diet soda, 2-4 packs of Starbucks frappacinos, and gatorades (usually an 8-pack) every week.

This provides daily breakfast, 10 lunches (during the week, older son buys lunch at school) and daily dinners. We usually eat lunch out during the weekends.

[Laura]

I spend about $500 a month for myself, DD (15) and DS (13). Both my kids are active and eat a fair amount, but it is the increased amounts that DS is now eating that I have really noticed. He will eat dinner about a 1/2 hour later eat some cereal, go to swim practice (which is 2 hours) come home, have some more cereal or leftovers, and then dessert. He doesn't seem to eat a lot at one sitting he is just always eating and he is on the lightweight side! I know his eating is only going to increase exponentially over the next 5 years while he is at home, so I am planning on my grocery bill going up a lot.

I have found non-brand name items that I am happy with that save me money, but I don't cut many coupons either. We usually go out once a week and the kids bring their lunches most days to school.

[tbb113]

Here is an older thread where we compared grocery store prices (http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=52992). It does vary regionally and even within the same area (depending on store)

[615bride]

We spend about $350 a month at the grocery store. That includes things like paper towels, toilet paper, contact lens solution, etc. It's just me and DH for another month - I'm sure it'll go up when baby comes.... :eek:

We're in NC if that's relevant...

[Jessica]

Too much, probably. It is just the two of us, but I buy organic produce when possible and I figure it is worth the money to buy quality food. We aren't broke; we don't have kids. Also, cooking is my hobby. I don't spend anything on crafts, sports (other than a gym membership) or other activities.

We eat out as a social thing but rarely go out just for the heck of it, and we get takeout maybe once a month.

[Chris415]

Like Jessica, probably too much for two of us. :rolleyes: I would average it to be about $500 a month, much of which goes to produce, a lot of local and organic veggies. We go out occasionally, but it's usually for pizza or something simple. I bring my lunch four days a week.

I actually was on a mission this year to try and bring the grocery bill down to about $100 a week. Sometimes it's just hard. I spend the majority of the bill in produce. It's just really expensive here. :o
Chris

[Ms. Chevious]

http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?threadid=28134

[Tizzylish]

I spend about $200 a week, that includes $30 for the farmers market. We have 2 adults, a teenage son, and 2 little girls. :o

[tamawrite]

Over the past 13 months, we've averaged $291 per month for DH and myself. That includes pet food, kitty litter, toiletries, and paper goods. It does not include eating out & Starbucks, which add about another $88 per month. Alcohol adds about $25 monthly -- gotta keep that bar stocked! :D

We shop mostly at Winco, which is a warehouse-type store in our area. (Not like Costco, though -- you don't have to buy in bulk.) We cut down on meat costs by buying a quarter Angus last fall (we still have LOTS in the freezer) and eating vegetarian about half the time. I grow a lot of produce, and we're members of a CSA so our weekly fruit & veg deliveries have just begun for the year. I do splurge on a few choice "staples," like oil-packed sundried tomatoes, canned artichoke hearts, and frozen berries.

Also, all our weekend meals are provided by the horse ranch where we stay to help with the ranch work. However, the cost of traveling 120 miles each way, plus grabbing a pizza on our way home late Sunday offsets the savings on groceries!

[jtoepfert100]

Well, I'm almost too embarrassed to admit this but I've been tracking this in Quicken and we've been spending around $700 a month!:o It's only two of us but, like others here, cooking is my hobby, and I try and buy healthy, leaner foods. I've tried to cut the bill down but then I get frustrated because I can't make the dishes I want to make. This amount also includes paper and cleaning products.

Now, alcohol probably adds quite a bit more, but I am too embarrassed to admit how much, especially after tamawhite's measly $25 a month. That's impresive!

The only consolation I have is that we NEVER go out to eat. I think DH has started buying lunch out maybe once a week with his new job, but it's usually McDonald's or Subway, something cheap. He also will get coffee maybe a few times a week but that's it. I honestly can't remember the last time I ate out - I think it may have been in December on our trip to NY.

[ChristyMarie]

I'm with Jen...for the two of us I think our average (including paper products, cleaning stuff) is about $700-800. For two adults. I take my lunch every day, he buys his, we go out to eat maybe twice a month.

But we buy lots of produce, organic stuff, high quality meats, etc. Cooking is my husband's hobby and way to unwind at the end of the day. We don't frequent bars or get high priced coffee and the like.

[Beth H]

Well, I'm almost too embarrassed to admit this but I've been tracking this in Quicken and we've been spending around $700 a month!

I'm relieved! That's about what I spend for DH and I as well (including paper products, etc) I admire people who spend $250 - $350/month. I honestly don't know how I could do that.

We rarely eat out - I go home for lunch every day, and DH takes his to work. We do get pizza or subs several times a month, though.

[clairea]

I spend about $120 a week (so around $500/month) for 2 adults and 2 school-age kids. I try to stick to high-quality ingredients too, but have learned to watch for sales and also balance the expensive/inexpensive items on the menu each week. Eliminating pretty much all processed foods has helped the bill a lot too. Before we had kids and went down to 1 income, I am sure I spent at least the same amount for just DH and I as I didn't have to watch the budget nearly as closely.

Claire

[MISSINDI]

Originally posted by jtoepfert100
Well, I'm almost too embarrassed to admit this but I've been tracking this in Quicken and we've been spending around $700 a month!:o

Are you kidding me? $700?! WOW! We spend about $150-200/month tops for me, DH, and our son. Dog food and cat food are not included in that, nor is Costco. But still, even if I included all that, it wouldn't be more than $300-400 or so/month for everything. Like everyone else here, cooking is definitely a major hobby of mine, with at least one dinner party or something planned per month, and small dinner guest things weekly. This also includes the lunch I make once a week for the office.

