It's time to start digging up those Squirrelled Nuts!!!!

swindiff

We spend between £550 and £650 a month as a couple. Well that's what the wife tells me anyway lol. That's mainly at Asda.

Ganga

Sea_Shell said:

chile_paul2 said:

Albermarle said:

Lifematters said:

Groceries £1764    (not including alcohol, which in the thought experiment could be nil)

I wish I could get our grocery bill that low.  We are spending £4k pa on groceries, although that does include alcohol we don’t drink much.

We can all 'argue'/compare different spending on different things, but the one thing I am always surprised about is some peoples very low annual grocery spend.  . Probably with a bit more effort we could reduce ours a but, but can not see it ever getting down to even £4K ( 3 adults, alcohol not included )

Likewise - I had been feeling quite pleased that despite the increase in the cost of living this year we had managed to reduce our grocery spend (including alcohol) for a family of 2 adults and 2 growing (but not yet teenage) children from just over £10,200 to £9,600.

Where do you shop, Fortnum and Mason!!  😉🤣

Depends on how much they drink ,the food part might be average for a 4 person family.

drjohn67

Which used to estimate annual income per year for a comfortable retirement. It worked out to £2200 to £2500 per month depending upon holidays and car ownership/replacement. This was similar amount to the IFA’s generalisation of “2/3 of what you are used to living on”.
Seems like there is a significant variation in what people consider as essential for comfortable. Groceries budget for example.

I would be hesitant to encourage retirement on too strict a budget. As with many things a number will succeed (and be vocal) whereas many others will be hit by unexpected larger expenses or be derailed by an underestimation of future expenditure.

chile_paul2

Sea_Shell said:

Where do you shop, Fortnum and Mason!!  😉🤣

Ouch!

We do most of our shopping at Sainsburys - and we do get a delivery, so fully recognise that we miss opportunities to make savings on yellow sticker items. A real mix of their 'Finest' range for some things, but we've also made savings by downgrading to their Basics range for other items.

We then have occasional treats from M&S which are (partially) offset by some shops at Aldi. We also get milk delivered and a fortnightly organic veg box delivery which is definitely not money saving, but is helping to reduce food miles and supporting local businesses rather than the large national supermarkets - I'd rather spend a bit more here if anything.

Alcohol spend is (I hope) not too far from average - a couple of bottles of wine a week, an occasional beer. The highest spend is probably on Fevertree mixers to go with an ocassional G&T!

Looking at the linked government study it suggests average spend on food and drink for a family of 4 was £32.75 per person per week, with a further £3.92 per person per week on alcoholic drinks in 19/20 - that takes it to a total of £7627 a year. Yes, I know I'm taking liberties in allowing for alcoholic drinks for the children  That is all before other household grocery items - so yes, whilst we're definitely above average and can make savings I don't think we're that far above?

geoffers4

Lifematters said:

Groceries £1764    (not including alcohol, which in the thought experiment could be nil)

I wish I could get our grocery bill that low.  We are spending £4k pa on groceries, although that does include alcohol we don’t drink much.

Aldi is the answer - massively reducing our bills compared to those when we previously lived by a Tesco.
Actually I've now realised this figure is under-stated as we had 2 months in the Canaries (self-catering...using Lidl!) so if we add these groceries plus alcohol it matches Sea_Shell's £2651 pretty much.

michaels

Family of 5 (inc 3 teenagers who are happy to eat) we spend about £100 per week on supermarket shop which also includes toiletries, cleaning products etc.

No alcohol probably helps a lot though.

sheslookinhot

I’ve introduced a self imposed ban when shopping. I can easily double the bill.

Sea_Shell

chile_paul2 said:

Sea_Shell said:

Where do you shop, Fortnum and Mason!!  😉🤣

Ouch!

We do most of our shopping at Sainsburys - and we do get a delivery, so fully recognise that we miss opportunities to make savings on yellow sticker items. A real mix of their 'Finest' range for some things, but we've also made savings by downgrading to their Basics range for other items.

We then have occasional treats from M&S which are (partially) offset by some shops at Aldi. We also get milk delivered and a fortnightly organic veg box delivery which is definitely not money saving, but is helping to reduce food miles and supporting local businesses rather than the large national supermarkets - I'd rather spend a bit more here if anything.

Alcohol spend is (I hope) not too far from average - a couple of bottles of wine a week, an occasional beer. The highest spend is probably on Fevertree mixers to go with an ocassional G&T!

Looking at the linked government study it suggests average spend on food and drink for a family of 4 was £32.75 per person per week, with a further £3.92 per person per week on alcoholic drinks in 19/20 - that takes it to a total of £7627 a year. Yes, I know I'm taking liberties in allowing for alcoholic drinks for the children  That is all before other household grocery items - so yes, whilst we're definitely above average and can make savings I don't think we're that far above?

I've never bought a yellow sticker item !!    We have quite a few of the Aldi "finest" items, and basics for others.

We have occasional treats from Waitrose.     But we don't have any fresh deliveries.     

We have a bottle of wine a week (on average), with the odd beer or cider in the summer.   We don't drink spirits.


So all in all not that different.    

Sea_Shell

sheslookinhot said:

I’ve introduced a self imposed ban when shopping. I can easily double the bill.

We use a list.   DH is in charge!!     He does all the meal planning.

If its not on the list, its not going in [the trolley] 


although i get the odd thing past him from time to time. 

Anonymous101

michaels said:

Family of 5 (inc 3 teenagers who are happy to eat) we spend about £100 per week on supermarket shop which also includes toiletries, cleaning products etc.

No alcohol probably helps a lot though.

I'd say the £100 a week mark is pretty accurate for our family of 4 (two young children) including the household products.

Alcohol does make a big difference. Mrs. Anon doesn't drink and I only drink occasionally, I'd say on average <£5 per week including wine for cooking.

Our £100 is split between ASDA (for which we receive 10% blue light discount + 4% reloadable card discount from my employer), Aldi / Lidl and the local farmers market and butchers. We buy as good quality ingredients as possible as cheaply as possible but don't scrimp. Certainly not on quality for health reasons.

We do have a rough list but aren't strict with it. We are strict on waste though, nothing gets thrown out. We are organised and if its not cooked and eaten its cooked and frozen as future prep.