Quick Question - Food Budget?

shellybelly_3

Hi

I hope someone can help me. I asked this on the dfw but got directed to this board.:rotfl:

I'm currently trying to get my finances into control. And i was wondering how much do you tink is a reasonable amount to budget for food?

Its only myself and my other half. At the moment we don't really budget and just 'buy as we go!' mostly at Tesco Metro, which costs a fortune. Plus we're not very organised and we end up throwing alot of food out:o
But don't worry i have started menu planning for next week.

SeeWeed

I would budget about £30 per week if it was just me and DH but it depends on what kinds of food you eat, whether you cook from scratch or buy ready meals etc. Try the menu planning for a couple of weeks and see what you are averaging at and if you still feel it's too much try and cut a bit off each week.

HTH

SW

thriftlady_2

There are several threads around where people have posted their meal plans and expenditure. Seaweed is too modest to mention hers but it's here

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=238605

Black Saturn has posted at least 2 meal planners done on a very low budget

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

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


I'd allow about £30 too and if it is too painful add abit more, but you may well find that you can shave it even more off.

Sarahsaver

Only 2 of you? Start at £30 and once you are out of your comfort zone whittle it down to £15!
Start by cutting out all 'ready made' food and you will save a fortune:)

comping_cat

Keep all your food shopping receipts for a week, and see what you are buying, if there is anything you could buy cheaper, and what you are buying and not using. Then, the following week, aim to spend less than the week before. Try doing a cupboard and fridge/freezer list and see what you can be cooking with those ingredients, and also look on the recipe thread for ideas as to what you can cook. You can use the recipe ideas to help you plan a shoping list, which is another good way of cutting down on your shopping bill, write one and stick to it!!!!

Lucie_2

If you're going to get really organised, can you do a Tesco online shop & get it delivered? That will save you buying most of your groceries at Tesco metro. Get all your staples & non perishables like pasta, rice, tins of tomatoes, washing powder etc. If you have a hunt around the vouchers/discount board there will no doubt be a free delivery code or similar.
I have a white board in my kitchen on which I write the weeks menu. Amongst other things, it helps to remind me what to get out of the freezer on a morning when I'm running out of the door.
If you're stuggling for inspiration, write down all of your favourite meals & get OH to do the same. That should provide you with a good basic list from where to start.
If there's anything you usually buy as a ready meal, eg lasagne post it on here. Someone will be along soon afterwards with a recipe for the HM version to help you out.

npsmama

Can you really do it for 2 people on 15pounds???

How??

Tell me please, I need to do this!!

Chipps

How much do you normally spend? (if you're not sure then it's probably more than you thought it was!!!)
You will probably find that doing a menu plan will help almost immediately: apart from anything else there shouldn't be too much, if anything, to throw away. It's probably best not to aim for the £15 budget to begin with, as too drastic a change all in one go doesn't always work. It's easy to feel it's too much like hard work, or feel hard done by!!
Best wishes with your menu planning!

Sarahsaver

Buy all your fruit and veg from a market, and do not buy any crisps, biscuits, ready meals etc. If you are a meat eater get the reduced to clear stuff, make one chicken/joint of meat last 2-3 days, and don't eat meat every day.
Put your money in a purse separate from your other money for bus fares and the like, and you will think more about what you are spending and where it's going.
Long long ago I posted my shopping list for £20 a week which was me and 3 kids. Needs must! If you only have £20 that has to be all you can spend!

thriftlady_2

Sarahsaver wrote:

Long long ago I posted my shopping list for £20 a week which was me and 3 kids. Needs must! If you only have £20 that has to be all you can spend!

I can't find it, any chance of a link please ?:)