Grocery Questions

[ceeveg]

Just because I am curious


What is the least you've spent at the grocery, while still eating healthy? What sorts of things did you purchase?

What is the least you've spent, eating whatever you can afford? What sorts of things did you purchase?

Where do you like to go for the best deals? Do you shop around, or typically buy all of your groceries at one location?

How many people do you shop for?

Do you have any special considerations, such as allergies?

What is the most you've ever spent on groceries? How many people were you shopping for?

On average, how many trips do you take per month to the grocery store, co-op, farmer's market, etc.?

[BetsyS]

I'll bite.

We are a family of 4, but 2 are very small children.

I spend $75/week, so a little more than $300 a month on groceries. I have to put some work into that budget to make it work. I shop at several different stores, I use some coupons, we buy some generic, and we like beans. However... We eat meat 5-6 nights a week, we eat a lot of produce, we generally eat what we like, and we are never hungry. In fact, my dh and I are both overweight, so you could say we are the opposite of hungry. My kids both eat good, healthy food all the time at that price point. We have some treats (daily coffee with half and half for grownups, occasional baked goods, nice ice cream at least once a week).

I have had an occasional month that I've done it on $200. That price is very difficult for me. It means that we eat a lot more of my pantry (I like to keep a well stocked pantry), without replinishing it. We might eat meatless 3-4 days a week, instead of our normal 1-2. We eat more limited produce/vegetables, and the ones we eat are much cheaper (in the winter, it might be chiefly canned tomatoes, frozen spinach, and bananas, for instance).

I could spend as much as you'd give me. I don't think I have a top limit for food. LOL. But, that's because food is my one big hobby. I love it. Think about it all the time, watch it on TV, read about it. Dream about it occasionally. LOL.

[mom0810]

These threads always depress me. I seem to live in an area, a "pocket," if you will, where food is just super expensive. In fact, a neighbor that just moved here from another state could not believe the prices we pay for food here. At least twice what it is where she moved from (east coast).

So here goes, it ought to make the rest of you feel pretty good.

the LEAST I have spent? Recently? Probably $600 a month. But that is without going to the farmer's market, which we do once a week, at least (there are several around here.)

The MOST? I shudder to think, but around $1600 a month, probably. That is without farmer's market, and during the colder months. It's crazy, I am well aware. But it's just what we end up spending here.

I pretty much shop at Jewel, because it's where I feel comfortable. I will NOT shop at Walmart and there really aren't many other choices, except Aldi. I have never shopped there.

We have four people, two of them are under 5. But they eat like crazy. The kids are not overweight, just very active. Lots of food. I can go on a Thursday and spend $200 and I need to go again on Tuesday and I spend at least $100 if not more. They eat like 10 yogurts each a week, just as an example.

So... an average of $300 a week here. I have made it down to $150 a week, but only very rarely. And I was REALLY trying and boy was I proud of myself afterwards. And that was when the stuff I usually buy was REALLY on sale.

I am always in awe of the frugal moms here and I applaud you. I am still a work in progress, but I am trying. And with a hubby that's laid off, I am REALLY trying now. I will be here for lots of support this next couple of weeks, I am sure.

[Alyantavid]

What is the least you've spent at the grocery, while still eating healthy? What sorts of things did you purchase?
The lowest amount I think I've ever spent was just under $300 for a month for the 4 of us. That was just for milk, rice milk, some produce, eggs, pasta.

What is the least you've spent, eating whatever you can afford? What sorts of things did you purchase?
I don't know, way more than $300. I bought alot of frozen chicken nuggets, frozen pizzas, snacky type stuff.

Where do you like to go for the best deals? Do you shop around, or typically buy all of your groceries at one location?
I pretty much stick to 2 stores. I can get everything I need at them and they usually run pretty good sales so I can stock up.

How many people do you shop for?
4

Do you have any special considerations, such as allergies?
My youngest is allergic to dairy and my oldest only consumes small amounts of dairy.

What is the most you've ever spent on groceries? How many people were you shopping for?
I'd guess around $700 a month. For 4 of us.

On average, how many trips do you take per month to the grocery store, co-op, farmer's market, etc.?
I try not to go to the grocery store more than once a week. Sometimes its once every 2 weeks. Farmer's market we go to weekly, but I don't always buy things.

[Amys1st]

What is the least you've spent at the grocery, while still eating healthy? What sorts of things did you purchase?

I have done it for as little as $400 a month a few years ago. We would purchase fruits and veggies and depending on whats in season and on sale, we would eat that. We shop the sales and buy staples in a larger quantity to stock up or load up the freezer with.


