Tell me about your grocery / food budget - family of 4 edition

[Anonymous]

I recently did a review of our spending for a family of four. HHI is about $700k. Groceries average $1700 a month and restaurant $450 a month. That's probably not a "reasonable" amount, but it's what we're actually spending on average over the last 6 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently did a review of our spending for a family of four. HHI is about $700k. Groceries average $1700 a month and restaurant $450 a month. That's probably not a "reasonable" amount, but it's what we're actually spending on average over the last 6 months.

BTW, that includes alcohol.

[Anonymous]

Ours was $727 last month.

[Anonymous]

A lot. Right now with two teens, around $300 a week BUT we do not eat out at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My two college sons just got home, I have spent 1200 in groceries in less than 3 weeks. In addition, we have gone out three times (each dinner was between $125 and $200).

Mine came home a month ago and he mostly buys his own groceries since he doesn’t like most of what we eat. If your kids eat that much, they should pitch in to help pay part of those costs.

DCUM is very hilarious. On one thread, someone writes that you're obligated to pay for your children's college tuition if you're still working. On this one, another poster suggests that your children should pay for their own food if they come home.

Sorry but if my kids exceed my food budget because they eat everything in sight, they need to pitch in. Mine starts a summer job this week and he often brings home leftovers from work. That was one of the reasons he chose this job. The good is really good!

Can’t feed ‘em, don’t breed ‘em.

[Anonymous]

All the numbers on this thread are ridiculous, but they make me feel better because they are close to what we spend.

[Anonymous]

We have saved a lot by doing a once a month Costco "snack order"-- all the things my kids blow through that are stupidly expensive at the grocery store. Now I pay $14 for 72 bags of goldfish when I used to pay $9.99 for 12.

Then, we do Whole Foods for fresh food once a week, which isn't actually that bad.

Our downfall is eating out, which we probably spend 200-300 a week doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have saved a lot by doing a once a month Costco "snack order"-- all the things my kids blow through that are stupidly expensive at the grocery store. Now I pay $14 for 72 bags of goldfish when I used to pay $9.99 for 12.

Then, we do Whole Foods for fresh food once a week, which isn't actually that bad.

Our downfall is eating out, which we probably spend 200-300 a week doing.

Agree Costco is great for that. To really save in kid snack food I buy the single bulk package and transfer to smaller takeout containers or whatever for the kids' lunchboxes.

Our food budget feels kind of reckless at times (I haven't done the math but I know we could do better) but this is one way I know we're saving a lot.