How much $$ should two people spend on groceries per month?

Question

I live in MA and think that I may be overspending on our grocery bill. This bill also includes cat/dog food (the cats are on prescription food which costs $50/month) and toiletries etc.
We have a budget of $500, but typically spend $700-$1000 if not more!!!! Its getting out of hand! Or is the norm now????

Thanks for your answers so far. Let me clarify. This budget does not include going to restaurants. My wife does not buy boxed or frozen dinners. I make everything from scratch; except pasta sauce. I buy meats in bulk (free range) and make meals that we can multiple times. The dog food also costs $50.00 a month. I am thiking the problem is two things. 1. We eat to much. & 2. We buy more expensive meats. I think we will have to switch to PB & J's from now on.

Answer 1

I think that's a lot! Our highest grocery bill (just food from the store, no pet food or dining out which we rarely do anyway) was a bit over $600 for the two of us. OUCH! I set up an Excel spreadsheet to track grocery spending. It's a real eye opener! It's so easy to glance at it and see what you've bought recently, what you need to use up, (are you throwing out spoiled veggies and dairy a lot?), etc. Do you buy generic when you can? Do you eat leftovers or throw them out?

After some making some shopping changes, our monthly average is now down to about $325 a month, and we do eat well. Even with buying the veal for Christmas we're still under $300 for the month so far.

Answer 2

That's definitely out of hand. There's no way anyone should be spending over a grand for food that's probably going to go to waste or st least some of it. That's mortgage money for me. I live by myself and spend anywhere between $80-$150 every 2 weeks. I usually shop groceries every 2 weeks. So about $200-$300 a month for groceries for just myself. Some months its usually less than this. Just depends on how hungry I am really.

Answer 3

Wow, that is a lot of money on groceries!

The amount you spend really depends on what kind of food you eat. If you don't cook and like to eat convenience foods, it'll cost a lot more than if you prepare your own food.

When it was just my hubby and I (and keep in mind I'm a chef so I like to eat well), I'd spend about $130 every two weeks on groceries. Now that we're a family of 3 with another on the way I usually spend about $150-160 every two weeks. This includes all personal hygeine, cat food and other incidentals.

Try cutting down on the processed foods. Instead of buying a pre-made pizza, buy the ingredients to make a fresh one. Making a super good pasta sauce is easy with just one can of diced tomatoes rather than spending a fortune on an expensive jarred sauce. Shop at one store for canned goods and another for fresh. There are always lots of discount grocery stores around, they have great prices but I refuse to buy meat or veggies there. Buy all the canned stuff there (you'll save a ton) and go to the more expensive store for the freshest meat and veg.

Answer 4

Groceries For Two

Answer 5

WOW. That is getting outa hand. How often do you eat out? Where do you shop? Farmers/fresh markets or the regular grocery store? Are you into 'good' foods or lots of frozen stuff etc?
Me and my hubby spend $300 on groceries (incl. toiletries and other household items) a month and we eat out probably once a week. My hubby's a chef so we only buy fresh produce and specialty foods etc.

Answer 6

You're spending quite a bit. If you cook from scratch more, it can help. I just made about 10 meals for my husband and I (chicken soup) for about $20. I'll do the same next week with beef stew. Potatoes, carrots, are cheap, so is meat if you buy in bulk, or buy a hunk of meat, and cut it your self. Put it into portions for two, and freeze it. If you want, send me a message, and I'll send you some of the recipes I use.

Answer 7

no this is not normal!! i live in a family of four with a dog and three cats and we only sepnd about 400, at the most. maybe u are eating out too much? to control ur shopping habits, try planning out all of ur meals each week, and then go shopping each week. this way u will know what u are picking up that isn't nesseccary. but at the end of the month, if u have a little extra money then u coud go get some treats( icecream, cake, doughnuts) this should help u control ur spendign habits. well, good luck!!

Answer 8

$450