OT: How Much is Your Weekly Grocery Bill?

robinsonmi · November 2010

I've been keeping serious track of our finances the last month and was curious was most ladies here spent on groceries (if you're comfortable sharing)

We spend about $60 a week on average, this week I was able to keep it around $50 for 2 people. When we first were married we spent at least double that amount so we've been trying really hard to cut down.

bella85 · November 2010

We spend about the same. If we go over $70, I have a small freak out inside that DH notices. We didn't buy groceries at all this week. So it really depends on the deals Kroger has to how often and how much we spend, but around $60 is average for us.

FemmeNat01 · November 2010

It's way too much. I spend at least 200-250 every week on groceries. I need to cut it down because I know I can spend less if I actually paid attention to what I buy and save money.

kcisthebombdotcom · November 2010

Around $60 for the 3 of us.

If you're trying to cut back and save some money, some good tips that would help:

-Coupon. Hip2save.com is a great resource for getting coupons and finding what stores have deals on products.

-Buy a deep freezer and stock up on meat only when it's a really good sale.

Mrs.Saxy · November 2010

holy crud, I spend close to $200.

I really need to get some tips to lower it.

missmiss307 · November 2010

I usually spend between $70 and $100 but sometimes less, just depending on what I happen to need in a given week. If I have a particularly good couponing week, I can probably go as low as about $40.

Molluskwrangler · November 2010

It depends on the week, I spend more some weeks and much less others, b/c I buy meat in big packs so it's cheaper in the long run. Every other week ("meat week") I spend 120, but with sales and coupons I save 60 bucks, so it could of been much more. The week opposite of that I spend around 30-40.

marissabourgeois · November 2010

Ugh... we spend about $120 on TWO people. This is crazy! We currently live in western NY and the only choice we have for grocery shopping is Wegmans, which is completely overpriced. Luckily we move home to Boston next week, where the main thing I miss is having my options for groceries-- Market Basket, Stop & Shop, Shaws. Our grocery bill weekly was about half of what we're spending now, so we're definitely looking forward to that.

Molluskwrangler · November 2010

marissabourgeois:
Ugh... we spend about $120 on TWO people. This is crazy! We currently live in western NY and the only choice we have for grocery shopping is Wegmans, which is completely overpriced. Luckily we move home to Boston next week, where the main thing I miss is having my options for groceries-- Market Basket, Stop & Shop, Shaws. Our grocery bill weekly was about half of what we're spending now, so we're definitely looking forward to that.

Oh. my god I miss Shaws!

shaysmom05 · November 2010

We spend roughly $70 a week for the 3 of us. We eat out a lot because of crazy schedules, though.

Beccaboo0713 · November 2010

We do about $80 a week for 3 people, this includes diapers and wipes.

robinsonmi · November 2010

That's how we used to be too. Spending $600 a month in groceries and still eating out a ton and not tracking anything! We now made a serious cash only budget and over hauled our life but it's really been worth it. I hope you start cracking down and make a change, you won't be disappointed!

HockeyWife4Life · November 2010

I go to Target every Friday and spend $150 - $200 but that includes groceries, diapers, wipes, toiletries, etc.

mrswright2006 · November 2010

My budget is $100, but that is because I cook lunch for my Dad and his hired help on weekdays, plus food for DH, DD, and myself. Honestly, most weeks I spend $60-$80, but I keep my budget at $100, so if I need to stockpile good deals, I have the wiggle-room. Part of the reason I can keep the price down is that I never have to buy beef.

Erin1010Sky · November 2010

For a family of 5 with two pets, we spend about $75 a week.

MrsRoy07 · November 2010

marissabourgeois:
Ugh... we spend about $120 on TWO people. This is crazy! We currently live in western NY and the only choice we have for grocery shopping is Wegmans, which is completely overpriced. Luckily we move home to Boston next week, where the main thing I miss is having my options for groceries-- Market Basket, Stop & Shop, Shaws. Our grocery bill weekly was about half of what we're spending now, so we're definitely looking forward to that.

I just wanted to defend Wegmans- I LOVE Wegmans!!! I don't think they're overpriced if you shop smart- I spend between $60-$100 there per week depending on what we need/want. Sure they have the fancy expensive stuff, but you don't have to buy it.

And, it's not true that Wegmans is the only choice for groceries- we have Tops and Aldi, a couple Budways and Jubliee, plus the bulk stores like Sam's Club and BJ's. And we have groceries at Target and Walmart. Sorry you weren't happy with WNY- but I think you're missing out!

gymnst1013 · November 2010

Depends on who is doing the shopping. If MH did it, it would probably be around $200. He filled up a basket (not a cart, a basket) with $143 in groceries last week. If I shop, I'd guess around $100 for the 2 of us. If I planned better, I'm sure I could get it lower.

inthewater · November 2010

I love Wegmans too...here in the DC area I think they are better priced than Giant (aka Stop and Shop up north) or Safeway. The quality is so much better and I always seem to spend less at Wegmans than other places. As for general grocery bill, I spend roughly $120 for the two of us, 3 cats, 1 large dog. It also includes more than just food - it also covers all the cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc. I'm sure I could spend less if I went to Target for those other things, but sometimes I just run out of time during the weekend

I often justify the expense because we rarely go out to eat - so the amount covers all meals for the week.

jteneback · November 2010

We spend $60-80 for 2 depending on what we need that week. We also get a farm share that is $600 for the season. We don't buy a lot of prepared foods and convenience items so that helps keep the bill down. We do buy organic milk and produce.

kristennd · November 2010

We go on a very random schedule so I have no idea. Something around $75, including brown bagging our lunches. The computer with the budget software died and it hasn't yet been worth the $120 to bring it back up.

