My husband is of the opinion that I spend way too much on groceries each month. We have a family of six - two adults, two boys 18 & 16, two girls 13 & 4 and a big dog. I spend between $500 & $600 each month keeping us fed. We eat nearly every meal at home (dinner is always all of us together at the table - I'm proud of that) and I think I do an excellent job of varying the menu and providing, balanced nutritious meals. We eat a variety of meats, pastas, lots of veggies and virtually NO take out food (pizza included - it's a BIG treat if we order one.) We also consume 6 gallons of milk per week, so that's $85 right there. My husband buys his own lunch during the week and he does take me (just me, not the kids) out to dinner once a week, so there are some meals that I don't provide.
My "grocery" budget also includes cleaning supplies, laundry detergent (I do lots of laundry!), toilet paper, dog food, etc. I have very little storage space, so I don't buy major quantities of anything bulky (no Costco runs for me,) but we do have two refrigerators so I have ample space for all the fresh food basics.
Finally, I am the coupon queen and never head to the store without a bunch of coupons. My average "savings" on my grocery receipt is about 18% and sometimes it's as high as 30%. I only use coupons for things we need and I don't use them if I have to buy multiple items to get a discount (again, no room for storing stuff we won't need soon.)
So how am I doing? Anyone else with a large family who can relate? I feel like I do such a good job in this department, I really try and seek out good deals, I don't buy something if I feel it's overpriced or unnecessary and I was really hurt to be told I'm spending too much.
Mamas - You rock! Thank you SO much for all the support. I feel like the grocery queen today. In the spirit of full disclosure, my husband's critique of my spending came after he arrived home early one day to find the boys and a couple of their equally large and hungry friends in the kitchen grazing on PB&J, apples & bananas at 4:30 in the afternoon. Apparently he has forgotten that for teenage boys there is breakfast, mid-morning snacks, lunch, mid-afternoon snacks, dinner and late night snacks. My kids are certainly guilty of "grazing" at other people's homes, too, so I don't make a big deal about it, but my husband freaked when he wrongly assumed I feed the additional troops on a daily basis in the summer.
A couple of you asked how I make it happen, so here are a few of my cost-cutting secrets: I buy meat in bulk when I find a good deal and freeze for later use. If I buy a roast, I buy something slightly larger than we need and turn it into two meals. For example, leftover pork roast becomes pork fried rice later in the week, etc. (I do have to put DON'T EAT notes on everything I want to "protect" for later use. For foraging teenagers, if it's in the frig, it's fair game!) I'm big on casseroles and filling meat/veggie combo stuff like Shepherd's Pie. Those are cheap, easy meals. In the winter, I make big pots of chili and a variety of homemade soups often then we do the soup, salad, bread meal. My French Cauliflower soup is legendary.
I have to give some kudos to Kroger and Target for making their loyalty programs really valuable. I get GREAT coupons often from both stores for things I buy all the time and I supplement them with coupons I clip each week from the Sunday paper inserts. There are certain things I absolutely will not purchase without a coupon. Cereal is one of them as those coupons are plentiful!
I also have to praise my hubby and kids for being fantastic, non-fussy eaters. If I put it on the table, they eat it and my kids are amazing with the post-dinner thank yous. I hear "great dinner, Mom" and "that was SO good" all the time. They truly appreciate the effort I put forth and that warms my heart.
Thanks for listening, Mamas. I feel better!
You are right on the money. If he has a problem with it, let him go to the store for a while. He'll get over it!
oooooo I think it's definately time dad went shopping! Grocercies have gotten terribly expensive. I think you are doing great!
125 a week to 150 a week on average with 5 people - organic food. (costco runs and dog food included)
Dear L.,
From one "Discount Diva" to another... you are doing an OUTSTANDING job!!!
I am a SAHM of 4 (10, 6, 4, and 8 months), and before the gas prices increased, I was spending between $400- $500 a month on food, cleaning supplies, diapers (no formula though!!). Now it is getting closer to $600-$700 a month!! (I also have many of the same bargain habits as you described, buying on sale, using coupons, eating dinners at home etc.etc.)
I don't know how you can keep it below $500 feeding all those teenagers!! Perhaps if your husband is concerned with the job that you are doing.. maybe he could do the shopping for a month? Does he realize that milk is over $3 a gallon and a head of lettuce is $1.20? Maybe it has just been to long since he has had the opportunity to shop for your family. This could be a great time for him to try it out, and then after he has experienced it for a month.. you can sit down and talk intelligently about any changes that might need to be made.
