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Thread: spend too much $$ on food?

  1. #1
    tampafldancer
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    Default spend too much $$ on food?

    hey girls!

    Im trying to brainstorm some ideas to help me save on my budget for food..

    I generally eat healthy, so of course that costs more $$!!!



    any ideas?

  2. #2
    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    cook it yourself!

    seriously, I hate to cook, esp since I live alone. I'm all about going to Costco and getting frozen burritos, canned tuna, etc. I get a huge thing of greens and make myself eat it befoire it goes bad.

    I lvoe costco...my all-time favorite place to shop.

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    Veteran Member Stipperella's Avatar
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    I agree grocery shopping can last a long time and is way cheaper than buying fast food or going to restaurants everyday. Another thing is eating at others people houses. I do that when i'm broke or just don't want to spend my money.

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    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    We shop at Whole Foods...and sometimes our grocery bill is over $200 for the week!!

    Become food savy. Which is to say, learn what lasts and what doesn't. I go to the store several times a week for fruits and veggies, because they really only have a 2 day shelf life. I buy in bulk when then have sales...pack it into the fridge. If you have a house/garage....and you can fit a deep freezer in there...do it!! You'll save so much more money that way! I also date everything that goes into the freezer. That way I know what I need to use first. The new stuff goes on the bottom, older stuff on the top.

    It also helps to make a complete menu once per week before you go shopping...know ahead of time what you want to make for all meals...plan, plan, plan...and then only buy what you need for those meals. It helps cut out naughty snacking and helps keep you on track...and helps save money.

    Hope that helps!!

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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    Do you have a local farmer's market you can go to? Produce is usually a lot cheaper there becuase you get it straight from the grower. Cutting out the middlemen (distributors, grocery stores and all the associated empolyees) cuts the cost by a bunch. Plus you know you are getting a very fresh product!



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  6. #6
    mermaidnz
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    we cut down our food bills from $400 ish per week, to $200, JUST by not eating out every day.


    try getting a lil notepad, and writing down everything you buy and the cost when you eat... then look back after a week and see how much went on crap!!

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    God/dess Bunny's Avatar
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    I spend way too much on food I'm sure but I hate to cook. I have found though that if I buy stuff to buy a salad and make it for a couple of days part of it will probably go bad so I end up spending about the same as if I get a salad from somewhere for lunch. I buy a lot of salads from Quizno's and they stamp a little card everytime you go so I get a lot of $5 off for having a full card for going there so much. That's about the best I can do to save money with eating.

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    Featured Member krys's Avatar
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    I spend alot on food, I average it to be about $20-$25 a day ($140-$180 p/w canadian)

    I eat organic for the most part and eat very well. It is important to me, but I don't eat out, don't drink, don't smoke. Never need to see a doc or other health practitioner so for me the long term benefits are well worth the extra cost.

    Oh and the peace of mind knowing that I am doing good both for my body and the envirnoment. Can't bet that!

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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    Somehow I manage 200$ every two weeks for me, hubby, and baby to eat off of. Then again it helps we shop at the commissary.

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    Veteran Member kermit210's Avatar
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    Here's what I do, but I am REAL anal about saving money, and it might be too involved for anyone less patient. First, I go through my local grocery stores weekly sale ad and make a list of everything on sale that I like. Then I cut all the coupons from the Sunday paper (I have a rolodex-like coupon saver) Then I see which items are on sale that I also have a coupon for. Then I plan a weeks worth of meals around those items. I also buy in bulk any meats I use if there's a killer sale, then freeze what I don't use. I save at least 30% every week on my grocery bill. Hope this is helpful.... Also, NEVER EVER go to the grocery store when you're hungry, you'll wind up with a ton of shit that's not on your list!
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  11. #11
    tampafldancer
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    great ideas, thanks!

    I think another problem i have is going out to eat! I do it at least once every other day (ok, maybe once a day)Its not really something i want to give up either!

    Bunny, quiznos has good salads? I usually go to atlanta bread company for lunch.



    I have another question. Im writing up a food budget, and i need to know what an average person spends a day for food? I spend probally 30 bucks at least..

