Comments on: How Much Do You Spend on Groceries? http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/2010/02/how-much-do-you-spend-on-groceries.html Join us on our journey to lead a debt-free, credit-free, clutter-free life. Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:14:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: jolyn http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/2010/02/how-much-do-you-spend-on-groceries.html/comment-page-1#comment-1095 jolyn Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:36:03 +0000 http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/?p=1420#comment-1095 You are <em>sooo</em> right. Are you familiar with Michael Pollan? He's written a few books about the food industry, my favorite is, "In Defense of Food." I think he cites some 35% of income as how much Americans <em>used</em> to spend on food. I highly recommend reading him, it's totally fascinating. Especially being the foody/organic-ly minded as you are. He's all about eating locally. Anyway! If by the $5 meal thing you are referring to the <a href="http://www.5dollardinners.com/" rel="nofollow">$5 Dinner Mom</a>... I just have to give my two-bits on her methodology, as she is a personal friend of mine. She promotes cooking from scratch and definitely does not feed her family from boxes. Her boys have had different food allergies (currently dairy is out) so she also has to spend more on rice milk, etc., so she coupons excessively for those items as well as to make up for what she cannot buy in bulk or otherwise find coupons for: e.g. fresh produce. She also plays the drugstore game (only possible in the U.S.!) so that very little if any of her grocery bill is going toward household items such as toilet paper and toothpaste, for instance. Her boys are still young (all under five) so I imagine her $5 will become closer to $7 or $8 equivalent as they grow into teens! But her cooking is <em>very</em> healthy and I have learned a lot about utilizing dried beans, for instance, instead of canned ones, and cooking and freezing in bulk to help stretch the dollars. You brought up a very good point about spending more when it means getting better food. I do think some people think to eat healthy means you have to break the budget, but that doesn't always have to be true: I think many of those same people are missing some money-saving opportunities by not preparing <em>anything</em> by scratch. That's obviously not true! I can also relate to living overseas and how much more that can cost you to try to buy locally, with the weak dollar, etc. I applaud your $500/$600 budget and think that is very reasonable myself. Truly, it's all about choices, and I daresay some people who wonder why they can't get out of debt are the ones who are spending more on their food budget and<em> still </em>staying in the hotels! You are sooo right. Are you familiar with Michael Pollan? He’s written a few books about the food industry, my favorite is, “In Defense of Food.” I think he cites some 35% of income as how much Americans used to spend on food. I highly recommend reading him, it’s totally fascinating. Especially being the foody/organic-ly minded as you are. He’s all about eating locally.
Anyway!
If by the $5 meal thing you are referring to the $5 Dinner Mom… I just have to give my two-bits on her methodology, as she is a personal friend of mine. She promotes cooking from scratch and definitely does not feed her family from boxes. Her boys have had different food allergies (currently dairy is out) so she also has to spend more on rice milk, etc., so she coupons excessively for those items as well as to make up for what she cannot buy in bulk or otherwise find coupons for: e.g. fresh produce. She also plays the drugstore game (only possible in the U.S.!) so that very little if any of her grocery bill is going toward household items such as toilet paper and toothpaste, for instance.
Her boys are still young (all under five) so I imagine her $5 will become closer to $7 or $8 equivalent as they grow into teens! But her cooking is very healthy and I have learned a lot about utilizing dried beans, for instance, instead of canned ones, and cooking and freezing in bulk to help stretch the dollars.

You brought up a very good point about spending more when it means getting better food. I do think some people think to eat healthy means you have to break the budget, but that doesn’t always have to be true: I think many of those same people are missing some money-saving opportunities by not preparing anything by scratch. That’s obviously not true! I can also relate to living overseas and how much more that can cost you to try to buy locally, with the weak dollar, etc. I applaud your $500/$600 budget and think that is very reasonable myself. Truly, it’s all about choices, and I daresay some people who wonder why they can’t get out of debt are the ones who are spending more on their food budget and still staying in the hotels!

