Feeding a family of 5

tracey128

Trying hard to feed our family of 5 and we are spending about £150 a week, this takes into account ALL household goods like washing powder etc Is this a reasonable amount or are we way above what we should be spending??????

HappyMJ

tracey128 wrote: »

Trying hard to feed our family of 5 and we are spending about £150 a week, this takes into account ALL household goods like washing powder etc Is this a reasonable amount or are we way above what we should be spending??????

My opinion....it's fine. My aim is to spend £25 a week per person just on food....and have a stock of the cleaning products as a separate budget. They cost whatever they cost.

WantToBeSE

Hi tracey- i would say that it all depends on whether you can afford that? If you are managing financially, i dont see a problem.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1437561 This thread will show you what other people spend

and this one https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4341023 will take you to the Grocery Challenge, where people are trying to reduce their food bills.

tracey128

Thanks for the quick reply folks. We were struggling a few months ago with money. Now are tring to be as strict as we can with our outgoings and checking everything we spend. my husband stopped smoking 10 weeks ago and we have not purchased or had any alcohol since new years day. also had no takeaways or fastfood this year. The more we can save the better to pay off our arrears as quickly as we can.

HappyMJ

tracey128 wrote: »

Thanks for the quick reply folks. We were struggling a few months ago with money. Now are tring to be as strict as we can with our outgoings and checking everything we spend. my husband stopped smoking 10 weeks ago and we have not purchased or had any alcohol since new years day. also had no takeaways or fastfood this year. The more we can save the better to pay off our arrears as quickly as we can.

The smoking, alcohol and takeaways would have saved much more than a few more pounds each week on the grocery bill. Treat yourself at some point...but don't go overboard.

BOBS

Hi - we are family of 5 - kids 14, 11, 8. I usually spend £110 per week - this includes all meals, cleaning and toiletries. This is for breakfast, packed lunches, dinners, snacks, fruit etc. I try to buy everything I need in one go online shopping. Usually only need one visit during week to shop for milk. We would have a chippy/chinese once a fortnight which isnt included in this. Have tried to lower this amount but not very successful. I do feel though we eat well and averaging £110 / 5 people / 7 days ....... works out a £3.14 per person per day for all food and toiletries.

YORKSHIRELASS

tracey128 wrote: »

Trying hard to feed our family of 5 and we are spending about £150 a week, this takes into account ALL household goods like washing powder etc Is this a reasonable amount or are we way above what we should be spending??????

It depends on so many things, like the age of your kids, whether they have school dinners, how much you are prepared to cut back/go without etc. Some people on here feed their family for very little but there is a happy medium for everyone.

We spend £300 a month for four of us, we have two older kids and my hubby works outdoors and has a very healthy appetite! My husband also likes his meat every day, going vegetarian would just not happen in this house! This does include all cleaning, toiletries and laundry products.

The big thing for me is mealplanning, only buying exactly what I need and going to the supermarket as little as possible. If you have never tried to cut it down before I bet you can make savings. Try supermarket own brands or value products. There is loads of good advice on here.

tracey128

thanks BOBS, your situation sounds very similar to ours (ages of your children) i havent tried online shopping yet as am trying to go round getting best offers lol have you found a particular store to be the best? also do they do click and collect? a friend of mine said they tried that (it saves delivery charges)

BOBS

Yorkshire lass - I find at the minute as quick as I downgrade prices keep on rising! I find more and more of my products are from value range but the total price of my shop doesnt lower.

camNolliesMUMMY

I try and cook as much as I can from scratch, w are a family of 2 adults 1 5 year old and one baby 10 months and a cat.
Our monthly budget s around £230 a month.
The beginning of the month I buy all the meat from various butchers at around £50 for the month.
Toiletries and cleaning stuff, sometimes from hb, I try n keep an eye out or 4 tins for £1 of beans and chopped toms etc
Tesco/asda I keep to my shopping list/menu plan
This weeks hop only come o £35.
What's eloped is buying all my herbs n spices Tom an Asian market, so I no longer buy sauces etc its saved us a fortune.
To get me started I bought the 100g bags for 59p each and I think I've got nearly everything? I'm not normally stuck when a recipe asks for something.
I've lost weight too and feel healthier.
I have a bm and make. Fresh loaf every other day and my win pizza bases.
I've shocked my mum how much I save money as I'm only 27 and have become very independent her hop is £150 a week for three?

Good luck anyway I hope this helped a little.

tracey128

HappyMJ wrote: »

The smoking, alcohol and takeaways would have saved much more than a few more pounds each week on the grocery bill. Treat yourself at some point...but don't go overboard.

I know HappyMJ. We really wanted it down to basics this month so we could work a better budget from there. Defo saved a fortune with no drink/smoking and fast food. Amazing how much we had been overspending each and every month.Our treat will come soon.