How much do you spend on groceries?

[OutinChgoburbs]

Actually there are six Caputos and I usually shop at the ones in Addison or Bloomingdale (even though, when I move, I won’t be near one, so I’ll have to just buy the produce on my way home from work). I know that there are other markets that are owned by the same owner (closer to where I’m moving) so hopefully their choice of produce and meat will be excellent too.

I LOVE their cheeses and I have think their Italian sausage is the best around (even though Jewel’s brand is pretty decent too). I have eaten their chicken, pork loin roast, and ham and they cook up (and digest ) nicely. I had purchased some steak of theirs but had to throw it out after that storm in August knocked out our power for a few days so I can’t report on it’s quality. Their fish is also top notch, imho. I do think that their bakery needs improvement, but that’s in comparison to the excellent Italian bakery my family has been using for years. If you knew anyone in my family,they’d tell you about my obsessive love of Caputos (I get such a high from shopping there and saving money on quality products). Did I mention, I love Caputos?

I love Caputo’s too, but I avoid the one in Naperville. It’s like they said, “Let’s build a store here and charge more than the other Caputo’s.” I’m hoping the new one in Batavia or Geneva has better prices. I also like Butera.

I get a lot of our food from a food co-op called SHARE. I get everything else at Aldi or Woodman’s, except fresh veggies. I get those at Caputo’s. I really like the Tilde detergent at Aldi’s, very close to Tide. I can keep the cost of EVERYTHING (food, toiletries, laundry, cleaning) down to about $250 a month if I use SHARE and buy “boring” food, doing my own cooking to make it “fun” for everybody. That is for a husband who changes his clothes a lot, a middle-aged woman on a constant low carb diet, and two school-aged girls who eat as if they were stevedores and also change clothes twice a day.

 

[gmarie21]

I love Caputo’s too, but I avoid the one in Naperville. It’s like they said, “Let’s build a store here and charge more than the other Caputo’s.” I’m hoping the new one in Batavia or Geneva has better prices. I also like Butera.

I get a lot of our food from a food co-op called SHARE. I get everything else at Aldi or Woodman’s, except fresh veggies. I get those at Caputo’s. I really like the Tilde detergent at Aldi’s, very close to Tide. I can keep the cost of EVERYTHING (food, toiletries, laundry, cleaning) down to about $250 a month if I use SHARE and buy “boring” food, doing my own cooking to make it “fun” for everybody. That is for a husband who changes his clothes a lot, a middle-aged woman on a constant low carb diet, and two school-aged girls who eat as if they were stevedores and also change clothes twice a day.

When are they opening a Caputos in Batavia or Geneva? I’ll be moving directly west of Geneva and would LOVE to shop at Caputos closer to home (where I don’t have to worry about the meat rotting on the car ride home). I also LOVE Aldi’s and like to buy many of their brands (same taste as other brands and cheaper than even other store’s generic brands). Thanks for the tip about the detergent from Aldi’s I’ll have to try it for this delicate skin of mine.

 

[Just_wondering]

I live alone, and I spend about $150 on groceries, sometimes more. I’m pretty strict with what I buy, but it’s hard to buy for one. I also spend more when my boyfriend’s work schedule is slow, because he and his friends eat at my house! They cook, though, so I can’t complain too much.

Here’s my strategy. Unless I have a specific need in mind (a special dinner or something) nothing on the list is absolutely necessary except milk. Everything else is dependent on the price. For vegetables, I only buy a kind if I know how to use them in two or three recipes, so I’m sure I’ll use them up without being bored of them. I tend to eat pasta and rice a lot, because I can top them with whatever’s in the fridge, even if I don’t have several key ingredients. I very rarely eat bread, and when I do I usually make my own and freeze it.

I don’t walk down the centre aisles of the grocery store - I hit the outer circle of vegetables, fish, meat, eggs, milk, and bread. I occasionally venture into the aisles for flour, cereal, or frozen foods. I buy frozen foods (basically just steamed dumplings) when I know I’m in for a busy week and won’t have time to cook, but I limit myself to the brand that’s two for one. There’s always something two for one in the frozen foods aisle, and if I don’t like that brand, I figure I don’t need anything.

For meat and fish, I buy it if it’s on sale and fits into the menu plan. I usually have two versions of every dish - one with meat and one without - so when meat’s expensive I just make the veggie version. And my boyfriend likes to make fried chicken when he comes over, so I wait for the chicken pieces to go on sale - they’re 50% off every third week or so.