]]> By: Joelle http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/2010/02/how-much-do-you-spend-on-groceries.html/comment-page-1#comment-1092 Joelle Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:32:57 +0000 http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/?p=1420#comment-1092 I just want to make an argument for NOT cutting your grocery budget. We did Dave Ramsey last year and are cutting everywhere we can and are getting out of debt as fast as we can. However, I have pledged that other than making a list to take to the commissary, I'm not going to TRY to cut grocery costs. Europeans spend like 25% of their budget on food -- because they buy fresh GOOD food. Americans spend less than 10%. I know everyone is all excited about the $5 meal thing, but I want to feed my family GOOD FRESH PURE food as much as possible. I'm willing to go camping instead of hoteling on vacation to do this. I know I'm a bit of a food Nazi, but I really believe strongly in spending good money on healthy food instead of trying to skimp on food. The coupon-ing thing doesn't work well for me because I just don't buy boxed food and so many of the coupons are for that kind of thing. I buy staples -- pasta, pancake mix, milk, cheese, etc, from the store -- but I buy the majority of our food at farmer's markets, etc. Ok, but to answer the question, we budget $500 a month for the commissary and $100 a month for the farmer's market. 1. Okinawa, Japan (US Military overseas, so shopping at the more expensive commissary) 2. 5 in our family 3. Kids are 4, 2, and 7 months. 4. Yes, buy as much organic as possible 5. Does not include eating out I just want to make an argument for NOT cutting your grocery budget. We did Dave Ramsey last year and are cutting everywhere we can and are getting out of debt as fast as we can. However, I have pledged that other than making a list to take to the commissary, I’m not going to TRY to cut grocery costs. Europeans spend like 25% of their budget on food — because they buy fresh GOOD food. Americans spend less than 10%. I know everyone is all excited about the $5 meal thing, but I want to feed my family GOOD FRESH PURE food as much as possible. I’m willing to go camping instead of hoteling on vacation to do this. I know I’m a bit of a food Nazi, but I really believe strongly in spending good money on healthy food instead of trying to skimp on food. The coupon-ing thing doesn’t work well for me because I just don’t buy boxed food and so many of the coupons are for that kind of thing. I buy staples — pasta, pancake mix, milk, cheese, etc, from the store — but I buy the majority of our food at farmer’s markets, etc. Ok, but to answer the question, we budget $500 a month for the commissary and $100 a month for the farmer’s market.

1. Okinawa, Japan (US Military overseas, so shopping at the more expensive commissary)
2. 5 in our family
3. Kids are 4, 2, and 7 months.
4. Yes, buy as much organic as possible
5. Does not include eating out

]]> By: jolyn http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/2010/02/how-much-do-you-spend-on-groceries.html/comment-page-1#comment-1055 jolyn Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:25:45 +0000 http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/?p=1420#comment-1055 We just get the beans at the store that you bag and ground yourself at $5.86/lb. If that tells you how much we go through! I think $20 is conservative; hubs is gone right now so probably less than that w/out him, but more when he's here. We do like ours strong; it's hard sometimes to drink what others pass for as "coffee" ;) We just get the beans at the store that you bag and ground yourself at $5.86/lb. If that tells you how much we go through! I think $20 is conservative; hubs is gone right now so probably less than that w/out him, but more when he’s here. We do like ours strong; it’s hard sometimes to drink what others pass for as “coffee” ;)

]]> By: jolyn http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/2010/02/how-much-do-you-spend-on-groceries.html/comment-page-1#comment-1054 jolyn Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:23:07 +0000 http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/?p=1420#comment-1054 You don't have to buy organic because you make it! You're inspiring me to try pots again this year. (We <em>do</em> have winters.) It seems I've always been a tomato killer... You don’t have to buy organic because you make it! You’re inspiring me to try pots again this year. (We do have winters.) It seems I’ve always been a tomato killer…