As far as coupon clipping, I do it in a MAJOR way. With the right coupon and the right sale, you can get most regular items free. So when the timing is right, I get extra coupons and stock up, buying 20-30 of one item, and then I'll have a supply for a year or so. I don't use it for food, but mostly HBA items (toothbrushes, shampoo, etc.) and household items (i.e., garbage bags, Cascade, saran wrap, Reynolds foil, etc.), and that helps cut costs in a BIG way. There's quite a rush when I come home with 30 packages of Reynolds tin foil and 20 Cascade dishwasher detergents for free! :D I also keep a pretty good eye on the sales weekly, and stock up when things get to the right price. For example, this week, Breyers ice cream is on sale for $1.99. DH likes chocolate milk shakes, so I buy a couple extra gallons of the ice cream, so that we're not faced with paying $5.49/gallon when the sale is over and his craving hits. Little things like that really do make a difference. A couple of the stores are having 10/$10 sales this week, so I'm stocking up on the items that make sense for us.

I also really try and use the things I have in the house already when I'm planning meals. Like tomorrow, for instance, is my turn for the office lunch. I'm making a Broccoli Pasta Salad as one of the items, and I have all the ingredients already here. I try not to buy TOO many special items that will only have one use (i.e., the recipe that calls for a teaspoon of fish sauce and then it ends up going bad before I can use the rest), although I do give in every now and then. If that's the case, then I just search out more recipes using that ingredient.

Although I do watch every penny, I also splurge on things. Heck, anyone who knows how many cookbooks and magazines I buy knows that! :D But for related examples, we have a water cooler at home. With the 30 steps to our front door, I'd rather pay Poland Spring an extra buck or two per bottle to deliver them right to the front door, rather than lug them home from Costco. Same thing with milk. I get a regular weekly delivery from Welsh Farms. Yep, it costs a little extra, but with a toddler, we go through a LOT of milk, and this way, someone else gets to lug it up all the steps. :)

As far as eating out, we go out about 1-2/week. BUT, I do mystery shopping, so most of the time, the mystery shopping company foots the bill. If it's us paying, I'll usually have a coupon from the Entertainment book, Val-Pak or something, or we're just careful on what we order.

All that said, every family is different and what works for one might not work for another. You take bits and pieces of what works, and eventually you have a plan. :D

[Sarah428]

2 adults and a toddler

$65/week or $280/month (not paper products, etc.)

I started writing a check for $65 and taking only that check grocery shopping with me. That way I have to stay within the amount or I make an embarrassing scene at the checkout;)

I also make my list based on their ad
lettuce($3)-carrots($1.50)-apples(4$)
chicken($1/lb or $8)-ground sirloin($10)
That way I have an estimate that keeps me within the $65.

We also belong to a CSA that was $300 for 18 weeks.

[jphilg]

It varies so, so much from week to week....I think I will start tracking it. If we aren't doing large-scale entertaining (which is maybe 4x a year), $250/mo is about right. I try to keep our bill to around 60/week. That includes beer but not wine, does not include meals out (probably one a week), does not include most cleaning supplies and toiletries, nor does it include DH's lunches.

I spend a lot of energy and time shopping though. I've removed 90% of processed food from our diet, which really, really trims costs. But I spend time making bread, marinara, juicing fruits, making cereal, etc, that has value. So while my food bill is low, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen that I wouldn't need to spend if I bought precut fruit, jars of sauce, or loaves of bread. And I also spend time going to 2-3 stores/markets per week, and time planning around sales.

[Minky]

Originally posted by jtoepfert100
Well, I'm almost too embarrassed to admit this but I've been tracking this in Quicken and we've been spending around $700 a month!:o

I'm not far behind you, Jen! We have two teenage boys, a spoiled dog and of course that pesky wine habit...

I do know that I could cut it back some by not going to the store 3 times a week:o But I see a new recipe and get it in my head that we must have that for dinner tonight, and off I go. Even if I could plan well enough to get everything for the week in one stop, I'd still need to stop for milk, bread and bananas (and maybe more wine;) )


Sheila

[mbrogier]

I spend between $350-$500 a month INCLUDING cat food, litter and Costco.

I don't buy many processed foods, maybe a package of graham cracker crumbs here and something else there. Most of our money is spent on produce and good lean meats, cheeses, dairy, etc. My husband eats a lot, and he takes food for lunches.

I try to clip coupons, but there just aren't that many for the things I buy. I'm not eating processed junk that isn't healthy just because it's on sale. I do some baking because any sweets my husband wants I make.

We do eat out occaisionally. We clip coupons for that. We're not extravagant in eating out, but we do enjoy the dates together, so we count that as entertainment the few times we do it.

[MISSINDI]

Originally posted by jphilg
But I spend time making bread, marinara, juicing fruits, making cereal, etc, that has value.

This is what I'd like to start doing. I'm pretty conscious about keeping processed food out of our meals, but I'd like to take it one step further and start canning, making bread, etc. Any good how-to books out there? Have never done anything like that, unless you count the Cranberry Vodka I made last year. ;)

[jtoepfert100]

MISSINDI - you've impressed me yet again! However, I just have an aversion to bulk shopping. We did finally break down and join Sam's (upon comparison, our Sam's was much cleaner and cheaper than the brand new Costco they built) but that was only because beer is a lot cheaper there and the quality of meat is ten times better than in any grocery store here. Of course, since I hate bulk shopping I'm having trouble pulling the trigger on those giant packs of meat but I suppose I'll get over it soon enough. But, frankly, I just don't have anywhere to put all that stuff. And I hate clutter. It just irks me to have things in the house that aren't being used. I do clip coupons but, like others here, there aren't many for things I use and when I do clip them, I either forget to use them or it winds up taking me twice as long at the store trying to use the ones I have. I have also tried to comparison shop between the several stores in the area but it gets to be too much. I just can't keep track of what is cheaper where except for our staples.