  12. #12
    tampafldancer
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    Quote Originally Posted by kermit210
    Here's what I do, but I am REAL anal about saving money, and it might be too involved for anyone less patient. First, I go through my local grocery stores weekly sale ad and make a list of everything on sale that I like. Then I cut all the coupons from the Sunday paper (I have a rolodex-like coupon saver) Then I see which items are on sale that I also have a coupon for. Then I plan a weeks worth of meals around those items. I also buy in bulk any meats I use if there's a killer sale, then freeze what I don't use. I save at least 30% every week on my grocery bill. Hope this is helpful.... Also, NEVER EVER go to the grocery store when you're hungry, you'll wind up with a ton of shit that's not on your list!

    oh, good idea about the meats. I try and do that when i can!

    Also, i cut my coupons, and when i go to the store i end up getting everything else but what i have cut out! <roar!>

  13. #13
    tampafldancer
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    Also, sorry to bore you guys with all my posts!!

    Sometimes i will eat out at like ruby tuesdays or chillis, and have a chicken platter, with fresh veggies... and it costs about 8 bucks or so.
    I tried to make it at home and its not nearly as good, and i spent about 5 dollars making it! Sometimes i guess its worth the extra 3 bucks to eat out!?

  14. #14
    Senior Member tearstearstears's Avatar
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    A bag of brown rice, a big box of fruit and vegies and a tray of lamb chops comes to about $50AU for me and lasts me a week. I cook everything myself - soups, stir frys, salad, chops, lasgne, etc. I manage to spend less than $100AU on grocery shopping and eating out (sometimes i get a vegie burger or Subway) per week.

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    Veteran Member kermit210's Avatar
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    I manage to spend about 50 - 75 bucks a week to feed my boyfriend and myself, and we eat out at the most once a week. I cook the rest of the time. For everyone who loves eating out, check out www.restaraunt.com . They sell gift certificates to certain restaraunts for less than face value, so you can save a buttload of $$$. Just be sure to read the fine print, because the rules vary from restaraunt to restaraunt.
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    Veteran Member Celeste25's Avatar
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    If you have the time: save yourself a day to cook, make some recipes in big batches and freeze them. All you have to do is take them out when you're ready to eat! and here's a tip to avoid freezer burns; put a little flour in your tupperware and/or ziploc it will absorb all the humidity and your food will taste a lot fresher!!
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  17. #17
    tampafldancer
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    kermit.. 50-75 for two people!!! wow!!!

    MY so eats like twice what i do..

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    Veteran Member luckischalk's Avatar
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    I try to keep my budget under $250 a month on food. I usually eat out about 5-6 times a month. When I'm at home I save money by eating a lot of sandwiches (I love Boar's head) and eating whatever my boyfriend is cooking.

  19. #19
    Veteran Member kermit210's Avatar
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    Quote Originally Posted by Celeste25
    If you have the time: save yourself a day to cook, make some recipes in big batches and freeze them. All you have to do is take them out when you're ready to eat! and here's a tip to avoid freezer burns; put a little flour in your tupperware and/or ziploc it will absorb all the humidity and your food will taste a lot fresher!!
    Nice one, Celeste, I'm going to try that!
    I propose a toast - to my self control.... I see you crawling, helpless, on the floor.......
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    God/dess gypsy_girlchild's Avatar
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    I agree with the cook it yourself issue and freezing things. Stir fry is an easy way to make a lot of food that lasts for a little while... Make a meal in bulk that can be reheated and reused over and over again.
    Make sure you are cheking for expriration dates on everything to make sure it is the freshest and will last the longest. Plus, I make my own ised teas from tea packets, this saves hundreds on fluids since the water here is awful! So I have two different types of tea in my fridge everyday. (Non-caffinated, of course)
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    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    Quote Originally Posted by kermit210
    I manage to spend about 50 - 75 bucks a week to feed my boyfriend and myself, and we eat out at the most once a week. I cook the rest of the time. For everyone who loves eating out, check out www.restaraunt.com . They sell gift certificates to certain restaraunts for less than face value, so you can save a buttload of $$$. Just be sure to read the fine print, because the rules vary from restaraunt to restaraunt.
    Yes! That's great! My boyfriend has a local entertainment guide and we use it all the time! Just beware of the curse: many of the businesses that advertise in there for 2-4-1 meals are having trouble and may be out of business by the time you drive up. Ooooh, the curse lives!

    Our has great deals on lots of indian food places, which I love!

