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

Posted by BargainMama

Posted by LadyBugN2Buggies

Napkin sandwiches.

It's not unheard of. Especially to that lady on Strange Addictions on TLC

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

Posted by Blazesyth

Posted by BargainMama

Posted by LadyBugN2Buggies

Napkin sandwiches.

It's not unheard of. Especially to that lady on Strange Addictions on TLC

Well, if we're going to go there, that means we need to include Home Depot purchases because there was some lady that ate drywall.

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

Posted by headoverheels

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by headoverheels

Posted by hazeleyes33

What part of your budget to you put paper goods in then?

I don't label my budget, but if I am not FEEDING it to my family, it's not a grocery item.

Oh, ok. I put everything that I buy at the grocery store or bulk warehouse in my "grocery" budget.

Well isn't that wonderful.

Look, the OP asked about feeding her family for $100 or less a week. Unless you are having napkin sandwiches I don't think it makes sense to include that stuff. Following that logic you could include your shoes, cough medicine and razor blades too because, technically, you need that stuff but you're NOT EATING IT.

Holy fluck I am done with this thread.

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

Posted by BargainMama

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by headoverheels

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by headoverheels

1. If you're buying organic for a family of four expect to pay more than $100 a week.

2. Since when are paper products included in groceries? That's odd to me. We only buy napkins, toilet paper and paper towels and I am not feeding my family with those. I am not feeding them cleaning products either.

3. Some people need to stop finding an argument in EVERYTHING. People shop differently. Giving someone the second degree isn't going to help others just because you have a zillion years experience shopping and cannot conceive of someone feeding their kids frozen pancakes with *gasp* no fruits or veggies once in a blue moon. Must be nice to be so perfect.

What part of your budget to you put paper goods in then?

I don't label my budget, but if I am not FEEDING it to my family, it's not a grocery item.

Oh, ok. I put everything that I buy at the grocery store or bulk warehouse in my "grocery" budget.

I don't buy paper goods, shampoo, razors etc. at the grocery store. I usually get that stuff at Target, CVS, etc, where it's typically much cheaper.

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

Posted by MamaLeen

Hazeleyes- WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS HARASSING PEOPLE UNTIL THE BITTER END?!?! Can you for once just LET IT GO???

You gave me a headache!!

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

The big thing for me is trying to plan what I am eating for the week and getting things on sale. We don't keep a ton of snacks in the house. The snacks we do have I usually get from BJ's with a coupon.

There are some weeks when I can definitely spend under $100 and feed a family of four. Both of my kids eat whatever we eat, which helps greatly. I look for good deals on meat and stock up on them. I do not buy paper good at the supermarket. I have found that for what we use BJ's is best. That is under "miscellaneous" in my book. I think LB has said it best- I am not feeding my family napkin sandwiches with a side of Clorox.

I also am a fan of the coupons. If something is on sale and I know I will use it, then I buy it. Also, if I remember, I check Stop and Shop's website on a Thursday. I can see the current ad and the ad that starts on Friday. I then can see if something is on sale that I need starting the next day. If it is, I won't buy it on Thursday.

I don't think it matters what week it was bought. if it's in the pantry and can feed the family, it counts. It is not fair to say that just because it was not bought that week means it can't be counted towards a meal. If it's there and edible, IT COUNTS! Who cares what week it was bought?

This past week I bought for under $100 (I did go to 2 stores- stop and shop and a small little grocery store that has good prices on produce. Both are on my way home)

-cooked rotisserie chicken (dinner for 2 days) ($6)
-organic chicken cutlets sliced thin (about 1.5 pounds- $5.59)
-whole grain rice ($1.50 with coupon)
-large container Stonyfeld Organic Yogurt (4.99)
-2 lbs organic strawberries ($3 for 2 pounds on sale!)
-peaches ($1.96- 99Cents/lb)
-apples ($2.04- 79 cents/lb)
-onions (maybe 50 cents?)
-mixed green salad ($2.10)
-organic carrots ($1.50 bag)
-cherries ($3.99- 1.99 lb)
-celery ($1)
-bagged shredded cheese ($2.50)
-2 boxes of Barilla pasta ($1 each on sale)
-frozen cauliflower ($1)
-frozen broccoli ($1)
-frozen sugar snap peas ($1)
-turkey bacon ($1)
-top round london broil ($5.11)
-1 lb. Boar's Head turkey breast ($4.99 lb)
-1 package of Kraft Fat Free American Cheese (for DH) ($4.49)
-Chips Ahoy ($2 after I used the scan it)
-Reduced Fat Vienna Fingers ($2.50 on sale)
-4 boxes Weight Watchers Smart Ones ($10)
-1 container Yoplait Yogurt (.89)
-4 cans cat food ($1 after coupon and scan it discount)
-Pepperidge Farm Godlfish ($1.99 on sale)
-Aunt Jemima mini pancakes ($2)

Total: $77.64

This is enough to last us a week. I have dinner every night, including at least one veggie. Lunch for my husband and myself. Snacks for the kids (kids usually eat fruit or goldfish for snacks) and breakfast.

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

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by BargainMama

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by headoverheels

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by headoverheels

1. If you're buying organic for a family of four expect to pay more than $100 a week.

2. Since when are paper products included in groceries? That's odd to me. We only buy napkins, toilet paper and paper towels and I am not feeding my family with those. I am not feeding them cleaning products either.

3. Some people need to stop finding an argument in EVERYTHING. People shop differently. Giving someone the second degree isn't going to help others just because you have a zillion years experience shopping and cannot conceive of someone feeding their kids frozen pancakes with *gasp* no fruits or veggies once in a blue moon. Must be nice to be so perfect.

