how much shopping budget for...

someonehadmyusername · 12 June 2005 at 10:12AM

2 adults and a 5 yr old girl??

when i lived alone years ago, i could shop on £10 a week

now, i budget £40 a week
but i went out 3 (at least ) times this week and spent £50, £70 and £16!!!!

i am getting too slack!

it used to be my dream to go shopping without a shopping list, but now i want to go back to having one

i thought about shopping online so i couldnt pick up extras but dont want to pay delivery (only 2mins down road)

i have an asda, iceland, homebargains, herons, lidls, aldis, farmfoods, poundstretchers, wilkinsons, locally but only really ever go in asda

i work and so does b/f, im self employed and have time off sometimes during the week when got no appts
but usually end up going shopping aftyer school with little one and end up buying tons

think it would be better if i shopped alone while she was at school or on a weekend when we have more time??

so do you think its better to shop around?
and just how much could i get by on for 2 adults and 5 yr old incl all toiletries and cleaning products??
xx

squeaky · 12 June 2005 at 10:29AM

Hiya,

The actual amount of money you spend is entirely dependant on your own circumstances, the things you like to eat most, and, most importantly, how you set about keeping the standard of living you want. Being good with the household budget doeesn't include being mean with yourself or making yourself miserable.

That said, if you take a look at our "Welcome" sticky at the top of the board (or follow the clue in my signature below

) you'll find a whole set of hints and tips on how to get started. They include menu planning and practical shopping tips. Then, when you're ready you could join any of the monthly challenges where you'll find lots of help and support as you go along.

Ticklemouse · 12 June 2005 at 11:39AM

It might also help you if you took an average of your weekly shops over say 4, 8 or even 12 weeks. I tend to buy in bulk and also buy things I normally use when I see them on offer, so some weeks I spend a fortune, but then can get away with spending practically nothing for a couple of weeks, bar milk and fruit/veg. I've given up trying to set myself a budget - I just know I spend less than I used to or at least get more for my money.

I refuse to scrimp and save on cheaper quality foods (which is of course different from cheaper foods) and there are some things I wouldn't dream of eating that others on here do. However, I'm in the fortunate position of being able to do so in the main but I am aware that there are others for whom weekly budgeting and buying certain types of food is a necessity. I have recently started shopping at various types of outlets - aim to look in at Aldi's and Lidl's next time I'm in Accrington and I'll get what I need/see as good value and can store.

I would suggest shopping on your own, at least at first, while you get to know what you can get and where. Visit all your local shops, take a notebook if necessary and you'll soon learn where is the best place to get x,y or z. Once you know hat you're doing and it becomes second nature, then kids are easier to cope with as you can get round so much faster and still get the bargains.

HTH

soon2bjobless · 12 June 2005 at 12:43PM

I did 2 adults and an 8 yr old on £40 per week including all toiletries etc but its a struggle.

I managed to squeeze in another £10 per week and it makes it much easier (l like to buy a lot of things when they are on special offer to keep costs down)

I find shopping on-line much better as it stops impulse buys - even if you just have an Asda up the road, by buying a fortnightly shop (or even a monthly one) you are just paying that one delivery charge which works out MUCH cheaper for me than browsing!!!!

I make it a game to streeeeetch everything as far as I can - I water down washing up liquid (like good stuff so buy it on offer but add water to make it go a lot further), soap powder is down to 1 dessertspoonful for darks and 2 for whites, buy value lines for nearly everthing (as long as we will eat it - value cornflakes = yuk)

If I do "real-life" shopping I always do it on my own - dh and dd are the worlds worst shoppers!

Good luck.............

Sarahsaver · 12 June 2005 at 4:05PM

£20 a week most weeks, born out of necessity. Its manageable by getting onions and potatoes in sacks, milk 99p for 3 litres, fruit and veg from the market, little 'top ups' using value ranges - e.g. porridge, cornflakes, tinned toms. Meat from a butchers which offers amazing value, and I get whats on offer that week, and dont have meat every day. Got boots basic toothpaste and bubble bath, make own detergent - laundry gloop. We only have biscuits, crisps etc as a treat, and half our bread is homemade, all our food is homemade. May sound a bit extreme, but over a year, £20 a week instead of the £30 or £40 I used to spend is saving a lot of money which is better off in a savings account than in our cupboards. We eat a varied and balanced diet. 1 adult and 3 kids by the way.