In my defense, as our food bill rose, my other expenses decreased. Weekly manicures are out (pointless as a cook), I hardly buy new clothes (hate shopping anyway), etc.

[MISSINDI]

Originally posted by jtoepfert100
I have also tried to comparison shop between the several stores in the area but it gets to be too much. I just can't keep track of what is cheaper where except for our staples.

In my defense, as our food bill rose, my other expenses decreased.

First of all, no defense necessary. You spend what you've got to spend. That said, there are certain areas that, ahem, I tend to spend a little more, so I am tight with the money elsewhere.

Comparison-shopping is a PITA sometimes and can take more time then it's worth. You can't be running all over town, getting 2 items here, 3 there, etc. You'll just end up wasting more in gas. At least with most of the stores having their current circulars online, it makes it a bit easier to do a quick scan of who has what on sale. I just watch for the loss leaders and stock up when I can. We have a full basement, and a quarter of it is my "grocery store," as DH calls it. Like I said, I don't stock up on food items, unless there's an amazing deal, because I try to be conscious of the whole processed food thing, especially with Nicholas. Most of my stockpile consists of non-food items (razors, toilet paper, paper towels, foil, ziplocs, cleaning supplies, etc.). When my sister comes over, she usually takes a plastic bag and goes "shopping" in my basement, or lets me know what she needs when I visit her. Half the fun is sharing, or getting other people hooked on the addiction. :D

[misskitty100]

This is all very helpful to me and I will be using some of your tips!! If anyone else has anything to add, please do so:) .

Missindi: I am sure Ball Canning Jars has some great info on canning. One of the best booklets I have ever gotten on canning different foods was from Washington State University. I believe they sell them on line but I am sure almost every state university puts something like this out.
Don't forget that you can freeze a lot of stuff too. When I make marinara sauce I bag it in ziploc sandwich bags and throw it in the freezer. We freeze all our fruit in lieu of canning too. I believe the difference between freezing and canning (someone correct me if I am wrong) is that canning allows you to store your food longer. But for me, freezing is so much easier ;).

[doglady8]

Yikes! It's scary to see it in print, but we spend about $500 per month for 2 adults and 2 teenagers. Add $200 - $250 per month for dog food and treats for our eight 170-pound dogs, and another $200 for alcohol (wine with dinner sure adds up!)

I guess it's a good thing that I rarely buy clothes and we only eat out during ski season.

Good thing those dogs are so cute:D

[jphilg]

Missindi-

I haven't really gone the canning route, yet. I am a freezer. I bought a lifetime supply of pint, half-pint and quart plastic take-out containers (like the kind you get at the deli?) at a restaurant supply shop, and I freeze tomato sauce and chicken/beef/lamb stock in those. I do buy canned whole tomatoes, though...that would go into the 10% still in our diet.

We don't have kids (for another week, at least) and I've trained DH to be happy with homemade granola as his only cereal choice. I make granola about twice a month, usually on a saturday morning while I do other stuff. It keeps longer than it lasts in our household. I bake bread as needed; we aren't huge sandwich people so I never need more than one loaf a week, and I bake and freeze them 3-4 at a time. I buy fresh veggies every week; we never (almost never...there is still the issue of artichoke hearts) eat frozen or canned veg, although I have no issue with frozen veg as long as they don't have salt and taste good!

Chips, crackers, pretzels just aren't around anymore. We are sort of into expensive cheeses these days, and I put them out with a fruited bread, or just apple slices rather than crackers. I buy chips every now and then if I am making guacamole. Because life is to short to eat guacamole on carrot sticks.

I buy and cut up tons of fruit and veggies every week for snacks, otherwise there would be moaning about the lack of snacks. There is still some moaning, but DH is slowly starting to appreciate this stuff, too. I make hummus or white bean dip to keep in the fridge (it lasts at least a week).

On the weekends, I juice a bag of juicing oranges, and usually get close to a quart of fresh squeezed oj. I don't know...I'm sort of blathering at this point (what else is new;) ?) but my point is that I haven't changed my cooking style, or gone looking for new recipes. We basically have nothing to eat, though, until I put it together.

Feel free to put bets on when this whole routine will fall to the wayside once kids arrive....

[kima]

Gosh you are cool MISSINDI!!!!! :) :) :) :)

I just love reading your posts!:cool:

[Beth H]

But, frankly, I just don't have anywhere to put all that stuff. And I hate clutter. It just irks me to have things in the house that aren't being used. I do clip coupons but, like others here, there aren't many for things I use and when I do clip them, I either forget to use them or it winds up taking me twice as long at the store trying to use the ones I have. I have also tried to comparison shop between the several stores in the area but it gets to be too much. I just can't keep track of what is cheaper where except for our staples.

This sounds exactly like me. I just don't have the storage space (no basement, one small pantry closet) to store tons of food or large containers. I am not good about clipping coupons - I need to do better with that. I think what gets me are the mid-week trips to the store to "pick up" things. I used to be much, much better about shopping expenses until a Publix opened two minutes from my house, and since then, I dash over there all the time.

I definitely need to work on better meal planning.

[MISSINDI]

Originally posted by jphilg
Feel free to put bets on when this whole routine will fall to the wayside once kids arrive....

Next week already? That came quick, but probably not quick enough, right? ;) If you continue with your whole routine, your kids will definitely be better for it. Like you, we don't keep chips, candy and just plain junk in the house. But when entertaining, sometimes you just gotta have chips with your dip. :D Nicholas' favorite snacks? Feta cheese by the fistful and Kalamata olives. I love it! I grew up in a household where a cheese course was normal with dinner (French mom) and no junk either. I didn't miss anything, and I can go anywhere and find something I like, and I love that Nicholas is following in those footsteps. I won't be able to train my DH on granola for breakfast, as his cereal of choice varies between Cocoa Puffs and Cocoa Pebbles (yes, there's still a tiny bit of stuff like that in the cupboard, but probably only makes up about 15-20% of the overall meal plan. I have a breadmaker and a foodsaver on my birthday list. ;)

Misskitty -- I'm going to check into Ball's website. Hadn't thought of that, but this is kind of a new thing I'm getting into.

