How much to budget for groceries?

[trying to be cheap]

I wasn't sure where to post this, so sorry if it's in the wrong place!

This is my DBF and my first month seriously budgeting and we're not sure how much we should allow for groceries. We were shopping every other week and spent around $100 each time (so about $200-$250 a month). I used to plan out my meals for 2 weeks and buy whatever the recipes called for. I noticed that I was buying a ton of new stuff every time instead of using what we had from last time (did that make sense?).

So now that we are really trying to save money, I want to try shopping for a whole month at one time and hopefully buy (and therefore spend) less. However, I am having the hardest time trying to figure everything out!

First, what is a reasonable amount to spend for 2 people for a month? I would love to get as low as possible and even if I go a little over (considering this is my first month) I will at least try to hit a target that I set for myself. I'm just looking for a suggestion or maybe examples of what other people spend per month.

Also, I know stockpiling is a good way to ultimately save money, but how do you even get started???

I would appreciate any help anyone could give me! I'm so bad in the kitchen and since I'm a vegetarian and my DBF is very fussy (he HATES beans and will only eat a few veggies) it makes it even harder.

So Thank you, Thank you, Thank you in advance!

[bee9984]

Hi there, I just redid my budget up yesterday The website that has helped me in the past is

http://www.crown.org/Tools/

This site will break down what you should be spending on food, housing, entertainment etc according to your household income......for me I went by most of it but had to play around with it a bit to meet my familys needs.

Hope this helps, it sure has helped me in the past

Hugs,
Heather

[cheapgeek]

Hello.

I feel your pain. We're the opposite: my b/f is veggie and I'm the carnivore... a low carb one, at that. We've lived together for over 3 years now, so I've gotten pretty good at coming up with not-too-complicated, reasonably-healthy meals we can both enjoy.

Typically, my meaty foods are ones that are easily made into single servings:
- patties, meatballs or meatloaf from any ground meat, you can cook it all at once then toss it in the freezer for easy reheating.
- whole roasted chicken. You can even get it fully-cooked at my local grocery store and it's about the same price as doing it at home. Again, you can freeze what's left into single servings for easy reheating.
- Frozen reheatable sausages, etc.

Meals we both like:
- fish, usually either frozen or canned. A good kitchen staple.
- eggs. Cheap and versatile. Making a frittata on the stove is an easy way to use up leftovers, and you can even throw some meat onto his side.
- tofu. Great if you can get your b/f to actually eat it.
- chili. I usually do two seperate pots with identical ingredients except he gets TVP, I get beef. Sometimes I'll just eat the TVP.

I don't really have any budget suggestions, because I don't have one. I know what's "reasonable" for two people varies greatly depending on where you live, what your preferences are, etc. I think if you're spending $200-250 per month, that's pretty good. I'm sure I'm spending a little more.

I can tell you what I do for my "stockpile". First, make a list of the pantry things you use most often. In my case, it's canned tomatoes, tomato paste, tuna, mushrooms, etc. Then, buy several cans/packages of each; maybe more if you're looking at shopping once a month. I don't have a car, so I shop a lot and replace things as I go along. Now if it goes on sale, I'll buy more than usual, and OTOH if I feel they're overpriced, I'll do without. Next month, just replace what you've gone through.

Hope that helps a bit.

[tbs727]

For DH and I our grocery bill is about $200/mo. We drink about 2 gallons of milk a week. That also includes dog and cat food, and litter for 2 cats and 3 dogs and all our toiletries.

I have what I call a perpetual pantry (items to keep stocked at all times) and a list of recipes I can make out of those items. PM me if you are interested in seeing these items. (it is an excel spreadsheet)

Good luck!

[dndylfe]

Actually, Tiffany, I would be very interested in seeing your list---what a good idea.

Also, what's a good amount to spend on toiletries? Or rather (because I know everyone is different) what are some ways to cut back on toiletries? I feel like we've scaled back alot since the days when I used to buy the most expensive brands, but someone else always has a different perspective.

[Telephus44]

DH and I spent about $200 a month on groceries for the two of us. We do stockpile a bunch of pantry items.

For toiletries, I have a very impressive stockpile. We probably wouldn't ave to buy anything for a year. The easiest way I've found to stockpile toiletries is Walgreen FAR items.

[Mamaw]

I budget 400 month for 3 adults, 1 cat, 2 dogs, 2 goats and about 12 chickens. I also stockpile loads of canned and pantry items when they are on sale and I can match coupons to them.
I am trying to spend less but cant make up my mind if I should use any difference between what is actually spent and what is budgeted to put on debt OR if I should use it to increase the stockpile of items for winter months....

[mom2matty]

Our food budget is $400 a month for my family of 4....including pet food.....1 dog and 1 cat and all H&B items too! I would love to lower it and have been working on it but sometimes it is just really difficult!!!

[Michele Annette]

I budget $170 a month for two adults(This includes all food, toiletries, paper products, cleaning products and a trip to Costco once a month for Meat and other bulk items). This doesn't include pet food or litter for three cats.

[tbs727]

Originally posted by Telephus44
The easiest way I've found to stockpile toiletries is Walgreen FAR items.

What are these items? is this a brand???

[favesis37]

my budget is 400.00 a month for 3 adults, 1 teenager, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and the constant visits from 4 grandkids! that in cludes everything, litter, pet food, hb, everything. i have started taking what ever is left and putting it on debt.

[guest000]

I'm trying a new budget this month and I'm going to keep it down to $300/mo. We are a family of 4--two adults, two toddlers (who are very picky ).

[trying to be cheap]

I've been meaning to check in these last couple of days, but have been unusually busy!

Everyone has been so helpful!! We are doing our next grocery trip next Sunday (we were going to go this Sunday, but I was creative enough to come up with enough "meals" from what we already have to hold off another week). I'll let everyone know how it goes though.

Question though...can you freeze bread products to make them last longer? How long can they be frozen for before going bad? Or does everyone just buy bread products as they need them?

Thanks again!

[bamamomto4]

Tiffany--the FAR items Sara is talking about is free after rebate items.
P.S..I'd love to see that spreadsheet to

I have our grocery budget at $400.....,2 adults,1 teen,3 little ones....Thats for groceries,hba,and cleaning products but not pet supply.

Question..Does everyone include the cleaning stuff and hba with their grocery budget? Should I include diapers,wipes etc in the grocery bugdet? If so,I may need to up mine lol



I freeze bread all the time.If you leave in to long the crust part will be hard.I try and only keep 2 or 3 loaves frozen.We have been going thru a lot of bread since school is out,so mine doesn't stay frozen for long lol
Rolls,hamburger,hot dog buns are the same.I just dont keep a whole lot frozen at one time. Hope this helped.

[RuthNY]

T B C, I am single and I freeze bread all the time. I buy a loaf of whole wheat bread, cinnamon raisin bagels and oat bran english muffins. These would all go stale if I didn't freeze them. The longest I freeze though is two weeks cuz I buy my main groceries eow.