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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How much is your weekly shop?

231 replies

KnittedBreast · 09/02/2011 12:41

I was talking to an old collegue the other day about food shopping and if hes noticed a price rise in his shopping bill.

He lives with his wife and their 3 year old son, i was shocked when he said his shopping bill is £100 a week every week! thats not including the occassional expensive week you know with washing powder or whatever.

My parents with no children (living at home) spends 150 a week-on what? seriously? dips? bloody expensive dips!

My shopping costs about 50 but often 30 a week for 2 adults and 2 children under 5. I have noticed my bill going up a bit, dont know if my son is eating more or vat rise.

do you shop weekly? whos bu, my collegue or me? where do you fit?

OP posts:
Asteria · 09/02/2011 14:53

Ninky - You are so lucky - I live in the wilds of yorkshire now. when I was in london (at Camberwell Art College - lived in Dulwich) I used to get everything on Peckham High Street - the fish and the veg were amazing. Really miss being able to get such a fab variety of foods

porcupine11 · 09/02/2011 14:55

I think I need to change my ways, I reckon I spend £50-70 every two to three days for two adults, a baby and toddler. Waitrose is to blame. We don't go out very much at the moment though, so maybe it all evens out.

crazycatlady · 09/02/2011 14:56

We average about £100-£120 a week. This includes:

  • food and drink (inc alcohol) for all meals for 3 people
  • specialist food for 2 cats
  • all toiletries and nappies
  • all cleaning and household items

This is spread across 2-3 Ocado orders a month, plus a couple of trips to butcher, fishmonger, Waitrose, local deli/spice shop as needed.

We cook most of our meals from scratch, but have the odd ready made item (fresh soup, fish goujons etc) for quick meals for DD which does put the cost up.

This doesn't include take aways or meals out of which we have about one a week.

lesley33 · 09/02/2011 15:00

Bogeyface I can actually afford to spend more money on shopping than I do. But we used to be really skint so got used to doing things cheaply.

I buy lots of cheap versions of things like loo rolls, tinned tomatoes. I can't really see any point in paying lots for these types of things.

I also don't buy cook in sauces, my cooking really is from scratch.

Also have a bread maker. I don't always head to the reduced section, but do buy more things frozen as it is cheaper e.g. much cheaper to buy a load of frozen coley to cook with than buying fresh fish.

lesley33 · 09/02/2011 15:02

OP it sounds like your cooking and meals are pretty much like my own. But it is sad that you don't feel you can spend money on enjoying yourself.

Could you maybe try and start with small things and work your way up?

Bogeyface · 09/02/2011 15:09

Lesley, we can too but like you I have got into the habit. If I had £200 a week say to spend then I am not sure I could find anything to spend it all on :o I make all our sauces too, we get through tinned tomatoes like stink, as most cook in sauces are tomato based anyway with just different ratios of herbs and spices in! i think for 3 adults, one teenage and 3 under tens we do pretty well for under (usually way under) £100 a week!

wannabesybil · 09/02/2011 15:18

Just for interest - I can't manage this myself - www.cheap-family-recipes.org.uk/ feed a family of four for £100 per month. I have posted this on another thread.

Portion sizes are smaller than I do, and I couldn't manage all of it, but the suggested plans are really, really, really carefully researched to ensure proper nutrition.

Here it is roughly £75 per week, all told, for three adults, one four year old and an evil cat, including alcohol.

Also I stock up on stuff from Approved Food etc. when I see a good deal.

And I have trouble getting out, so if it isn't delivered we don't get it, so I am limited there.

Original poster
KnittedBreast · 09/02/2011 15:22

i feel a bit sick if i treat myself and then i worry for ages after and buy less next time to make up for it. tis sad really!

OP posts:
Bogeyface · 09/02/2011 15:40

I think it is doable but its very restricted and not very healthy looking to me, either fresh fruit or dairy? young children need both surely?!

Pinkjenny · 09/02/2011 15:43

Too much. I buy our food shopping in bits and bobs during my lunch hour through the week, but because I fill the trolley with all kinds of extra items, we are spending a lot. I have just done a Sainsbury's order, and am going to do a big weekly shop for a month and compare my spending.

Bogeyface · 09/02/2011 15:44

Is money an issue KB? Or is it just worry you have?

My mum is like this. she lives in a permanent state of fear of losing everything, I think because of her upbringing.

Is it something that you think you could perhaps do with a hand with sorting out so you can relax and enjoy life a wee bit more?

CFAW · 09/02/2011 15:47

£120 a week and two expensive shops a month (roughly) where we spend £190 ish i have two ds's and a husband.

muddyangels123 · 09/02/2011 15:51

2 adults & 2 DC (1 adult doesn't eat at home 4 days). Our bill is £110 per week. I also get food from local butchers & farm shops.
So, all in i expect it's around £135 per week.

AlmightyCitrus · 09/02/2011 15:53

Dh lost his job in October. After we've paid our bills my weekly shopping budget (me, DH and 3 dc's) is £25.

Kids are getting a free school meal and I know they always get plenty of veg or salad with it, so tea is generally something on toast, jacket spud, sandwiches etc. I might manage a cheap stew or "something interesting with mince" once a week. I keep the fruit bowl topped up.

Honestly, it's fucking depressing. I miss cooking proper meals.

Lucy85 · 09/02/2011 15:54

£120. 3 of us. Make nearly all from scratch. But like wine. A lot.
Also clothes and nappies and DVDs.

Bogeyface · 09/02/2011 15:57

Almighty, I seem to remember a thread asking why people "needed" free school meals. Your post should be on there as it makes the point perfectly.

Fingers crossed your DH gets sorted with another job soon.

LawrieMarlow · 09/02/2011 15:59

Have recently been reviewing finances and am aiming for £70 a week for two adults, a 7 year old and a 5 year old. And one IAMS eating cat. Includes packed lunch food and cleaning products and washing powder etc. Have started taking out physical money and then once it's gone it's gone. Weekends are our downfall - I am good at meal planning during the week and then it falls apart a bit at weekends.

MySweetPrince · 09/02/2011 16:00

Ours was around £80 a week for 2 adults and 2 (permanently hungry) teenagers - that was with Tesco online but I noticed their prices have really increased since Christmas...I have switched to Waitrose who deliver for free and with special offers of money off the first 3 orders my last shop was £65 - and that included a bootle of Merlot for a treat!

AlmightyCitrus · 09/02/2011 16:02

Thanks Bogeyface. He is trying so hard. Not getting anywhere at all, but he's not letting it get him down. Worse things have happened!

sinat54 · 09/02/2011 16:12

wow.....i think i need a forum on how to economise!! I spend about £140 a week- 2 adults 3 kids 11, 5 and 3. oh and a cat...i try to buy organic milk, veg and fruit where i can and organic mince but non organic chicken. Shop at Tescos online so that include £5 delivery charge. no alcohol either...cook most meals from scratch...

Adversecamber · 09/02/2011 16:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

redhappy · 09/02/2011 16:30

sinat54 try the 'oldstyle' section of the forum on moneysavingexpert.com.

Ryoko · 09/02/2011 16:59

I think mine is about £40 a week

melikalikimaka · 09/02/2011 17:05

I honestly don't know, it depends on which shop I go to. Lidl, Tesco, Asda and I go Waitrose to get the reduced!
I'll tell you next week, ok?

wheredidyoulastseeit · 09/02/2011 17:12

What sort of meals are you making with these £50 - £80 a week shops. I cook from scratch and struggle to spend less than 130/week, but that includes all meals breakfast lunch and dinner for 2 adults and 2 teenagers, I cook the meat and 2 veg and spag bol type meals