How much should groceries cost?

JaneNS

I was just wondering how much people think weekly food shopping for two people should cost as I am sure we spend a huge amount although I can't understand why as we don't buy ready meals, snacks, sweets, biscuits, cake or alcohol.

Any replies appreciated.

Katexx

I spend anything from £5-£50 a week. I'd say we average about £25-£30 - that does include plenty of treats/things we don't 'need' as I'm not really watching what we spend...could cut it down quite a bit if we needed to I think. Last week we only spent £8, the week before it was more like £35-£40 from what I can remember.

Allegra

It's the old "how long is a piece of string" question, isn't it ? First and foremost, how much can you afford ? Do a proper budget and see how much you actually have available to spend on groceries each month/week. Also, you say you are "sure we spend a huge amount" - does that mean you don't actually know how much you spend ? If so, that's your step 2 - keep receipts for a month and work out exactly how much you do spend, and what it goes on.

In the meantime, have a read of the following to see what other people do and how they do it:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4374153

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1437561

And if economising is a priority, you need go not further than these:

http://www.cheap-family-recipes.org.uk/

http://mortgagefreeinthree.com/2012/06/armageddon-cupboard-show-and-tell/

Personally - my budget is £250 for two adults, a veggie teen with ASD (major food issues), an elderly cat and all toiletries and cleaning stuff. This also includes homebrew supplies and seeds for grow-your-own. I try not to spend all of the budget each month, and mostly succeed. We eat good healthy food, plenty of fresh stuff, and have an Armageddon storecupboard of our own. I shop around and buy whatever's best value at the time, and when I come across a great offer, I stock up.

Josslette

We try and spend about £40 per week. That includes treats, lunch stuff for OH, guinea pig veg and sawdust, weekend breakfast and lunch things, and evening meal ingredients.

lucylema

hubby and I bulk buy some things one week then just little bits to add to it another so it really varies depending what we already have and where we shop x sorry, not really much help

SailorSam

I think you'll find it useful to keep ALL receipts and start a spreadsheet to keep on your computer, you can see month-by-month were your money goes.
I'm on my own and probably average £100 a month.

If you think you're doing something wrong come back here and list what you spend and people i'm sure will give you tips to make savings.

JaneNS

Thank you very much for the replies so far. We spend over £100 A WEEK regularly with the odd 'cheap' week around £70! This doesn't include dog food. I cannot for the life of me understand how this has happened.

I was ill for a few years with something like chronic fatigue syndrome. I slept most of the time and couldn't think straight when I was awake or remember much either. Fortunately it is now dropping away from me and I am starting to try and take control again which is hard! Suddenly, I'm aware that every week we have this HUGE shopping bill and I can't understand why. I can't remember what it used to be or what we used to eat and I know prices have gone up but I'm sure it shouldn't cost this much!

We can't afford it at all, with me out of work and unlikely to get another job (how can I explain 7 years illness in away that means someone will employ me?) we are living on credit cards which I have no idea how we will ever pay off. My husband was made redundant (his redundancy payment was swallowed up by our debts but at least we were straight for a while) recently, he's got another job but it is a lot less than he was earning plus it's a lot of travelling so we are spending a lot on fuel too and heading back into debt fast. Because he is working I can't claim any benefits, I did get disability but they have stopped that now. I'm worried the stress will bring back the CFS.

Allegra, I will have a look at the links you posted, thank you. Any replies still welcome. at least I know it is possible to spend a lot less, I just have to work out how to do it.

elona

Have you tried shopping at outdoor market for fruit, veg etc?

Do you find you use up everything you buy or is stuff thrown out?

I find Al**s super six offers on certain fruit and veg save a heck of a lot.

Are you buying pre prepared food or cooking from scratch?

We get through a lot of potatoes so I buy a sack of them (or more) every winter and it is much cheaper that way.

Coxy11

Hi JaneNS,

Sorry to hear you've had a tough time. Allegra has already posted the link to the February Grocery Challenge. Even if you don't want to official join in, there's loads of really helpful hints and tips on there, including an extensive recipe list, all of which will help you to cut down your grocery costs.

Good luck.
Coxy

Li0nhead

For two your weekly bill could be anything from £10 to £150+ depending on what you buy.
I would say between £25-£75 should be the expected norm. Shopping for food only can be easily done for £30-£50 then throw in a couple of bottles of wine...a bit of beer...An expensive joint of meat.....A couple of offers that tempt you in that your don't really need but think at that price its worth it....and before you know it your on the wrong side of £100 per week for 2.

Meadows

JaneNS wrote: »

I was just wondering how much people think weekly food shopping for two people should cost as I am sure we spend a huge amount although I can't understand why as we don't buy ready meals, snacks, sweets, biscuits, cake or alcohol.Any replies appreciated.

That's a how much is a piece of string question, it really depends on what you buy and what your budget is!

My shopping is quite expensive as I buy loads of fruit and vegetables and we do not eat ready meals, food from jars or packets, snack food etc.

I cook all our food from scratch including sauces etc, I don't scrimp on quality but look for offers and bargains.
I make my own stocks, soups etc from bones boiled etc.

If you are spending more than you think you should/are comfortable with, then have a long look at what you are buying and identify the things that cost the most and if you can cut back or substitute Branded for stores own etc.
Still there is no cutting the cost of fresh fruit and vegetables, yes they may be cheaper in some stores at the cost of quality.