Just back from the store- I shop for one week at a time ( making a menu and list before I leave) I usually shop on Friday for Saturday- Friday night.

Granted, DH is a meat and potato man- he is not happy with Pasta. He wants some sort of meat on his plate. Chicken, beef, pork, fish, etc.

DH also packs lunch 5 days a week, so that counts in to our weekly grocery bill.

I am also a cheese snob, and can NOT eat, nor do I force my children to eat " pasturized processed cheese food" ( apologies to you kraft singles lovers) so I DO spend $6.00 a week for a pound of deli sliced American Cheese.

Even saving $19.75 using coupons.. my bill today for 2 adults, and 2 small children ( NO cleaning, health and beauty or paper) was









$102.16!!



And that is a good week. I guess I never realized that was ALOT until the lady behind me GASPED! LOL

And we hardly EVER buy " junk" That's all meat, veggies, fruits, milk, eggs, yogurt, etc.

What about you??

I think that sounds very reasonable.

I use to shop for a month at a time, 2 adults, 2 children. The kids sometimes pack lunches for school and always eat breakfast at home. DH would eat only dinner and breakfast on the weekends. I would spend between $500-$600 a month, including all our health and beauty products and cleaning, laundry det. etc.

Now, it's just myself and the 2 kids. I shop whenever for however many days I want to, LOL. It's definitely more expensive this way and at some point I will commit to a better shopping routine. I think I'm spending about $100-$125 a week now. So not a lot of difference but dh was only eating dinner here anyway and quite honestly how do you cook less when there's only 1 less person to feed?

I did shop at Sam's and I would use coupons. I also shopped at Walmart super store and bought some items at Aldi's.
Now I just find myself going to Kroger and/or Walmart.

Anywhere between $300-$350 a payday for a family of 4 ...We eat the leanest cuts of meat ,lots of fresh vegs & fruits. I buy between 3 lbs of deli meat & 1 1lb of roasted garlic chedder cheese from the deli.I do buy Cokes& Cigs on Grocery shopping day which counts for a good $75.00 worth ...I average between $10- $20 in coupons

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Angels may not come when you call them, but they'll always be there when you need them.

For a week's worth - $102 is a steal!

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Cecilia

"We must love them both--those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject. For both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in the finding of it."
Saint Thomas Aquinas

I thought so too!

I NORMALLY spend closer to $120-$150. ( we have plans away 2 nights this week, so I got a 2 night discount!) But the woman behind me gasped- literally- I looked at her like "HUH??" She surely was looking at my rear-end and thinking " yeah, no WONDER"

I also shop at the grocery store. I have TRIED super walmart- but their veggies and fruit always look nasty, and I cannot STAND pre-packaged meat. I like to know mine was cut fresh that morning.

My "budget" is $200 per paycheck, paid twice monthly. I don't count ordering dinner or picking up or going out to eat as coming out of my grocery budget so I usually come in fairly well under that. Trying to cut out those things AND bringing my grocery budget down. I do a lot of shopping at Wal Mart but I decided about a week ago I'm going to try not to shop at Wal Mart at all in 2007. My last trip there so far was 12/31/06

(I'm not boycotting, just supporting other stores, and trying to learn how to watch sales and coupons.)

Also my husband will shop sometimes... OMG! He will spend $40+ one ONE night's worth of food! We'll decide to pick up something and cook at home instead of spending $40 going out to eat... I'd rather be served and cleaned up after for that $40!

Gulp! I spend around $350.00 per week on groceries. Most of it is food. Sometimes it will include shampoo and things like that but that is about once a month. Otherwise its just food and nibbly things. We do eat alot of fresh veggies, meats, seafoods ( Go to seafood store for this) But my son also likes to eat during the day so I buy extra hamburger and things like that so I can make hamburger helper and put it in indivual servings then he just pops a bowl in the microwave. DH has a desert fetish he has to have a can of whipped cream, pudding, ice cream or sometype of cake.

