Comments on: The Average Grocery Bill http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill Recipes, Cooking Articles, Product Reviews, Menu Planning Tips & More Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:23:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Theresa http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill/comment-page-1#comment-150146 Theresa Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:21:12 +0000 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill#comment-150146 wow is that helpful ! Thank YOU ! I am going to incorporate into my spreadsheet and repost. I have been trying to find a site that lists prices by area for groceries (that's a big database effort, clearly....). I can't find one.... a couple of sites appear to have coupon archives but it is not clear if they have price comparisons..... wow is that helpful !
Thank YOU !

I am going to incorporate into my spreadsheet and repost. I have been trying to find a site that lists prices by area for groceries (that’s a big database effort, clearly….).

I can’t find one…. a couple of sites appear to have coupon archives but it is not clear if they have price comparisons…..

]]> By: Family of 6 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill/comment-page-1#comment-150145 Family of 6 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:55:53 +0000 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill#comment-150145 next 10 years, then we will have tuition paid for. next 10 years, then we will have tuition paid for.

]]> By: Family of 6 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill/comment-page-1#comment-150144 Family of 6 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:55:10 +0000 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill#comment-150144 The kids went to private religious school, but with our 4th ready for school we couldn't stomach 4x the tuition ($20,000+ per year total). We never went to public school, so I can't compare. We're lucky to have a virtual charter school option (Georgia Cyber Academy), accredited (!) and also paid for by the state. I hear there will be about 6000 students statewide next year! We get all the books and materials (return everything except workbooks at end of year), a curriculum, and an online teacher who holds class once/wk and we meet in-person occasionally. GCA also organizes field trips either for free or group rates. We have the freedom to move ahead once a topic is "mastered" or spend more time on things that interest us. If there is something offensive (but everything is *very* politically correct), we can just skip it or gloss over it. My 2nd grader's history covered the Roman Empire through the Middle Ages, and my 3rd grader had the Middle Ages, Reformation, Age of Exploration, and Revolutionary War. Amazing! We bought this house (we have 6 acres, with 40+ acres of surrounding forest) for the privacy and proximity to the city (11 miles to Midtown). Unfortunately, all of the schools fail AYP and we have low-income apartments and trailer parks in our neighborhood. They did open a charter school (part of the Imagine Academy franchise) about 1/2 mile down the road, but I'm still not comfortable sending the kids to that environment until they iron out the kinks. There are some really good public schools in Atlanta, just not in my area. If our gamble pays off and the developers come in the next 1 The kids went to private religious school, but with our 4th ready for school we couldn’t stomach 4x the tuition ($20,000+ per year total). We never went to public school, so I can’t compare.

We’re lucky to have a virtual charter school option (Georgia Cyber Academy), accredited (!) and also paid for by the state. I hear there will be about 6000 students statewide next year! We get all the books and materials (return everything except workbooks at end of year), a curriculum, and an online teacher who holds class once/wk and we meet in-person occasionally. GCA also organizes field trips either for free or group rates. We have the freedom to move ahead once a topic is “mastered” or spend more time on things that interest us. If there is something offensive (but everything is *very* politically correct), we can just skip it or gloss over it. My 2nd grader’s history covered the Roman Empire through the Middle Ages, and my 3rd grader had the Middle Ages, Reformation, Age of Exploration, and Revolutionary War. Amazing!

We bought this house (we have 6 acres, with 40+ acres of surrounding forest) for the privacy and proximity to the city (11 miles to Midtown). Unfortunately, all of the schools fail AYP and we have low-income apartments and trailer parks in our neighborhood. They did open a charter school (part of the Imagine Academy franchise) about 1/2 mile down the road, but I’m still not comfortable sending the kids to that environment until they iron out the kinks. There are some really good public schools in Atlanta, just not in my area. If our gamble pays off and the developers come in the next 1

