Grocery budget question

[mlkgls]

Even though we are living off just one income, or maybe because if it, I feel like we need to tighten up our spending and really stick to a budget. Complicating matters is the spender/saver dynamic of our relationship, but we seem to spend a mind boggling amount just on food. I'm afraid to even look at the food category in Mint.

I'm wondering if I'm being unrealistic about our grocery budget, because DH and I have drastically different ideas. My MIL is also moving in next week and this will probably increase it even further. Would you mind sharing your average weekly or monthly? 

[Deleted]

We aim for:
100/400 not including our lunch spending.

We all eat lunch out of the house and usually eat out once a week.

[pinkpeony6210]

I'd say we spend between $100-$125 each week, depending on whether or not we need meats, toiletries, or household cleaning products.

[vthokie]

I aim for $100/week, but that includes toiletries, cat food, paper goods. So, it's normally closer to $125

[kdrake8]

Sweet lord. We try for $200/week. Often we go over that. We shop at freaking wal Mart and don't buy organic.

Idk where I'm going wrong!

We do eat most or all meals at home.

[vthokie]

Ooh. I do try and do a big meat trip at Costco, so you could add another $30/week of you average things out. We also never have any snacky delicious stuff in the house. Mostly essentials

[Deleted]

Yes about being honest. We make our weekly amount because in a typical week our dinners look like this:
Sweet potato and black bean burritos
Egg and cheese burritos with side of veggie
Pasta and sauce with side of fruit
Chili in crockpot
Homemade rice bowls.

They aren't very exciting and they aren't meat heavy.

[laurack]

We spend $150-200 a week I would say. We both buy lunch most of the time too. We eat out at a restaurant probably once a week average

I only buy a few things organic and I feel like I shop reasonably but I guess we just eat a lot. Also live in a pretty high cost of living area

[livinreality]

Ours is $100/wk for food & household plus about $100 month at BJs so $500+ a month

[jfh]

I can't even fathom spending $100/week. At our lowest we were at $700/month. If we're not careful we can easily get close to 1k. But that includes most paper/household products, some toiletries, dinners out, hosting friends for dinner, etc etc. And we live in a HCOL area and buy lots of organic (but not all).

[fusion]

so much, over $1K/month. I'm hoping my garden and fruit trees really start taking off this year so that can alleviate some of the costs. I'm also learning how to make snack substitutes for all the expensive packaged goodies the kids like, so hoping by the end of the year to not be buying any of that stuff anymore. It's all so time intensive though, I look forward to when the kids can REALLY help with food prep.

[laurack]

So probably $250-300/week in total food cost

[The Foozzler]

For household items, I take the time to coupon. I do not get the newspaper but I have people save their coupons for me and I also print coupons (at work so I don't use my ink). I have managed to get a decent stash of detergent, tooth paste, soap, dish soap, cleaners, etc.

That has helped me to cut down on weekly grocery expenses, or at least let me focus more money on food.

[mlkgls]

We're averaging around $700-800 a month, not including eating out. 

Does anyone else have a spender/saver dynamic or completely different financial styles? MH thinks we need meat with every meal and I feel like we are wasting sooooo much money on junk and snack foods. This legit stresses me out not to have a budget and stick to it, but it stresses him out to think/talk about it. 

It's turned into a running joke that he goes to the store every day. This in and of itself isn't bad since it gets him and G out of the house, but I feel like it inflates the bill even more. 

Haha. Can you guess who the saver in this relationship is? (I was raised by a single mom and grandparents raised in the Great Depression.)

[katfco]

We generally try to spend $100/week, including toiletries and other sundry items.

This does not usually include diapers.

[alicia45]

We cut back a lot after dh got laid off. I buy meat, cheese, milk, snack foods, paper goods, coffee, baking supplies, stuff like that at Costco. Everything else is Target or Walmart. We still average $800 to $1000 a month. I also price match fruits and veggies to the sale papers around town at Walmart. I refuse to cut back more than that and I like to make everything homemade, no boxes. We also eat at home every meal. So, it adds up.

[alicia45]

Yes, we are financially different. I'm the saver and he's the spender. He's gotten better now that I make it a point to tell him how much we're spending. He also gives me the receipts when he runs to the store so I can track it. It's definitely mapping him more aware.

I'm made a challenge at our house. I'm the chef so I decided to make really awesome chicken dishes because he's a "meat" guy. He's hated chicken forever but it's still protein and it's cheaper. I also try to make meatless Mondays so I make a bean heavy dish instead. It might not be his favorite, but he's coming around. Pinterest has been an excellent resource to getting new recipes.

[TrudyCampbell]

We spend so so SO SO SO much. I don't know how to stop it. Like well over $1000/month on groceries alone.

[mlkgls]

alicia45 - Do you subscribe to the DMN? I wonder if the coupons would be worth getting the Sunday only subscription.

[alicia45]

Feb 28, 2015 15:07:09 GMT -5 mlkgls said:

alicia45 - Do you subscribe to the DMN? I wonder if the coupons would be worth getting the Sunday only subscription.

We have the ST. I called and asked for the best rate they had. It was $26 for 26 weeks, Wednesday/Sunday delivery. I really only get it for the coupons. So I need to use $1 in coupons a week to make it free. Since I usually use more than that, it works out.

