What do you spend on groceries?

Kimberely

I am curious to see what others are spending on groceries per month.

1. How many people in your household?

2. How much do you spend a month?

 

SuenJon

1. 2 of us and a puppy who is 8 months

 2. around $400 a month but that includes paper goods, laundry soap, puppy food/treats, and my DH's lunch stuff.

 

Sue 

 

earthmuffin

1.) there are two of us...

2.) About $400- $450 but that also includes paper products, detergent, some toiletries, etc...

We do use coupons for some things but usually only if they are on sale already. We typically buy generic or off brand with the exception of a few things and we buy organic as much as possible.

That_girl_lola

1. 3- 2 adults, 1 toddler.

2. Usually $350-400/month. Although, I went to Whole Foods and spent $160 for one week's worth of groceries last week- it was a bit of sticker shock- that would mean over $700/month on average! I don't usually shop their though- so it was an experiment. I will buy my produce there though- it looked so much better than the other stores I've been to.

justinandjen

There's just the two of us. We had been shopping at Marsh regularly but we just recently started shopping at Aldi. We would typically drop $70 a week at Marsh, but now we're only spending $70 every two weeks (about $150-200 a month).

We have gotten some amazing deals (i.e. a barbecue chicken pizza for $1.49??) We always joke about how cheap our dinner is. Last night I made pasta with vodka sauce and garlic bread (plus some extra for leftovers) and it was $3. We ate 4 meals for $3, crazy! We're saving to buy a house so that's been really motivating.

blondbomber23

1) DH and I (plus a dog and two cats)

2) Around $240. We eat out a lot though

CollegeGrrl219

We spend about $400 on the two of us per month. We eat pretty well though. We buy a lot of convenience foods, like hot pockets and frozen pizzas. We also eat a lot of meat. Basically, even though some things are expensive, we eat them anyway... lol.

PurduePicc

1. two

2.  I budget $400 a month, which includes paper goods, cleaning supplies, and shampoo and soap.  I *could* do it for a lot less if I kept less stuff on-hand and was more careful about only buying produce on sale.  We also only eat out once a month, sometimes never.

 I really need to try Aldi.  The one my mom went to back home was kind of crappy, and the food was always weird.  But that was also probably 15 years ago, and I'm a lot more forgiving of weird food when I'm the one spending the money!
 

farmerswife06

What is Aldi? Is this a local Chain? I'm in Southern Indiana any close to me. I love our local Save a Lot. Then also shop for paper goods coke products at Wal mart.

2 adults 2 dogs and 1 Cat

About 350 to 400

vpy082507

DH and I plus my two cats and I would say about $300 with paper goods and cleaning supplies but if you are just counting food then about $220.

kellyjo4.16.04

It's just DH and I and we spend a ton on groceries- I don't keep track, but I know it's a ton.  My guess would be $400/month.  I'm a "foodie" though, so I'll often buy higher end meats, grocery items, and we always have fresh fruits and veggies on hand.  Plus, I have a SUPER full pantry and fridge/freezer (if I wanted to, I could probably "live" out of that for at least a month!)  We also shop at Costco at least once every two weeks-  which is part of the reason why I always have a super full pantry and fridge/freezer (goes back to the mentality of living with 10 brothers and sisters, I think.)  I know I could do groceries cheaper- we love Trader Joe's and Aldi's has been a fave of ours for years- but since I cook a homemade meal just about every night and we're trying to go healthy with minimal processed food, we don't mind the splurge.

iugal

Ours varies so much. 

We'll spend anywhere from $35-75/week on grocery shopping.  It all depends on whether DH is traveling.  When he's traveling, I usually have cereal or soup for dinner. 

We budget $120/mo for cat food, litter, personal care and paper products.  I try to use coupons as much as possible.  We also go to Costco every other month and spend between $80-120.   

KYoung13

It's funny that you posted this- DH and I just had a debate about this a few weeks ago.  Generally, I spend $300-400 a month on groceries for the two of us.  That's usually shopping at WalMart, Kroger, or Meijer.  It also includes dog food and the other "junk" that ends up hopping in the cart at WalMart or Meijer.  I usually don't plan out meals and just end up buying our usual "stuff."

This month, I challenged myself to plan meals for the month on a budget of $200.  That includes all of the meat, snacks for the month, etc.  I planned it out in advance and then went to Aldi first, then Kroger.  So far it's been a success (we started in early May).  The only thing we end up purchasing outside of the budget is milk (which we drink a LOT of) and stuff for the cakes that I make (for others for profit).

 I love Aldi, but usually don't want to spend the time going to two grocery stores.  They have a lot of good stuff, but some things I just like the name brand better.  My faves at Aldi include the BBQ chicken pizza, pasta, some fresh veggies, and the chicken stir fry.