]]> By: Family of 6 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill/comment-page-1#comment-150143 Family of 6 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:36:29 +0000 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill#comment-150143 My numbers are not everyday numbers, but my "best price" numbers meaning that I WON'T buy potatoes at $0.60/lb but at $1.79/10 pounds. But that means always knowing what's in my pantry because I might not go back to the good-for-potatoes store for another 2 weeks. (current summer prices) *** FRUIT/VEG *** apples $2.50/3 lbs bananas $0.39/lb oranges $2.99/4 lbs (winter price -- still in season?) grapes $0.99/lb broccoli $1.29/lb green beans $0.99/lb potatoes $1.79/10 lbs strawberries $0.99 yellow onions $1.99/3 lbs green onions $1 for 3-5 bunches fresh ginger not sure, I buy small pieces baby carrots $2.50/3 lbs when they are BOGO free tomatoes $0.49/lb peaches $0.50/lb (summer!) plums $0.99/lb seedless watermelon $2.99-3.99 blueberries FREE! (1 bush in garden = about a gallon so far :) avocado $0.50 cucumber $1 for 3-5 romaine heart $1.99/3 heads head of iceberg $0.99 (cheaper to buy romaine and it lasts longer) cabbage $0.39/lb carrots $0.59/lb celery $1.39 gr peppers $0.50 ea mushrooms $1.39/8 oz anise $1.99 petite gr peas $1/lb frozen skinny gr beans $1.29/lb frozen garlic 32oz jar $2.99 spaghetti sauce $0.99/can tomato paste 6 oz $0.39 salsa $1.69/jar *** JUNK FOOD *** plain corn chips $1.00 (about 13 oz) generic doritos $1.29 (about 13 oz) generic cheetos $1.99 (about 13 oz) generic kettle chips $1.99 (about 13 oz) indiv size chips $10.50/50 1 oz bags 100% juice boxes $1.99/10-pack (but I loaded up when it was $1.29 :) french fries $10.69/30 lbs hash browns $2.69/20 pieces *** DAIRY *** cheese chunk $1.99/8 oz shredded mozzarella $10.50/5 lbs gallon milk $2.09 (was $1.69 just a few months ago!) dozen eggs $0.79 lb butter $1.99 cream cheese $0.99/8 oz chunk *** MEAT *** (all meat is "halal" which is more expensive like kosher) ground beef regular $1.99/lb ground beef xlean $2.69/lb chicken leg quarters $0.49/lb whole chicken $1.09/lb goat cubes $2.75/lb lamb cubes $3.49/lb tilapia fillets $11.00/4 lbs 25/30 size raw shrimp $3.99/lb tuna $6.50/6 lb 6 oz can *** BREAD/GRAINS *** hot dot/hamburger $0.49/8-pack generic wheat sandwich $1.19 bolillo $1.00/3 pieces french bread $1.25/baguette donuts (bakery) $2.40/dozen long grain rice $??/50 lbs brown rice $??/10 lbs couscous $1/lb cereal $1.50-$2.00/box dry beans $18/20 lb case pasta $0.88/lb (mostly BOGO at Publix) *** MISC *** ranch/french/vinegarette $0.99-$1.29/15 oz ketchup $3/114 oz can BBQ sauce $0.89/small bottle sugar $2.25/5 lbs flour $1.69/5 lbs salt $0.33 dog food 50 lb $12.99 (he also eats lots of leftovers) *** WHERE I GO SHOPPING *** I would say 50% of the time I go to the farmer's market. Not the trendy outdoors ones, but the ones in ethnic neighborhoods (Korean, Chinese, or Mexican) that look like Publix. You have to try out different ones until you find the right mix of cleanliness (!), price, and selection. Plus you can get a great lunch in the food court before hand. 30% Aldi 10% Publix/Kroger (mostly loss leaders) 10% Restaurant Depot Restaurant Depot really saves me a lot of money because I can make the same foods at home instead of going out. It really burns me up to go somewhere nice and all the kids want is pizza or mac-and-cheese! I'm always on the lookout for deals and not afraid to look like a total NUT buying a whole cartful of stuff. Recent best deals: - gourmet frozen mixed veg (sugar snap, yellow squash, etc) was $0.59/lb; - indiv cupcake bites (like Little Bites) were $0.49/box-of-six; - 44-load Xtra laundry detergent was $1.00; - 4-pack of Barilla whole wheat spaghetti was $2.88; - Lindt chocolate balls (about 12 in bag) was $1.00 !!! My numbers are not everyday numbers, but my “best price” numbers meaning that I WON’T buy potatoes at $0.60/lb but at $1.79/10 pounds. But that means always knowing what’s in my pantry because I might not go back to the good-for-potatoes store for another 2 weeks.

(current summer prices)

*** FRUIT/VEG ***
apples $2.50/3 lbs
bananas $0.39/lb
oranges $2.99/4 lbs (winter price — still in season?)
grapes $0.99/lb
broccoli $1.29/lb
green beans $0.99/lb
potatoes $1.79/10 lbs
strawberries $0.99
yellow onions $1.99/3 lbs
green onions $1 for 3-5 bunches
fresh ginger not sure, I buy small pieces
baby carrots $2.50/3 lbs when they are BOGO free
tomatoes $0.49/lb
peaches $0.50/lb (summer!)
plums $0.99/lb
seedless watermelon $2.99-3.99
blueberries FREE! (1 bush in garden = about a gallon so far :)
avocado $0.50
cucumber $1 for 3-5
romaine heart $1.99/3 heads
head of iceberg $0.99 (cheaper to buy romaine and it lasts longer)
cabbage $0.39/lb
carrots $0.59/lb
celery $1.39
gr peppers $0.50 ea
mushrooms $1.39/8 oz
anise $1.99
petite gr peas $1/lb frozen
skinny gr beans $1.29/lb frozen
garlic 32oz jar $2.99

