Nosy question - how much do you all spend on your food bills a month?

[pacinofan]

Hi, have been following with much interest the thread below about menu planning.

When I menu plan I always have a figure in mind for our total monthly food bill and try to plan accordingly (we don't always achieve this, depending on if we succumb to temptations in Tesco's)!

We are 2 adults and a toddler, and I aim to spend not more than £300 a month. This includes all foodstuffs, household necessities such as cleaning stuff, etc, pet food and wine and beer.We shop at Tesco's and seem to spend a fair amount on fresh fruit/veg. Tend not to buy expensive cuts of meat, but do buy organic chicken where possible.

What does everyone else spend? I hear of lots of families that spend much less and still provide fab meals, and would be interested to know what you think of our budget.

I literally buy what we use it has taken me a while but I was spending 100 a week before and throwing loads away.I have a list but if there is something in the reduced I swap it iyswim.Iuse everything up if I think something might go off I cook it and freeze it.We have one night a week beans on toast which we all love as it is quick and not much clearing up after.We eat a lot of rice and couscous no beef lots of fish and veggie stuff.I make my own pasta salads using cheapy pasta and dp and ds take it to work.I only drink one bottle a week as dp doesn't drink.I think it takes a while to get the cost down tbh

Sally it's been a real eye opener. I was horrified by what we had chucked in the first week. And we're pretty good at menu planning for the week and then - supposedly- just buying what we need!

Thanks Noddy - I think you're right. We've started the process but it's a long road...Our wine bill is likely to be more than yours - dp totted up how much we had been spending last night and it was astrononical. All the fault of a buy two get one free at local off licence. And if it's there it gets drunk! (as do we......)

puddle threshers round the corner has that offer I bought 3 yesterday they also had a huge box of crisps for 10p each on offer so I bought a load for the lunches I won't buy wine at the supermarket now

Noddy we're round the corner from a threshers too! It's lethal. Have now reinstituted a no-drinking in the week rule. ALmost as bad is the fruit and veg shop round the corner which does green and blacks choc for £3 a bar. Daylight robbery but so tempting.

I've no idea, and I'm too scared to work it out.

6 of us usually about £85 a week

I don't spend much but did find I spent even less when did the shopping on line at tescos. No impulse buying. Why don't you try it to see how much the difference is plan a few meals and get prices online. It does cost five ppounds delivery but I found when DP was home I was saving much more than that.

My DP works abroad and as it is mainly just em i havent shopped for nearly a month just got by on bread and milk and tend to eat at lunchtimes at work! When he is home we spend about £40 per week.

puddle I think you must live near me!I have often succumbed to those choccy bars aswell I live in brighton btw our local shops must be like yours all the essentials choccies and wine

7 of us, food, toiletries, nappies and baby milk for the month often comes to £500, although probably nearer to £400 since I've been making things from scratch with fresh stuff.

Could probably spend much less if I did meal plans.

Noddy - spooky I live in Brighton. Don't want to say where exactly but do you live near a cafe called North village?

I was there today for my tuna ciabatta sandwich as the builders were in the kitchen I may know you!

ooooooh Noddy that's so wierd and spooky dooky. So....deli or North village?!

I budget for £320 a month for 2 adults and 2 and half year old. It always seems a bit stretched, but we do end up throwing stuff away, which I am always appalled by.

With be SAHM next week (hoorah) for 8 months, so plan to be fully incontrol of the food budget and try and limit wasteage. I take my hat off to some of your.. you are brilliant with your planning.

I feel sorry for north village so have been there twice but I do like the deli!Cute guys in north village though Shouldn't be going to either tbh but builders so stressful I had to get out for a treat there is room for both

I'm hardcore deli. i don't know, you wait ages for a cafe and then two come along (almost ) at once......

Sorry pacinofan total thread hijack........will stop this now!

This will be my last hijack!I live on the deli side of the road and the coffee is nicer and a better vibe so I'll go with deli too!I will try and spot you now

I spend about £350 a month, which is one big shop and lots of little extras. I make my own food, don't buy lots of convinience but still get thru loads. That's for two adults/two kids, but it went up when I was pg, and has stayed high now I'm BFing. Whoever said BFing was a cheap option was a liar!!