What's a reasonable food bill for a family of 5?

lifebegins

Hi, I'm new to the board and I need to make some big cuts in our family budget and the food bill is the first for surgery.

I'm really enjoying reading all the great ideas here and am doing the store cupboard challenge fir this week, but what should I be sensibly aiming for for a new budget?

We are a family of 2 adults, 10, 6 and 4 yr old , 1 dog and 2 rabbits.
I thought I usually spent around 450 a month, but when I actually added it up, last month was 600!! It's so long since I did a "reality check" I've lost touch with what is normal, (and I need to be spending as little as possible).
I'm going to start batch cooking and freezing.

What do other families aim for (without eating beans on toast 7 times a week?!)

Wingman

I used to spend about £500 + a week family of 4:shhh: But since the beginning of the year I have halved it to £260 a month, although the past 2 months I have been naughty and gone over budget, totally my fault buying too many "bargains" that weren't and not needed:rolleyes:

I would set yourself to about £350 and see how you get on, if you set a target thats too unrealistic at first you will set yourself up for a fall and continue your old ways, I did mine gradually and I am now very aware of how much things are, I didn;t even know how much a pint of milk was:eek:

Look at the July grocery challenge thread and all the recipe threads for inspiration, some swear by meal planning, I don't do this as I am a bit of a go with the flow person:rolleyes:

Best of luck

culpepper

I spend between £20 and £35 depending on the time of year. This includes going to costco once a quarter for beef mince and a giant bag of cat food,a huge tin of pineapple and one of tuna.
At present we are 2 adults and 2 big teens plus cat.
We do make everything possible from scratch though.
Right now my veg garden is coming into its own so the last 2 weeks have been about £13 and £16.

lifebegins

Thanks guys.
I think I'll start off trying for around 300+ and see how it goes. I think it will be a while until we get to culpepper's budget: very impressive! My OH has muttered about growing his own veg, as we would have enough space. I've always thought it would cost more in the long run with seeds, fertiliser, equipment etc.? Maybe we should give it a go.

vivaladiva

There are six of us and I'm aiming for £350 per month at the moment. Daren't do monthly grocery challenge in case I massively overspend. (This budget is due to a recent reality check too.) :eek:

Saveit

culpepper wrote:

I spend between £20 and £35 depending on the time of year. This includes going to costco once a quarter for beef mince and a giant bag of cat food,a huge tin of pineapple and one of tuna.
At present we are 2 adults and 2 big teens plus cat.
We do make everything possible from scratch though.
Right now my veg garden is coming into its own so the last 2 weeks have been about £13 and £16.

Culpepper how do you that? I wish my shopping bill was as low. I spent £150 this week but this included my bulky Monthly items such a Toilet Rolls Washing Powder etc.
I also make meals from scratch most of the time but I can never get my weekly shopping below £80. We have 2 adults one teenager two dogs and a cat. I also have a veggie patch.

culpepper

Saveit wrote:

Culpepper how do you that? I wish my shopping bill was as low. I spent £150 this week but this included my bulky Monthly items such a Toilet Rolls Washing Powder etc.
I also make meals from scratch most of the time but I can never get my weekly shopping below £80. We have 2 adults one teenager two dogs and a cat. I also have a veggie patch.

Well I do use basic meal plans Which are in my head:p
We eat about 8oz (2oz per person)of meat per evening meal and lots of veg.
Make bread ,yog ,jams,etc never buy fancy cereals.
We dont eat a lot of puddings .
I use ecoballs for washing and a huge 5 gallon drum of soap powder from costco (about £15) which lasts 18 months.
Growing own veg etc is definitely worth it.
Alan Romans do seed at 50p a packet buy 10 and you dont pay delivery.
Fruit bushes and trees can be bought from Wilko's,poundland,woolies
You dont need a lot of equipment,fork ,spade,watering can or chemicals
I have 2 plastic greenhouses(£60 for the 2) and they are growing tomatoes,aubergines and peppers quite happily and should last at least another year before recovering.I spent about £100 on the garden this year including the greenhouses but had tools already.

flufff

theres 5 in my house,6 at weekends.Myself,sons are 14(eats like a horse),9 and 5 and daughters 12.Plus partner at weekends.
I can spend anything from £30-£120 a week.Ive a dog,5 cats,3 rabbits,2 cockatiels and a hamster in a pear tree as well.
My freezer gave up ghost in june.Just managed to acquire a new one so had started shopping on a daily basis.I found it hard spending less than £10 a day after petfood,milk,bread,cereal and washing powder that I'm always using up.
A bone of contention with me is the kids have to have squash not drink water.That used to be a luxury to me.They take biscuits etc for granted.
I'm terrified of summer hols being eaten out of house and home.So hoping to blitz tesco with vouchers over next few days to fill up my replacement freezer.

black-saturn

Let see, I have a family of 3 big eaters and I spend roughly £45 per month on food. I make almost everything from scratch including yogurts, ice cream, all the main meals etc etc. I reckon a family of 5 could eat really well for around £100 per month.

You can look on these threads to see my meal planners:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=157526&highlight=black-saturns+menu

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=214747

foreverskint

Sorry to hijavk this thread a bit:o but i see reference to costco and Makros a lot. Aren't they trade cash and carry? Or can the public join?
Thanks

Alikay

I spend £300 per month for 2 adults and 12,15 and 17 yr olds plus cat. The kids buy lunch at school/college (very resistant to taking packed lunch!) and we have a cooked meal in the evening.
It includes all cleaning, laundry, loo-roll and toiletry bits and bobs plus some beer and wine
I know I could rein it in a bit if I have to, but luckily don't have to work that hard at present. May change when DD's uni fees hit the family budget next year!