Are you spending a lot at the stores?

[5ft Diva]

I remember that it wasn't all that long ago when I was spending $150/week on groceries for a family of 7-8 people. (This only includes grocery food items.) Now it feels like I couldn't get under $250 even if I tried. I coupon shop when I can, I buy very little junk food, I buy the store brands, and I purchase what's on sale so I'm not out of control with my spending.

This has led me to ask a few questions to see if I am doing something terribly "wrong":

1) Is it just me or has the cost of food items really sky rocketed?

2) Is the amount that you're spending on your family comparable to what I'm spending on mine?

3) I guess what I'm wondering is am I the only one who's spending a fortune at the stores these days?

[Dia Minha]

No Dori you are not alone. In fact, it makes me feel so much better to finally see somebody elses numbers and know that mine are about the same.

I don't coupon shop much. I use coupons when I have them for the items I am already buying, which isn't very often. And as you know, Diva, I buy all my groceries items at Maceys, to support a business that is closed on Sunday, so I miss out on a lot of good deals the other stores have. However, I believe the blessings I have received in return, out weigh the money I would have saved. I do stock up on items when I find them on sale and I tend to buy a lot of basics (rice, beans, fresh fruits and veggies, whole grain etc.) and very little already prepared foods and I know that helps me keep my bill down and its healthier too.

So to answer your questions; Yes, I do seem to spend more at the store now than before. Yes, what I spend on my family is comparable to what you are spending. And yes I spend a fortune.

I keep thinking there has to be some way to cut my bill, but every time I try, I just get frustrated, because I find my meals and my ability to make healthier choices lacking with less money. Yes, I will pay $4 for a package of snap peas, because my kids and I love them, they are healthy, and in reality they cost the same as a bag of chips and last just as long. I also will pay $3 a pound for grapes for the same reason.

[5ft Diva]

Dia, your shopping habits are very similar to mine. I, too, will pay a lot for healthy foods I know we'll eat instead of buying junk foods - although I've started keeping some snacks around the house for after school. Winter seems to be a hard time for fresh fruit.

Thank you for your comments. I appreciate them more than you know.

[bookworm]

I've noticed this, too, Diva- it seems like I'm getting less quantity for my money these days. It's frustrating. Only getting the essentials takes all my grocery money most weeks, so I don't even have $$ for snack items like yogurt, string cheese, cottage cheese, canned fruits, etc. that my kids will eat that are healthy. It's painful, but what can we do? If the cost of basics goes up, it goes up! So I shop the sales and try to make nearly everything from scratch. Even french bread... which used to cost $.99 and is now $1.50! Ouch.

[5ft Diva]

This is all so good to hear. It's at least a place to start. I now know that it's time to revamp the grocery budget and probably the types of food we eat around the house. I thought I was going crazy. Here I spend all this money on groceries and yet I don't have any food in the house and I know my kids aren't eating that much because I haven't bought that much. Thank you both for your insight. I really, really appreciate it.

(This has been one of those experiences where you feel like you're going crazy because you think you're the only one with the problem. It's so refreshing knowing that I'm not going crazy!!!!!)

[natickgirl]

I'm right there with the rest of you. I used to spend about $200-250/month on groceries. Now it is more like $450. I buy store brand & sale items, and cook mostly from scratch. When I stock up on sale items to save money, my grocery bill goes through the roof.

I try to buy healthy food, but sometimes I have to buy the cheaper junk food. For example, it costs less to buy frozen burritos & chimichangas than to make them from scratch (with ground beef at $2.99/lb and tortillas $2/package). And, sugar junkie cereal is always cheaper than the more nutritious kind. Sooooo frustrating.

Fresh & canned fruits & veggies have gone way up, as have all dairy products. If I'm lucky, milk is $2.80 at Costco. It is upwards of $3.50 at the grocery store. Just 3 years ago I could get milk on sale nearly every week for $1.70. I know some of the increase in prices were due to the high price of gas. Now that gas is coming down, I hope food prices will go back down at least a little!