CPW: How much do you spend on groceries each month?

cflocco · January 2011

[Poll]

MrsAtch · January 2011

I listed us under 200-300, but that doesn't include toiletries, dog food (60 bucks a bag for two furbabies adds up fast!) or alcohol. We buy our toiletries separately, our dog food from a natural food store, and our alcohol from the liquor store. But for produce, grains, and whatever we buy from the butcher it's about 300 a month. *We grow all of our own produce in the summer, and typically get our meat through a butcher or a co-op.

dizzycooks · January 2011

My budget includes alcohol, cleaning supplies and toiletries. I voted for 200-300 a month and budget $75 a week.

Pachita · January 2011

I'd like to get some tips for those who spend less than $200 a month! I try coupons, buying items on sale, and still end up spending about $400 a month...just DH and myself. No kids, no pets, nothing else.

itsmegin · January 2011

About $800/month Sad

itsmegin · January 2011

About $800/month Sad

Izabella22 · January 2011

I clicked SS b/c I have been too scared to find out how much we spend... I want to say 200-300 but I'm pretty sure I'd be kidding myself b/c I have frequent cravings for lobster... I live in Maine and there is a pound right down the street where they know me by name. Indifferent

Pachita · January 2011

itsmegin:
About $800/month

$800 a month Ginger?

How? You should you added those receipts correctly?

Junebug060609 · January 2011

We're somewhere around the $400 mark. Which side of it depends on the month.

itsmegin · January 2011

Pachita:
itsmegin:
About $800/month
$800 a month Ginger?
How? You should you added those receipts correctly?

I know, it's embarrassing. I am sure, I'm trying to cut back, but DH eats a ridiculous amount of food, at least 1.5-2lbs of meat per day, and he eats 4-6 eggs per day.

Plus, we eat only vegetables, fruits and meat, and some dairy. We eat all organic, free-range, no hormone/antibiotic meats, and grass-fed beef only, so it's pricey. We rarely eat out though.

Every week I hit Trader Joe's and Whole Foods and spend about $150-$200, then we go to the farmer's market and spend another $40. So that's at least $800/month. And I know it's right because our CC lets you sort it out by type and if I do groceries it's around that per month. That does not include toiletries or household stuff. Tongue Tied

ColleenS629 · January 2011

Pachita:
I'd like to get some tips for those who spend less than $200 a month! I try coupons, buying items on sale, and still end up spending about $400 a month...just DH and myself. No kids, no pets, nothing else.

This. I have a dog but I'm not including his stuff in this. I buy in bulk at a wholesale store, I buy on sale, I use coupons, but we still spend so much money. I don't get how people spend less. Help me and Pachita!

HadleyS · January 2011

Pachita:
I'd like to get some tips for those who spend less than $200 a month! I try coupons, buying items on sale, and still end up spending about $400 a month...just DH and myself. No kids, no pets, nothing else.

Tips:

Plan a dinner menu with your grocery shopping list...if it's not on the list, DON'T buy it! This will keep your pantry clean so you don't have that random can of hominy in the back of the shelves

Take a look at your pantry and if it is full, then plan some dinners (maybe 1-2 a week until you get stuff used up) that use up those ingredients/items.

Watch for meat on sale before you make your list, bulk up on it and freeze it.

Don't buy soda, chips, or cookies...$$$$...(eat your fruits and veggies!), but do "plan" what you think would be an acceptable snack.

If you don't work out, chances are that you eat too much anyway, eat smaller lunches and dinners, this will cut the bill down some. I can say this because I was guilty of it. I was eating like some kind of crazed athlete, but have a very sedentary job. When I do work out consistently, I allow myself a higher calorie intake.

emeraudecephiro · January 2011

I spend 200 dollars a month, I go to Aldi's.

sabrina69barnes · January 2011

I put $300-$400 but it's closer to $400. This is for us and 2-6 kids (bio,step, and daycare). This also includes cleaners and toiletries.

Tapatio · January 2011

I spend $300 a month so that comes out to $75 per week. We rarely eat out and I pack my hubby's breakfast and lunch every.single.day. That also includes feeding my stepkids every wednesday and EO weekend. My grocery budget does not include toiletries or cleaning supplies. I budget that out seperately.

shoefreak85 · January 2011

ColleenS629:
Pachita:
I'd like to get some tips for those who spend less than $200 a month! I try coupons, buying items on sale, and still end up spending about $400 a month...just DH and myself. No kids, no pets, nothing else.
This. I have a dog but I'm not including his stuff in this. I buy in bulk at a wholesale store, I buy on sale, I use coupons, but we still spend so much money. I don't get how people spend less. Help me and Pachita!

I buy my meat from a wholesale store and freeze it in portions, which saves a bunch of money.

I buy most of my veggies frozen because they're already chopped and if I don't use them when I planned, they're still good!

Use coupons, and try to find stores that double coupons or accept competitor's coupons.

When there is a BOGO, most stores allow you to only buy one and get it for 1/2 price. I usually don't need two since it's just the two of us.

Buy the store brand when at all possible. There are some things that I am brand picky about, but the store brand usually tastes just as good (especially Target's).

I also shop my pantry before shopping. This helps me to use what I already have and I make my inventory.

tiffanysbride · January 2011

We spend between $580-$650. I am trying to cut back a bit, but we buy organic meat, produce and dairy so it adds up quickly. That also includes cleaning and personal care products. That said in a normal month we might eat out once, so that includes all 3 meals a day for 3 people. Unless you are eating out a lot I don't think $400 is a lot.

BabyTrippin · January 2011

When I'm being "good" we average right around $200 for the two of us. Lately I haven't been good though.

I'll go against the normal grain and say I don't always follow my list 100%. I use it to make sure I get the needs, but not as a strict thing. I follow what is called the pantry principle. For example, boneless/skinless chicken breasts are on sale at one of my local stores this week for $1.78/lb which is a really good price. I'll buy enough of those this week to last us until the next (projected) sale in about 6 weeks. After Christmas my store put 4 packs of Green Giant veggies on sale for $1.50 so I bought as many as I could store since they won't expire until 2012. Like Susan, I also make use of Aldi's as much as I can. We go about every 3 months and stock up on the basics like pasta, canned veggies (won't need to do that for a while LOL!) and shredded cheeses. If you pay attention, stores do things in a cycle or by seasons. Right now, party foods are still going to be offered cheaply because of football parties. So, if you like frozen, precooked shrimp, now is the time to stock up a little. In March, corned beef and brisket will be on sale for St. Patrick's day celebrations. April brings ham, and Easter dinner fixings. Watching just after these holidays is also wise because things with Easter or St. Patrick's day logos on them will be slashed in price. Who cares if you're eating frozen dinner rolls in July that had a bunny on the packaging? My whole goal in this is to buy as little as possible at full price. Of course, I still do, but much less than if I simply made a meal plan and wrote a list that I stuck to 100%.

Oh, and if your family drinks sodas, check your local CVS. Ours is doing a 6 for $20 deal on 12 packs of Pepsi plus giving you $10 in extra bucks so it ends up being $1.67 a 12 pack!

twistedmetal · January 2011

nearly $1000 in groceries/toiletries/animal food.

we have me, husband, and twins, but also do groceries for my daughter and two youngest brothers (college student and graduate student), as they are living in our house back home. plus 3 cats and a pug back there too.

luckily the twins dont wear too many disposable diapers and dont do formula anymore

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