unrequited23
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 26, 2015
I normally meal plan by what's on sale. For the past 6 months or so, there really haven't been sales. At the end of March I was just happy to see food on the shelves no matter the brand. Still random things are just completely wiped out the day I choose to shop. Last week it was yogurt. Nearly all yogurt in the cooler was gone except coconut.
I would suggest knowing your prices for the items you normally buy, so that way you know what's the usual price, a good price or a too expensive to buy even though it's on the list price. For example, eggs are usually around $1/dozen, sometimes they go up to $1.50 and unless I've promised the kids something that needs them I skip it. If I see them for $0.45 a dozen, I'm stocking up and making omelets for dinner and hard boiled eggs for grab and go snacks.
I do get a lot of my staples from Aldi--oats, tortillas, baking supplies, bread, chips/crackers for the kids. The prices are generally lower and more consistent. If you are budgeting consistency is nice to count on. We also do a meatless Monday and have breakfast for dinner at least one night every two weeks.
Pre-pandemic we averaged about $100-$110/week for 2 adults and 2 elementary aged kids. Now it's more like, $150/week and I nearly faint because only shopping every two weeks. I would say $600 would be a great starting goal for your family.
I would suggest knowing your prices for the items you normally buy, so that way you know what's the usual price, a good price or a too expensive to buy even though it's on the list price. For example, eggs are usually around $1/dozen, sometimes they go up to $1.50 and unless I've promised the kids something that needs them I skip it. If I see them for $0.45 a dozen, I'm stocking up and making omelets for dinner and hard boiled eggs for grab and go snacks.
I do get a lot of my staples from Aldi--oats, tortillas, baking supplies, bread, chips/crackers for the kids. The prices are generally lower and more consistent. If you are budgeting consistency is nice to count on. We also do a meatless Monday and have breakfast for dinner at least one night every two weeks.
Pre-pandemic we averaged about $100-$110/week for 2 adults and 2 elementary aged kids. Now it's more like, $150/week and I nearly faint because only shopping every two weeks. I would say $600 would be a great starting goal for your family.