]]> By: Kristin http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/2010/02/how-much-do-you-spend-on-groceries.html/comment-page-1#comment-1053 Kristin Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:18:57 +0000 http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/?p=1420#comment-1053 Thanks for doing this, I've really enjoyed reading what others do to make ends meet. We were put on a very tight budget when I had to come back home (after working fulltime) to care for our youngest daughter who has a chronic condition. This has been a huge leap of faith for us, and it amazes us how we have been able to make it work on one income. We gave up things such as cable and have cut waaaay back on luxuries. (sniff sniff how I miss driving through the coffee shops on a whim...) As I'm reading other posts, it's interesting to me how fickle the state of California is with prices and stores that offer deals double coupons or not. I guess I live in the "lucky" part. Our food bill on average has been between $200-$300 a month. Maintaining our budget has become my fulltime job, I coupon, shop the deals, stockpile, price compare to Costco, shop at a farmers market, and produce/healthfood stores. We eat little or no processed foods, also started a home garden this year (we live in an apartment but use our patio) you wouldn't believe how easy it's been to grow a small garden of lettuce, radishes, cilantro, spinach and swiss char (we use a "salad table"). We are adding tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers (in containers) Our kids really enjoy helping with this! (Granted we have beautiful weather all year round) I also do large batch cooking (my parents let us keep our chest freezer in their garage) and I am interested in learning canning to utilize our small garden and any really good deals from the farmers markets. I cook three meals and prepare two snacks a day. We eat out very rarely and make our own pizza's on friday night...so much fun! Where do you live? Southern California How many are in your family? Four How old are your kids? 11 and 7 Do you buy organic? Yes, when possible but only at a good price. Does your number include any eating out? No. Thanks for doing this, I’ve really enjoyed reading what others do to make ends meet. We were put on a very tight budget when I had to come back home (after working fulltime) to care for our youngest daughter who has a chronic condition. This has been a huge leap of faith for us, and it amazes us how we have been able to make it work on one income. We gave up things such as cable and have cut waaaay back on luxuries. (sniff sniff how I miss driving through the coffee shops on a whim…)

As I’m reading other posts, it’s interesting to me how fickle the state of California is with prices and stores that offer deals double coupons or not. I guess I live in the “lucky” part. Our food bill on average has been between $200-$300 a month. Maintaining our budget has become my fulltime job, I coupon, shop the deals, stockpile, price compare to Costco, shop at a farmers market, and produce/healthfood stores. We eat little or no processed foods, also started a home garden this year (we live in an apartment but use our patio) you wouldn’t believe how easy it’s been to grow a small garden of lettuce, radishes, cilantro, spinach and swiss char (we use a “salad table”). We are adding tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers (in containers) Our kids really enjoy helping with this! (Granted we have beautiful weather all year round) I also do large batch cooking (my parents let us keep our chest freezer in their garage) and I am interested in learning canning to utilize our small garden and any really good deals from the farmers markets. I cook three meals and prepare two snacks a day. We eat out very rarely and make our own pizza’s on friday night…so much fun!

Where do you live? Southern California
How many are in your family? Four
How old are your kids? 11 and 7
Do you buy organic? Yes, when possible but only at a good price.
Does your number include any eating out? No.

]]> By: FranticWoman http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/2010/02/how-much-do-you-spend-on-groceries.html/comment-page-1#comment-1052 FranticWoman Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:18:13 +0000 http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/?p=1420#comment-1052 as usual, I'm impressed at how well ppl budget! It is expensive being a foodie...plus food prices matter. That makes me feel better, not like so much of a loser :P seriously; I was reading a blog and their budget was so impressive but then I read a dozen eggs are 79 cents, easy to be cheap, etc. Here the median price for store brand eggs is $1.89 or so. I thought I was doing badly, spending $55/wk when I first started paying attn, but then noticed my side trips for coffee, pet food, produce, gourmet counter food (which I count as grocery and not as eating out), etc... as usual, I’m impressed at how well ppl budget! It is expensive being a foodie…plus food prices matter. That makes me feel better, not like so much of a loser :P

seriously; I was reading a blog and their budget was so impressive but then I read a dozen eggs are 79 cents, easy to be cheap, etc. Here the median price for store brand eggs is $1.89 or so.

I thought I was doing badly, spending $55/wk when I first started paying attn, but then noticed my side trips for coffee, pet food, produce, gourmet counter food (which I count as grocery and not as eating out), etc…

]]> By: FranticWoman http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/2010/02/how-much-do-you-spend-on-groceries.html/comment-page-1#comment-1051 FranticWoman Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:39:22 +0000 http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/?p=1420#comment-1051 Joylyn - if you do try to cut down your coffee budget and are hardcore like me, I'll mix cheaper can coffee in with the strong good stuff to save some $. I can reduce my coffee output money wise by a 1/3 if I do that. Joylyn – if you do try to cut down your coffee budget and are hardcore like me, I’ll mix cheaper can coffee in with the strong good stuff to save some $. I can reduce my coffee output money wise by a 1/3 if I do that.

