Typical grocery bills?

[Brenda]

Regina, we don't do a ton of red, cow, meat. When I wrote meat, I just meant protein. We do a lot of fish, which I buy salmon from Sams, pork and chicken from there, freeze it with my food savor and we're set. We do a lot of rice and beans too, in any way, refritos, soups, and salads.
It seems like whenever I eat a lot of red my side ends up hurting. Kind of like my body not being able to digest the meat???

[amelia]

Between Costco and the food store I spend about 500 a month for food, diapers, cleaning supplies and such. I try to spend only $300 a month a Costco. I get milk, eggs, diapers, (use to get formula too..spent at least $60 a month on that since DS was 5 months old...but no more formula!!!!!!!!), meat, bread, toiletries, tons and tons of fruit, coffee, and gas for the car...and the list goes on. I do most of my basic shopping there. Lately, I spend about 100-125 every other week for food and such at either Target or Walmart. Some months I spend more than other months. We don't go out to eat very often as a family, but DH eats at least one meal out each day of his trip.

[Rebes]

Between the grocery store and every other week trips to Target for diapers/pull-ups and wipes, it is probably about $150 a week for a family of 4. If DH is not home a few days a week, I don't usually make a nice meal b/c the kids won't eat it, so that saves some money!

[Brenda]

Originally Posted by Rebes

If DH is not home a few days a week, I don't usually make a nice meal b/c the kids won't eat it, so that saves some money!

I hear ya!

[patty@myflightsurgeon.com]

Originally Posted by pilotwife38

That is one area I don't cut costs.

Tonya

Thats true, I can cut costs on alot of things but not food, I like to look in the fridge and see alot of fruits and veggies.

[AnneCaitlin]

Originally Posted by Regina

It just seems like eating healthy gets expensive. Does everyone eat meat daily? If not, what do you eat when you don't eat meat?

My family is not big on meat--so we eat a lot of pastas, stir-frys, soups, and casseroles, or as they're known here in Minnesota: The Hot Dish, that are either meatless or have meat incorporated into them (which reduces the need for a main meat dish). This would probably cut back on costs since you're not buying a chicken breast or whatnot per person but rather one or two per dish.

[ccbegay]

Well it is just BF, me, dog, and 2 cats... in a given month maybe one big shopping trip which I'll spend about $150 and about $50 at Target...the filler weeks at most about $30...but we do have a bad habit of eating out at least 3 times a week...oh wait, counting animals about $25 for Kenzie's food, cat food, and Iams wet food for one of the picky cats, Pixie...

[FilleBelle]

Brenda - Sounds like you could have gallstones. If that is the case, then your gallbladder would pain you after eating a fatty meal...such as one containing a great deal of red meat! I would totally mention it to your doc the next time you're in for a checkup.

Having said that, I'm a vegetarian so I obviously don't eat meat any day, let alone every day. If I could, I would live on pasta, but it has next to no nutritional value, lol. Instead, I eat a lot of dishes made with beans and rice, which form a complete protein when served together. Both items are very cheap and, depending on what kind of each you buy, you can eat them in a variety of styles...Mexican, Cajun, Thai, Indian, whatever! Other good sources of meatless (and less expensive) protein include eggs and cheese. Quiches are a good choice, as they frequently include both.

I have a thousand and one vegetarian recipes, so I could go on and on, but that's really getting off topic, lol.

[christykay]

Anyone that knows me knows that Wednesday is my FAVORITE day of the week! - It's the day that the grocery food ads come to my mailbox. (Yep, I'm a dork who loves to save money!)

So with that being said...I shop according to the ads and always shop with coupons. I have been doing this for so long that my menu plans are made according to what meat is in stock in our freezer and/or items that are on sale during the week. I tend to make a lot of homemade items- sauces especially and main meals. I steer clear of the pre-packaged, expensive items and we always have a ton of fresh fruit and vegetables in the home- great snacks. Overall I would say that our family eats very, very healty.

As a family of 6 I typically spend between $50-$75 a week. This amount includes the food obviously, but also includes cleaning and general household/beauty products and bathroom/kitchen paper goods. This amount does not include eating out. We try hard to limit ourselves to eating out only 2 times a month, but sometimes it works out to 4 times a month when we like to grab a lunch on the weekend or something.

Typically my month will look something like this:
week 1- $50
week 2- $75
week 3- $75
week 4- $50
Month- $250.00 sometimes I will have to supplement with more milk and few more fruits, but $250 is pretty typical.

Sometimes I will combine week 2 and 3 to make a large shopping trip and typically spend $150.00. With the price of gas these days combining shopping trips saves just a little more.

[katbuad]

Me and hubby and 2 dogs. Not including dog food (they have gourmet food that is delivered) but including treats we spend about $70 per week in groceries and necesities.

Hubby and I eat out maybe once a month. I never eat lunch out. Hubby takes lots of leftovers and usually eats out once a day while on trip.

I cook a lot. I purchase meats based on what is on sale and freeze for later. I make lots of casserols (gotta have the leftovers for hubby's trips). I was raised on one meat, two veggies, and bread. I try to maintane the status quo.