$60 a week on Groceries - Is it doable - Page 2

littlelizard · 07-16-2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybygrace

-only use about 1/4-1/3 of the suggested amt of laundry detergent per load

-when i'm making my grocery list, i write the price in a small number next to each ingredient so i know how large my bill will be before i even step in the store. this saves me SO much stress and frustration. it eliminates the dread of watching the screen and the thud of the final amount when it turns out more than you hoped it'd be. when i figure the cost beforehand, i can adjust my meals if one meal will cost too much or i can decide what to cross off my list at home before i get in the grocery store and everything looks good. LOL if you aren't sure of the price, guestimate HIGH and you'll find out next time you go in, and then you'll know for the next time. try to beat the prices you have already set for each thing.

-i buy cereal, canned goods, "snacks" (pretzels, crackers) at Big Lots. Some things are on the verge of expiration dates but i've never gotten anything that was stale or made anyone sick. everything tastes just fine and i haven't died yet.

*knock on wood* j/k i'm sorry, but i refuse to spend $3 on a box of fruit snacks when i can get the same box (unexpired) at Big Lots for 75 cents or $1. Cereal is another thing - I rarely purchase cereal (outside of WIC) at the grocery store, but i'll buy it at Big Lots for half the price.

All of her ideas were fantastic. I do these three regularly and the laundry one ESPECIALLY has cut down how much I buy. For snacks, how about popcorn in an air popper. My kids like that, also I make homemade rice crispie treats in large amounts using store brand cereal. Someone else suggested a bakery thrift store, I agree with that as well, I buy all my bread products at the Entenmanns Bakery Outlet and usually come out with bags and bags for $5. they often have manager specials or throw in free items that are ready to expire. But if you freeze them they will last until later on. I also try to plan rice as the main part of 2 or more meals a week. Rice is really cheap and you can do a lot with it. It stretches out the more expensive ingerdients.

lamby248 · 07-17-2007, 01:29 PM

I usually spend about $25-$30 a week on groceries for the 3 of us and sometimes 4 now. It is doable, you just have to watch for sales and bargains..

Quote:

-when i'm making my grocery list, i write the price in a small number next to each ingredient so i know how large my bill will be before i even step in the store. this saves me SO much stress and frustration. it eliminates the dread of watching the screen and the thud of the final amount when it turns out more than you hoped it'd be. when i figure the cost beforehand,

I do this too.. it really helps me out to know exactly what I am going to be spending.

mom2jk · 07-17-2007, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KelseyNThomas Mom

The problem I have is the kids drink alot of milk t 4.15 a gallon, in one week I went through 6 gallons.

Wow that's a lot of milk for two kids and yourself. Could you cut that in half? That would save you $12 a week. My kids doctor told me that my dd was drinking too much milk, and to cut back to two glasses a day and then encourage water more. I usually spend $80-$100 a week and I haven't been as frugal as I could be for the 4 of us. I think $60 is definately doable.

ember15 · 07-18-2007, 10:04 AM

We do 50 a week and its doable to I usually come in under of course buy cleaning supplies and diapers at costco and still get money to eat out a little. But still I am under $350 a month including things like diapers, wipes, pet food, cleaning supplies and toiletrees.

mama_of_twins · 07-18-2007, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybygrace

-i found CVS brand wipes to be better quality than even Pampers (which rules the market otherwise, imo). they're a lot thicker and softer; they are cheaper and you get more wipes.

My girls break out with everything but the pampers sensitive. Do they have the equivalent to this? I would love to find something cheaper!

mama_of_twins · 07-18-2007, 10:21 AM

I think that it is definitly doable.

Things that have helped me

~ Wic has saved me a fortune on milk and cereal. When we buy milk we buy 1% as it is cheaper.
~ Shopping at Fareway (discount grocery store) has saved us a bundle. They are cheaper than walmart and still accept coupons.
~ I love, love, love Angel Food Ministries. We get the main menu item and then all 3 meat selections. This saves us a fortune on our meat. I work our menu planning on the meat we get from that.
~ Menu planning. This has been a huge money saver for me. I do a menu. Only buy what is on the list at the store and nothing else. And stick to the menu.
~ When there is a good deal on bread I also buy a lot and freeze it.
~I stock up on frozen pizzas when they are on sale also. This helps us with the "I don't feel like cooking, let's go out" It doesn't get any easier than opening a box and throwing it in the oven.

writermommy4 · 07-18-2007, 10:54 AM

Happymom-
Does your $60 a week include paper products (diapers, toilet paper,etc?) Even if it doesn't, how do you keep it so low? We're a family of six- one being an infant (breastfed-no formula yet) and I still spend around $400 a month.

Happymom · 07-18-2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by writermommy4

Happymom-
Does your $60 a week include paper products (diapers, toilet paper,etc?) Even if it doesn't, how do you keep it so low? We're a family of six- one being an infant (breastfed-no formula yet) and I still spend around $400 a month.

Well, I don't use any diapers, I buy a big box of pull ups (generic) at Sams club every 4 months or so to use at night. It is basically just the stuff I buy at the grocery store or Sam's club. I ususally buy toilet paper at Target, but paper plates at Sams and laundry detergent at the grocery. So it includes some. I don't know how I keep it low. I just buy the cheapest of everything I can find! We do not eat alot of meat. I buy a ton of hamburger when I find a really good sale and freeze it. I get boxes of 40 1/4 pound hamburger patties at Sams for $15. My dh loves these and we throw them on the grill alot along with a pk of hot dogs (bought a bunch on sale for 50 cents and put them in the freezer) We don't eat alot of big or fancy type meals.

shabin · 07-18-2007, 05:23 PM

Have you looked into the Angel Food Ministries in your area?
I keep missing the date to go and pay in my area, but I've got
one in the next town over. That's supposed to be $25 for a
weeks worth of food for 4! Even if it only helps out for
one week, it's better than none!!

hannahjomommy · 01-13-2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shabin

Have you looked into the Angel Food Ministries in your area?
I keep missing the date to go and pay in my area, but I've got
one in the next town over. That's supposed to be $25 for a
weeks worth of food for 4! Even if it only helps out for
one week, it's better than none!!

We buy AF about once every two to three mo. I buy the now 30 pack plus one of each of the other meat packs. It lasts us a long time. Then I only buy like lunch meat or hot dogs or whatever meat supplements at the store... ive also started shopping in my kitchen first before shopping.... and we only buy what we need or have to have now...