The Governess Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 We spend approx. $800 a month on groceries, toiletries, and supplies for a family of four. $650 of that is probably groceries. We live in So. California. Prices have been rising a lot lately. A gallon of organic milk is now more than $7 a gallon. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percytruffle Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 We budget $1000 a month for our family of four (two adults, two teens). This includes all food, all toiletries, all pet food and products (three cats and a large dog), all cleaning supplies, all paper products, and all eating out. We usually come in just under our budgeted amount, mostly because we seldom eat out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skissugar Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 we budget 500 a month so 250 every paycheck (2 paychecks per month) we are working on cutting that down even further. that amt we cover: food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, dogs food.. We have a seperate budget for eating out of 50.00 per month. we make our own bread, we dont use paper plates.. I dont buy all "brand" names, I shop on sale items, and I make from scratch anything that I can. So sometimes I have money left over at the end of the month, and when that happens I go and buy Extra Meat to freeze.. Meat/Chicken is always our biggest expense. Christina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaik76 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 (edited) $400 including all foodstuffs, Nutrimigen hypoallergenic infant formula (about $50/wk), diapers, baby food, all housecleaning supplies, OTC medications, toiletries, including soaps, all stuff for the bathrooms, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. And probably other things I can't think of right now! We add $40 a month for the pets. We have four people, two cats, and a dog. ETA: This also includes eating out. ETA2: This seems a bit lower than many people here...which makes me wonder how we do it! We don't use any coupons. I shop mostly at Wal-Mart, and I don't buy organic unless it's the same price or lower than other prices. We also eat meat with most meals. Edited November 7, 2008 by chaik76 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Around $650 per month for a family of 5. That does include our toiletries, pet supplies, and paper products. I would like for it to be less, but I just don't know how to do it for less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anissarobert Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 We have been spending about $300-350 per month on food for my family of 5, and about $100 per month on pets etc. We have to reduce this because my husband just lost his job. I buy mostly store brands, and judging from the prices in this thread I think things are less expensive here. A gallon of milk in under $3. We also don't eat meat, but I do buy dairy,and those prices have increased lately. Prices on everything have gone up so much. A year ago, I could feed our family for $50 per week, and I don't know if I can do that now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJN Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 if she can help you save money on your groceries: http://www.moneysavingmom.com - Crystal is an AMAZINGLY, thrifty young woman and can truly stretch a dollar. We spend about $400-500 for a family of five, but I'm working on getting it down. I just read an article that said food prices are predicted to go up another 7-9% in 2009! Yikes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in AZ Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 if she can help you save money on your groceries: www.moneysavingmom.com - Crystal is an AMAZINGLY, thrifty young woman and can truly stretch a dollar. Another fan here. :) Thanks to Crystal, I've cut our monthly grocery spending in half from $600+ to $300. $300 for a family of 4, but my dh travels quite a bit for work. This includes food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, meds. I try to only buy items on sale and stock up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy in WI Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 We spend $400.00 per month for a family of 7 - kids ages 14-1 year old - and one big dog. This includes all food, diapers, paper goods, dog food and such. We definitely don't eat as much beef as we'd all like, but we're full and happy. Wendy PS- did I mention that the 3 oldest are boys? Yikes! They can eat a LOT!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Closeacademy Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 In 2007 800-1000 per month for a family of 4. First 6 months of the year we got it down to $600. We are now working on getting it below $400 but it is a lot of work. I know of someone who spends $800 a year for a family of 5. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Last month, I carefully tracked my grocery spending (food and household/personal supplies) and I spent $798.12 for a family of six. If I had not purchased junk food (lemonade, Doritos, ice-cream, coffee and the like), it would have been $730. I can't get our spending any lower than it is because grocery prices are high here. I did buy a lot of pot roasts on sale for $2.39 and $2.19 a pound, and a 20-lb turkey for $0.59/lb., most of which is still in the freezer. I make nearly everything from scratch, including bread, laundry detergent, window cleaner and all-purpose cleaner. Last month, I spent 23% of my budget on fruits and vegetables and 19% on meat (due to the good deals I found). I spent between $3.79 and $2.99 for a gallon of milk (depending on whether it was on sale), and my family drinks about 7 gallons a week. Household expenses were 18%, and that was mainly because we have to buy very expensive garbage bags on our town's pay-as-you-throw plan. Plus, I bought a $20 water filter replacement cartridge for the faucet. Previously, we spent about $1200 a month on groceries and supplies, so my first month of economizing went pretty well. I'd like to get it down to $600 a month, but that may be a pipe dream. RC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy in Ky Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Tracy, the amazing is born of