I usually stick to my list and my budget very strictly. If I come in on list and under budget, I sometimes allow myself a treat, but not that often. There are no snack foods on my list at all, so my treat is usually yogurt or sometimes chocolate chips for cookie-making.

 

[hasikelee]

I’ve been trying to find ways to trim down our grocery bill—it basically runs over $400 each month and that just seems an awful lot for 2 people. DH and I both bring our lunches to work—I use the little frozen Michelina lunches that are $1 each and we buy big boxes/bags of snack foods and redistribute them into little snack bags which I found helps a lot. One thing I’ve been needing to cut off the list is the bottled water—we could both just use water bottles at work. Oh and we have two dogs who are picky eaters and prefer canned food. I’ve gotten to where we only spend about $8 a week on that, though.

However there are some things that I just find it hard to save on. Laundry detergent is one…I’ve started using less on loads, so that has helped a little. Meat is another hard one. Oh, and contact lenses solution (not that I buy it a lot) are kinda pricey if you use the Alcon brand. Actually there are a decent amount of stuff that falls into the hard to save money on designation. Milk, cheese, butter…

So how much do you spend each month on groceries? What are some of the changes that really helped your grocery budget?

Isn’t it crazy? I grew up with my mom magically providing delicious and healthy meals for about the same $400…and that was for up to 11 people.

But DH and I averaged $50-75 a week on just the two of us.

Fortunately, we are currently going to school and have a meal plan of 19 meals a week for $3000 for 16 weeks…but the the thing to note is that this is covered by our scholarship so it is completely free.

Yes, no food expenses.

Summer is looming, lol. The main issue seems to be you can’t cook a lot of food and freeze it, because it’s just two people! The food tends to rot before you get to it if you stock up, but buying small portions is more expensive.

 

[graceandglory]

Hi. Right now, I am shopping for myself, hubby, German Shepherd puppy and two kitty cats. We budget ourselves to $80/week max for shopping, and sometimes are able to only spend between $50 and $60/week

I’m guessing that is about as low as you can go. I have been a scrimper for so many years. I still can’t get it below about $70 a week, or $280 per month. And I don’t have a pet.

However, my twins are becoming men, and are beginning to eat me out of house and home.

I added another gallon of milk, a few extra loaves of bread and peanut butter, and a few more bunches of bananas to our list. Still they are hungry.

Can anyone tell me how to keep teenage boys’ bellies full without going broke?

 

[kage_ar]

Summer is looming, lol. The main issue seems to be you can’t cook a lot of food and freeze it, because it’s just two people! The food tends to rot before you get to it if you stock up, but buying small portions is more expensive.

You can cook in large quantities - and feeze 2/4 portion containers or freezer bags.

Cook up 5 lbs of ground beef, divide that into 5 freezer bags of one lb each - then thaw 1ne at a time and use as needed for stew, tacos, sloppy joes, spag sauce, etc. Same with chicken. Cook a bunch in the crock pot, shread it and divide and freeze.

Eggs on sale? Break them into ice cube trays and freeze them

Stews and soups freeze well. Cook up a big bunch of pancakes, freeze and pop em in the toaster for a warm breakfast. Make a big batch of breakfast burritos and freeze.

You are a creative lady - you can do it!

Lasagna can be cooked big and divided up in 4 portions.

 

[hasikelee]

You can cook in large quantities - and feeze 2/4 portion containers or freezer bags.

Cook up 5 lbs of ground beef, divide that into 5 freezer bags of one lb each - then thaw 1ne at a time and use as needed for stew, tacos, sloppy joes, spag sauce, etc. Same with chicken. Cook a bunch in the crock pot, shread it and divide and freeze.

Eggs on sale? Break them into ice cube trays and freeze them

Stews and soups freeze well. Cook up a big bunch of pancakes, freeze and pop em in the toaster for a warm breakfast. Make a big batch of breakfast burritos and freeze.

You are a creative lady - you can do it!

Lasagna can be cooked big and divided up in 4 portions.

Okay, I will honestly be trying your suggestions out…so this is not a cop-out…but…my other issue is eating a slightly “alternative” diet, basically, the only thing cooked is rice and meat.

I know I have to adjust my lifestyle as I can’t afford my parents’ ideal of fresh fuits and veggies at every meal. I found out the hard way that 2 working adults rarely go into the fridge enough times to eat the raw food before it spoils.

