Comments on: The Average Grocery Bill http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill Recipes, Cooking Articles, Product Reviews, Menu Planning Tips & More Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:35:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: greta owens http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill/comment-page-2#comment-152558 greta owens Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:34:25 +0000 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill#comment-152558 you are doing a great job on feeding your large family for less. i agree...the More With Less cook book is amazing! you are doing a great job on feeding your large family for less. i agree…the More With Less cook book is amazing!

]]> By: Phil http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill/comment-page-2#comment-152350 Phil Mon, 02 Jan 2012 09:44:09 +0000 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill#comment-152350 Hmmm... Sounds like I need to pick up farming! Hmmm…
Sounds like I need to pick up farming!

]]> By: MarkP http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill/comment-page-2#comment-152048 MarkP Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:35:25 +0000 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill#comment-152048 The office person in your family should be packing a lunch every day (yes, I've put my dad hat on). Get a thermos for coffee (I work at home most days, but use a thermos when I travel). My sister-in-law, who was facing foreclosure, was eating out almost every day for lunch. I showed her how much she could be saving (a couple of thousand a year) and it really opened her eyes, and now she eats healthier to boot. I must say that the grocery stores in the DC area are more expensive than other areas (we lived in Arlington and I've maintained a residence in the MD, DC and VA areas off and on over the past 8 years or so, for work). When I lived and worked in DC, I shopped at Trader Joe's a lot (it was only me), where I was able to get a lot of heat-n-eat stuff that was reasonably priced. When I worked in Harrisburg, PA, I did a majority of my shopping at Aldi's, which was close to my client's office. Their produce is usually very fresh (they have a high turnover of food due to a limited selection). I know there are a number of their stores in the DC area, so I would check them out, particularly for your everyday staples (eggs, cheese, milk, baking supplies, cereals). If you want to switch from easy carbs (pasta, bread, etc.), eat more beans. They are a much healthier carbohydrate, with lots of protein as well. It may sound horrible, but it really isn't (Gas-X Prevention works wonders). Refried beans, Brazilian or Cuban style black beans, chili, etc. Learn how to cook or get canned if you must. We have cut our grocery bill considerably by having beans at least once a day. The office person in your family should be packing a lunch every day (yes, I’ve put my dad hat on). Get a thermos for coffee (I work at home most days, but use a thermos when I travel). My sister-in-law, who was facing foreclosure, was eating out almost every day for lunch. I showed her how much she could be saving (a couple of thousand a year) and it really opened her eyes, and now she eats healthier to boot.

I must say that the grocery stores in the DC area are more expensive than other areas (we lived in Arlington and I’ve maintained a residence in the MD, DC and VA areas off and on over the past 8 years or so, for work).

When I lived and worked in DC, I shopped at Trader Joe’s a lot (it was only me), where I was able to get a lot of heat-n-eat stuff that was reasonably priced. When I worked in Harrisburg, PA, I did a majority of my shopping at Aldi’s, which was close to my client’s office. Their produce is usually very fresh (they have a high turnover of food due to a limited selection). I know there are a number of their stores in the DC area, so I would check them out, particularly for your everyday staples (eggs, cheese, milk, baking supplies, cereals).

If you want to switch from easy carbs (pasta, bread, etc.), eat more beans. They are a much healthier carbohydrate, with lots of protein as well. It may sound horrible, but it really isn’t (Gas-X Prevention works wonders). Refried beans, Brazilian or Cuban style black beans, chili, etc. Learn how to cook or get canned if you must. We have cut our grocery bill considerably by having beans at least once a day.

]]> By: MarkP http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill/comment-page-2#comment-152046 MarkP Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:39:25 +0000 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill#comment-152046 Check out 'The Tightwad Gazette', volumes 1-3 at your library. It is a master's degree in frugality. Here are some quick tips: - Keep a grocery log or notebook, track your costs, and compare prices - Buy store brands, including household cleaning products - Shop local farmer's markets, or road side stands (you live in the SE, you probably have plenty of locally grown produce) - Cook from scratch; if you don't know how, get the Fannie Farmer cookbook for starters - In your case, I would avoid warehouse clubs unless your family grows any bigger and/or your husband starts working locally I hate to sound like an Aldi's fanatic, but if you have one in your area, shop there. They don't have sales, just low prices. 95% of their products are 'store brand', not name brand. Supermarket markups on foods are huge. I hope this helps. Check out ‘The Tightwad Gazette’, volumes 1-3 at your library. It is a master’s degree in frugality.

Here are some quick tips:
- Keep a grocery log or notebook, track your costs, and compare prices
- Buy store brands, including household cleaning products
- Shop local farmer’s markets, or road side stands (you live in the SE, you probably have plenty of locally grown produce)
- Cook from scratch; if you don’t know how, get the Fannie Farmer cookbook for starters
- In your case, I would avoid warehouse clubs unless your family grows any bigger and/or your husband starts working locally

I hate to sound like an Aldi’s fanatic, but if you have one in your area, shop there. They don’t have sales, just low prices. 95% of their products are ‘store brand’, not name brand. Supermarket markups on foods are huge.

I hope this helps.

