Let’s talk about grocery budgets.
MANY factors play into what a family spends on groceries. Your location is a big factor, because some areas are very expensive to live in and buy food in. The amount of people you are feeding, and their ages, the types of foods you buy, your style of cooking, current season (store sale cycles, in season produce, etc.), if you opt for all organic or follow special diets, and how much time you have available for meal prep_… All play into your grocery budget.
I live in Michigan, and am feeding a family of 9 – 2 adults and 7 farm kids. This includes 5 boys and a teen girl – but to be fair, most are under the age of 10, so they only eat about half an elephant each at a time (they are extremely active, so they do eat quite a bit… They are always running, biking, climbing, building, or helping around the farm). There is also a baby, who isn’t eating very many solids for the moment – he just gets unseasoned bits of this and that from my plate at the moment. I am fully aware that as the kids get older, they will eat more and more. That’s one reason we purchased a farm – so we could continue to feed the kids a healthy diet without having to sacrifice in other areas. We outgrew our backyards ability to feed us in the city, and decided it was time to take the plunge that we had talked about for over 10 years. While I do enjoy cooking, I don’t have unlimited time to be able to do it. We homeschool and run the farm and that takes up a huge chunk of time so I have learned how to make the best use of our time without caving to convenience.
Some disclosures: We have no food restrictions, but healthy is always my goal with some splurging on homemade goodies. I don’t do fully organic when we have to purchase from the store, but my garden is. Right now, 90% of our fresh, canned and frozen produce is organic from our garden. I am not a fan of convenience foods, even though they are cheap, so we rarely buy them (plus, to feed a family my size it becomes cheaper just to cook a meal vs. feed them from canned goods because you end up having to buy so many to fill all these tummies). I don’t coupon. I used to, but after doing it for a while I realized it took up a lot of time but even more important we would have to buy name brand, or items that we don’t typically buy to get the savings. I rarely, if ever, found coupons for the basic, raw ingredients that we typically purchase. No, we don’t live on cheap ramen. We eat real, healthy, filling food.
Our budget tends to shock people, but I am hoping to write up a little about what we do/did to keep it low (I really didn’t think it was considered “low,” but after seeing what some people do spend – double and triple what we do for smaller families, I suppose it is low). We usually got by between $400-$500 per month on the high end – and that shrinks quite a bit through the late summer, fall and winter. Right now that is a modest amount for our family of 9 and includes stocking up on items as well as buying in bulk because at the moment, our farm is feeding us quite a bit! This is food only and does not take into account animal feed, toiletries, or anything outside of that. There have been months that we have only had $200 or so to get by on for food, and we made it happen.
We currently live on a farm, and have our own eggs, milk, vegetables, duck, rabbit, turkey and chicken. We make maple syrup in the spring, forage all year for wild edibles, grow a large garden, hunt in the fall and have fruit trees. We put a couple pigs in the freezer this past January and plan to do pigs again. While all of this does make a very large dent in our grocery budget now, it hasn’t always been like this. The things that we have done to keep the grocery budget affordable will not focus on farming because I know not everyone can, or wants, to live this lifestyle. Maybe those things will be in a future blog post about the many ways you can grow your own food.
Please feel free to share your own ideas as they relate to the tip posted. I would love to learn from you and would hope that my tips might help you as well.
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 20 – Challenge Yourself
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 19 – Keep an Inventory
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 18 – Meal Plan
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 17 – Keep Track of Unused Food
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 16 – Keep A Master Grocery Shopping List
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 15 – Make Use of Leftovers
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 14 – Keep a Price Book
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 13 – Grow a Garden
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 12 – I cut out convenience
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 11 – We do some meatless meals
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 10 – We Can, Dehydrate & Freeze Food
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 9 – We Shop Once a Month
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 8 – We Stock Up
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 7 – We Cook In Different Ways
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 6 – I Cook in Bulk
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 5 – We Don’t Eat Out
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 4 – We Use Simple Ingredients
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 3 – Cook From Scratch (FREE EBOOK)
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 2 – Make Do Without
- Grocery Budget Tips: Tip 1 – Shopping & Buying in Bulk
- Grocery Budget Tips: Introduction
Thank you for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your next write ups thank you once again.