Honestly, you’d think we would be smart enough to realize this…let me tell you, the first time I cooked a big dinner for the two of us, I cooked enough to feed an army of kids. We had leftovers every night until I had to throw the rest out. Talk about habit!

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Can anyone tell me how to keep teenage boys’ bellies full without going broke?

My son was a big eater as a teenager, and my now adult daughter could pack away 1/2 gallon of ice cream in the twinkling of an eye.

This is how I did it:
1.) Shop “lost leaders” when they are what you can use. Make several trips to the same store for the samelost leader you need. Make the kids stand in line for it.
2.) Pasta, rice, potatoes!!!
3.) Think stews, thick soups (what Rachael Ray calls “stoup”) and casseroles. Always have some in the refrigerator. Make it in multiple recipes.
4.) Don’t buy designer ice cream until they go to college. No joke. You will never see it unless you have a fridge in your bedroom and ban them from it. Buy that stuff in the big 5 and 10 gallon buckets that comes in all vanilla, all chocolate, or chocolate-vanilla-strawberry.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

When are they opening a Caputos in Batavia or Geneva? I’ll be moving directly west of Geneva and would LOVE to shop at Caputos closer to home (where I don’t have to worry about the meat rotting on the car ride home). I also LOVE Aldi’s and like to buy many of their brands (same taste as other brands and cheaper than even other store’s generic brands). Thanks for the tip about the detergent from Aldi’s I’ll have to try it for this delicate skin of mine.

The new Aldi on Randall and Oak in North Aurora is the best!!! Just don’t buy the wine at Aldi’s, It is, at best, insipid. The beer is not too bad, though.

I might have made a mistake, because I have been all over the place in the past three weeks. If it is coming, it is on Randall Road. I just can’t remember where. The Naperville one is on Route 59 and 111th. The South Elgin one is on Randall near the road to ECC.

 

[mom2Grace]

Oh my I need to study these tips. I spend about $115 a week for 2 adults and one toddler. Yikes. Organic milk, organic yogurt, super lean ground turkey, lots of fresh fruits and veggies and specialty condiments. Oh my. I really should do better. I should know better. Mom taught me better than this. Got into the habit when we were a 2 income, no baby household but it really needs to change now that we are a 1 income, 1 baby, 2nd on the way household!

 

[gam3rchic]

Buy extra freezer space and buy up meat when it goes on sale…lots of it!!! That’s what I do and I save a bunch of money on groceries. Trust me, the meat will still taste ok if it’s been frozen for a couple of months. Also, when meat is discounted b/c they have to sell it that day (freshness label expires that day or next) I buy it all up and freeze it too! As long as you freeze it that day you will have no problems.

Also, buy ground beef in bulk and portion it when you get home. Ground beef, turkey, chicken, etc. is usually much cheaper in bulk. Portion it at home.

When vegetables go on sale like broccoli, you can buy it up and freeze it as well!

Try to extend the self life of fresh foods by making sure you are storing them correctly. Celery, for example, lasts a LOT longer if you store it in aluminum foil in the fridge. My celery will stay fresh and crisp up to a month if I tightly wrap it in foil.

Shop sale items and buy up! In the long run, it will save you money. I spend about $300/month (for 2 people) when I spend a lot buying up meat, but then the next month I’ll only spend about $200. It will fluctuate month to month, so it’s not a good strategy if you have a very strict budget, but it works for us

 

[irisheyes66]

We stick to a very tight budget. Our family of four spends $400/month. We do most of our shopping a Jewel with Sam’s Club (meat, diapers, milk, etc…) and Aldi’s for a few other items.

We also utilize our parish Manna program and get 5% back toward school tuition.

 

[petitfleur]

Thanks gmarie,
My Caputos is on Randall Rd in Algonquin.
I am hearing so many good tips to use when baby #4 comes and I stop my dog walking Gig. Cutting out on all the junky food is my current goal. I allow popcorn and pretzels becuase my kids only sort of like them. Its healthier too.

 

[bklynbrat]

I looked into joining Sam’s, but it’s something around $50/year to join. Did you find that your savings far exceeded that? I do most of our grocery shopping at Walmart, so I didn’t find the prices were that much better.

I just joined back in January. Membership was $40, but I had my sister with me that day, and the girl said since I was joining, sister could join too. It was like a 2 for 1 thing so it only ended up cosing me $20!

Look into it.

 

[reganq]

If you have an Aldi or Sav-a-Lot around, definitely shop those places first. Their prices are at least 50% lower than regular grocery stores around here and cheaper than Walmart prices, too.