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    God/dess kitana's Avatar
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    If you really wanna save TONS of money on food; eat like a college student!

    You can buy a case of generic mac & cheese at Save-a-Lot for like $6. Then get your self around 30 packages of ramen noodles and maybe a few hot dogs.

    Volia! You have a whole months worth of food for about $15.

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    God/dess kitana's Avatar
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    No seriously, that above post of mine was partly a joke.

    If you really want to save, then buy "family" size meat and freeze it into smaller portions.

    Don't buy skinless boneless chicken breasts. Buy either whole chickens (about $2.50 each), or buy just the breasts. You can save money by skining and boning them yourself.

    Buy generics. I only buy name brand groceries (except for Mt. Dew, Charmin TP, and Miracle Whip) if they are on sale. Other than that, always generic.

    If you are not on a strict diet, then eat pasta. Spagetti noodles are very cheap and the Hunt's canned sauce is only about a buck around here.

    Surf the net for coupons from the companies themselves. I get dollar off 2 packs of smokes all the time. You can also sign up for some survey studies and they send you coupons too.
    Also go shopping on double coupon day.

    Check around for grocery stores that have house deals. The Sureway where I'm at has what they call a "VIP card", they do discounts on different goods every week. The only people who can get the discount are the ones with the cards. They are free for everyone to get one, and you can use coupons with the discount too.

    Example: I once got Miracle Whip (32oz. size) for $0.98 each. They were on the VIP sale and I had coupons.

    I saved like almost $2.00 each for them.

    Stop eating out, and watch more cooking shows, you will get good ideas for cheaper meals.

    The food channel always has at least one show a day on making cheaper meals. So do some of the web sites for some products.

    Good luck and get that spending down!

    Oh, I spend about $300 a month on food for the 3 of us.

    Add $50 more a month if we actually get to go on a date, LOL.

    Kitana
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    God/dess colleen's Avatar
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    I do the cooking in bulk thing, too. I pick a day about once a week and cook for the whoel week, and then some! I have a deep freeze and I buy stuff at the farmers market all summer and freeze it. REALLY easy!

    Since we don't eat meat, I save some money that way. Even if you are a dedicated carnivore, cutting meat out of a couple of meals a week will save money.

    I go to different sotres depending on what we need, and buy 2-3 weeks worth of whatever that store has the best deals on. For example, the local Sav-a-Lot has the best price on canned goods. So one week I go there and buy enough canned goods to last a few weeks. Trader Joe's has the best cereal prices, nuts, and cookies. So another week I go there and buy enough cereal, nuts and cookies to last a while. THat way I am always getting the best prices at each sotre, without having to go to EVERY store EVERY week.

    Also, when I see a goreat price on ANYTHING, I grab as much of it as I can reasonably afford.

    I cook large enough amounts that my husband has leftovers to take to work every day. ANd then I freeze the leftovers he doesn't eat right away. THat way when we go out to dinner and there nothing to make tomorrow's lunch out of, he will still have something.

    I make fresh bread from scratch in the bread machine. Total cost is about 1/5 what it would cost to buy bread already made from thje sotre. Never underestimat the power of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

    Dominick's grocery chain has $5 pizzas on Fridays. I ofetn buy 2, dress them up with veggies from the freezer and soem canned mushrooms and tomatoes, and then freeze one of them and bake the other. Also, myu local butcher (who had the best deal on cheese, go figure) sells pizza kits: crust, sauce, and cheese, separate and frozen, you just have to assemble them yourself. 3 medium pizza kits cost less than $6.

    I also keep an EMERGENCY can of coffee in the laundry room, in case we run out late at night and don't realize it. This saves us running to the conveieince store late at night to get coffee for morning.

    I keep a big bag of snacks (mostly junk food bestowed by Grandma) in my car for my kid to munch on. That way I don't ahve to stop and buy something wehnever he gets hungry. I also keep powere bars (bought in bulk) in my glove box to munch on the way home from work. Dancing makes me SOOO hungry!

    Do NOT buy anything at the convenience store unless itis Absolutely necessary!

    HOpe some of that helps you!


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  25. #25
    tampafldancer
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    Default Re: spend too much $$ on food?

    WOW! keep the ideas coming!!!

    Im not sure if we have the double coupon day here in tampa?

    I remember when i was little...my mom would take advantage of that..

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