It’s really a great and useful piece of information. I am happy that you just shared this useful info with us.
Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for
sharing.
Hello! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 3gs!
Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts!
Carry on the great work!
Hi there very nice blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Superb ..
I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?
I’m happy to find numerous useful info right here in the post, we want develop extra techniques
in this regard, thank you for sharing. . .
. . .
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for Small Business Trends
That is a very good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
Simple but very accurate information… Thank you for sharing this one.
A must read post!
This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post.
Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!
This information is worth everyone’s attention. When can I find out
more?
Hi, I desire to subscribe for this web site to get newest updates, therefore where
can i do it please assist.
I must thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this blog. I’m hoping to view the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal blog now 😉
I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and
amusing, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head.
The issue is something that too few folks are speaking intelligently about.
I am very happy that I found this in my search for something regarding this.
Just desire to say your article is as astounding. The clearness in your
post is just spectacular and that i could think
you are knowledgeable on this subject. Fine along with
your permission let me to grab your feed to stay updated with coming near near post.
Thank you one million and please continue the gratifying work.
Thanks very nice blog!
Hey There. I found your blog the use of msn. That is
a very neatly written article. I will make sure to bookmark it
and come back to read more of your useful information.
Thank you for the post. I will definitely comeback.
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will
bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I am quite sure
I will learn many new stuff right here! Best
of luck for the next!
My relatives all the time say that I am wasting my time here at net, except I know I
am getting familiarity every day by reading thes pleasant posts.
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much.
I hope to give something back and help others like you aided
me.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.
I do not know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉
Cheers!
Hi! Quick question that’s entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
My blog looks weird when browsing from my iphone 4.
I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might
be able to correct this problem. If you have any suggestions, please share.
Many thanks!
We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
Your website offered us with valuable info to work on. You’ve done
a formidable job and our entire community will be thankful to
you.
Good post. I am dealing with some of these issues as well..
I’ve been browsing on-line more than three hours lately, yet I by no means found any fascinating article like yours.
It’s lovely value enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers
made just right content as you probably did, the web will probably be much more helpful than ever before.
Your style is so unique compared to many other people. Thank you for publishing when you have the opportunity,Guess I will just make this bookmarked.2
What i do not realize is if truth be told how you’re not really much more neatly-appreciated than you might be now You’re so intelligent You know therefore considerably on the subject of this topic, made me personally imagine it from a lot of various angles Its like men and women aren’t involved until it is something to do with Lady gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent Always handle it up!
I do agree with all of the ideas you’ve presented in your post. They are very convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are too short for novices. Could you please extend them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.
I like the efforts you have put in this, appreciate it for all the great content.
Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I am very glad to see such fantastic information being shared freely out there.
Hello there, I found your blog via Google while looking for a related topic, your website came up, it looks great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hey there would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with? I’m planning to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a hard time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
Very good blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any ideas? Many thanks!
Sight Care reviews
Fit spresso review
Thank you, I’ve recently been searching for information approximately this subject for ages and yours is the best I have discovered till now. However, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?
Cellu care reviews
Lottery defeater system reviews
Sight Care reviews
Fitspresso
Sight care review
Nano defense pro
I genuinely enjoy reading through on this site, it contains wonderful posts. “You should pray for a sound mind in a sound body.” by Juvenal.
Fitspresso review
Fit spresso stands as a scientifically validated weight loss formula intricately crafted from potent ingredients, aimed at enhancing the body’s metabolic functions. Tailored to support the circadian rhythm and ignite the fat-burning process, this supplement is conveniently available in edible pill form for daily consumption.
