How Much Is Your Grocery Bill Every Week?

Updated on April 20, 2011
J.K. asks from Cuyahoga Falls, OH
28 answers

Hi, Mamas! I am just wondering what you typically spend on groceries every week and where you shop. I usually have to run to a few different places to get everything that I need. I have been having a lot of luck at Marcs lately and then I usually get my produce at Kreiger's (local health food store). We are big consumers of fresh fruits and veggies and plan to plant a garden this year. I used to shop at Acme every week, but now I go there only when I see good sale items.

I have a family of 4 and tend to spend about $100-110/week total. That sure looks like a lot typed out!!

Oh, and how much does a gallon of milk cost where you live? Geeze, can't find a gallon of milk here for under $2.80 anymore!!

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K.I.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Milk is around 3.48 and up!!
I spend around $100 a week and maybe $100 -$150 on Sam's every 2 or 3 months for toilet paper, shampoo , wet towels ,diapers etc...
we are a family of 5 ..

2 moms found this helpful

T.B.

answers from Bloomington on

I spend between $50 and $80 a week for a family of 4 (kids are both under 4). I shop at JayC, which is owned by Kroger. BUT, we raise cattle (so I never buy beef) and I buy frozen chicken, veggies, fries, ect... at Sam's which is not factored into my weekly trip. I would say ALL considered we probably spend $400 a month.
Milk is about $3.00/G.

2 moms found this helpful

C.M.

answers from St. Louis on

I live in the Midwest so I think it's much cheaper than the East or West Coast. Milk around here is around $3.65 (local grocery store). I spend around $150/week for 2 adults and a 3.5 and 1.5 year old (this includes diapers/wipes). My husband is also home with the kids 4 days a week so this includes breakfast/lunch for them 4 days a week and my lunches 4 days a week.

1 mom found this helpful

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R.S.

answers from San Antonio on

My grocery bill is really high...$180- $200 a week, plus about $200 a month at Sam's or Costco (one or the other depending on what items are needed).

My husband is a real hard core on all organic non-hormone/antibiotic added foods. So "natural" meats cost us a small fortune...when I find the chicken marked for quick sale I buy it all a freeze it because it makes it closer to typical prices not the usual twice the price range. Milk (both regular and soy...we have to have both kinds) organic is almost $5.00 a gallon. We use a gallon and a half of each a week.

Even bread is expensive because the whole grain double fiber stuff is high. I could buy almost six regular store brand loaves of "wheat" bread.

Surprisingly I do not buy organic produce...well very very little of it. If it has a skin I buy regular, apples, pears, bananas, etc. I buy tons of fresh fruits and veggies.

I would LOVE to cut our grocery budget. I do use coupons on the few processed items we buy. When I do cut corners, my DH gets upset he likes the quality of the food we eat...wish there was a way to cut some of this expense.

3 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

$100-$200 per week (a pretty wide variance, i know.) but we buy a lot of organic and local stuff, which is sadly not cheap. but i also buy in bulk and through wholesale buying co-ops to try and keep the price down.
we're a family of 4. my older son just moved out, but is home frequently, and we still tend to have starving hordes invade periodically. i'm guessing that when both boys have really moved out, the ol' man and i will save a fortune.
i buy organic raw milk, $7.25 a gallon. and i drive an hour every week to get it. :/
:) khairete
S.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Detroit on

For our family of four, it is about $100-$150 per week. I'm lucky because I have all the major stores on the same stretch of road all within a mile from my house, so I can use my coupons to get deals on things without driving all over town. The only problem is constantly getting the kids in and out of the car when we make all the trips. I bought a gallon of non-organic milk today at Target for $2.49. I also shop early in the day so that I can get all the manager specials which saves me more cash.

M.

2 moms found this helpful

G.T.

answers from Modesto on

Prices are ridiculous. I spend probably about 150 a week and we dont even have kids, just a cat :(

2 moms found this helpful

A.S.

answers from Detroit on

I go to Kroger, a local corner market, a local fruit market, and Family Dollar (for things like shampoos, soaps, feminine products, & diapers)... But I also have my dairy delivered (milks, butter, sour cream, ice cream for special occasions, whipped cream for special occasions, and eggs) once a week.

On average, I'd have to say we spend $150-$200/wk depending on the coupons I can find/get. Unfortunately, in Michigan, they won't double coupons anywhere and rarely have specials that are actually worth anything.

Family of 4. (kids are almost 3 & 8)

2 moms found this helpful

S.M.

answers from Kansas City on

40 dollars per day usually includes one or two household items. We live only a block from a cheap stock up store. So it's not bad for us to shop daily. With as many people as we have in the house we are always out of something. About twice per month I'll go and spend 100 dollars or more at once and my husband and mother and daughter will spend between 50 and 100 at least once as well. There are 10 of us if we include the daycare children. We are pretty spoiled and eat what we want. But on days when I order pizza or go out for fast food, also only little more than a block away, I'll spend between 30 and 40 and usually not go to the store.

