Page 8 | No idea how much spent on Food

Aquarius1234 · 2024-05-15T20:23:57+00:00

AIBU to have no idea how much on average I spend on food per week/ month. Eeeeek anyone else??

Saz12 · 15/05/2024 22:43

I do a weekly "big shop". 2 adults, 1 teen, around £70 per week, incl basic toiletries, some cleaning, etc., but not including stuff like big jars of coffee, washing powder and the like.
DH will do the odd top-up shop for stuff I've forgotten, also milk, wine, etc.
DH will sometimes go to staff canteen rather than take lunch from home.
DD will buy school lunches, but sometimes she'll take something from home instead.

So I couldnt tell you exactly how much we spend in a week, but would average around £500 a month all in. Which is an insane amount but does include alchol and we seldom go Out.

OP, are you scared to know, or do you not care?

Original poster

Aquarius1234 · 15/05/2024 22:42

MenoBabe · 15/05/2024 22:29

Exactly, surrounded by supermarkets, bakeries, delis, farmers markets. Lots of little shops, never add it up. So absolutely no idea what i spend per month. But I do think about all other purchases, so I don't just randomly buy clothes, household items, holidays etc, only food is treated like this. Have a very very old car, don't wear make up, don't do nails etc. But love food and don't cut corners. Lucky not to need to I know.

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I agree spending lots on food or being not careful about spending in supermarkets. Doesn't mean you lead a luxury lifestyle. Those that are crazy about budgets and tight on food budgets, probably have thousands in the bank and or go on lovely holidays!
I buy taste the difference potatoes cos I like them!

OP posts:

StSwithinsDay · 15/05/2024 22:41

Do you care how much you are spending?

Original poster

Aquarius1234 · 15/05/2024 22:37

TCThree · 15/05/2024 22:29

I worked for one of the big supermarkets, they love customers like you.

Lol its embarrassing recognising the shop staff.

OP posts:

MenoBabe · 15/05/2024 22:29

Aquarius1234 · 15/05/2024 21:54

I don't add up all the supermarkets/ small shop totals.
Loads of £ 27 £ 36 £11 £ 19 £ 41 £ 8 £ 26 ..
Etc etc per month.

Exactly, surrounded by supermarkets, bakeries, delis, farmers markets. Lots of little shops, never add it up. So absolutely no idea what i spend per month. But I do think about all other purchases, so I don't just randomly buy clothes, household items, holidays etc, only food is treated like this. Have a very very old car, don't wear make up, don't do nails etc. But love food and don't cut corners. Lucky not to need to I know.

TCThree · 15/05/2024 22:29

I worked for one of the big supermarkets, they love customers like you.

buffyslayer · 15/05/2024 22:24

Probably should add i am really strict about once a week shop, and I can't go over budget so some weeks it's apples instead of strawberries etc
I use a clicker to count my shop or do it online

whatsitcalledwhen · 15/05/2024 22:24

Do you know your take home salary per month and what is left at the end of the month?

Even if you don't save, are you left with no money at the end of the month or do you always have a bit left?

I would be so stressed not having any idea at all what I was spending on something as key as food but if you have a decent amount of money left at the end of the month I guess you just don't see it as a big enough issue to look into more?

Or is it more than you know it's going to be a crazy amount and you're putting your head in the sand a bit?

PonyPatter44 · 15/05/2024 22:20

I get quite anxious if I don't know how much I'm spending! We spend about £100 each week in Sainsbury to feed three adults and two cats, with occasional trips to the Chinese supermarket (maybe £50 every 2 or 3 months). I meal-plan and cook from scratch most nights because I'm a greedy pig bit of a foodie.

Going to the shop and spending randomly every day is exactly how my exH and I got into terrible debt. He was awful with money and hated budgeting. I didn't even open bank statements. These days I check my banking app several times a week, budget very carefully and we never eat jacket potatoes unless we really want to.

