Grocery Bills!

[Dooce83]

:wave: I'm looking to move out soon and am just wondering what average weekly grocery bills are for you single mummies and daddies? Especially for a one parent, one young child families?

If you are willing to go into more detail... what are the essentials you buy, and what are things you live without? Do you buy cheaper/no name brands to save money?

:hugs:

[tyler's mum]

I dont shop every week. On my small week i spend about $30, break, milk ect... Every2 weeks i spend about $100. Thats for me and tyler. I try to bulk buy when sales are on. When coke is on special. I buy extra, same as rice, toilet paper and so on.

I dont buy everythiong no name. Just look for the special's before i go shopping.

[Amberlea]

Normally - I'd spend around $150 for a major shop - every 3 weeks or so, and spend $50 each other week to replace the essentials like bread and milk.

I do my major shop through coles online - that way I can see it adding up as I go, and can get all the important things first before I reach my budget limit.
(plus then I dont have to carry it up my stairs, some nice man does it for me :D)

I could easily spend $300 + a week in shopping, but I obviously can't afford it lol.

[punkbaby]

when i was on my own with dd i used to spend about 50 a week wish i could do that now!!

[Noah_and_Elijah]

I spend $200 a fortnight but that also buys formula and nappies and we don't go without! :thumbsup:

[LilShenanigans]

Generally spend $100-$150 whenever we need to shop (usually 2-3 weeks). Some months I dont go shopping and spend $50-$100 on whats needed through out the month.

I buy meat in bulk and on special.. we tend to eat a lot more chicken over anything else, so thats a must have. Can usually save $5-$10 compared to most other places.

Bread and milk are essential, cheapest bread is alright (generic supermarket brand) but usually only lasts a day before it has to be used as toast. Sunblest is a go-er for me, typically the cheapest.
Milk I buy in 3ltr bottles, we get through it and usually only pay 30cents extra for another litre.

Nappies I always buy on sale. I tend to stick to snugglers (they work well for us), even at full price they are the cheapest. But I dont typically spend over $20 for a pack of 72, so I buy a couple each time they are on sale.
Wipes I buy in bulk (big huggies pack) and dont pay full price for them either. Very rarely will buy the smaller packs but only if it works out to be as cheap or cheaper then the bulk on sale. I save about $3-$5 each time... and buy a few each time also.

Generic brands are ok, I've tried a few but have found I'm more likely to buy things like aluminum, glad wrap, rice and frozen chips (im just lazy lol) in home brand. Other food items I've tried and have noticed a big taste difference.

Toilet paper is bulk, 12 pack... never spend over $5 for a 12 pack. It's a rule I have and dont seem to have any problems with keeping it.

Detergent no more then a $1 per litre. Shampoo/conditioner always on sale (I like a pricey brand myself, so thats really my one splurge...).
I like buying little sauces to go with dinner, they are usually down the bottom of the bloody shelves, but cost about 90cents lol
Oh margarine is cheap generic brand, no dif to me lol
Washing detergent I can generally get for $2-$2.50 for 2 litres, always on sale and buy a few.

Um definately shop around, let your letterbox be accepting of catalogues lol
As mentioned by Tam, coke on special lol It's my absolute weakness and even something as simple as that can be : $19.90 at Franklins, $16.90 at Coles or $12.30 at Woolworths!(30 pack)...
I do get catalogues every week, I am kind of lucky to have coles, woolworths and Aldi all near eachother, but sometimes its ok to take the extra journey.

Aldi can be good at times, but I very rarely go. I do kind of like their cleaning products, and if nothing is on sale then they are generally cheaper.

It's also interesting to join up to loyalty clubs. I'm with franklins and have a nice little collection going which if it ever comes up, I have a few bucks in vouchers I can spend there.
On that topic, I am also part of chemist club where I earn dollars on what I spend... and ultimately I will always have to buy something at the chemist!!
Personally havent been there much myself, but already have about $15 on that account which is good.

Um, sorry to ramble... :o

[lovingmotheract]

every 2 weeks i spend about 120 and this is coz i get big roasts and cut them up so i have to or get a very big beef roast and cut it up any thing.

[SimplyMum]

Generally spend $100-$150 whenever we need to shop (usually 2-3 weeks). Some months I dont go shopping and spend $50-$100 on whats needed through out the month.

