How much do you spend on food each month?

**Pembroke_Corgi** · 10-28-2007, 07:10 PM

I am asking because apparently my husband and I should eat about 6,000 calories a day for all we spend on food. We should have budgeted long ago, but we are both avoiders...and it's only been a dire necessity recently due to Marta's expensive surgery and the fact we bought a new (used) car recently.

The grand total for October was....... $750

I am blown away! We eat out too much and buy too much of the non-staples! We are definitely towing the line. Part of the reason it's so high is also because my brother still lives with us (he is moving out next month!) and even though he buys some of his own food we all share. But this does not account for the outrageous amount!

Denver has high food prices, but we are just irresponsible!!

Our new goal is to spend $75 a week (no eating out)! And with the extra pay down the vet bill faster, hopefully!

What do you spend per month on food (and how many people are there)?

**ScottieMommy** · 10-28-2007, 07:14 PM

WOW! I dont know how much per month but i go to the market almost everyday and spend $50 or more every day, just for that day's lunch and dinner. I need to start shopping for each week.

**beeniesmom** · 10-28-2007, 07:16 PM

Well, you can set a limit for the times you eat out... say, maybe just lunch on the weekend. Don't say you won't eat out at all because it's an unreasonable goal for someone who eats out often.

To spend less, an important thing to do is to plan your menu's ahead.
On Saturday morning or Friday night, make a list of the meals for the week.
Buy only the groceries you need to make the things you planned.

Don't throw out your Sunday paper. I save an average of 20 dollars a month just by clipping coupons.

It takes a few minutes but it's well worth it. It's like free money.

I think about 100 a week is reasonable for a 3 to 4 person household.

If you need menu ideas, I can help!

**ScottieMommy** · 10-28-2007, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by beeniesmom

Well, you can set a limit for the times you eat out... say, maybe just lunch on the weekend. Don't say you won't eat out at all because it's an unreasonable goal for someone who eats out often.

To spend less, an important thing to do is to plan your menu's ahead.
On Saturday morning or Friday night, make a list of the meals for the week.
Buy only the groceries you need to make the things you planned.

Don't throw out your Sunday paper. I save an average of 20 dollars a month just by clipping coupons.

It takes a few minutes but it's well worth it. It's like free money.

I think about 100 a week is reasonable for a 3 to 4 person household.

If you need menu ideas, I can help!

Corgi if you dont take this advice i sure will lol, thanks Beenie

**beeniesmom** · 10-28-2007, 07:24 PM

Scottiemom, thanks.
I love to cook and grew up with a family of 8 at the table every night!
Mom sure knew how to make a dollar go far and the food was always great.

**ScottieMommy** · 10-28-2007, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by beeniesmom

Scottiemom, thanks.
I love to cook and grew up with a family of 8 at the table every night!
Mom sure knew how to make a dollar go far and the food was always great.

Thats really sweet, same with us. All our meals are homecooked and delicious.

**Giselle** · 10-28-2007, 11:45 PM

Best tip: Shop at ethnic markets. I went to Whole Food's and bought a couple yogurts and two bottles of juice. It cost about $20.

Now, take that $20 to an asian market and you have enough food to last at least 2-3 days for a single person.

**Pembroke_Corgi** · 10-28-2007, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by beeniesmom

Well, you can set a limit for the times you eat out... say, maybe just lunch on the weekend. Don't say you won't eat out at all because it's an unreasonable goal for someone who eats out often.

To spend less, an important thing to do is to plan your menu's ahead.
On Saturday morning or Friday night, make a list of the meals for the week.
Buy only the groceries you need to make the things you planned.

Don't throw out your Sunday paper. I save an average of 20 dollars a month just by clipping coupons.

It takes a few minutes but it's well worth it. It's like free money.

I think about 100 a week is reasonable for a 3 to 4 person household.

If you need menu ideas, I can help!

Thanks for your help! Menu ideas would be great! We are vegetarians so if there's meat we can always substitute.

I know not eating out at all is unreasonable, but part of the problem is just my husband's laziness. I've agreed to pack his lunches so he doesn't eat out for lunch everyday, and then top it off with starbucks!

My husband and brother also love to cook and have been making elaborate meals every weekend. I enjoy eating them, but I think we have gone overboard!

**chocolatepuppy** · 10-28-2007, 08:48 PM

What do you spend per month on food (and how many people are there)?

Just two of us here. To tell you the truth, I don't know, but I do know we spend too much!

Maybe next month I'll start keeping track.

**G535** · 10-28-2007, 08:53 PM

I can feed the cat and myself for less than $30 a week and the cat gets more than half of that. Does not include litter or the occasional block of chocolate (for me). I don't eat meat so I guess I'd save a fair bit there, I also don't eat out.

**Ginger's Mom** · 10-29-2007, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by G535

I can feed the cat and myself for less than $30 a week and the cat gets more than half of that. Does not include litter or the occasional block of chocolate (for me). I don't eat meat so I guess I'd save a fair bit there, I also don't eat out.

I am moving to Australia. I spend about $360.00 a month on food and toiletries (that includes "eating out" at a fast food place about once every three weeks or so). And spend an additonal $70.00 a month on food, treats, chewies, toys and pick-up bags for the dog.

**critter crazy** · 10-29-2007, 03:58 PM

Hmmm....I spend roughly 200$ a week on groceries. But that is no Including pet food, supplies, or vet bills. But with two growing boys, a constantly hungry hubby, we barely make do on that!!

**cali** · 10-31-2007, 08:07 PM

maybe $300-$400 including dog and critter food. thats combined for me my mom, 6 dogs, 2 guinea pigs, 1 rabbit, 6 gerbils, 1 snake, 1 bird.. we could never afford some of the amounts I am seeing here.

**mina'smomma** · 10-29-2007, 11:06 AM

Hubby and I spend roughly around 60.00 a week on food and that is with me having to eat out because I'm too much of a ditz to remember to pack my lunch

**carole** · 10-29-2007, 02:10 PM

We spend on average about 190 a week on groceries,( 2 adults,one teenage daughter) sometimes it is a bit more ,sometimes a bit less, we don't have heaps of luxuries either ,but we do have good food, i insist on good bread,milk.meats etc, so that costs extra, this includes three of the kitties foods,but not lexie's or litter included,but does include all toiletries,etc,not just food, everything one needs in the cleaning department, i could cut down i guess, but i used to buy all the cheapest of everything years ago because i had no choice,now i like to buy better brands and decent quality items and food.