Just curious

[SammyS]

What do you think is a reasonable amount to spend on groceries a week for 2 people? Right now, my range is from $40 to $90.

[nodmicks]

We spend 80-100 a week for 4 people. This includes pet food and paper and cleaning products. That being said.

I think it depends on what you eat , if you have special diet requirements, the ages of the people you are feeding,the area of the country you live in (prices vary greatly!)and to be honest how long you have been shopping frugally. Seems the longer you work at it the less $ you spend.

[Debbie-cat]

We spend approximately $100/week for 4 people, 1 dog, two cats and six ducks.

[Jamielane]

We spend about 100.00 a week and that includes all hba's (although we are using our stockpile for most of that now) and paper products and food and litter for three 3 cats. I think unless you have special dietary needs and you use coupons and shop sales 50 or 60 is a good goal.

[strezzed]

We spend anywhere from 50-100 per week for 2 people. I think it really depends on your cost of living. For example, 50 might not buy much in rural Canada, as compared to an urban centre.

[Judi Dial]

We spend about $75 a week these days. That's 2 adults and 1 cat. We buy organic meat and produce from the farmstand where I work. We could eat cheaper, but choose not to. If I have to cut it to the bone, we spend around $40 a week.

Judi

[Sassyclass]

Our budget is $150 every 2 weeks for 2 adults. This includes, H&B, cleaning,& stockpiling I really think it depends on where you live and your diet habits, if you have a garden, use coupons, buy only generic. All these factor in to a budget and everyone is different. Start a price log of what you normally eat, use. Keep your reciepts for a few weeks and get a feel for the price of what you use. This will help you to get an idea of how much to budget.

Cat

[jlaporte]

i think that sounds just fine. it is really up to u and what u perfer to eat n such

[CrazyCat]

I was on a board once where someone listed their menu's for 2 weeks, and then listed everything they had bought and the price. I sure wish I could find it again, because it was really helpful to see how the planning came in. Although...certain pantry items didn't even get listed...such as spices, and I know spices are costly. I also agree that the cost of living in CA for example, or NY is much higher than where I live, so it's hard to guestimate.

Also....do you eat meat? Are you vegan? These all play a factor in how much groceries actually cost.

I don't buy meat except for chicken, or if I've run out of hamburg or pork, but I usually spend $120 for 4 people every 2 weeks. Lately, it's been closter to $140. PLUS I had my Dad stay with me for 6 weeks..and fed him and his girlfriend..and then my older son sometimes or sometimes not eats with us..and when he does I feed HIS girlfriend too.

[Contrary Housewife]

That's about the same range the 2 of us are in, here in the midwest. It depends on what I have to buy each week, and whether I stock up on a bargain or not. An average week is $70-$80, but it can vary a lot.

I think we eat pretty well. Lots of fresh fruit and vegs (what's on sale), meat with most dinners, fish when I can get it (pretty expensive around here). We don't buy much processed food or junk food. I avoid canned foods (salt) and I'm not keen on a lot of frozen stuff.

I could get the bill down about $20 a week, but DH won't eat spaghetti, beans, or bready casseroles, and he really shouldn't for his health.

IMO, the question is not what you are spending, but what you are buying for that amount, how healthful it is, and how much of it is not eaten or gets thrown out.

[Grainlady]

Too many variables to say exactly, as many people already expressed, but that sounds very reasonable. Especially if that includes non-food items.

I happen to live where groceries are low compared to many areas of the U.S., and budget $50/week for two adults (usually spending only $35-$40), but I purchase mostly whole foods - LOTS of grains/seeds/beans in our diet and I make all our baked goods from freshly-milled flour for a REAL savings. I purchase loss leaders, clearance items and bargains in general and plan meals from what's in storage. I have a well-stocked pantry with 6-months to 1-year of food, and 1-3 years worth of basic foods in storage - all from $50/week food budget. My food budget is for food only and another budgeted amount for non-food items.

I purchase many basic foods in bulk as money accumulates in my unspent food budget. I just purchased an additional year + of Morning Moo's (a whey-based milk substitute we use instead of store-bought milk - $141.98). In June I purchased 100-pounds of wheat ($43) to add to the hundreds of pounds already in storage. ALL purchased out of my $50/week food budget.

During garden season, I spend very little at the store and we eat out of the freezer and garden (so to speak), so that accumulated amount in the food budget is used to purchase grass-fed beef from a friend in the fall.

I buy ingredients rather than convience foods. I make my own "convenience" foods.

Do you stockpile? Once you establish a stockpile you'll primarily be purchasing loss leaders and fresh foods and "shop at home" for meal planning, and that can really help stretch those food dollars.

My bottom line way to save on groceries is to set a budget amount PERIOD and keep all food purchases within that amount. I almost lowered our budget to $40/week at the beginning of the year, but in this currant economy we thought it would be better to add to our stockpile of foods.

[spyzvixxen]

$60/wk for 2 adults. This includes HBA/cleaning supplies/dog. I use coupons, buy generic, etc. As others have said, it all depends on your dietary needs, if you are brand loyal, etc. Try not to shop the inside aisles. That's where all the prepackaged convenience junk lies.

Baby stuff is a whole other monster which I keep a separate budget for.

[frugalfranny]

I agree with most of the others with one comment....40 to 90 is quite a range. Why not try no more than 65 a week for one month and if that isn't hard then cut it to 55 a week and see what you can do with that.

But yes, lots depends on the amt.....the meat, special diet needs, animals and if their food is included in the budget.....do you include paper, soap and cleaning supplies....etc.

[phoeny_moonstar]

Two adults, 1 child, 3 dogs, 2 ferrets, 1 guinea pig and a hamster and we spend right around 60$ a week on food for us and the menagerie of pets, hba, sanitary items, cleaning products. I also live in the midwest.

[ladykemma2]

just me and 2 cats, 2 house rabbits, and a senile cockatiel. i spend 350 a month - about 87.5 a week. includes pet supplies, household supplies, HBA. this is a pretty bare bones diet for me.