How much do you spend on groceries for one person?

Question

I need help with cutting down on buying lunch b/c it gets really expensive! I'm just wondering if I should increase my grocery shopping money to $200 a month.

Answer 1

I just recently moved out on my own. Along with a well wated freedom came a fairly strict budget being I am a college student.At first, I was spending money like cazy!! I figured now that I can get whatever I wanted and I did the shopping I could splurge. This didnt go so well, I was wasting alot of food, on top of that, money. Something had to change.
I can give you some tips on saving money while in a grocery store.
1. Never shop without a list. It is a proven fact that people that impulse buy spend more money. Same goes for people who shop hungary. NEVER do that.
2. Always make meal plans. I buy things like spaghetti noodles that can be used for spaghetti of course for one night and later used for another pasta creation.(I love butter noodles.)
3. Make sure that you are getting things that you wont mind eating the leftovers of. DO you like pizza? You can get it at a pretty cheap price and it can feed you for a few days. Dont want it every day the next week? It can be kept in the freezer and when are ready for it just pop it in the microwave.
4.Purchase foods that you know are good but inexpensive. Do you like Ramen noodles? Cereal? Soups?
5. My last tip is to but the off brand. I will admitt, some things I WILL not buy the off brand of but other thingsdo not matter. Eggs, are pretty cheap. Get the cheapest brand. Canned Vegtables or even milk shouldnt matter. Dont judge things unless you have tried them!!!!
Hope this helps!
Good luck and happy spending!

Answer 2

Between $200-$250 max. per month is what your grocery expense budget should be. This is taken into account that the food that you will be at the grocery store will be healthy stuff, rather than junk food. Besides that, when comparing the prices of food that you purchase in order for you to make your lunch, when compared to how much that you would be spending per day for each lunch, you will find that no doubt that you would be spending much more if going to a restaurant and having lunch, rather than making your lunch from your grocery purchases.

Answer 3

one person typically should budget about $225 per month on groceries. Shop the bargains and buy items in bulk that don't go bad as fast. pack a lunch at lunch at night or bring left overs from dinner. Save a lot of money this way!

Answer 4

$200 a month for one person sounds about right. We are a family of 4 and I spend $800 a month.

Answer 5

I shop for one also. You can buy things on sale like peanut butter, Bologna, cheese, etc. to make sandwiches for your lunch. I bet if you tried, you could get by with only spending about $100.00/month on food for your lunches. Try it and see. Just watch for sales and use store coupons to keep the cost down.

Answer 6

If that is going cut down your expenses, yes, you should. You can make your own subs and salads at home and is usually much fresher than when buying it at a lunch store.

Answer 7

It all depends where you shop and how much you eat. If you go to an Aldi or Save a Lot you might be able to get by on 100 or 150..?

Answer 8

I spend $40-60 each week, including soap and toiletries...maybe you should.
cost of living will go up soon anyway since minimum wage is going up....

Answer 9

love;
i am having a hard time answering your question;because i have a large family and i know the coast of every time that we eat out. i can share with you of what my parents tell me. it is cheaper for them to eat out,than to cook at home. also my parents are up there in age and probley don't eat as much as you do. don't get me wrong,they still eat at home,but not that much.

Answer 10

most people spend half their shopping money on non food items--toiletry/kitchen cleaners etc.. so you're probably short changing yourself on real food