As far as laundry detergent, I began making our own laundry soap several months ago. It cleans just as well if not better and it costs under 5 cents a load. I found a recipe for it on CAF and also googled for additional recipes.

You can also make your own fabric softener, stain remover, etc. It just takes a little internet searching and time.

Good luck!

 

[AHapka]

I guess I could learn from the lot of you:

We spend 593.02 a month for the past year for me, DW, and two sons (4 years and now 22 months).

In the year before our first baby came along, we spent 420.60 a month…more then some of you are spending for families

(can you tell I’m one of those husbands who tracks his families spending to the penny on financial software…lol). Just to show you what inflation has done, when I first started tracking in 1997, we spent 306.50 a month.

I guess we had better learn from all of you

Andy

 

[JennBob]

I guess I could learn from the lot of you:

We spend 593.02 a month for the past year for me, DW, and two sons (4 years and now 22 months).

In the year before our first baby came along, we spent 420.60 a month…more then some of you are spending for families

(can you tell I’m one of those husbands who tracks his families spending to the penny on financial software…lol). Just to show you what inflation has done, when I first started tracking in 1997, we spent 306.50 a month.

Really,it has soooo much to do with what part of the country we live in! I get double and triple manufacturer’s coupons everyday and that has a lot to do with it.For the regional items like millk/dairy,just do the best you can and stock up and freeze when there is a good deal. In my part of the midwest,there have been record consumer prices so I just go with what is the best. That really is all we can do.

Andy

 

[TraderTif]

Wow, I’m reading all this…and now I feel like we spend a lot!!

I live with my (senior citizen) parents, and we probably spend about $600 a month on groceries. Although, we went shopping last week, and the bill jumped to almost $300.

The thing is, I’m in charge of the cooking, and I choose most of the groceries. *I don’t know what to do to get the cost down!!! *I’ve been clipping coupons, buying generics, etc. But stuff is expensive!

Of course, I’ve been fiddling greatly with everyone’s diets, because we all have health problems. I’ve noticed an increase in health…but it’s accompanied by an increase in grocery bills. (You ever try to cut wheat out of your diet? A bag of gluten-free cereal here is $7.50!!) :bigyikes:

 

[Just_wondering]

Of course, I’ve been fiddling greatly with everyone’s diets, because we all have health problems. I’ve noticed an increase in health…but it’s accompanied by an increase in grocery bills. (You ever try to cut wheat out of your diet? A bag of gluten-free cereal here is $7.50!!) :bigyikes:

Yeah, I’ve noticed that with a change of diet comes a price hike - it doesn’t matter what kind of diet change you make. I think the answer is to change the way you eat, not just the ingredients. For example, if gluten-free is a requirement, then you might need to change breakfast to a different kind of food - maybe omelettes, maybe grapefruit and yogurt… (I’m not sure what your requirements are).

When I came to Korea, I tried to continue cooking the way I had at home, and my food bills skyrocketed. Turns out that staples in Canada are specialty items in Korea. Now I shop smarter - I figured out how to cook with the things I can buy, not how to find cheaper versions of things I want. In your case, that means learning to how to prepare dishes that meet your dietary needs, rather than looking for expensive substitutes. (It’s like the way artificial egg is way more expensive than real egg. Or turkey bacon costs more than genuine bacon. It costs a lot for them to take one thing and fake it into something else.)

I miss eating turkey for holidays, but not enough to spend $100 for two on turkey with the trimmings. Now I spend $35 a week and that feeds me, plus my boyfriend and our friends on the weekend.

 

[MomaMary8]

Here’s a few things we do:

Shopping in bulk saves a ton! Even the canned green beans can be up to $.25/can cheaper when bought in a case.

We have an extra fridge and deep freeze to accomodate buying in bulk and cooking in bulk.

We shop every two weeks

In the summer we have a garden and can what we are able to (easy to learn to do if you don’t know how)

Most of our foods are made from scratch. We do have a cake mix or two on hand (buy on sale) to satisfy a quick craving and to let the kids do some easy baking.

Combine those coupons and sales for extra savings.

Look at the different cuts of meat you are buying. Different cuts can be cheaper. And NEVER buy the pre-cut, pre-prepared meats/ hamburgers/chickens. You can do the work yourself for cheaper. Seriously, who can’t cut their own stew meat??

Shop at bread outlets. These are even cheaper than Sam’s

HTH