I spend around $200 a month on food, but we have a double coupon store that doubles $1.00 coupons all the time and once every couple of months doubles $2.00 coupons, so we get a huge amount of food free. I mostly spend money on meat, fresh fruit and veggies, cheese, milk and other stuff there are no coupons for. We don't drink much soda, maybe 2-4 2 liters a week. However we do spend about $100 a month on cat and dog food, this is not included in our grocery bill. We have 2 puppies and they eat 20lbs a week, 5 cats, 4 kittens and then we feed about 8 or 9 stray cats.

Roughly $150.00 per week split between two stores....I try to stay around $100.00 at Kroger after coupons and then the $50.00 mandatory junk food/soda pop run to Walmart. (we drink sams choice)

But hey, McLeader Cici.. if ya gotta cut the cheese, It might as well be expensive cheese!

Learn something every day.... I had never heard of a cheese snob before but hey, if you want to be a self proclaimed Cheese Sommelier be my guest! I'm right proud to know one!


Anybody got a match... man, six dollar's worth a week!


X

I have 2 freezers full of food , so I don't spend a ton.. I have noticed since we went down to 3 nights a week that are strictly no meat.. our bill has come way down!! I've also learned to buy vegetables at savealot that have been marked down and are getting ready to go bad. We'll either cook them that day or vacuum seal them or use them in soup. my bill is down to 750 a year right now.. 1 in diapers!

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Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. - Will Rogers

We usually spend about $50 per week on groceries. This includes food, health & beauty stuff, paper & cleaning products, etc. for my husband and myself plus dog food for our dog. I use a LOT of coupons whenever I can and try to shop whenever my husband is at work because if he goes with me, we inevitably spend more

Oh I agree with you on the prepackaged meats.....yuck!! Our Walmart has decent veggies and fruits most of the time. But I go to WM for cleaning supplies, canned foods, cereals, etc.

I wonder what that woman who gasped spends on groceries per week? Maybe she was single and isn't use to feeding a family of 4 or something?

We buy organic meats once every 6 months. That averages out to $153 a month for meat
We get organic milk delivered to our door every week: $24 a month
I shop about every 1.5 weeks at the grocery store and spend about $75 each time (I coupon)
Costco: once a month and about $60
Then I probably spend about $40-$50 online (like Amazon)

I average about $425 or so a month

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

Spend at least 175 to 200 per week. This is split between 2 grocery stores and I do try and shop sales . God compared to some mine seems so high. Maybe its New England or having a family of 5. Do buy lots of Fruits Veggies Snacks Meats etc!

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Without Health you have no Wealth!

usually its less than 35.00 a week. i use coupons alot and stock up when stuff is cheap. the past 3 weeks, all i have bought was milk , bread and a tomatoe.

we grow a huge garden each yr, can , freeze all the veggies that i can.
get a cow each yr from a friend.
stock up on sales items.
i am really cheap!

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I have gotten our groceries down to about $100 a month for a family of 5 and a dog and this includes stockpiling and diapers and wipes for 2 kids! The dog food is our biggest spender- I cant find a huge deal on it and we have a big dog. He eats about $40 a month or more! I ussually get deals on diapers and wipes at cvs wioth buy one get one, coupons and extra bucks. Our biggest expenses are meat veggies and milk. I cannto suusally find winetags or coupons for those things here. We have 1 store that doubles up to 50 cents and allows 2 coupons on B1G1 items. basically I spend about 5-10 hours a week on reading the internet, matching ads and then of course goiing to the stores. I also shop only loss lenders and sales unless we absolutely need an item. I learned most of what I learned here and I thank God every day as it has allowed me to stay home with my kids one of which has autism and I really have been able to work with her a lot and she has made huge improvements. A lot of ahrd work but worth it all! Thank you to those who share their deals so that others may find them! Mindy

Non Diet time I average $50. a week. Right now since DH and I are on diets it is less. We use coupons and always buy our meat during the "manager specials". The kids eat cheese but DH and I cut that out a year ago. Milk and veggies and my diet coke are the bulk of the bill. I buy on sale or free whenever I can so I usually am stocked up pretty well on all the pantry staples.

