I really don't know what I can do differently....and maybe I'm not too far off. We are a 3 person family...my son is pushing 6, dh packs his lunch everyday (well I pack it, lol)....I match sale items/coupons, I buy store brand when possible, and I stock up when things like meat are on sale....Per month, for groceries, & household items (paper towels, toilet paper), and personal items (shampoo/deodorant) we spend roughly $400....does that sound right to you guys????
Hi I use coupons and look for sales also. Monthly we spend about $325 on groceries, toiletries and cleaning products. We are a family of 4. I also tend to order out or go out for supper a couple or three times a week. Even though our grocery bill isn't that high our restaurant budget is probably larger than some other families. I've also heard that groceries around our area are fairly inexpensive (unless one shops at the very pricey grocery stores).
There was a really great thread a while back about ways of saving money and there were a lot of ideas about cutting the grocery budget. We get bread at a bread store for $2.50 a cart full. We also check a certain grocery store that works deals with you on things getting near expiration. The same grocery store will sell it's older looking produce for a dollar a box. Things to think about. With all those things in place, we spend for groceries and all household items about $130-$150 every two weeks for a family of 4 (dh, myself, ds13 and dd10).
That sounds about right for where we live. Things are just pricier here in VA than our previous duty station in KY. We spend more than that for our family of 5 but if we had 3, I'd aim for your $400...lol.
I spend about $500 a month on groceries, toiletries, and cleaning products and we are a family of 5 (though the baby is BF and CD'd and I make my own baby food)
check if your area has a place like Grocery Outlet (no the things aren't always dented or seconds and are NOT out of date)--- my stepfather and mother own one. The reason they get such good deal usually is the fact a company wants to change the packaging but needs to get rid of the current packaging. I mean say a cearal is boasting a sweepstakes to Disneyland...... but the offer ends they can still sell the product but you know if you buy it at a store like Grocery outlet the sweepstakes talked about on the box no longer applies. Or for example Christmas packaging on candy ........ mmmmm candy that is still perfectly good but the day after christmas the regular grocery store wants to put out Valentine candy right! Also like mentioned above check out if your area has a bakery outlet, we havn't been to ours in a while and I sure do miss the good deals, especially on Rasin bread, something you pay an arm and a leg for in a regular grocery store but less than half price at an outlet store.............. and we won't even talk about the doughnuts and danishes!!.
No, I don't think this is the exception. Looking at what others posted, it seems about where most of us are. When we had this discussion before, it was discovered that many have a higher food bill because they include eating out for lunch when they're on the go, usually at least once a week, often more. Not only do I not include that, I don't DO that. Maybe once a month. We were given cards for Wendy's, and the kids are bummed bcause we haven't used them yet. We'll be going to the ballet in a few weeks, and I told them I wanted to save them for then. I also pay cash for my groceries, but occassionally will but something on the card. Like last night. I'm down to the end of my cash right now, and the dogs needed food. I bought a 50 lb. bag last night from Krogers, and put that on the card. I usually pay cash for my TP and detergent from my food money, but again sometimes that goes on the card.
you can check recipe and planning sites like www.hillbillyhousewife.com for ways to utalize grocery budget or www.athriftymom.com its my favorite blog on coupon matching and how to get things for almost free. ---- plus check out blogs that the ladies here do you might get more ideas too. (look in signatures) make a menu. work with the sales, be flexible for unadvertized specials especially on meat. check out a good dollar store. Some things are a good deal, some are not.
We average about $400.00 per month for a family of 5. I use the bakery outlet, the Grocery Outlet, the Dollar Tree, and the reduced for quick sale sections of my grocery store. I shop the loss leaders in the sales add and buy our flour, sugar, and other baking supplies in bulk. I make a lot from scratch and make sure our leftovers are used up. That has helped a lot. What helps us a lot is that all the stores I mentioned are very close to each other, so I don't use a lot of gas going from store to store. If they were all over town it would be harder and not as cost effective to shop at so many stores.
If you have an Aldi near you, you can really see some savings. I agree with all ideas listed so far. We spend around $100-$150 per week. I also use a bread outlet near me. They carry Nature's Own and Merita plus some local brands. They have $1.00 Mondays when all bread in the store is $1.00. It sounds to me like you are doing a lot already.
We're a family of 5 and we spend about $160 a week. This is ALL groceries, paper goods, dry goods, health & beauty. I try to buy all of our vitamins and OTC stuff with this too - sometimes, that doesn't work! USUALLY, I can take the kids to McD's or Wendy's once a pay cycle on this too OR buy us a takeout dinner. If you can look, see if there is an Aldi near you (don't know where you are, their website is www.aldi.com ). They are AMAZINGLY cheap. And their stuff is REALLY GOOD.
Mine is $500 a month for 4. That includes EVERYTHING , cat food, toliet paper, pizza run once a week, razors , everything. I shop at Smiths for meat and chicken, Fresh and Easy for produce ( 98 cent salad , all markdowns are 75% off after 3 pm) , Target for personal products ( I use coupons there and shop the clearence racks) and Sam's Club for large amounts of veggies/fruit ( if a good deal) and party food.
We are at about $450/month for 6 of us. That's more than a loaf of bread (store brand) at the grocery store here. Our bakery stores aren't dicounted enough for me.
I spend 700.00 a month on everything. BUT that takes care of my family of five AND MY DAYCARE. So thats not bad at all.....
I don't know how you all do it. I give you all a pat on the back. We do about $150-$200 a week for 6 +1 spoiled cat. I do make a menu and set the grocery coupons up with the sales and make the grocery lists......... and DH goes to the grocery store ...... IF HE DOES NOT STICK TO MY LIST then I can not be at fault for how much HE spends.:roll:
We spent $300 this month for our family of 7, but we had weird month and ended up eating out more than normal. On average we spend $400 each month on groceries though. We shop at winco and costco, and we cook from scratch. My neighbor that has 3 boys and she told me she spends $300 per boy per month!
We spent $300 this month for our family of 7, but we had weird month and ended up eating out more than normal. On average we spend $400 each month on groceries though. We shop at winco and costco, and we cook from scratch. My neighbor that has 3 boys and she told me she spends $300 per boy per month!