henhog · 12 June 2005 at 5:54PM

I have also been pondering the same question. Since I have been working part time I have had to start budgeting. I find Asda by far the cheapest supermarket, but I do have to be careful with some of their fruit and veg. I do buy value stuff, beans, pasta, juice, kitchen roll etc. Often you can't tell the difference and it does cut down the cost. I still spend too much though, mainly on impulse buys - I do bring a list but often other things get added. I do have one rule, however, only visit the supermarket once a week. Any thing else we need I either try to do with out or if it is an absolute necessity I go to the corner shop.
The best tip I can give you, however, is don't shop with the kids or husband. It is amazing how much more you buy when there are other people with you.Also, if I only need one thing I just bring enough money for that one thing.
I try to budget £50 a week for grocery shopping.

cozzie · 12 June 2005 at 8:10PM

My household consists of myself, partner, 19month old (with VERY healthy appetite) and cat (think the neighbour is feeding her too, but, saves me money

) Our weekly shopping budget is £45 (Asda) with £10 for bits and pieces like milk when we need it.

My shopping rules include:

ALWAYS take a list,

Stick to the list,

1 item must be bulk buy eg pasta, cat biscuits, toilet rolls,

Bargains are allowed as long as main shopping comes within budget, I go through checkout first and then if we are below budget I will stock up on any specials that I have seen (eg 48p for 750ml + 33% free of concentrate softner, £3 under budget = 6 bottles)

Sunday's must have a joint/steak for no more than £5,

All basics must be SmartPrice eg Flour, lasagne sheets etc,

If an item is on multi-buy when I want to buy it then I will buy multi and spend a few extra pence rather than buy 1 for full price,

All fruit and veg is bought loose rather than pre-packaged, (I always used to buy the 3 onion pack for 88p, same amount but loose = 50p ish)

etc

etc

I have a two week menu, with half of the meals being variations so that I can cook double, freeze the left-overs and reinvent them (eg Bolognese into Lasagne).

I also use as many vouchers as possible, but don't we all?

It is possible to get your shopping within your budget, but, I think first of all you may need to stock up on basics and for the first couple of weeks you may need to buy 2/3 items on bulk to get you going and the you will start to see the savings.

Good luck.

MATH · 12 June 2005 at 8:18PM

I find £50 a week for 2 adults, three kidz (4,8,9) and two cats for all food (7x breakfasts, lunches,dinners,suppers), cosmetics, toileteries, household and cleaning stuff is more than enough. In fact it even allows for a few treats to be thrown in like a Tesco bogof curry for Mrs MATH and I on a Friday night. If I need to be really MSE I can drop it to £40 and still get everything I NEED.

Here are my tips for making my trolly match my budget:

1. Make a meal plan and design it to come in at a certain cost.

2. Spread non weekly purchases eg Washing Powder & Dishwashing Powder etc throughout the month so they don't all come in the same week.

3. Make a shopping list and stick to it. Never ever buy anything on impulse. Even bogof and reduced stuff is a waste of money if you don't need it.

4. Consider eating less meat. Vegetables are much better value. We're not vegetarian but we eat far far less meat now than say 10 years ago.

5. Scrap pop, processed foods and snacks. They are overpriced, over salted and make you over weight.:D Think how many potatoes you can buy for the cost of a box of Micro Chips!

6. Stick with it. It can be fun! I think of it as a mind game. Everytime I swing into Tesco I imagine them trying to seduce and lure money out of my pocket. My mission should I chose to accept it (and I do) is to get everything on my list for the minimum amount of money.

maryb · 12 June 2005 at 9:30PM

Shirley Goode had a sytem in one of her books that you should divide your budget into four and spend 1/4 each on general goceries, fruit and veg, dairy, and meat and fish. I found this quite helpful in stopping me spending too much in any one area while still making sure I had a balanced diet (ie not too much cheap stodge) and now I try and keep cleaning products, toiletries etc to the same level of spend

