Comments on: How Much Do You Spend On Groceries?

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 00:43:25 +0000

Thanks for sharing what you spend on the groceries. A lot of people come to this site after googling how much to spend on groceries. I think reading all your comments would be very helpful.

By: Erica

Erica — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 09:11:59 +0000

Our grocery budget is $300/month (includes toiletries and cleaning products, but not makeup). It’s just my husband and I and I usually come in just under budget.

I buy homebrand just about everything (know what you mean, there are just some things you can’t substitute home brand for).

Normally I go to the butcher at the start of the month, the fruit and veg shop fortnightly, do one big monthly shop at Coles and then just pick up bread/milk etc as needed.

I meal plan for a month before I start my shopping – it’s a bit of work, but it saves us so much money and time in the long run.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 21:22:37 +0000

Thanks for sharing your groceries, Fiona. I would love to include more organic stuff in our diet, but it’s a little beyond our means just at the moment. I also believe that the health and wellbeing would be worth it.

By: Fiona

Fiona — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 06:25:21 +0000

Hi,

We’re a 2 people household, I’m vegan and my partner does eat the occasional meat dish. The last month I’ve really tried to reduce our spending on everything – especially groceries.
Our last 4 weeks have averaged out at $50 per week. ($25 each! – we’re living together, but haven’t combined finances)
We do have the occasional subway meal once a week, but that’s about it.
I want to introduce more organic and wholemeal items into our kitchen, so I know the average will go up, but hopefully health and wellbeing-wise, it’ll be worth it.

By: msbetterhome

msbetterhome — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:35:59 +0000

Thanks Melissa,

Yes, I think junkfood calls to more junkfood – that’s why it becomes such a hard habit to break

By: Louise

Louise — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:34:14 +0000

I know $30 just for razors!!!! Oh well poor darling has sensitive skin
Australian food prices are just too high! compared with other countries we pay far too much.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:20:30 +0000

I like your philosophy! It’s kind of where I’m coming from too. I’m looking forward to seeing your website.

By: CheapNLazy Sue

CheapNLazy Sue — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:33:34 +0000

Hey Melissa and all! I’m “CheapNLazy” because I strive to be resourceful (frugal, efficient and effective) with my/family/earth’s resources (Space, Money, Time, Life + Energy/Environment = S.M.i.L.E.), so I can focus on what matters to me (my purpose, passions and priorities) and literally smile!

Frugality has served me well. From $5/week grocery budget in college in the 80s (potatoes, brown rice, wheat bread, eggs, peas, green onion, apples, peanut butter, hot dogs, bell pepper), to married life, 1-income family life, cancer expenses (2x), and now long-term double unemployment.

We do choose weekly non-frugal/nutritious TREATS ~$12.50 (1 box/bag/ tub of soda, cookies, chips and ice cream), and 1 TAKE OUT DINNER ~$22.

Frugality has been a productive hobby, and a helpful tool to help us strive toward our financial goals and meet the unexpected challenges of life. So although we’re currently jobless, we do have 1 car, sm savings & NO DEBT!

Also, I budget using Quicken personal finance software for 21+ years.

Thanks for your frugal tips and friendship!

-CheapNLazy Sue

“Embrace your S.M.i.L.E. with SMiLEorganizing.com!”

• Space Organizing • Money Management/Thrift • Time/Task Management
• Life Purpose/Passions • Energy/Earth Resourcefulness

By: Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:18:51 +0000

Hi Alli, I’m thinking of including the spreadsheet on the website, but not in its current form because I don’t think it is very user friendly at the moment.

Basically I list the months at the top of a sheet and the items down the side and type in $ amounts every time we spend on something under the relevant month. I take an average by dividing it by the number of weeks so far in the year – I have to do this manually – haven’t yet got it to the point where it’s automatic. I group like items and use subtotals and a grand total of the groceries at the bottom. This amount goes across to the complete budget sheet using a referential formula somthing like =sheet2!M85. I’m not sure if that makes sense. I admit, I sound a little OCD. Fiddling around with the setting up can take some time but the bonus is that it is customised to perfectly suits your situation and needs.

By: Alli

Alli — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:06:43 +0000

Hi there! I found the idea of keeping a track of everything you spend money on fantastic!! May I ask how you set up the grocery tracking on excel? Could you even send me a copy? I would love to do something like this, but want it to be efficient straight of the bat, rather than having to fiddle around with setting it up!
Thanks!