OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

I realize I buy a lot of organic but almost every shopping trip is close to $200. Granted I'm in CO and not NY so produce is a bit higher but still.
I clip coupons, shop sales.
Today's total was $192 and I only has $11 worth of meat in that and about $12.00 of coupons.
What are you eating for under $100 a week?

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

I think it's close to impossible. I left the supermarket today spending a whopping $319.00. Now granted I needed to get a lot of essentials that last a while such as cleaning products but we ALWAYS spend at least $200

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

I go now about once a week to replenish fruits, veggies, meat..etc.. I am on WW and really have to get that all in. I'm spending for 2 people at least $125 a week now. And I don't eat dinner home that much. I do take breakfast and lunches a lot though and all snacks are from home.

I just went to fairway and spent $126. Granted I bought fish and shrimp for tonight's dinner so that was $$ but only one other package of meat.

Fairway isn't a bargain but they have a lot of organic, gluten free, etc..healthy foods..that other places don't or don't have the variety. For the most part I go to shoprite.

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

I used to shop at Walmart when I lived in Virginia. It wad cheap and they had everything. Their store brand was excellent. For my dh and I we spent $78 a week on average. Now in ny with a dc, I spend $200 every 2 weeks. I find if I shop 2 weeks at a time I spend less.

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

I shop every 2 weeks and usually do my shopping at walmart since a super walmart opened up 2 min down the road from me. (I live in PA).

this week I spent $160 after coupons; some trips in can spend $200 after coupons. I didnt buy alot of meats or paper/cleaning products; I dont buy that much fruit either b/c Im not crazy about walmarts produce so i buy maybe some apples and bananas. Everything else I'd buy somewhere locally.

Its ridiculous the prices of groceries.

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

I find it totally impossible. So unfortunately, I can't be of any help.

I shop the sales and use the few coupons I do get, but I also always spend almost $200 on groceries a week.

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

ive never spent less than 100

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

Thank you!! Everytime this is posted I seem to be the only one to say I spend $200 a week. Im not alone!!!!

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

I am single and live alone and I spend $100 a week

but I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner + 2 snacks a day- all healthy food- which is so expensive-

I spent $40 at whole foods today - and I had 1 bag of food-

and that was 1 of 4 stores I went to

Message edited 7/31/2011 8:45:36 PM.

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

I just shop for two people and spend about $150 a week. I'd spend waaaaaay more than that, but I buy mostly sale items and use coupons up the wazoo.

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

Impossible for anyone who isn't single. Ok, maybe a married couple w no kids *might* be able to do it. But even if you're single you still have to consider that if you don't shop a lot at the grocery store, you still have to pay for food somehow, which more than likely means takeout, which can become expensive daily.

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

i think its probably impossible when you have kids!
for 2 of us (DH and i ( we usually come in between 50-75 a week at the grocery store. BUT DH goes out for lunch every day, and my lunches are usually really simple stuff ( PB& J sandwiches, leftovers from dinner) AND we eat out pretty much all weekend for lunches and dinner. so our food budget is WAY over $100 a week when you look at all that!
some stuff that helps us- every sunday, we plan dinners for the week. it keeps us from going overboard and we only buy what we need. Meats we buy in bulk at Sam's club and freeze them, so we don't have to buy that week-to-week. we have a big yard, so in the summers we have a veggie garden and use that stuff in meals which saves us money. we also freeze some of the stuff we grow (peppers, herbs) to use during the rest of the year. we also do REALLY simple dinners that don't use a lot of ingredients, and a lot of stuff in the crock pot that we get 2-3 meals out of...

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

Posted by jgl

Thank you!! Everytime this is posted I seem to be the only one to say I spend $200 a week. Im not alone!!!!

Message edited 7/31/2011 9:27:07 PM.

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

Grow a garden in your yard - free salad every night this week

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

We spend way more that weekly. For us it's just not possible. We eat almost all organic and our diet if full of fresh fruits which definitely aren't cheap. We also eat kosher which makes our meat bill very high.

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

Eating organic is about twice as much as non-organic, so I highly doubt you will get below what you are spending now. The people you hear of spending $100 a week probably do a lot of couponing and probably do not eat organic.

I do most of my grocery shopping at Target. Their prices are much less than the grocery store.

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

I don't think that people realize how much they spend for food. Do the people who budget $60-$80 a week really set aside only that amount?

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

It is completely and totally possible. On average, I spend 60-70 bucks a week. And we are a family of 4.