Where do you like to go for the best deals? Do you shop around, or typically buy all of your groceries at one location?
I study the ads of 3/4 places I go. Trader Joes dosnet do sales so I hit that store twice a month and stock up on what we buy there. I hit a larger local chain and buy their sales. I plan my menu around this as well. I also buy a side of beef annually so that saves hundreds of dollars.

How many people do you shop for?
2 adults, 2 children


Do you have any special considerations, such as allergies?

I drink soy milk. After sampling various kinds, I found the one I like and purchase it at TJs for the cheapest price.


What is the most you've ever spent on groceries? How many people were you shopping for?
We had a $700 month in there once. We also had a party that month so that also factors in.


On average, how many trips do you take per month to the grocery store, co-op, farmer's market, etc.?[/QUOTE]

I go on a larger trip twice a month and spend $75. USually that includes some pork and chicken plus deli stuff my kids take to school and DH to lunch twice a week or so. He does leftovers the other days.

We get a produce and milk/egg delivery weekly. That averages about $40

We hit the farmers market from MAy to Oct a block from our house. That avgs about $12-15 weekly. We buy fruit and bread etc. Mainly to support a local business. My kids love the peaches and we snack on those the rest of the week plus our produce delivery.

[Leta]

The least we've spent has actually been this summer. We've averaged under $200 a month on food (this is to say, food at home). This does not include non-food groceries. We only every eat snacks (ice cream, hot pretzels, bascially things that cost $1 per person) out, unless it's a very special occaision.

The crazy part is that I am nursing, DSS eats like a man, and we've had a steady stream of visitors all summer (my mom was here for a month, SIL was here for two weeks, then four of DH's family members were here for a long weekend). Plus we have DD, age three, and DS, but he's still on the boobie.

Our garden has been really productive, and we've been eating off our stockpile a good bit- we anticipated doing so after the birth of DS, so we hoarded quite a bit of food while I was pregnant. Nobody has any allergies. (Well, I can't eat some shellfish, but that doesn't cost any money to avoid.) There are several stores that we frequent, and more that we watch flyers. I do the big stock up once a month, but we go the farmer's market 2-3x/wk during the season.

We eat extremely well. DH is a fantastic chef and I am not bad. My aunt said that eating at our house is like "eating at a three star restaurant every day". In fact, DH and I both could stand to lose some weight.

I'm confident that we have a nutritionally adequate diet. We have treats like tea and coffee and sugar, etc., that we could give up with no nutritional loss, but we are not spartans.

Note that the $180 is our out of pocket cost. We have a dozen sources of free food. Our situation is pretty unusual in that regard.

[Ruthiegirl]

I used to get away with $350-$400 a month while eating well. And then we were diagnosed with multiple food sensitivities and I spend closer to $700-800 a month while eating wheat, dairy, egg, tomato free.

And I really need to up the budget again. We just need to spend more now that I cannot buy cheap eggs, flour, milk, pasta. I do buy much of our dried goods bulk and save money that way, we garden like crazy and that helps, but even so I spend a lot on food.

[phatchristy]

Originally Posted by mom0810

These threads always depress me. I seem to live in an area, a "pocket," if you will, where food is just super expensive. In fact, a neighbor that just moved here from another state could not believe the prices we pay for food here. At least twice what it is where she moved from (east coast).

Yeah, didn't you say your kids eat 10 yogurts EACH per week. How much does that yogurt cost, and have you thought about making your own yogurt (not hard actually) and sweetening it with fruit?

If you buy a lot of convienience foods, it really is going to add up quick. That's what I've learned. UNLESS you use coupons. There's some good couponing threads here. I used to have double/triple coupons here. I'd buy 6 papers each week (which they were .50 a piece) and clip/organize coupons. Then plan out in advance where to go based on the sales and go there. I'd typically get $300-400 worth of groceries for $40-60.

A lot of times I would get things that were completely free after doubles, and I ALWAYS got them even if it wasn't stuff I used and would donate it. Got a lot of shampoos, deodorants, toothpastes, toothbrushes that way and donated to shelters. Also, donated a lot of canned/non-perishable goods I didn't care for. They had BOGO once on these V8 smoothie drinks, bought those and donated ALL of them. Then went back later for more. Donated something like 4 cases worth.

My parents basically taught me how to do that one LOL. I don't think there are as many double/triple coupon places anymore! We moved to a place that didn't have it! Though I do still coupon sometimes, but only on stuff that really matters to me! I eat more whole foods now, which is a good thing.

