I was just wondering how much all you other IMs spend on groceries every week? We're a family of four. I'm also looking for practical tips for cutting my grocery bill every week, keeping in mind I work, have 2 busy kids and just don't have the time to go to this market and that market and drive all over the countryside :)
10 Replies
If you are close to a shopping centre with a butcher, fruit and veg shop, and supermarket go there. They all compete with each other so u can get it done. Things that you use but can be saved for a while (shampoo, conditioner, soap, cleaning products) buy on special they are always a budget killer and buy a fair amount. What ever you can make from scratch that is quick and simple (there are a lot of recipes out there and are freezable) do it, get the kids involved to have some extra family time and keep them amused. There are a lot of cheaper options out there on many items to, like home brand Coles and woollies, that are just as good. Also only get what u need, waste as little as possible. Slow cooker recipes are good and cheap (use cheap cuts of meat and cheaper veggies). Also invest in a freezer for extra meat that is on special or from your butcher once a month in bulk. Shop as little as possible to, if you are able to make it once a week or better once a fortnight and pick up fruit and veg at the fruit shop when you need it on the way home if there is one. If I am being good I can manage to feed myself and 3 kids on $200 a fortnight plus nappies in there, and one take away meal, but it means a little extra work for preparation ect.
$200 a fortnight!? Holy crap, girl, you're brilliant! I spend more than that per week on groceries. I think I will invest in a slow cooker. My mum and sister both have one and swear by them. I don't even know where to get one....
I usually shop at Coles. There's a butcher right outside, but the prices are usually pretty much the same when I've checked. I don't even know where the nearest green grocer is...
Wow, I'm gonna have to really work at this :) Thanks so much for your reply!
I usually spend around $150 a fortnight for a family of 2 adults, a 3 year old and 5 month old. We do meat free nights, bulk baking and cooking and freeze in portions, i bought a yogurt maker for $20 and for $4 i can make a liter of yogurt which has a shelf life of 2 weeks! My mum buys us nappies from Aldi for our 5 month old, which we usually get 2 bags a month and they deliver or we pick up when visiting as we don't live near aldi. Fortunately the only formula our baby who has reflux can keep down is only $13 a tin, so every fortnight i buy 2 tins when we get our family tax payments. Try not to eat out too much, my husband LOVES parmi's. Its around $15 at our local pub. I can make it at home alot cheaper and get around 3 or 4 serves for that price.
You can make it work, my siblings call me a nazi, but neither of them have kids and both them and partners have full time careers so they have no idea whats going to hit them when kids come!! There is a book called 'feed your family'
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/281258833167?hlpht=true&ops=true&viphx=1...
i have it and i love it. I adapt the recipes to suit our tastes and needs and can usually stretch the food to last longer than a fortnight as im a tiny tiny eater.
I'll definitely look into that book, thanks so much!
I Spend WAY TOOOOOOOOO MUCH!
I have found that, if I plan with a weekly menu, and then include all other things like nappies, Cleaning Products, fuel etc, etc, I am spending about $1000/week!!! AARRRRGGGGHHHHHHH That's With A Plan!
I have come to the decision that $25-$50/day is much better for me, but that means that I have to go every day!!!
At least I Get Fresh Fruit And Vegies
I have 4 children. Nothing but Coles in town either. And a trip out of town is cheaper to FLY than drive because we're so remote
$1000/week! Man, I feel a lot better now, lol!
$200 roughly. I have brought ventsmarts and clear mates from Tupperware. The ventsmarts prolong the life of fruit and veggies by weeks and the clear mates are for cold meats :)
The Tupperware thingies sound interesting. Bet they cost a pretty penny, but no doubt they're worth it :)
Try Aussie farmers direct! They are great! Deliver to your door fresh groceries. At the moment they are promoting a $100 menu for a family of 4 for 5 days of food, 3 meals a day. I highly recommend checking them out!
I spend about $350 - $400 a week. That is for two adults with three children aged 3, 6, 8. It also includes cleaning stuff, and pet food for one small dog and two cats. We buy very few snacks, treats or luxuries. It is terrible and I know it's stupidly expensive but to be honest I just don't know how people can do it so much cheaper!
I was buying our fruit and veg from the local fruit and veg store here but I found that the stuff from the supermarket lasts longer and tastes better. The butcher is also pretty much on par with the supermarkets for price, so I just buy everything from the supermarket.