We definitely spend less in the winter because we can eat soups and casseroles. And buying slightly more expensive but tastier foods (better cuts of meat, good cheese, etc) saves us money in the long run because it reduces the urge to eat out instead.

EmandChris08 · November 2010

Usually about $80/ week... we live in a high cost-of-living area.

ETA: Oh and that's just for DH and me.

marissabourgeois · November 2010

MrsRoy07:
marissabourgeois:
Ugh... we spend about $120 on TWO people. This is crazy! We currently live in western NY and the only choice we have for grocery shopping is Wegmans, which is completely overpriced. Luckily we move home to Boston next week, where the main thing I miss is having my options for groceries-- Market Basket, Stop & Shop, Shaws. Our grocery bill weekly was about half of what we're spending now, so we're definitely looking forward to that.
I just wanted to defend Wegmans- I LOVE Wegmans!!! I don't think they're overpriced if you shop smart- I spend between $60-$100 there per week depending on what we need/want. Sure they have the fancy expensive stuff, but you don't have to buy it.
And, it's not true that Wegmans is the only choice for groceries- we have Tops and Aldi, a couple Budways and Jubliee, plus the bulk stores like Sam's Club and BJ's. And we have groceries at Target and Walmart. Sorry you weren't happy with WNY- but I think you're missing out!

I've noticed people who grew up with Wegmans always defend Wegmans... it's just not for us. The lettuces are always wilted because they are completely overwatered by dirty sprinklers. And we don't buy the fancy expensive stuff. I'm not sure how you're only spending $60ish a week. I coupon cut, and look for the sales. We'll walk out with 2-3 grocery bags and end up spending $60 on practically nothing. $60 at Market Basket would get me everything I need for the week. I don't like Wegmans because mostly everything is Wegmans brand, there are barely any choices. And the Tops and Aldi around here are very dirty...The Targets around here also don't have groceries. Have you ever shopped at a Market Basket?? Everyone is constantly defending Wegmans, and it seems that way because there's no real other market to compare it to. We know we're definitely not missing out!!

pregaftertubal · November 2010

Erin1010Sky:
For a family of 5 with two pets, we spend about $75 a week.

how is this possible? we are a family of 5 also with 1 pet and i spend $180-$200 per week!!! do you coupon? i'm a SAHM with extra kids all day...

Lucky_Dragonfly · November 2010

I try to go shopping even 2 wks so our bill is usually around $200. That is for 3 people and 2 cats. I do 90%of the shopping at walmart so that also inludes any cleaning and paper goods as well not just food.

BeetleLinz1125 · November 2010

Erin1010Sky:
For a family of 5 with two pets, we spend about $75 a week.

WOW! How can I do that too? I spend anywhere from $80-125 a week...I have recently started using coupons so hopefully that will help...but dang lady you are good!

MrsSuperMommy · November 2010

Crap. We're a family of 3 and spend about $500 a week--I consider it supporting the economy. That, or I'm not willing to compromise on my daily WFMI sushi and green grape fix. So good.

Erin1010Sky · November 2010

pregaftertubal:
Erin1010Sky:
For a family of 5 with two pets, we spend about $75 a week.

how is this possible? we are a family of 5 also with 1 pet and i spend $180-$200 per week!!! do you coupon? i'm a SAHM with extra kids all day...

I coupon and shop sales...once a month I hit $100-$120 when I pick up cleaning supplies, pet food, and paper products, but lately even that has been rare. I shop at Kroger for their 10 for $10 sales & they send great coupons through the mail if you have a Kroger plus card; I get meat & produce from wholesale clubs, and sometimes Aldi has ridiculous deals.

We don't buy brand name groceries unless they are on sale. I spend 2-3 hours on Sunday menu planning, clipping & printing coupons, making grocery lists, and it takes a full day on Monday to do grocery shopping sometimes depending on how many stops I have to make. I just consider the apparent $200 I save each week as my "payment" for the laundry being done, beds being made, bathrooms being clean...etc.

ETA:

Don't forget to shop the meat markdowns at your supermarket! Also, I don't buy bagged salad, I buy a head of lettuce. Instead of true baby carrots, we buy, shave, and cut full carrots into baby sized carrot sticks...the same goes for cut fruits. Buy store brand bagged cereals instead of General Mills or whatever.

I make our own bread and I want to say when I priced it a few years ago the cost (including energy ((running the oven for an hour a day for a month comes to like $10 a month))) was about .25/loaf.

It is all about how much time and effort you are willing to and can afford to put into it. I have three school aged children right now, so that's 8 hours a day for me to do whatever the heck I want.

pregaftertubal · November 2010

wow!!! thats awesome. and your right, a lot of work. but well worth it!!! i'm a cherry picker of sorts. i'll hit two stores usually. i don't do coupons, but often want to. i should!!! thats great that you plan your menues. i have tried that, but then i get to the store and think "ooh, i need that" even though it's not on my list. hubby works in retail and he says i'm the type of woman that these stores gear their business by! another problem is, if i spend less on the things i usually buy, i buy more crap with the money left over!

Piad1 · November 2010

Oh my goodness! I am way over that. I spend about $175 a week on groceries. We are two adults and a toddler. We do buy 3 different milks, since I drink soy, my husband drinks soy and then Lactaid in his cereal, and my son drinks organic whole milk. Then there's the massive amount of food I consume, and we buy mainly organic dairy, produce and meat from Costco. I need to stop stuffing my face.

~adamwife~ · November 2010

$150-$200 per week, not including our meat, eggs and milk, which we buy from a local farm. That doesn't include any toiletries or diapers.

My oldest son has multiple food allergies and I am soy intolerant, so everything we make is basically from scratch. We also buy organic, get a lot of produce and eat every single meal at home.

I shudder at the thought of our bill when I am feeding more than one teenage boy.

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