]]> By: MarkP http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill/comment-page-2#comment-152045 MarkP Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:31:06 +0000 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill#comment-152045 Aldi's rocks and you will save $$$ by shopping there. I used to shop there when I lived in Ohio and was very poor. I forgot about them when I moved to Florida, so I was pleasantly surprised to find one in Elkton, MD near where we live last year. We shop there for some of our staples, but it is a little far from our house (25 minutes) for our weekly shopping. Incidentally, they are owned by the same company as Trader Joe's and a lot of their products are identical if you observe closely. You cannot beat their prices. Example: head of cauliflower $.99 vs. $2.99. Brownie mix $1.29 vs. $2.29. They don't carry a huge selection, just the most popular grocery items. Also, they offer a guarantee, so if you don't like a product, just bring it back. If you shop there, bring your own bags and a quarter (for the cart). As a family of 5 (3 adults, a 3 y.o and 1 y.o), we spent about $877 per month over the last 12 months for food and beverage. However, this includes alcohol (beer, wine), party foods (birthdays, etc.), and 3 months of formula when our daughter decided to not breastfeed any more. The kids get organic fruits and veggies if they are on the Dirty Dozen list. Our costs also include fresh-roasted coffee ($11/lb), which we consume a lot of and is probably the most expensive thing on our list. We drink very few soft drinks and only buy when they are on sale. We buy our fruits and vegetables from BJ's and a huge local produce market. That $877 amount also includes our annual BJ's membership fee. The thing that impacts the $877 a month is the fact that we buy in bulk, particularly during sale, so we could probably live on the food in the basement and freezer for a month or two, easily. I haven't checked our average in two months, but I believe our average is lower, as we have been working to eat through some of our stored food. Take off the wine, beer and coffee and we would be well below $800 per month. Once I have the chance to start cooking more, our food costs will surely fall. I believe that we could drop our costs to $600 a month. Do you want to be more frugal? Go to your library and get 'The Tightwad Gazette', volumes 1-3. It is a master's degree in frugality. Aldi’s rocks and you will save $$$ by shopping there. I used to shop there when I lived in Ohio and was very poor. I forgot about them when I moved to Florida, so I was pleasantly surprised to find one in Elkton, MD near where we live last year. We shop there for some of our staples, but it is a little far from our house (25 minutes) for our weekly shopping. Incidentally, they are owned by the same company as Trader Joe’s and a lot of their products are identical if you observe closely. You cannot beat their prices. Example: head of cauliflower $.99 vs. $2.99. Brownie mix $1.29 vs. $2.29. They don’t carry a huge selection, just the most popular grocery items. Also, they offer a guarantee, so if you don’t like a product, just bring it back. If you shop there, bring your own bags and a quarter (for the cart).

As a family of 5 (3 adults, a 3 y.o and 1 y.o), we spent about $877 per month over the last 12 months for food and beverage. However, this includes alcohol (beer, wine), party foods (birthdays, etc.), and 3 months of formula when our daughter decided to not breastfeed any more. The kids get organic fruits and veggies if they are on the Dirty Dozen list. Our costs also include fresh-roasted coffee ($11/lb), which we consume a lot of and is probably the most expensive thing on our list. We drink very few soft drinks and only buy when they are on sale. We buy our fruits and vegetables from BJ’s and a huge local produce market. That $877 amount also includes our annual BJ’s membership fee.

The thing that impacts the $877 a month is the fact that we buy in bulk, particularly during sale, so we could probably live on the food in the basement and freezer for a month or two, easily. I haven’t checked our average in two months, but I believe our average is lower, as we have been working to eat through some of our stored food. Take off the wine, beer and coffee and we would be well below $800 per month. Once I have the chance to start cooking more, our food costs will surely fall. I believe that we could drop our costs to $600 a month.

Do you want to be more frugal? Go to your library and get ‘The Tightwad Gazette’, volumes 1-3. It is a master’s degree in frugality.

]]> By: Molly http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill/comment-page-2#comment-151887 Molly Sun, 02 Oct 2011 15:50:25 +0000 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill#comment-151887 If you shop with coupons/sales, it's the NAME BRANDS that have the best deal! You won't see a coupon for a generaic item and those don't go on any good sales. Manufacturers will put out high value coupons (especially if it's a new item) Stores run sales, and some double coupons. If you can combine the coupon+sale+double coupon, you can actually get items for free and if there is a catalina promotion running at the same time, you can actually get paid to buy the product. It's all about timing. If you shop with coupons/sales, it’s the NAME BRANDS that have the best deal!
You won’t see a coupon for a generaic item and those don’t go on any good sales.
Manufacturers will put out high value coupons (especially if it’s a new item) Stores run sales, and some double coupons.
If you can combine the coupon+sale+double coupon, you can actually get items for free and if there is a catalina promotion running at the same time, you can actually get paid to buy the product.
It’s all about timing.

]]> By: Dawn http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill/comment-page-2#comment-151827 Dawn Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:43:58 +0000 http://www.themenumom.com/the-average-grocery-bill#comment-151827 We are a family of 7(dad, mom, 5 kids 14 and under). We use an envelope/cash system and that amount is $560/month. This is for food, diapers, cleaning supplies, helth and beauty, dog food,and any additional foods (i.e.potluck or holiday items). I use coupons often, but not regularly. I like to hit off-brand stores like Save-a-lot for some dry goods, and the the big chain store for produce and meat, pet food, etc. I plan a menu based on the meat sales, and then assemble a list based on needed ingredients for those meals. The cash envelope provides accountability and an excuse to say "no" to the latest toy in the checkout aisle. Loved reading your ideas! We are a family of 7(dad, mom, 5 kids 14 and under). We use an envelope/cash system and that amount is $560/month. This is for food, diapers, cleaning supplies, helth and beauty, dog food,and any additional foods (i.e.potluck or holiday items). I use coupons often, but not regularly. I like to hit off-brand stores like Save-a-lot for some dry goods, and the the big chain store for produce and meat, pet food, etc. I plan a menu based on the meat sales, and then assemble a list based on needed ingredients for those meals. The cash envelope provides accountability and an excuse to say “no” to the latest toy in the checkout aisle. Loved reading your ideas!

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