Kima - you are too funny. :D

[tbb113]

If this is just a question of budgeting, I think you are going about the wrong way. The best advice I ever got was when I went to a financial advisor because of money issues (not enough savings, month leftover at the end of the money, etc). She suggested that I come up with REALISTIC amounts of money that I spend in several categories (entertainment, groceries, gas, lunches, etc) and then once a week take that amount of money out in cash. I could spend it however I wanted, but I can't go back for more money if I run short.

It works :D I got out of debt within 3 months, was able to re-fund my 401(k) at a larger level, etc. If you want the details, let me know. I still have the email with the details that she sent to the newspaper and I can send them to you if you think it will help.

[fci5767]

Originally posted by jphilg

But I spend time making bread, marinara, juicing fruits,


My tired brain merged the words marinara and juicing and I read that you were making marijuana :eek: I had to read it again (and wipe the seltzer off my computer screen.)


Beth

[stacy7272]

Originally posted by fci5767



My tired brain merged the words marinara and juicing and I read that you were making marijuana :eek: I had to read it again (and wipe the seltzer off my computer screen.)


Beth
I first read marijuana too and I was thinking, "Yeah, I bet growing your own IS much cheaper!":D

[beacooker]

Originally posted by MISSINDI
As far as coupon clipping, I do it in a MAJOR way. With the right coupon and the right sale, you can get most regular items free. So when the timing is right, I get extra coupons and stock up, buying 20-30 of one item, and then I'll have a supply for a year or so. I don't use it for food, but mostly HBA items (toothbrushes, shampoo, etc.) and household items (i.e., garbage bags, Cascade, saran wrap, Reynolds foil, etc.), and that helps cut costs in a BIG way. There's quite a rush when I come home with 30 packages of Reynolds tin foil and 20 Cascade dishwasher detergents for free!

Ok, could you please explain this to me? Because I tried clipping coupons for about a year, but gave it up because it wasn't saving me much money. I certainly wasn't getting stuff for free. How are you getting 30 packages of tin foil and 20 dish detergents for free??????

[Chefzhat]

Originally posted by beacooker
Ok, could you please explain this to me? Because I tried clipping coupons for about a year, but gave it up because it wasn't saving me much money. I certainly wasn't getting stuff for free. How are you getting 30 packages of tin foil and 20 dish detergents for free??????

Um, yeah. I drove myself nuts with the stupid coupons that would expire before I used them; buy 3 get 1 free on some wierd product; etc.

If someone's giving coupon lessons I'm signing up!

[Molli526]

I think it depends on the coupons you get in your area. The coupons we get here are for things I don't buy - cookies, crackers, lunchables - a lot of processed stuff.

My mom was a coupon queen growing up - featured in papers and magazines, so I know how to do it. Around here, the wrong coupons are out.

[VictoriaL]

I started keeping a record of what we spend for groceries in January but couldn't remember any of the numbers. So I got my calendar and was surprised. I thought I'd be at the top end of what everyone spends because, like many of you who replied, healthy cooking is my hobby. I make three meals a day for the two of us, and don't skimp on quality ingredients.

That said, perhaps it is the ingredients and where I purchase them that is keeping my grocery bills down. No red meat, mostly veggies, chicken, and fish. I divide my shopping between Wal-Mart and Sam's, with smaller amounts spent at a local grocery store and stores like Big Lots, Value City, and ethnic stores.

I, too, rarely use coupons. Mainly at WalMart for things like cat letter and health/ beauty things that I can't get at Big Lots...

These totals are for food only, no paper or cleaning products, pet products, etc.
January- $282.69 (+ $76.20 for restaurant meals)
February- $212.97 (+ $35 for restaurant)
March- $249.07 (+ $55.20 restaurant)
April- $254.28 (+ $60 restaurant)

I guess I'm pretty consistent from one month to the other. But we entertain a lot in summer, so the totals will probably be higher for the next few months.

Also, I realize that there is only DH and me, but I buy a lot at Sam's. Especially produce. And I find that, because I hate to waste food, we eat a good amount of fresh produce because I make a point of using it before it goes bad. A "forced" healthy diet! :)

I laughed recently when I read somewhere that a "tip" for cooking for two is to buy things like grape tomatoes at the grocery store's salad bar. According to the author, even though you will pay more, none will be wasted. Please! We just finished a 2-pound box of grape tomatoes I bought at Sam's 6 days ago. These things last for more than a couple of days! :rolleyes:

[Sarah428]

Originally posted by tbb113
If you want the details, let me know. I still have the email with the details that she sent to the newspaper and I can send them to you if you think it will help.
No debt here but curious to see what tips she had for monthly budgeting.

[MISSINDI]

Originally posted by beacooker


Ok, could you please explain this to me? Because I tried clipping coupons for about a year, but gave it up because it wasn't saving me much money. I certainly wasn't getting stuff for free. How are you getting 30 packages of tin foil and 20 dish detergents for free??????

Things vary from store to store, but I can give you an exact of the foil deal. Shop Rite put Reynolds foil on sale for 0.99/each. A few weeks before, Smart Source (the inserts in the Sunday paper) put out coupons for 0.50/1 Reynolds foil. I got about 50 of those coupons (you can get multiples online from coupon people very easily for small handling fees, i.e., 0.03/each). Shop Rite automatically doubles the value of all coupons under $1, so when the coupon doubles, the foil is free. I stocked up on the foil about 4 years ago, and haven't bought any since.