Things that help here:

I have a local fruit vendor I buy from directly. Probably save at least half on my produce. And, by doing this it also pretty much secures that you're eating seasonally!

I have regular places that I buy my other produce from that he can't supply.

I also do u-pick blueberries and strawberries each year, my strawberry person is certified organic, though my blueberry person is not though we know her and she is small scale and all natural. Those are our favorites!!!

We also have an orange tree in the back!

Stick to a majority of the basics otherwise--Milk, Eggs, Cream, Flour, Butter, Buttermilk, Oatmeal, Rice, Potatoes, Beans. I do buy cheese, I've found a local place that sells really tasty cheese for about $2.50 a pound. The kids eat more cheese than we do.

We do have occasional treats, when a deal pops up. I am stocked up on cereal right now, there was a kellogs deal bogo and $1.00 off each on the box tear off coupon. So I have 14 boxes of cereal in the house! And, bought some about to expire granola bars for 10/$1.

I buy meat from a meatmarket on special. Freeze large quantities in smaller portions.

My mom had a good size family too...and I find myself doing the same stuff!!!

And, we still go out to eat sometimes here--though ALWAYS with coupons. Chick-fil-a coupons never expire, and right now Boston Market has great coupons too right now BOGO and $3 off $6. If we go out, we'll feed the whole family for $10-12 on average!

[crunchy_mama]

What is the least you've spent at the grocery, while still eating healthy? What sorts of things did you purchase?
About $250- that was last year. Current budget about $300

Where do you like to go for the best deals? Do you shop around, or typically buy all of your groceries at one location?


Aldis and the discount stores or discount racks at Krogers
How many people do you shop for? 2 adults- 1 currently pregnant 5 y.o. and 2y.o.

Do you have any special considerations, such as allergies?GF- grain lite- dairy free- soy lite

What is the most you've ever spent on groceries? How many people were you shopping for?
If you count months I have picked up my chicken for the year or a 1/4 hog or bulk grassfed beef- probably around $1000-
On average, how many trips do you take per month to the grocery store, co-op, farmer's market, etc.?
Weekly grocery store- bi-weekly discount store- sometimes the "farmer's market' which is really nothing like a real farmer's market. Stockups in St Louis at TJ's and Whole Foods a few times a year.

[mom0810]

Originally Posted by phatchristy

Yeah, didn't you say your kids eat 10 yogurts EACH per week. How much does that yogurt cost, and have you thought about making your own yogurt (not hard actually) and sweetening it with fruit?

If you buy a lot of convienience foods, it really is going to add up quick. That's what I've learned. UNLESS you use coupons. There's some good couponing threads here. I used to have double/triple coupons here. I'd buy 6 papers each week (which they were .50 a piece) and clip/organize coupons. Then plan out in advance where to go based on the sales and go there. I'd typically get $300-400 worth of groceries for $40-60.

A lot of times I would get things that were completely free after doubles, and I ALWAYS got them even if it wasn't stuff I used and would donate it. Got a lot of shampoos, deodorants, toothpastes, toothbrushes that way and donated to shelters. Also, donated a lot of canned/non-perishable goods I didn't care for. They had BOGO once on these V8 smoothie drinks, bought those and donated ALL of them. Then went back later for more. Donated something like 4 cases worth.

My parents basically taught me how to do that one LOL. I don't think there are as many double/triple coupon places anymore! We moved to a place that didn't have it! Though I do still coupon sometimes, but only on stuff that really matters to me! I eat more whole foods now, which is a good thing.

Things that help here:

I have a local fruit vendor I buy from directly. Probably save at least half on my produce. And, by doing this it also pretty much secures that you're eating seasonally!

I have regular places that I buy my other produce from that he can't supply.

I also do u-pick blueberries and strawberries each year, my strawberry person is certified organic, though my blueberry person is not though we know her and she is small scale and all natural. Those are our favorites!!!

We also have an orange tree in the back!

Stick to a majority of the basics otherwise--Milk, Eggs, Cream, Flour, Butter, Buttermilk, Oatmeal, Rice, Potatoes, Beans. I do buy cheese, I've found a local place that sells really tasty cheese for about $2.50 a pound. The kids eat more cheese than we do.

We do have occasional treats, when a deal pops up. I am stocked up on cereal right now, there was a kellogs deal bogo and $1.00 off each on the box tear off coupon. So I have 14 boxes of cereal in the house! And, bought some about to expire granola bars for 10/$1.

I buy meat from a meatmarket on special. Freeze large quantities in smaller portions.

My mom had a good size family too...and I find myself doing the same stuff!!!

