12/14/2023 0 Comments Average grocery cost per month for 2![]() I frequently look at the price per ounce of an item and buy a larger/smaller size to get the more cost-effective deal. I meal plan with a focus on being budget-conscious.Now I usually use them for health & beauty goods, which is outside the scope of this post. I like coupons (a lot) but haven’t used them a lot lately for food.Have a specific shopping list of items, and usually stay on track with the grocery list, maybe add 1-2 things that weren’t on the list into my cart.I would say that I am a fairly frugal shopper in that I try and save money by planning before I go to the grocery store, and while I’m shopping I do have some tricks & tips up my sleeve! I worked in grocery for six years so I know how to save money at the grocery store, despite flashy marketing and product placement! Specialty store (New Seasons Market) for 5% of my trips.Regular grocery store (Kroger) for about 10% of my trips.Big box store (Target) for about 25% of my groceries.Discount warehouse (Winco) for 60% of my shopping trips.I do 99% of the grocery shopping for our family. NOTE: for updated 2022 numbers, we should fall between $724.90 – $1091.30 according to this updated chart. ![]() So we “should” fall between $482 – $1,138 a month. Yet, many financial experts agree on the 10-15% for the average household grocery budget, but there is usually an additional category for “entertainment” that dining out could fit in under. So either the USDA is out of touch in their grocery spending, or Dave Ramsey’s budget recommendations are off. That’s a big disconnect there’s no getting around the guidelines vs. ![]() So instead of spending $7,080, they should be paying only $2,650 – $3,975 on their groceries. That’s a far cry to the “thrifty” food plan laid out by the USDA. While the recognized amount that people “should” spend on food, according to budget & debt pro-Dave Ramsey budget percentage is 10% – 15%. $7,080 annual thrifty food budget for 4 people = 27% of their annual budget Consider that 11.7% of Americans are living in poverty, let’s look at their food budget. We talked above about if the food guideline is appropriate and relevant in today’s society. Grocery spending for families living in poverty: We’ll take a look at how this matches up with the recommended spending on groceries below… While the US Dept of Health & Human Services states that the poverty guidelines for families are… The focus of this post isn’t to debate healthy food choices, but it’s important to acknowledge the problems that we as a whole American society face.Īccording to Forbes, In November of 2020, the US poverty rate rose to 11.7%. For example, a child’s only access to fresh fruit may be going to the corner convenience store, having the option of buying a 4-day old banana that costs $1, or all the prepacked shelf-stable snacks galore for $.65 These deserts are usually either extremely rural or impoverished inner-city areas. For example, food desert areas are notorious for being very expensive, with little to show for it.Īccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), food deserts are “areas that lack access to affordable fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk, and other foods that make up the full range of a healthy diet.” If you find yourself living in an extreme area, this recommended spending on groceries wouldn’t be enough. When would this food budget be out of line?
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