Do people have enough to eat in America?

[tzhu07]

I recently signed up with Mint.com to keep track of my personal finances, and I was sad to see that by default the site budgets only $200 per month per person for groceries.

Wow, really? I regularly consume ~$350-400 per month on groceries for myself, and I don't typically purchase fancy stuff, nor do I shop at Whole Foods. I'm also not an athlete, or have anything in my lifestyle that would make me consume more food than the typical person.

I do live in Seattle, so the cost of living is higher. But that shouldn't account for a $150-200 increase.

I hope all of you here are doing alright. Take care.

[tahdizzle]

For just myself, if I prepare food at home then I probably spend 75 bucks a month on food.

BUT thats boring. And that bacon insider just looks so darn tastey!

[Calum]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

For just myself, if I prepare food at home then I probably spend 75 bucks a month on food.

BUT thats boring. And that bacon insider just looks so darn tastey!

If I only ate two meals a day, and had kraft dinner for both, and bought the KD on sale, I MIGHT be able to only spend $75 a month. Actually, no I wouldn't, I'd need to add milk and butter. My family of four spends $900 - $1100 a month for groceries. We've looked at shaving it down and we could take out maybe $100/month without sacrificing nutrition but then we wouldn't have any joy in our meals and it's just not worth it.

What do you eat for so little?

[husker741]

Yes.

[Shagaliscious]

I don't think the cost of living here is that high, and I spend at least $300/month on groceries, just for myself. I also don't eat that much.

[tahdizzle]

Originally Posted by Calum

If I only ate two meals a day, and had kraft dinner for both, and bought the KD on sale, I MIGHT be able to only spend $75 a month. Actually, no I wouldn't, I'd need to add milk and butter. My family of four spends $900 - $1100 a month for groceries. We've looked at shaving it down and we could take out maybe $100/month without sacrificing nutrition but then we wouldn't have any joy in our meals and it's just not worth it.

What do you eat for so little?

I eat what I like. I'm half korean so Rice is a staple food and I have it at almost every meal.

I'm not a breakfast person, so I usually do not eat breakfast. At lunch I usually have some rice and Kimchi. For dinner its usually rice again w/ a protein and more kimchi. lol

[Fett4Real]

I eat 5-6 times a day and feed my wife and only spend about 4-500 tops on groceries...eating alot of chicken veggies and I drink a gallon of distilled water a day which is 87 cents....I dont drink milk, or soft drink or juices, rarely buy junk food...ie any cookies ice cream etc...How many items do you purchase that come in a package already made and all you have to do is pop it in the oven or microwave? I could definately eat $200 worth of food though a month stateside...when I was in Korea living in an Apt for a year I spent about 100 a week on food to cook.

[tahdizzle]

I have my Shin Ramyun, but thats the only packaged goods i eat. 20 bucks for 20 packages at my market.

But a 10 lb bag of rice will last me more than a month, same for a large jar of kimchi.

Thats about 40 bucks there, and then 10 bucks for my water, and about 20-30 bucks on protein (beef, chicken, pork, fish) depending on what amounts of each i actually buy.

I also only have to worry about myself. A family of 4, there is no way I think i can get away with less than 300 bucks a month in groceries.

[LadyFRZ]

Idk man, some people here eat a bit too much.


Eliminating soft drinks can help a budget, plus potentially buying in bulk I've seen cut some costs.

Oh,and.

[BRZPDX]

Go to Costco or any bulk purchase stores. I buy 2 x2 gallon olive oil for $30, bulk meat and freeze them (used to work at a restaurant which helps). Bulk un perishables like can soup, chili, pastas, rice etc. I never buy soda, mostly tap water and Brita. Frozen fish bulk is good too.
Also, buy the whole rotisserie chicken from Costco, and immediately dismantle it just getting the meat (get latex gloves and pull the meat with your hands. you can yield pre cooked tasty chicken meat, usually 2 square Tupperware full. I toss them in salads, make chicken salad or just eat them straight up.
I eat alot of protein since I work out so I buy more meat than average.
Costco also has pure whey isolate protein powder for $50 for 5lbs. most isolates will be about $90 for 5lbs.
Learn how to cook and you will save money and know what to buy.


If you like Japanese curry, one batch of that will last you a long time and you can freeze them as well.


Buy in bulk like restaurants. don't do groceries store pit stops every few days.

[Fortis]

I usually spend around $200/month on groceries and rarely exceed that amount. Lol that even includes beer.

[MokSpeed]

Groceries can include things such as toiletries, cleaning supplies, and so on. If you're a neat freak like me you burn through that stuff pretty fast!

[Kimsey47]

$280 every two weeks for food here with a family of 3... We're not hungry and I'll admit we WASTE too much food at our house. The dog makes out on that though...

[PAPI007]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

I have my Shin Ramyun, but thats the only packaged goods i eat. 20 bucks for 20 packages at my market.

But a 10 lb bag of rice will last me more than a month, same for a large jar of kimchi.

Thats about 40 bucks there, and then 10 bucks for my water, and about 20-30 bucks on protein (beef, chicken, pork, fish) depending on what amounts of each i actually buy.

I also only have to worry about myself. A family of 4, there is no way I think i can get away with less than 300 bucks a month in groceries.

We make batches of bulgogi too and freeze it and we always keep Japchae!