How do you compare?

**mama2James** · 02-15-2010, 11:08 AM

I found the USDA Food plans for 2009, it shows 4 different budget levels for food across different family sizes.

http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publication...fFoodJan09.pdf

How does your family's budget measure up?

Even the thrifty amount for a month for a family of 4 is high for us. I am on track so far with my budget of $400 for January.

**dcompton** · 02-15-2010, 11:33 AM

Their estimates always seem quite high. To some degree it would depend on where you live, since food is much more expensive in some regions of the country.

**WV_mom_of2** · 02-15-2010, 11:48 AM

Well the family plan is for kids up to 11 I think and mine are 14 and 17. The thrifty plan for a family is 602.50. If I base it on the individual costs it comes to 645.60.

I spend about 600.00 a month here for everything. Food for the four of us(and ds eats like 3 people LOL), food for two dogs, two rabbits, a cat and the wild birds, hba, paper products, cleaning supplies, etc. So I'm right on track if they suggest 645.00 for just people food!

**mommynurse** · 02-15-2010, 12:07 PM

I could do better with my food costs (all the snow has made me lazy I suppose!), but I feel better knowing that I'm spending less than the thrifty plan.

**druthb00** · 02-15-2010, 12:13 PM

$360 for the thrifty plan for just 2 adults? I think that sounds really high...My monthly budget for us is $250 and I've been doing better and better, getting it closer to $200. We have lunches from home each day as well, which is included in that budget. Not to mention, I know we could do better if I gave up the lb. of salmon that I buy once every 2 weeks, or the triscuits, or green olives....but I can't LOL.

**NikoSan999** · 02-15-2010, 12:21 PM

I'd like to have that much to spend on groceries
I didn't spend that much when I was stockpiling heavy.

**Nana2two** · 02-15-2010, 01:00 PM

Yesterday i went got some groceries, spent $220, but i also stocked up on chicken breast at .49 cents a pound, Normally .69 to .99 a pound.Out of spagetti sauce so stocked up on that since it was on sale $1.49 had a 60 cent of 1 My store doubles up to $1.00, so payed .49 I bought 12.

**ladytoysdream** · 02-15-2010, 01:02 PM

For 2 adults on the thrifty plan, I am seeing about $ 72 a week.
I am currently spending $ 40 to $ 50 max. And part of this is stockpiling.

**shoiji** · 02-15-2010, 01:06 PM

Seem to be spending less than the thrifty plan.

Really do think it all depends on what you eat and where you live.

**mama2James** · 02-15-2010, 01:10 PM

Seems like most of us across different areas of the country are spending less than the thrifty plan... what on Earth are other people buying? lol

**jas** · 02-15-2010, 01:12 PM

Family of four thrifty plan. On average, when I come across a good sale maybe a little higher. You all know what I mean, but the average is the thrifty. Wow what I could do with the hightest plan!!

**NewLeaf** · 02-15-2010, 04:14 PM

We come in under the thrifty plan now. Before I started stockpiling and couponing I was above the monthly thrifty plan at $650!!!Yikes! Now I spend $450/month including all food, household, personal items and pet food.

**lisaflex** · 02-15-2010, 04:19 PM

we are right on target for moderate - liberal. 2 adults, 2 kids...i spend anywhere from $200 - 400 wk. all depends.

**annymoll** · 02-15-2010, 04:19 PM

Ours is usually in line with the low cost plan for a family of two.That would be just for food. We buy fresh fruits and veggies to supplement what I have canned, frozen, or dried.Little to no canned goods or frozen goods off the store shelves. I use almond or rice milk, if I need dairy I get it from the Amish. Same for our chicken and beef.We get our grains from the Amish store.I am expecting our food cost to go down this year . We have purchased a farm business and that will now absorb the cost of our beef.If I can get our tenants to do the chicken, eggs and chicken meat costs will go down also.

**Contrary Housewife** · 02-15-2010, 04:37 PM

We seem to hit the thrifty plan square on the head for two adults. I could easily move to the Moderate plan by buying things we really like more often. I could spend less, as well, but it would affect our nutrition and health after a short while.

Reading through the rest of the related files I see that these are annual national *averages*, and cover the costs of 100% nutritionally balanced meals. If you're living on beans and macaroni you can eat very cheaply, but not as healthily.