I thought this chart about grocery budgets in the US was helpful as I'm always trying to keep our grocery budget down. I was pleased to see that I'm staying UNDER the THRIFTY plan! Very encouraging when at times I find that it is hard to buy QUALITY food, including organic, and keep the budget low. Surely the high end of this chart is from buying pre-made/packaged foods and eating out.
I hope it's helpful to you as well. Thanks Fishmama for sharing it on your site, Life As Mom, where I first saw it.
6 comments:
This is encouraging... we're just about on target with the thrift plan (spending $135/wk).
Can I ask what your weekly budget is for groceries?
Our $135.00 covers all food plus any toiletries, laundry/cleaning supplies, and other household necessities that I am unable to get for free at CVS.
I am currently aiming to get it down to $125./ week. I would be thrilled to keep it at $100.00 eventually.
I have been trying more meatless meals lately, so we'll see if that is helpful by the month's end.
Thanks,
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
We've been averaging about $140 which includes:
-food groceries (a lot of organics and whole foods)
-toiletries
-cleaning products
-things for the house (filters, lightbulbs, etc.)
-all pet food, licensing, vet bills, etc.
I don't do the excessive coupon clipping and I don't do the "Walgreens and CVS deals"...we don't have CVS and I choose not to take advantage of Walgreens. Mostly I shop Costco and the rest is regular grocery stores. Like you, I'm working to get it lower and lower. I'm researching bean, legume, and rice recipes and trying to buy organics that are in season only which saves more money.
It's hard to keep the budget low and also find the balance between obsessive couponing and deal searching. I don't want my family to look back and feel that I spent more time couponing than mothering. =0)
I'm encouraged to see others that spend more than $40 a week on groceries! =0) It's worth the quality in food and products as well. I'm not one for junk products or low quality food.
I should have said $140 a WEEK.
Also, this does not include eating out ONCE every 2 weeks....and we try to use coupons for eating out and/or find deals.
Also, keep in mind that the USDA chart are figures for FOOD not all the toiletries, housewares, pet food, cleaning products, etc. So, if you are under the Thrifty Plan AND you include all of those other things, you are doing pretty darn well compared to the average American!
Thanks, Jen :)
believe it or not, i was just looking for this earlier in the week.
a friend spends $300 a month on a family of two and wanted to know if that was a lot.
to me it is, but i wanted her to see how she stacks up with the country.
thanks!!
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