How much a month on groceries?

[jessiehannan]

How big is your family? Do you buy organic, some organic or no organic? Farmer's market? Any diet restrictions?
I am just curious.

[SueDid]

I spend $160 per week on a family of 8, that is including paper goods and cleaning products.

We don't have medically necessary diet restrictions (though I eat low carb by choice.) I shop the sales, going to 4-6 stores each week to take advantage of weekly sales and loss leaders.

[still_me]

How big is your family? 4
Do you buy organic, some organic or no organic? Some
Farmer's market? If we have time to go. It is about 45 mins away.
Any diet restrictions? Nope
I am just curious.

We spend about $400-$600 depending on if I stock up a lot on sales that month,if we have people in to visit, and what time of year it is.

[Nipple_nectar]

No organic, no farmers market. We have DH, myself, DS 22, FDD 18, FDD 16, DD 4, DD 1.5

I spend $150 a week easy!

I, too, go to three different stores: I go to Pathmark & Acme strictly to stock up on sale items and I go to BJs wholesale every week.

[bocarioja]

Household: 2 adults and a 3 yr old.

$350-400 a month

We grow our own tomatoes, peppers, cukes and herbs
We buy meat from family who hunt and raise animals
we buy fruit and veggies from local organic growers where we can-- there a quite a few close by
My grandma bakes bread every week
We don't drink pop or juice (We do make our own fruit and veggie juice)
and DH travels for work-- he's hardy home.

The last time I went to a big chain grocery store was 6 months ago for party supplies.

[Sameach]

How big is your family? 5
Do you buy organic, some organic or no organic? 50%
Farmer's market? Yes, 1X/week
Any diet restrictions? DS2 is non-dairy, we all do non-artificial colors/flavors


Our budgeted amount for food is $125 a week. We do separate out personal care items, and allot about $40 a week for that, but do most of that kind of shopping at Wal-Mart or Big Lots.

[Sashahomeschoolmama]

We are a family of five.

We buy all organic and free trade. Generally we purchase in bulk.

We grow most of our own food.

We keep away from dyes and chemicals.

We spend about $50 a week right now.

[Iconoclast]

We have a mostly organic diet. Produce comes from the co-op or farmer's market, meat from the butcher, cannned goods and staples from the co-op or grocer. I feed on average between my family and sundry guests, 25-30 meals a day. Including wine, beer and liquor, I probably spend about $500 a week.

[Sashahomeschoolmama]

I should add that the amount I listed is deceptively low. I didn't factor in how much we spend on chicken feed, meat processing, other livestock feed, and whatnot.

[joshsmom]

About $400 a month, mix of organic and mainstream. No restrictions.

[jessiehannan]

i spend about $500 to $600 a month, on a family of 5, and buy a mix of oprganic and mainstream, as well as the farmer's market, if shopping can wait until it is open next.
We don't eat a lot of processed foods, so I make almost everything from scratch.
That includes going out for pizza, because it is more expsensive for me to make it than buy it.
I was just wondering, because I cannot fathom how my friend spends between $700 and 900 a month for a family of five, at the begining of the month and run out of food and money before the month is up. (and she doesn't know how I spend less and have food and money left over a the end of the month.) I took her grocery shopping with me once to see if I could help her spend less at her request, but didn't like any of my advice. (mainly that they need to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and cut their meat intake at least in half. I personally think that 1 lb of hamburger meat per person per meal is a little much, and can't possibly be good for the kids to eat a high fat, low veggie fruit and grains diet.)

[_MrsC_]

I would guess that we average $150 per week. I never really figured it out though. I budget $100 cash each week for anything that we would need (including napkins, bathroom stuff, etc...) but we also buy beef and pork in bulk from a farm and that is seperate from the $100 weekly budget. We are a family of two adults, 1 toddler, and an occasional teenager.

[NazirsMom]

How big is your family? We are a family of two adults, 1 toddler, and an occasional teenager.
Do you buy organic, some organic or no organic? I really don't buy much organic
Farmer's market? I usually get my fruit their
Any diet restrictions? um no shell fish b/c dh is allergic...

I usually spend about $150 every two weeks

[Just_Peachy]

5 people in my house
2 adults, 6yr old, 4 and 2 yr old
No restrictions and no organic
we spend about 400-450 a month
we do all our grocery shopping on base otherwise we would spend more

[TuetonicWillow]

currently 6 people, 2 adults, 2 teens, 1 school aged child and 1 preschooler.
We don't have any restrictions and we're not all that pro-organic. I admit we are foodies, though.
We end up around $1,200 to $1,500 each month at the grocery stores, including a weekly farmer's market visit.

[TuetonicWillow]

If you add wine and liquor, add another $250 or so a month.

[HammBugga]

No organic, no farmers market, no restrictions.

We spent approx $600 a month for the 4 of us (DS2 doesn't really count though).

Now that we have my parents and sister I am betting it will be more like $1000. I will be going to Costco a lot more now though.

ETA That includes diapers and other household things.

[mama_moo4]

we are a family of 6. i buy some organic but not alot.... i dont eat meat if that matters? i spend 135 a week plus another 50 on diapers.

[jessiehannan]

The main diet restrictions I was wondering about are diabetic who control it through food versus meds. I guess I should have mentioned that.

[Wolverine]

About $400 a month, mix of organic and mainstream. No restrictions.

same here

[SarahFae]

Three adults, one child.
Only buy organic blueberries when I shop Walmart because that's all ours has.
No Farmer's Market
Close to $250 a month.

