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Discussion Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: cloudsoup on October 19, 2011, 11:10:24 am

Title: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: cloudsoup on October 19, 2011, 11:10:24 am
how much do you spend on groceries each month?
do you get it done in one big shopping trip, or do
you shop weekly?

we spend about $175 (there's only 2 of us)
and do one big shopping trip, plus one small trip
for bread/milk/other essentials.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: bessie1111 on October 19, 2011, 11:57:48 am
Waaay too much.  We feed a family of 7.  I've recently started using coupons and carefully watch the sales.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: jwallbank on October 19, 2011, 12:08:58 pm
There is only 2 of us - empty nest, and we normally spend about $250-300 a month. This also counts our paper and over the counter medicines. I think it is high for 2 people but, we eat alot of meat/fish, normally 4-5 times a week.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: jwallbank on October 19, 2011, 12:11:20 pm
There is only 2 of us - empty nest, and we normally spend about $250-300 a month. This also counts our paper and over the counter medicines. I think it is high for 2 people but, we eat alot of meat/fish, normally 4-5 times a week.
We normally do a meat shopping once a month and then do a weekly shopping for the other items, milk-bread,cheese etc.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: dmathiss on October 19, 2011, 12:24:56 pm
Our grocery bill for 5 people is always $500 a month and we do it in one big shopping trip plus our little trips to the grocery for milk and bread every week. Grocery is so expensive. The prices on some of the items are really outrageous.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: bigedshult on October 19, 2011, 02:01:05 pm
i have a freind that has not had to pay anything for there grocery for about a year and haft you can to at mpbtoday!
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: ajann1983 on October 19, 2011, 02:06:36 pm
i haven't really calculated how much we spend on groceries each month. but i have started to use coupons and watch for sales to help stretch our money.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: mattc4000 on October 19, 2011, 02:18:23 pm
I try to stick to a budget but it often doesn't happen.  I live alone so I typically spend between $40-60 a week.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: dmathiss on October 19, 2011, 02:19:34 pm
Yes ajann that is the best way to stretch your dollar with coupons because groceries these days is very expensive.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: acurtsinger2 on October 19, 2011, 04:45:34 pm
i try to go once a month.. i clip coupons, watch for sales and go on a wednesday because my mom is a senior and gets an extra 10% off.  i will get about $200 of merchandise for about 60-75 dollars and i get a lot of merchandise for free.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: sdenimandlace1 on October 19, 2011, 05:06:53 pm
I tend to spend to much, I always buy extra canned good to give away.  I like the idea of 200 worth and only pay 60 or 70, sure wish I could do that.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: glenda1bruce on October 19, 2011, 05:54:05 pm
I don't know exactly what we spend on grociers but I would say about $500 or so or maybe a little less. Grociers have gone up a lot and our pay has not changed.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: Tinachelune on October 19, 2011, 05:58:19 pm
I spend a ton on groceries.  I think I need to do "extreme couponing" and only buy items that I have a coupon for.  It's getting way to expensive and like someone else said....our pay didn't go up.   :crybaby2:
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: squirrelgirl44 on October 19, 2011, 07:08:04 pm
I don't spend that much at all. Probably $25-$30 a week for two people.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: eman27 on October 20, 2011, 07:04:44 am
We spend around 175-190 depending on what we need.  But we do it all on one big shopping trip for the entire month.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: inertia4 on October 20, 2011, 07:13:30 am
Food prices have gone up way too much. I spend on average about 200 to 300 a month. Kids eat a lot.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: acurtsinger2 on October 20, 2011, 07:42:24 am
i don't extreme coupon, becuase i don't have enough room to store all those products, but it's not hard to do at all.  clip your coupons from newspaper, or coupon websites, organize them into the different categories, such as dry food, frozen food, cleaning supplies etc.  then make a grocery list of what you need, and if you have any coupons to go with them take them to the store in a seperate envelope.  when you get to the store, grab a store sale add, and go down each isle, if you see something on sale look for a coupon in your cataloged coupons.  i get about 200 and pay 60-75.  but i don't obsess, because if i need toilet paper, i'm going to buy it whether i have a coupon or even if it's not on sale(heck, what are you suppose to wipe the booty with, right) but theres nothing wrong with spending 3 hours at the grocery store once a month and saving a few hundred a year.  and you would be suprised by how many free products are out there, and that overage helps pay for thing that never have coupons such as fresh meat and produce.  :wave:








