Question

Hi, Friends!  We are working on our budget?Hi, Friends! We are working on our budget? What is realistic for a family of 2 for food? Is 250 a week out of line for groceries and the occasional dinner out? We really struggle with eating out so I’m going to cash envelope it in March! Thanks - love this community.  

Answer 1

I think you can't compare yourself to others, because grocery prices vary widely around the US. Also, everybody has their own needs to meet. For us it's gluten free not by choice. VERY expensive. Also, no legumes or grains. Also not by choice. Lots of allergies. so I think the best idea is to meal plan whenever you can, find cheap meals that fit you and your family, and know that you are doing a great job!  

Comments

@doorpost I'm on the same boat!  

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Allergen foods so damn expensive

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@portiere Rough isn't it?! We NEVER eat out so I do all the cooking. That makes our budget a bit larger, since there isn't a "going out to eat" envelope. I love your name, by the way!  

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@doorpost thank you  yes we can't eat out either

Answer 2

$125/week groceries & $200/month dining out for family of three for us!  

Answer 3

I do $150 a week for 2 adults and 2 toddlers.  

Answer 4

I do $200/wk for 2 adults and 4 kids which includes diapers and wipes for my toddler

Answer 5

I have a family of 5 and spend 230 every two weeks. That’s including dairy free, organic foods too!  

Comments

I shop at Fred Meyer and winco! We rarely buy snacks. Just lots of fruits and vegetables. And we stick to pretty simple meals.  

Answer 6

It just my husband and I and we spend max 300 a month.  

Answer 7

We are 2 and we spend about $200-300 a month on groceries. and about $100-150 eating out

Answer 8

We spend $100 a week on food, household supplies, and cat food. But we don’t eat out unless we have money left over.  

Answer 9

I spend around $100 per week on groceries for a family of 3

Answer 10

I think it would depend on where you are in the country and dietary preferences.  

Answer 11

We did $60 for myself and teen. My advice is prepare to cook one or two easy meals a week for days you don’t want to cook.  

Answer 12

We are a family of 4, we have 400 a month for groceries. something i read is 100 per person a month, starting at 300 so 2= $300 a month thats how i would do it

Answer 13

375-400/mo here

Answer 14

We do 200/ week for family of 4.  

Answer 15

We do $250 every 2 weeks for a family of 6 and $40 for takeout for two weeks. We were spending over $800 on take out in a month so now we enjoy it at least once every 2 weeks and actually look forward to it and the kids appreciate it.  

Answer 16

We do 100 a week for a family of 4,  

Answer 17

That is more than my entire food budget for me and my three teens. 250 a week is $1000 a month.  

Answer 18

I spend about 150 a week and then usually I'll do 1 $200 week including a Sam's haul. Idk how everyone else keeps it so low but I we dont live off of spahgetti I make meals every night and usually left over for lunch. we take a lunch everyday (me hubby and 1 kid). I also every couple of weeks will shop in my pantry and freezer and work around that for a week for an extra saving or even extra spending on groceries to buy things I dont normally buy

Answer 19

We spend $150/week on groceries and any household items as a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 babies) and $20/week on eating out.  

Answer 20

We are a family of 4 and do about 500 a month

Answer 21

Eating is one of our favorite things to do. We don’t shop, we don’t have kids, and experiences are our thing. We budget $150 for grocery and $120 for dining out a week.  

Answer 22

I try keep it at €400 a month for 5 2 adults 3 children (well my son is 18) so 3 adults 2 children

Answer 23

We do $100 per week which includes all food. health and beauty plus paper and detergent etc. we don’t eat out very often so we plan and budget for that separately.  

Answer 24

I think $1000 a month for 2 is a lot.  

Comments

@spanker139 me too.  

Answer 25

We do 60-80 a week for 2 people depending on if we eat out

Answer 26

It depends on what kind of diet that you have. Do you special dietary restrictions?  

Answer 27

Where do you live? We are a family of 4 on Vancouver Island and spend $150-200 each week

Answer 28

Family of 4 one a baby. 170 a week that includes formula

Answer 29

We are $100/week. so $400/month for 2 adults and a 4 year old. This budget includes household and toiletries

Comments

@embracery this is close to ours too and my husband thinks it isn’t enough  

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@anticlinal Smith it is hard on this, but we make it work. We rarely eat out. maybe once a month and by eat out. I mean fast food or slightly above fast food, haha  

Answer 30

We are 100$ a week for a family of 5 (3 adults and 2 children) and were in San Diego where it’s not cheap.  

Answer 31

I do $250 every two weeks for a family of 5 including household supplies and diaper. That does not include eating out.  

Answer 32

Family of 2 here - $200 every 2 weeks. Includes eating out.  

Answer 33

The amount is so relative to where you live, what you like to eat, and what you can afford.  

Answer 34

There are so many factors that play a part in your budget. I would say use the weekly meal plan and truly plan. (not necessarily prep) You may see that you can save or you may find it's totally necessary. We are a family of 6 (3 boys & 3 girls. I realize that seems like pointless details but boys can eat when in sports). Our budget is $200 a week and that is household included. Some Usually 1 or 2 weeks every month I have $75-$100 left over from grocery list and I will take left over and make my Sam's or Costco runs. If I need nothing from there. it's a savings.  

Answer 35

I spend about $100 on groceries just for myself every week, not including the occasional take out. I live in the bay area though. Food is more expensive over here lol

Answer 36

I plan on £100 per week for 2 adults & 2 kids, not including eating out.  

Answer 37

About $100 per week for me and my very hungry 12 year old son.  

Answer 38

As others have said, I think it’s too high as well. We are a family of 4 and we spend $600-$700/mos. for food including groceries and restaurants. (PS - our grocery budget also covers our paper products and toiletries. )

Answer 39

We do $250 for a family of 4. I include al household items in that budget too

Answer 40

I try to keep it to $100 a week for 2 people. Eating out is limited to only bowling night's once a week. Sometimes more often, but that comes out of my entertainment/other envelope that's for myself

Answer 41

$200 a month for a family of 3. Every 4-6 months we go bull buy meat ( we have a meat category in our envelopes ) and we just buy what we need to go with it that week, * this also includes eating out. *

Answer 42

I only spend $200 a month for my son and I. I shop only sale items and use lots and lots of coupons!  

Answer 43

I spend 175 walmart, 75 publix and 20 at local market a week. For 3 adults eating keto lifestyle plus toiletries (sometimes toiletries eat a lot of the budget. We also do a 200 costco , adas for keto bread , world market and total wine once a month . We have a play budget for eating and going out (fun money).  

Answer 44

I budget $200 weekly that includes eating out and household 2 adults

Answer 45

I am also a family of 2 and I budget approx $200 a week for food. Sometimes I can be under and sometimes I am over. I don’t buy coffee at work, I take it to work in a thermos, we both pack work lunches, and we cook at home. We shop at 2 grocery stores, one is a cheaper type store and one is definitely more expensive. We only have these 2 options in our area. We do eat out, but not all the time, so I have a bit extra set aside on top for that as well. If I could do it for less I would. I try to buy the generic brands where I can, and we meal plan. I think if that’s what it costs then that’s what it costs. Some places are just more expensive. I definitely find I am more likely to be under budget if I meal plan though.