I have a family of 5, my husband, myself and our three boys. Groceries for us include toiletries, beer, soda, food, paper goods, and gas card of usually $40.00 and it usually averages $150 a week. We shop only once a week and we eat fast food maybe twice a month and a sit down restaurant once a month. We have a full meal every evening. I coupon and price match.

I set a $300 budget for this month, for the two of us, but I used to be a lot better when I wasn't working. We both work a lot, and end up eating too many convenience foods. At this point, I figure if I can meet one goal, I can reduce from there. I've spent $230 so far, but that includes the pizzas and cake stuff we bought when friends came over last week.

Spending $100 a month on animals seems unreasonably until you realise what the animals give you. My cats eat premium food, and I spend too much on treats, but they're still a lot cheaper than an antidepressant or cigarettes!

I spend about $200 every 2 wks for groceries. Every 2 mos. I spend an additional $200 on warehouse goods, such as canned vegetables, bulk sized cooking oil, spices, water, soft drinks, etc.

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We're off to never never land

I spend $75/week for a family of 5 - Thanks to all the great coupons and grocery deals I get from here! :O)

A lot does depend on the age of kids... My son is getting to that age where he eats everything and he has a hollow leg. I'm thinking that we spend around $75 a week on groceries with couponing, etc. We eat very healthy here but still have junk food as well.

Let's see here's how ours breaks down for a family of 4 (2 teens) and 3 dogs per month.

$250 Groceries
$60 Dog Food
$100 Walmart junk (personal items)
$40 Misc things that get picked up throughout the month
$280 Eating out (1 nice place a week and 1 McDonalds a week)
For a total of $730 per month for everything.

Edited to add the eating out, I didn't think to include it.

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I have not couponed for 2 yrs while we were living in the "urban camping mode" I spend a lot on groceries I had no stove or oven. I have started couponing again which should bring our bill down significantly and get us stocked up. I spent $300 last payday ( the 1st) and have only spent about $50 this payday. We bake all our own goodies, I drive an 1hr to commissary shop. Bread is mostly homemade (when the bread machine has a good day) or I grab some at the thrift. We do not eat any processed meats, or boxed cereals. I feed a family of 6, my husband and myself, our 18,16, &10 yr old boys ( all with hollow legs), my mother and 2 dogs. Our grocery bill is probably a bit higher than most because I do miss out on a lot of shopping deals due to the way we cook.

I would be very interested in how to purchase a whole or half cow, seeing as I now have a freezer and it is empty. We are going to try a garden this year but the yard has a lot of shade so I am not sure how that will go. My mother is going to show me how to can and make preserves.

WOW I think I may have to smack my dh the next time he tells me I spend too much on groceries! LOL

The most I spend for a family of 6...3 teenagers, 9yr old son and dhaand myself is 110 a wk, thats the week I buy cleaning supplies. Other weeks it is between 50-60 that includes breakfast items, lunch for dh, supper for everyone and 2 snacks a day for everyone. So around 280 a month. We eat out about 2 times a month. I do use coupons only for items I can get next to nothin and I would be buying anyway.
I shop at Krogers usually.

I dont know how much I spend...not a ton I guess...we do eat at my parents a couple nights a week. My boys are only 5 and 8yrs old...they really dont eat that much a day..(even though sometimes it feels all they do are eating) I dont use many coupons anymore...I do buy some groceries at amazon.com...mostly the snacks the kids like. We really dont eat much meat but do eat a bunch of seafood/fish and TONS of fresh fruit and veggie (summer we have a garden!).....

I'm going to say I probably spend about $300 a month...sometimes more sometimes less....That also includes the times I buy the stuff for dinner at my parents..we take turns who buys the stuff...mom always cooks though. Its easier for My parents and I to eat together since its hard for her to cook just for her and dad....Me its hard for just me and small kids....

WAY TOo MUCH THATS ALL I know I would say I do one big trip per week about $100 then when I need stuff seems like everyday or every other day I have to go get it. We have a family of 5 3 growing kids 1 growing man & 2 growing dogs!!!

