How much do you spend?

[LaDeeDa]

hey there

for DF and I it's normally about $180 but that includes fruit and veg from the green grocer and also premium dog food.

[Kristin27]

We spend $180 - $200 per week, thats just for DH and I, but includes nappies etc for DD who is still breast fed.

We usually have meat and veg for dinner, and fruit for dessert. Ham and salad rolls for lunch. I also buy lots of yoghurt, eggs, museli bars and milk. DH goes to the gym a lot so I can never fill him up! I think we spend a fair bit on groceries but we're very healthy eaters so thats the price you have to pay.

[tiggerandpooh]

family of five here - and we spend between 200 - 250 a fortnight. I do all my shopping at aldi, we have a vege patch and two chickens. This amount doesnt include nappies - which I buy on special. menu plans are definately the way to go. I bake alot all so.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

We budget $100 per week - just DH and I - and thats for meat, veg, everything. I've found Good Taste and Super Food Ideas mags brilliant, they give you recipes and tell you how much it costs per serve.

I also just borrowed my sisters 4 ingerdients cookbook - unbelievably cheap and quick!

[Kazbah]

about $40/fortnight for meat (90g of meat is all a person needs per serve, about the size of your palm)
Around $30/week for fruit & veg (will be reducing when the veg patch producing again)
Around $30/fortnight for bread & dairy
Cleaning stuff around $10 / week (mostly laundry detergents as I use vinegar/lemon juice/bicarb etc for cleaning)
Personal hygeine - includng nappies - around $20/month (we use cloth nappies and I use cloth pads) Soaps I buy either moogoo ($4.95/bar) and cut in half and each half lasts a good while. Shampoo - moogoo again for DH & DS - I have samples I use when I feel like a change.

I don't buy biscuits, I do most of my own baking and don't buy soft drinks.
We have 4 chooks and sell the excess eggs @ work ($3.50/doz) which makes enough $$$ to pay for their feed.

Menu planning is the key. Most stuff I make I either freeze half for next week or use half as the base for another meal - eg snags & mashed potato, leftover potato is salmon patties tomorrow night. Roast meat - leftovers are in racehorses (thick batter with meat & veg) the next night. Roast veg - leftovers used in salad next night. Garden Salad - made without dressing and put in a bowl lined with paper towel - will last a couple of days.

Do a google search on "fixing dinner" tv show. They have great recipes that are easy and use leftovers etc to cut down on time & $$$.

[2girlz]

hey,
family of 4 including new born baby we spend around $200 a fortnight sometimes more and $200 every 2 months on meat we buy bulk from a butcher it works out sooo much cheaper

[queenbee]

meal planning is the key! i started today and we only spent $120 for the week! and that was bulk meat and fruit and veg plus other items. how good is that! our budget is $150 per week, how come i never meal planned before! DUH!

[Arimeh]

Eek.. I really should pull my finger out and start doing the menu planning again.. last shop cost me $300.. for THE WEEK.... (and we use cloth nappies too!!!)

[queenbee]

wow, $300! shoot woman! that is a big shop but normally it is when you have to buy personal items all at once, you know, deodorant, soap etc...and washing powder!

[Tinks]

I spend $200 a week! My kids eat me out of house and home.