Does anyone else wonder how in the world you spent $350 last month in groceries and yet never ate at home?
This is what rolls through my mind each and every month as I'm paying bills: We went over our grocery budget. Again. So frustrating... especially at a time when we're trying to be frugal.
We're just two people. We don't buy steak or fish that often. We eat normal food like cereal and oranges and pasta and sometimes chicken chili. And yet we're both frustrated by how much money we're able to spend buying groceries. What is the solution? Should I start cutting coupons? Shopping discount food chains? Powdered milk?
I'm looking for some advice here.
#1 What should two people expect to spend on groceries for a given month?
#2 What are your best money-saving-on-groceries tips?
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Hey Jessica!!
Our solution for grocery budgeting since we have been at school is the 'cash method'. We pull out our grocery budget in cash at the beginning of the month and then pay cash for our groceries. It definitely helps us be much more aware of how much we are spending and how much we have left. We still go over occasionally and have to pull out the credit card at the end of the month, but at least we know how much we have to spend all month more than we used to!
Oh boy. We struggle with this one, too.
I have a couple of websites I can send you. I'll email you!
We, too, struggle with this one. I would absolutely recommend clipping coupons. And I know that certain grocery stores in B-town have those special cards you use to save extra money on groceries.
A few things Dave taught me (he is very frugal) when we first got married was:
1) Don't be afraid of generic. Especially when it comes to things like crackers, juices, or things you might use as an ingredient in something else. 75% of the time it tastes the same.
2) If you know you buy something on a weekly or monthly basis, stock up when it's on sale rather than buying it every week when it might not be. Of course, you can't do it as much with fresher ingredients unless it's something you can freeze.
3) Don't be afraid to go to multiple grocery stores for items if they are cheaper or on-sale. Of course, you might lose in gas what you save in money (especially these days), but if it's a more expensive item like meat or even soda, it can be worth it.
Hope these help. You may be doing all of it already, but I was clueless when we started out, so they were news to me. :)
Witte!
So I know I only shop for one... BUT I have learned a thing or two about saving money... you know me, I love cutting coupons (especially since harris teeter does the double coupon thing) ... but I also shop sales... I get ads for two different grocery stores usually if what I am looking for isn't on sale at one it is at the other. I tend to buy bulk chicken and freeze it... Ironically the place that I buy a lot of stuff at is Target, they tend to have some pretty inexpensive items in their pantry... I think that's about all... ;)
Jamie
I feel your pain. We are usually under $300 (ideally $250), but if you have people over or something, or get a bunch of non-generic stuff, it's easy to spend a bit more. It helps having a no-frills low price grocery place in town where we do most of our shopping, then go to a Kroger-like normal store for occasional sale items.
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