We have 2 dogs, 4 cats, 2 birds, and we filter our water and change the filters constantly. They turn orange/brown between changes. I do include these costs in the food/household budget.

2 moms found this helpful
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Y.D.

answers from Chicago on

I use a lot of coupons. You can try www.thekrazycouponlady.com, www.dealseekingmom.com and they teach you how to save money.
I have 3 kids, 4th on the way and I'm a stay at home mom. To be able to stay at home with my kids I have to save money where I can and since I started using coupons and using the above websites last year I have saved TONS of money, getting a lot of stuff for free or close to it..... It takes a little time, finding the coupons and going to different stores to get the deals, but it's truly worth it.
I used to buy generic, store brands and paid more then I pay now for the brand names. And a lot of the stuff is free!
There are other sites that can help you too, but if you start with those you're on your way to saving tons!

2 moms found this helpful

S.J.

answers from St. Louis on

Our bill monthly (we only shop once or twice a month, buy in bulk often) is about $450- $500 for a family of 5 (only 4 eaters - one is breastfed). We are fans of organic milk and meats, and fresh organic produce if I can find it. We pay a lot for a gallon of organic milk! Much more than $2.80!

I think you are doing great!

2 moms found this helpful

C.S.

answers from Houston on

Sounds good to me- I shop at one place and spend about $120 a week and that inlcudes diapers and dog food and all household items. We are also a family of 4. While I could probably save more if I put more effort into going several places- my time with my family is also valuable. Now, that being said I do take a look at the ads and if there is some great deal on something then I will take advantage. I think you are doing fine.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from Savannah on

Prices are different all over the country. I remember my friend moving from Louisiana to Texas near me, and I was taking her grocery shopping...she took a photo of the milk prices and sent it back home to show her friends how cheap it was, lol. (from $3-3.50 at the time in LA, but I was used to the 99 cents, maybe $1.29 in TX...that was 6 months ago though).
Milk here in SC goes back and forth from $3-4. It's annoying, but it's a must have so whatever. I lump all my shopping together (household goods like soap, cleaners, toilet paper, detergents, feminine products, diapers, wipes, etc AND my groceries for the week)...I pay $120 to 140 a week for a family of 4. My 17 month old has a very big appetite and eats about as much as my 4 1/2 year old, and they eat the same foods, for the most part, that we do. I go to the farmer's market and spend $20 every Thursday there, but that is included in my weekly grocery budget. Someone mentioned Horizon milk: that was $4.29 here a couple weeks ago.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.B.

answers from Detroit on

For our family of 6 we spend about $150.- a week. THat includes all paper products, house hold stuff, pet foods, etc...

I do use coupons, I also shop the sales, and to save myself time, I use the price compare feature that walmart has. :-) WE do have a store that doubles dollar coupons, and they run great sales that you can use the coupons on... But their markup on everything else is pretty substantial...

To the lady from Wyandotte... Check where your local Krogers is! Call them! I was told that all Krogers in "mid michigan" double dollar coupons... A lot of stores don't have their policies posted, but if you ask them about it you will find that they may double some! Even our local walmart started doubling (if asked...but they stopped cause it was too confusing and time consuming for all)

Using the price compare at walmart I will be paying $1.99 for a gallon of milk that is usually $3.00... Average I pay about $2.50 a gallon....

I grew up in farm country PA and they pay more per gallon then I do here in urban MI...

1 mom found this helpful
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A.G.

answers from Atlanta on

I am in northwest Georgia. A gallon of milk is around $2.80 here too. For my husband and I spend, we spend about $65 a week. I shop primarily at Walmart for price and convenience. We do shop Sam's too for drinks and paper goods in bulk.

1 mom found this helpful

C.T.

answers from Santa Fe on

We live somewhere very expensive (outside of Santa Fe). There is only 1 main grocery store in town (and one very expensive natural foods store). Other stores are an hour away so I don't make it there regularly. I spend $200 a week. Sometimes a little less if I'm reeeeally making things stretch. A HALF gallon of milk is between $3.40 and $4.20.

1 mom found this helpful

K.M.

answers from Little Rock on

I spend around 175-200 for a family of 6, milk is around 3.80 in Ar.