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Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: waterbottle on October 20, 2011, 07:52:43 am
we spend about 100's every two weeks but i just started use coupons and paying out less money now.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: sommap on October 20, 2011, 07:58:50 am
I see a lot of people do one big trip a month.  I bet it saves money.  I tend to go once a week and use coupons and sales.  It varies from week to week.  I do know I have saved around $1000 by using coupons so far this year.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: m1thies on October 20, 2011, 09:19:37 am
Atleast $300/mo. I am very good about watching sales and have started to get better at using coupons.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: workmama on October 20, 2011, 09:51:50 am
I would say I spend at least $300 to $400 a month and that is with a family of 3. Grocery prices have definitely went up! Plus, the recent tornado in my area where I would buy cheap groceries before, the stores were damaged, so I have to go to stupid Wal-Mart......sorry, I hate Wal-Mart. I can't beleive their prices on meat.....awful!  :angry7:
At least this weekend one of the stores I used to go to is opening up again (Aldi), so I will definitely be going there to save money like I used to. Hopefully, I can reduced the grocery bill down to $250 a month.  :P
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: gaylasue on October 20, 2011, 11:37:29 am
We spend about $50/week.  I have always shopped sale items and clipped coupons.  We've learned to economize since our earnings dropped substantially this year.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: ancmetro on October 20, 2011, 03:06:55 pm

            I think you are paying too much. Use coupons when you go shopping and visit your local food banks and save a lot. Food banks are free. They provide free essentials. What you do not find at food banks, buy at the local stores.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: Tere2 on October 20, 2011, 03:16:53 pm
I pick up things here and there if I'm at Wal-Mart or the dollar store. When I do finally go get groceries, I usually spend around $60.00 and they last about 3 weeks.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: patycake56 on October 20, 2011, 03:47:10 pm
omg i spend anywhere from 500 to 800 a month cant never find coupons
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: Haynes09 on October 20, 2011, 04:02:11 pm
I spend at least $180 OR more on grocery but I do use coupon everytime... mommysavebig.com
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: ricky305 on October 20, 2011, 06:26:34 pm
Around $200-250 every 2 weeks.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: froggylover227 on October 21, 2011, 07:19:13 pm
Yeah, we spend about $150-$200 each grocery trip....and that's just for two people. It does, however, last us two weeks. We try to do the shopping in one stop, getting everything we need to hold us over for the two weeks til our next trip. Groceries are so expensive these days! I don't care what anyone says, the price of groceries is going up, because 3 years ago, when I first got married, we only spend like $100-$150 for two weeks worth of groceries. Just another neccessity that big business takes advantage of on the average consumer.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: MessiahMews on October 21, 2011, 07:57:51 pm
Around $400 - $500 a month.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: davidh121 on October 21, 2011, 11:09:22 pm
My family puts in $300 to $400 a month even with coupon cutting/printing and substituting brands (i.e. store brands). I would like to cut this down even more, but there are particular items my family particularly wants in their diet.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: sledgewig on October 22, 2011, 05:31:36 am
I spend about $100 per month (single lady) but really should cut back.  I buy too many convenience foods.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: dwggs on October 22, 2011, 06:41:38 am
I spend approx $125 a week or more.

I am feeding two people and 6 animals.
A large part of my food order is the dog and cat food (Can and dry)

I usually do my large order once a week starting with Walmart and then other grocery stores depending
what is on sale where.

Also I do trips to Wawa for milk and such during the week
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: mgint on October 22, 2011, 08:48:45 am
spend 150/week but don't eat out over 2 times a month.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: koolcraftlady on October 22, 2011, 10:26:00 am
There are only 2 of us.  I use a lot of coupons and shop when the sales are right.  Usually spend around $150.00 per month and go twice a month to store
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: franlee46 on October 22, 2011, 12:55:02 pm
I don't spend that much at all. Probably $25-$30 a week for two people.

I try to budget and use coupons do not buy processed or canned or packaged goods only the real food but sometimes that takes me over budget always when I have to buy fish or chicken that is when I hope there is a sale if not I just skip it and eat eggs or tuna fish or soup Every thing is waaaaay to much when on a fixed income. :wave:
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: tigerlilly01 on October 23, 2011, 04:11:40 am
$$$$$ way way too much!!!!  Everything has raised!  I am trying to eat healthier and loose weight but it seems it cost more to weight less!!!!!  I estimate we spend around $250 - $300 for the two of us!!!  How crazy is that! 
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: pirewolf on October 23, 2011, 07:00:56 am
I have a family of 4, a small dog, and a roomate. We end up paying anywhere from 600-900 a month. My dad always said to plan to spend one hundred per week plus 50 per week for everyone else in your house. And until your kids are out of diapers and stop using formula that is close even though it seems it would be high.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: seventh1 on October 23, 2011, 09:01:53 am
how much do you spend on groceries each month?
do you get it done in one big shopping trip, or do
you shop weekly?

we spend about $175 (there's only 2 of us)
and do one big shopping trip, plus one small trip
for bread/milk/other essentials.
I spend about $200 each month on groceries I need my junk food added on to what's healthy all in one shopping trip. :)
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: briannajeanxo on October 23, 2011, 09:35:16 am
we go shopping 2 times a week..spend about 900 monthly..theres 3 adults and 3 kids.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: cloudsoup on October 23, 2011, 08:51:16 pm
wow! seems like the grocery bills are across
the board.

i cannot fathom $500 or more  :o
i know only feeding two mouths is quite a bit
different than an entire family, though. i haven't
mastered the couponing thing yet, but i'll get there
someday!
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: webe4angels on October 24, 2011, 03:32:49 am
I do not have an amount every month.

