Are our food costs too high?

Question

I wasn't sure whether to post this in the Personal Finances section, but it's more related to food so here goes. Since me and my wife opened a joint account it's now a lot easier to manage the money that comes in and goes out and, using my favorite calendarbudget (dot com) tool, I've finally put in the right amounts for our monthly budget, meaning how much we should spend on each category. Most of it is fine - we're even putting around $1,250 each month towards debt repayment (credit cards and school loans) and not using the cards too much. However, one item strikes me as too high and I would like to see if I can get some "ammo" to reduce them (meaning, your opinion). 

Currently, our average grocery costs are anywhere between $800 and $950 per month (NOT including eating out, this is only groceries!). $40 of that each week goes towards an organic fruits & veggies basked delivered to us directly, and our average weekly groceries is around $150. We're 2 adults in the house, we eat fairly healthy foods (rarely do we get any pre-made food, my wife's a great cook) and our 5-month-old daughter is breastfed but started on solids recently.

So, if we add the $100 average eating out costs we're left with monthly food costs, for 2 young adults that cook at home and eat out fairly rarely, that sometimes go up to $1000 or more. Am I crazy in thinking that is extremely high?

michaeldp45 · Answer

Wow! Only the 2 of u? You should try to  plan out a menu for the week, maybe that will help out some. There is no way u 2 should spend that much on food. You could also try budgeting by bringing $100.00 a week (should be plenty) to the store with u and not spending any more then what u have. Should be challenging and fun to see if u can actually do it. Good luck!

Happiest in the kitchen. · Answer

Almost 1,000 bucks a month for two people a Month? What are you eating? Is it gold leafed items? Even buyomng organoc shouldn't that much. I buy groceries for my fam of four and only spend about 300-400 bucks a month.

Also I am confused. How does 150 bucks a week turn into 800-950 a month? Do you not know math? 150 a week times 4 weeks is 600 dollars and that is still a lot of 2 adults and a baby.

? · Answer

Yes food prices in america are out of control
Once the communities have no other source to shop thriftily - - All is lost 
I am not a political radical - - But when the individual citizen has no choice - - NO idea what kind of profit an industry is making - - the same for a simple market -(what is the mark up - we know 300%- that only makes sense ) but businesses seem to change their mark up weekly 

I am 70 - I remember government Price Control - ! - milk was cheap bread very affordable - gasoline 25¢ / gal - -  I am sick to hear of million dollar bonuses too already rich good old boys 
BUT I also understand there is way to correct it 
the industrial word is well hidden - - we can not discriminate to avoid and industry that mass products - many brands of OUR staple goods 
I remember White Labeled - generic goods - ½ the price of brand names - NOW THEY ARE GONE

Can I produce my household budget for food - - NO - -But I do not pay $4.00 for a bag of .10¢ potato chips - - my loss - do with out
next time you shop LOOK at the prices offered - odd are - they are all produced in the same plant  
Good luck

sora_kairi02 · Answer

yes that is extremely high. I have a family of four- two adults, two kids (7,3) We only spend $300-$400 a month. I'm a stay at home mom and i can cook and i do alot from scratch. We also buy alot of meat when its on sale and divide them and shove them in the freezer. It takes some time but its alot cheaper. We don't get the uber cheap meats either. I buy fresh veggies at the store, I buy fruit in season or on sale, or get canned or jarred in juice. For alot of pantry items i don't get name brands unless the sale price is cheaper.  i think even if i buy all frozen or all ready prepared meals i doubt i'd spend as much as you. Start planning out meals and looking around other stores and compare prices.

? · Answer

While food costs vary regionally, that's a heck of a grocery bill for two adults. You can cut out the organics and save a bunch. "Organic" food is no safer, healthier or more nutritious than their non-organic contemporaries. The USDA says so, the British Food Agency says so (see link). The only people who will tell you different are the people trying to sell it to you. 

The same goes for "natural" meats or "pasture raised", etc. They're basically marketing tools. They cost more for the producer to get to market, so he deserves more money for them. But, in reality, they are no safer and contain the same nutrients as regular foods. The grass fed beef people promote CLAs as being good for your health. I wouldn't argue with that, but you'd need to eat about five pounds of grass fed beef every day to actually get enough CLAs to make a difference in your body. Nobody recommends that. 

PS: It's great you're getting a handle on your credit card debts, too. You will certainly benefit from being debt free. But don't be afraid to use credit wisely. Credit can be very useful for a young couple....if used properly.

F D · Answer

yes
there is only 2 of us in the house and our bill for food is not that high but i do not buy organic foods  and we eat a lot of turkey so i guess it depend  on where you live
and i do not buy many box foods i cook from scratch  most of the time

Anonymous · Answer

you should try being a little more frugal... do you try to buy things when they are on sale or are you buying overpriced produce from whole foods?  you have to elaborate

Ian · Answer

No

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Are our food costs too high?

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