Budgeting for food

[o2bnocn]

Budgeting for food is the hardest thing to budget for in my opinion. What about you?

[Skyenkit]

It is hard for me too. I love cooking and my husband don't like to eat same foods in a row. Leftovers ended up ruined. It is hard to estimate good for two foods and its always have leftovers.

[sak4kat]

Budgeting for food is one of the things I am most good at.  I've $19 - $30 per pound.  One thing I've done in the past is get a group of home cooks together... everyone brings there spices and odd's and end pantry items (ie: tapioca starch) Bring empty baby food jars, baggies etc... and measuring tools.  Trade with each other.  It sounds nuts but it really does help save money and add some more flavor to foods that would other wise be bland and boring. 

[braggin]

We gave up on budgeting for food a long time ago. Now we just buy whatever we feel like eating (that's good for us, of course!) and we budget other things around that. We think food is the most important item we buy in life and everything else should take a back seat to that.

[sherryinutah]

I think it's a matter of understanding that food is a necessity and a priority.  The dilemma, I experience, is whether or not to use my coupons or buy healthy food that might cost more.  I think I'm learning to be selective about which coupons I clip and use so I won't invest in something just because it seems to be a good deal.

 

[Dynamite2013]

I budget pretty good I think. what I do is put a certain amount away for the food purchase and if there is anything left over I save it for the next week. I also buy backup since I don't go out if it is bad weather or too cold. I love to cook so I don't buy ready made foods, except for stuffing mix and mac and cheese. I make my own potatoes by slices and season them put them in the oven for an hour much better than french fries and healthier also. I rarely cook on top of the stove the oven is the healthiest. Chicken, steak, pork chops, etc. I try to eat fresh veggies from the garden but when not available I have to buy in the store or use the ones in the can.  some weeks I spend $50 and some more, but it depends on what we need.

[lguzman1]

I understand, It's very hard. Right now we are struggling and food is in it's lowest ever in my home.

[melissaotto1982]

It is hard. We try to stick to $100 a week and it never fails that we end up closer to $150-200.

[quietpal]

I'm learning to plan more and make more meals around the sale items in the circular. Using coupons has been a big help for us also, but I'm selective about which ones to use. There are many websites that have coupon matchups, so that helps me to know which items are good deals and which ones aren't. Making a list is also helpful as long as I stick to it. 

[nannycoe1]

Groceries get more expensive every week. It is hard to stay on budget with food.

[bonzie]

I agree with you. We are trying to not waste or throw away left over, we can a lot of money by doing it. And we eat beans, its healthy and cheap.

[mrisha]

Trying to budget for food is really impossible.  One store usually have higher prices than the other or the store that you usually shop at prices have increased.  You have to eat so you do the best that you can.