We are a family of 2 adults and spend around $60-$80/month.
We do not buy organic which would double our spending. We do have a garden for our veggies. I don't buy anything that is not on sale plus a coupon. I will do without it is not a good price. I shop only once a month. I buy milk when it is on sale and freeze it. I will not pay over $2.50/gallon. I am a picky eater so I eat leftovers or peanut butter and jelly everyday for lunch. My dh will usually eat leftovers. We do not eat a lot of meat. I make all our bread items from scratch and buy the baking items in bulk for 1/3 of the price in grocery stores. I buy only in-season fruit. We do not buy any snack items. I bake any dessert from scratch. I shop CVS and Walgreens, EBC and rebate programs so I am stocked for years on toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, etc without paying a dime. I feel very grateful that my dh will eat whatever I cook and sometimes rice for dinner is all he wants.

I spend a little more than that a month, if I didnt include dog food, toiletrees, diapers etc. it would probably be about that.
The first thing I do is to shop the "sale" ad each week. I make my weekly menu off of that. I always make a menu using the things that are on sale and use a list.
I use coupons when i have them and to eat convience foods. I wont buy frozen items unless they are on sale or I have a coupon.
We do eat plenty of dairy, I buy about 2 gal of milk a week (at least) and we eat cheese and yogert. I just try to buy everything on sale. For example, if shredded cheddar (a family favorite) goes on sale, I buy 10 packages and freeze them. There is no difference in taste. They defrost in about 8 hours in the fridge.
There are certain things I just won't skimp on. Whole wheat bread is a must. 100% juice is another. For these items I just try to buy it on sale or with a coupon.
We also have meatless meals at least twice a week. We really don't need to eat a meat product every single day. One day, ill make penne with oil and garlic with parmesian cheese (about $2 for the whole family, plus leftovers). Spinach and rice is another (also about $2). Believe it or not, both are very filling and good for you.
One day, I forgot to defrost ground beef when I was making chili. I was out of time so I just went ahead and made it without the beef (the beans have plenty of protein anyway). Would you belive NO ONE NOTICED! It tasted the same too.

I think if you are buying all organic, that's amazing! I calculated just buying all organic local farmer dairy & meat & produce would bring our bill up about $300/month. We go through a LOT of milk. (If not all local, it would be a little cheaper, but still--it makes a big difference!). So if yours is only $240 TOTAL, that's amazing!

milk in our area is $3.40 gallon. and with baby #2 on the way we qualified for WIC. This helps out so so much with dairy products!! we get milk,eggs,cheese, peanut butter, juice, and cereal. its help cut our grocery bill down dramatically!

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WIFE TO MIKE
MOM TO HUNTER 4YRS OLD
HEATH 1YRS OLD

Totally off Topic here-

TALK of Organic Milk and then WIC got me wondering....
Can you Get Organic Milk with WIC?

Smilingmommy - There's no official CVS game, but there are ways to use their Extra Care Program to your advantage. I think someone started a CVS thread somewhere in Mommy Savers.
I sent you a PM with more info.

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~Jeweled

No WIC does not pay for organic milk.

I agree, I am in awe. We are a family of 5 and I have $550/mo budgeted for food and household expenses. Last month we went over because we paid for a 1/2 beef and had a whole hog butchered and processed. I am hoping it gets better now. We also raise our own chickens and I cook from scratch. So I don't know what I can do to lower our bill. This is the first time we have had a budget so maybe it will get better now that the meat is paid for. I also made the switch to all cloth towels, no more paper. I do not buy organic either, and just the fruits and vegetables are expensive in the winter. $3.99 for a 5# bag of apples!

We do not buy soda, chips, or any snack foods. Like I said I cook practically everything. We do go thru a gallon of milk a day, so I go to aldi's bi-monthly and buy 14 gal. Milk ranges from $2.65 (Aldi) to $3.25/gal (local). I also garden and we have alot of food canned and in our pantry.

I sure hope it gets better. Because I can't for the life of me figure out how to get it lower. And the cost of everything keeps getting higher and higher.

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"God determines who walks into your life…
it’s up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay and who you refuse to let go." - Anonymous

You ladies are amazing! Im impressed... My monthly budget is 250.00 and i sometimes go over. We are a family of 4 with only 3 eating.

Pocamomrn, wow!!! A gallon of milk per day?! Yikes, you have some strong kids..

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Your telling me!! I have tried to cut it down but I can't. We have milk with breakfast and supper. I have started using powdered milk with cooking. But still we average 1 gallon a day. I do not buy soda or juice though, so the kids choose between milk and water and actually drink an awful lot of both.

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"God determines who walks into your life…
it’s up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay and who you refuse to let go." - Anonymous