I remember as a kid, we had to make a monthly trip to Bag-n-Save...a big warehouse-type grocery store that supposedly cost less. Hence, the name....we had to bag our own groceries. (Any other Omaha fans that have visited this lovely place?) We were old enough to know that by shopping there, it probably meant we were poor. (At least, this was my translation.) I HATED those trips -- mostly because they seemed to last ALL...DAY...LONG. Walking up and down the isles, waiting in line to pay, bagging the groceries, loading the car, unloading the car, putting groceries away. It was childhood torture....not unlike my trip to Walmart for groceries today.
My memory may be off, but it seems like these trips cost around $300 dollars which was HUGE! But, the supplies lasted for a most of the month, if not beyond. AND...HERE's THE KICKER....it seemed like we had tons of food! (There were 7 in my family -- 5 kids.)
I go shopping now and, not only does it take forever, but I count it as LUCKY if I manage to get out of the store for less than $200. It's a given that Costco is a $200-$300 trip.... Sure, we stock up on many bulk items and only go every 6-8 weeks (give or take)... but it's not like it's the only trip to the store we'll make in that time period.
AND...not only does it cost a ton, and take forever...but it doesn't seem like we even have that much to show for our efforts (or our hard-earned cash!) $20 on milk should buy me a cow, right? $20 on cereal should buy me the manufacturing plant. Diapers. Bread. Cheese. Eggs...notice that there's not much on the list that constitutes "FUN" stuff.
So...how much do you spend on groceries?
Do we just eat too much?
20 comments:
No, it's just the horrible price of everything lately! I average $60-$80 a trip and I have to go at least 3 times a month, there are 2 1/2 mouths to feed in our family (Kate is half because she eats so little). I don't use a lot of coupons and I try to shop sells but that doesn't happen often. Grocery shopping is awful!!
I want to join the rant! I used to love grocery shopping! Weird, I know. Now it is just another chore I have to do like going to the ob/gyn. I hate it. We spend about $150 a week. Milk was $5.00 a gallon 2 weeks ago. It's gone down again, but that is outrageous! We go through about 4-5 gallons a week. That's $20-25! Not to mention the gas it took me to drive to the store!
I shop sales and do coupons and save quite a bit, but with 3 growing stomachs it just never ends. I know it looks like I don't feed my kids because they're bean poles, but they eat ALL DAY! Have you tried the grocery game? It's fun.
we spend nearly $100 at Giant Eagle every week! So I think you are doing okay.
we are probably at about $150/week. I think we eat alot :)
I hear you! Food is so expensive! I always shop sales but still have a large grocery bill.
Oh boy...don't get me started! Being in the military, we are supposed to have the "benefit" of shopping at the commissary (grocery store) on base. Stateside, the commissary was cheaper but lacked variety..I can live with that. Overseas is a whole new can of beans (yucky ones). I can't even buy produce now, because it is outrageous. Don't believe me? Here are some of the prices that I spotted while there today:
Strawberries (a small carton) $7.99
Apples $5.69/lb
A medium cantaloupe $19.00 (yes, you read that right)
Zuchinni (sp?) $4.69/lb
A small watermelon $15.00
The list goes on and on. I need a stress ball to squeeze while I walk through the produce section.
So, yes...my grocery bill has gone way up. I get a lot less food for a lot more money. I am resorting to frozen vege and canned fruit just to cover the basics. Sad, very sad.
Ouch Catherine! How do you do it?
Well, my kids now think that a carton of strawberries (about 1.5 cups) is better than any candy bar they could ever want. They eagerly stand at the kitchen sink with mouths wide open as I wash and de-stem them as quickly as I can and drop them into anxious mouths. Dana and I quit buying our weekly 2 zuchinni to grill up once I realized they were setting me back $12.00.
Crazy.
Can I just come home now? To the land of double coupons, bargain shopping and sale ads?
With five kids and two very piggish adults, we go through literally tons of food. I easily spend anywhere between $100 (when I just run in for a few things) and $200 (when I'm out of everything). Note: I'm always out of everything. So, you're in good company.
We go through 3 to 4 loaves of bread and 6 gallons of milk a week, easy. I try and do the Costco thing, too, but that's a scary bill in itself. I don't buy lots of junk and my kids always whine that there's "nothing to eat," but the bill remains about the same. Hmmm.
YEAH -- $250 later and there is still "nothing to eat!"
i get the same reaction. we go every two weeks with a few trips inbetween and i spend a good $300, and they still say there is nothing to eat...it really makes me mad when reed says it! but if its not full of sugar then they dont want to eat it!
It really is disturbing!! Try this link, though, it's awesome!
www.pinchingyourpennies.com
Click on the screaming deals by state link and it will bring up your local grocery store ads and the best deals to be found among them. Sometimes you will even get things free! You really can save tons!
Tacie, we spend about 200 a week on groceries. :) We go through about 5 gallons of milk a week, 2-3 loaves of bread, and I buy a ton of produce. Not to mention the eggs and cheese. It's getting harder to buy lots of healthy foods for my kids because dairy and produce items keep jumping up in price! Ahh!!!
Actually, that was a bit high, in reality I guess I spend about 120/150 a week. :)
We've been on a pretty tight budget this last year -to save for a down payment on a house- so I've actually been getting away with only spending $90 a week for groceries.
Mind you we eat a lot of vegetable, lentil, and bean soups because they are inexpensive and go a long way.
I also started baking my own whole wheat bread -about 4 loaves every 6 days-which comes out to be about 75 cents a loaf and it tastes great.
I have a somewhat monthly meal/food planner, I really think that has helped me stay on target with keeping our grocery costs down.
I just saw this post...google reader hasn't been doing it's job.
Anyway, I have had to forgo the cart when I go to costco. I saw on rachel ray this guy who is the shopping crazy man (not really his name but that is all I can think of to call him) and he said we spend way too much when we use a cart. He said fill your arms and if you find something else you need and your arms are full, then there is usually something you can do without out, like my big ol' bag of peanut m&m's.
I hate all this too... I need to start using my sunday paper I guess.
Eliza -
If you don't use a cart...where do you put your kids? Please don't tell me that you have the luxury of going to Costco without them?!
This does make sense though...
I guess I live in luxury when it comes to Costco hahah! In theory lets say.
I try and go by myself when I have to do the full on grocery shopping. Obvioulsy I have to do small runs to pick up bread and milk during the week but I don't get those at Costco. We aren't milk drinkers, half of us are lactards.
Maybe we should stop drinking milk as well - - it would save me a good $25 a week probably!
Do you find yourself enjoying the "me" time when you are wandering alone through the store? We used to make fun of my dad for going out to get gas and being gone for 4 hours. Now, if I get a chance to go anywhere alone...I find myself taking my sweet old time as well!
So sad to say that I do enjoy the me time even if it is at the grocery store. Oh well, at least I get it right?
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