2011 Grocery Budget Reduction Challenge

**madhen** · 12-24-2010, 12:56 PM

For those of us who want to continue (or resume after a hiatus) our budget challenge of 2010.

I left it at $355/month last year, so in January, I am going to try to knock it down by $5/month. That would result in a grocery savings of almost $500 by the end of the year.

**walker24** · 12-24-2010, 01:26 PM

This will go hand in hand with the menu planning challenge. I've almost completely fallen off the wagon and my groceries are averaging over $600 per month. With the addition of my brother moving in it's only going to get harder to keep on budget. I'm shooting for $500 a month.

**ms.mel.who** · 12-24-2010, 03:28 PM

I NEED to get back to menu planning. I have a household/grocery budget of $800 per month.

I am going to spend $600 on food per month, and that is it!

**PaulaMM** · 12-24-2010, 03:31 PM

Does this include everything, such as tp, pet food, soap, etc? If so, put me down for $600 a month.

**madhen** · 12-24-2010, 03:45 PM

It is really up to you how you want to craft it. For me, it includes groceries, but that means all the groceries I buy for my pets as well. But it doesn't include hay for the livestock, pellets for the parrots, etc. I really ought to set up a separate budget for that, because I don't even know how much I spend on THAT every month!!

**Debbie-cat** · 12-24-2010, 08:53 PM

I'm in for next year.

Since DS is now at school, I have to feed 3 adults, 1 dog, and two cats. I include food, pet food, and HBA. I was doing well at $300 per month once DS left but I want to get it down to $200. I will start in January at $275 and see how that goes.

**tervsforme** · 12-24-2010, 09:04 PM

I'm definitely in on this one. I spend way too much money on groceries. I need to take stock on what I have and definitely need to plan better. I'm going to start out at $350 for the month, not including pet food and see how I do.

**Momto5RN** · 12-24-2010, 09:16 PM

i am shooting for 560 a month - for everything - grocery store wise- food-cleaning - paper beauty- pet food etc

thats what i have in my budget but i havent been keeping track and didnt change it in the spring when oldest ds moved home after grad college so i am sure i have been spending more .

**alotofgooddeals** · 12-24-2010, 09:49 PM

that leaves the budget...

I am going to go with $500 a month for a family of four humans and 2 dogs and 2 cats and on hamster..this needs to include groceries, toiletries, dog and cat food and hamster food and shavings....

**Shelli_wnj** · 12-24-2010, 10:14 PM

We are trying for 300 a month this year.

**beks37** · 12-24-2010, 11:19 PM

With just me at home, I am going to keep it to $100 a month. This will be strictly for groceries. I have personal care items and dog food in a separate budget item.

**Palooka** · 12-24-2010, 11:55 PM

I would like to join this challenge and need it bad. I'm going for 450.00 and hopefully can lower that!

Nice to see you back, Madhen.

You've been missed.

**madjen** · 12-25-2010, 03:16 AM

Count me in! I really need to make and stick to a budget in 2011... $500/month for 3 humans, 1 cat and 3 pups. Hoping to get down to $400/month by the end of 2011.