[pbob]

I am sure that this has been posted before. It is the USDA food cost chart for 2004. Where do you stand? Liberal? Moderate? Low cost? Thrifty? Or Less than Thrifty?

http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/FoodPlans/Updates/foodnov04.pdf

 

[Darlene]

Looks like we're in the thrifty range most of the time.

 

[owiebrain]

I got lost in the "add 10%, subtract 5%", etc stuff when trying to adjust for our family size but it looks like we're below the thrifty level (and that includes meds, paper/plastic, H/B, clothing, homeschooling, etc). That's pretty scary because I think we spend *way* too much.

 

[pammy]

Grr... Adobe! Everytime I download it on my computer it really seems to slow it down. Then when I go through the pains of getting it on my 'puter something happens inevitably and I have to totally delete and recover my system yet again. (Teens! :bang: ) I wish they would always give the option of opening something in HTML. Sorry can't say where I stand.

 

[Valerie in WA]

Scary! We're at the high end of "Thrifty" and that is about 75% organics, and includes HBA, detergents, beer & wine.

What are 'average' people buying?

 

[i.m.cheap]

Gosh, the "Thrifty" plan would allow us $91.60 a week! We would really be living high on the hog with that kind of grocery budget! I keep ours under $60 a week, and have been trying to get it even lower. My goal for December is $200, and we should come in under that. There are three in our family, and one dog, and I include all laundry, paper goods, and health and beauty items as well.

 

[pita1213]

even if we were eating out A LOT one month and included that in the amount along with HB, paper products, dog food, kids lunches bought a tschool, the dog's heartworm pills, etc we still don't come anywhere near the $505 monthly they allow for a family of 4 with the 2 older kids to be considered thrifty. my grocery budget spent is usually around $200 for the month. that includes hb, paper products, dog food and money sent for the kids to buy lunch at school. makes ya wonder what all they are buying.

 

[YankeeMom]

Well, we fit the Thrify plan for a family of 4 ($502/month)...except we are a family of 6...and that amt includes H/BA, dog & cat food, cat litter, paper products, etc.

 

[cheapgeek]

Wow... way thrifty, even at Canadian prices. For two adults, I spend less than $200 per month.

I suppose there are large variations, though. I bet there's no way we could eat off $200/mo in urban San Fransicso, for example. And I know there are places, like where my relatives live in Pennsylvania, where my $200 would buy me way more food.

 

[jzkitten]

We're in the thrifty range for a family of 3 adults and that includes pet foods, HBA and paper products.

 

[Lori Biever-Launder]

We are below thrifty if we don't count food out. If we do, we are in the thrifty category.

 

[favesis37]

we are below the thrifty! yippeee, and i think we eat pretty well

 

[Early Bird]

We're between thrifty ($503/mon) and low-cost ($645/mon).

 

[Mojjo]

We are between thrifty and low cost....and here I thought we were outrageous

 

[cozyquilter]

I get a kick out of those figures! I noticed that link was from 2004, here is the latest October 2005

http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/FoodPlans/Updates/foodoct05.pdf

I haven't compared them yet....

 

[Early Bird]

I am still between thrifty and low-cost. DH just doesn't realize how much I'm saving the family by stockpiling and keeping a freezer!

 

[Katybird]

We are definately in the the thrifty group.