Groceries...

[Mia]

Oh my goodness. I decided to closely track exactly how much we've been spending on groceries for seven people. Sometimes it's more, because we have lots of family that "drops in." In October I spent $967.53, and I am NOT amused.

So obviously I'm not fit to be called the "frugality expert" here, but I'm going to get my arms around this problem.

Have any of you ever tracked this?

[barbszy]

Hi Mia!

Yes, a bunch of us here on FC actually track our expenses. Some track coupons & store-sale savings as well. You can find that thread here: Grocery Challenge Fall 2008.

I think that spending the extra few minutes tracking the expenses over a month makes me more aware of what I'm spending.

[aarickasmom]

I was on Food Stamps until a month or so ago. It is SO hard trying to save out money for food now. Used to I could just go in the store and spend the $524 FS on anything.
Now every week, we have about $60 to spend on the three of us and I really have to watch out what I buy. Trying to stay away from junk food and eat more healthier.

We did plant a few things for a fall garden. So that will help out some, if they grow. Not really a gardener, but I'm trying.

[RobertaD]

Have you checked out www.hillbillyhousewives.com? She has an emergancy $45 a week meal plan for a family of 4. Do you have Angel Food Ministries in your area? You can get a box for $30 feeds a family of 4 dinner for a week.

Roberta

[mommaviv]

I used to track my food bill very closley. Between stocking up on things when they were on sale and avoiding convenience foods I got to a point where my weekly "out-go" for food was less than $40. This is when I would average out for a month. Not bad for a family of 5 in Northern California.

[Pag36]

Other than keeping track of my coupon savings ( I TRY to put the saved ammt in my savings acct) I really have not kept track. Just to see what I spend this coming month will add up the food part.
Happy saving/tracking all

[Sammi1961]

I have been keeping track of my grocery spending for years and have to save every receipt. I am a daycare provider and any food I buy specifically for my dc children is a business expense. It also shows me how much groceries have gone up over the past few years and it's scary!

[Pag36]

You are so right on how much things have gone up. It is very scary and I am afraid they will go up more yet

[Sammi1961]

With gas prices going down, you would think grocery prices would too but that doesn't seem to be the case

[Pag36]

Yes you would think so. Our lowest gas here now is $1.72 sure hope it goes further down but glad it is that low