How much do you spend on groceries each month?

calleyw

MrsE wrote: »

I do meal plan, because I live in a village & if I got home from work & didn't have the right stuff in I would need to do a 6 miles round trip to get the mince/potatos/whatever-I-had-forgotton.

I am really sorry that last line should not have read that way. It should have read I try and meal plan I was not suggesting that you should try and meal plan :rotfl:

None of my business.

Oops will slink off now.


Yours


Calley

Meadows

I average about £500 for three adults, but this month I have spent less than £100 as I have had to reduce the contents of my freezers while waiting for the delivery of a new one.
Just goes to show how much food can be stored in the freezer, all I have really bought is vegetables, fruit and milk (I make my own bread), did a small shop for the first time in three weeks last Friday for some bits and pieces.

MrsE_2

calleyw wrote: »

I am really sorry that last line should not have read that way. It should have read I try and meal plan I was not suggesting that you should try and meal plan :rotfl:

None of my business.

Oops will slink off now.


Yours


Calley

No, not at all. I was having a conversation with you, I didn't take offence & it wasn't a retort, just a reply.

I was just explaining why meal planning is so important to me:o

MrsBartolozzi

I usually budget £300 for groceries for the month (2 adults, 2 teenager boys) and most months I come under this. While most months I begin the month with a half full freezer I usually end it that way too. I try to buy meat/fish when it is on offer and freeze for future weeks. Last week for instance I bought lots of reduced beef - both mince and joints and no other meat. We still ate fish, chicken and bacon from the fridge/freezer, and there's lots of beef for next week (and beyond) so not a week of beef based meals!
I do try to meal plan roughly based on the protein I have in, but only for 3 or 4 days in advance do I have a definite meal plan.
Working with a half full freezer/cupboards allows me to take advantage of offers when they come, but it also allows me to not buy at a high cost, but wait for the next offer to come around too.

I have given some thought to the Economy Gastronomy way of buying just for the week ahead, but as I see it, I would miss out on bulk buying on offers and reductions.

Meadows

[QUOTE I have given some thought to the Economy Gastronomy way of buying just for the week ahead, but as I see it, I would miss out on bulk buying on offers and reductions.[/QUOTE]

I agree you have to pick up the bargain when you see them, you can get some great savings, unfortunately that's why it takes me so long to empty the freezer.

MrsE_2

MrsBartolozzi wrote: »

I try to buy meat/fish when it is on offer and freeze for future weeks. Last week for instance I bought lots of reduced beef - both mince and joints and no other meat. We still ate fish, chicken and bacon from the fridge/freezer, and there's lots of beef for next week (and beyond) so not a week of beef based meals!

I have certain things I buy, Waitrose chicken breasts, sometimes they are a third off, I stock up. If their roast beef is on offer I stock up too. I get their low-fat minced lamb too (they are the only retailers to do a low-fat minced lamb - its never on offer. Sometimes I get a bit of sirloin reduced there or in Tesco I will stock up on that too:money:
Oakham chickens from M&S, they were half price recently, so I stuck 2 in the freezer.
Tesco salmon, often on half price, so I buy 2 & portion & freeze.

IO don't meal plan around whats in the freezer, I do it for a variation of meals we like, but I end up having the meat/chicken/fish for at least half of what I plan for the week anyway by default;)

freakyogre

I keep meaning to keep a running total of what I buy, but never do.

I tend to do a main shop every fortnight and get the other bits (milk, fruit) inbetween if needed.

Last time I went shopping I spent about £22 and today I spent just over £30, but that did include things that will last ages (a massive bottle of fabric conditioner and toiletries...oh, and some pants!). £5 of that was just on apples, bananas, satsumas, tomatoes and a lettuce which I could get cheaper elsewhere, but then i'll spend more on petrol.

I suppose it's on average around £50-£60 a month, but sometimes less as I can sometimes go 3 weeks without shopping.

I live on my own and don't think this is very good!!

Lilith1980

valk_scot wrote: »

Well, I'm presuming that you both contribute equally here to the shopping bills? So given that the total only covers the basics why not suggest he contribute an extra few pounds for the extras he wants as treats for himself. I don't think junk food like that is an essential like your special diet stuff is, so I think while it's fair your stuff comes out the general budget his sweetie money should be extra. Then ask him what he'd like and get them while you do the big shop. That way you're showing willing, but you're not having to cut back on the essentials.

It's the same as when my OH asks me to pick up a case of his beer when out shopping. I don't drink and anyway, I've not got the money for that in the budget. His beer comes out of his "pocket money." So yeah, I'll get the beer but my hand is out for the cash!

This has been brought up - he mentioned me getting him some snack-type items and he would give me the money for them so I think we'll be doing that

calleyw

MrsE wrote: »

No, not at all. I was having a conversation with you, I didn't take offence & it wasn't a retort, just a reply.

I was just explaining why meal planning is so important to me:o

I know it was just a reply but when I read my quoted last line. It read back to me as if I was telling you to do something when what I was trying to do say was what I do.

:rotfl:


Yours

Calley

mama67

Lilith1980 wrote: »

This has been brought up - he mentioned me getting him some snack-type items and he would give me the money for them so I think we'll be doing that

This is what we do as well.

Dh gives me the money from his "pocket money" for his beer and I get it in with the grocery shopping, sometimes is only way I would get over certain barrier amounts to qualify for other offers suchas money off petrol etc.