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

We buy mostly organic and natural, (pretty much nothing processed) so there is no way for us to spend under $100 a week.
For me, I'd rather spend more on quality groceries and cut back somewhere else.

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

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

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

I'm in Colorado....sorry. Not much help. I think those kind of things are a lot more accessible out here which sucks b/c they should be available everywhere instead of the crap they sell in stores.

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

We are a family of 4 and spend about 150 a week on groceries including diapers and cleaning supplies. I often wonder if the families that claim they spend 100 or less have kids, or include eating out, or eating at their parent's house, in their grocery budget.When we were a family of 2 I could spend 100 on groceries per week. We buy organic fruits and veggies. I try to stick to my list, I meal plan, and use coupons, but I am also going to buy what I want. I agree with you that just because chicken legs are on sale does not mean I will get them as we don't eat them either.

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

Family of 3, a good portion of organic foods, We spend less than $100 everyweek. DH and I both bring lunch from home and we eat pretty well. Last week I shopped at Whole Foods and Trader Joes and spent $100 for both places. This past week my DH spent $90 on food at Walbaums. Totally possible. I do clip coupons, go to certain company websites that also have coupons. Buy accordingly to what's on sale. Its doable. Dinner this week is barbeque spare ribs, chicken tacos, penne a la vodka, and sausage and peppers. We don't eat process stuff which use to eat up a hugh portion of our food budget. Everything is made from scratch which comes out cheaper. It takes more time, but I know what's in all of our food and I cook on Sunday for the entire week.

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

We def. spend less than $100 (2 adults and 1 DC). I shop the sales, and go to where meat is on sale. This week Pathmark has $1.79/lb chicken--we bought 3 packs (like $12) and will be eating variations all week. Eggs were $1/dozen, butter was $1.99/pack (I buy it on sale even if I don't need it yet). Coldcuts (boar's head) for $6.50/lb for sandwiches for work. Detergent was on sale 3/$5.

We get milk and bananas from costco--like $12 week.

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

I find that most of the coupons are for unhealthy items (candy, cake mixes, etc). I do not buy that stuff.

Are you all including items like cleaning products? paper goods (paper towels, napkins)?

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

Due to financial restrictions and DH's uncertain job we have had to cut back SEVERELY when it comes to the grocery budget. I try to buy "healthier" items but not necessarily "organic" We have a supermarket in MA called Big Y that has awesome deals on meat (lots of buy 1 get 1 or buy1 get 2). I plan meals, cut coupons and shop multiple store based on whats on sale. That is really the ONLY way to do it. I make meals based on what is on sale and make extra so that I can have extra for lunches the next day, and I do the best I can with what I have. We make coffee at home, so we are not buying coffee out. There are sacrifices that need to be made, and compared to what we used to eat even though we aren't eating organic food we are eating a LOT better than we used to. Lots more fresh produce and lean meats. Its hard work to save money and you have to decided whats worth it to you.
We have $300 a month budgeted for 2 humans 1 cat and 2 dogs And it works for us.

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

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

I spend around $80-$90 a week on groceries for my DH and I.

I found that shopping every day for things to make for dinner that night, really helps with cutting the costs.

I go on the weekends with DH to the dollar store to get the big ticket items (cleaning products, paper towels, tp etc). The quality of the products are usually pretty consistent with the name brands in the grocery stores. With just DH working right now, we have to cut back where ever we can

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

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

I grocery shop every Saturday or Sunday and I sit down the night before after DD goes to bed and make a menu. I do a leftover night so that nixes one meal and the rest I make sure it's not a complicated recipe that needs alot of ingredients. We buy organic chicken and fruit (bananas, apples and strawberries) and lots of veggies (pepper, cukes, romaine, broccoli) and add lots of veggies to all meals, DD loves veggies. If our grocery bill goes over $100, it's rare. We iusually keep it $80-$90 and sometimes I don't even use coupons because I couldn't find any good ones. I think it's all in the menu you plan. DH's lunch stuff adds some to the bill but we make it work. Last week was $109 but we had meat and stuff for DD's 2nd birthday party too.

ETA: I live in Maine, not NY

Message edited 8/1/2011 9:06:39 AM.

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

I really have no clue how people do it! We spend at least $150/week with the 2 of us and 1 baby. We do mostly organic for Logan and whole foods that aren't processed. You don't see coupons for vegetables, organic chicken or berries... that's for sure!

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

$100 a week for two people and cats are about $20 a month (with blue buffalo organic.

We don't buy organic we buy what is inexpensive because we need to be $100 or under weekly. Sometimes we get luckily and stop and shop has reduced meat that is organic. We mostly shop at shop rite and stop n shop.

Produce I am growing and canning myself of much as possible. (pickles, relish, tomatoes) freezing string beans and corn. Lettuce my crops are done so now i have to buy again and usually organic is on sale with that.

if we eat out or buy anything food related it gets deducted from our $100 weekly budget.

Oh forgot to add this includes laundry, household and basically anything you would buy at a food store. We have stocked shelves and a freezer filled at all times. We just BBQ on the weekends and usually feed 2-3 extra people on sat/sun.

Message edited 8/1/2011 10:09:54 AM.

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

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

We spend about 100 a week two adults and atoddler. My hubby buys lunch everyday though. He gets subway 7bucks a day. I think it's worth it, so we don't buy sandwich meats. We also eat out twice a week usually weekends. We get breakfast one day and dinner one night. I cut coupons and buy only sales. Shop rite is great. Costco for eggs, milk, yogurt sticks and cheese sticks.

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

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

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

i spend about $150 for a family of 5.

i buy a lot of produce (organic fruit and veggies) organic yogurt, cheese and milk and meat. we mostly eat chicken, my kids don't like red meat. i make a quiche type thing with veggies once a week or so.

me and the kids eat all 3 meals at home most of the week (or i bring lunch to park etc.) DH and I get take-out or go out once a week or so.

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

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

DH and I spend approx $80/wk and that includes all meals. We eat breakfast at home everyday, pack lunch everyday and only go out to dinner once a week if that. DH looks through every supermarket circular and then we go to 1 or 2 stores wherever most stuff is on sale. And we also only buy what's on sale. We buy plenty of fresh fruit and veggies, chicken, steak, pork chops. So it's completely possible to shop smart and not eat junk.

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

I average about $150 for a family of 4. I'm not really trying too hard to get it lower. I'm definitely one of those who is an impulse buyer. I should do as the PP does and bring a list and stick to it.

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

anyone want to share their shopping list? Im really curious what and how much you are getting for $100

I think part of my problem is that DH eats a lot. He is very healthy eats a lot of seafood, nothing fried, no fast food, I dont even by processed food really, all fresh of frozen veggies too. He works out hard with weights 6 days a week. I can make a london broil eat 5-6 slices and he is nearly finishing the rest. That is just the 2 of us.