Lottery defeater software is a tool that uses algorithms or specific strategies to predict lottery numbers, aiming to give users an edge in picking winning numbers. The software usually claims to analyze patterns in previous lottery draws to help users select numbers that are more likely to come up in future draws.
Cellucare review
Sumatra Slim Belly Tonic
Lottery defeater review
Fitspresso reviews
Fitspresso review
Fitspresso review
Lottery defeater software reviews
Lottery defeater review
Opini pix paga
Opinipix paga
Ikaria Lean Belly Juice review
Fitspresso
Fitspresso reviews
Fitspresso reviews
Fitspresso review
Dentavim review
Fitspresso review
Fitspresso reviews
Fitspresso is a brand-new natural weight loss aid designed to work on the root cause of excess and unexplained weight gain. The supplement uses an advanced blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support healthy weight loss by targeting the fat cells’ circadian rhythm
Fitspresso review
Fitspresso review
Fitspresso
Hey! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Many thanks
Fitspresso
Fitspresso review
Fitspresso
Ikaria juice
Zencortex review
Lottery defeater software
Neotonics gummies reviews
Sightcare review
Dentavim
I think other web-site proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and excellent user genial style and design, as well as the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
Lottery defeater system review
Sight care review
Pineal XT reviews
Neotonics gummies reviews
Fitspresso review
Kerassentials
Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
Fitspresso reviews
Fitspresso
sugar defender benefits
Great V I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related information ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task..
Cellucare reviews
Fitspresso
sugar defender ingredients
Wonderful web site. Lots of useful information here. I am sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks for your effort!
Fitspresso reviews
Java Burn review
Fitspresso review
Fitspresso is a brand-new natural weight loss aid designed to work on the root cause of excess and unexplained weight gain. The supplement uses an advanced blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support healthy weight loss by targeting the fat cells’ circadian rhythm
Fitspresso reviews
Fitspresso
Fitspresso review
Javaburn reviews
SUGAR DEFENDER 24
TONIC GREENS
sugar defender supplement
Lottery defeater system
Fitspresso
Fitspresso review
Fitspresso review
Sightcare
Pura vive review
Lottery defeater system review
Neotonics gummies review
Fitspresso review
Heya i’m for the primary time here. I found this board and I find It truly helpful & it helped me out a lot. I’m hoping to provide something again and aid others such as you aided me.
Fitspresso
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
LOTTERY SOFTWARE REVIEW
LOTTERY DEFEATER SOFTWARE REVIEWS
Nanodefense
Pura vive
THE GROWTH MATRIX REVIEW
Fitspresso is a brand-new natural weight loss aid designed to work on the root cause of excess and unexplained weight gain. The supplement uses an advanced blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support healthy weight loss by targeting the fat cells’ circadian rhythm
NITRIC BOOST ULTRA REVIEWS
Neotonics gummies reviews
PROVADENT REVIEWS
Lift detox caps
provadent reviews
SYNC
DENTITOX
TONIC GREENS REVIEWS
PROVADENT
FITSPRESSO REVIEW
LIPOZEM REVIEWS
PROVADENT REVIEWS
Lottery defeater software review
SUGAR DEFENDER REVIEW
PURDENTIX REVIEW
The genius wave software
LOTTERY DEFEATER SOFTWARE REVIEWS
Sight care review
Excellent post. I was checking constantly this weblog and I am inspired! Very useful information specifically the closing part 🙂 I handle such information much. I used to be seeking this particular info for a very lengthy time. Thanks and best of luck.
ZENCORTEX REVIEWS
The genius wave software
you’re truly a good webmaster. The site loading speed is amazing. It seems that you’re doing any distinctive trick. Furthermore, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve done a great activity in this topic!
Lottery defeater software reviews
Thankyou for this post, I am a big big fan of this internet site would like to go along updated.
Simply wish to say your article is as surprising. The clarity in your post is simply great and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work.