I buy meat in bulk and on special.. we tend to eat a lot more chicken over anything else, so thats a must have. Can usually save $5-$10 compared to most other places.

Bread and milk are essential, cheapest bread is alright (generic supermarket brand) but usually only lasts a day before it has to be used as toast. Sunblest is a go-er for me, typically the cheapest.
Milk I buy in 3ltr bottles, we get through it and usually only pay 30cents extra for another litre.

Nappies I always buy on sale. I tend to stick to snugglers (they work well for us), even at full price they are the cheapest. But I dont typically spend over $20 for a pack of 72, so I buy a couple each time they are on sale.
Wipes I buy in bulk (big huggies pack) and dont pay full price for them either. Very rarely will buy the smaller packs but only if it works out to be as cheap or cheaper then the bulk on sale. I save about $3-$5 each time... and buy a few each time also.

Generic brands are ok, I've tried a few but have found I'm more likely to buy things like aluminum, glad wrap, rice and frozen chips (im just lazy lol) in home brand. Other food items I've tried and have noticed a big taste difference.

Toilet paper is bulk, 12 pack... never spend over $5 for a 12 pack. It's a rule I have and dont seem to have any problems with keeping it.

Detergent no more then a $1 per litre. Shampoo/conditioner always on sale (I like a pricey brand myself, so thats really my one splurge...).
I like buying little sauces to go with dinner, they are usually down the bottom of the bloody shelves, but cost about 90cents lol
Oh margarine is cheap generic brand, no dif to me lol
Washing detergent I can generally get for $2-$2.50 for 2 litres, always on sale and buy a few.

Um definately shop around, let your letterbox be accepting of catalogues lol
As mentioned by Tam, coke on special lol It's my absolute weakness and even something as simple as that can be : $19.90 at Franklins, $16.90 at Coles or $12.30 at Woolworths!(30 pack)...
I do get catalogues every week, I am kind of lucky to have coles, woolworths and Aldi all near eachother, but sometimes its ok to take the extra journey.

Aldi can be good at times, but I very rarely go. I do kind of like their cleaning products, and if nothing is on sale then they are generally cheaper.

It's also interesting to join up to loyalty clubs. I'm with franklins and have a nice little collection going which if it ever comes up, I have a few bucks in vouchers I can spend there.
On that topic, I am also part of chemist club where I earn dollars on what I spend... and ultimately I will always have to buy something at the chemist!!
Personally havent been there much myself, but already have about $15 on that account which is good.

Um, sorry to ramble... :o


Extreamly helpful. Thanks.

Loyalty clubs? Where do I find out about those?

Similary to the op, I am moving out in 2 days and the grocery bill worrys my some what. Mainly because I've been living with my parents for 2-3 years and may/have gotten use to luxuries like brand name food etc...

My mum has told me a few things to keep in mind...

Try the no-name brands- they MIGHT taste the same or you might be better off sticking to brand name

Washing up liquid- better going for Morning fresh as you only need a tiny bit to wash up in and it lasts ages

Make your own pasta sauces. Flour, butter and milk is the basis for any white sauce.

Buy in bulk- Definatley with washing powder. They buy a15kg pack (whatever is on special) and save at least $5 each time.

Buy whatever's on special in bulk and keep doing this every shop week. This wil take time to work up a supply and than have money to buy in bulk.

Good luck.

[tyler's mum]

There are some things i dont like in no name. Such as cheese, paste sauce, toilet paper. I do look for special in catalogues. You can normally get things cheaper if buy 2. Like last week coles had 2 x paste sauce (leggos) Buy 2 for $5.

I now buy nappies from Aldi. $16 for 52 (something like that) Last me a fornite since im tt now. There mince is $11 for 2kgs, Frozen vegs big bag is $3.

It pays to look around. Once you get use to it. You just learn to know where to go for things, I never shop around untill i had tyler. I can believe how much money i use to waste:rolleyes:

Im also in the baby club at my chemist. For every dollor you spend you get a point. I didnt know shops did it. But thanks to Erin i noe do. Something i will look into

[LilShenanigans]

Loyalty clubs are great, its always worth just asking staff "what are you doing to keep me coming back?" lol

The usual stuff like coles/bilo using fly buys are all good and well, but you'd need about 10,000 points before it even mattered to you. But hey if nobody else you know has flybuys, get 3 cards for the same account and get others to use it!! My mum makes a killing at kmart lol

Franklins has a loyalty club, quite new. Either sign up online in their website (choosing local store) or go up to their service desk and ask to sign up. 2000 points = $20 voucher etc. Don't think other supermarkets can or have really matched that.

