What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

I just calculated the amount I spent food shopping for October and it was $555 I don't get it. I buy everything on sale and don't buy any junk anymore b/c I am on a diet. I know the prices have gone up but this is a crazy amount for 2 adults and 1 baby. I did have DH's family over for dinner, so even if I take into account the $50 I spent on the food for dinner that night, it is still over $500.

Is anyone else's food bill this insane? I may have to take some of your ideas and start buying some stuff at Target and Wal-Mart.

ETA: In my budget spreadsheet, I usually plan on $400/mo. for foodshopping. Is that not enough for 2 adults and 1 toddler?

I also started using coupons which I never used to do and I still am spending more

Message edited 11/7/2008 5:17:48 PM.

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

Mine is outrageous and i cant stand it anymore. I'm going to start shopping at Costco and Target and Walmart. People seem to do so much better this way!

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

I spend about $100 a week for DH and myself.....usually I just buy the basics ( eggs milk bread etc) and then meats and ingredients for dinners.

The more I try to save, the higher my bill seems these days.

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

Posted by Arieschick29

I spend about $100 a week for DH and myself.....usually I just buy the basics ( eggs milk bread etc) and then meats and ingredients for dinners.

The more I try to save, the higher my bill seems these days.

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

I spend a lot every week and it's only me and my FH. I blame myself because I don't cut coupons...I think I might be doing this though because it's a little out of hand considering it is only the two of us.

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

One thing that helps is doing Peapod. They have a great sales circular and you can see exactly what you are spending. So we do maybe 2 big Peapod orders a month ($120) and then stop in at Waldbaums for things that we NEED in the meantime.

Things like paper towels and cleaning products are best bought at Target.

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

Also, pay attention to the tags on the shelves. The tags are really helpful. When comparing items, look at the price per unit (whether it is oz or not). For instance, a few weeks ago, we needed olive oil. The 17 oz jar was 7.99 which meant each ounce was 47cents. However, the 64 oz can was $17.99. It was $10 more, BUT each oz. was 28 cents. So essentially, by buying the more expensive can, we would actually SAVE money.

sorry it's not in US terms


this was interesting, too

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

All I know that buying my meat and some other bulk items at BJ's has helped me lower my bill from $130. (for two, yikes) to about $80.00 a week. I make our weekly menu and then shop according to that and the basics we need for breakfast and lunches. Sometimes are bill is a little less and sometimes it is a little more. Basically my biggest expense is the fresh fruits and vegtables.
I also go to Walmart for household items. Some household items like toilet paper, laundry detergent and papertowels we get at Bj's, as well.

I dont usually use coupons and I do most of my shopping at Stop and Shop!

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

DH and I spent btwn 100-$130/wk. It seems like a lot but that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner for the week. Its not too bad if you compare it to going out to eat for lunch everyday.

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

I spend between $100 and $130 for just DH and I. I have to tell you that I cut coupons but I hardly use them because they're never for what I need or use.

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

I also had this horrible revelation about 2 months or so ago so this is what I have been doing, but it seems to work well...It is more labor intensive, but the savings is AMAZING

Every 2wks I go to Jack's fruit Market for fresh produce, vegtables, and meat. It's like a year round farmers market here in MI

Once a month I go to Wal-Mart for the basic: toothpaste if needed, laundry soap, regular soup, dish soap, pop, coffee, milk/dairy products like eggs, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, bread, and other staples. I always TRY to have coupons but the savings at Walmart really is amazing.

I also watch the adds so if Kroger is having a huge sale or something in perticular I will go there. Like this week is BYGO on Tyson chicken breast 40oz packs so I stocked up......This does cost more at once, but over the month it eans its self out and is a saving in the long run.....

Message edited 11/8/2008 6:02:24 PM.

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

I wish my bill was $555 a month - we spend close to $1000 a month for a family of 3 and one of us is a toddler!! I have to say I do buy all organic for her and that can be more expensive but i dont know what we spend it on really...think I will start stop and shop to stop the impulse buys.

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

We spend about $500 per month too and it is making me crazy!! A lot of times (at least 4 nights and week) DH isn't home for dinner and I amke something simple for me and DS and it still just adds up sooo fast.

I started buying a lot of things at Target or CVS when they have bonus bucks.

Also, for organic milk I ge to BJ's...way cheaper than the supermarket!

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

I go food shopping once a week and I spend anywhere between $125 and $175 usually depending on if we need meat. Cold cuts drive me nuts b/c they are so expensive even when on sale...we go thru a lot of them for DH's lunch every day. My monthy grocery bill is usually over $500.

BUT ... I just started getting the Sunday paper like 3 weeks ago and I am religiously clipping coupons and following the circulars. I'm starting to see trends in the circulars too and save $35 here, $50 there...last week I saved $65 (but spent $140, so the bill would have been $200). So I'm hoping to get better at it and really see a decrease soon!!! Today I saved $32 on a $100 bill so I only paid $68 and I only buy what we use and eat, I don't buy stuff just b/c its on sale. But I will buy in bulk to save extra...like when perdue chicken is B1G1 I buy a lot...or today Green Giant frozen veggies were buy 10 for $10...I saved $1.29 on each package!! Those we eat often.

We are only 2 adults and a 1 y/o too...but DH needs a meat every night and enjoys brand stuff liek "eggo" waffles and "real" maybe syrup, lol, so we dont buy no frills everything...only some things.

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

I go shopping once a week and spend $100/week for 2 adults and 2 children.

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

I am definitely doing something wrong - I spend roughly about $800/month on groceries

I plan all of our meals and buy only what we need. I think our biggest problem is that I like to buy organic as much as possible, which means all dairy, meats and most fruit and veggies. I have really tries to cut it down but can't seem to.

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

Planning my meals around the sales helps. Also, when there is a good sale on meats (like when chicken cutlet is $1.99/lb or less) I buy alot of it, and freeze it in packs that I would cook, that the whole package.

I also started making more soups and stews, using the crock pot, which helps alot too. Instead of cold cuts, I've been taking leftovers to work too.

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

stockpile when on sale, browse the circulars and use coupons!

I spend about $75/week on average for me and DH, and we eat out only about once per week and take lunch to work.

for example - I had a $1 off of 4 cans of progresso soup. They are usually about $2.50 a can. S&S had them on sale 10 for $10. I bought 4, used my coupon, so 4 cans of soup that normally cost $10 cost me $3.

And I have another coupon and will go back before the end of the week an do it again.

Target is cheap for things as well - I take lean cuisine/smart ones to work - some smart ones at target are regularly $1.88 compared to $3 at the supermarket.

Some weeks I will spend $140 if meat is on sale (waldbaums does bogo) - but then I dont need to spend alot the next week.

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

What I spend a week in food and drinks makes me sick actually, and I buy everything on sale and with coupons. I don't know how, but we end up with about $150 a week in groceries, and we don't brown bag lunch so we eat out for lunch 5 days a week

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

seriously, I think you're doing very well. we luxuriate in overpriced food items and spend $800/month

Even in the 80's, mom and I found it hard to eat using only $100/week for the 2 of us... and we had modest meals.

It's only easy to do if you eat out a lot, and don't factor that huge expense into your monthly bill... if you eat almost everything from home, it's very hard.....

Re: What am I doing wrong when it comes to food shopping?

honestly for 2 adults and a toddler, that isn't bad, it's about $139/week... I spend anywhere from $125-$150 a week depending on what I buy (cleaning supplies, etc).
I did start buying cleaning supplies and certain groceries at target.