Chipps · 13 June 2005 at 7:57AM

2 adults & 1 14yos in this house (with occasional visits from os & other guests) costs about £50pm, but that is for everything, not just food.
I don't do all my shopping in one supermarket, do once a month trip to Lidl & Aldi (20 mile round trip) so any other "big town" shopping done on that day.
Most veg & eggs from local farmers market or fruit & veg from Saturday market. Meat from local butcher (much cheaper that supermarket & better quality. I once found an ingredients list on Tesco chicken portions :eek:

apple_mint · 13 June 2005 at 8:31AM

It's taken me a while but I've built up a basic storecupboard of ingredients which I use to add variety to our diet (four adults - one of which is vegetarian). We put the bulk items into large jars - mainly glass which we've picked up from car boot sales, but we do have a selection of large plastic sweetie (bonbon) jars we get from a sweet shop for 30p a jar. These we keep topped up so we can always have a basic meal and just add meat and veg. It's too expensive to do straight off - but you can start with two or three ingredients and continue to build.

This is what we have:

Baking cupboard

Baking powder
SR Flour (27p own brand) (buns, cakes, etc.)
Plain Flour (27p own brand) (yorkshire puddings, pancakes etc.)
Wholemeal flour
Sugar (caster, demerara and granulated)
Currents, raisins, sultantanas and chopped peel (tea loaves etc)
Golden syrup (flapjacks)
Porrige Oats (43p supermarket cheapie - flapjacks, oatcakes etc.)
Eggs in fridge - bought every week
Supermarket own brand butter (used for bread, baking and lemon curd)

Breadmaking (we use a breadmaker - so don't buy shop bread)
Wholemeal & white flours (our wholemeal bread is 50/50 with white - cheaper and tasty)
A selection of seeds (linseed, seseme, sunflower, pumpkin, poppy - not necessary but adds great taste .. never buy in supermarket as too expensive - get these loose in healthfood shops)
Powdered milk
Salt
Yeast (tesco's own - cheap)

General

Pasta - 19p netto or supermarket value range
Spagetti - wholemeal 34p
Couscous (a great cheap and quick filler if you are running late - 68p a bag in Asda. A little goes a long way and you can add lemon juice and corriander yourself rather than buy the expensive mixes)
A sack of potatoes - around £4. (Lasts around 4 weeks - I cook and freeze double lots)
Big bag of onions
Mushrooms - when on offer I buy a box and slice / chop into meal size portions and freeze, simply take out of freezer and add to casseroles
Peppers - same as mushrooms
Oil - we use olive as we are watching our cholesterol levels - but sunflower will do
Garlic

Herbs - started with the following basic dried and add one new one each week. Have also started growing basil and parsley in the kitchen window sill

Mixed Herbs
Paprika
Corriander
Fish seasoning
Basil
Curry powder
Chilli powder

(As I spot good recipes on here that need a herb or spice I don't have I add it to a list to get later)

Variety of low salt stock cubes

Cornflour - Asda's smartprice range is perfectly ok at 19p a box
Vinegars - started with malt and added white wine and red wine vinegar.
Plain yohurt
Cheap cream cheese (supermarket version of philidelphia) (mix yoghurt and cream cheese together for a dip to use with home-made potato wedges etc. - ring the changes by adding mint (from a jar or fresh), mustard or lemon .. have even added the end of a jar of pesto.
Block of cheese (we buy a large block and cut into portions - freeze some)

Tomato puree (25p ish in netto or adsa) - pizza's, bolognese etc.

I also have a basic selection of meats in the freezer which I replenish for general meals (added to with offers) e.g. chicken thighs (we remove skins and bag in twos (one person portions), chicken (large and utilised as rubber chickens - 3-4 meals), mince (bolognese, mince meals, burgers, shepherds pie etc.). I add special offers for variety. Fish is added when we see it reduced at the end of the day (plus in the store cupboard we have tuna and tinned makerel)

It's taken us a while to get to this - but the stuff in glass jars makes it easier to see what we are running out of and the shop is now down to around £40-50 per week (and could be cheaper if we were on a very tight budget and cut out the wine

). We go shopping with a list but we take advantage of seasonal fruits and veg, bogofs etc.

This set of basics suits us - you may find yours is different according to your needs and tastes. We use to be big convenience food users until finding MSE. Making from scratch is saving us a fortune. Old weekly shop used to be around £100-£120 per week. I used the savings to get a slow cooker, breadmaker and some extra kitchen ware.

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