Food Budget Crisis

BellaBeau

I am new to this money saving and know that I really need to do something about the amount of money we spend on food stuffs. I dont know the exact figure we spend but know that alot is wasted by a quick trip to the supermarket and then we spend 30 pounds on stuff and this is on top of the usuall shop .....Sooooooo

I was wondering if you were willing to share how much you realistically spend on an average week for food. We get any meats from a farm shop and stock up there when we visit as it is a long way off but the rest usually gets bought from the supermarket. We are a family of four, two adults and two children aged 10 and 7. Also do you have any advice for getting the food budget down to a reasonable amount, if I were to guess I would say that we probably spend over £200 a month at least.

Thanks,
Bella x

OrkneyStar

If you go over to the old style board and look at the grocery challenge thread it may make interesting reading for you
hth

Enterprise_1701C

We have four adults in our household, the kids are 19 and 22.

We spend £30-35 a week - as much as possible is pared down to the lowest level. We also spend about £5-£10 on top up shopping such as bread and milk.

I get things that I prefer from other stores, things that I can get cheaper I get from other stores, main shop I have to do in Tesco's.

We do get given some meat from other places but one of our downfalls is cheese, so I really stock up on that when it is going cheap.

BellaBeau

Thanks for the link I will go and have a look..

Jane, when you say that you spend about £35 a week can I aks what you are getting for that and what meals are you all eating. I just wondered so that i can get some idea.

Thanks,
Bella x

VLT

I feel the same Bella so will wait for advice also,
regards viv

affordmylife

i think £200 for a family of 4 is quite reasonable.

well done for that as a start.

pink_princess

Is that a true figure ,if so very well done.Id sit and add up all your reciepts for the next 30 days to get a true picture.I thought i spent £300 a month until i looked at the grocery challenge,when i added it up it was £650 for 5 of us.I now have it at £300 after 9 months off grocery challenges.

Fat_Fairy

Yes i think £200 per month is fine!.
I spend over £100 per week on 3 human people + 1 dog person.

babyx1uk3

We are a family of four and we have a budget of £75 a week which is very realistic if you like lots of fruit and veg as this is expensive to buy if you go through a lot of it.
We sit down and write down what meals we will have each day for the next week and buy just that along with essentials like shampoo,etc and we stick to the list. I refuse to buy anything that isnt on it.
If you write down what meals you will eat, whilst tedious it does stop overspending on things you dont need + it will stop you snacking,etc in between so also good if dieting as you wont have the food so you cant eat what you dont have.
I also do not do little shops, if we have forgotten somethnig we manage until the next week, this way you do not get tricked into seeing a promotion whilst out for one item and end up coming home with 5 things instead. HTH someone!

buxtonrabbitgreen

I probably spend about £200 per month for 4 of us too. 2 hungry teenagers and often a gf too.

tessie_bear

mine is written below...x2 adults x2 kids....we have worked for a few months to get it down a bit at a time...i make a list of dishes and then go to asda and buy what i want....but if i see something reduced i change my list and buy that instead.....i am trying to make cakes and biscuits....also own bread....the total also includes x2 packed lunches every week day hth
tess