And, we still go out to eat sometimes here--though ALWAYS with coupons. Chick-fil-a coupons never expire, and right now Boston Market has great coupons too right now BOGO and $3 off $6. If we go out, we'll feed the whole family for $10-12 on average!

Yep, my kids eat so much yogurt! they usually cost about .50 each. So that's $10 in yogurt a week. I would never make my own... and I have tried buying the bigger containers and adding fruit, but they won't touch it. So I just buy the Yoplait, or Yo Baby, or whatever is cheapest that week. Yoplait has been on sale for .50 lately. Dannon is sometimes on sale for .6o or .70.

I do buy a lot of convenience stuff, but I have to. I don't have the time to make stuff from scratch all the time, and a Mac and Cheese that I can throw in the microwave is just so GREAT!

We don't eat out, but I do coupons sometimes. Only when I have the time.

I know that a lot of what I am paying for is convenience, and that if I made more from scratch I could save. But two kids under 4 years old doesn't leave me time for anything, let alone cooking for hours. So it costs me more.

If I HAD to, I could save, I THINK. But I just really think that I live in an expensive area and what used to cost me $150 to buy now costs $300! It's happened sort of slowly, over the last 3 years. Prices just keep. GOing. Up. :

[BetsyS]

Originally Posted by mom0810

We don't eat out, but I do coupons sometimes. Only when I have the time.

I know that a lot of what I am paying for is convenience, and that if I made more from scratch I could save. But two kids under 4 years old doesn't leave me time for anything, let alone cooking for hours. So it costs me more.

Here's where everyone is different. I split my "food" budget into two parts--$300 for food and $30-$60 (depends on the month) for eating out. I LOVE to eat out. So, for me, it's totally worth making my own yogurt, making every meal from scratch, and not buying very many convenience foods, so that I can keep my eating out.

We all do what works best for us.

I love that hour in the kitchen late in the afternoon when I can relax with things simmering on the stove. It's like I can feel the stress of the day melt away as my chicken roasts. It's like magic. I don't think everyone is like that.

[Red Pajama]

I'm stunned by how much food prices have gone up in the past year or so. I started keeping track, and almost everything has gone up, or package size has shrunk.

[B]What is the least you've spent at the grocery, while still eating healthy? What sorts of things did you purchase? We are almost always about $100. a week. Might be 130, might be 80, but it averages out. That does include paper and cleaning products, personal hygine, and occasional diapers (I use cloth predominately). Add to that about 20.00 for the farmers market when it's in season.

What is the least you've spent, eating whatever you can afford? What sorts of things did you purchase? Eating mostly from the pantry, I can make do on fresh items for 20-30. I should probably do that more often to clean out the pantry and freezer.

Where do you like to go for the best deals? Do you shop around, or typically buy all of your groceries at one location? I shop at the evil empire (walmart). I price match while I'm at it, and throw in coupons. Price matching and coupons save between $5-10 a week.

How many people do you shop for? 5, one is just two years old.

Do you have any special considerations, such as allergies? no allergies.
We buy very little meat, for a variety of reasons. I've got venison in the freezer that I purchase for the cost of processing (thanks, dad), and beef because my FIL bought a half a cow and wanted to share. My uncle, for a short time, provided different beef for the cost of processing. My dad had a source for whole hog sausage that once a year has pork for sale for some ridiculous low price. So I just buy chicken, when I want it.

Compound that with our recent desire to eat meatless about 3-5 times a week, and we've got quite a bit of meat in the freezer.

What is the most you've ever spent on groceries? How many people were you shopping for? If I'm having company, I don't even want to think about how much we spend.

On average, how many trips do you take per month to the grocery store, co-op, farmer's market, etc.? Once a week for groceries at the supermarket, once a week to the farmers market

[mom0810]

Originally Posted by BetsyS

I love that hour in the kitchen late in the afternoon when I can relax with things simmering on the stove. It's like I can feel the stress of the day melt away as my chicken roasts. It's like magic. I don't think everyone is like that.

Oh, see I USED to love that. Before I had kids. I cooked for us, for the dogs... from scratch. Every night. I used to look at people buying convenience foods and think, "oh, they are crazy. They could MAKE that!". Things have changed since I had kids... now I get it.

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by BetsyS

I love that hour in the kitchen late in the afternoon when I can relax with things simmering on the stove. It's like I can feel the stress of the day melt away as my chicken roasts. It's like magic. I don't think everyone is like that.

Oh - I wish I were like that. The hour or so in the kitchen is the most stressful time of my day, almost always. Mind you, since dd2 came along, dh has cooked a lot more than I have. She almost always needs to nurse during the dinner prep hour.

