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grocery budgeting

Hi there

Happy new year to everyone

I need some real help here.

Firstly - can you experts suggest a reasonable amount (minimum) to spend on an average weeks shopping-- groceries and household items - for a family of Mum and Dad and a 14 year old son.

Secondly - can you give examples of meal planning and what to buy and where.

Many thanks

Steve

Comments

  • nopot2pin
    nopot2pin Posts: 5,721 Forumite
    Hi there

    Happy new year to everyone

    I need some real help here.

    Firstly - can you experts suggest a reasonable amount (minimum) to spend on an average weeks shopping-- groceries and household items - for a family of Mum and Dad and a 14 year old son.

    Secondly - can you give examples of meal planning and what to buy and where.

    Many thanks

    Steve

    Steve....
    There is a couple of threads that may help you out.

    First the monthly Grocery Challenge
    For the GC, it is good to know what your current spends are, as to how much you can reduce you monthly bills by. Everyones needs are different, so it is kinda imposible to say what is right for a certain amount of people in a family.

    The other is threads are for Meal Planning... if you do a search for Mealplan it will give you a list of the previous weekly mealplans from other MSE'er

    Good Luck and Happy New Year ;)
  • I would recommend that you look first in all your cupboards and check what you've got!

    Then look at what you could cook with it and what ingredients you need to supplement what you've got.

    When you cook make sure you cook 1 extra meal for the freezer which then means the following week you could have an entire meal plan out of your freezer - frees up time and you won't need to buy much in the shops.

    Take care and good luck!
  • moanymoany
    moanymoany Posts: 2,877 Forumite
    When I started my os life it was through necessity, as with many people. I had a set amount and it had to do. At first the meals were a touch samey, but I soon learned the tricks.

    People work differently, but this worked for me.
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