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mom of 3 greats girls

We are a family of 3 (dd is almost 16 so I count her as an adult). We live in Alaska and we pay quite a bit more up here for fresh fruits and veggies, dairy and meats. We live on an island where everything has to be barged in or flown in.

For us we average between $300 - $400 a month. When there is a really 'good' sale, I stock up until the next sale. I did bring a very LARGE stock-pile of canned goods with us when we moved here and we still have plenty in the pantry. I also have a large chest freezer so that helps too.

We don't have coupons here in the newspapers, but family and friend occasionally will send some. The store managers would have to seek therapy if they ever had a double or triple coupon day. LOL!

When we lived in Buffalo, NY....between all the competition and loss leaders & double/triple coupons we were only spending about $35 a week on groceries and the majority of that would be dairy products. How I miss those days.

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"Why must you speak, when you have nothing to say." Horatio Hornblower

We are a family of 6 including me, DH, a 15 year old boy, 7, 4 & 1 year olds. Last year our food budget was $400 a month which includes eating out once or twice a month. This year I've increased our budget to $460 a month so we can eat healthier and add more fish and fresh fruits and veggies (those are expensive).

Around $300 monthly - this includes paper products and dogfood for medium sized mutt. Family is dh, myself, 12 y.o. and 9 y.o. boys (who eat like grown men, I might add). Spend about $100 month for two sit down restaurant meals amd two fast food trips.

There are 2 of us and 3 cats. We eat all meals at home and my husband takes lunch 6 days a week. My stepson and his girlfriend come to dinner one night a week. They both eat as much as my husband. I started tracking my spending in October. Someone on one of the boards put an excell spreadsheet which I downloaded. I find I can keep more accurate records if I put the cash register tapes on my desk and I input them at the end of the day. Formerly, I tried to split expenses up from my Discovercard bill but a lot of times I could not remember what I bought. This system works better for me. After the last 13 weeks of 2006, I figured that we average $50/week on groceries and $50/week on household stuff which includes health & beauty, office supplies, cleaning and laundry supplies, and anything house related. The cats average about $10/month on food and litter supplies. I have a separate accounting of house items which are non-routine like a new tracfone or a new kitchen rug for Christmas. I am going to be diligent this year so I can really see where the money goes. We eat out about once a month-- rarely twice a month so our dining account is usually less than $60/month.

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Lyn Clarke

Family of two adults and three cats. Probably spend $50/week. I purchase meats during mangaer markdowns. I use coupons. I purchase loss leaders and usually go to two grocery stores/week with a planned shopping list based on what we are out of and what the stores’ loss leaders are. We eat out once a week/dinner. I make and pack all lunches and dinners from scratch each week.

Use to average about $150 a week for a family of 4. The stores here are expensive and always have the same few things on sale. A couple weeks ago we went to Walmart and Sams Club (1 1/2 hr drive round trip), spent about $350. Still have a couple weeks worth of full meals. Also have a few cases of dry and canned stuff that will last several months. Only need to buy milk, fresh fruit/veggies, bread, and a few odds and ends I forgot to buy. Next time we go I'll stock up on different dry and canned items. I don't think we did to bad considering we didn't have any food in the house when we went shopping (only had a box of pasta and a couple canned items). After a few months of stocking up on basics our bill will go down a lot. Buying a deep freeze with our tax return so we can stock up on more meat and I can start making and freezing more meals.


Maybe she gasped at how much food you got for $102 instead of how much you spent?

should someone start another thread on " how much do you spend on coupons" ???

I only shop when I am running out of everything so I probably spend less than $200 a month

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Smile and the world smiles with you!