spaghetti sauce $0.99/can
tomato paste 6 oz $0.39
salsa $1.69/jar

*** JUNK FOOD ***
plain corn chips $1.00 (about 13 oz)
generic doritos $1.29 (about 13 oz)
generic cheetos $1.99 (about 13 oz)
generic kettle chips $1.99 (about 13 oz)
indiv size chips $10.50/50 1 oz bags
100% juice boxes $1.99/10-pack (but I loaded up when it was $1.29 :)

french fries $10.69/30 lbs
hash browns $2.69/20 pieces

*** DAIRY ***
cheese chunk $1.99/8 oz
shredded mozzarella $10.50/5 lbs
gallon milk $2.09 (was $1.69 just a few months ago!)
dozen eggs $0.79
lb butter $1.99
cream cheese $0.99/8 oz chunk

*** MEAT ***
(all meat is “halal” which is more expensive like kosher)

ground beef regular $1.99/lb
ground beef xlean $2.69/lb
chicken leg quarters $0.49/lb
whole chicken $1.09/lb
goat cubes $2.75/lb
lamb cubes $3.49/lb
tilapia fillets $11.00/4 lbs
25/30 size raw shrimp $3.99/lb
tuna $6.50/6 lb 6 oz can

*** BREAD/GRAINS ***
hot dot/hamburger $0.49/8-pack
generic wheat sandwich $1.19
bolillo $1.00/3 pieces
french bread $1.25/baguette
donuts (bakery) $2.40/dozen

long grain rice $??/50 lbs
brown rice $??/10 lbs
couscous $1/lb
cereal $1.50-$2.00/box
dry beans $18/20 lb case
pasta $0.88/lb (mostly BOGO at Publix)

*** MISC ***
ranch/french/vinegarette $0.99-$1.29/15 oz
ketchup $3/114 oz can
BBQ sauce $0.89/small bottle
sugar $2.25/5 lbs
flour $1.69/5 lbs
salt $0.33

dog food 50 lb $12.99 (he also eats lots of leftovers)

*** WHERE I GO SHOPPING ***

I would say 50% of the time I go to the farmer’s market. Not the trendy outdoors ones, but the ones in ethnic neighborhoods (Korean, Chinese, or Mexican) that look like Publix. You have to try out different ones until you find the right mix of cleanliness (!), price, and selection. Plus you can get a great lunch in the food court before hand.

30% Aldi
10% Publix/Kroger (mostly loss leaders)
10% Restaurant Depot

Restaurant Depot really saves me a lot of money because I can make the same foods at home instead of going out. It really burns me up to go somewhere nice and all the kids want is pizza or mac-and-cheese!

I’m always on the lookout for deals and not afraid to look like a total NUT buying a whole cartful of stuff. Recent best deals:

- gourmet frozen mixed veg (sugar snap, yellow squash, etc) was $0.59/lb;
- indiv cupcake bites (like Little Bites) were $0.49/box-of-six;
- 44-load Xtra laundry detergent was $1.00;
- 4-pack of Barilla whole wheat spaghetti was $2.88;
- Lindt chocolate balls (about 12 in bag) was $1.00 !!!

]]> By: Theresa http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill/comment-page-1#comment-150140 Theresa Wed, 30 Jun 2010 04:19:10 +0000 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill#comment-150140 oh, and if you have time I am very interested in why you decided to home school. my kids are in catholic schools because I was horrified at what was going on in the public schools (indoctrination, no sense of values, anything goes coupled with teacher approved mockery of any organized religion)... we are not quite to the condoms handed out to elementary kids of Provincetown but close. we are the "condoms on cucumbers" district. full explanations of everything you ever would have want to ask about the birds and the bees in co-ed classrooms at age 10 (fifth grade, complete with graphic pictures) I had my kids in public school for exactly one year as a result. I would have thought Atlanta, in GA, wouldn't be quite as bad as far as the public schools. oh, and if you have time I am very interested in why you decided to home school. my kids are in catholic schools because I was horrified at what was going on in the public schools (indoctrination, no sense of values, anything goes coupled with teacher approved mockery of any organized religion)…
we are not quite to the condoms handed out to elementary kids of Provincetown but close.
we are the “condoms on cucumbers” district.
full explanations of everything you ever would have want to ask about the birds and the bees in co-ed classrooms at age 10 (fifth grade, complete with graphic pictures)
I had my kids in public school for exactly one year as a result.
I would have thought Atlanta, in GA, wouldn’t be quite as bad as far as the public schools.