A general rule of thumb for pricing (particularly for Shop Rite) is an item won't sell for below half-price, so once you have a feel for what a "great price" is, you stock up on the right coupons and go from there.

There is an EXCELLENT site dedicated to just this hobby. It's at MyCoupons. Their board dealing with this specifically is TOT (Tips of the Trade) located here (http://boards.mycoupons.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=16), where people list what they're getting for free or close to it that week, etc.

They have other message boards as well, some dedicated to online deals, B&M (brick and mortar) deals, recipe, etc.

I'll admit, it's a bit of an obsession, but albeit a healthy one. Hope this helps ... if the bug bites you, feel free to drop me a line if you want more info.

[beacooker]

Thanks for the info, Missindi! I bookmarked that board. Unfortunately, around here, no one doubles coupons. :(

[tbb113]

Originally posted by Sarah428

No debt here but curious to see what tips she had for monthly budgeting.

I sent you an email with the notes...

[Ms. Chevious]

Originally posted by MISSINDI
Things vary from store to store, but I can give you an exact of the foil deal. Shop Rite put Reynolds foil on sale for 0.99/each. A few weeks before, Smart Source (the inserts in the Sunday paper) put out coupons for 0.50/1 Reynolds foil. I got about 50 of those coupons (you can get multiples online from coupon people very easily for small handling fees, i.e., 0.03/each). Shop Rite automatically doubles the value of all coupons under $1, so when the coupon doubles, the foil is free.

Ah, OK, thanks for explaining - I was wondering the same thing. I get stuff free all the time but its just usually one of the item since all I have is one coupon from the Sunday paper. I was sitting here wondering "Does she buy 20 Sunday papers?" Of course I don't have room to store much so I'm usually happy with one item of each type free and its not that hard to do - I don't think I've paid for toothpaste, deoderant, etc. in years since with a sale & coupon there's always a way to get it free.

As to the question, I'd say maybe $50-$80 a month.

[Sarah428]

Does your grocery store take on-line coupons that you print off? Mine won't:(

[rosie_one]

Family of four in a reasonably cheap mid-western town... lots of organic stuff, expensive taste in meat and seafood and a wine habit. $600.00 per month, including paper goods, a spendy (but great!) meat market, cleaning supplies and the occasional flower boquet and ibuprofin bottle. Sadly, this is less than it used to be before we started eating "French". We entertain at home at least once a month and I think that adds to it too.

We also eat out a fair amount. Food and drink is our splurge for sure. Last month also had about $600 worth of restaurant meals, we traveled two weekends, and one of those trips was to the big city. Sure adds up.

There, I've made you all feel like excellent shoppers and wonderfully frugal budgeters. My good deed for the day. :D

I just can't bring myself to buy in bulk. I hate the whole experience... fighting through the store with the mega cart, choosing stuff that actually is a bargain and not just MORE, packing it up yourself, shoveling it into the car, figuring out what to do with it all once you've got it home. You all are very, very brave to go into those places. ;)

[Krystal]

I would also be interested in the notes if you wouldn't mind sharing! I can't seem to get myself on a monthly budget and need help.


Thank you!

Krystal

[rosie_one]

o.k. that website Missi posted was rather amazing. Holy cow, coupon bargain hunting is a whole culture! It's impressive.


Here's a post that floored me, it's quoted directly...


"my brag of the week
sorry ladies but I used rainchecks so the deals can't be found now

acme on Monday

20 cans of maxwell house coffee
20 boxes of skippy peanut butter bars or trail mix bars
4 pkgs of butter
5 boxes of good humor ice cream bars (my raincheck was for 10 but couldn't fit that many in freezer)
24 zone perfect bars
7 lunchables (raincheck was for 10, but that was all that was left in the flavor my son likes)

total .69

acme on Tuesday (not as good)

20 cans of maxwell house coffee
4 boxes of skippy bars (the rest were either expired or expired in 2 weeks)
12 zone perfect bars
4 minute maid punches
1 box sweet n low (needed)
19 pkgs of duracell batteries 2pk aa or aaa
24 suave shampoo & conditioner
12 suave hairspray, mousse (all the store had)
2 pkgs of barber chicken cordon blue (b1g1)

total 7.85"


Wow. I wonder if she actually eats/uses it all or if it's just the rush of getting something for almost nothing?

[tbb113]

Originally posted by Krystal
I would also be interested in the notes if you wouldn't mind sharing! I can't seem to get myself on a monthly budget and need help.


Thank you!

Krystal

Its on the way in a separate email

Tyra

[AD]

Originally posted by Ms. Chevious


Ah, OK, thanks for explaining - I was wondering the same thing. I get stuff free all the time but its just usually one of the item since all I have is one coupon from the Sunday paper. I was sitting here wondering "Does she buy 20 Sunday papers?" Of course I don't have room to store much so I'm usually happy with one item of each type free and its not that hard to do - I don't think I've paid for toothpaste, deoderant, etc. in years since with a sale & coupon there's always a way to get it free.

As to the question, I'd say maybe $50-$80 a month.

I find this hard to believe unless you are living on nothing but grains and beans. I couldn't feed a goldfish for that amount! :D I have yet to see any coupon (even with a very big sale) that allows for an item to be totally free. I look at all the newspaper coupons weekly, and I compare sales at all the local stores. I can often save money, but the only free things I've ever gotten were from coupons mailed to me as a result of a call to a manufacturer's customer service department. I have gotten a lot of sales and coupons that let me buy one, get one free; however, I can't imagine that it's easy to get things for free.

My mother and I probably spend close to $500 per month on food alone, and we almost never eat out or get anything extravagant. I would add another $250 for things like soap, shampoo, paper products, cleaning products, etc. Prices for just about everything have soared in recent months and years, and I think product quality has declined to the same degree that prices have risen. :mad:

[MISSINDI]

Originally posted by rosie_one
o.k. that website Missi posted was rather amazing. Holy cow, coupon bargain hunting is a whole culture! It's impressive.