[HummingBird]

Two adults, one toddler and one nursing baby.
No organic. Lots of produce. Haven't hit a farmers market all year :( No restrictions
I spend about $550 a month. We both work from home so we eat in all the time.

[AuLait]

Our (new) budget for two adults, a 4yo and 3yo is $150 a week. I'm proud to say that last week I only spent $104 for 7 days of meals! That amount also includes household items.

[FrznPolarAngel]

Nearly $300 a week... approx $1200 a month

Family size: 2 adults, 1 5 year old boy

Organic? As much as we can. Sometimes the choices/quality are terrible. We do have a coop box that comes from the lower 48 every other week. (full circle farms)

Farmers Market? We have 2 during the summer. We try to hit them when we can.

Food restrictions? Not really, I try to eat low carb

[KerryS]

Family of 4 (2 adults, 10yo boy and 8yo girl)
Around $350/month
We generally don't buy organic or have any dietary restrictions

[xobehs]

i find I am spending 80 a week these days. DC are in daycare that has a fabulous hot lunch program. DD goes back to school soon and we will have to pack a lunch so I will see a slight grocery increase.

[xobehs]

Nearly $300 a week... approx $1200 a month

Family size: 2 adults, 1 5 year old boy

Organic? As much as we can. Sometimes the choices/quality are terrible. We do have a coop box that comes from the lower 48 every other week. (full circle farms)

Farmers Market? We have 2 during the summer. We try to hit them when we can.

Food restrictions? Not really, I try to eat low carb
Are prices really high up there? I am not trying to sound like a dumbass, I am really curious.

[FrznPolarAngel]

Shebox....for the most part, yes. Rough idea, a gallon of milk is nearly 6 bucks (we normally buy organic but sometimes regular brand is 5 bucks), apples around 3.50/4.00 lb, bananas 2.99/lb. A pound of ground turkey runs about 5-6 bucks. My low carb yogurt runs on sale 3.29/4pack.

I should add, there are some weeks it is less, some more. Depends on what we get (produce and meat are always the high priced items) and how much.

With hubby looking for a job, we've been trying to keep it in the 200 range so his unemployment covers at least the groceries til he gets another job/contract.

[Jacksmommy]

Two adults and a 3 year old.
I spend about $150 per week on grocery items. That's everything from food to dog food to diapers and detergent. We eat mostly organic.

[xobehs]

Shebox....for the most part, yes. Rough idea, a gallon of milk is nearly 6 bucks (we normally buy organic but sometimes regular brand is 5 bucks), apples around 3.50/4.00 lb, bananas 2.99/lb. A pound of ground turkey runs about 5-6 bucks. My low carb yogurt runs on sale 3.29/4pack.

I should add, there are some weeks it is less, some more. Depends on what we get (produce and meat are always the high priced items) and how much.

With hubby looking for a job, we've been trying to keep it in the 200 range so his unemployment covers at least the groceries til he gets another job/contract.


Omgoodness, that hurts.
Milk is 4.19
Apples I get for .99/lb
bananas .59 a pound (were 42 cents a lb a few months ago)
ground turkey is about 3.79
I don't buy any meat over 2.00 a lb, so I get only what is on sale or bulk.
Low carb yogurt is about 2.70 a pack-
I get Stoneyfield yogurt and where from 50 cents to 80 cents each.

[cream_city]

Nearly $300 a week... approx $1200 a month

Family size: 2 adults, 1 5 year old boy

Organic? As much as we can. Sometimes the choices/quality are terrible. We do have a coop box that comes from the lower 48 every other week. (full circle farms)

Farmers Market? We have 2 during the summer. We try to hit them when we can.

Food restrictions? Not really, I try to eat low carb


Mostly the same here. 2 adults and a 5 y.o. son. We spend about $800 or $900 on groceries and supplies (including laundry detergent, cat litter, etc.). But then we spend about $300 on carryout food or eating out.

[AuLait]

I find it so interesting to compare food prices.

I can get TWO gallons of milk for $5. Bananas are around .59 a lb. Apples vary widely, but can be as low as .69 a lb. I don't buy ground turkey, but ground beef is generally anywhere from $1.99-3.99 depending on sales. I don't buy low carb yogurt, but regular yogurt (store-brand) is 10 for $4. I live in the greater Seattle area.

[blessedbythree]

We are a family of 5 and spend approx. $450 per month on groceries. We do some organic (all organic for baby). I'd like to do more farmer's markets but I'm not always able.

[BeachMama]

Family of 5 (2 adults, 8yo, 6yo, 2yo)

I am guessing around $600/mo but we have really expensive grocery stores here. In NM we spent closer to $400/mo and I'm hoping that when we move to a bigger city next month that we'll have cheaper options.

We buy very little organic. No diet restrictions.

[BeachMama]

I personally think that 1 lb of hamburger meat per person per meal is a little much
Whoah! We eat about 1/4 of that.

[cream_city]

A half-gallon of milk here in Milwaukee -- we buy organic -- is $4. It's $5 at the more convenient but pricier grocery store.

I live in Wisconsin -- why on earth is it so much more than other places? We're the dairy state for crying out loud!

[Sashahomeschoolmama]

I have no idea how much milk is here. I'll have to look tomorrow.

[jessiehannan]

Yogurt here is .79 for a little container, and $3 -$4 for a big. Appes are usually $2.5 to $3 a lb. Bananas are .55 a lb here. A half gallon of the hormone and antibiotic free milk is almost $5. Cucumbers are .69 each. Ground turkey is over $3 a lb, and lean ground beef is almost $4. If I shop at the local store, they don't have any fresh organic, only canned, and the produce spoils in 2 days. I spend the extra money on gas to go to the next town to shop.