1 mom found this helpful

J.G.

answers from San Antonio on

You do pretty good. I have noticed our bill going up due to prices of everything. We are a family of 3 and typically spend about the same as you, sometimes a little bit more. We never eat out though. Husband takes his lunch every day from home. We make all of our dinners at home. I haven't bought a whole gallon of milk in a while, but I think it's $3.00 for the store-brand.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.M.

answers from New York on

A gallon of milk around here is almost $4.00 (ridiculous) I go shopping monthly. I spend around $300. Is myself, my teenager daughter and a 14 month old. We do pretty well. I order from a meat plan and I go to the supermarket for the rest. Of course during the month, we run out of eggs, bread, milk, etc. So I go pick that up.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.U.

answers from Norfolk on

I have been spending around 115 to 120 a week and that is with coupons.
I think milk is close to 3.25 over here in VA. I almost never look because that is a must have and the store doesn't always post the price.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

your budget is awesome! Good job!

As for that $2.80 for milk....OMG, in mid MO, I pay $3.40 or more!

To cover my family of 4 (our sons are 23 & 14; basically 4 adults) + + my daycare of 4 children: I spend about $200/week. That includes all cleaning supplies, dog food ($20/week), & a few kiddie supplies. This cost is rising tbough....& I had hoped it would stabilize. This is up about $50/week over the past 18 months.

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L.L.

answers from Rochester on

That's not a lot for a family of four. I spend more than that (probably about $150) and I consider myself a frugal shopper. Of course, I am only speaking about actually food groceries...not household supplies.

And oh my goodness, you can buy milk for $2.80? Where do YOU live? I want to move there...it's sounds like your groceries are cheap!!! Milk is almost 4 a gallon here...probably 3.89 or so for Kemps, and maybe 3.59 for generic. You can buy milk in a bag for cheap at Kwik Trip, but I don't like milk in a bag...tastes all right, I just don't like the idea of it.

I shop at Hy-Vee, WalMart, and a local small store for random items through the week.

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J.K.

answers from Phoenix on

I spend about $200 a week at Fresh and Easy and Super Target. Then I spend $400 a month at Melaleuca and Costco. That's $1200 a month for a family of 7 (two of them being teens...LOL) And we don't drink milk. =D

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L.W.

answers from Cincinnati on

I shoot for approx $100 per week..usually the bill comes in around $120.00
I make weekly menus and only buy what is on the menu. (and that is just breakfast and dinner...we usually eat out for lunch 3 days per week) but then low and behold I didnt get something from the store so I have to GO back for that 1 item and end up picking up a couple other things adding to another $20 or $30..so I think for us (a family of 3 plus two fat dogs) we spend about $150.00 at least per week...there have been weeks that I refuse to go to the store and then we dont spend anything...and end up eating scraps all week.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.K.

answers from Dallas on

Too much!! I even use coupons when I can and our bill is still way too high! $100-110 sounds reasonable for a family of 4. You will probably get answers from people who spend $20 for $150 worth of groceries. They make me crazy! Just jealous, honestly! Milk is crazy high! I can get the store brand at Walmart for 2.19. The brand I like costs almost $4 a gallon so I buy it when I have a coupon.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.S.

answers from Austin on

Well, congrats on spending so little! Wow....

We're a family of 3 and granted, we do try to eat quite a bit of fresh fish or shellfish (usually at least 2-3 meals a week) and try to buy at least 50% organic, non-processed, etc. So automatically it's more expensive. I only buy Horizon Organic Milk which is $3.50/gallon or more without a coupon and only buy organic, free range brown eggs which are usually $3.50/dozen.

I usually do a big grocery shop trip every 2 weeks, Costco 1/month, and Super Target or the local grocery for fill in's like milk, lettuce, etc. I sometimes go to Whole Foods, but it's about a 45 minute drive and I like to shop Farmer's Markets every now and then too.

I buy more stuff because we try to eat pretty much every meal, breakfast, lunch, and dinner at home. My DH takes his breakfast and lunch at least 1/2 the week too.

So typically, I spend about $200-$300 at the grocery store about every 10-14 days, probably $100-$200 at Costco once a month, and $50-$100 here and there to fill in forgotten items, or replenish milk, eggs, bread, etc. Total we probably spend about $700 a month on drinks, food, snacks, paper products for the house. I use coupons as much as possible and usually average a coupon savings of $30-$50/trip to the store.

I have noticed a major increase in everything lately. Like a 5lb bag of red or gold potatoes that is normally $3.50 suddenly costs $4.95!

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

For my family of 4 we spend $75 or less. We do stock up on a few things every other month or so at Costco and spend $100 there. I try to be very frugal, my boys are young though (20 months and 4 1/2 yo) so I don't cook for an army yet.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Milk in *general* (aka most stores) costs apx $4 per HALF gallon in our area. I LOVE TraderJoes, because I can get non rbst milk for 1.69 per half gallon.

We spend $300 every two weeks for a family of 3. If I just bought what I wanted when I wanted it (nothing really extravagent, but lunch meat is $10 per lb)... it would be $500 per 2 weeks.

1 mom found this helpful
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