Grocery Bill

[Christina]

I am just wondering what everyone pays for groceries each week. I would like to know how many in the family, what you pay for groceries (no staples) each week or month, and if you shop on the sales in your area. I am getting married in October and I am wondering what others put aside in their budget for groceries.

[Christina]

I didn't mean staples, I meant like cleaning stuff, baby food, toilet paper, shampoo, soap, etc.

[Sweetopia]

Christine I have a budget that is set for each month I do not go over (well a few cents here and there) and I only try to purchase sale items, I will go out of my way to get a ridiculously marked down item or food then I purchase lots. Saving money is very hard these days but if you stick to your budget you will do fine ;)

[Kchurchill5]

Staples are different for everyone.
Yes, cleaning stuff, dish soap, laundry, paper towels, tp, napkins, etc. I also include cat food because I have had them for over 10, 1 almost 20 years. So I don't count that.

I tend to count just food (on the table food). I allow beer, wine, soda for myself.

Average 25-30 week. But I have definitely stayed under that amount. I may spend 40 one week; but, I have 3 containers to put in the freezer for later.

This week, about 10.00, but I am using up food from my freezer.

When I was married w/my son, I would say 200/mth, but during the holidays maybe double; but realize, many extras were put in the freezer for later. Se, we may have had ham and turkey for the holidays, but I got 4-5 meals out of that later on.

I don't have a budget, and can't stick to one, because for me ... every week is different. I am also just one; but I cook for 4; and leftovers go to the freezer.

My best advice; is get a general budget 25/wk; but allow yourself to go over but PLAN. And don't be opposed to buy a large cut of meat/protein. If a large pork loin is on sale and not much more then 1 small tenderloin buy it.

Cut in up (chops or tenderloins for later); and cook the rest in the crock pot. You have 2 meals of chops for 3-4 people; plus you have dinner; and probably leftovers in the crock pot. Use those leftovers in a soup. So I piece of meat, a bit more expensive ... but plan and think of what else to do with it.

Same for pot roast; you have dinner, you can make hash; you can also make beef pasties or calzones.

So, my advice, is to plan, think about your meals and what you are going to do with them. Plans aren't set in stone ... but at least you have ideas of what is to be made. Making a menu and trying to stick to it really can save money. Eating out, drive through, and take out/delivery is very very costly.

[Dissie]

Do you live alone now?

Reason I am asking is, setting up your pantry and fridge is going to be expensive at first, so grocery bill will be large at first, then it will taper off as you just start to replace and get new items. Spices, Wow, that can be expensive. Condiments too.

[Christina]

I can't believe you only spend 25-30 dollars on groceries KC. I thought I would at least be spending 100.00 a week just on food for the both of us, and that's buying on the sales. Thank you for your input. I am living at home until I get married in October. Anyone else???

[Kchurchill5]

Oh, there are definitely weeks when I go over. When I get my tub of cat food for 3 fur babes, and wet food, treats, and litter.

Also, when I have to stock up on shampoo, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, tp, etc. But that isn't every week.

But a couple of months ago, I stocked up when there was a sale and got meat to make meatballs; froze some chicken, made a turkey and ham. All freezer stash. So for a couple of months, I'm set. I made ravioli as well, chicken broth from the chickens I cooked in the crock. So I ended up with bags of chicken, ravioli, and stock from a $4 chicken.

So, not 25-30 every week, but it evens out. This week, I got milk, eggs, cheese, and $6 of veggies from my farmers market. But next week. It is cat food stock up time and St Patty's Day too.

I also fish, and catch quite a bit of my own. Trout, snapper, whiting are common that I catch. I usually have some in the freezer. Something I need to do soon.

And, then the Farmers Market. Our's is 365 days a year, every Sat. One perk of living in FL. But the savings is unbelievable.

And BJ's Costco Sams Club ... even for single people, you can take advantage of the savings. Not so much getting 40 rolls of tp; or 12 cans of corn, or salsa, lol.
But, they run good deals on meat, pork tenderloins, ground beef, etc. Sams Club in FL runs salmon for 5.99 often and shrimp for 4.99 lb; and I get mussels at my Farmers Market for 4.99 (flown in from New England).

I try really hard to eat seasonal which helps with costs. And if you are lucky to have a space to grow vegetables. Take advantage of that. Earth Box is a great way to grow in small areas, on balcony's, etc. I have 4 of them. Last year I got over 200 cherry tomatoes from 1 plant and 25 cubanelle peppers. My other box, I grew romaine, kale, bibb and red leaf lettuce. You have to water almost every day, but; easy to grow and well worth it. www.earthbox.com

Just some of the things I do, to try and cut costs.

[Christina]

Thanks for the additional tips. I am sure they will come in handy!

[Dissie]

I have a family of 3. We spend easily $100 per week. I spend even more when I am buying my meats for the month. I generally buy bulk meats and freeze in dinner size portions. So one trip might be almost $200 when I am purchasing meats for the month. So with 2, it will probably be a little less, but I would estimate it to be $100 per week average.

Its easier and faster to buy prepackaged items, but buying basics and preparing yourself is cheaper in the long run. Buying spices is expensive, but with those spices you can save money. Make your own marinades, taco seasoning, chili seasonings, etc...So many great recipes for those types of things, right here on Zazz. SOOO much cheaper and better for you without all those fillers and preservatives packaged stuff comes with.

Hope this helps a bit.

[kberry]

I encouraged my kids (and anyone else for that matter) that when they move it will be expensive.

Start right now and start buying things that are on sale now.
Things that are shelf stable. No perishables. Those will come later.
Dry goods and canned things are the ones that take the longest to stock.
Buy as much as you want of items you know that you will use a lot of.
Don't be afraid to buy things from dollar stores to.
I buy several things there including spices and seasonings.
Coupons are welcome and if you keep the receipt there are usually discounts on them.
We have a great sale on T-Bone steak at the store this time,....$5.48 per pound for family packs. We will probably buy 3 family packs which I will repackage when we get home.

If you have not already had bridal showers a great one is to have the host tell everyone they need to bring non-perishable items to help you stock up on groceries. It need not be a whole shopping cart. Just an item or two and they can add that with another gift if they like.

Something I always do with bridal showers....
I find out from the brides family what kind of products she likes (brands)
Then I buy a large laundry basket and fill it with groceries.
I also buy the largest flour sack towel I can find,,, use it for the cover over the basket. The whole thing is very useful.

For 2 people My husband and I spend more in the winter on groceries than in the summer and fall.
We plant a large garden we are lucky enough to grow our own beef and eggs.
We purchase whole hogs for butcher.
We cut down on dollars that way.
For the garden we plant many different things and then I can, or freeze them. Just depends on what it is.

I always have extra that I will either donate to church or I will trade items with someone else who has what I want and I have what they want.

Probably does not answer your questions but maybe it will help you some how and others as well.
;)