Tami ~*~

Wow thanks for posting this...it reassures me its just inflation! I am doing the same as most posted....about $100-120 a week for 4 people...2 of which are pre teens. My husband thinks it to much(as do I) but I can't seem to cut the bill down no matter what! I use coupons,double coupons,dollar store,discount stores and warehouse stores in bulk even...and STILL. I am buying the same things every week:milk,beans,rice,cheese,fruit/veggies,pasta/cereal/tortillas/bread/yogurt/sour cream/cottage cheese.,granola bars,and oatmeal..go figure! I make 98% of everything from scratch to! Only name brand I buy is Ragu cuz I'm addicted lol!It amazes me that since we are vegetarian we aren't saving more ...thats CA for you I guess...

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Hug Your Child Today!

We have 7 people in our house, Me, DH, 15 yo son, 12.5 yo old, almost 4 yo daughter, and almost 2 yo daughter. My mother also lives with us (rent free of course) as our built in nanny/cook/housekeeper, as we both work nights at a casino, and sleep during the day.

So...we spend anywhere from $500-$700 a month on groceries.

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Lucky wife of Virgil, and Proud Momma to:
Brandan Lee 12-20-91
Kevin Michael 06-09-94
Maleena Jade 4-03-03
Camilla Sapphire 03-28-05
Nayelli Amethyst 11-06-07

We spend about $130 a week for groceries, meds, pet food and cleaning supplies. We are a family of four wiht one cat, one dog and a newly added puppy (yesterday).

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Our grocery bills are kept down by having krogerand meijer match the $20 gift card for transferring a prescription (or for a newone) each month. Husband has 3 monthly meds. He has to get them anyway so we go ahead and get the gift cards for groceries as well. We do eat out too much. Trying to keep it to one good place a week. (And we splurged because we had the Buick test drive gift cards (total of $100) that we've used in the last three weeks to eat out--I think I have around $8 left!! I don't use coupons as much because we found a salvage grocer for kroger products and we go there every week to week and a half or so. Usually spend between $20 to $40 there. Found out that the mileage to get prescriptions can also be taken off on the taxes (the kroger/meijer is approx. 30 miles from us) as long as I am above the % to use as itemized I will be taking that off as well (we'll have to see how that goes--I probably do not have enough). Then we pick up a few things at Wal-mart (sometimes on ad match) few things above the gift cards at Meijer or Kroger which ever month we are switching the meds to. I needto keep better track on what we actually spend just to know. (Husband goes out in the evenings sometimes and gets junk food when getting something else we need. UGH!)
Well anyway everybody keep up the good work on trying to keep the grocery bills down!
rebel_wuerz

I shope every ten days to two weeks for the bulk of the stuff, both food and non food. I spend anywhere from $200-300 for two people. But we do not eat processed foods and when we do no crap, no artificial this or that, no HFCS, no hydrogenated oils, etc. I do alot of our shopping at Trader Joe's.
We like fine cheeses, flourless bread, my BF eats free range meat.
This includes cleaning supplies, household goods, beauty and hygiene, etc.

I must add that I really enjoy spending on what we like. I raised a son mostly alone and we had to budget and eat what we could afford and make things last so it is a pleasure to be able to eat what we want.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

It varies, but we probably spend around $100 - $200 a week for groceries for a family of 4 (but my youngest is 3 1/2 and hardly eats anything). Everyone eats breakfast at home every day, DH eats lunch out, DS#1 sometimes takes a sack lunch and sometimes eats whatever is being served at the school cafeteria. DS#2 takes a sack lunch or eats at home and I eat at home most of the time and go out with friends the other times. We eat out for dinner about twice a week.

I don't buy a lot of junk food and usually if I do it's either on sale B1G1F or I have coupons. Most of my grocery budget goes for beverages (milk, chocolate milk, simply lemonade & limeade & Tropicana OJ), fresh fruit & veggies, meat, frozen veggies and breakfast foods (cereal, yogurt, bagels).

It's hard for me to save on my grocery bill because most of what I buy at the grocery store doesn't have coupons (fresh produce, meat & milk) and is expensive. However, this is what we like to eat and it's healthy, so I don't complain too much.

Sarah.....mom to Jason & Devin

I spend about 500 a month. That includes food for 2 dogs (one medium sized, one large),food for 3 cats, plus litter, paper products, personal care items etc.