tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post5771929151809726688..comments2024-03-19T05:22:18.699+00:00Comments on Penniless Parenting: Keeping Track of Grocery Expenses, Down to the Last Cent, and My Latest Shopping TripPenniless Parentinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-79369630647191752782013-11-07T04:04:26.590+00:002013-11-07T04:04:26.590+00:00My wife and I live in Queens, NY and have spent an...My wife and I live in Queens, NY and have spent an average of $425/mo YTD 2013. This is because we began cooking most of our meals. FY 2011 we spent $223/mo and FY 2012 we spent $257/mo; we were eating out 8-10 times a week then on average, so the added groceries expense more than pays for itself. These numbers include toiletries and such. Dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-4462848206810321032013-10-24T18:58:40.763+00:002013-10-24T18:58:40.763+00:00We've been tracking every single penny of our ...We've been tracking every single penny of our spending in categories since June. Some months are higher and some months are lower, obviously, but for food (for a family of 5 - my kids are 10, 8 and 7) we spend the equivalent of US$500-600. Most of what we buy is fruit, veg, grains and legumes with some dairy too. I think that cheese, nuts and seeds are our most expensive things.newshinyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08148980748573754575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-68042893350478738342013-10-24T12:14:40.609+00:002013-10-24T12:14:40.609+00:00Haha. My Refrigerator looks the same. ;)Haha. My Refrigerator looks the same. ;)Jeanne @ Compare Mobile Broadbandhttp://www.mobile-fast.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-45917853629094038292013-10-23T21:33:58.985+00:002013-10-23T21:33:58.985+00:00Yesterday actually ended my one month grocery expe...Yesterday actually ended my one month grocery experiment. I am in an expensive area of New England in the US. I am totally astounded and ashamed of my total. 849. and something cents. I have been buying almost all of our meat and produce from the "buy it today at cheaper prices because the date is up" section. Most of our yogurt is purchased the same way. I do buy a few specialty items Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-21832164077411151602013-10-23T20:29:01.202+00:002013-10-23T20:29:01.202+00:00Two years ago, I kept track of all of our food exp...Two years ago, I kept track of all of our food expenses for 1 whole year. My DH made an Excell spreadsheet for me with categories, such as different stores, eating out, milk goat expenses, gardening expenses, etc. At the end of the year, I averaged it, and for the two of us, it was $50 a week. That seemed like a lot, but I guess that's what it takes. I make nearly everything from scratch loves2spinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02072576848451758173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-90388022468805754092013-10-22T02:25:09.764+00:002013-10-22T02:25:09.764+00:00We just moved so I'm re-budgeting for new pric...We just moved so I'm re-budgeting for new prices, etc. I was spending $400/ month for 3 people. My son just turned 1 and because I could not breast feed as I had hoped, a good chunk of our budget was spent on special milk formula for him. <br /><br />Now we're living with family and I'm cooking for 6-7 people, and I agree it's much cheaper than cooking for 2! I think we spent $100Megan Albahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11108160291845313605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-39797512376342423212013-10-20T12:28:12.054+00:002013-10-20T12:28:12.054+00:00Major metropolitan in the Midwest US...we track bu...Major metropolitan in the Midwest US...we track but at a higher level- we include all shopping at grocery nd similar stores so its directionally correct. We budget 153/ mo for grocery and non grocery items (cleaning supplies, tp, etc). We do not include eating out- that comes from our entertainment envelope. Unfortunately we also buy bulk beef at one point during the year which allocated soulAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-32446020658754423912013-10-19T14:05:24.341+00:002013-10-19T14:05:24.341+00:00Penny,
How do you get all those pounds of produce ...Penny,<br />How do you get all those pounds of produce back from the farmer's market? Do you take the bus? Bring a wagon to the market with you?kcwbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02708645182110238384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-70834007822816326272013-10-18T19:50:31.902+00:002013-10-18T19:50:31.902+00:00We budget really strictly so I know to the cent ho...We budget really strictly so I know to the cent how much we spend on groceries. I budget $230/mo for 2 people and I spend between $190-230. We buy organic which drives our price up a bit, but we are able to keep our costs down by eating more whole foods and baking/cooking rather than eating convenience or processed foods (though we do buy the occasional treat). I'd try that store/system you&#Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05625035254559197934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-3416227739460248662013-10-18T18:02:06.079+00:002013-10-18T18:02:06.079+00:00I keep track to the penny of what we spend on ever...I keep track to the penny of what we spend on everything. We had to recently cut our budget considerably because we have a 2nd child attending Catholic school. We have a family of 6 (4 boys) and I spend about $300 per week on groceries and what I term "household" items, combined. My biggest expense in that is probably meat. My boys are all big meat eaters, as is my husband, so Krishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02999838147173390906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-47523114684440794902013-10-18T16:55:15.691+00:002013-10-18T16:55:15.691+00:00Glad you're on his good side again. (I don...Glad you're on his good side again. (I don't think the soup nazi has a good side, but I've only seen one episode.)