Comments on: Tightwad Tuesday: Talking Grocery Budgets

By: Brent Patton

Brent Patton — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:47:43 +0000

My budget is $140 a week for 10 people Nice article

By: Budget Menus: Short Term Strategies | Home Ec 101

Budget Menus: Short Term Strategies | Home Ec 101 — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:03:41 +0000

[...] are not yet in a bind, but seeking to get your food costs under control, you may find this post on reducing the grocery budget [...]

By: Hannaford

Hannaford — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:28:42 +0000

These are the things that need to be taught in school these days. Most people have no idea about budgeting for food yet it’s a weekly expense that can be budgeted very effectively!

By: wendy

wendy — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:25:09 +0000

I am glad to hear that some of you do not use coupons because the things you buy do not have them, but did you know that most of your generic items are just the name brand item with either the store name on it. or the same company has a different label to sell the same item at a cheaper rate but still make a sale. Lets say you do not like so and so company for some reason so you buy a product with out their name on it, but that product is put out by the same company under a sister name or TJ wants their name on it. Same product, cheaper price, no coupon and company still making sale. Different stores are owned by the same company but geared to different income levels. Also if you are traveling you might what to look at the local stores to see what products they have on sale to bring home with you. Different states have different products in their stores due to demand and also local availability.

By: Festival of Frugality - I May Be In Incredible Pain But At Least I’m Living Frugal Edition | My Life ROI, Getting the Best Return On Life

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:02:21 +0000

[...] presents Tightwad Tuesday: Talking Grocery Budgets posted at Home Ec 101. How Heather budgets for grocery shopping. You may be surprised to find out [...]

By: Neighborly Advice: Vol 3 — Where to Begin « Recession Depression Therapy

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:10:57 +0000

[...] Tightwad Tuesday: Talking Grocery Budget Pickles, sauerkraut and fermenting. Oh my! [...]

By: Milehimama

Milehimama — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:42:42 +0000

My budget is $140 a week for 10 people (but I’m coming in at $115 a week average). I’ve been posting receipts, menus, and tips on my website under “Food Stamp Challenge” – fed up with the MSM media crying about elected officials trying to live on their food stamp allotment for a week when my normal grocery bill was less!

I also shop at many stores – I’m fortunate that I have 4 groceries within a quarter mile of my house (and all in a row on the same street); if I travel a mile or so further down the road, I’ll hit another Mexican market, 99 cent store (bread! Veggies!), Big Lots, and my favorite grocery store.

I use coupons occasionally, but not usually. I returned my Sam’s membership for a refund because the prices are a lot higher than what I get shopping the loss leaders!
My food stamp challenge:
http://milehimama.blogspot.com/search/label/Food%20Stamp%20Challenge

My #1 tip – plan.
#2 tip – don’t be a brand slave. Generic white rice tastes exactly the same as Uncle Ben’s! I promise!
#3 tip – start small – make one or two changes each trip or week and soon you’ll be amazed at how much you’re saving! But if you try to slash your grocery bill in half overnight, you’ll be frustrated and overwhelmed.

I should note – my family of 10 consists of a construction worker, myself following a diabetic diet, 5 elementary school age children including one on a special Feingold diet, 2 toddlers, and a baby still cookin’ until June.

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:14:02 +0000

I love Trader Joe’s but it doesn’t help my budget much, since we like to try new wines when we go there! LOL

That being said, I am a coupon/sale shopper. Rarely do I buy an item that isn’t on sale, or I at least have a coupon for. I try to keep a stocked freezer and pantry and that helps a lot. I use my food saver for the meat I stock up on. I spend more money if I go to many stores, then one store. So I basically shop at one great grocery store, and then Sam’s club or Costco for some other stuff.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:07:01 +0000

We spend about $100-$120 per week for a family of three–one being a toddler. I feel sure we could reduce, and I have tried to become wiser in my choices and spending. We rarely eat out, we make lunches for work every day, and I try to include at least one or more vegetables or fruits with each meal. The difficult issue for me is that I really believe in eating organic as much as possible, so that costs more. However, I’ve also researched a bit to figure out which items can be safely eaten non-organic, and which should usually be organic. Still, it can be pricey, especially when it comes to meat. However, I have become a big believer in shopping at Trader Joe’s. People seem to have the idea that they are generally more expensive, but I’ve not found that to be true. Most of their products are comparable or less expensive than grocery store prices. We live in southern California, and find that you can sometimes get cheaper food at places like Stater Bros., Big Lots, and Dollar Tree. Also, I agree with buying at farmer’s markets or roadside stands (I sometimes do the latter). Even our local gas stations sometimes sell a bit of produce by the bag for low prices–mainly oranges and avocados.

I really agree with the fact that unused foods are very wasteful, and I’ve been working on using everything. Often our cupboards look a bit thin because I’m trying to do that. Recently I went on a spree of only cooking things that cause us to use up things we’ve had a long time. It made for some “interesting” (read: not that good) food, but it was only for a few weeks, and I did manage to clean out the stuff that was just sitting there.

By: Annie Jones

Annie Jones — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:10:02 +0000

I budget and plan meals much the same way you do. For a family of three, our budget is $60 a week. That’s just for food…no pet food, no health & beauty items or paper products, no meals out, no cleaning supplies…just food.

I also don’t use coupons. At least not in a big way. If I see a coupon for something I know we will use, I will clip it and take it with me. Whether or not I use it depends on the price of the item and the prices of other items that will work just as well. I buy whatever is cheapest. I also don’t search for coupons, but if they come to me (via mail or the sales papers) then I’ll look through them.

My primary source of groceries is Aldi, followed by sales at the “regular” grocery stores. I also shop at Big Lots, other salvage/liquidation stores, farmers markets and swap meets. Wherever food is inexpensive, I’m likely to buy it.