Here's a post that floored me, it's quoted directly...

"my brag of the week
sorry ladies but I used rainchecks so the deals can't be found now
acme on Monday
20 cans of maxwell house coffee
20 boxes of skippy peanut butter bars or trail mix bars
4 pkgs of butter
5 boxes of good humor ice cream bars (my raincheck was for 10 but couldn't fit that many in freezer)
24 zone perfect bars
7 lunchables (raincheck was for 10, but that was all that was left in the flavor my son likes)

total .69

acme on Tuesday (not as good)
20 cans of maxwell house coffee
4 boxes of skippy bars (the rest were either expired or expired in 2 weeks)
12 zone perfect bars
4 minute maid punches
1 box sweet n low (needed)
19 pkgs of duracell batteries 2pk aa or aaa
24 suave shampoo & conditioner
12 suave hairspray, mousse (all the store had)
2 pkgs of barber chicken cordon blue (b1g1)

total 7.85"

Wow. I wonder if she actually eats/uses it all or if it's just the rush of getting something for almost nothing?

It IS a whole 'nother culture. Check out the other boards with the online bargains -- you'd be floored at the things you can pick up. Re: the post above -- I saw her post this morning, and if you look at it, most of it is non-food items, so it's not really a question of stocking perishable items. Although there is a nice rush associated with it, a lot of people share with their families and donate to soup kitchens, etc. (as do I), and that gives quite a rush in and of itself. :D

[stacy7272]

Originally posted by AD

I have yet to see any coupon (even with a very big sale) that allows for an item to be totally free. I look at all the newspaper coupons weekly, and I compare sales at all the local stores. I can often save money, but the only free things I've ever gotten were from coupons mailed to me as a result of a call to a manufacturer's customer service department. I have gotten a lot of sales and coupons that let me buy one, get one free; however, I can't imagine that it's easy to get things for free.

Many times the sales and coupons don't happen simultaneously. I go through my old, nonexpired coupons every week and know of things that I can get for free from the current weeks sales. I know that around Memorial day I can get things like relish, mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup for free. I know to keep those coupons from many weeks prior.

My Ralphs used to take expired coupons which was awesome! Alas, they don't anymore and they only double up to two coupons. Vons is even worse - they will only double one coupon, the rest are redeemed at face value. Although, I have been know to walk out just to walk back in and do it again!:D

[MISSINDI]

Originally posted by stacy7272

Many times the sales and coupons don't happen simultaneously. I go through my old, nonexpired coupons every week and know of things that I can get for free from the current weeks sales. I know that around Memorial day I can get things like relish, mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup for free. I know to keep those coupons from many weeks prior.

Exactly, the coupon release and the sale are not going to neatly coincide. If it was that easy, everyone would be "cashing in." It does take a little bit of work, but every week, guaranteed, there are at least a few items I can get completely for free at the A&P, Acme, Pathmark or ShopRite.

[misskitty100]

tbb113 please send me the list too!! Thanks :)

I can't wait to check out Missindi's website .... sounds very interesting!!

[tbb113]

Originally posted by misskitty100
tbb113 please send me the list too!! Thanks :)



Its on the way.

Tyra

[katygirl]

Can I have a copy too please :) Right now I am a stay-at-home mom and it is so hard to get into the budget routine.

[tbb113]

Originally posted by katygirl
Can I have a copy too please :) Right now I am a stay-at-home mom and it is so hard to get into the budget routine.

I tried but it doesn't like the email address you have set up with CL. Send me an email or a pm with your email address and I'll try again.

Tyra

[katygirl]

I just Pm-ed you!

[tperes]

tbb113 -- not to be a bother, but I would really like to see the list/article for budgeting. DH tracks our finances and tells me that we spend too much on groceries (not sure of the exact amt. although it is likely ca. $400, for the two of us), and I am working on keeping our food bill down. Any help in that area would be great!

Note -- we don't eat out often (and it is usually one of us at lunch), DH only buys meat on sale (I am a veggie), and he scopes the sale ads on Sundays, and I cut the coupons.

TIA!

Tanya

[tbb113]

Originally posted by tperes
tbb113 -- not to be a bother, but I would really like to see the list/article for budgeting. DH tracks our finances and tells me that we spend too much on groceries (not sure of the exact amt. although it is likely ca. $400, for the two of us), and I am working on keeping our food bill down. Any help in that area would be great!

Note -- we don't eat out often (and it is usually one of us at lunch), DH only buys meat on sale (I am a veggie), and he scopes the sale ads on Sundays, and I cut the coupons.

TIA!

Tanya

Tanya:
I need your email address. Either email me or PM me and I'll send it. It doesn't really talk about how much to spend on what category since that is a personal decision. It talks more about a way to handle your money....

[blazedog]

I feel amazingly profligate. I don't really have a food budget but keep all my expenses on Quicken and just did a summary. I seem to be averaging about $100 per week and that's just for me :D

Granted it includes all groceries and I don't eat out much -- bring lunch to work and probably do it once or twice on the weekend.

I don't generally buy what I consider to be luxury items -- lobster, $25 per pound tenderloin at Gelsens - I eat mostly chicken breasts which I purchase on sale; salmon (generally from TJ) and the odd meal of scallops and shrimp. I do eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies and will splurge on stuff like melons, pineapple and strawberries; shiitake mushrooms etc but I am not regularly buying $8.00 boxes of yellow raspberries at Bristol Farm.

I don't use coupons because I don't eat a lot of processed foods so generally the stuff I buy doesn't have coupons.

I would assume I am pretty typical of the people on this board in terms of putting a priority on quality food -- so how in the heck do you do it?