Just let him know you will be happy to have that conversation with him after he has "walked in your shoes" for a month. Just a thought!!
Keep up the good work. I hope your family always knows how blessed they are to have you for their mother!
Peace,
B.
Hi L.!
I think that you are doing great! I spend at least $350-$400 on just food items, with at least 2 trips a month to Walmart or Target to get bathroom and kitchen supplies. So I spend almost as much as you do and I have one less kid! I also use coupons and make several trips to different stores depending on what is on sale where. I would suggest taking your hubby with you to show him exactly how hard you work providing nutritious meals at as low of a cost that you can. Then let him try and do it himself... he will get it... and have more appreciation for you. Thats what I did, now he doesn't ever question my "shopping abilities". keep up the good work! L. B.
There are only three of us, and I spend between $200 - $300 each month for groceries and other household necessities, and we have a Sam's Club membership, so I think you're doing a GREAT, FANTASTIC, PHENOMENAL job of spending wisely. If your hubs has a gripe about the money you're spending, especially if you're providing a variety of foods and meal options as you say you are, if I were you I'd challenge him to do a months' worth of shopping and meal prep to see if he can do any better. I'll bet he can't! You go girl!
I think you are doing great. I average $500 a month, and I am just feeding a family of four. I am like you in that that money needs to buy all household things, not just groceries. Also, if you buy a lot of fresh produce, your bill will be higher. I eat and buy a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, which is why the amount is so high. I am wondering if your husband goes to the store with you, and if he doesn't maybe you should invite him to go with you so he can see how much the price of food has risen recently.
I know you're busy but please fill me in on your secrets! Where are you getting these coupons from? Where do you typically shop at? I spend at least 150 a week on groceries and my 2 boys are little! We aren't big eaters or anything but it's just expensive! We do buy in bulk a little but I leave costco having just 100 bucks and feel like I didn't get anything! Please let me know what you're doing. I'm REALLY impressed!
Wow! Could you please tell your husband I said you are amazing. I spend an average of $100 a week and then about $300 at costco month. I have lots of storage so I do buy absolutely everything I can at costco (paper goods, cleaning stuff, beverages, meat, snacks, etc. I do try to use coupons but find many unuseful. Did I mention this is for a family of four!(although we have our grandmas over often). This amount does not include the dog food!!($40?month) oh yeah, we order pizza about 1x/week and go out 1 or 2x/week. I am a little embarassed to admit that. I admire your lifestyle, organization and committment to cooking. You make me want to try harder.
In my opinion you are doing GREAT. I have a family of 5 and I am spending more or the same as you. Try a role switch. Have your husband be responsible for the shopping and meal planning (require it is balanced) and see if he can do better - I would bet not.
Oh my goodness! I need your secrets! I shop for a family of four (two teenagers) and one dog, and I spend around $700 per month! (This includes household cleaning supplies, TP, basically everything you'd find at Meijers. I use coupons and look for deals at the stores I shop at as well. Tell your hubby I think you're doing an AMAZING job and would love to learn what you're doing differently than me so I can save some cash myself. :)
L.,
You're doing a fantastic job! I don't think the one criticizing has a clue how expensive things are at the stores these days. Take him with you to buy the groceries or let him go alone so he gets a reality check.
He's spending a huge amount eating out each day unless he eats off the $1 menu at McDonald's.
The only suggestions I have are shop for those lovely fresh veggies at the local produce stand (we prefer fresh veggies too) and milk is usually on sale at Walmart 2 gallons for $5 or at Vince & Joe's (same deal). Find storage room for some of those bulky items that you can purchase at Costco i.e. paper towels, toilet tissue, cereal, etc. It's well worth it.
Good luck and let us know how things turn out!
C.
I think your doing a GREAT job - and I applaud your efforts. I spend about that much each month for a family of four. Of course - I do buy in bulk since I have the storage space. I find I get much better deals that way....of course, I only buy it if we will use it.
The only recomendations I can make are to only buy things on sale - and since you have a second refridgerator - stock up on meat / chicken when it's on sale. Also - you might want to try CVS for your milk...it's only $2.79 a gallon with the store card. (that will be a little savings). It also sounds like your eating a lot of fruits & veggies - which cost a lot more than junk food. Have you husband go to the grocery store with you and see if he can shop as well as you do! He'll stop his complaining!
Hi L.