Chemist one depends on store, we have several in the one complex so all vying for customers. Worth checking around as the club I am part of seems to be selective yet all over the place?

I think every store will have reward programs, they will always be free to join! I find it easier to just join the ones I am regularly at, unless the savings are beneficial to me (i.e. spotlight lol).


Make your own pasta sauces. Flour, butter and milk is the basis for any white sauce.
lol Just warning, don't be scared if it starts to look like goo hehehe
My fav recipe is left over spagh bog in a dish(layered) with that sauce(with cheese) over the top... mmmm

Oh and on topic of sauces, Sour cream! Sour cream, worcetshire sauce and garlic = basic diane sauce. Sour cream, mustard, honey = honey mustard lol
Oh and Worcetshire sauce and Soy(little bit) makes a decent stir fry sauce.

Anyone else notice I am motivated by food?:o lol

[meagan17]

After reading your posts I am speachless on how little everyone spends on shopping !!!
I how ever went to safeway 13 days ago and spent $511.63 dollars on shopping hoping this would last a month Well NO it hasn't even last 2 weeks I had to go to the shops last night and now have to go tomorrow to do another big shop because we now have nothing to eat

lets just say that we went though 30 apples, Kilo banana's, 7 loaf's of bread, 3 boxes of cereal and I dont let my kids eat anytime they want we have sit down time The older ones take lunch to school and dont eat junk
I guess I should start buying in bulk (well more than I thought) anyone know of a bulk place to buy from around the Mornington peninsula
Thanks

[Dooce83]

Wow thanks for all the replies, just started to read through them and Evie has woken up but I'll come back soon and read them!! Thanks heaps!! It will all really help me work out my budgets etc :thumbsup:

[SimplyMum]

lol Just warning, don't be scared if it starts to look like goo hehehe
My fav recipe is left over spagh bog in a dish(layered) with that sauce(with cheese) over the top... mmmm

Oh and on topic of sauces, Sour cream! Sour cream, worcetshire sauce and garlic = basic diane sauce. Sour cream, mustard, honey = honey mustard lol
Oh and Worcetshire sauce and Soy(little bit) makes a decent stir fry sauce.

Anyone else notice I am motivated by food?:o lol

Just wrote these down! thanks.

Can't half tell Erin!

[oleander]

I spend about $150 on average per week which includes nappies. I have my brother staying here atm so I have to buy a lit extra lately.

I buy toilet paper, nappies, washing powder in bulk when it's on special.

[lovingmotheract]

, Sour cream! Sour cream, worcetshire sauce and garlic = basic diane sauce.

my diane is cream tomato sauce worcetshire and garlic

[LilShenanigans]

my diane is cream tomato sauce worcetshire and garlic

Thats interesting, never could imagine putting tomato sauce in, but might give it a try next time I make it! lol

[SweetSerenity]

To be honest, I only buy what I can afford....

Some weeks Ill spend $50 or less... we buy the very basics and thankfully we both loves pastas etc... Very occassionally I can do a decent shop for about $140... but very rarely!

This is why I want to go back to work...I have to sacrifice on our grocery shops just to pay bills, quite sad!

[Issey]

On average I think I am spending about $100 per week (although this week I have spend $150!), I have a cat and a dog as well. Cat is about $5 per week and dog $20.

I buy things on special but don't skimp on what I really like, such as nice cracker barrell cheese, chocolate :rolleyes:, coffee, toilet paper, huggies nappies but when on special. I buy marked down meat and vegies at the market.

I make soups alot as that is all that I can get DS to eat for tea which includes vegies.

I like the 'sauce' recipe someone mentioned :thumbsup:

[Dooce83]

Thanks everyone, this is brilliant, and by the looks of it, shopping will be cheaper than i thought.

Amberlea I love your idea of shopping at coles online, so there's no surprise bills at the end and I could take things out that aren't necessary if i was going over what I could afford :)

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[yummymummy]

I spend about 100 per week on groceries, but that includes nappies and wipes. I take my own lunch to work every day as well to save money, even my own can of Diet Coke as well. I dont eat at home every night though.