Quote:
Originally Posted by RunD1987
Hey how goes it!
So trying to be frugal save money. Currently three adults, 1 baby, 2 dogs, and a cat.
We just spent $240 on groceries. We have been running low on supplies and trying different approach with shopping.
Begining of the month we get bulk items like cleaning supplies and non-perishables.
Then every other month we pick up pet supplies.
Then every week we pick up meat. We have enough for 10 to 12 days of meals. Then add in a pasta day so about 13 days of meals already in the fridge.
Normally every week pick up meat and deli items that bring us to about $30.
Then baby supplies is about $60 a month.
Overall we spend about $460 to $500 a month on groceries.
Think it's doable to go less than that? On average how much is your grocery bill?
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You won't get an accurate answer.
It will depend on what stores are in your area, what produce is locally available or what has to be imported/shipped to your area, and where/what city state you reside in.
Recently food prices HAVE gone up.
I separate FOOD from HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES.
FOOD: there are only two major grocery stores here, and they are EXPENSE. My other half works in one.. sure we get a 10% discount, but ONLY on the store brand packaged food. The other grocery store will have occasional"buy 2 get 1 free" sales, so the AVERAGE cost of all the items is decent, but sometimes, do you really need 3 of something for two people?
There is also a Walmart where I work, I do get a discount...but only on fresh produce, all other food is the regular discount price.
There is also a Aldi here (Trader Joe equivalent in other areas) with comparable prices to Walmart.
I mostly shop my store and Aldi.
We don't eat crappy prepackaged stuff much any more, as I turned diabetic and lost a whopping 140#, only by changing WHAT I eat, HOW MUCH I eat and WHEN I eat. It took 2 years, only about a pound or pound and half a week, but I did it.
I have a regular freezer, but I'll buy a left over rotisserie chicken from my store on Monday morning for a discount price and freeze them. The discount varies, so if $2.50, I'll buy two or 3.
I shop only once a week, buy fresh salad mixed for a meal or side for under $3/bag. That should give you 3 adult sides.
I buy raw chicken and freeze it by making quick snack heat and eat fingers at home, but that will take more time. The more processed the chicken is, the more expensive it is. So buying precut fingers is out, I buy the skin on split breasts, skin and De-bone (easy), mix with egg, flour and bread crumbs and bake, they put tray in freezer so they don't freeze together, and bag for frozen.
I buy salmon at reasonable price, and pick a piece I can get at least 2 2 portion meals out of a $6 slab.
Here's a diet plan:
Meat serving should be about the size of a deck of cards, Half a plate of veggies, and if you must, no more than 2 table spoons of a starch..and wild long grain rice is preferred over pastas (rice takes 45 mins to cook, I make large batch, freeze for later quick portions.
Oatmeal IS a carb, but it's also a grain, steel cut oats the best, but rolled old fashioned is decent. 1/2 measuring cup, water a min in micro, and I add chocolate and coconut milk for flavor (dark chocolate chips healthier than milk/sugar Choco chips)
Buy the moderate priced pet food, portion out. I think 2 dogs and a cat us2 pets too many, at least one too many.
Baby...well you've committed to a 20 year deal at least. If a boy, if you think your food bill is high now, wait til puberty hits! Even teen girls can be expensive.
Cleaning supplies.. examine what you are buying. Paper towels? Get several 2-for microfiber cloths at the dollar store and launder as used. Use paper towels sparingly for only nasty messes that might ruin the cloths.
TP...well I use it sparingly, but my other half thinks it grows on trees...the 1000 sheet rolls are best bet.
Do you need 6 different cleaning supplies? Look for one that may "do it all", or use vinegar as a cleaning agent.
Laundry...we only use "free and clear" as we both have sensitive skin. That CAN be expensive, but I get the Arm&hammer or ALL in big jugs that are cheaper. We don't soil clothes that much, but fir stains I get an oxy-clean spray bottle at the dollar tree that does the job. You really only need HALF the suggested laundry cup to clean clothes, and only HALF a dryer sheets for a normal load. Cuts costs drastically. (Look it up..I think consumer reports did tests..HALF is enough. I buy free and clear store or generic dryer sheets, which gave a convenient tear strip half built in.
Best to you.
Shop carefully. Fresh fruits and veggies aren't that expensive compared to a bunch of "convenience packages".
Make a big crock pot of veggie soup..cabbage, cauliflower, zucchini, yellow squash, julienned carrots, etc, 1 of large and one regular carton of broth and simmer all day...will be healthy, and will provide several days of hot meals for the 3 of you, and is easy for quick snack!!
Best.
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