I think you are doing an amazing job! You are actually feeding five adults and a kid on around $125 a week - it could be a record. I've got a teenager and know they eat absolutely tons. I'm also a careful shopper and look for the savings in stores, I also cook a lot for my family and make sandwiches for my husband and kids - but I would say I spend at least $200 a week on feeding a husband, myself, a teenager, 10 and 5 year old. With food prices going up all the time I really can't think of any way you could cut your bill - tell your hubby you're doing a great job because you are. - Alison
A family of 6 (and a dog) on $20 a day or less (and that includes cleaning!). I think your husband should go shopping if he thinks he can beat that! What does he spend a day on lunches? I would think at least $5 which is a 1/4 of what you pay to feed a whole family for a whole day! Maybe he thinks teenage boys don't eat much.
Silly man.
L.---the next time he complains, ask him (in a sincere tone)to show you how to do it better ;) Tell him that for the next two months that you are willing to go shopping on EVERY SINGLE SHOPPING TRIP together and let him lead the "way". I would bet that he will want nothing to do with the burden that grocery shopping is. If he does...he will soon learn how difficult it is to make a dollar stretch on food/ingredients that are actually good for you. You are doing better-than-fabulous because you also take such care in buying foods that go a long way for you and your family in actual family meals! No pizza? Most families are actually sick of pizza! The way you feed your family is the way I grew up eating in my family of six (home-cooked meals every night together around the table). I attempt to do the same thing with my family of five, but we are a young-kid family and are still picky/not quite willing to eat ALL the same things yet. Either way, your family is blessed to have you take such care in what you do for them. They will have such comforting memories of their childhood.
By the way, you have my family beat with your $500-$600 each month, and we are only a family of five! Cheers to you!
I generally spend about $125 a week, for a family of five.
What does he expect with feeding two teenage boys? I do do the Costco runs usally about every other month., spending at least $100. I generaaly buy my paper plates, toilot paper kleeenex and paper towels there. I store them in the top of our closets. It really helps to have the paper goods on hand. Tell him not to worry those food eating boys will be out on there own before you know it.
I don't have a large family (it's just me, my husband, my son and our little pooch) and we spend about $400 a month on groceries which includes cleaning supplies, shampoos, and everything else needed to run a home. Personally, I do not think you are spending much at all. And with teenagers--wow, I think you are doing great!!! Teenagers are eating machines. Food and everything else has skyrocketed in the last year and it is expected to rise more. My husband tells me the same thing--we need to cut the grocery bill. I clip coupons and shop at Aldi, but, of course, he likes to eat certain things, so guess what? It's gonna cost!!! The only meats we eat are chicken, ground beef and pork just to cut down on costs. There's just no way of getting around these high prices as I'm finding out. Clipping coupons helps. I counter my husbands comments about the groceries by saying that maybe we could cut the energy bills in the house since he likes to leave the A/C running all the time, leaves the lights on, and leaves the tv on.
MC
Holy ____@____.com!!! I don't know how you do that, but tell your husband he's got nothing to complain about! If I'm lucky, I spend about $100 a week ($400 a month) on just 2 of us!! Of course that includes non-food items and I don't belong to a warehouse club, but still...I use coupons and shop sales and stock up, so I thought I was doing pretty well, but I guess not...
I think you are doing great. I have two kids, 4 and 9 mos and we spend about $150 week. We also rarely eat out. I understand about the storage room....but it may still be worthwhile to consider buy some meat/water/milk/fruit at Cosco. Those items you would go through fast enough and they are less expensive there.
Have you tried taking your husband with you...so he can actually see the prices on everything!
HI 5"S TO YOU...I have a family of 6 and I spend about the same but I also have 2 cats along with the dog....and I think your a savvy shopper....here ya go if HE thinks its to much give him the job for ONE month I betcha he cant do it......
L., I think you are going above and beyond! Sometimes the hubby's just have a bad way of expressing their anxiety about money. Perhaps you could enlist your kids to help out with laundry and you could eliminate paper towels and paper napkins from your budget (you'll need to replace them with cloth napkins, obviously.) Also, you could start making your own cleaning products . . . there are a lot of books available on the subject. Just a few ideas to help, but you are doing great! Maybe hubby can start packing his own lunch ;) J.
I have a family of 4.. my husband and I and a 1 year old and a 2 year old..
I spend about 500 a month.
Including everything consumable/disposable.. paper products cleaning products..
My son is still on baby food.. and that is pretty costly..
we dont eat out much.. 2 young kids in a restarantu is not fun.
I dont think you are overspending.
