2011 Grocery Budget Reduction Challenge

**Labontet** · 12-25-2010, 08:06 AM

I am in. But I am going to lurk for a little bit to see what others do before I come up with a $ amount to post. .

I am trying to stockpile the best I can so I feel that this will "Blow the Amount Out of The Water".

**Luckybustert** · 12-25-2010, 12:15 PM

Count me in! My target will be $300/month, not including HBA or pet food.

**RaineyDaye** · 12-25-2010, 01:13 PM

Count me in for $100 a month. That's just for groceries and stockpile. I was under my budget the first quarter of 2010, but went over budget consistently the rest of the year. I hope I can keep it averaging $100... but prices seem to be going up.

Good to see you back, Madhen!

**Gotonenerveleft** · 12-25-2010, 01:16 PM

I'm not sure how this challenge works but am interested so I'll be back later to post if and how much I'll jump in with.

**madhen** · 12-25-2010, 01:32 PM

When I first started it in 2010, my personal challenge was to reduce my grocery spending by $15/month. I determined, over a couple of months, what I typically spent, then started working on it. So the challenge is basically just to try, each month, to spend a little less than you did the month before. Because a lot of people stockpile, some don't count that in their budget, for the purpose of the challenge.

**Luckybustert** · 12-25-2010, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by RaineyDaye

I hope I can keep it averaging $100... but prices seem to be going up.

You make a good point about prices going up. I've been reading that we can expect food prices to go up quite a bit this year. If that happens, I imagine we'll all be re-evaluating our budgets.

**Gotonenerveleft** · 12-25-2010, 02:26 PM

Okay I'll go ahead and bite. I budget 400 a month for groceries now so I'll try to pull it down to 350 and hopefully as the year progresses I'll pull it down even more.

**mamamia** · 12-25-2010, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Luckybustert

You make a good point about prices going up. I've been reading that we can expect food prices to go up quite a bit this year. If that happens, I imagine we'll all be re-evaluating our budgets.

I was wondering what the 2011 outlook was. I guess I just shouldn't be a bit surprised though, hah? However, while we continue to pay off my med bills, I don't have alot to move around, but will manage by changing my menus if I have to.

My weekly food budget is always the same > $440 a month. That's for everything for 6 of us, and includes 4 starving teens.

With faith, sales, and coupons, nobody goes hungry.

My only worry is that I need to fill my stockpile again. I haven't been feeling great for the past 6 weeks or so, so my usual enthusiasm for shopping just isn't there. I wasted sooo many good coupons, I could cry over the deals I know I passed up. My hubby has been doing alot of the store runs for me, and I love him for it, but........ need I say more?

Well I'm in, and I'm looking forward to everybody's posts!

Hoping the very best for all!

Theresa

**peanut** · 12-25-2010, 03:46 PM

I'm in. I'm actually increasing my grocery budget to $600/mth. for 3 adults and assorted guests. Seems we've become quite hospitable these days.

DH is in agreement with me on increasing the budget. We already take $200 extra from our boarder's rent money for groceries each month anyway. She likes to eat! And we are often cooking Korean food...which is more expensive.

**BeachBaby** · 12-25-2010, 05:28 PM

I am going to keep our budget at $100 a week - working out to $400 a month most months.

**hotprincesscm** · 12-25-2010, 06:53 PM

Hmmm...Ok...I am shooting for $300 for the month of january! I'm just going to feel it out and see how comfortable or uncomfortable that is for us! I think I can do with much less..but this is a starting point for us...since I really don't pay attention to what I spend on groceries!

**calimomx2** · 12-26-2010, 12:41 AM

This is going to really work well with the menu planning challenge I'm doing too! I've not been really good about sticking to the grocery budget in many months so this will be more of a challenge to stick to the budget then anything else. Once I get that under control I'll knock a few dollars off each time until we are back to a reasonable amount of money spent each month!

**Kerjack** · 12-26-2010, 07:29 AM

I am in for this. I have no idea what to start off as for a budget. It's just me and the dbf, but he eats alot and says I don't buy enough snacky food haha. So I may base my budget on what we spend in the first month and see how she goes.