What’s Reasonable for Food?

Love your book “Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half” and love both of the audio seminars (groceries and budgeting) I bought from you too! They really motivate me. I am pretty good at managing a frugal food budget and we also have a nice garden that produces enough food that we can preserve some.

Here’s my question: what is a reasonable budget for groceries and for restaurant meals for me and my husband each month (we’re in our 50’s)? We lump all food (eating out or at home) together and also any household supplies.

Thanks for the great job you do for all of us!!!!

Answer:

It’s so hard for us to give you a specific number for what you should be spending. It’s all a factor of: Your earnings, current fixed expenses (house payment, insurance, car payments if any, medical expenses etc) and your dietary needs.

For groceries, the average we’ve seen for “non-frugal” families is about $200 per person per month—for you and your husband $400 per month. By contrast we spend about $70 per person per month

We would definitely have separate budget categories for groceries and eating out.

For groceries start with what you are currently spending and evaluate if you think you could spend less by being more disciplined or shopping smarter. Then use the savings to fund debt reduction, retirement, vacation or a special event.

As far as eating out, again that’s going to be determined by your other expenses. If you’re trying to reduce debt or pay off a house, then you might want to spend less on eating out. If you’re debt free and have built your savings and retirement plans, then you may feel free to spend more. Regardless of what your financial situation is, we’ve always tried to limit eating out to special occasions or date nights rather than making it a weekly default just because we don’t want to cook. We do this for two reasons: 1) It’s so expensive and; 2) it’s hard to eat a healthy diet when you eat out often.

We’re not talking about feeling deprived; we’re encouraging you to live on purpose—making choices that benefit you physically, emotionally and financially.