[aggie94]

Wow, I am shocked at how little (IMO, anyway) people spend on groceries. For just DH & I, I would say our monthly grocery budget (and this includes everything I buy at the grocery store (including some paper products, cleaners, etc.) but not trips to Target or Costco) varies widely, but probably averages between $600-800. :o :o

Meats and seafood get spendy for us since I buy most of that at Whole Foods. It is not uncommon for me to spend $40/week on fresh seafood. :o I also try to buy a lot of organic products, free-range, etc. I don't use coupons and I never price shop - the $ savings is not worth my time.

We also eat out a couple of times a week, but that's usually lunches with coworkers or a quick bite on the weekend when we're out running errands, very rarely a formal, sit-down restaurant dinner.

[RebeccaT]

I think we spend about $300-350 a month, just for the two of us. This includes some paper/toiletries, but not all (I go to Target 3-4 times a month, too). We also eat out about 4 meals a week, two dinners and two lunches, usually on weekends. I know we could do better, though, and I really need to work harder at that! I do know that I am not willing to go through the time and effort (and storage!) to buy bulk of non-perishables, even though it could save me $$. I just can't get my head around that.

I do plan to join Sam's or Costco (probably Sam's, since it's much closer) very soon because I figure the savings on diapers alone will be worth it!

[jtoepfert100]

Originally posted by aggie94
Wow, I am shocked at how little (IMO, anyway) people spend on groceries. For just DH & I, I would say our monthly grocery budget (and this includes everything I buy at the grocery store (including some paper products, cleaners, etc.) but not trips to Target or Costco) varies widely, but probably averages between $600-800. :o :o


I'm right there with you, sister. I'm spending this same amount and we really aren't buying pricey items. Meat only gets bought on sale and I don't buy organic veggies or anything like that (but I will pay more for GOOD produce). We'd buy more seafood but it never looks good around here. But, I don't think twice about buying new or "exotic" ingredients for new recipes I want to try and I do bake A LOT to give away. I love to bake but we don't really eat it, so I ship everything off with DH when he goes to work. I also realized when people were talking about processed foods, that I do have an overwhelming cereal, melba rounds and cottage cheese addiction. Even though I love to cook, I think I could live on breakfast cereal and/or melba rounds dunked in cottage cheese. At any given time, I'm known to have 6-10 boxes of cereal in the cabinet - it looks like Jerry Seinfeld's apartment. I try and buy these things on sale - I won't spend more than $2 on a box of cereal and will buy generic if it's available. But melba rounds are only made by one company, are kind of pricey and not many come in a box. I know I should probably develop a more normal regime, but. . . :o in the meantime, my grocery bill is going to continue to be skyhigh!

[MISSINDI]

Jen, I wish you lived closer. :)

[Alethea]

I'll chime in as another big spender at the store. DF and I spend around $500-$600 at the grocery store a month, though sometimes it's more than that, especially if we're entertaining. This does not include wine, which is at least another $200 a month. We have a cat and two dogs, and their food isn't included in this either. We usually do one Target trip a month to stock up on paper products, cleaning supplies, and toiletries.

I buy organic, high-quality products whenever possible. I rarely waste anything, but I'm too anal to go to the store without having a menu plan already made. This means I tend to buy something if it's available and looks good, even if I recognize that the price for it is higher than usual. Fruit and seafood are the two main things that really seem to add up on our bill. I eat a lot of vegetarian meals, but DF likes to grill some meat for himself on these nights, so chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, and flank steak are regular purchases as well. We do tend to have expensive tastes, and although I don't buy things like filet mignon or chanterelles on a weekly basis, they definitely make their way into my grocery cart from time to time.

I also do almost all my food shopping at Whole Foods, even though I know there are certain things that I could get cheaper someplace else. But I'd rather pay extra for the convenience of only going to one store.

We eat out probably maybe twice a month; one is usually a more expensive dinner (date/splurge night:)) and the other is more generic (e.g., we didn't feel like cooking or doing the dishes). And we end up ordering takeout about once or twice a month as well. DF will sometimes buy or eat lunch out; I never do. I find that our friends and acquaintances eat out MUCH more than we do. We're major homebodies and stay in because we want to, but I'd like to think that despite our high grocery bill we're really saving or breaking even compared to people who eat out more.

And I love the summer, because between the farmer's market, my container gardens, my mother's ginormous vegetable garden, and my father's fishing obsession, good food gets a lot cheaper! :)

Editing to add I had no idea how much I was rambling on about my grocery shopping habits!

[clairea]

Originally posted by aggie94
Wow, I am shocked at how little (IMO, anyway) people spend on groceries. For just DH & I, I would say our monthly grocery budget (and this includes everything I buy at the grocery store (including some paper products, cleaners, etc.) but not trips to Target or Costco) varies widely, but probably averages between $600-800. :o :o


I think it is a matter of time and necessity. When I worked full-time, the budget had a lot more wiggle room and it just wasn't worth the time to DH and I to chase down sales, clip coupons, buy in bulk and split things up for storage, etc. With 2 kids and me staying at home the budget is tighter but I also have the flexibility in my schedule to allow me to spend more time focusing on how to save money on groceries and household products. There's nothing wrong with spending $40/week on fresh seafood, buying smaller packages, etc. since you can afford it and the time savings is probably worth it to you.

[beccac]

My allowance is terrible b/c it's about $200/month.

That may not seem like a lot, but I live alone, my boyfriend only eats with me maybe once or twice a week. In addition to that, I eat out 4-6 times a week!

I should seriously try to cut back, too!

[stacy7272]

Originally posted by jtoepfert100
At any given time, I'm known to have 6-10 boxes of cereal in the cabinet - it looks like Jerry Seinfeld's apartment. I try and buy these things on sale - I won't spend more than $2 on a box of cereal
DH and I are also cereal addicts. That is our breakfast every morning and DS and DD snack on cheerios and the like. We have had MORE THAN 50 BOXES of cereal at one time!!!

