what's your food budget? and selling stuff when you don't have time

[Blessed]

We average $450 a month for 2 adults and 2 teenage boys. I spend an additional $55 a month on pet food. Our eating our average is $85 a month.

[Gina23]

2 Adults, Denver, CO

We budget $400 per month for groceries, typically only spend $350 (includes toiletries, etc...)
We budget $200 per month for going out for dinner, typically only hit $150.

Yes, it's high, but we like to enjoy a nice meal once a week together.

[dawnwes]

2 adults, 2 teen boys, 1 younger boy.

I budget $800/mo including toiletries and cleaning supplies. I used to budget $600. We CAN do $600 but it isn't nearly as fun! I shop 90% at Costco, and with $800 we can include salmon and steak and a few more high priced foods. (we like pot stickers and their frozen ravioli for example). At $600 we stick primarily to chicken and not many higher priced items.

Now, if we really skimped I believe we *could* get lower than $600, but that would most likely mean going back to making our own laundry soap, making our own cleaning supplies, eating homemade popcorn for snacks as it is cheap.

Dawn

[prof.susan]

budget

$300/month usually. I eat out quite a bit too. If you're low on cash a good thing to do is have 2 big meals instead of 3 to cut down costs. Like a big burrito at 11am then a early dinner of pasta or something else that can provide some leftovers. Fast food is not cheap anymore, don't waste your time.

[wikiwiki]

We are a fmaily of 5 - 3 kids age 7 and under. Food is budgeted at $700/month (sometimes goes to $800) and household is $100/month. Fun/dining out is $200 but I try to see if I can keep it under that. We use some coupons, shop deals, stock up on specials, go to Aldi and one Trader Joe's trip a month - love Trader Joe's and find it's often cheaper than the regular store but it's far away so not a weekly thing.

I am working to get it down - hope to shave off $100. Youngest is out of diapers now so that's $40 a month more now!

[isaac]

$300/month usually. I eat out quite a bit too. If you're low on cash a good thing to do is have 2 big meals instead of 3 to cut down costs. Like a big burrito at 11am then a early dinner of pasta or something else that can provide some leftovers. Fast food is not cheap anymore, don't waste your time.

I disagree with sacrificing health for food budget. It's much better to have 5 or so small meals per day than 2 large meals, if it's more expensive I think you should save money elsewhere.

Just my opinion

[Jimhassel]

It all depends on the amount one spends on eating out, on alcohol, etc. In the months when me and my family eat out more than twice or thrice my monthly budget shoots to $300 per person but otherwise I make it a point that its not more than $200. Also none of my family members drinks or smokes.

[bethasaver]

I agree you have to find a balance of health and thrift.

It would probably be cheaper to eat packaged and frozen processed food only, but in the long run would cost you your health.

I get angry grocery shopping, because everything is so expensive! I am thrifty, clip coupons, buy generic and at aldi, shop sales and cook just about everything from scratch and I can't believe how much stuff costs. I have a milk allergy and cook only dairy free stuff, but will purchase shredded cheese and frozen pizzas sometimes for the kids but otherwise lots of whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies, fish and meat.

I've been trying to keep our grocery bill to $775 per month. That's for 2 adults and 2 kids. It doesn't include paper products, cleaning supplies, or alcohol unless it's used in the food. This has been challenging to stay within the budget. Frustrating. Our eating out budget is $125.

Thanks for all the replies, it is interesting to see how I compare with others and what impacts different family's food purchases.