]]> By: FranticWoman http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/2010/02/how-much-do-you-spend-on-groceries.html/comment-page-1#comment-1050 FranticWoman Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:38:00 +0000 http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/?p=1420#comment-1050 That's the coffee at home. I go to a local roaster - it has gone up to almost $12/lb. I drink a pot a day at minimum - but I stopped my daily Starbuck habit! No matter how poor I've ever been - I've never scrimped on coffee (just can't!) or fabric softener. To add: My coffee maker is partly to blame. It is designed badly and I have to use way more coffee for the same strength vs my old (broken ) coffee maker. My dad was v. ill months ago, and my coffee maker chose that week to stop working -ugh! I ran to Target at 9:00 pm away from my dad's bedside and bought the first maker I saw - then ran back to the hospital. Huge mistake. I'll buy another soon, but, that's more moola. Stupid tax (but unavoidable sometimes). That’s the coffee at home. I go to a local roaster – it has gone up to almost $12/lb. I drink a pot a day at minimum – but I stopped my daily Starbuck habit!

No matter how poor I’ve ever been – I’ve never scrimped on coffee (just can’t!) or fabric softener.

To add: My coffee maker is partly to blame. It is designed badly and I have to use way more coffee for the same strength vs my old (broken ) coffee maker. My dad was v. ill months ago, and my coffee maker chose that week to stop working -ugh! I ran to Target at 9:00 pm away from my dad’s bedside and bought the first maker I saw – then ran back to the hospital. Huge mistake. I’ll buy another soon, but, that’s more moola. Stupid tax (but unavoidable sometimes).

]]> By: jolyn http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/2010/02/how-much-do-you-spend-on-groceries.html/comment-page-1#comment-1049 jolyn Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:50:20 +0000 http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/?p=1420#comment-1049 That's VERY impressive w/out doing the Big Coupon Game. A pricebook is on my list of to-do's... That’s VERY impressive w/out doing the Big Coupon Game. A pricebook is on my list of to-do’s…

]]> By: Patty http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/2010/02/how-much-do-you-spend-on-groceries.html/comment-page-1#comment-1048 Patty Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:41:37 +0000 http://budgetsarethenewblack.com/?p=1420#comment-1048 1. Utah 2.four of us 3. husband, self, 17 year-old son and 10 year-old daughter 4.hardly ever 5. that's a seperate budget of $60/month I just wanted to say to everyone....it's not easy, it takes time and practice but you can get your food budgets down! I used to spend around $1600/month. Last year I was able to squirm it down towards $600/month and this year (so far) i've been able to stick at $360/month --these totals include $'s for my husband to eat out for lunch (because he travels it's hard for him to take his lunch). fyi...his lunch KILLS our budget because $160 is his lunch..$200 is our entire family groceries for a month and I do include ALL hba, cat supplies/food, household needs (filters, bulbs), etc. I stock up when things are on sale, I coupon a bit but nothing to really "brag" about, I stockpile, meal plan by the month so I try to only go to the store for one major trip and then a 2nd trip to replenish milk, eggs and produce. The pricebook has been a HUGE help for me. Last year I didn't think it was possible to get any more wiggle room but the more you stick with it the better it gets!!! Keep up the great work of TRYING! 1. Utah
2.four of us
3. husband, self, 17 year-old son and 10 year-old daughter
4.hardly ever
5. that’s a seperate budget of $60/month
I just wanted to say to everyone….it’s not easy, it takes time and practice but you can get your food budgets down! I used to spend around $1600/month. Last year I was able to squirm it down towards $600/month and this year (so far) i’ve been able to stick at $360/month –these totals include $’s for my husband to eat out for lunch (because he travels it’s hard for him to take his lunch). fyi…his lunch KILLS our budget because $160 is his lunch..$200 is our entire family groceries for a month and I do include ALL hba, cat supplies/food, household needs (filters, bulbs), etc. I stock up when things are on sale, I coupon a bit but nothing to really “brag” about, I stockpile, meal plan by the month so I try to only go to the store for one major trip and then a 2nd trip to replenish milk, eggs and produce. The pricebook has been a HUGE help for me. Last year I didn’t think it was possible to get any more wiggle room but the more you stick with it the better it gets!!! Keep up the great work of TRYING!

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