<br /><br />I don't pay for the restaurant meals because it's my boyfriend who really, really wants to eat out. (Exceptions--his celebrations and the few times I really, really want to eat out when he would be fine eating at home. I pay for movies. It's Debbie Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-87226604226688923172013-10-18T12:55:38.841+00:002013-10-18T12:55:38.841+00:00Sorry, I wondered whether that number seemed so hi...Sorry, I wondered whether that number seemed so high to me. It is actually what I spend for two people per week, so it's about 40USD per person per week. We`re just a two-people-household, I know that makes shopping more expensive. Also, I haven't been to the farmer's market for a long time :)<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04662628950432549200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-80209059684934292902013-10-18T03:45:49.771+00:002013-10-18T03:45:49.771+00:00We have $150 budgeted for our bi-weekly shopping t...We have $150 budgeted for our bi-weekly shopping trips ($300 per month). This is for 2 adults and 1 child. I have been going over this up to around $175 several times recently because we have been doing a lot with coupons and stocking up on good sales. We have however been able to skip bi-weekly shopping trips in the past because of the stocking up so that kind of comes out in the wash. I am Crystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16100492694569437096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-3327434338658504942013-10-17T22:51:21.115+00:002013-10-17T22:51:21.115+00:00I'm in. I need to do this!!! Ugh.... groceries...I'm in. I need to do this!!! Ugh.... groceries are getting more and more expensive all the time. it's crazy. acceptance with joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08719959847208171653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-70862225448253890992013-10-17T21:04:52.663+00:002013-10-17T21:04:52.663+00:00That's cool that you know it down to the last ...That's cool that you know it down to the last cent. If you added in restaurants, how much would you average on groceries?<br /><br />Yea, the shop keeper is quite a character. Uhm, a friend said he's like a certain television character, a soup ___. :-D I never watched Seinfeld, but from what I read, it's true.<br />And yes, I learned the rules by getting on his bad side for a while...Penniless Parentinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-40833983187153695552013-10-17T20:34:25.322+00:002013-10-17T20:34:25.322+00:00I do know how much I spend on groceries to the las...I do know how much I spend on groceries to the last cent (though I may have forgotten to record an item or two here or there).<br /><br />This year I have averaged $98.54 US for just one person with the monthly total ranging from $47.73 in August to $149.11 in April. (Some months are better for stocking up.)<br /><br />That includes toiletries, averaging $7.31/month. I have also kept track of Debbie Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-1121720616272868352013-10-17T19:00:17.464+00:002013-10-17T19:00:17.464+00:00We tracked our grocery spending (total cost of FOO...We tracked our grocery spending (total cost of FOOD items, not detailed by type of food) for every month of 2010. We spent about $100/month less than the USDA's estimate of "thrifty" spending for a family our size. <a href="http://articles.earthlingshandbook.org/2011/01/03/grocery-spending-for-a-family-of-3-in-2010/" rel="nofollow">Here's my analysis of how we spend less than Becca @ The Earthlings Handbookhttp://articles.earthlingshandbook.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-13723894402685900342013-10-17T18:52:54.025+00:002013-10-17T18:52:54.025+00:00I know how much I spend on everything each month, ...I know how much I spend on everything each month, down to the last cent (or penny, as the case my be here in UK) - thanks to my trusty spending diary where I've been noting everything we spend - every single little thing - for the last five years. What can I say, it works for us :oD<br /><br />Anyway, I buy groceries for two adults and a 16 year old. My budget is £250 per month (currency Allegrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10659272760020328452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-18554999315427743822013-10-17T17:35:07.536+00:002013-10-17T17:35:07.536+00:00I know how much I spend because we keep a tight bu...I know how much I spend because we keep a tight budget and use a cash envelope to delegate what we can spend on food. However, we also tend to dump our change in a change jar at home so I know that it's a bit less than what we budget.<br /><br />I generally purchase body items or packaged foods at the local major chain grocery store because of coupons, I can get those for free or very cheap.<Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07705810727600832406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-53579386186664650502013-10-17T16:42:24.929+00:002013-10-17T16:42:24.929+00:00If you have a blog, you can keep track of it there...If you have a blog, you can keep track of it there, and if not, just on your computer. And then at the end of the month, when I post my results, I'd love if you'd share yours as well in the comments, etc...Penniless Parentinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-20479133457915772142013-10-17T15:53:26.272+00:002013-10-17T15:53:26.272+00:00I will do this challenge! How should I report my t...I will do this challenge! How should I report my totals to you Penny?Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02475373281058841352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-88260934627604271242013-10-17T15:27:20.958+00:002013-10-17T15:27:20.958+00:00Haven't done it yet, but this is what I'm ...Haven't done it yet, but this is what I'm planning on doing. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/10/freezing-avocados_n_1864437.htmlPenniless Parentinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-51653611737252398572013-10-17T15:21:29.142+00:002013-10-17T15:21:29.142+00:00I use mainly food items as toiletries and cleaning...I use mainly food items as toiletries and cleaning and personal care stuff... but the ones that I don't, I buy at the grocery store and will be including that.Penniless Parentinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-27302442686216004662013-10-17T15:20:37.071+00:002013-10-17T15:20:37.071+00:00How many people are in your family? Because I'...How many people are in your family? Because I've found that its easier to spend less per person when you are shopping for more people.Penniless Parentinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-89744774294629865082013-10-17T15:11:41.188+00:002013-10-17T15:11:41.188+00:00how do you freeze your avocados? do you wait for t...how do you freeze your avocados? do you wait for them to be ripe, or just toss them in the freezer? whole or cut up?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com