necessity, eh? :) Yes, that is true. Thank you for the tips. I am curious about diluting your shampoo with water. Why do you add honey? Do you find that you really use less shampoo that way? I would like to try it. Sometimes I dilute my dish soap, but then it gets so thin that it comes out much faster, and I don't think I really saved any. Does that make sense? Just wondering if the same is true for shampoo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonesloonybin Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Our budget is $600 for a family of 4 with a dog and two cats. That does include our toiletries, pet supplies, and paper/cleaning products. We are hoping on getting that down. We are starting to make more from scratch and we are planning on purchasing a freezer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamnkats Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Converted to US dollars, we spend about $650 a month (includes all soaps, toilet paper, etc.) for a family of six. We spent the same when we lived in the US 4 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 We spend $500-$600 a month and buy mostly organic. This does not include paper products, personal care products, or cleaning products. We are in Texas. Milk (organic) is $5.99 a gal and bread is $3.39 (EarthGrains) Wendy - Mommy to 3 munchkins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Looks like food is cheaper in the U.S., or else I am not very good at budgeting! We tend to try and buy specials, and we don't eat much meat, and although I try and buy some organic but we pay between $200 and $250 a week- $800- $1000 a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamagina7 Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 We are a family of 7 (actually 9, but two have left the nest) and we average about $500.00...that includes toiletries and an extra run to the grocery for milk or bread later. It isn't an easy accomplishment, but thankfully we have 4 daughters and a 5 year old son who do not eat a lot of food. The budget is tight and I make menus for the week plus shop for the sales. Praise God for giving us our daily bread!:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tricia Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 About 500-600 for a family of 12. And it wasn't much more than that when the other 2 weren't married yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in PA Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 $350 a month for a family of 4. The kids are little, but one of them eats more than I do, so that doesn't seem to be a big factor. That amount covers food, toiletries, paper goods, and even a bit of wine and/or beer, especially when we have company. I bake our bread and sweet treats, cook most things from scratch, and plan everything around what I can get on sale. We could cut down a good bit if we bought less fresh produce, but I'd rather not have to make that change. We are fortunate to live near an independent market that has stellar produce and egg prices year-round. The increase in dairy prices has been a bit difficult, but with gas prices heading lower, I'll probably go back to making a monthly trip across state lines, where a gallon of milk is over a dollar cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HootyTooty Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Our family of 4 our monthly budget is between $350-400 which includes toiletries, cleaning supplies and the odd incidental. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkle Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Ours is $700 for a family of six, plus another $100 for household & toiletries, and $60 for pet supplies. I've noticed food prices going up quite a bit lately :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbandpickles Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 We spend roughly $1000 a month for a family of 6 and I care for my 2 nephews 4 days a week as well. I feed them breakfast and lunch (snacky's too as Elias calls them). This is for everything though, even the dog food. I have meal plans for lunch and dinner weekly. I think having a meal plan really cuts down your grocery bill. I have tried to venture to the store without my list or meal plan and I always spend more then I normaly would with a list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Anna Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Ours is presently around $225/mo for a family of four (no pets). This includes all paper goods (no diapers now due to potty training - just paying for laundry more frequently ($1-2 a load) at the moment :001_huh:) and most toiletries. We do occasionally have people give us the odd food gifts that help this - dh is a seminary student supporting us on a part-time job and all help is welcome. I do not shop for organics (nothing against them other than the price) and I do buy most of my stuff at Aldi. I look on budgeting as a challenge and sort of enjoy it. Sometimes it's a real drag when we have to have tight belts for several months on end (dh's job is tip-driven, so the income is somewhat variable), but OTOH it's been an incredible testimony of God's provision in our every-day lives! Mama Anna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindyinTexas Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1626519_1373664,00.html I found this quite amazing myself. Thought some would enjoy looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1626519_1373664,00.html I found this quite amazing myself. Thought some would enjoy looking. This was really cool. Thx for posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1626519_1373664,00.html I found this quite amazing myself. Thought some would enjoy looking. That book (Hungry Planet) is one of the most popular books in my house, my kids spend hours looking at it, as do I. I highly recommend looking through and reading the whole book, it's fascinating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaof2andtwins Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 We average about $600 a month for a family of 6 including one teenaged boy. This does include non food items. It does not include a lot of meat as we purchase that separately from a local farmer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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