First, it is IMPERATIVE that you shop with a list. I don't just mean your typical "milk eggs butter" list. Before I shop for the week, I plan out all of our dinners. This way I am ONLY buying what is necessary for those meals. Dot forget to check to see what you already have, so you don't buy doubles.

Second' shop the deals before you go. I alternate between 3 supermarkets depending on who has the best sales. My list has the item, how much it is on sale, and how much it will cost after a coupon.

Aligning coupons with sale items is a win-win and gets you the item for free or very cheap.

Last but not least, you HAVE to set a budget and STICK TO IT!! I Have a separate debit card for groceries, gas and whatever else I might need to buy (including diapers and wipes!). I add $1000 to the account the 1st of every month. Once that money is gone, it's gone! That gives me the motivation to stick to my goal and cut discretionary spending.

The top reason we spend so much on groceries is because we haphazardly throw things into our carts! Every time you put something into the cart, keep a running tally of how much you have spent (you can write it down--I do it in my head). It's impossible to overspend that way.

So to those of you that said it's not possible--I am living proof that it is

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

We spent less than $ 100 when we shop for just the items we need and hit Compare Foods or Associated. We get a great deal on shrimp, beef and chicken there sometimes - much better than what the prices at Waldbaums, Shop and Stop, etc offer.

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

i don't

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

Posted by MrsRivera

It is completely and totally possible. On average, I spend 60-70 bucks a week. And we are a family of 4.

First, it is IMPERATIVE that you shop with a list. I don't just mean your typical "milk eggs butter" list. Before I shop for the week, I plan out all of our dinners. This way I am ONLY buying what is necessary for those meals. Dot forget to check to see what you already have, so you don't buy doubles.

Second' shop the deals before you go. I alternate between 3 supermarkets depending on who has the best sales. My list has the item, how much it is on sale, and how much it will cost after a coupon.

Aligning coupons with sale items is a win-win and gets you the item for free or very cheap.

Last but not least, you HAVE to set a budget and STICK TO IT!! I Have a separate debit card for groceries, gas and whatever else I might need to buy (including diapers and wipes!). I add $1000 to the account the 1st of every month. Once that money is gone, it's gone! That gives me the motivation to stick to my goal and cut discretionary spending.

The top reason we spend so much on groceries is because we haphazardly throw things into our carts! Every time you put something into the cart, keep a running tally of how much you have spent (you can write it down--I do it in my head). It's impossible to overspend that way.

So to those of you that said it's not possible--I am living proof that it is

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

We are a family of two and spend about $100 a week. We rarely eat dinner out and always brown bag our lunch. I try my best to shop sales and to use coupons.

People who spend way less than 100, do you include non food items in your total? Weeks when I buy toiletries are always more than 100.

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

When I go it's always over $100. Even though I have a list I always grab extras like things that are on sale or things I see but forgot to put on the list. If the kids are w/ me that also adds $ to my purchase.

Now, on the other hand, when I send my DH, w/ a list he ONLY buys what's on the list and I am always amazed at how little he spends. It's like he's a robot and will not put anything into the cart that is not on the list. So if I want to save $$ and get everything I need on my list I send DH alone to the store!!

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries

Posted by MrsRivera

It is completely and totally possible. On average, I spend 60-70 bucks a week. And we are a family of 4.

First, it is IMPERATIVE that you shop with a list. I don't just mean your typical "milk eggs butter" list. Before I shop for the week, I plan out all of our dinners. This way I am ONLY buying what is necessary for those meals. Dot forget to check to see what you already have, so you don't buy doubles.

Second' shop the deals before you go. I alternate between 3 supermarkets depending on who has the best sales. My list has the item, how much it is on sale, and how much it will cost after a coupon.

Aligning coupons with sale items is a win-win and gets you the item for free or very cheap.

Last but not least, you HAVE to set a budget and STICK TO IT!! I Have a separate debit card for groceries, gas and whatever else I might need to buy (including diapers and wipes!). I add $1000 to the account the 1st of every month. Once that money is gone, it's gone! That gives me the motivation to stick to my goal and cut discretionary spending.

The top reason we spend so much on groceries is because we haphazardly throw things into our carts! Every time you put something into the cart, keep a running tally of how much you have spent (you can write it down--I do it in my head). It's impossible to overspend that way.

So to those of you that said it's not possible--I am living proof that it is

Re: OK People....How do you spend less than $100 a week on groceries