]]> By: Theresa http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill/comment-page-1#comment-150139 Theresa Wed, 30 Jun 2010 03:13:57 +0000 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill#comment-150139 okay this isn't formatting correctly and I can't figure out how to get it to do so... If there is a percentage, it is a number you supplied, if not, it is a safeway number. thanks again. okay this isn’t formatting correctly and I can’t figure out how to get it to do so… If there is a percentage, it is a number you supplied, if not, it is a safeway number.
thanks again.

]]> By: Theresa http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill/comment-page-1#comment-150138 Theresa Wed, 30 Jun 2010 03:11:07 +0000 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill#comment-150138 Hi family of 6... So I am determined to get this number down (or at least determine if it is possible)... I put your numbers on a spreadsheet and carried them around with me at Safeway today in the MD suburbs (Montgomery County). My shopping list didn't have all of your items, but I have been diligently recording prices. I am going to try Trader Joes, Giant and do the same. I had three numbers I checked against yours and would love to check some more. Bottom line, 20% more for DC is way off (or perhaps it is just Safeway)... It's more like 50% to 1.5 times more....which would explain why my bill is double yours ! Maybe it is just where I am shopping. Anyway, here is my spreadsheet so far. Right now my plan is not to adjust what I am doing for a month, just to go different places and record. My husband thinks I am nuts, BUT, if I can shave 5K off our bill somehow (and pre-tax that's 9-10K) maybe that's not so crazy....but if you have time to record what you think some of these numbers should be that would be great. Thanks again. Produce atlanta mom internet price md safeway percent more per lb apples $0.83 bananas $0.39 $0.59 51.28% oranges $0.63 grapes $0.99 broccoli $1.29 green beans $0.99 potatoes $0.60 strawberries $0.99 green onions $1.28 fresh ginger $1.49 baby carrots $1.50 peaches $2.49 each avocado $0.50 $1.25 150.00% cucumber $0.75 romaine - per head $0.66 $1.56 135.18% head of iceberg $1.99 petite green peas garlic (1 clove sets) $0.50 blueberries (pt) $3.00 junk food tostitoes scoops 15 oz bag $3.60 $2.00 dairy sharp cheddar cheese - 1 lb $3.49 $3.50 skim milk gallon $3.79 meats hamburger meat (20% fat) $3.99 boneless chicken (per lb) $1.99 breads arnold loaf whole grain $2.69 condiments caesar dressing (marzetti 15 oz) $3.99 molasses morton salt standard $0.69 Hi family of 6…

So I am determined to get this number down (or at least determine if it is possible)… I put your numbers on a spreadsheet and carried them around with me at Safeway today in the MD suburbs (Montgomery County).

My shopping list didn’t have all of your items, but I have been diligently recording prices. I am going to try Trader Joes, Giant and do the same. I had three numbers I checked against yours and would love to check some more. Bottom line, 20% more for DC is way off (or perhaps it is just Safeway)…

It’s more like 50% to 1.5 times more….which would explain why my bill is double yours ! Maybe it is just where I am shopping.

Anyway, here is my spreadsheet so far. Right now my plan is not to adjust what I am doing for a month, just to go different places and record. My husband thinks I am nuts, BUT, if I can shave 5K off our bill somehow (and pre-tax that’s 9-10K) maybe that’s not so crazy….but if you have time to record what you think some of these numbers should be that would be great.

Thanks again.

Produce atlanta mom internet price md safeway percent more
per lb
apples $0.83
bananas $0.39 $0.59 51.28%
oranges $0.63
grapes $0.99
broccoli $1.29
green beans $0.99
potatoes $0.60
strawberries $0.99
green onions $1.28
fresh ginger $1.49
baby carrots $1.50
peaches $2.49

each
avocado $0.50 $1.25 150.00%
cucumber $0.75
romaine – per head $0.66 $1.56 135.18%
head of iceberg $1.99
petite green peas
garlic (1 clove sets) $0.50
blueberries (pt) $3.00

junk food
tostitoes scoops 15 oz bag $3.60 $2.00

dairy
sharp cheddar cheese – 1 lb $3.49 $3.50
skim milk gallon $3.79

meats
hamburger meat (20% fat) $3.99
boneless chicken (per lb) $1.99

breads
arnold loaf whole grain $2.69

condiments
caesar dressing (marzetti 15 oz) $3.99
molasses
morton salt standard $0.69

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