What part of your budget to you put paper goods in then?

I don't label my budget, but if I am not FEEDING it to my family, it's not a grocery item.

Oh, ok. I put everything that I buy at the grocery store or bulk warehouse in my "grocery" budget.

I don't buy paper goods, shampoo, razors etc. at the grocery store. I usually get that stuff at Target, CVS, etc, where it's typically much cheaper.

I can see that and I will do that too but I have a certain amount I budget for that per week and it is in my food. It is just what I have always done.

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

Posted by MrsPornStar

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by BargainMama

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by headoverheels

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by headoverheels

1. If you're buying organic for a family of four expect to pay more than $100 a week.

2. Since when are paper products included in groceries? That's odd to me. We only buy napkins, toilet paper and paper towels and I am not feeding my family with those. I am not feeding them cleaning products either.

3. Some people need to stop finding an argument in EVERYTHING. People shop differently. Giving someone the second degree isn't going to help others just because you have a zillion years experience shopping and cannot conceive of someone feeding their kids frozen pancakes with *gasp* no fruits or veggies once in a blue moon. Must be nice to be so perfect.

What part of your budget to you put paper goods in then?

I don't label my budget, but if I am not FEEDING it to my family, it's not a grocery item.

Oh, ok. I put everything that I buy at the grocery store or bulk warehouse in my "grocery" budget.

I don't buy paper goods, shampoo, razors etc. at the grocery store. I usually get that stuff at Target, CVS, etc, where it's typically much cheaper.

I can see that and I will do that too but I have a certain amount I budget for that per week and it is in my food. It is just what I have always done.

The key here is: THIS IS WHAT YOU DO. Not everyone thinks the way you do or shops the way you do. So stop telling those that can shop for under $100 that they don't. You categorize the way you want and others will categorize the way they want. It doesn't make your way right and the other way wrong. You are basically berating those that say they can shop for under this amount and trying to make them see that they can't possibly do this because it's not what you do.

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

Yeah, this thread has officially jumped the shark, which, by the way, is delicious!

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

Ack....why all the drama? I was genuinely curious.
Thanks to those who answered.

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 always end up spending more than I want but what I have found that's worked for me lately is instead of planning the whole week out and then buying a ton of stuff I've been picking what to make for dinner the night before, trying to use what I have on hand and then going to the store to pick-up the few other items I might need. Honestly, I am spending so much less because it's forcing me to use up what is in the house FIRST and I don't end up with all this produce and extra food in the house that ends up getting tossed because we went out to eat one night or something came up. KWIM?

I guess it's a little more annoying to stop at the store every day or two but I have noticed a decrease in what I am spending on food AND we're actually having really nice dinners every night too!

Also, check out recipes in Food Network magazine. I've yet to make anything that wasn't awesome and they have a bunch of recipes that have limited ingredients and pantry staples so it ends up being cost effective. Also, check out "5 Ingredient Fix" on the Food Network. Claire makes awesome, delicious meals/desserts that are all 5 ingredients or less and super quick to make. Planning dinners have been so easy now and so delicious too! Plus, we're not always eating the same thing all the time AND I am saving money as well!!

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

wow, this thread turned crazy.

but to answer. . .

this week I only spent $70 BUT I planned out my meals fully & our veggies came from my MILs garden this week.

But usually I'm over $100.

I do use peapod (b/c I'm pregnant, lazy and get sick with all the smells lol) and while yes I spend money on delivery costs, I can still use coupons and I get to watch my total add up and take out things or substitute.

The summers we spend less b/c we do tend to eat veggies from the garden and get fruit from the farmers market (although, not always cheaper)

ETA- I have been buying organic S&S brand items too. not for everything though.

Message edited 8/4/2011 1:00:10 PM.

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 would really love to know in what stores all of you that spend less than a $100 shop. We went to Stop&Shop last Friday, dropped $125 and had no food in our refrigerator on Tuesday evening. I mean coldcuts alone, 1lb of ham, 1/2 lb. of turkey/chicken/salami, and 1lb. of cheese will cost you over $20! When I go to Trader Joes and pick up a few essentials I drop $40-$50 in an instant. Organic meat in Trader Joes will run you appx. $10 a tray. What about everything else? I'm not saying its not doable bc I know a lot of people are sale/coupon savvy but its HARD.

ETA: When I go to the local grocery store I drop $30 EASY on basic fruit and vegetables.

Message edited 8/4/2011 2:00:37 PM.

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

I think it really depends on how much you eat..

my ex at a TON, so i had to spend more
with my bf now, i can make two big pots of soup and that would be lunch and dinner for the whole week..

eta..even with my ex though i would spend no more than 60 total for 2 people including everything

i planned meals, and really didn't use coupons although i should have

john's farms has GREAT prices on meat and produce

a typical meal plan might look like this:

monday: sausage and peppers (a roll of chic. sausage with 1 pepper, 1 onion, and a small loaf of bread)

tues: beef stew

wed: lemon chicken

thurs: tacos

fri: pasta with sauce

sat/sun: leftovers

Message edited 8/4/2011 2:02:33 PM.

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

Posted by acm1899

Yeah, this thread has officially jumped the shark, which, by the way, is delicious!

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

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

Posted by acm1899

Yeah, this thread has officially jumped the shark, which, by the way, is delicious!

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

Sorry, flame away, but I consider non-food items "groceries" when I buy them at Stop and Shop along with my weekly food items. If I have to buy napkins or garbage bags or shampoo, that goes into my weekly shopping costs. If I take all that kind of stuff out then yeah, I could probably spend $100 per week.