When I shop... I shop only with sales and coupons.  So it always depends on what is on sale etc..

This really saves me a lot of money.. But also a LOT of time and space..

Totally worth it though   :wave:
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: pirewolf on October 24, 2011, 07:55:07 am
I'm not good at the coupon thing. I am sure that would help bring down the amount some, but it is also high because I tend to by at Sam's Club in bulk. Plus my hubby and our roommate can eat more than twice what I eat. Plus our roomate eats mostly junk food! Which cost more!
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: velvet53 on October 24, 2011, 09:18:42 am
We have three in the household now so I am not really sure what the bill will be now. Before with just two of us we spent about $150 a month. I am not home a lot so that helps save on this bill. i do use a lot of coupons which helps a bunch.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: lvstephanie on October 24, 2011, 09:25:02 am
After watching Extreme Couponing, I started looking around for ways to use coupons effectively. I finally found a site that offers a 8-week course in beginning to coupon: http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2011/04/06/extreme-couponing-101/ has a free e-book, but the site itself also has different guides and videos helping people get started. One of the first things that I learned from that course is to change your mindset as to how you use coupons. Instead of making a shopping list of items you want to buy this week and then searching for coupons that match those items, the extreme couponer should rather look at all of the sales going on at stores in your area, matching coupons to that item, and if the savings are great (60% or higher), to purchase as many of that item that you can. With the extra stuff you buy, you then just stock pile it until you need to use it. She (the site author) was saying that even if you tend to buy just fresh produce and meats, or are vegan / vegitarian where there aren't a whole lot of coupons, you can still save tons of money by being an extreme couponer for your household cleaners, health and beauty items, paper products, etc. Even being just a moderate extreme couponer (ie only working at it for a limited number of items) can still be very effective in reducing your overall shopping bills.

Currently I am spending about $50-$150 a week (I'm single, so I don't need to spend too much), but I was always taught to try planning my meals for the week and making purchases for that week. But after reading through that course, I think I may start to change my thinking. It'd be nice to get my bills to $50-$150 per month while still doing most of my cooking using fresh ingredients and meats that don't offer coupons. I'm starting by focusing mostly on drug-store deals for all those misc. items that usually push my spending over budget.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: nancy661 on October 24, 2011, 10:02:12 am
how much do you spend on groceries each month?
do you get it done in one big shopping trip, or do
you shop weekly?

we spend about $175 (there's only 2 of us)
and do one big shopping trip, plus one small trip
for bread/milk/other essentials.
I normally spend 100.00 for groceries just for my boyfriend and i
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: radhika28 on October 24, 2011, 10:29:56 am
we spend 150 $ for evry 2 weeks on groceries as i home cook the meals everyday and we dont eat frozen foods.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: gbabesmom on October 24, 2011, 10:34:51 am
I spend around $150 a week for my family of four. I think it's too much and I really need to use my pantry items and everything in the freezer up before i buy more. I use coupons as much as I can. I keep an eye out for low prices on milk and eggs. Walgreens is usually pretty good about that.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: BK_Adores_Chase on October 24, 2011, 11:19:55 am
I used to spend $175 a week but have had to cut back to $50 a week because of my bills.  It's super hard and I can't wait until my debt is paid off.  I go in one trip usually Saturdays.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: jearen on October 24, 2011, 11:38:38 am
My grocery bills depend on my paychecks. Some weeks I do not receive many hours, So I might only spend about $35. When I get a full paycheck I try and stock up on expensive items as pet food and T.P., aspirin..etc So I spend about $100. I also buy a lot from the discount racks to save money on Groceries. I would like to slap the next politician that insist the economy is getting better, apparently they do not have to deal with the high cost of food.  :BangHead: I do not know how people with children can make ends meet.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: ghunter on October 24, 2011, 11:52:43 am
I spent about $125.00 a month, it is just two of us and we don't cook everyday only about twice a week.  We cook a large dinner on Sunday with two or three meats and two vegtables and eat left over for about two days.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: linnbast1985 on October 24, 2011, 04:31:53 pm
trying to cut back here. We spend about $100/wk for a family of 4 but one of those 4 is 2 mos old and diapers and formula are NOT cheap. I watch my sales and try to use coupons.
Title: Re: $ the grocery bill...
Post by: annettefayeroach on October 24, 2011, 04:44:40 pm
I use coupons. They do seem to help.