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by Red Pajama

I'm stunned by how much food prices have gone up in the past year or so. I started keeping track, and almost everything has gone up, or package size has shrunk.

I've noticed it a lot in the last 3-4 months. The yogurt I buy for the kids used to be about $3.29 for 750 ml (3 cups). Now, it's $3.79...not so bad, except the package size is now 650 ml. Conventional butter has gone from $3.19 or $3.29 per pound up to $3.99 per pound...and it's never on sale, anymore (I used to buy 2-3 pounds when it was on for $2.69 or something). Everything is skyrocketing.

[Norasmomma]

Gosh I am noticing that things are less than last year for me personally.

For us we have done a month on $200, but that was pretty lean. Today I went and spent $47 and that was including beer. I buy that weekly for DH too in our budget which is usually about $75 or so, currently though we have a large garden and the farmer's market is in full bloom, but what I am buying there is being preserved for the winter. I also am making and freezing food for when our baby comes in Oct. This also does include all household and personal products(cleaners, laundry soap, diapers).

Currently I am shopping for a family of 3, one hungry working man, myself 8 months pg and a very active, very hungry almost 3y/o.

I love to cook, but I am one to have convenience items also, I live to have on hand some rice mixes or pasta sauces. I don't rely on them all the time, but I do have them. Sometimes I just like to have easy spaghetti night w/out the fuss of making sauce.

We really don't have allergies, but DH gets pretty snotty if he drinks milk, so I buy a case of rice milk every month or so for $22, it makes him happy and not snotty.

I do shop a WM-I do it once a month, maybe 2xs, but it is about 45 minutes away from us and so it is a big deal to go there. When I do though I SAVE as much as possible, usually 20-30 extra with coupons. That's the only reason I go there. Unfortunately they have some of the best prices on many organics that I want to get, so I started going there a few months ago. I kinda hate it, but my choices in the middle of nowhere are small. I won't buy meat or produce there. I buy that only at my local store which is a nice hometown grocery and they rock, but when I want a box of organic cereal I do get it a WM, for about $4 less, plus using a coupon. I don't shop there every day, so I don't feel as badly about it, plus I try to save as much as possibly(and I do).

The most we ever spend in a month is *probably* around $500-600, but that means we went to Costco and did one of our HUGE stockpiling trips where we loaded up on snacks, nuts, butter, oils and other things we get there. We spend about $300 when we go on one of our Costco missions.

I usually go to the store once a week, I have to stay away. I have an errand day usually, I'm a major homebody, but it keeps me from spend money that is unnecessary. If we run out of something DH is often driving through town and he can pick it, but that's a rarity. We live away from town and so when I shop I make sure we have what we need.

[ScarletBegonias]

What is the least you've spent at the grocery, while still eating healthy? What sorts of things did you purchase?

i live in northern ca, and i spend $3-400/month on food. i always have bulk (25-50 lbs) organic flours, rices, beans & oats on hand. we eat meat everyday, but we also rely heavily on eggs and cheese. i rarely buy convenience foods, the occasional pizza/can of chili (dh likes crap food), not because they are expensive, but because: a) they taste like crap, b) i LOVE to cook and c) i'd rather spend the money eating out at sushi.

What is the least you've spent, eating whatever you can afford? What sorts of things did you purchase?

$200. we always have bulk foods, so i supplement with less meat, more eggs and beans and rice. i have to have fresh fruit and veggies around, so most of our food $ would go to produce, butter, cheese, eggs and a little meat/bread.

Where do you like to go for the best deals? Do you shop around, or typically buy all of your groceries at one location?

lately, i do most of my shopping at grocery outlet. it's about an hour drive to any co-op or trader joes. i've found that i can stock my family with almost all organic food from grocery outlet. we also have a locally owned supermarket with killer organic produce and meat.

How many people do you shop for?

2 adults (i'm a nursing mom too), 1 small child, 1 toddler

Do you have any special considerations, such as allergies?

i buy as little conventional foods as possible. i have chemical sensitivites, PCOS and dd has chemical sensitivities. plus, after eating organic, local foods for so long, i can't bring myself to buy pesticide-filled, chemical-filled foods.

What is the most you've ever spent on groceries? How many people were you shopping for?

$800+ for 2 people, one of them pregnant. i couldn't make food for the first 6 months of my pg, so i bought tons of amy's food for dh, and i lived on fresh, local organic fruit. i went to the co-op almost everyday for fruits, veggies and amy's. that was an expensive pg!

On average, how many trips do you take per month to the grocery store, co-op, farmer's market, etc.?

6-10 at least.