MenoBabe · 15/05/2024 22:20

Muffin101 · 15/05/2024 21:34

I actually have no idea how much our food bill is a month, I’m sort of the same as you really op. I know we need to buy food so it is what it is. I’m aware I’m lucky, in some sense, that I don’t need to adhere to a strict budget. Obviously they tell me at the check out, but I wouldn’t have a clue re an average monthly amount.

Edited

Yes, no idea what I spend monthly on food. We are not extravagant, cook almost every night, so only pay attention to other areas of spending. But yes, I am very fortunate to be in that position.

Sgtmajormummy · 15/05/2024 22:15

My online banking AND my credit card tell me how much I’ve spent monthly in the different types of shops.
Only takes a click, OP.

Peaceandquiet9276 · 15/05/2024 22:15

Aquarius1234 · 15/05/2024 22:09

The problem is I don't save anything. I'm sure I would if I shopped less. Or least something.

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Then you need to stop doing all the little food shops and do one food shop a week. Write a list of meals you will eat and the ingredients needed for them so you don’t buy stuff you won’t eat or waste. Or do a click and collect.

Original poster

Aquarius1234 · 15/05/2024 22:14

Supermarkets are hell and busy at times. You just wanna get out. And don't pay attention to the total.
When you go hundreds of times it happens.

OP posts:

Mannyshy · 15/05/2024 22:13

You either don't need to know because you have plenty of money and it doesn't matter, or you're full of shit and doing a fake braggy post. How can you not know the figure that was just in front of your eyeballs?

Original poster

Aquarius1234 · 15/05/2024 22:09

Peaceandquiet9276 · 15/05/2024 21:55

That’s probably why. I do one main food shop a week which is roughly the same price each week. I might grab a bit more fruit or a bottle of milk during the week but not much more. But I suppose if you really have no idea and don’t check your online banking etc to see then it can’t be much of a problem for you otherwise you would make a point of finding out!

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The problem is I don't save anything. I'm sure I would if I shopped less. Or least something.

OP posts:

Kneenightmare · 15/05/2024 22:08

I download my bank statement every month into excel and then categorise what I spent. I usually spend £800 ish per month - 3 adults plus a hungry teenager and a cat. Covers cleaning products plus most toiletries.

ZipZapZoom · 15/05/2024 22:07

Aquarius1234 · 15/05/2024 22:03

Nope.

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Well you're either loaded or talking nonsense then. You can't be both?

You either have so much money it doesn't matter how much you spend.

Or

You don't have lots of money and you're going into debt or your overdraft etc because you're not tracking how much you spend.

Original poster

Aquarius1234 · 15/05/2024 22:06

MoonKiss · 15/05/2024 22:00

We spend about £110 a week for a family of 2 adults 2 teens. £80-90 in the supermarket, £10-15 at the butchers/farm shop, £5-10 local shop. No jacket spuds.

That sounds like a good shop and very reasonable!! 4 people!
Ps I like jacket potatoes.

OP posts:

Bournetilly · 15/05/2024 22:05

Look at your bank statement?

VeraForever · 15/05/2024 22:05

I'm not convinced that OP is genuine.

Original poster

Aquarius1234 · 15/05/2024 22:03

ZipZapZoom · 15/05/2024 21:56

You must be loaded!

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Nope.

OP posts:

PointWriter · 15/05/2024 22:03

....just add up what you've spent.

I don't need to budget but I'm well aware of what I spend.

Peaceandquiet9276 · 15/05/2024 22:01

Why do you need to do so many little food shops a week? Would be easier to budget if you did one main one. Then maybe the odd little thing during the week but I’m sure you’d spend less just aiming for the one shop.

AhBiscuits · 15/05/2024 22:01

I don't keep track or add it up but I'm not scared to, I just don't really care. I don't buy anything extravagant, just normal food for the family, and we earn enough that we don't need to budget for groceries.

MoonKiss · 15/05/2024 22:00

We spend about £110 a week for a family of 2 adults 2 teens. £80-90 in the supermarket, £10-15 at the butchers/farm shop, £5-10 local shop. No jacket spuds.