4+ children - Grocery Budget.

[KarniF00l]

Hi larger families

Just wondering if you stick to a grocery shopping budget and if it's not too rude to ask, how much do you put away per week ?

Thanks in advance!

[FourAngelKisses]

I don't have 4 just yet, but I am predicting that ours will be up around $180-200 once I have this baby.

[eternalmaternal]

Since we don't need nappies,wipes,formula and I am a vegie we usually get what we need for $160ish prob need to add a little to that as I often need a few trips to the shops between the groceries though:p .

[PunkyDiva]

5 children, 3 of whom are teenagers and 2 adults I can feed well for $160 per week including all household necessities ie toiletries, rabbit food etc.

It is hard but I start by making a list and putting a max price that I would expect to pay beside each item. I keep the special catalogues and usually go to 2 different supermarkets for specials(in the same street though so no extra petrol)
I've found a big fruit, vege and meat barn that if I go late on a Sat reduces prices as they are closed Sun and Mon.
Yesterday I spent $40 on meat getting 8 meals worth of lamb, steak, and chicken.
I also buy boxes of fruit/vege's for $4-5 from there rather then smaller expensive supermarket quantities.
If my budget is a bit larger I will buy organic local fruit and veg at the sunday markets here.

Recent studies have shown that other then broccolli frozen vege's can actually have better nutrient quantity and quality because supermakets buy unripe stuff and gas/treat it to extend shelf life whereas frozen is snap frozen at time of picking sealing in and maintaining nutrients. I know it's not the same as fresh but can cut shopping costs substantially as long as you have freezer space.

I do a lot of baking of bread, biscuits, rolls, cakes etc which makes another substantial saving and because I like to know exactly what's in our food.

[tanni_83]

Yesterday I spent $40 on meat getting 8 meals worth of lamb, steak, and chicken.
.

wow that is amazing!! :yes:

[PunkyDiva]

wow that is amazing!! :yes:

Yep, I usually budget $10 a meal for meat so this cut it in half.

[SamanthaJane]

Obviously i don't have 4 kids.... lol but i asked my parents who did had 4 kids and they said they always ended up spending around $250 on a weekly shop, but then about $50 - $100 throughout the rest of the week for other things (like more fresh bread, milk, meat, fruit and vegies etc etc) So it ended up being between $300 and $400 max.

Mum said she found alot of the money went into things like cleaning products, toilet paper, and other toiletries. They had the money to spend but she said she thinks she could have cut it down to less than $200 week if they had a smaller income. By buying home brand, less of this, less of that etc.

[KarniF00l]

Thanks for replying everyone.

SJ - thats what we spend atm, give or take. I honestly think it's a bit much tbh so that's why i put up this poll to see what the average large family spent p/w. Now that i have a rough idea what other families spend i'll see if can atleast try and match that and hopefully save a fair bit. Obviously it's achievable seeing as though others do it.

[Mumof6]

I spend about 260. This was including formula, and nappies.

[Jodiee]

I have 4 kids of my own, 1 half time dsd at the moment, that is, lol..

I dont really know, for sure, but Id say around the $150- $200.. I could very easily drop this, say if we have a bad week, I make biscuits, good week, I buy them.. bad week, I get big bags of chips for school, good, they get the multi packs, it just depends..

For example, tonight is takeaway night, but we are getting ready for hospital, and pretty flat, trying to get some extra $$ in bank so DH doesnt have to worry iykwim, so I spent $7 on ingredients and make chow mein, and saved about $30..
I also did the kids school lunches, 3 in schoo, and 1 in kindy, for $20, including fruit, sangas, chips, biscuits, cakes, jellies, etc, etc.

I reckon I could get it down to around $130 if need be, but my DSD isnt fed when not here (looong story), so she makes up for it when she is, and eats more than all of us put together, like 6 sandwiches for lunch, etc, etc, so I have to accomodate for her also..

[gowiththeflow]

Hi, I have 4 growing boys (and DH) with healthy appetites, 11, 11 and 7yo twins and a six week old daughter. Currently for the 7 of us our weekly shop is below $300. (No formula, using diposable nappies and cloth). It does mean I go to a number of different shops, ie, two different supermarkets, greengrocers, butcher/poultry shop, but it is possible to be economical, using specials to an advantage. I find that my problem is that if I need an item thru the week, I tend to leave with more than that item. I need to exercise better self control!!:banghead:

[MummyCharmzy]

gee theres some expensive grocery bills!!

Weekly we spend with meat at MOST $120, usually $100 and thats for me, DP and 4 kids - incl SS who is with us all of the time except 3 weekends (so 6 days) a month... so def eats his share as well!! That also includes formula for one, wipes for 3 and disposables for DS overnight.

[eternalmaternal]

Grocery prices are different depending on where you live too:thumbsdown: We live where housing is cheaper but food and fuel cost more iykwim:rolleyes:

[FourAngelKisses]

Grocery prices are different depending on where you live too:thumbsdown: We live where housing is cheaper but food and fuel cost more iykwim:rolleyes:

Yep, same here, plus we have to make a 90km return trip to get both food and petrol.

[rollercoastermum]

I generally spend $200 per week including meat and vegies.
I am so so trying to get into the hang of buying my meat in bulk!!
I know it will be easier if I do this but it is just getting into the habit!

[mumo5]

hey guys. I have 5 kids plus 2 adults and 2 dogs in my house and we would do a weeks grocery shop on $70 up to $100. ( Because we have to) mind you that's alot of mince meals. It's amazing how creative you can be with mince. oh and i find for the working man who loves his steak... They love a good steak casserole.. (good old chuck steak/gravy beef) I shop at bi-low and I tell you all now that their own brand is just as good if not better than the big name brands. I never look at the specials brochures as I find if I go to several different shops then I get too much and find that I leave with things I could have done without and forget the things I need. I get a weeks worth of meat from the local budget butcher and leave with a weeks worth of meat for round $55 dollars. (And it's not all mince by the way) Wtih the mince I usually get 1 or 2 kilos and make rissoles, chilli con carne and maybe spag bol or sheppards pie. anyway listen to me:ecomcity: Sorry guys.. But I hope I helped.

[QTB]

ok, well i dont have lots of kiddies yet, but i have my DH, DS, 2 teenagers and a baby and me all living here too. so for 6 people including nappies and wipes for 2 our shopping bill is between $100-$200 a week, including what extras we buy during the week.

[mummyof5]

I would spend around $200 a week at present, including nappies and wipes for 2 (4 year old will be in nappies for some time yet probably), meat and vege, and top ups of fresh food, milk and bread through the week. It varies form f/n to f/n depending on wether staples need replenishing or not.
Find some of the most expensive things to be cereal, fruit and lunch box stuffers.

[Merlion]

My best friends SIL has 6 kids and one on the way (2 sets of twins, two singles and another on the way (she had her tubes tied 3 years ago and she fell pregnant). They live on a massive rural property where they grow their own veges and fruit. They spend between $180-$200 for other things

[DJWebb]

We budget $300.00 a week..somtimes we spend a little less and somtimes we spend more..it all depends..and thats including diapers and wipes..That is for Me, Dh and 4 kids..

[cackleberry]

This is an interesting thread. Something that i've been thinking a lot about lately. We have always bought the bare minimum and tried to stick to around $150-$200 per week. But last week, I spent $300!! I was so sick of trying to be careful, so I thought bugger it! The only difference was is that I bought more healthier foods like vegies, fruit and less packaged foods. I do have a pantry full of essential items now that should last, so next shop shouldn't be as expensive. I hope....