Don't forget that Target.com has printable coupons, redplum.com does too. Also, use Target Cartwheel.

[tennisgal]

I'd say we spend on average $150/wk for groceries. I get as much stuff as I can at Aldi. I do a Sams Club trip about once a month. I used to clip coupons, but haven't done it in awhile now. I do use the Cartwheel app when I shop at Target. I try to do at least 1 crockpot meal a week, which usually makes enough for at least a day of leftovers.

[mlkgls]

Feb 28, 2015 15:10:24 GMT -5 alicia45 said:

Feb 28, 2015 15:07:09 GMT -5 mlkgls said:

alicia45 - Do you subscribe to the DMN? I wonder if the coupons would be worth getting the Sunday only subscription.

We have the ST. I called and asked for the best rate they had. It was $26 for 26 weeks, Wednesday/Sunday delivery. I really only get it for the coupons. So I need to use $1 in coupons a week to make it free. Since I usually use more than that, it works out.

Don't forget that Target.com has printable coupons, redplum.com does too. Also, use Target Cartwheel.

Maybe DH can get a better price if he calls; DMNs was $3/week for the Sunday edition. The target by our new house is waaaay more expensive than our old one. I was shocked at some of the prices, but it's in a popular shopping center. We have a decent Walmart close by though. 

[mumegs]

I just looked it up last week and we spent $450 on groceries last month. That is just kroger alone although we don't shop for food anywhere else but it's not like toiletry or cleaning items which we usually get at target. We don't eat out at all. Maybe we will order a pizza once in awhile but that is it.
I did used to coupon and it helped a lot, I need to start doing it again. I do stock up when things are on sale and I'll skip things we don't really need if they're not on sale. I also use the kroger app they have coupons you can dl to your store card from your phone, so when I'm in the store I will quick run through the coupons and see if there are any I can use.

[Deleted]

We do about $100 a week (That doesn't include our sams club runs for pull ups, toilet paper and paper towels) We shop at Walmart for most of our groceries and make sure we scan our receipts for the savings catcher.

I meal plan and make a list and stick to it. I also use cash only and leave my cards at home. That way I can't make impulse buys. We also don't typically eat out anywhere.

[rileym2010]

I spend around 200 a week. I usually menu plan for lunch/dinner and some breakfast/dessert. We rarely eat out and DH usually takes leftovers for lunch.

[mlkgls]

Feb 28, 2015 15:06:45 GMT -5 TrudyCampbell said:

We spend so so SO SO SO much. I don't know how to stop it. Like well over $1000/month on groceries alone.

I only liked this in sympathy. 

[nannerl]

We budget $200 a week too, but rarely hit that. Cutting down on meat helps a lot, and I try to make staples whenever I can. Right now I think we are averaging about $120 a week and adding one $100 costco run per month.

[katfco]

Feb 28, 2015 14:21:44 GMT -5 kdrake8 said:

Sweet lord. We try for $200/week. Often we go over that. We shop at freaking wal Mart and don't buy organic.

Idk where I'm going wrong!

We do eat most or all meals at home.

 We often take advantage of deals when things are on sale--buying 5 boxes of pasta when it's a dollar versus buying it for 1.25 the week we need it. When meat is on sale, I buy a bunch of it and freeze it in smaller portions. Except for the very occasional ground beef, we usually only spend about $2/lb on meat. My chest freezer has helped us save so much money. 

I've found Walmart to not have as many coupon deals and sales as other places. Walmart isn't always the cheapest. Is there a Meijer or Aldi near you? Check all the weekly sale ads and see if there are cheaper places. 

I also rarely buy brand name things, except for cereal. Generics are often just as good, especially if you're cooking with it. 

One thing that I believe has helped us more than anything is my method of cooking. I only cook every other day and double the portion. This really helps with portion control, time-saving and meal planning. 

[alicia45]

Feb 28, 2015 15:18:33 GMT -5 mlkgls said:

Feb 28, 2015 15:10:24 GMT -5 alicia45 said:

We have the ST. I called and asked for the best rate they had. It was $26 for 26 weeks, Wednesday/Sunday delivery. I really only get it for the coupons. So I need to use $1 in coupons a week to make it free. Since I usually use more than that, it works out.

Don't forget that Target.com has printable coupons, redplum.com does too. Also, use Target Cartwheel.

Maybe DH can get a better price if he calls; DMNs was $3/week for the Sunday edition. The target by our new house is waaaay more expensive than our old one. I was shocked at some of the prices, but it's in a popular shopping center. We have a decent Walmart close by though. 

Definitely call. I looked online and ST was that much. When I called and said that I wanted to renew but couldn't fathom paying $150 a year for the paper, she said they were running a special (of course they were ;-)) and I could get that rate twice in a year. So, in 5 months, I'll call again for the "special" price.

I've called the electric company and threatened to switch to a lower provider and gotten them to lower the rate. Ice also called the cable company, said the same thing, and they found "special" rates for me. Just call and ask. The worst they say is they don't have a better option at that time. I've had that happen too.

[fusion]

I'm scared what 3 teenagers appetites is going to cost us. I'll be for sure simplifying our meals and adding more bulk in the form of beans and similar as they get older.