What's your monthly grocery spending?

   I just read an article which stated that the average family of 4 here in
the USA spends $900 a month on groceries, plus more on eating out at
restaurants.

  I was shocked!  Is this true?


  We have a family of 4, and our grocery budget is only $180 a month.  Until
last month, it was $160 a month, but we had to raise it a bit because many
food prices have gone up 20 to 30% in the past year.

  I know that most folks would consider me frugal, but I had no idea we were
getting by on 20% of what the average similar sized family was spending.

  How much do you spend on groceries a month?

 
I stopped "grocery shopping" years ago so I can't say specifically
what the expense is.  I can say I'll spend under $20 at Grocery Outlet
(think Big Lots for groceries), stock up every few months of loss
leader meats (local store has USDA choice Tri-tip on sale $2.97 a
pound, trimmed) and fill in gaps with bargains found at Costco and the
99¢ Only Store.  So it's most likely around the same amount you
mention you spend or less.  As for eating out; I spend about $20 a
month.  I know I'm in the minority as most people are creatures of
habit and go every Saturday and buy the same prepackaged products and
brands they always have without price comparisons.

I want to know who these "average families" are; it can't be the
average for the whole US.

 
About $600 for the two of us, plus more for restaurant meals.  We both
work and are willing to trade money for time.

Cindy Hamilton

 

OhioGuy wrote:

Please give us a clue as to what you are eating for $1.50  per
person.  I spend more than your  grocery budget just for myself.

 Al Bundy wrote:

   Well, I suppose a lot depends on how you buy. I've been eating a lot
of chicken lately at about .50/lb for a 10 pound bag. Usually I can find
some in season veggie I can get for under a $1/pound. I only buy fruit
in season, which drives the cost down and the quality up (.39/lb peaches
are much better than $1.50 /lb, a $2 watermellon is always better than a
$10 watermellon). Add a cheap starch (rice, pasta or potatoes) and you
can can, if you wish, eat well for not much money. Still $1.50 a day is
pretty cheap, it doesn't leave any room for extravagances.

   Now, if you are buying prepared foods, and buying out of season, all
bets are off. The surprising thing is how much grains have risen in
cost. Well not so surprising with corn for ethanol demand, what a fiasco
that is.

   Jeff