Average weekly grocery spend?

Safiya_2 · 14 July 2010 at 2:52AM

Hello

We are coming to the UK next year for a ten week holiday and am fine tuning the budget. I am wondering what the 'average' family would spend on groceries per week? We are two adults and two primary school children (8 and 10) and we cook a lot at home and don't use a lot of packaged foods. I had a quick trawl through Tesco's online site but was after an idea from a real family. We'll be in cottages mostly so won't be hampered by lack of cooking facilities and we do picnics for lunch wherever we go.

Would love some feedback - thank you for your time.

Saff

ceridwen · 14 July 2010 at 6:31AM

I don't have children - so don't know how big the appetites would be of an 8 year old and a 10 year old.

Four adults would be about £100 per week to feed - assuming they were eating in a pretty economical way - without anything being organic on the one hand or any luxuries (eg balsamic vinegar, "real" coffee).

Eating organically - then reckon on up to £150 per week for four adults.

NB: I am counting food and drink only. Some posters on threads like these confuse the issue by including things like cleaning materials/cosmetics/etc and it then gets difficult to extract how much they are spending on food and drink from the figure they give.

Evilm · 14 July 2010 at 11:02AM

For two adults we normally spend about £30 on just food items.

Lokolo · 14 July 2010 at 11:06AM

I spend £100 a month. But that includes more than just food (washing up, cleaning products etc.) for just myself.

pippitypip_2 · 14 July 2010 at 12:52PM

My goodness, the OldStyle board would be up in arms over a £400 spend a month on food for 4 adults! lol

It's much easier to spend less for more people than on a single budget I think.

Realistically yes, you could easily spend say £300 a month for 2 adults and 2 children, but could also spend much less. Especially if you utilise the offers like BOGOF etc whenever they are on.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday and that the weather is as good next year as it's been here recently!

pippitypip

Judith_W · 14 July 2010 at 1:21PM

I think £60 per person per month would be about right. The 1st couple of weeks may be more expensive as you would have to stock up on store cupboard basics

Wednesday · 14 July 2010 at 2:59PM

And remember to budget for good insect repellent if you're coming to Scotland - the midges have a killer bite

piratefairy · 14 July 2010 at 3:02PM

I live alone and tend to spend weekly £8 - £12 on my food shop.
This includes any toiletries (shampoos etc) and cleaning products...

Safiya_2 · 16 July 2010 at 10:35PM

Thankyou all for your thoughts - sounds as if we could get away with 75pd a week if we are careful. Means we can see more and do more while we are there.

Thanks again - much appreciated.

Saff

Tubbss · 17 July 2010 at 12:37AM

I shop at morrisons / tescos/ asda (I am a tart and go with whoever has the best deals on!) and shop for 2 adults and 2 kids (3 & 6), usual "big shop" is £35 - £45 every Saturday and then fresh stuff such as bread and milk through the week which equates to around £8 - £10. So on average £50 p/w for a family of 4.

kelloggs36 · 17 July 2010 at 9:12AM

I really need to learn to cut down! I spend a fortune on food and extras for my family of 4 - about £450 per month plus my lunches - I hate packed lunch, I like to have it freshly made, so I go to Morrisons every day and buy a salad from the counter, plus a packet of prawns. For the family dinners though, I buy in bulk where I can (I luckily have a large freezer and plenty of cupboard space) and only stock up on fridge stuff and bread during the week. I don't plan my meals - if I did it would be much cheaper, but I rather go with what I fancy for tea, rather than what is necessarily in the cupboard or freezer, and then buy more stuff if I don't have what I fancy!