Today I calculated that since retiring in late August, my grocery bill is averaging between $100 and $115 a week, not including household items such as paper towels, soap, etc. It also does not include dining out. Before I retired, our average grocery bill was at around $575-600 a month plus we spent about $200 dining out. While I am definitely spending less than when I worked, I don't know if my spending is high, average, or low for two people.
What have I done differently that has resulted in savings? To start with, in September, I took an inventory of the pantry and freezer. Unfortunately, I had to throw out a few expired cans and some items in the freezer that were freezer burned. I used some food before it expired, so this was a savings, but then I replaced them and stocked up on staples.
Another money saver is that I now make weekly menus. The impact? We are not only saving money, we are also eating healthier. I am buying more fresh vegetables and fruits and have reduced our consumption of red meat. At least once a week, I try to make a hearty soup and this provides leftovers for lunch, too. It helps that I like to cook and have fun creating menus, using some items already in my pantry.
My shopping trips are now far more efficient than when I worked. I go to the store less frequently and I always take a list. So far, I am keeping Costco runs to about once a month and trips to the grocery store to about every 10 days. When I worked, I'd hit the store on the way home and buy things I already had at home (but didn't know it). I also frequently shopped when I was hungry or tired... not a good idea.
When I worked, we ate out about 3 times a week, mostly because I was too tired to cook at the end of a hectic day. It was about convenience. Now we might dine out once a week, if that. Since I have time to cook, and I enjoy it, I am only too happy to do so. Lately, it seems dining out is mostly brunch or lunch on weekends, either before or after we go to the movies or some other activity.
My next challenge is to learn how to get better at using coupons to save money, much like Retire@50 does. I definitely can improve in this area, and I think I can still reduce our grocery bill some. But I am very happy with my savings so far. I am curious... what do you spend on groceries and for how many people?
Saving $$ on Groceries
October 16th, 2008 at 06:36 pm
October 16th, 2008 at 06:53 pm 1224183182
We hardly ever eat out; maybe a couple times a month, and it usually comes from our weekly spending allowance. Any wine or alcohol we buy for home also comes out of our personal allowances.
October 16th, 2008 at 06:55 pm 1224183314
I make everything from scratch, and buy loss leaders as much as possible. We eat a lot of elk and hamburger in dishes like spaghetti, chili, burritos, etc. We just bought a whole pork loin, and buy bottom round steak,on sale, for French dip and London broil. Naturally, you don't eat steak on our budget, but occasionally we do splurge. We don't eat out much, either.
I rarely use coupons because I buy store brands, and make my own cleaning products.
October 16th, 2008 at 06:58 pm 1224183527
October 16th, 2008 at 08:17 pm 1224188220
October 16th, 2008 at 08:47 pm 1224190052
BUT I just had to add - it sounds like quite an improvement you have had. For us, it is a work in progress. We started eating in (substantially more) 6 years ago when I became pregnant for the first time and it has taken time to get this skilled at grocery shopping and menu planning. Our bills have been mostly been going down steadily over the last 6 years. Still learning, really. IT really is an art. Just keep chugging!
P.S. I am afraid if anything would happen to my hubby our bills would skyrocket. I do not understand this art in the least.
October 16th, 2008 at 08:57 pm 1224190656
Oh, and our food bill also includes TC, the cat.
October 16th, 2008 at 09:30 pm 1224192644
October 16th, 2008 at 10:21 pm 1224195712
October 16th, 2008 at 10:30 pm 1224196238
October 17th, 2008 at 12:58 am 1224205085