I try to keep my cereal price to $1.50 a box or under but I will spend $2.00 on Cracklin' Oat Bran - in spite of the trans fat - because I love it so much!

I usually buy high fiber cereals like Kashi Good Friends and Go Lean Crunch, Kellogg's Raisin Bran (love the sugared raisins), and Great Grains. DH is a big fan of Honey Bunches of Oats.

[mbrogier]

When I read the book, "French Women Don't Get Fat", one thing stuck out. That Americans spend a smaller percentage of their income on food than the French. Wow. I think maybe that was more of a statistic of those Americans that were eating preprocessed, prepackaged foods. It did make my husband complain a little less. :D He IS French.

He only likes Honey Nut Cheerios, so I buy the big box at Costco and that's it for cereal. I hate cereal. It gets all soggy. I finally got my extra fridge set up, so now I can take advantage of some sales and get meat in bulk at Costco and freeze it. That should save us some money.

In the past, we really have cut down on our budget out of total necessity. It was really hard to do and still eat healthy. We cut out things in other areas because we just weren't going to eat processed foods or hamburger 6 nights in a row to save money. I've seen these articles on feed a family of 4 for $100 a week. Yeah. If you're eating potatoes out of a box and canned vegetables. Not healthy.

[MISSINDI]

Originally posted by mbrogier
When I read the book, "French Women Don't Get Fat", one thing stuck out. That Americans spend a smaller percentage of their income on food than the French. Wow. I think maybe that was more of a statistic of those Americans that were eating preprocessed, prepackaged foods. It did make my husband complain a little less. :D He IS French.

I believe it. My mom is French also, and having visited our relatives there many times, I remember the platters with seriously amazing cheeses and breads. Definitely very different than it is here.

[zackaboo]

This is an interesting thread and especially as I was just contemplating how much money I spend a month on groceries for me, my DH and DS. I think it averages around $400 - $500 per month. I do clip a lot of coupons (not as many as Missindi :) ) but use those savings to justify some of the more expensive cheeses and fresh meat/seafood that I buy. I am a stay at home mother and I cook a lot so I had to get realistic about how much money I wanted to put into my "hobby". I finally learned after many years that sometimes buying that special ingredient for one recipe isn't always worth the money. I frequently do recipe searches to use up things in my cabinet. I hate to waste food! We are members of Sams but don't buy much in bulk other than paper products and dog food and I also frequent the Farmer's Market. I do think I still have room for improvement because who wants to eat their future away??!!! :)

We only eat out a couple of times a month and more likely for lunch than dinner.

[jtoepfert100]

MISSINDI - if only it was warmer in Jersey.:) I'd get to meet you AND I'd never have to worry about a shortage of tin foil.;)

Originally posted by stacy7272

DH and I are also cereal addicts. That is our breakfast every morning and DS and DD snack on cheerios and the like. We have had MORE THAN 50 BOXES of cereal at one time!!!

I try to keep my cereal price to $1.50 a box or under but I will spend $2.00 on Cracklin' Oat Bran - in spite of the trans fat - because I love it so much!

I usually buy high fiber cereals like Kashi Good Friends and Go Lean Crunch, Kellogg's Raisin Bran (love the sugared raisins), and Great Grains. DH is a big fan of Honey Bunches of Oats.

Thank goodness I'm not alone. 50 boxes??? I'm impressed - now I have something to aspire to. ;) My Cracklin' Oat Bran is Golden Grahams. The lowest it ever gets is $2 and then I stock up. I'll even make special trips to Kroger because they are the only ones with a generic and it really does taste the same. I also have been making a conscious effort to buy more high fiber cereals. Since I like to mix them (:o ), I always include a little bit of all-bran or bran flakes in my bowl. I figure I've got to get something healthy out of this addiction.

[Kyra]

OK, I'll play. For two adults (just DH and me), I have a target budget of $40 per week. This does not include cat food/supplies, paper products, cleaning products, or toiletries. I usually manage to stay within my budget, although not always. In the summer, I spend a little more because of farmer's markets. I also buy a few things from Wild Oats (oatmeal in bulk, fish when we eat it, a few other bulk items) and Trader Joe's (kalamata olives, peanut butter for me, and olive oil), but these aren't weekly or even monthly purchases.

We're trying to get our finances in order, and I decided that food spending was one place I had control. DH used to buy breakfast and lunch at work every day; now he packs both meals. I'm currently not employed. We used to eat out several times a week; now it's more like 2-3 times per month.

To accomplish this, I:
-am learning to cook
-make a menu plan every week
-shop only once a week (always at Meijer and sometimes at Kroger and/or Giant Eagle, too)
-have mostly eliminated convenience foods
-use coupons selectively (generally just for things like shampoo and tin foil)
-try very hard not to waste any food

We have adjusted to no more cereal (I make granola), less junk food, etc. I bake all our bread. I find that when I plan, I spend less money and time at the grocery store. I buy plenty of produce, and although we sometimes eat rice and beans, I assure you that we do eat well. Prices are cheap in the Midwest and my stores all do double coupons, which helps. I buy things on sale and stock up. I have a list of what sale prices are, and don't pay more than that. The next step would be to grow some of our own food, but I haven't tackled gardening yet.

Sorry this ended up being so long, and hope you find it useful/interesting. Thanks for all the tips!

[rburganmckinley]

We spend around $450/month for DH and I. That only includes groceries(food) for the two of us. It doesn't include dog food, cleaning supplies, toiletries etc. We typically eat out once a week, and spend between (normally) $20-30 for dinner out. Relative to a couple other cities I've lived in nearby to where I now live, food is pretty cheap here. Just 1/2 hour in either direction food prices are 10-20% higher.